Disclaimer: I do not own anything of the Harry Potter copy write, nor to I own my own island, which is what I would buy if I did own the copy write.
A Day in Sydney
The next day dawned bright and crisp. The Granger's left the kids to finish packing with the plan to meet them at the mall for lunch in the food court and then they could go home and finish any packing they hadn't finished in the morning. The morning went slowly as the teens were impatiently throwing things into the boxes pell-mell. Packing was boring and they wanted to do something else after spending nearly a whole day packing the day before and a whole morning packing also. They wanted to finish so they could do something that afternoon. Hermione was thinking of taking the others on a tour of Sydney to see the different museums, and maybe a zoo. But first they had to finish the maddening packing of knick knacks and books and other general clutter.
Hermione had separated the guys and girls to avoid the problem that had happened the day before. No romance was allowed today, she had told them. Not if they wanted some free time. So Ginny and Hermione had taken the upstairs and the guys the downstairs. Hermione had another reason for not wanting to be with Ron all morning. She didn't think she could keep it a secret that her mom had given her the Talk the night before after their romantic evening watching a romantic movie. She needed to think hard about what had been going on between her and Ron and why she, a normally level-headed person, did something so rash as to sleep with someone so soon after starting to date them. It didn't really matter that she and Ron loved each other and had for so long. It just wasn't normal Hermione behavior.
"Okay, spill Hermione. What is going on? You are being way too quiet this morning," Ginny said startling Hermione out of her musings. Hermione sighed.
"I don't know Ginny, I am just wondering if Ron and I rushed things. I mean we got together during the final battle then we ended up sleeping together only two nights later. I just never thought of myself as that type of girl, you know what I mean?"
"Oh, Hermione, you shouldn't worry so much. You know that Ron loves you and always has ever since that damn Mountain Troll incident," Ginny responded with a laugh.
"No, I know that he loves me and I love him, I do. It's just…I think we're moving too fast. But I'm afraid that since I've already been with him that if I say I want to stop and wait a while he'll be mad with me and want to break up—"
"Wait! Wait, Hermione. Ron loves you, he would never break up with you for that! Merlin's pants! Do you really think my brother is that tactless and mean?" Ginny was astounded.
"But he—"
"No, Hermione he isn't like that. He may be a guy, but he loves you enough to respect your wishes. If you tell him you want to stop and wait, he'll complain, and he'll be a pain in your arse, but he wouldn't leave you," Ginny was calming down seeing her friend's hope shine through the doubt. Hermione was finally acting like the girl she was and not the hectic bookworm trying to learn all life's mysteries before she graduated.
"Hermione, I think you and Ron need to sit down and have a nice long talk. If you tell him what you're worrying about, I'm positive he'll understand. Okay? Now, should I go get him or will you send Harry up here?" she asked with a smirk. Hermione turned to her, horrified.
"What, now? Ginny I can't do this now!"
"Why not?" she asked, her smirk widening.
"Because, we're…I'm…I just can't, it's not the right time or place," Hermione finished lamely.
"What's not right about it? Your mum gave you the Talk last night, tell him that and he'll back off right away. I'll go get him now. You wait here," Ginny got up and ran out of the room and down the stairs. Hermione began pacing and worrying even more. What if he breaks it off with her? What if he gets distant? What if he cheats on me?! Thoughts ran rampant through her head as he paced and came up with the perfect conversations and scenarios in her head while she waited. Soon she heard the tell-tale thumping of Ron thundering up the stairs.
"Hermione, where are you? Oh, there you are. Ginny said you needed to talk to me? What's going on?" As she stared at his big, innocent eyes she knew that what she was going to say was going to hurt him and the thought of hurting him caused her to burst out into tears.
"Hermione! What's the matter sweetheart?" Ron rushed forward and embraced her in his big arms.
Ginny sped down the stairs and into the formal dining room. She marveled at how little the guys had gotten done in the three hours they had been working.
"Harry," she heard her brother start talking from under the table. What in the name of Merlin is he doing under there? Ginny thought. "Do you think Hermione has been acting a little weird this morning? She barely would make eye contact with me this morning at breakfast, and then she split us all up." Hmm, he may not be as dumb as I thought, Ginny mused.
"Nah, I think she's just anxious to get home," Harry's voice rose out from under the table as well. Harry's under there too?! What the hell is going on?
"What the bloody hell are you two doing under the table?" She heard two loud thuds and saw the large dark maple table bump twice just a little.
"OW! Bloody hell! Oh, Merlin that hurt," Ron cursed.
"Ginny? Why'd you do that? Oh, son of a banshee, that hurt!" Harry emerged from under the table rubbing the top of his head. He glared at Ginny good-naturedly while she laughed hysterically. Ron crawled out and glared up at her which made her laugh harder. The two guys stood rubbing their heads and waiting for her to stop cackling. Finally, she calmed down enough to wipe the tears from her eyes and ask, "So, what were the two of you doing under there?"
"Nothing, it's none of your business, Ginevra. Why are you down here anyways, didn't Hermione banish us?" Ron spat.
"Actually Ronald, Hermione asked me to come down here and get you, she needs to talk to you." Ron gaped at her and turned and left the room without saying anything. As soon as they heard his heavy footsteps going up the stairs Ginny giggled.
"He is so wrapped around her little finger," Harry said.
"Harry?" he turned to her only to see her wiggling her pinky at him in a gesture that clearly said come here. He raised an eyebrow at her and she giggled again.
"So what did Hermione want?" he asked as he walked over to her which made her giggle turn in too open laughter.
"I think that's their business. Now, are you going to tell me what you and my brother were doing under the table together? Or should I be worried?" She batted her eyelashes at him as he balked.
"Oh, god, Ginny! That's just wrong! Ugh, what…where would…good god, get the images out of my head! Ew!" Ginny's laughing spree began again and this time Harry joined her. "That's just so totally wrong Ginny, why would you tease about something like that?"
"Oh, I don't know, maybe so I could do this?" she said as she tackled him to the ground and began tickling him mercilessly. After several minutes of Harry squirming under him and laughing breathlessly, she rolled off of him and he lay gasping for breath.
"Are you ready for round two, or are you going to tell what my brother and my boyfriend were doing under a table together?" she asked. Harry cleared his throat.
"Ginny, normally, I would tell you but in this case, I think all parties are better off not knowing. What happened in this kitchen before you showed up, will stay between me and Ron, until the day we die." Ginny gaped at him. He was very serious as he said this but while he watched her face grow shocked and suspicious he burst out laughing. She huffed and sat up. She crossed her arms and sat Indian style on the floor next to him. He sat up also and scooted closer to her to place his arm around her.
"I'm sorry Gin, but you won the tickle fight. I had to say something to get you off me so I could do this," he said just as he finished he began tickling her ruthlessly. She was giggling madly and rolling around trying to escape for several minutes before Harry showed compassion and let her up.
"Tie?" he asked and she nodded, winded from laughing too hard for too long. "To tell you the truth Ginny, Ron and I were just talking. He told me how you guys, all of you, when you wanted to talk privately you'd sit under the kitchen table and just talk. Ron and I haven't really had much chance to talk just the two of us in a long time. And we were both getting bored with packing. So, I said why don't we pull a Merlin from that children's movie and make everything shrink into one box. He had no idea what I was talking about so I said why don't we ask Hermione later. That's about when you came down," he ended. She sighed and laid her head on his chest.
"This is comfortable. I wish we could stay this way forever," she whispered. They sat together on the floor in comfortable silence under the table for a long while before they moved out from under it and resumed packing.
-_- Meanwhile -_-
Ron sat hugging Hermione while she cried, just sat, and didn't speak. He didn't ask her what was wrong, or say it would be okay. He just held her. This act, so unlike how Ron usually was, made Hermione realize how much he must love her and this realization made her feel even more horrible about what she was going to do.
For one brief moment she entertained the idea of just carrying on with Ron the way things had been going. But her rational mind and her conscience wouldn't allow her too. She knew her mum was right when she said that it wasn't only the guys responsibility to protect and prevent. She knew she would feel horrible if they ended up with a child before they were married and ready for a baby. She knew she had to be a responsible adult about this, despite Ron's feelings. She took a deep breath and sighed. Her tears were dried (on Ron's shirt) and her breathing was somewhat back to normal. She was determined to say all she needed to without breaking down again. She just hoped that Ron wouldn't hate after she said her part.
"Ron we need to talk." Ron paled after hearing that sentence. His stomach dropped to his knees. His worst fears were coming to light. If there were a boggart there in the room right now, he would be seeing double. Hermione the boggart breaking up with him and the real Hermione doing the same. His heart started thumping wildly in his chest and his breaking became labored. Hermione was steeling herself to break the ice and wasn't watching Ron, who despite his respiratory and cardiac issues hadn't moved a muscle since the dreaded sentence.
"Ron," Hermione began still not looking at him. "I've been thinking a lot today, and I think we should—"
"Hermione!" Ron shouted. Hermione stopped talking abruptly and finally looked at him. He was visibly panicking. "Please don't do this! Please! Don't break up with me, please? What ever the problem is we can fix it! Should I stop being so clingy, should I be clingier? Should I cut my hair? What do I have to do so you wont do this? I love you, I don't think I can—" Hermione interrupted him by kissing him soundly on the lips. He was so shocked he began pulling away but she grabbed his head and held it firmly. After only a few seconds he began kissing her back. Once she felt him relax, she released his head and pulled away.
"I am not breaking up with you, Ronald," she said firmly. He sighed in obvious relief. "I just want to talk to you about our, ahem, love life."
"Love life? What do you mean?" Ron said with a confused look.
"Our, er, love life," Hermione said pointedly looking at the bed they were sitting on. Ron followed her gaze and dawning showed clearly when he grinned. She sighed and muttered, "Boys."
"What about our se-er, love life?" he asked. Hermione took a deep breath and closed her eyes. When she opened them she looked him right in the eye.
"Ron, I'm going to be blunt alright?" He nodded so she continued. "I want to stop having sex until we're married." There she got it all out without breaking down or blushing like crazy. Now, she just had to wait for him to say something. Anything. She began to get worried when he didn't say anything and just continued to stare at her with a blank look and his mouth partly open. Several moments went by and still he had said nothing.
"Um, Ron? Say something, please? You're worrying me," she mumbled. He blinked and nodded, looking away.
"Huh," he said. She looked at him staring at the floor. Another minute went by before he stood up. He stepped over the window and looked out onto the street. "May I ask why?" he asked calmly. She took yet another deep breath and spoke.
"My mum gave me the sex talk last night. I think she knows." What ever she was going to say this was not what he had expected. He turned and looked at her surprised.
"Really? She knows? Do you think she told your dad? Oh crap. After what he talked to me about last night, I had no idea. Do you think he knew then? I would have thought he would have killed me," Ron chattered incoherently while Hermione pondered the comment about her dad.
"Wait, Ron, you and my dad talked? About what?" she asked curiously.
"Well, it was basically the 'What is your intentions with my only daughter?' speech. I told him I loved you and kind of feared you. So he had no worries about me leaving you or hurting you. That kind of thing," Ron answered casually. Hermione was surprised that he was able to brush off that kind of discussion in such a cavalier way. He really was growing up. A year ago, a talk with a girlfriends father would have sent Ron running in the other direction. Not just running but screaming as well. And waving his arms about and tripping over stuff. The image, literally, running through Hermione's head caused her to giggle. Ron stopped pondering how Mr. Granger was going to kill him when he heard her giggle.
"What? My life ending by your father's hand is funny to you? Here I am a war hero only to die because I pissed off my girlfriend's dad, and you're laughing?" he asked shocked which caused her to laugh harder. As soon as she settled down she explained the funniness of his statement, that of which he found not as humorous as she did.
"So, back to what you said earlier. Why don't you want to, erm, have sex anymore? Did I do something wrong?" Ron asked quietly and all humor escaped the room quickly. Hermione sighed.
"Ron, you've known me for seven years now. Do you think I'm the type of person who would jump into bed with a guy, whether my boyfriend or not, after only a few days of being together? I'm a very rational person, but in this case I think my rational side took a small break out of exhaustion after spending nearly a year on the run. I didn't want to be the normal Hermione anymore the day after the war ended. I wanted to be like every other teenager out there. I wanted to be with the guy I have liked for several years and had deep feeling for. I wanted to rejoice like everyone else that the war was over and we were alive. Relief overcrowded common sense and rational thought escaped me for a while. But talking with my mum last night, I… realized that I've grown up too fast these last three years since Voldemort returned. I grew up fast because I had too, in order to be able to help Harry and you during the last year. I thought I was ready for this level of maturity, but I'm not and I hope you can understand that." Hermione sat looking at her hands because she couldn't look at what she was sure would be Ron's disappointed face. She knew he was going to break up with her but she was determined to not cry again until he left the room.
Ron on the other hand was smiling sadly. He knew exactly what his girlfriend was thinking and it hurt him that she would think him so shallow. Yes, he was a guy, and he tended to think with his smaller 'brain', but that didn't mean he didn't love her all the same after her little speech. In fact, he thought he loved her more. She was willing to sacrifice everything for her beliefs and that is what attracted him to her all along. He walked over to her and sat down next to her and pulled her hand into his.
"Well, I must say that it is a relief to hear you say that, rather than what I thought you were going to say. I am disappointed that you feel this way, but I am glad that you told me instead of just letting it go," he said with a grin. She looked up surprised that he was so calm. She was expecting a ranting, red-faced, ball of anger, not a calm, almost happy face looking down at her.
"You're not mad at me?" she asked quietly. He chuckled.
"No, why would I be mad at you for being the same Hermione I fell in love with? I love you, Hermione, and I hope you never change. If this is what you want, I can wait." Hermione stared at him for several long seconds before tackling him and kissing him hard on the lips. They snogged for a few minutes and she finally let him up.
"Oh, Ron, what did I do to deserve you? I love you too! I thought you were going to hate me, and break up with me. I was so worried, but you are the most amazing boyfriend ever. I love you." She kissed him once more and he chuckled. They lay on the bed next to each other cuddling for a long time before they heard a soft know on the door. They sat up and Ron called come in. Ginny poked her head around the corner and grinned.
"It's almost time to leave for lunch. You two okay now? Looks like you didn't get anymore packing done," she smiled at them. Hermione looked at her watch and gasped.
"We were supposed to leave fifteen minutes ago! Why didn't you come up here sooner?" she said she jumped up and pulled Ron to his feet.
"Actually, I did. You were a little preoccupied and didn't hear me knock. So I figured you needed a little extra time. Harry's waiting downstairs, the cab pulled up a moment ago. We have everything downstairs, we just need to lock up as we leave. Come on," Ginny said as she whipped around and ran down the stairs. Hermione and Ron followed her out the front door after locking it behind them and got into the cab with the other two and they headed to the mall.
During a quick lunch they learned that it would cost the Granger's a thousand dollars to pay off the Rosin's lease and since they were sending all their clientele to the Rosin's, they didn't have to pay off their lease because the Rosin's would tae care of it for them.
The realtor also wanted a quick look about the house before he made the final agreements to buy the house later that night, so the teens were pressured into returning and finishing the small amount of packing left after lunch. The larger stuff could wait until Hermione's parents were done with the paperwork that night and could help out. The teens decided to hurry home and finish the last of the packing and then they were going to go on a small unofficial tour of Sydney for the afternoon.
Hermione agreed that since they were technically allowed to do magic in her parents house, it would be no problem to close the blinds and magic everything into boxes. Still, it took about an hour to finish all the packing except the furniture and enough dishes and necessities for the remaining few days. Hermione got out a small booklet with the word Sydney across the front in big bold letters and started planning. She picked out several locations for them to discover, including a museum, an art gallery, a zoo, and something she wouldn't tell the others about.
They all dressed in long sleeved shirts and jeans with light jackets on as it was a whopping 24.4 degrees Celsius (76 degrees Fahrenheit) outside, which was slightly unusual for May weather. They hopped on the monorail and went deeper into the city to the Australian Museum.
When they arrived they walked into the large building and heard the ding that signified a guest arriving. A short balding man with the smallest glasses ever perched on his nose came out of a side door that said Personnel Only on it. He walked over to them quickly with a smile on his face.
"Welcome to the Museum of Australia. My name is Ross and I'll be your tour guide this afternoon. How are you today?" Ross said quickly. The teens glanced at each other and smiled. Hermione stepped forward and started talking.
"My name is Hermione Granger, this is Ron Weasley, Harry Potter, and Ginny Weasley. It's nice to meet you." Ross's smile widened and he gestured towards the museums entrance.
"Follow me and we'll get started. Is there anything you are particularly interested in seeing today?" Ross asked looking back at them while he walked. They shrugged and he laughed. Ron poked Ginny and whispered, "Does he remind you of an older cheerier Percy?" She looked at the man, giggled and nodded her head.
"Well, I can tell from your accents that you're not from Australia, so I'm guessing you don't know too much about it? Is that right?" Again they all nodded and he chuckled. "Well I know the first place we'll start. Indigenous Australia," he said as they arrived at a large area covered in pictures and simple art.
"Before Europeans showed up in our great country here in 1788 with their convicts and marines the Indigenous Australians populated the whole continent." Ross gave them a long lecture about the history of the people. Ron was slowly about to fall asleep standing up, and Hermione was eagerly listening and even taking a few notes. Harry and Ginny had begun a pinch and tickle fight behind their backs. Each was trying to get the other to yelp or make a noise, and neither was winning. Soon enough Ross was done talking and they moved on to another area, the historical artifacts of the Indigenous people. Ron saw Harry and Ginny poking each other and when she was least expecting it, poked Hermione in the ribs. She turned around after jumping and dropping her small notebook.
"What?" she hissed. Ron realized his mistake. Hermione actually enjoyed the history lecture, Harry and Ginny didn't. He sighed and replied, "Nothing, sorry, 'Mione." She shook her head and returned to listening to Ross's never ending lecture. He sighed and followed them along. After a while he poked Ginny in the side and whispered to her and Harry.
"Who do you think is worst Binn's, Percy, or this guy?" Ginny started giggling and Harry snorted.
"I don't know, Binn's is pretty bad but this guy is pretty oblivious." Just then a middle aged woman walked up behind them.
"Who is Binn's?" she whispered. Harry, Ron, and Ginny all jumped and spun around. Hermione and Ross continued walking oblivious to the fact that over half their tour party stopped walking.
"Who are you?" Ron asked the woman.
"My name's Charlotte. Bancroft. You can call me Charley. I see you've met my colleague Ross. I don't know who this Binn's person is, but if he's worse than Rossifer then I'm glad I don't know him. What are you four kids doing in a museum on your day off from school?" Charley asked.
"Well, we actually are done with school for the summer. We're on hols from England," Ginny replied.
"Ah, Englanders, aye? Well, I'll rephrase, why are you four kids in a museum on holiday? Why aren't you doing something fun?" she said with a laugh.
"I think this place is fascinating, thank you very much. Why did you guys leave me?" Hermione said angrily from behind them. Ron and the other two shuffled guiltily and didn't say anything.
"I'm sorry, I actually stopped them. This young man dropped something back there. I was returning it to him when we got a little sidetracked introducing ourselves. My name's Charley, or rather Charlotte. But I prefer Charley. What's your name?" Charley said as she pulled a stick out of her sweatshirt pouch. Harry, Ginny, and Hermione all whipped out their wands and Ron searched frantically for his.
"I'm sorry, but I can't wait all…day? What the heck is going on here? Why do you all have sticks?" Ross asked as he came around the corner. Charley pulled another wand out of her pouch and aimed it at Ross.
"Sorry for this Rossifer. Stupefy!" The red stunner sped towards Ross and Harry shouted a Shield spell aimed for the Muggle. The spell bounced off and Ross screamed like a child and fainted anyways.
"Stupefy!" Harry shouted at Charley. She deflected it easily and wordlessly.
"Now really! I'm trying to help! Incarcerous Maxima! There, now you can listen to me without me having to worry you're going to attack. My name is Charley Bancroft, I work here at the museum, in the Magical Community Area. One of you, I'm guessing the red-headed guy, dropped their wands in the entryway. After I fished it out of the trash, when the secretary threw it out, I decided to come find the owner. Now, I'm going to let you free. Please try not attacking me this time, thank you." She released them from the bindings and they stood up. Ron stepped forward and took his wand warily from the woman.
"Thanks," he said. Harry stepped forward.
"Could I ask you something?" Charley nodded.
"What was that spell you used? It tied all four of us up at the same time. I've never seen or heard of anything like it before." Harry, knowing now that they over reacted, was curious but still wary of anyone who could tie them all up like that in one spell.
"Oh, that's easy. Incarcerous Maxima." She waved her wand to show them the movement. "It's just maximizing the binding spell to tie up anyone in the room that's both conscious and not saying the spell. It's not great for someone to use when being attacked by a large group. If one of you had used it, it would have tied up your friends as well. The only person left un-tied is the caster and anyone unconscious." Charley explained as she walked over the older man, still lying on the floor.
"Tsk, tsk. Poor Rossifer. I tried to stun him so he wouldn't see any of this. I'm going to have to Obliviate him also. Damn, this is the fifth time," she sad as she crouched next to him. "Ennervate. Obliviate. Hey Rossifer, come on up you get. What is with you and spiders? See one and you faint like a little girl. Let's get you to the office so you can lie down. I'll finish your shift for you. You guys stay here I'll be back in moment." She walked off half carrying the confused man leaving the teens standing there.
"Well, that was definitely weird. Harry, do you think you're going to get into trouble for doing magic here?" Ginny was still shaking from being tied up so easily that Ron's question rattled her even more.
"Well, that Charley person did her spell also. Hopefully not. She actually did more magic than I did. So I don't think I have to worry too much," Harry replied.
"You're right, I did do more stuff than you. But no worry, this place is registered at the Ministry because we have an area for magic folk. Follow me and I'll show you. Ross told you about the Indigenous Natives right?" They all nodded so she continued talking while they were led through a room and towards a wall with an armoire against it. She waved her wand in front of it and they heard a click. She opened the doors and gestured towards it. They looked at it and saw not a wall on the other side, but a long hallway that had several doors leading off into other places. The teens hesitated and looked at their host.
"Well, I don't have all day. This is the way to the MCAM, Magical Community Area Museum. None of the Muggles know it's here except the curator, and she's a Squib. So come on, before a Muggle comes this way," she whispered as she pulled Ron and Hermione towards the door. Harry and Ginny shrugged and followed.
As they entered the larger room at the end of the hallway they saw several other people standing around looking at the art on the walls and Charley walked off with a colleague. Harry had never seen art on such a large scale before, only during grade school field trips and the Hogwarts paintings, so he was staring at several of the vivid, moving paintings as he pulled Ginny over to him.
"Have you ever been to a magical museum before?" he asked her quietly. She shook her head.
"My parents could never really afford the cover charge for all of us. Charlie and Bill have though. Actually I think Bill sometimes works in museums, after gathering all the stuff from the tombs in Egypt. I've been to some cool places in Egypt on our trip, but none of them were museums. Why?" She was looking at an elaborate sculpture of a man standing casually despite having no clothes on. Harry finally saw what Ginny was ogling and covered her eyes.
"Ginny! Don't look at that! Why would they have something like that here? It's indecent!" Ginny was giggling and trying to uncover her eyes for another gander when Hermione appeared next to them gazing up at the marble statue.
"Oh my goodness! This…that's…Harry do you know who that is? It's David! Michelangelo's David! What is it doing here? I never knew that Michelangelo was a wizard!" Ginny was staring at Hermione with a confused look, and Harry had forgotten to cover her eyes. Ron was ambling towards them when he saw Hermione gazing at the nude monument with reverence.
"Hermione!" he squeaked. "What are you doing? Stop looking at that at once! Why are you looking at that?" Ron ran over yelling. His shout drew the eyes of their fellow museum goers. Some looked disgruntled at being disturbed, others, like Charley, looked amused.
"Ron, this statue is famous. I will look at it if I want too," Hermione whispered angrily. "Ginny see how his arms are unusually long? Michelangelo used the same model for the few years it took to sculpt and the young man he started with had a growth spurt before he was finished, so when he was done the proportions were off." Hermione dragged Ginny over to the plaque in front of the effigy and they learned more about it together, leaving Ron and Harry alone.
"Nutters. Who would want to stare at a starkers statue all day long? I mean if it were a female I'd understand, but I guy? Ew? Come on Harry let's leave the girls with their Marble God, Daniel, and look at other stuff. Where'd that Charley girl go?" Ron dragged Harry off towards a door that said History. He figured Ron was too baffled to see where he was headed. He tried to warn Ron, and pull his arm away but Ron had always been the larger and stronger of the two.
Ron pulled Harry into the room and shut the door behind him and sat on the nearest bench. He was muttering under his breath about girls and nudity so he didn't see Charley coming towards them. Harry poked Ron in the ribs and brought him from his musings just as she stopped in front of them and said, "Hello again!"
"Hello. Sorry I didn't introduce myself earlier. I'm Harry Potter, and this is my friend Ron Weasley," Harry said formally. He was still irritated with the woman for startling him with the rope spell.
"Well, hello, Harry Potter, and his friend Ron Weasley. How do you do?" Charley asked just as formally. Ron rolled his eyes. Harry smirked.
"I'm doing well," he said. "How about you?" Charley grinned. She liked this guy.
"I am doing well also. What have you been up too since we last met?" Ron groaned but was highly entertained by his friends banter.
"Well, our girlfriends saw the David statue, and us guys fled. Could you by any chance tell us what room we're in?" Ron shook his head and saw a twinkle in Harry's eyes. He looked bored, but Ron could tell that Charley was moving up on Harry's scale of fondness.
"Well, I can answer your question. You are in the History room. Anyone who comes in here is usually entertained by a monotone voice explaining the history of the Indigenous people and about their magic, and then they are allowed to roam and see all of the arrowheads we have collected. And believe you, me. We have a lot," she grinned. "Would you like the grand tour?" Ron groaned for real this time. He looked around for an exit while Harry answered.
"Well, your friend Ross gave us quite a thrilling lecture earlier. So I think we can skip the history lesson for now. I was actually hoping to run into you again so you could tell me more about their magic, though perhaps without the monotone voice?" Ron groaned once more and Harry elbowed him. "Ron, why don't you go locate Hermione. I'm sure she's love learning about this." Ron perked up and went looking for his girlfriend and sister leaving Harry behind with Charley.
"So, Harry, why's a famous guy like you here in Sydney? Wouldn't you want to go somewhere exiting? Like…Paris?" Harry shrugged. He was getting used to people knowing who he was even halfway across the globe.
"Paris is too close to home. Actually, Ron's girlfriend, Hermione, her parents were here hiding. So we came to get them. Now, we're just waiting for them to sell their house and office and then we plan on going home," he answered. Charley looked interested and sat down on the bench and gestured for him to join her. As he sat he looked closer at her. She was a middle-aged woman, with light, honey brown hair. She had steely-blue eyes, with many laugh lines. She was a medium build with a little bit of pudge around the middle, and only a few inches shorter than Harry, which wasn't saying much.
"Well, that explains why you're in Australia, but why are you in a museum, I'm still wondering," she replied.
"Again, my friend, Hermione. She's very…educational. She likes to learn, and she planned our day today. We aren't spending the whole day here." Right then the others arrived very loudly.
"I will look at whatever I want too Ronald! And you won't say anything about it! Do you understand?" Hermione shouted. Ron was about to shout back when Ginny looked at Harry. He quickly silenced them and stood up.
"You two need to shut up. We are in a public place where people value their quiet. I'm sorry but that was the only way to make you listen. Sorry about that Charley," he said before lifting the spell. Charley just chuckled.
"Well, at least I didn't have to yell at them," she mumbled low enough for Ginny to hear, which caused Ginny to burst out laughing. Hermione glared at them.
"What do you want Harry? This dunderhead just came over and started yelling at me because I was looking at the Venus of Urbino and she just happens to be nude. Now all of a sudden I'm gay! Who is he to say that? I happen to love art!" Hermione started to rant to Harry and he waved his wand and silenced her. As soon as the room was quiet Ron started to speak.
"All I've seen her look at today was naked people! What was I supposed to think? And why are all these so called famous paintings of naked people? That's so disturbing I—" Harry waved his wand once more and Ron was silenced again.
"You two just don't get it. Ron, Hermione loves you. She is not, in any way, gay. Hermione, Ron can be a little shallow sometimes, you know that. I also thought you were smart enough to not yell in a museum. Now both of you knock it off before we get kicked out!" Harry said to the disgruntled silenced duo. The nodded stiffly and Harry once again removed the charm. "Now, Charley was going to tell me about the native people's magic. I thought you would enjoy learning about that Hermione." Hermione suddenly looked much more interested.
"I've been wondering more and more about the natives and their magic. Do they really not use wands?" Charley looked happy to have someone who wanted to know more. She led them to a smaller room that had a projector in the center and several squishy chairs to sit in. They all sat while she started the projector and turned off the lights.
"Yes, Hermione, the native people of Australia do not use wands. There are some tribes who send their children to the magical school in Sydney, and those kids use wands, but there are several tribes who live in the Kakadu National Park and Daintree Park. Those two are the main areas for native magical tribes. They are easily hidden with charms and anti-Muggle spells. They've lived the same way for hundreds of years teaching their magic to their young. Every once in a while a particular child decided they don't want to live in the tribal area so they leave the village and come here to Sydney to learn more about the modern world.
"I help train anyone who wants to learn more than their families can teach them, and help them make the decision of whether they want to return to their village or venture out into the world. If they decide to venture, I have to teach them laws and rules as well as modern technology. I have to teach them about Muggles and the history of the wizards and witches of Australia.
"One tribe that is extremely hard for Muggles to get information on is the Barbaram tribe in Northern Australia. They are one of the only tribes left virtually untouched by modern humans." The teens sat and listened to the surprisingly interesting lecture about the Barbaram tribe and how their magic was an inherent ancestral trait that they believed was something that everyone was born with. The way a parent punished their children for bad behavior was to threaten that the Gods would take away their magic if they didn't listen.
An hour later the four left the museum weighted down with knowledge they would probably never use again. They headed towards a corner café and bought coffees before getting a taxi and going to the Sydney Wildlife World, a zoo in the center of Sydney that showed all of Sydney's native animals. The girls favorite animals were the little Sugar Gliders and the Koala Bears, the guys actually enjoyed the Reptile Habitat and seeing the different lizards. The Thorny Devil and the Frilled-Neck Lizards were their favorites.
They spent a few hours roaming the zoo, oh-ing and ah-ing over the cute and cuddly animals and peering at the scaled and slimy. Hermione pulled them out and told them they had a few more hours before her parents would be home to show the house and they had one more stop. She refused to tell them where they were going and only gave the taxi driver the directions to the newest location. She was bouncing with glee as they arrived at the one and only Luna Park.
"Wait, what's this place called?" Ron asked once more as Hermione finished paying the driver.
"How many times are you going to ask that Ron? Luna…Park. How hard is that to remember?" Ginny spat out sarcastically. Harry was grinning from ear to ear and bouncing from foot to foot.
"An amusement park! Oh, Dudley always got to go to these, and I was never allowed. Then he'd come home and tell me all about the roller-coasters and the food! I've always wanted to come to one!" Ginny was watching Harry amused. She'd never heard of these places but Harry was so exited, and that made her exited. Ron heard Harry mention food and instantly perked up.
"I saw an add for it in the newspaper. Actually the name Luna caught my eye, and I thought it could be fun. Mum and Dad have brought me to a few carnivals, but they aren't as big as this. Though if I am correct the place where the Dursley's are staying has a very large amusement park nearby also. Come on," Hermione giggled as she pulled Ron towards the giant clown mouth. Harry started pulling Ginny and she laughed to see he was almost prancing with giddiness to get inside.
"I want us all to go on the Ferris wheel first, alright? Ron, you can keep me safe since I don't like heights," Hermione said. Ron looked to Harry with a look that said 'a what wheel'? Harry shrugged and followed Hermione anyways. They stood in line for what felt like forever. Ginny saw the giant 40 meter tall wheel and was very skeptical of venturing up there but Hermione assured her that it was perfectly safe. She hated heights but the Ferris wheel was still her favorite ride. The four got a basket all to themselves and waited for the ride to ascend. During their wait the sun had begun to set and it was getting dark. Hermione had timed their arrival perfectly.
"Ron, look over there! See that sunset? Isn't beautiful?" Hermione whispered. Ron leaned in a kissed her softly on her temple.
"Yeah, beautiful," he whispered, looking at her. She turned her head and locked eyes with him. They both leaned in and shared an amazingly soft, tender kiss. Across from them Harry and Ginny were enjoying the same view of the sun setting over the bay.
"Wow, that's so amazing. It's better than the view from the Owlery." Ginny was cuddled next to Harry and he had his arms wrapped around her. They shared a warm kiss and he sighed.
"I love you Gin," he whispered. She smiled and whispered it back to him. Soon their basket started to descend and Harry glanced over to Ron. The touching moment was over and they grinned at each other after hearing what Hermione said next.
"My dad always rocks they basket and scares the life from me almost. I know these things are safe but it's scary this far up." Ron and Harry grinned. Hermione caught the look and gasped.
"Oh no please, don't!" she yelped a moment too late. The basket began to rock back and forth as Harry and Ron leaned forward and back in time to the swaying. Hermione screamed lightly as the rocking got wider and she saw more and more of the ground and sky with every motion. Ginny was giggling like mad but not helping the boys either. Hermione latched herself on too Ron and refused to let go she was screaming lightly in between hysterical giggles. She had closed her eyes and buried her face in Ron's shoulder. Harry and Ron were laughing uncontrollably and loudly and Ginny was sitting with her hands anchoring her to the wall of the basket and her feet planted firmly on the bottom of the cage; she also was laughing wildly.
"Hey! Stop that rocking up there! Seriously, I'll kick you off if you don't stop!" the ride caretaker shouted from below. Harry and Ron stopped rocking so hard and they enjoyed the few moments it took for their basket to get to the bottom and were asked off. Hermione apologized shakily and pulled Ron towards the exit of the ride. They exited and only were able to get a few feet away before bursting into laughter.
The next ride they went on was the Mighty Mouse. Harry and Ginny paired up and got into the little car and were strapped in. Ginny was feeling nervous about the ride and Harry would have been bouncing in anticipation if the harness would have allowed for the movement. Since it didn't, he settled for bouncing his leg up and down. They listened to the quick garbled rules (keep your hands inside the cart at all times) before they started to slowly moved forward picking up speed.
They began the climb to the top of the ride and once they got to the top the cart went sharply around a corner, extracting a quick, giddy shriek from Ginny and a yelp from Harry, who had been squished for a moment when Ginny slid nearer to him during the turn. A few more turns and a few more shrieks later, a sudden unexpected drop caused Ginny and Harry to both scream loudly and excitedly. They sped towards the ground and back up another hill only to be dropped back down again screaming loudly and laughing wildly all the way. Another hill and another drop before whipping around a sharp curve and a short ride to the end of the rail was very fast before the ride was over and the two stepped out of the cart with wobbly legs and raced for the line once more. Hermione had remained behind with Ron to see what Harry and Ginny had to say about the ride before reluctantly getting in line after them. Ron heard what they had said and was bouncing up and down with a huge smile on his face. He leaned in and whispered to Harry.
"Is it like riding your Firebolt?" Harry glanced around cautiously and whispered back.
"Better!" Ron began hopping up and down excitedly. Hermione saw his excitement and grinned. A fast ride and a nervous stomach was worth it for this man, she thought. Any guy who would give up something for his girlfriends comfort was worth this. Harry and Ginny talked about the ride and allowed Ron and Hermione to cut in front of them. They recalled being able to see the cart in front of them vaguely and wanted to be able to watch their friends if possible. They watched Ron help Hermione get into the cart then get in himself and squeeze the harness over them. The rules were garbled out again and they were off. Harry grinned at Ginny as they got into their cart again.
Ron was exited to be on this ride. Hermione, he knew was afraid of heights, but was willing to try the ride once with him. He was touched that she would join him and promised to hold her hand the whole time. They arrived at the top and whipped around the corner and Hermione screamed bloody murder. At each curve she screamed louder and he squeezed her hand a little tighter. He was enjoying himself and yelping at each curve also. Suddenly, they whipped around and the rail was gone.
Instantly, Ron felt his stomach drop and Hermione began screaming so loudly her voice cracked and no sound escaped. They began dropping at a fast rate and once the cart leveled out Ron could see the track once more and began laughing loudly. He heard a shout behind him and laughed at Ginny's scream and Harry's laughter when they rounded the first curve.
He glanced over at Hermione and saw her pale face still silently screaming at the next drop. She stopped to take a breath and a maniacal laugh escaped her. Ron's heart lightened even more as they reached the third and final peak. She was enjoying this! She screamed and laughed simultaneously on the way down the last hill and he joined her in the laughter. As they pulled into the docking area, she stood up and began pulling him towards the line.
Harry and Ginny joined them for another round, switching partners so Harry was with Hermione and Ginny with Ron, before Ginny decided all that screaming had made her hungry. The two headed off, leaving Ron and Hermione to ride the Mighty Mouse a few more times with a warning from Hermione not to eat too heavily if they planned on riding more rides later. They didn't want to get sick.
As they exited the ride they saw a big screen with pictures on it. They began laughing when they saw a photo of themselves with their mouths agape and wind blown hair, silent screams escaping them. As the screen changed they saw the next photo was of Ron and Hermione, screaming their bloody heads off and holding their hands above their heads just as they were heading down the first hill. Hermione's hair was blowing behind her, and Ron's eyes were squeezed tight against the rush of air hitting them. His mouth was open so wide they could see his tonsils. They shared a loud laugh at the pictures and Harry decided to come back later. The sign said the pictures would be available for a few hours after they were taken. He would come back later, faking a bathroom trip and buy the few photos of them all.
Harry and Ginny headed towards a string a food stands and saw all the different delectables. They decided to go to the Peters Ice-cream Parlour and get some Fairy Floss, a bag of popcorn and a fizzy drink each since they didn't want to get sick on a ride later and they knew that they would have dinner at the Granger's later in the night. The found a bench outside the Mighty Mouse and watched Ron and Hermione continue the ride once more and shared their sugary candy and buttery, salty popcorn.
"Mmm, this is great! I've always wanted to try this stuff," Harry said as he licked his sticky fingers after a particularly large bite of the cotton candy. Ginny picked a piece off and fed it too him and allowed him to suck it off of her fingers. She giggled as he fed her a piece as well. They shared a sticky, warm, sugary kiss together before looking up to see their friends hurrying towards them laughing.
They spent the rest of the night enjoying the different rides and sharing some different treats before they had to head back to the house. Before they left, Harry decided he wanted to try his hand at the games. He tried the basic Milk-cans and the Laughing Clowns games but couldn't win. As they were headed towards the Park exit he saw the Hi-Striker. He walked over and asked the man how it worked and was told all he had to do was hit the bulls-eye and he'd send the ball to the top. How high the ball went determined the type of prize he won. He paid a few dollars to try and he walked up to the platform. He swung the hammer a few times to get the feel of it and finally swung at the plate.
DONG! He won! The ball traveled up to the bell and the man yelled out Bulls-eye! Harry called Ginny over and let her pick out the giant stuffed fox in a bright red that almost matched her own hair color but had bright green marble eyes. She winked at Harry who smiled widely. Ron decided he wanted to win a prize for his girl, so he paid a few bucks and with his bulk was able to win easily. Hermione picked out a giant black panther and hugged Ron tightly.
They all headed towards the exit and called a taxi to take them home. It was a tight squeeze with the four teens and two large stuffed animals, but they managed to get home all in one piece and Harry tipped the cabbie a few extra dollars for the trouble. The teens walked up to the front door laughing and talking about all the fun they'd had.
A/N: This was one hell of a writers block, but I think I'm through it, and they only have a few more days in Australia. I'm sure you all hate me now. It's been like 15 days since I've updated. I am truly sorry. I've been getting ready for a new semester in college (it will also be my last and I'll finally have my Associates in Fine Arts!)
Not that I'm making excuses but I think that this merits a little pause in updates. Recently I was told that one of my best friends chemo had stopped working and that she had maybe 3 months left. This was right before Christmas. I've been working through that and been really busy with general life. On Tuesday, (less than a month after I got the news) I got a call on my cell and was told my friend had passed away that morning. she's been my friend for so long, it's so weird not having her here anymore. She had brain cancer/tumors for the last four-five years, she fought long and hard, and I'm really sad to see her go, but I know she's at peace now with her Goddess. Every time I see a smiley face now I'll be reminded of how she gave me the nickname Smiley.
I just wanted to tell everyone that I have started a Livejournal, my name is ferret34 you can find it at either my homepage on my ff (dot) net profile or just type in ferret34 (dot) livejournal (dot) com (make sure to change the 'dot's to ( . ) This will be where I'll post stuff about my story, when I'll update, and little things about myself. Please check it out, since I worked hard to make it, and I hope people will use it often.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please, Please! Review!
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