Woohoo, I have just passed the 50 review mark; so a big shout out to all you wonderful people who have reviewed.
Chapter fourteen has arrived. A bit more drama will emerge in the next few chapters, as this is a filler chapter in many ways; as it continues from events of the last chapter, while also moving the story along to the next part.
JK Rowling owns everything, while I own nothing...that's just not fair :D
''How much stuff will we need Hermione?'' Ginny asked, as she debated over whether to put a set of jumpers in her suitcase or back into her closet.
''Not that much!'' Hermione stated after looking over to see one other fully packed suitcase already by Ginny's bed. ''Ginny you'll need one suitcase at most.''
''Damn it! Thank Merlin you're here Hermione.'' Ginny said, as she began unpacking her second suitcase.
Hermione had arrived that afternoon, ready for departing with the Weasleys, Harry and Luna in the early hours of the following morning. She had bought the plane tickets and had booked rooms at the hotel she had stayed at with her parents shortly after returning their memories (they had needed a day or two to get a flight back home). Of course Molly and Arthur had then paid her back in wizard currency, and had also then asked her about Australian money; which Hermione had then also taken care of.
''Hello Hermione'' Luna walked into the room, yawning. ''What time did you get here?''
''About an hour ago, you look shattered Luna.''
''Oh it was a very busy day; George says we made enough money today that we could close the shop for a year if we wanted too, so he's not worried about being shut for the next week.'' Luna flopped onto her bed face first as soon as she had finished speaking, causing Hermione and Ginny to laugh.
''Where's George?'' Ginny asked through her chuckling.
''He's packing in his room'' Luna's voice was muffled by her face still being buried in her bedding.
''George is actually packing before Mum yells at him to do it at the last minute.'' Ginny said in disbelief.
Luna propped herself up on her elbows and put her hands under her chin. ''Yes, but he did say since he has only one ear for all of the sound to go into, when his mum yells at him he'll probably go deaf.''
''Okay now that makes sense. I'm going to take this downstairs and find out what we're having for dinner.'' Ginny said, as she picked up her full suitcase and headed towards the door.
''So, Hermione, Ginny was telling me about you coming back to Hogwarts.'' Luna had enquired to Ginny after Arthur had mentioned Hermione going back.
''Ron and Harry think I'm mad, especially Ron.''
''I wasn't completely surprised to be honest.''
''No neither was Ron.'' Hermione laughed at the memory of Ron's fake gob-smacked expression that he had put on when she had told him.
''Hermione, can I ask you something?'' Luna sat up on her bed, and held her pillow in front of her; she looked vulnerable and Hermione could tell that this was serious.
''Of course you can Luna, what's wrong?'' Hermione went to sit on her makeshift bed.
''Do you have any doubts over whether you want to go back or not? Because of Ron.''
As usual it did not take long for Hermione to know all the facts; Luna was thinking about George. ''Yes I do. Ron was fine with it at first, but a couple of days after I told him, he realised that it would mean that we were apart for the first time since last year. In his eyes I could see how sad he was, and just like that I didn't want to go anymore.''
Luna felt relieved to hear this, as she was very much in the same situation; she would be fine with the idea of returning to school, until one of them mentioned being apart in a few weeks time; the look in George's eyes would always make her think twice about her decision.
''Going back to school has been something I have wanted for so long, but now I have George, and he means so much more to me than school.'' Luna began playing with her fingers and looked at the ground; she was clearly becoming anxious over the matter.
''Luna I completely understand. It's the same for me and Ron, and just as Ron has supported me a hundred percent, you know that George will support you in any decision you make.''
''George has said he will support me, and I know he will. I just think that I may end up missing him too much.''
''Well I guess you didn't read the Daily Prophet this morning.'' Hermione turned and picked up the newspaper that had been lying on the end of her bed, and then handed it across to Luna. ''On page five there's an article about the school reopening. Professor McGonagall say's that there will be extended Hogsmeade weekends, so that it is easier for families to see each other; she knows it will be hard for many people to go away from their families again.''
As Hermione spoke, Luna's eyes skimmed the article in the paper, from what she had seen; she would be able to see George almost every weekend apart from the odd occasion when it would be every other weekend.
''I suppose that will make things a lot easier.'' Luna looked up from the article. ''I wonder if George knows about this?''
''Ron will probably have mentioned it to him. He's upstairs getting ready to; Molly yelled at him not long before you got back.''
''Thank you Hermione'' Luna walked over to her and gave Hermione a hug.
''No need to thank me. We're both in very much the same situation Luna, if you ever need to talk to me I'll listen.'' Hermione said as Luna broke the hug and walked over to pull out her own suitcase from underneath her bed.
The girls heard the sound of footsteps coming upstairs.
''Is that Molly?'' Luna asked Hermione; who had clearly been wondering the same thing as she was walking towards the door.
Hermione walked into the hallway and peered over the staircase. She suddenly ran back into the room and began sorting through her things. ''Yes it's her. Quick, start packing.''
Both girls began throwing anything within their reach into their cases.
''Well, that was eventful, and we haven't even got off the ground yet.'' Arthur was giddy with excitement as he turned back to his family; they were stood in front of the stairway that led on to the plane. Ron looked horrified as he stared at the giant metal thing before him; Molly, Luna, Ginny,Harry and Hermione looked calm and content; while George and Percy were just trying to stay awake.
On arrival at the airport at five o'clock in the morning, Hermione had led the group through check-in and all the various other points they needed to make a stop at. Thirty minutes later, the group had finally reached the point where they were boarding the plane.
As the people in front of them moved into the plane, Arthur led the group up the steps, looking at every little thing in fascination as he did so.
''Muggles; absolute geniuses'' he whispered back to Molly, who was walking behind him.
Towards the back of the group were Luna and George; with Ron, Ginny, Harry and Hermione behind them.
''Are you alright?'' Luna asked George, who appeared almost comatose.
''I'm not sure. How long did Hermione say the flight was going to take?''
''About twenty four hours.''
''Oh good, I may be half awake by the end of the journey.'' George murmured as he stumbled up the first step. Luna chuckled at his sleepiness and guided him up the steps; without her he would of definitely fell a sleep then and there, falling face first into the metal steps.
Once they were near to the top of the stairs, they stopped as Percy had paused on the step in front of them.
''Oi, Perce keep it moving.'' George complained to his older brother.
''It's not my fault, it's Dad.'' Percy stepped to the side of the staircase, and George and Luna could see that Arthur was stood in the door way, frozen in fascination and wonder.
''Arthur for goodness sake, move.'' Molly pushed her husband forward, who then noticed the dozens of Muggles inside the plane that were staring at him.
A few minutes later, everyone was in their seats. Molly, Arthur and Percy were on the second row of the middle aisle; Ron and Hermione were on the aisle to the left of them; George and Luna were behind Ron and Hermione; while Harry and Ginny were seated behind George and Luna.
George would have gone back to sleep as soon as he had sat down, if it wasn't for the stewardess who came out to announce all the safety processes of the plane; which had fascinated Arthur to no end.
From their seats behind him, George and Luna could see Ron shuffling constantly.
''Ronald, would you please calm down? You're acting like an idiot.'' They heard Hermione whisper.
''Bloody hell Hermione, are you sure these things are safe?''
''Of course Ronald, even if one of the engines fail; if we crash we'll only end up in the ocean.'' Hermione looked through the gap between chairs and winked at Luna and George, who were laughing at Ron's expense.
''Passengers, if you could please fasten your seatbelts; we will be taking off in approximately on minute.'' The pilot's voice was heard over the intercom and Hermione adjusted her seatbelt until se was comfortable.
''Well kids, this is sure to be wonderful.'' Arthur called to the others.
''Arthur, please remember we are surrounded by Muggles; this is perfectly normal to them.'' Molly reminded her husband.
George slouched into his seat and leaned his head against Luna's shoulder. 'If you don't mind, I'm going to be using you as a pillow for the next few hours.''
Before Luna could respond, George had shut his eyes and was almost certainly asleep already.
In front of them; Hermione pulled out a novel and her eyes began moving across the page, and Ron was sat nervously besides her; turning greener and greener by the second.
Next chapter; The first night in Australia takes an dark turn.
A quick mesage to Chloe 'remuslupin' Black (and to anyone else who may or may not be interested), who asked me about my daily updates. I have basic ideas of what the next few chapters will include, but I don't write a chapter until the previous one is posted. And whenever I have spare time, I start writing, so that is mainly the reason for my daily updates.
So hopefully chapter fifteen will be completed, checked, and delivered sometime tomorrow :^)