Welcome new readers! As promised here's the weekend update!
The next morning after an early breakfast, Draco took them to the train station. There they got in but there was no one else in the entire compartment.
Blaise took a window seat right in the front, Helen and Richard sat with each other. Draco sat next to Hermione and the train took off. Once they reached the station for Monterosso al Mare an announcement was made that it was the last stop…
"I'm not sure this is the right? No one seems to be getting on and they just announced that it's the last stop" Richard asked standing up
Draco stood up and said "Trust me doctor granger… this is… make sure you sit by the window and enjoy the magic"
After a couple of minutes the train started move further ahead. It seemed like it was going to go into a mountain but it passed right through it going down. Suddenly the train was running in a channel underwater. There was a whole colony of merpeople, grindilows etc around. Helen and Richard looked amazed so did Hermione. It was beautiful. The tracks turned up and they arrived at station in the middle of a beautiful lagoon. There seemed to very few people there. Draco helped the ladies off and their little company walked out of the station.
As they got out, Hermione was amazed by what she saw. It was a small town set in a circle around a natural geyser. Water from that geyser was running along channels to the multiple buildings around. There were a few residential buildings, large greenhouses and lot of structures that looked like a mix between a spa's and a hospital.
"Welcome to 'paese di sanare' or the 'the country of healing'" Draco said with a flourish
"What is this place?" Helen asked
"Well it is the magical community's version of a rejuvenating retreat… as well as the best medical facility in the world…" Blaise said
"Is that the fountain of youth?" Richard asked joking
"As a matter of fact, it is… at least it is what all the legends about it make it out to be…" Blaise said seriously
"Really?" Hermione asked Draco
"Well, kind of… Like Blaise said, it's what the legends make it out to be… Instead of me giving you a poor explanation, let me take you to someone who can answer all the questions you have…" Draco said
"Well while you do that, I'm going to head out to my appointment… I'll see at the usual place for lunch?" Blaise said
Draco nodded and they parted ways with Blaise as Draco led them to one of the buildings made of black marble. The receptionist asked for his name and when he gave it, squeaked and ran to a room in the back. From the backroom came an older wizard with a smile
"Draco… It's nice to see you… I trust Lucius and Narcissa are doing well…" He asked
"Yes, they are… Dr. & Dr. Granger this is Healer Giano Badoer. He's and old friend of the family and one of the best Healers that I know…" Draco said "and Giano, this is Hermione Granger and her parents who are muggle healers…"
"Ah yes, the brightest witch of her age I've heard so much about… " Giano said smiling at Hermione
She blushed and said "It's and honour to meet you Healer Badoer…"
"Do come in, we'll sit in my office. Martina could you get us some tea please…" Giano said leading them in
Giano's office surprised Hermione even more. There were all sorts of instruments and books places around. There was a cabinet filled with potions of every colour and other ingredients as well. Draco was amused looking at her.
Once the tea was served and Giano understood the Granger's profession and got a brief overview about muggle medicine it was time to talk about paese di sanare.
"So what is this place?" Hermione asked
"Well miss Granger, this is community dedicated studying the art of healing. From what your parents have told me, you have people who research medicine in your world too. Consider it the same. It is also one of the best healing facilities in the world…. We'll our world… However, research as you know costs money and so we also run a number of Spa's here making it a healing get away spot from the busy life. The income from the spa's funds our research as do generous donations from wealthy families…" he said giving a nod to Draco
Draco smiled uncomfortable. He really didn't want the Grangers to feel like he was some pureblood prince. Which he was, but no one needed to know. Especially not his girlfriend's parents.
"So do you have students here as well?" Hermione asked
"On occasion, we have a lot of specialist here and if they so choose to take on an apprentice, we have them here as well… Why? Are you considering a career as a healer?" Giano asked
"Actually, I'm not sure what the career options after Hogwarts really are… So I'm just curious…" She replied
"You only just got done with your fourth year dear child, you will get a chance to talk about options in the coming year if I remember correctly…" Giano said turning to Draco again
Draco nodded
"Really, we have career counselling in 5th year? Why did no one tell me this?" Hermione asked Draco
"Really? No one told you? What were your prefects doing?" Draco asked confused
"Prefects are supposed to do this?" Hermione asked
"I don't know what prefects are supposed to do, I just assumed they did. In our first year, we had prefects from the house assign a buddy from the second year for each first year so that we didn't get lost and learn all the short cuts around the castle. Also the prefects sat us down on the first weekend and explained all the extra curricular and what is to be expected across the 5 years. We even have the notes from Slytherin alum in a bookshelf in the common room that we can use for projects and stuff… Don't you have that?" Draco asked
"No… we don't… we have none of it… do you have any idea the number of times I got lost in the first year… this is stupid. My house is stupid…" Hermione said grumpily
Draco, Richard and Giano chuckled while Helen said "Oh I'm sure it wasn't that bad…"
"No mum, it was… thank you" Hermione said to Draco sulkily and then added "I think if I make prefect this year, I'll look into doing this… though I doubt anyone except Percy will give me his notes… but a lot of what you said makes sense…" She finished
Draco smiled "Glad to be of service, but we can argue about your stupid house anytime, Healer Giano is here only for today…"
"Only I can call my house stupid" Hermione said seriously to Draco who lifted his hands in surrender
She then turned to healer Giano "Is it possible that I could see some of the facilities here?"
"Of course dear child, would you like to join?" Giano asked her parents.
"I think I'd like to try out the Spa actually… Helen?" Richard said
"Yes, I think that's a great idea, why don't you go on ahead and we'll meet at lunch?" Helen said standing up
All the gentleman in the room followed suit "If you don't mind, I have a private suite here that the family uses, you can try that…" Draco said
"Oh we wouldn't want to impose" Richard said
"No no, it wouldn't be an imposition at all.." Draco replied "In fact I insist…"
"Thank you Draco…" Helen said
"I'll have someone escort you" Giano said ringing a bell and summoning his assistant
—
Draco watched as Giano took Hermione around the various facilities and greenhouses. She was drinking it all in like the bookworm she was. It suddenly struck him that the two of them were actually the top two students in the school. He beat her in DADA and Potions but she beat him in almost everything else. He found himself thinking about the curse again. Maybe he could look into that.
Hermione was thrilled. This had been the best vacation ever. For the first time she'd seen another magical community. Giano had answered every question she could think of and then some. It was amazing how huge the wizarding world truly was. As they bid farewell to Giano and headed for lunch she was lost in thought of the possibilities that existed. For a while she had forgotten all about Voldemort and Harry and Ron and she was thinking solely about herself and her future.
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