(A/N: In honor of the 4th of July holiday in the States this week I thought I would post the chapter about their vacation to America. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all of the notes and reviews on the story. Really makes my day to hear you are enjoying it. So - without further delay, here is their vacation...carrytheotter)
Ch 98: Family Vacation
While the empty nest trip was still being planned, when August came around Ron and Hermione were excited for their vacation with the kids. They had all decided that the idea of a few days in the city followed by a longer time in a more leisurely place was the best plan. After many days of debate and family negotiation, they had all decided that four days in New York City followed by ten days in a cabin in the mountains of North Carolina was the best combination for their trip. Having arrived in the city by portkey that morning, they were now in a taxi headed through town. While they all lived in one of the largest cities in the world, the gaping mouths all betrayed that they had never been anywhere quite like Manhattan.
Chuckling at them, Hermione said, "You'd think you had never been to a city before. You're from London!"
"London does not look like this!" Hugo observed as he twisted his head so he could look straight up at the neon signs in Times Square.
"Did you live in a building like these when you were growing up, Mum?" Rose asked.
"No," laughed Hermione. "We lived in the suburbs in Connecticut, about 45 minutes out of the city. But Mum and Dad worked at the UN, which is here in Manhattan. We can go visit there if you want."
"But you've been here a bunch?" Hugo asked.
"Well, obviously I lived here when I was younger. And we came to the city frequently – especially for the American holiday Thanksgiving. They have a huge parade here and then everyone eats a fancy dinner with their families. But, well, we were British, so we just came and enjoyed the parade and then ate at a fancy restaurant in the city most years. One year we were invited to a family gathering with some of my parents' co-workers. Felt a lot like Christmas to me, but without the tree and presents and with more pies and tarts instead of cakes and biscuits. And they all eat turkey."
"Is that holiday while we are here?" asked Ron. "Sounds delicious."
"No, it isn't until late November, I'm afraid. But I promise, we will have plenty of good food while we are here."
"I knew I'd like it here," Ron grinned, and they all laughed.
Since it was too early to check into the hotel, they had shrunk their bags down with Ron storing everything in his pocket. It was a gorgeous day, so they decided to head to lower Manhattan and enjoy the boat tour out to the Statue of Liberty and visit the museum at Ellis Island. Predictably, Hermione could have spent twice as long at the museum as everyone else. But, eventually they dragged her out of the museum and back onto the ferry. They went by the 9/11 Memorial, which was touching for all of them, but had clearly impacted Hermione more than the others.
"Well, it had been my childhood home," she explained. "But, I guess it had to feel a bit like when people realized Voldemort was back. Something evil which you had never thought possible was glaring in your face. And suddenly the world was a dark, dangerous, scary place with nations rushing to war." Wiping her eyes she turned to Ron and asked, "Did you know about it when you were an auror or was it such a muggle thing that it was somewhat removed from your world at the time?"
"No, we knew," Ron said sadly. "Actually I was with Fi when Harry sent a patronus telling us there had been a massive attack in America and we had to come back to Auror headquarters immediately. We did, of course, and someone wrangled a muggle tele to show the broadcast of what was happening. The American Ministry was scrambling, and we sent a huge number of aurors to New York to assist with searching for survivors, but, well, there weren't many to rescue at that point. But, the aurors stayed here for a few months to help the Americans while they helped their muggle counterparts. But, Fi and I weren't among those asked to come help here. We both wanted to, though."
As he talked, Rose had put her arm around his waist and hugged him, tears in her eyes.
"You ok, Rose?" Hugo asked.
She shrugged. "Just realizing how much this event probably changed my life. If there hadn't been terrorists in Afghanistan, there wouldn't have been war, and then my birth family might not have had to go to a refugee camp. And maybe they wouldn't have died. But, then I would probably have been illiterate in a rural village. Or – well – who knows? There is no way to guess if my biological relatives were involved in any way, too, I suppose." She sighed and wiped her eyes as Hermione stroked her hair. Then Rose continued, "and I guess I feel mixed up about it. I feel awful all of these people died. And I feel so sad that my biological parents died. But, I'd be lying if I said I wish I'd grown up a girl in rural Afghanistan. That life would have killed me. Not to mention trying to learn magic and such without Hogwarts. Just strange to try to wrap my brain around it. And I hadn't really thought about it that way until we came here."
Ron hugged her tightly, as did Hermione. Finally Hugo joined the family hug and said simply, "It always comes back to being happy and sad. We didn't ask for things. We didn't celebrate them. But they change our lives. All we can do is live the life we have, right?"
"Right," Rose said, tears on her cheek. As the four of them stood there and hugged listening to the water falling into the memorial, Ron simply held his family tightly and gave thanks for the gift of each of them in his life.
As it was now late afternoon, Hermione finally said, "I love each and every one of you so much. But I don't want to spend our time here spiraling into the 'what could have beens' as it will make us all barmy. So, I suggest we head to the hotel, get settled and cleaned up a bit and then head out for a nice dinner somewhere. What do you think?"
Everyone agreed, and soon they had checked into their connecting hotel rooms in a Times Square hotel. Hermione laughed at how touristy it was, but Ron shrugged it off saying "Well, whadya expect? We are tourists!"
The next day they decided to start the day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Agreeing that they could see great displays on Egypt, Ancient Greece and Rome and much of European art back in London, they decided to focus on the exhibit halls dedicated to the American, African, Asian and Oceana areas as well as the modern art exhibits.
Ron and Rose tried hard to be as excited as Hermione and Hugo were about the art. They would walk into each room, glance at each painting and be done, but then realize that Hugo and Hermione were still on the first or second piece of art.
After the first hour, Rose whispered, "Dad, are you really up for this?"
"Are you?" he retorted with a smirk.
"Maybe we should suggest splitting up."
"Then what?"
"Honestly – anything else would be better, don't you think?"
"Well, I want to be supportive of your brother. He loves this stuff. Just because I don't have a ruddy clue as to what he sees or is talking about, doesn't mean I don't want to be encouraging and supportive."
"Ok. Then let's blame it on me."
"Huh?"
"Follow my lead."
"You've been spending too much time with your cousins," Ron muttered as he followed her.
"Mum, Hugo – would it be alright if we split off? I've got to go find the loo and my head is starting to hurt. I think a bit of caffeine would help. If Dad and I go find a café or something, we can wander around a bit and then meet up with you two whenever you are finished looking at everything."
Hermione raised her eyebrow in a knowing glance. "Headache, huh?"
"Well, honestly yeah, but it isn't a migraine or anything," Rose confessed sheepishly.
"I think it's a great idea," Hugo piped up. "You're bored. And I'm being rushed. Mum and I can be here for quite a while. You two head out, and we'll just call you when we're ready to move on."
"Really?" Ron asked earnestly. "'Cuz we know how much you love all of this. We can absolutely do all of this together."
"Thanks for the thought, Dad, but we all know you two are trying not to fall asleep. It's cool. We'll find you later."
"Well. Ok then," Hermione said. "I will stay here with our cultured child, and you two go entertain yourselves. Just keep in mind that we have tickets to the play at 7, so we need to eat an early supper. So please don't eat lunch late in the afternoon, alright?"
"Promise," Ron and Rose replied.
"Thank you, Hugo and Mum. I really appreciate this!" Rose squealed.
"No worries. I am totally not waiting around while you go clothes shopping at any of those fancy stores either."
Ron laughed. "I am the absolute winner here," Ron grinned. "Alright," he said as he kissed Hermione on the cheek, "we'll check in with you two later."
While Hermione and Hugo turned back to their admiration of the art, Ron and Rose couldn't escape fast enough. They headed out into the day, found some drinks and snacks and wandered around Central Park for a while. Heading south, they wandered along the pathways, amused by the menagerie of people that came by. Rose explained roller blades and skateboards to Ron while they meandered. They walked through the zoo, and then bought some sandwiches for lunch, which they ate on a bench. Later they walked towards a lake and saw the carousel.
"What is that?" Ron asked.
"Oh, it's a carousel," Rose said. "Surely you've seen them in England?"
"I've seen smaller versions at muggle fairs I suppose. But that is huge."
"Have you ever been on one?"
"No," admitted Ron.
"Let's go," she said dragging him by the arm.
"Really? It's not just for little kids?"
"Well, admittedly it might be more for younger kids, but look – see how that couple there has no kids. They look like they are on a date or something. And, well, I may have been on one, but this seems like one of those father / daughter activities we should check off our list."
"We have a list?"
"We should," shrugged Rose as she located the ticket booth.
"Ok. We have a list. You are definitely your mother's child."
"Come on, Dad. It will be fun!"
Soon Ron found himself sitting on a brightly painted horse that went up and down as they turned. He felt a little ridiculous for a few moments, but then he looked at Rose and saw that she was actually enjoying it. Then nothing else seemed to matter. He was getting to spend the day with his daughter trying new things and gaining experiences he never thought he'd have. And then he realized he was grinning ear to ear. Rose saw him beaming and reached for his hand, and they finished the ride holding hands enjoying the fun. As they got off the ride, Ron's cell phone rang, and they realized it was Hermione.
"Hey, have you guys finished at the museum?" Ron asked.
"Yes," Hermione said. "We just left."
"Tell me you ate something in all that time."
"Yes, Ron. We stopped at ate at the museum café for a while. But thanks for your concern," she chuckled. "What is that I hear in the background? Are you guys at an amusement park?"
"No," Ron admitted. "We just went for a ride on the carousel here in Central Park. Apparently it was on our father daughter to do list. And it was great."
"Brilliant," she said in such a way Ron could hear her smiling. "I love that you did that."
"Yeah. Me too."
"So, now what?"
"Well, I think we just stay split up and do our own things and meet back at the hotel later. We'll all need to clean up before supper. Should we be back by 4?"
"Sounds great. See you two then."
Hermione hung up the phone and smiled at Hugo. "So, now we have a few hours to ourselves before we meet them back the hotel. What should we do?"
"Well, the lady in the gift shop said the walking tour looking at the architecture was worth doing. Could we do that and take the long way back to the hotel? Maybe even get an ice cream on the way?"
"Brilliant," she smiled.
After they had walked a while Hugo asked, "Can I ask you a question?"
"Oh course, Hugo. What is it?"
"I've just been thinking a lot about Daddy recently and how he would have felt right before he went to Hogwarts. I know you didn't know about the magical part, but can you tell me a little about how you think he felt about going off to boarding school?"
Hermione thought for a bit. "Well, like you said, I obviously didn't have the whole story. I remember being really surprised when Collin went away to school the year before when I had never known they were thinking about it. But, when he would come home on the holidays he was as happy as I had ever seen him. So, I had at that point assumed your dad would go to the same school. But, he told me he was worried he wouldn't get accepted. Of course I didn't know he was really worried that he wasn't a wizard as well. I remember how thrilled he was when he called to tell me he had received his acceptance letter. He was simply over the moon – both to get to go to school with his big brother but also to get to go to Hogwarts. But, anyway, one night sometime that August right before your dad went to school, I can remember he and I were playing cards in his room while our parents were downstairs talking. I don't remember where Collin was, but he wasn't there. But, that night he confided how nervous he really was. He said he didn't want to look like a baby in front of Collin so he was trying to keep up the brave face. But, he was worried. He said he was worried he wouldn't be in the same dorm as Collin, which I guess meant Gryffindor. He was worried about making all new friends and wondering if other kids coming to the school already knew each other. He was worried about being homesick, and I think at the very bottom of that list he was worried about how hard the studies would be. He started to tear up and then begged me not to say anything to his parents or brother. He really wanted to go, but he said it was a lot of nerves heading off in to the unknown."
Hugo nodded his head knowingly. Hermione let the comfortable silence linger between them as they continued to walk through Manhattan.
Eventually Hugo said, "I think I am nervous like Daddy was. I guess it's the same in that he was hoping to be with Uncle Collin and I am hoping to be with Rose, but at the same time I want to be my own self and make my own friends, not just hang around with hers. You know – I really can't imagine how nervous Collin was going off to Hogwarts not knowing hardly anything about magic, let alone anyone already there."
"I've thought about that a lot too, Hugo. I cannot imagine how nerve wracking it must have been for your Gran to let him go there. They must have gotten their Gryffindor bravery from her. If I hadn't had Ron's support and I wasn't a witch and all of a sudden McGonagall had shown up and told me Rose was invited to Hogwarts I don't know that I could have done it."
"But if you had gotten your letter when you should have you would have wanted to go too. Even if it was a year before Collin."
"Yes," she admitted. "I think finding out I was a witch at that age would have helped me not feel as crazy or as alone as I often did as a child. I didn't fit in very well, and I think it would have given me a place to make friends more like myself."
"Don't take this the wrong way, Mum, because I mean it as a compliment. But I don't think you would have blended in at Hogwarts either. You are so smart that you would have blown everyone there away as well. Not saying you wouldn't have made great friends. But, even in the magical world Dad says he doesn't know anyone as smart as you."
"He said that?" Hermione asked, blushing.
"Yeah. And I heard him saying to Harry that you are probably the brightest witch of their age or something, and Harry agreed. So – I am sure you would have been top of your class there too. And, as you know, the view can be lonely from the top."
Hermione gawked at him for a moment. "When did you get so brilliantly insightful?"
Hugo just laughed. "Well, I am insightful enough to see that ice cream shop up there. Can we stop?"
"Sure," she laughed. "I guess you are absolutely your father's son too. Not to mention your mummy."
After a few days in New York, the family sat at a restaurant in Brooklyn overlooking the city eating their last dinner there. They were going around sharing their favorite parts of the trip so far.
"I liked the art museum that bored you two to death," laughed Hugo.
"I liked the American quidditch shop in the magical part of town," admitted Ron. "I know it's not really any different from English quidditch, but it was still really cool seeing the different styles of brooms and the different teams they have here."
"Well, mine was a tie," shared Rose. "I liked the magical shops too – especially quidditch. And I also really loved seeing the shows. After reading To Kill a Mockingbird this year I thought I knew the story, but seeing it come to life like that was amazing. And the way they did the animals in The Lion King you would think they had used magic. But, my favorite thing was going on the carousel in Central Park with Dad."
Ron beamed, took her hand and kissed it. "Really my favorite too," he said to her.
"Yeah, I had the same reaction to the Lion King!" said Hugo. "I can't wait to tell Mrs. Rupesmith about how they did that play. What about you, Mum? What was your favorite?"
"Well, I liked the plays, and I liked getting to show you where I grew up. But, I have to admit my favorite part was Chinatown yesterday. Watching the three of you try dim sum for the first time is way up there on the memory list for me. Hilariously perfect."
"Hey, how was I supposed to know you were only supposed to take one or two pieces from each trolley? I thought it was like the Hogwarts trolley lady. You had to take it while you had your shot! And I couldn't understand how you were going to be full on one piece of whatever it was."
"Well, yeah, and the fact that what you got a ton of was your least favorite thing to eat," laughed Hugo.
"Come on now, it was chicken feet and turnip cake! Turnips should never be in a cake. It is just plain wrong. And I try not to eat feet of any kind. But those sausage sweet bun-thingies and those little bundles with the pork and chicken, now they were good."
Hermione was laughing too hard to respond, which made Ron's ears turn red until he too joined in the families' giggles.
"Ok. So, we've clearly established I am not as culturally suave as your mum. But this is not new information here."
"No, you're right," smiled Hugo. "I think you'll be much more in your element in the next phase of the vacation."
"Have you ever been to the North Carolina mountains before, Mum?" asked Rose.
"No, I haven't," she admitted. "But, I have been further north in that same mountain chain. The Appalachian Mountains aren't like the Alps at all. They apparently are much older and much more worn down with time."
"The pictures look beautiful," sighed Rose.
"Yes. They really do look blue and green. Guess that's where the name Blue Ridge Mountains comes from. Should be fun exploring the new area together."
"Well, if it's even half as fun as our time here in the city is, then it will be a great success," said Ron. "Here's to my wonderful family." With that they each raised their glasses and toasted to the rest of their trip.
When the portkey landed them in the magical broom closet in the Asheville airport, they were able to come out like any other passengers and rent a car for their time there. Naturally Hermione was the only one who could drive it. But, sitting in the front seat while Hermione drove on the "wrong" side of the road was clearly scaring the daylights out of Ron.
"Ron, knock it off with the white knuckles and the screwed shut eyes. You are perfectly safe."
"Sorry," he apologized with gritted teeth as he clutched the door handle with his still-white knuckles. "It's an instinctive reaction. I've barely adjusted to muggle cars to begin with and now they are not only all flipped to the wrong side of the road, but these mountain roads are so windy you can't see what's coming until it's on top of you."
"That's it. I'm pulling off at the next gas station and you are going to the back seat and Rose is coming up here. You're acting more childish than the children."
"Still don't see why we had to get a car. We could just apparate and fly where we need to go."
"Shut it, Ron. Oh, look, here's a gas station. Rose, honey, get out and switch seats with your father."
"You're serious?" Ron asked.
"Dead serious," she glared at him. "You're stressing out the driver, which is the only thing unsafe about this whole situation. Now move your rear to the back."
"Just do it, Dad," whined Hugo. "I want to get to the cabin."
Grumbling, Ron got out of the front seat and switched places with the smirking but silent Rose. The backseat fit was tight, so he had to sit at an angle to fit his long legs into the car. Hermione had driven them back onto the road as soon as they both had their seatbelts on.
Hugo glanced at Ron and saw he was about to grumble again, so he whispered, "I don't think you should push your luck, Dad."
Ron just sighed, closed his eyes and gripped the door handle with all of his might.
By the time they were settled in the cabin, everyone's nerves had settled as well. Seeing the incredible view from the porch of the secluded home, Ron felt his stress leave him immediately. The place had two bedrooms, a small kitchen and family room/dining room combination. But, the entire back wall of the house was windows, ensuring that with the exception of the kitchen, second bedroom and the bathroom, you could always see the glorious view. There was also a huge, wrap around covered porch with hammocks, rocking chairs, a fire pit and a hot tub, and Ron figured they would spend most of their time out there.
They spent that first day exploring trails around the house and relaxing on their own with books and journals. Hermione and Rose headed back down into town to get groceries, but all agreed it was best if Ron didn't go along. But, by the second day, they decided they were up for more adventure. They packed a picnic lunch, their shrunken down brooms, changes of clothes and swim suits and headed off towards the Smoky Mountains National Park. Seeing on the map how much of it was not accessible by road, they realized it would be a great place to fly. They parked at one of the access sites to a long trail, and hiked about a mile or so in until they were sure they were nowhere near other hikers. Then they pulled out their shrunken brooms and headed off. As Hugo and Hermione weren't confident on their own brooms, Ron took Hermione while Rose took Hugo, and they were each covered in disillusionment charms. They stayed following the trail, but were able to do the ten mile hike out to the remote waterfall in only a quarter of an hour instead of the all day hike it would have been. They landed in a clearing, set up their picnic and enjoyed the rest before changing into bathing suits and wading into the creek and waterfall. As it was incredibly hot, the cool water was extremely refreshing. Ron and the kids splashed roughly in the water while Hermione sat contentedly on a large rock in the shade watching them.
After an hour or so, Hugo climbed out of the water and pulled out some of the art supplies he had brought along and began to sketch the waterfall. Rose and Ron decided they wanted to go for more of a fly, so they got back on the brooms and headed off, while Hermione lay on a blanket in the shade reading. It was one of those days where time seems to slow down, and they each felt utterly relaxed as they relished in the beauty and quiet of the mountains around them. By evening, they decided to pack it all up and head back to the car and cabin for dinner.
After a simple supper on the porch, they sat out at the fire pit for hours, watching the stars and telling stories. Hermione gave it up and went to bed, and Ron tried to get the kids to do the same. But, they were too caught up in the excitement. Eventually he summoned the mattresses from the kids' rooms and set them up to sleep on the porch under the stars. He said he was going to sleep inside, but he'd leave the sliding door open so he could hear if they weren't actually going to sleep.
The days continued to pass leisurely with the family reconnecting and exploring the beautiful area. They had joint adventures like inner tubing, rafting and zip lining. And Hermione kept her promise to finally get Ron on horseback, which they all enjoyed. Rose and Hermione went off on several shopping excursions, and few nights they went out to dinner. But most of the vacation was spent driving to a long trail head, flying quickly to a remote and gorgeous location where they would spend the day picnicking and exploring before heading home again. Then they had simple dinners, campfires, and time together under the stars.
On the last afternoon, Ron took Hermione out for a short fly near the cabin as the kids said they wanted to "surprise" them with dinner. So, Ron flew them up to the top of the mountain they were on where they knew they would have a gorgeous view of the sunset. Hermione had brought a blanket, and they sat on the ground, Hermione tucked into Ron's arms and watched the sky go from turquoise blue to peach to purple and red and magenta and then to the dusky blue that comes before nightfall.
"I'm not ready to go home," Ron said.
"We're going on vacation again in like three weeks," Hermione laughed.
"I know. But they're not going to be there with us. I'm just going to miss them. It's not just missing our kids. I just really like them as individuals and have a great time being with them."
"We have to let them leave the nest if we ever want them to come back of their own choosing."
"I know."
"Weren't you ready to try a new adventure when you first got on that train?"
"Totally different," he scoffed. "We are way cooler to be with than my parents were."
"I thoroughly enjoy your parents, Ron. But the point is I am rather sure Molly wasn't ready to put you on that train either – and she definitely wasn't ready to put Gin on it the next year. But she did. And now she has both of you still in her daily life. If she had kept you home and smothered you, you would have left the day you turned 17."
"Well, I ended up leaving that summer anyway on the bloody horcrux hunt, but point taken."
"They'll be fine. And we'll be fine. We are going to have a fabulous time with your sister and Harry on our trip. We finally get to date a little, you know, now that we're married and both kids will be out of the house."
"I am looking forward to that," he said with his lopsided smile.
"Good. I am too. And I am very confident we will find some next project or some next adventure to pursue. You and I are not ones to go find some rocking chairs and wait for time to pass. It will be really different. But different can be good."
"No – different can be great. My life can fully attest to that. And I am looking forward to the part where I get to have you all to myself you know," he said quietly as he kissed her deeply. But just then the phone buzzed with a text saying Dinner in 15 minutes! Come back!
"Alone you say?" Hermione chuckled. "I'm not sure we will know it when it hits us in the face!"
