DISCLAIMER: I don't own HP. JKR does.
Journey to NZ.
Blurb …
Mrs Weasley decides that everyone needs a break. So when things reach breaking point, they decide to go on holiday-to the land of the long white cloud, New Zealand.
But after an incident on the local mountain, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny find themselves landed in a local muggle school, in an attempt to blend in until their holidays over.
Will the Weasley's blend in? Will Ron ever work a cell phone? And how will Ron and Ginny react when Harry and Hermione have to kiss for drama class?
AU: Just pretend that the whole H/G thing didn't happen in HBP. Harry never fell for her, and Ginny still broke up with Dean as usual. Apart from that, everything's the same.
CHAPTER SEVEN: Re-cast.
By the next day, Harry had confirmed to himself that he indeed, fancied Ginny. Although he couldn't help it, he knew that he couldn't do anything, as Ron would probably kill him. But the term was ending and coming closer and closer to the play, which would be on the Saturday after school finished for the term; therefore Harry had no time to ponder on what he could do to make Ron like nothing better to have his sister go out with his best friend.
Hermione was becoming jumpy and nervous, and kept asking Harry to play Lysander for her so she could practise. Harry was getting very good at Ron's lines as well as Puck's. Hermione would have asked Ron to do this, but Ron been spending a lot of time tight-lipped and nervous while in the meantime trying to do homeword and also trying to figure out how to use a "cellphone". They were getting off the bus home from school down the road from the Noveltel, when they found the little device sitting on the footpath, looking old and scratched, but working. Someone had obviously thrown it away.
Now Ron was determined to figure out how to use it, yet he wasn't having much luck. He could be seen pressing all sorts of buttons, yet nothing would happen and sometimes the "Cellphone" turned it's self on, then off, and Ron had to start all over again.
"Stupid useless thing." Ron complained, whacking it with his hand as they entered the school grounds on Friday, a week before the play.
Hermione laughed and smiled warmly at Ron and Harry smirked again, remembering what he and Ginny almost walked in on last week.
Ginny. That was one person he couldn't stop thinking about. Try as he might, she seemed to be everywhere and kept appearing in his dreams. Look, just don't think about her, or her ability to hex anyone into a pulp … or her cute smile … or-
"Hey Harry!"
"Ginny!" Harry said hastily and Ron, Hermione and Ginny looked at him weirdly.
"Harry?" Hermione asked "Are you ok?"
"Yes!" Harry said "I'm fine! I'm totally fine!"And with that, he stormed off through the people as they screeching bell went off, signalling form period.
"Hey guys!" Jordan said brightly, as she and Rachel came over to them in Harry, Ron and Hermione's classroom. "Do you guys know your lines yet? The plays next week you know!"
"I think so." Ron said, who had taken out the cellphone and began whacking it on the desk.
"Um … what are you doing?" Rachel asked, watching Ron's actions of apparent beating-up or the cellphone.
"Trying-to-get-it-to-work!" Ron said in an angry voice.
"Here!" Jordan said, grabbing the cellphone off him before he did anymore damage. Then she turned it on by pressing the "End key" (Whatever that was supposed to be) and started explaining the wonderful world of "text messaging". Ron was ecstatic.
"I think I know all my lines." Hermione said fearfully, taking out her script, which was looking a bit battered now that she had been reading it so frequently. "But there's this part at the end which I'm not quite sure of-"
"Hermione!" Harry said, calming her down "We went over that part last night! You know it fine!"
"I guess." Hermione said, reading it over none-of-the-less.
"Anyway, guess what?" Rachel asked. She was in the play herself, playing Titania. "Today's rehearsal is staring at Period 1, after form class." Rachel took a breath. "And today, we're practising the kiss."
Hermione, who had just taken a drink of some bottle water splurted it out all over the table, and Ron nearly choked on the pen he had in his mouth.
"W-what?" Hermione gasped, coughing loudly.
"Yeah." Rachel said plainly. Lately, whenever they reached the kiss when rehearsing, Ron and Hermione would pause awkwardly, for a moment, and then carry on.
"I can't believe we're practising the kiss today." Hermione muttered frantically, half an hour later in the drama room, standing by "Side-stage" or more commonly known as the right hand side of the room.
"Well, you have to do it sometime." Harry told her. "You can't just do it for the first time on the night."
"Why not?" Hermione asked fiercely.
"Because you might freeze up and get it all wrong." Harry said. "The kiss is the highlight of the play. You have to get it right."
"So much for no pressure." Hermione muttered to herself and Harry laughed.
"Ok everyone!" Miss Vienna called and everyone fell silent. "Now today we are going to practise the kiss between Lysander and Hermia. May you two please come foreword?"
"Ok!" Hermione called, then turned fearfully to Harry "Where's Ron? He's not here yet!"
Harry glanced around. Harry had thought Ron was behind them all the way to the drama room, but he was no where to be seen.
"I dunno, maybe he went to the bathroom or something?" Harry suggested.
"Well he'd better hurry up!" Hermione muttered as people began glancing all around for Ron.
But he didn't turn up.
"Has anyone seen Ron?" Miss Vienna asked the room at large. Most people called out "No!"
"Oh miss!" someone called, and Harry turned to see Matt stepping forward and everyone turned to face him. "I saw him just before. He said that he wasn't feeling very well and was going to health and wellness."
"Health and what?" Harry asked.
"I think it's the equivalent of the hospital wing." Heroine muttered back.
"And he asked me to tell you that he wouldn't be well enough to do the play next week." Matt finished and there was an uproar of people talking in panicked voices and everyone whispering.
"Oh dear!" Mr Puckle said thoughtfully. "What a disappointment. I was counting on him-he was a good Lysander."
"I guess we'll have to re-cast Ron's character." Miss Vienna said thoughtfully to Mr Puckle while everyone discussed this important news.
"What's wrong with him?" Hermione said fearfully.
"Dunno-maybe he ate the pies from the canteen?" Harry suggested. But it was true-the pies from the canteen were awful.
"Harry, be serious!" Hermione said, snapping. "He could be seriously ill to not be able to do the play!"
"I am serious!" Harry told her.
"Does anyone know Lysnader's lines pretty well?" Miss Vienna called out to the room. Harry began to put up his hand (Hermione's nervousness had caused Harry to know practically all of Ron's lines) but Matt had practically flung his hand into the air and called "I do miss! I do!"
"Well, ok then." Miss Vienna said. "We'll use you for today, then after rehearsal, we'll see who we can get for the part."
Matt looked triumphant, but Hermione looked disgusted.
"I have to kiss him?" she asked in outrage.
"I guess so." Harry told her, as Mr Puckle beckoned the two of them forward.
"This is MacLaggen all over again." Hermione muttered and stomped forward.
"So we're doing the scene in which Lysander and Hermia part for the night." Mr Puckle said, as Hermione and Matt reached the "Stage." "Let's begin!"
"Fair Hermia-we must sleep apart tonight. Or who knows what endeavours we may encounter?" Matt said without scripts-Mr Puckle expected no scripts last week. But he was doing well for someone who didn't know half of his own lines.
"Must we, Lysander?" Hermione said, looking straight into Matt's eyes. "There are all sorts in these woods-I wouldn't feel safe unless you are there right by me."
"I won't let anything happen to you." Matt recited. "Just call and I shall find you-no matter where you are."
"Well, ok. I trust you Lysander, my love." Hermione said.
"And now we part." Matt said
"Please?" Hermione said, taking a step forward. "May our lips touch one more time, in farewell until we meet again?"
Matt looked more than willing.
"Anything for my fair maiden." He smiled then leaning in, he and Hermione kissed-right on the mouth and everything.
Harry watched, and couldn't be feeling more awkward. Never did he think Hermione would ever kiss someone, let alone in front of 30 odd people. But then, he always thought she would have to kiss someone eventually. She may be Hermione, but she's still a girl.
But it was then Ron walked into the room-and Harry did not like the look on his face when he saw Hermione and Matt.
-Before, Ron's P.O.V-
The bell rang, and Ron followed Harry and Hermione out of their form class, heading for the music room, yet Ron was quite beside himself. Did he honestly think that his first kiss with Hermione would be in front of about 30 people, in a muggle school, in a foreign country?
Uh, no.
Ron was becoming jumpy, somewhat like Hermione had been for the last week or so and almost let out a yell when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He heard someone say his name, and turned to see Miss Lyra-his form/maths teacher.
"Hi there." She said, smiling her perfect white teeth. "I was wondering if you could help me move some boxes? They're a bit heavy and I don't think I can carry them on my own."
"Oh." Ron said, and saw Harry and Hermione walk off through the people, not even noticing that he was gone. "Well-I'm in the play and I have to be at rehearsals-"
"Oh this will only take 5 minutes." Miss Lyra said and without waiting for an answer, she smiled brightly and marched him away.
The boxes, it transpired, were a lot heavier than Ron thought and took at least 15 minutes to move from the classroom to the teachers store cupboard in the library.
This is such a waste of time! Ron thought angrily I could be kissing Hermione right now! Oh Merlin, he sounded so wrong. So what if he did want to kiss her? He didn't have to admit it, even if it was in his own mind.
"Ok, thank you a lot for your help, Ron!" Miss Lyra said and Ron smiled weekly. "Sorry it took so long, here's a note to give to your teacher so you won't get in trouble."
Ron took the slip of blue paper and headed off to the drama room. The school was quiet as everyone was in class.
He hoped he wouldn't be too late. He had the kiss to practise after all. Ok, he couldn't help it. He'd been trying to make it as if it was no big deal, but really Ron was ecstatic. He honestly couldn't wait. Great … why did I have to fall for Hermione of all people? But then-Hermione always seemed jealous of him and Lavender-uh-bad memory; don't think about that-so maybe she did like him after all? Maybe there was hope for them after all?
But if there was hope for them, then why was she kissing Matt?
Ron thought his mouth drop open as he opened the door and saw Hermione and Matt practically snogging in front of the class.
"Bravo!" Mr Puckle cried when they broke apart. "I believe that was wonderful!"
Matt was saying something to Hermione, but she was waving him away and was moving towards where Harry was standing. He looked over at Ron who met his eye. Ron knew he was as shocked as he was.
Ok … calm down Ron … they were just practising the kiss, that's all! That's all, because I was late! Yeah … don't worry, you won't have to rip that Matt to bits … it's all good … You know, he really had to sort out this lying thing.
"Hermione!" Ron said, trying to control his outrage, but he didn't think he was doing very well-his voice was quivering. "Hermione! Why in the name of Merlin were you kissing Matt?"
"I'm serious Ron, I didn't want to!" Hermione said, looking upset "He said that you were sick and couldn't do the play, and he said that he could take your place for today so we could practise!"
"He did what?" Ron said. Matt was going to pay for this.
"Anyway!" Miss Lyra called "We'll continue with the rehearsal. Harry-you said you knew Lysander's lines, could you come play Lysander for a while?"
Harry didn't have a choice. Miss Lyra came and practically pulled him to the stage, with Hermione following gloomily behind.
The rest of the rehearsal went as if Ron wasn't there. He would go to speak up, but Miss Lyra was too emerged in the play, and Mr Puckle had gone off to sort out a costume crisis.
Miss Lyra kept alternating with different people who knew Lysander's lines, including Harry and Matt. The plan was to see who come change characters at the last minute and who was, well, the best. Rehearsal lasted all day and when the bell rang at 3 O'Clock, signaling they could go home, Miss Lyra was beside herself with excitment.
"Ok! You all did brilliantly today!" Miss Lyra told the class, "But of course there's the Lysander problem, as Ron is not able to participate.
"Miss Ly-" Ron began, but several people shushed him and Miss Lyra carried on as if there was no interruption.
"So we have decided to re-cast the role as the person who performed the most excellent today." Miss Lyra said. "That person will be-"
"Bet it's me!" Ron heard Matt whisper to his friend and Ron mastered the impulse to strangle him
"-Harry!"
"What?!" Harry and Hermione both said at the same time.
"WHAT?" Matt said loudly.
"What?" Jordan said, looking confused.
"What?" Ron asked in disbelief.
"This is a bloody nightmare." Harry said after school that day, in their room at the Novetel. "I don't want to be Lysander! I want to be Puck the fairy!"
Harry was in complete shock. He wasn't counting on being re-cast a week before the show-it was next Saturday!
"You want to be a fairy?" Ginny laughed and Harry whacked her with a cushion. "Ok ok!" She said, emerging out from under the pillow. "But remember-Lysander and Hermia kiss."
"WHAT?" Harry and Hermione both shouted, Harry almost falling off the couch and Hermione dropped her book onto Ron's foot.
"I forgot!" Hermione said in disbelief, and for some reason, glancing at Ron.
"Yeah-we just forgot the most important, and not to mention physically embarrassing thing I'm ever going to do. Voldemort might as well kill me now." Harry groaned and slumped onto the couch. How on earth was he going to kiss Hermione of all people? She was his best friend-that would just be awkward.
Plus Ron would flay him alive.
Then Mrs Weasley bustled in, carrying a basket of laundry.
"Dears, can you please get me your uniforms? I need to wash them for Monday-" she stoped short at the look on all the four teenagers faces. "What in the name of Merlin is the matter?" she asked.
"Mum, please say we can leave soon?" Ron asked desperately.
"You mean New Zealand?" Mrs Weasley asked and all four of them said "Yes."
"I'm sorry." She said "But the death eaters are still on the look out, and almost caught Remus and Tonks out in town today. Sorry-but we can't leave just yet. Plus we have plane tickets out of the country for a week after your play."
"I don't believe this." Ron grumbled and stormed off to his room. He'd been doing that a lot lately.
"I'll go see him." Harry told the two girls and Mrs Weasley, and then went after Ron. He was lying up-side-down off his bed, muttering to himself.
"You ok?" Harry asked, sitting on his own bed.
"Fine." Ron grumbled and turned away from him. Though had a somewhat reason to believe that he wasn't being entirely truthful.
A/N: Always remember to save changes to a document. Just a word of advice. Because if you don't, you end up doing them all over again. sigh. Oh well. Also on the pie comment, i think it's true-ever since some fateful health lesson, i've been put off pies for life.
Plus i'm not sure why i even made Lupin and Tonks come to NZ, but i love them, so i must have thought "Why not?"
So anywho, i thank everyone who has taken the time to review-it means so so much to me.
And sorry if the stories not beliveable-i have a feeling it is. Oh well, i like it, so honestly, i don't care if you hate it. Lol, but it'd be nice if you did?
Ok, i have to go have breakfast now. Bye!
-Moon. : D