Harry and Hermione - Chapter 3 - Goodbye England
Harry and Hermione stayed in a relatively pricey hotel suite for two nights, they made good use of the adjoining doors, sharing all their meals and spending nearly all the time they weren't asleep or in the tub, together. They didn't talk much about the past. It seemed their whole life had been building to the point of the war - defeating you know who, damn it, Voldemort. And now the war is over. They still had to get Mr and Mrs Granger back but that wasn't looming as a terribly difficult or dangerous assignment - more like a working holiday.
Hermione poured over her book and used the internet to research and advance her two leads; dentistry and emigration. Harry became fond of laying on his stomach beside her, opening the book to a new state each time. He was trying to develop an understanding of how the states were laid out in relation to each other - there were only seven, and the capital city of each one and the theme of each city and region. Sydney is the most well known city, followed by Melbourne, and in between both was a much smaller city named Canberra - the primary capital city of Australia where all the administrative and political stuff happened.
If Aussie muggles had had a ministry for Magic, it would be in Canberra. This is where Hermione's second lead will take them, so Harry begins to make himself familiar with the general lay out of the city, where they might stay, public transport and the like.
"Hermione, after we find your parents, do you think we could have a sort of holiday there? I mean it's such a long way to go and well it seems a shame to waste the opportunity. What is on your list for after we find them, anyway?"
"Well I suppose it partly depends on mum and dad, and partly on Ron and Ginny, but if it is up to us, I say yes! Absolutely, there are so many things to see and learn about. I'd absolutely love it. I am so interested to learn about their indigenous cultures - did you know that they, the Indigenous peoples, I mean, are the oldest undisturbed cultures in the world - fifty thousand years!"
"Really? That sounds amazing. And did you know that to drive from one side to the other takes four days? I'd like to do that"
"Four days with Ron in a car, No thank you!"
"Agreed. I received a reply from Ginny this morning, she doesn't have much to say and she seems pretty down, which is understandable. I wish I could do something for her, but I don't know what."
"This is grief Harry, there isn't anything anyone can do, she just has to work through it in her own way. Even if she did feel better for a little while, she will remember Fred, feel guilty that she was happy and then feel worse than ever," explained Hermione.
"Yeah, I suppose so. I just feel awful; about Mr and Mrs Weasly and George, and the way we left. But honestly, Hermione - even without Ron being an absolute dick, I don't think I could have stayed much longer even for Ginny's sake," Harry admitted.
"I know, me too. Although, I've never felt as comfortable there as you have, Mrs Weasley has always been a bit sort of suspicious of me. Like that time she believed Rita Skeeter and thought I was your predatory girlfriend, and now she seems to think that I'm not good enough for Ron - or something, I don't know." Hermione could talk and research at the same.
"I don't think it matters much though," said Harry a bit distractedly.
"Doesn't matter, Harry, how can you say that?" Hermione looked up for clarification.
"I just mean that Ron will not be coming with us, and that means Ginny won't be coming either. I can't see you and Ron working things out long distance. I mean truly, Hermione, can you?"
Hermione looked away, considering Harry's point and puzzling things over in her mind.
"Is that, is that a Howler?" Harry looked wide-eyed at the red envelope Hermione was holding and she nodded mutely, looking like she would rather be anywhere else on the planet. Harry leapt up to take it from her and placed it on a table at the far end of the room, opened it and returned to stand by Hermione's side. Neither of them were surprised at hearing Ron's unpleasant monologue, shouted at the top of his voice, he spoke without drawing breath for approximately 1 minute, at which time the envelope burst into flames, leaving a small pile of ashes.
Harry and Hermione stood in silence, each processing their own response to Ron's message and considering what, if anything, should be communicated to the other. Finally, Harry asked,
"Are you alright, Hermione?"
"Yes. I think so." She replied in a shaky yet determined voice. "I'd like to check out though, now, if you don't mind."
"Sure, of course." Harry replied. Without another word, each gathered their belongings, stuffed them into their bags and when they met at the adjoining door, Hermione took Harry's hand and they disapparated.
Harry recognised that they were now both standing in an airport. Hermione flashed Herry a look of hopeful pleading, "Well, I think he has made it pretty clear that he isn't coming, so I thought, I hoped, no time like the present?" The end of Hermione's statement morphed into a question.
"Best news I've had all day," returned Harry, shooting Hermione a supportive, and very happy grin.
"You're not disappointed about Ginny?"
"It was always going to be a long shot, she is underage, the war, Fred. Its the timing really, I don't think she would feel right about leaving her family just now to take a trip to Australia, in any case."
"I think you're right. Are you sure, Harry?"
"Very. Now how do we get passports and tickets and things?"
"The old fashioned way, of course, magic!" Laughed Hermione and Harry rejoiced to hear his dear friend laugh out loud.
Travelling with magic was a dream. It was never a problem getting a seat on the next flight. Upgrade? No trouble, Miss. Accommodation during stop over? Certainly, Sir. And travelling together was easy and enjoyable, Harry and Hermione knew each other very, very well, they had spent months together camping in a tent on the search for Horcruxes. They always had the same goal, but where Hermione was comfortable researching and planning, Harry was easy going but headstrong. They kept each other on the straight and narrow most of the time.
There was a stop over in Qatar which they didn't really take advantage of. Harry sent Ginny a message asking how she was and sent a gift box with some little trinkets so she could keep up to date with his journey. Hermione sent nothing. It was clearly over between her and Ron, and whilst Harry was sensitive to Hermione's broodiness, he couldn't help but be pleased, over all. He would never forgive Ron's behaviour to Hermione and he would never forget it. It was aggressive and abusive and as far as Harry was concerned he would rather never have to see Ron again.
They were due to disembark in Sydney, spend a few days getting acclimated to the time difference and the heat and then make their way to Canberra to see what they could find in relation to Mr and Mrs Granger - or, as they were now known, Mr and Mrs Wilkins. During their few days in Sydney Harry and Hermione thought it would be nice to not to make too many plans, but to wander on foot as far as they felt inclined to see what they would see.
Having both seen images of the famous Sydney Harbour of course, who hadn't? both felt confident that they would manage to see it without making specific plans, before they left for Canberra. They slept late, waking each other for meals and wandering the nearby streets laughing at people's accent and dying to hear some say 'mate' or 'g'day', and they did, they really did. Not in every sentence but it was definitely there.
They did see the Harbour and it was as pretty as the pictures. It was hot though, both Harry and Hermione caught more sun than they had intended and promptly bought hats and sunscreen. Feeling a little less jet lagged, they decided to celebrate by having a fancy dinner with a view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge where nearby there was some kind of lightshow where various parts of the city were systematically showcases in the most amazing colours and patterns.