Author's Note: I am very sorry for not being able to update as fast as I could. My beta reader didn't respond for several weeks already so I took the liberty to check it myself. Thanks for your wonderful reviews, anyway. I also have a new story entitled "The Fleurdelunes" which I hope you'd also love.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter universe in any way possible. I would only own it when HELL FREEZES OVER!

Chapter 2

Everything Changes in One Night

Harry looked outside the window and noticed the sun beginning to set. He turned his eyes to his watch which revealed to him that it was already five thirty in the evening, four more hours before their flight. He walked away from the window and climb up his bedroom to take his trunk down, but not before he double-checked if everything was in place. Though he was excited to finally go to Australia, he still had the feeling that something terrible might happen and something or someone important to him, might vanished in front of his very eyes. Harry however, managed to remove those thoughts from his mind and tried to concentrate on positive things. Once he had put his trunk down on the floor, he heard a tapping sound coming from his window. He walked closer and noticed Ron's owl, Pig. Clutched on one of the owl's claws was a scrolled parchment. He opened the window and Pig hopped towards the windowpane. Harry removed the tied parchment from its claw, straightened the parchment and began reading it and said:

Harry,

You and Hermione had been really good friends with me and Ginny. You both had change our lives and brought us such wonderful memories that we would forever cherish. Anyways, before you two leave, we want to escort you two to the, as dad would say, airport for your flight later. Just tell me what time you'd have to be there and where we should pick you up.

Good luck with your flight!

P.S. The cheesy lines were made by Ginny. I just wrote what she said. And don't even say that you don't need the ride because we both know you'd want a ride anyway!

Ron and Ginny

Harry couldn't help to laugh at what Ron wrote. He knew it from the first sentence that the words were indeed made by Ginny. He felt happy that his friends even bothered to accompany them to the airport. He took the parchment which was lying on the table beside him and neatly ripped a small piece out of it. He got his quill and ink and wrote:

To Ron and Ginny:

Thank you also for everything that you did for both of us. If you really want to you can come here at my house at seven twenty. You're such great friends. Thank you again.

Harry

Harry rolled the piece of parchment and tied it onto Pig's leg. When he finished, Harry watched the small gray owl fly towards the inky black sky by the pale moonlight.

~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~*

Ron and Ginny continued pacing back and forth, waiting for Pig to return with Harry's response. The siblings were interrupted by a knock on the door. Ginny walked towards the door to open it. She opened it and saw Neville.

"Neville?" Ginny asked in surprise as she made way for Neville to enter the house, "What are you doing here?"

"Nothing, I just want to see you," Neville answered kissing her cheek.

"That's so sweet," Ginny said sweetly.

"Why is Ron pacing back and forth?" Neville asked seeing Ron muttering words under his breath as he paced.

"Oh, we're waiting for Ron's owl, Pig to come with Harry's response. You see we had offered to accompany them to a place called airport where they would go to reach their airplane," Ginny replied.

"Can I come with?" Neville requested.

"Sure thing," she mumbled starting to pace again with Ron.

Suddenly, Pig arrived and perched on the windowpane. Ron, Ginny and Neville came towards the owl. Since the window was already open, Ron just took the bird and untied the scrolled parchment from its leg. The three read the note and after reading, Ron exclaimed, "Seven twenty it is!"

The three finally cooled down from the waiting and they sat down on the couch.

"Don't you think that maybe this is a bad idea?" Ron mumbled shattering the silence that clouded over them for minutes.

"Why so?" Ginny asked; her hand entwined with Neville's.

"I don't know. It just somehow feels like it, you know?" Ron answered.

"Well, I'm sure nothing would happen," Neville said.

"Yeah I agree with Neville," Ginny muttered.

"Let's just hope so," Ron agreed, though not able to push his thoughts away.

~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~*

Hermione was ready to leave. She had already taken a shower and was dressed in her clean Muggle clothes. She had already finished the necessary things she needed to do. Her things were ready as well. She was so excited to leave and finally go to the Land Down Under unlike her friends who have negative thoughts in their minds; her mind was things of everything positive. She had earlier received a note from Harry to be there at his house before seven twenty. Hermione looked her watch and revealed that it was seven fifteen so she took her trunk and another baggage and apparated to Harry's home.

Harry was reading Hogwarts: A History for no reason at all when Hermione apparated to his home. His face lightened with joy upon seeing her. Harry ran to Hermione hugged her and spun her around.

"Thank goodness you're finally here," Harry said, putting her down, "I've been so bored."

"So when are we going to leave?" Hermione asked.

"Right about…now," Harry answered looking at his watch as they heard noises made by a car outside his home.

Harry took both of their trunks while Hermione left the house. Outside, she saw Ron, Ginny and Neville who all hugged her.

"What are you doing here?" Hermione asked in surprise.

"We're going to accompany you to the airport," Ginny squealed.

While the two girls chatted, Ron and Neville helped Harry with their baggage so that he could lock his home. Once they were properly placed, Neville offered to drive so Ron could talk to his best friends. Ginny sat beside Neville.

"So do you have everything you need?" Neville asked.

"Yeah Neville," Harry answered.

"Well then I guess we better get a move on," Neville said, "Hermione, can you please guide me the directions?"

"Oh don't worry about that Neville, I already modified the car so it will know the place where were going. It's practically driving itself but since we have to blend in with the Muggles, you still have to pretend that you're actually driving it," Ginny explained.

"I wanted to drive!" Neville exclaimed but eventually gave in; starting the car once more and they were out of Harry's driveway.

"So you two don't forget us when you're there, especially me," Ron joked.

"Hey!" Neville and Ginny shouted at him.

"What are we last night's meat loaf?" Ginny added, causing all of them to burst out laughing.

"Of course we won't forget you," Hermione answered.

"Yeah especially Ron's big head and gigantic ego," Harry joked.

Ron sank down on his seats while he flushed to the embarrassment.

"Ha, ha, ha, I'll give a new name for you Mr. Potter. How about I call you the Boy-Who-Joked or the Joker One instead of Boy-Who-Lived or Chosen One," Ron sarcastically defended himself.

"Oh come on you two, it's our last time for the next four months to be seeing each other and be together so stop fighting like two five-year-old boys," Hermione shouted at the two.

"Hey Hermione thanks so much for helping us out on our wedding problems," Neville said, "Ginny told me so earlier and I'm sure that they'd make such great ideas."

"You're welcome and thank you too," Hermione said.

"Hey don't forget to write too," Ron mumbled.

"No we won't," Harry and Hermione said in unison.

"Hey, look at the two lovebirds," Ron ordered his two friends to look at Ginny and Neville.

Neville's right hand, rest on top of the gearshift while Ginny's left hand was on top of Neville's.

"Aw how sweet," Ron interfered.

"Ron!" Ginny shouted angrily.

"If you're going to Australia, does that mean you won't use your magic for a while?" Ginny asked when she calmed down.

"No we'll still use it just in case," Hermione answered.

"Well, sorry for breaking the conversation but we're here," Harry exclaimed upon seeing the signs "DEPARTURE" and "ARRIVAL".

"So that's an airplane?" Ron asked pointing at one taking off.

"Apparently," Harry answered.

"Where should I park this?" Neville asked.

"You can just stop the car when we're there," Hermione replied pointing at a place where there were many cars from which the passengers came from.

Neville followed Hermione's instructions and stopped the car when they were finally there. All of them left the car to help Harry and Hermione with their trunks as well as to say good-bye.

"Remember what I said earlier okay?" Ron said as he helped Harry carry his trunk while Hermione got her smaller baggage.

"Of course we won't," Harry answered, "I practically don't want to hear you say them again anyway!"

Harry and Hermione hugged their friends before they entered the airport. When they finished, they started walking towards the entrance. Ron, Ginny and Neville watched as their friends were out of sight. Upon seeing that they had already entered, Ron hopped in the driver's seat and Neville and Ginny went inside the car. Ron ignited the car again and they zoomed out of the place.

"So that was the airport looked like," Ron uttered.

"So many Muggles, all in one place," Ginny exclaimed.

"Now what?" Ron asked, "Where should we go?"

"Depends upon you, you're the driver," Ginny answered.

"Hey guys, you know the feeling Ron had earlier, I'm starting to feel like it too," Neville said worry crossing his features.

"The feeling that you think there's something wrong going to happen?" Ron asked.

"Yes that," Neville replied.

"Oh come on you two, I'm sure nothing wrong will happen tonight," Ginny mumbled.

"Well, how do you know?" Ron asked who like Neville was worried.

"I don't. But I'm sure it's nothing that bad. Besides it's just a feeling like I said earlier. Nothing bad would happen to us and if something does, I am a witch and you are wizards, Ginny skeptically said.

"What if… nothing will happen to us but something may happen to Harry and Hermione," Neville nervously said.

"What do you mean by that?" Ron asked suspiciously at Neville.

"You see an airplane by chance can crash," Neville answered.

"What by chance?" Ginny asked.

"The pilot might lose control or their might be a malfunction in the system," Neville replied.

"How do you know about all of those?" Ron questioned.

"I researched about airplanes after Harry and Hermione told us that they are going to Australia by means of an airplane," Neville said, "But that rarely happens. There's a one in a million chance for that to happen."

"Well let's just hope that it won't happen," Ginny told the two boys though she too began to worry.

~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~* ~*~*~*

After going through many stages inside the airport, Harry and Hermione were already inside the airplane. A stewardess ushered them to their seats. Hermione sat beside the window while Harry sat beside her.

"We're finally here," Hermione said happily.

"Yeah we are," Harry nervously replied.

"Harry, are you alright?" she asked him upon seeing him shaking and clutching on the seat handle firmly.

"Yeah I'm fine," Harry answered.

"Are you sure? Because you don't look fine," Hermione asked once more for reassurance.

"I'm fine 'Mione. I'm just nervous that's all," Harry assured her.

"If you say so," Hermione finally said.

Harry tried to compose himself and laid his head on the head rest but apparently didn't work for he was still freaking out. Hermione on the other hand, was enjoying the view from outside the window. He let out a sigh. Seconds later, a flight video appeared from the small screen in front of him instructing them what to do inside before and while the airplane is flying and what to do in case of emergency. After the video, the screen turned black and the light indicating for them to wear their seat belts lighted on.

"Hello passengers. We are now about to depart from London, United Kingdom to Sydney, Australia. Please turn off all your electronic devices. Enjoy your flight," A stewardess said cheerfully.

From the outside Hermione and Harry were able to see that they are moving already. Harry turned his glance away from the window and stared blankly on the small screen in front of him.

"Harry, are you sure there's nothing wrong? You're shaking and your knuckles are pale white," Hermione asked again resting her hand on Harry's.

Harry took her hand and entwined it with his. He touched the engagement ring he gave her with his thumb and said, "I'm fine really. There's nothing wrong. Just don't leave me."

"I won't leave you Harry. I never will," Hermione promised as the airplane flies on mid-air.

Harry finally calm down by the soothing touch of Hermione. He stopped shaking and his knuckles returned to their natural colour.

Minutes later a stewardess came, pushing a trolley of food and asked the lady beside Harry what she wanted to eat. When she received her food, the stewardess turned to Harry.

"Steak or chicken?" she asked him.

"Steak please," Harry politely answered as the stewardess handed him his food.

"Thank you," Harry said.

"What drink would you like, sir?" she asked again.

"Apple juice please," Harry answered.

The stewardess filled a cup with apple juice and handed it to Harry then turned to Hermione.

"Steak or chicken?" she asked again this time to Hermione.

"Chicken please," Hermione answered and with that the lady gave her the chicken meal.

"What drink would you like, ma'am?"

"Iced tea please," Hermione answered and the stewardess quickly poured iced tea in an empty glass and handed it to her.

"Thank you," Hermione replied.

Harry looked at his meal. There was a juicy steak with mushroom gravy, a plate of fruit salad and for dessert, a chocolate mousse topped with whip cream and chocolate sprinkles. Hermione's was composed of boneless chicken in butter, a plate of vegetable salad with blue cheese dressing and for dessert, a pumpkin pie.

Knowing that Harry always loved pumpkin pie, Hermione decided to give hers to Harry.

"Here you go Harry. I know how much you love it," Hermione said handing it to him.

"No, it's yours. It's not mine," Harry said.

"I insist Harry," Hermione continued to say.

"But-," Harry was going to continue but was cut off by Hermione.

"It's okay Harry. You can have it," Hermione insisted.

"Thanks 'Mione. But if I get your pie, you should get my chocolate mousse," Harry said taking the pie and giving her the mousse.

"Deal," Hermione said.

The two started eating their meals. Harry often gives Hermione some steak while she does the same giving him some pieces of chicken. When they were finished eating their main course, they began eating their desserts. When they were finished, a stewardess took their trays.

"Harry, is it okay if I would take a nap for a while?" Hermione asked after yawning.

"Sure of course," Harry said watching Hermione turn away from him and lean on the window. Harry took her head and placed it on his shoulder instead. Hermione slept on his shoulder with a smile.

Since he wasn't feeling sleepy, Harry decided to watch a movie from the small screen.

"How long have you been married?" the old lady beside him asked him.

"Oh were not yet married ma'am," Harry politely answered, "But we will be in four months. Not to be rude ma'am but if you mind me asking, where's your husband?"

"Oh he passed away a year ago," she replied.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to put up the subject," Harry said sadly.

"No it's alright. Anyways, when did you first meet?" she asked again.

"She's my best friend ever since I was eleven. She never left me in times of trouble," he said honestly.

"You know what they say, best friends make best lovers," she laughed.

"How long have you been married?" Harry asked.

"Fifty-three years," the old lady answered.

"I just hope our marriage will last that long," Harry said.

"Well, if you both love each other with all your hearts, I'm sure it will," the lady said before she turned away from Harry to sleep.

Still cannot sleep, Harry continued the movie he was watching, before the lady talked to him. He still can't remove the negative thoughts in his mind he thought when they first came inside the airplane.

Suddenly, the plane started rocking in a strong and different manner causing everybody who was sleeping to awake. Harry's panic rose when the lights as well started blinking. The upper compartments started to open, causing bags to fly everywhere knocking the heads of unfortunate passengers who were seating at the middle of the plane. Harry was now clutching the arm rest and Hermione's hand tighter. He was as nervous as ever even more when he faced Voldemort. The difference was when he faced Voldemort he was prepared whereas now he wasn't. Cold sweat fell down his face. He could hear screaming from everywhere in the airplane. Hermione, (who was now awake) like Harry, was also terrified of what was happening. She was shaking and breathing heavily. Oxygen masks were released and everyone started grabbing and wearing their own. All of a sudden, the right part ceiling of the plane started to spark and then the wall ripped open, sending two passengers who were seated near the window fly to space. Harry's eyes widened and his heart began to pump quickly. He didn't know that something would happen to them that bad. As much as Harry and Hermione wanted to use their magic, Hermione's wand was inside her baggage while Harry's was thrown to the middle part of the plane. He watched the third person who was sitting beside the two people who flew to the outside, started to fly off too but was delayed when he hold on to his companion who was sitting at the middle part of the plane. Since his companion wasn't wearing his seatbelt, they both flew off. People began screaming louder than before. Lights kept on blinking. Then, Harry's nightmare came to life. Their ceiling began to spark as well and in no time the wall ripped open and since Hermione's chair was weakly connected to Harry's, it got detached from it causing it to fall. Since Hermione removed her seat belt before her seat fell, Harry was able to catch her easily though he wasn't able to pull her back in for if he did, he too will fall down and his only hope was his wand.

"Hermione, hold on!" Harry shouted.

"I can't much longer!" Hermione answered.

"You have too. You promised not to leave me," Harry replied.

"I did Harry but there's no point in saving me now," Hermione reasoned.

Harry looked at Hermione. She was swinging back and forth. The wind swiftly ran to his face. He couldn't make up where they were since it was still night time. He shifted his glance to his wand which was rolling on the floor. He suddenly felt Hermione's grip to his hand loosening. He turned to Hermione and said, "Hermione hold on! Don't let go!"

"I can't Harry! I'm sorry!" Hermione replied, "You have to let go. You can't save me!"

"Yes I can and I'll do anything to do it," Harry exclaimed.

"Harry, no matter what you do, there's no way you could save me. I have to fall. Save yourself."

"I won't let you go Hermione!"

Harry felt himself being pulled to safety from falling off. He turned and saw the old lady. He then continued to reach for his wand. Suddenly, Harry felt Hermione's hand slipping until he was just holding her fingers.

"Hermione, hold on. Don't ever let go!" Harry exclaimed, "I love you so much. I can't imagine my life without you!"

"I love you too Harry. More than you'll ever know. But let's face it I will fall! You can't save me!" Hermione replied.

"I have saved a lot of lives Hermione. And this is the chance I'd be able to save yours!" Harry argued.

"I'm really sorry Harry," Hermione shouted.

"Whatever you do, don't let go," Harry said before turning back to reaching for his wand.

"Good bye Harry," Hermione said but was not sure if Harry did hear her, before she finally let go of his hand and fell.

Harry noticing Hermione's hand no more in his looked down to see her falling down but with no trace of hearing her scream.

"Hermione!" Harry cried aloud.

Harry looked at his hand to find Hermione's engagement ring. He held it tight then placed it inside his pocket. Angry that he wasn't able to save her, he stomped his feet hard on the floor and punched the seat before him not even thinking of what might the person in front of him react. He tightened his fist and started to shout in pain and depression. He turned to get his wand again. He then finally said the words he should have said minutes ago.

"Accio wand!"

In no time his wand was in his hand. He went to see below but found no trace of Hermione anymore. What he didn't know was that their seat was slowly disconnecting from where it was connected. All of a sudden, their chairs both fell off. He cast a spell to remove him and the old lady from their seat belts and move the chairs from where they will fall.

"Spongify!" Harry shouted at what he presumed land so that they won't crash onto the ground.

Though it did soften up, Harry knocked his head onto the ground made by their impact. The last thing he saw was the plane exploding in mid-air before losing consciousness…

Author's Note: In the part when Harry summoned his wand, I want to clarify things. In this story, Harry already practiced non-wand magic that's why he can summon his wand.

I also want to tell you that I've already finished nine chapters of this story but I'm waiting for more reviews till I update.

Thanks for reading and please review!!! ;)