A/N: Howdy! Sorry about the delay! I have taken over the story, but I was procrastinating writing. With all of my co- author's ideas there would have been 3 or 4 more chapters in Australia so I have decided to just summarize her ideas and send them back to England. Then we get to the interesting stuff that I have written in a notebook, but I have to type up. Oh, I haven't mentioned this before but there is an actual Ocean St. in Clovelly, and I did base Mr. and Mrs. Granger's home off the house on the corner of Ocean St. and Park Ln., and you can go on Google Maps to get a better look of what I'm talking about, but I request that you do not actually go to the house and stalk the people that live there! They are not Hermione's parents! And questioning them about Harry Potter's whereabouts will only get you arrested and thrown into prison after being interrogated by Sergeant Dullard! (0_0)! Once again I apologize for the wait, but we have been moving and then there's school, etc. so I will get on with our tale of 'Live, Laugh, Love'.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, the music I listen to while writing this story, or even the computer I am currently writing this on. Ideas are pretty much mine except the characters… I don't own Harry Potter or any of his mates, enemies, etc.… one of these days though… mark my words… 'Cause that's not creepy… one of these days… Now a short limerick:
Please note I just wrote this with the prompt of the random subject of 'a fish tank' from my co-author. Ohh! That's why you said 'say something random'…
There was a fish who lived in a tank,
Many in his school thought him 'jank'.
Didn't have any fins,
And was mocked by countless grins,
Because, to the bottom, he sank.
When we last left our beloved characters: The two couples and Rolf finished their meal, which was free of charge, courtesy of the enthusiastic Kirby.
Ron and Hermione fell behind the other three and Ron's arm slipped around her waist as they walked. She looked up at him and smiled, but he didn't notice. Hermione gently rested her head against his shoulder.
Ginny and Harry ahead were laughing and Rolf was continually looking back to see if the lovebirds were actually following him. Ginny slipped her hand into Harry's back pocket of his muggle jeans. Hermione felt Ron tense up a bit, but soon sighed deeply, remembering his promise to Hermione he would lay off criticizing the flirting Ginny & Harry.
"Now the shells," Rolf said turning to the couples following him. He unlocked the cart and pulled out a tray of beautifully shining, polished shells. "We have Trochus pyramis , an Australian favorite," he said pointing to a cluster of 2 inch white pyramid-shaped spirals, "New Zealand Paua Abalone," some 5 inch, multicolored shells, "Oyster wings," curved silver-grey shells, " and some polished gold and black mother of pearl. All of which a native to the surrounding area and collected by my aunt," he finished.
"They are magnificent, Rolf!" Hermione exclaimed, examining the shells at close range.
"Why, thank you."
"We'll take them all," Ginny said, eyes wide in amazement.
"Blimey! Well I'll have to let Aunt Pearl know we are sold out!" he replied, turning back to the cart. He carefully wrapped them individually in bubble wrap, before placing them in a plastic sack. Rolf handed it to Hermione, who stowed it in her bag.
"Remarkable bag you have there," he mentioned. Rolf had seen her put all the bags he had brought to them as well as other items and was interested in the bag.
"Undetectable expansion charm," Hermione informed him.
"Ah, no wonder I couldn't detect it," he said with a smirk. "It's an advanced spell, is it not? At my university they mentioned it, if I remember correctly. We haven't got that far yet."
"Well Hermione is the best in our year and has been since first year," Harry commented.
Ron laughed, "Best in our year is an understatement, mate. She's in the top ten greatest witches of our time," he exaggerated a bit.
"No, I'm not Ronald. I still haven't gotten my N.E.W.T.s."
"You still know the material by heart," Ron countered.
"Technically, that has not been proven, seeing as I have not taken my N.E.W.T.s," she retorted.
"Oh, come on 'Mione. You had your hand up for every question and read and memorized the school books before you even got on the Hogwarts Express. You were the favorite student of every teacher, save Snape and Trelawney."
Harry and Ginny watched the two argue for a moment before looking at each other and smirking. Rolf raised one eyebrow and then turned to Harry and Ginny. He opened his mouth to say something pointing at the quarrelling couple, but shut it, frowning.
"No, knarls like milk not pumpkin juice!" Hermione corrected. Harry, Ginny, and Rolf looked at each other. Harry mouthed, "What the?" to Ginny laughed and shrugged her shoulders.
"It's true," Rolf told Ginny and Harry. Ginny frowned and bit her lip.
"HEY!" she yelled at Hermione and Ron. They both immediately stopped their 'discussion' and looked at Ginny, who turned to Rolf. Harry was laughing to himself and had a huge smile on his face.
"Okay, if I'm right, we still have," she counted on her fingers, "seven people to get things for. Let's start with Luna. She'll be the hardest to find a gift for, next to Bill."
"Well, maybe we can figure something out. Tell me about this Luna," Rolf said.
"Well Luna is…" Harry started.
"Unique…" Ginny finished. Rolf gave them a questioning look.
"Her father and her are the writers and owners of the Quibbler, a magazine-," Ron began.
"The Quibbler?" Rolf perked.
Ron looked at Hermione nervously. Usually people's reactions were negative towards the Quibbler. "Um…yeah."
"I love the Quibbler!" he said. He stopped, thought a moment, then said, "Tell me more about this, Luna."
Hermione looked at him suspiciously. "Well her mum died when she was little. She and her father live in the town near Ron and Ginny's house. Nargles take off with her things and she often sees Wrackspurts floating in and out of Ron's ears."
"I can completely understand her finding Wrackspurts all around Ron," he said thinking a moment afterwards.
"Hey," Ron said, but Rolf didn't hear him.
"Wait, sees them? How does she see them?" Rolf asked curiously.
"I'm not very knowledgeable on the subject, but I believe she and her father created some glasses. I think they're called Spectraspecs," Hermione told him.
"Brilliant! She must be very intelligent! Ah ha! I've got it!" he yelled, immediately kneeling down and opening some cabinets below. There was a box labeled 'Lost and Found' with a woman's flip flop, a few muggle army men, a fish bowl, a muggle whoopee cushion, a horse figurine, an eyelash curler, and a plunger, and a bag with 'duck food' written in purple marker. Around the box were several rook pieces from a chess game. He stood frowning after searching the shelves thoroughly. His face lit up and he went to the other side of the cart. He opened another set of cabinets and pulled out a satchel. He dug through the bag with his hand.
"Ah! Gotcha!" He pulled out a fist-sized rock. He gazed at it for a moment before pulling himself away from it. He handed it to Harry and they finally saw what he was so mesmerized about. The stone was cut and polish on one side and inside shone a beautiful blue and purple.
"Whoa," Ron said. It seemed there was a light inside the geode, shining out.
"This is amazing Rolf," Ginny said looking up at him. Upon his face was a big smile.
"Where did you get it, Rolf?" Harry asked.
Rolf shrugged. "Found it when I was little. Dad said it had magical properties. And it does. It seems to imitate the aurora australis, or southern lights, but only at night. In the day time it looks like the sun setting over the ocean. I used it as a night light in my younger years," He said, but not in his normal manor. Hermione studied his face as he spoke, "It's just been collecting dust, really."
The way he was acting confused Hermione and she couldn't figure out what was going through his head. "We can't take this Rolf," she said taking it from Harry and offering it back to Rolf.
"Nah," he said backing up. "Take it. Free. A gift from me to you."
"Are you sure?" Ginny asked.
"Yeah, mate that thing is bloody brilliant," Ron added. Hermione shot him a look for his use of language.
"Positive. Give it to your friend. She'll love it."
"Thank you, Rolf," Harry said.
"It's nothing. Now," he was back to his normal self, "What are you lovebirds going to do the rest of the day? Might I recommend the gelato shop down the way?"
"That sounds good," Hermione said.
"Well you folks should get on your way," he said. "It was brilliant meeting you. An amazing lot, you are. Can't wait to tell Kirby he actually met Harry Potter. The nut will explode."
Harry offered his hand and shook Rolf's, "Thank you. We greatly appreciate your help."
"And we apologize for earlier," Ginny said. She bit her lip. Rolf took her hand and kissed it.
"Keep an eye on her. Someone might snatch her from you, mate," Rolf said to Harry.
"Not if I have a say," Ginny laughed.
"Oh, before I forget, Rolf: What do we owe you for the shells?" Hermione asked digging in her bag for her money purse.
"Not a cent. They are free of charge."
"We can't-."
"I won't have it any other way."
Hermione sighed in defeat. Ron put his arm around Hermione's shoulders, "Rolf, if you are ever in England, you are welcome to stay with us anytime."
"Yeah. And don't forget to owl us. It was great meeting you, and we hope to see you again," Ginny added.
"Will do," Rolf said as they turned and walked away, smiling.
They headed off down the boardwalk. Spotting the Italian gelato shop, the teens went inside for the cold treat. Ron, who was amazed at the selection, didn't hesitate at buying the maple bacon flavor. The sun began to set as they sat at a table outside the shop on the boardwalk. A band played not far off. Ron finished his gelato quickly and watched the street performers, but the purple and pink sunset soon caught his attention.
"Wow that is amazing," he said. Hermione walloped him across the chest. Coming out of his stupor he confusedly looked at the bushy haired girl next to him glaring at him angrily.
"What did I do?"
"Oh, I don't know," she said sarcastically, "Maybe it was the fact you said 'Oh that's amazing'," she attempted to imitate his voice, "when those girls in bikinis passed by!"
"What girls! I was talking about the sunset and then you hit me! I didn't even notice any girls!"
"You didn't?" Hermione's voice changed.
"No," he said still angry.
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay," he looked at her, face softening. "But know this: I don't notice any girl, but you."
A grin spread across her face. Ron leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips. The couple heard coughing, hacking and gagging and looked up to see Ginny trying to inconspicuously distract her brother and friend from snogging. Harry was trying to focus on the street performers. Ron smirked and kissed Hermione again in spite of his sister. When he broke the kiss he pulled Hermione up by the hand towards the band. As the saxophone softly began the next song, Ron twirled Hermione then pulled her close, his hand resting on her waist.
"Where did you learn that?" She asked him with a laugh.
"Professor McGonagall," he said as they began swaying to the music. "I paid attention a little bit in fourth year."
"Oh really?" she said raising her eyebrows a little, as he twirled her once more.
"Yes," he said with a smile. "And you'd better watch it or we can stop now," he pretended to threaten.
"I'm good."
"Good," he said with a smile and twirled her again.
Harry and Ginny watched as their friends twirled and swayed. The crowd watched as the couple danced together in perfect harmony. The song ended and they returned to Harry and Ginny, laughing. The crowd clapped and Ron stood and bowed before returning to his seat.
"That was amazing, Ron!" Hermione laughed, twirling once more before sighing and taking a seat. Ron smiled at his triumph.
"What time is it, Harry?" Ginny asked.
"Um," Harry said looking at his wrist watch, "Five o' nine."
"Oh, my. We should probably head home. Mum and Dad might worry," Hermione said getting to her feet.
"Yeah, and I think we've had enough adventures for one day," Ron commented. Everyone laughed, reflecting on the interesting day.
As they the stood Harry clapped his best mate on the back. The teens strolled down the boardwalk to the trolley station. There they waited until the trolley arrived and boarded the fairly empty trolley.
Earlier in the day they had retrieved their clothes from Hermione's beaded bag, but they were not enough to keep them warm from the winter winds. Hermione cuddled up to Ron, who promptly wrapped his arms around her. She soon fell asleep, resting her head on his chest. Ron admired her sleeping face and tucked a lock of curly hair behind her ear. He looked up at the night sky and studied the stars. He surprised himself by being able to recognize the Leo constellation from astronomy. Even though it wasn't his best subject he had still passed the Astronomy O.W.L.
The trolley came to a halt and Ron felt a tap on the shoulder from Harry, indicating this was their stop. Not wanting to wake the sleeping Hermione, he gently picked her up and carried her towards the stairs of the now completely empty trolley. They passed the driver and nodded their thanks.
"G' day, are ya goin' all 'ight?" the driver said to them as they passed. "How far off is your destinate'n? You're my last stop an' I'd be willing to drop ya off where ya need," he offered in a thick Australian accent.
"Thank you," Harry said climbing back aboard. He helped Ginny up and they sat together on a bench near the driver. Ron climbed on carefully, trying to not disturb the limp Hermione.
" 'ere to?" the driver asked.
"Ocean Street."
"Oh, that's way too far for you to walk with a sleepin' Sheila. Near two mile," he said with a smile. He drove them to the corner Boundary Street and Ocean Street. Harry thanked him again as they exited the trolley.
"Not a probe'm," he said with a nod before driving off. They walked past an apartment building, crossed the street and began walking up to the front gate when they saw Mrs. Granger waving at them from the second story balcony. Mr. Granger appeared through the French doors. He smiled at Harry and Ginny, who were holding hands, and then looked to Ron, who was carrying Hermione. His smile faded to a worried look, and he handed his wine glass to his wife. He ran to the stairs on the side of the house, swung the gate open with a clang, ran down the stairs two at a time, and jumped over the gate below. He met Ron's eyes with an anxious face.
"What happened? Is she okay?" Mr. Granger said as he led Ron into the house.
"Yeah, she's just sleeping. Must have tired her out when we danced," Ron told him with a smile as he climbed the stairs.
Mr. Granger sighed deeply and then lightly chuckled to himself. "Dancing, eh?" he asked as Ron laid her gently down on her bed. When they had exited the room and the door was shut Ron answered.
"There was a street band outside the gelato place on the Manly boardwalk. Well, I don't know if you would call it a street band if they were on a boardwalk, but anyway I don't know I just thought it would be nice…," his words faded.
"Nice? Hmmm…"
Ron shifted uncomfortably, not sure what to do or say.
"Ronald-," Mr. Granger began.
"Ron is fine, sir. Ronald is too formal," his voice quieted, "in my opinion."
"My daughter calls you by Ronald."
"Well I think that's from habit. We were kinda… awkward around each other at first and then we got more comfortable with each other."
Mr. Granger raised his eyebrows at the word 'comfortable' and Ron realized his mistake, "Well, what I mean sir- well we- no it's not what you- we just-."
"Whoa, slow down there, son," he laughed. "I understand the situation between you and my daughter."
"You do?"
"Yes, at least as far as she has told Jean and I. Now what I want to know is if you feel the same about my daughter as she feels about you?"
"How she feels about me? How does she feel about me? I mean we have been snogging all day, but it might be Lavender all over again. It can't be. I feel differently about her," he thought, but he was reminded of Mr. Granger, who was awaiting an answer.
He took a deep breath, "Sir, I- I -," he sighed again looking for the words. "I have known 'Mione since I was eleven. If I'm correct it's been seven and a half years that we've been friends. I know her likes, dislikes, habits, and patterns- more or less. About probably a year ago I finally realized what that funny feeling in my stomach was. This past year I have fought for her, protected her, and even hurt her. Not intentionally, though. I'm not making excuses, sir, but the locket when I wore it confirmed the lies that had been brewing inside me. Instead of listening to those I cared for I listened to the words of a dark piece of magic, because it seemed to understand me. But, I really learned something from that, sir. I found I didn't care if she preferred Harry to me, because I chose that I would protect her no matter what. I didn't try hard enough, because she did get hurt. On her neck and arm is the proof I failed, but not again. Harm will come to me before anyone lays a hand on her."
His answer must have been good enough for Mr. Granger, because he only nodded for a moment before putting a hand on Ron's shoulder and leading him towards the stairs.
"I bet you're hungry, eh Ron? My wife has some bangers and mash (A/N: Sausages and Mashed Potatoes) downstairs for dinner, and some lovely lamington (A/N: Sponge cake) in the oven for dessert. Oh, and if you do hurt my baby girl, you'll be in a world of pain," he said with a smile.
A/N: Don't worry we're getting there. This chapter was getting too long, so I split it. I'm almost finished with the next chapter, and I probably will take them home very soon. Review! Oh and I have a question: does anybody read the Author's Notes? Cuz I noticed that I don't when I read other people's stuff… Tsk, tsk…