A/N: Once again I apologize for the delay, but life is life. Summer is coming though and I hope to write a lot. The majority of the next chapter is written but not typed, and I need some fillers for the rest of the summer so any suggestions? I would like to dedicate this chapter to emcee31 for being an absolutely amazing reader by reviewing! Thank you so freaking much! Even if some the comments are a bit obscure… but anyway THANK YOU! I'm going to do some editing of the beginning chapters before I work on Chapter 19, so I will work as fast as I can!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Though I can proudly say I finally own something in that arena. We bought the First part of DH! Woot Woot! I'm working on persuading my mom to get them all, but have yet to win the war. I have already watched it a couple of times, too. But having it available to me 24/7 kind of doesn't make it exciting anymore… Oh poo I'm rambling…

When we last left our beloved characters: Mr. Granger had a… pleasant talk with Ron.

The next day, Saturday, Mr. Granger treated the teens to the Zoo. Ron enjoyed the open air butterfly garden, particularly after the arachnid exhibit which had been one of the first exhibits they went through. But he was especially traumatized by the feeding of live chickens to the Zoo's residential croc. Hermione, Ginny, and Mrs. Granger found it disgusting, but only Ron was truly horrified.

They ate lunch, after Ron and Mr. Granger had been complaining about starving to death, and then visited the Australian Animals Wing. When they went through the Wallaby and Kangaroo exhibit a strange looking man told Ron that one the kangaroos was, "The prettiest thing on two legs," he had ever seen. Ron was slightly disturbed by this and made the group go through the rest of the exhibit quickly.

"Oh Hugh, dear. Why don't we get pictures with the koalas?" Mrs. Granger asked at the tail end of the exhibit. Mr. Granger agreed reluctantly. Ginny and Harry posed together, a koala sitting between them; Mrs. Granger simply held it; Mr. Granger had one sitting on his shoulder, its legs around his neck, and half of his face behind the koala's arm. The koala Hermione was holding was very interested in her and was looking her in the eyes. When the photo was taken, the koala and Hermione looked like star struck lovers, and Ron was seen pouting in the background.

"Do you want me to retake it?" the photographer offered.

"No," Hermione laughed. "It's perfect!"

They moved on to the aquatic section of the zoo and saw various marine life, including sharks, which caused Ron to stick close to Hermione as they went through the Shark Tunnel.

Mr. Granger treated them to an aquatic show, after a deliberate comment from his wife that she had never seen one. Ron was not extremely impressed by the tricks, but when the dolphin kissed the trainer on the cheek he took advantage of the situation.

"Oh I can do that," Ron said before kissing Hermione on the cheek. She giggled.

"Maybe so, but can you do that?" Ginny asked pointing to a dolphin shooting out of the water and doing a few spins.

"Harry did that in Fourth year-."

"With the assistance of gilly weed," Ginny pointed out. Ron scowled at her, but shut up. Harry chuckled at the sulking Ron, who was muttering under his breath.

They concluded their escapade with visiting the gift shop, where they found some exotic feathers for Percy that could later be made into quills, a leafy sea dragon tee for Charlie (which amused Ron that muggles actually compared it to a dragon), and a teddy bear dressed up as a wizard for Teddy, which Harry found suiting seeing as the other choices only included a bear dressed as a rabbit, bee, or camel. They also bought some more postcards to send to the Weasleys.

"Hey, Hermione," Harry called. Hermione and Ron walked over to him. "I found these sea monkeys. I think Hagrid might like 'em."

"What are they?" Ron asked.

"Well, they're shrimp. They start off in eggs and when you put them in water they hatch. They don't get very big, but some people seem to like them," Hermione explained.

"What do they do?" He questioned.

"Well… pretty much just swim around and make more sea-monkeys," Harry explained.

"What do you mean make more sea monkeys?" Ron inquired. The answer came to him from the stares of Hermione and Harry. "Oh…. Well… they sound safer than blast-ended skrewts."

"Exactly," said Harry. Hermione took it with her and they searched for more presents to take home with them.

"Hey," Hermione motioned Harry and Ginny to come over, "What should we get-." The sound of passing gas interrupted her. Confused for a moment, she frowned before glaring at Harry. Harry put his hands up in innocence. Hermione looked to Ginny, who shrugged.

"What should we-." This time the cackle of a dolphin cut her short. She sighed angrily. "WhatshouldwegetGeorge?" she said quickly which was followed by the dolphin noise again. She turned quickly. Ron stepped back in surprise. She smiled at him in triumph.

"I found George's gift," he told her.

She stepped toward him. "Hmmm? What?"

"This." Ron pulled out a small rectangular blue box with buttons on the front from behind his back. 'Dolphin Machine' was written on the toy. In the other hand was a green one with 'Fart Machine' on it. He pressed a button on the green one and a noise of gastric intestinal flatulence came from a small speaker on the box.

"That's repulsive," Hermione said with a disgusted face.

"Well, I think we should get the dolphin one. He'll get a laugh. He needs one too. And I don't know, maybe it will inspire him to start up Weasley Wizard Wheezes again."

She sighed. "Fine just leave the other one," she said. She and Ginny walked off talking about what they should get Bill, their final person to buy for.

"Psst. Harry," Ron whispered.

"I'm right here. What?"

"Can you lend me some muggle money?" Ron checked over Harry's shoulder incase Hermione was coming.

"You're going to buy it, aren't you?"

"Maybe. I'll pay you back later."

"Fine," Harry said digging in his pockets and pulling out an Australian ten dollar bill.

They finished the amazing day by eating at an expensive restaurant just south of Sydney. Harry, Ginny, and Ron thanked Mr. and Mrs. Granger profusely before turning in for the night. Everyone fell asleep the moment their heads hit the pillow, with the exception of Ron. He changed into pajamas and sat out on the balcony, thinking as he stared out to where the stars touched the calm ocean, before finally going to bed.

"Where's dad?" Hermione asked, entering the kitchen the next morning around ten o' clock.

"He's not feeling well, sweetheart. Why don't four eat breakfast and go down to the park across the street?"

"Are you sure mum? We could help-."

"Yes, honey. You know your father needs peace and quiet to sleep, and he needs his rest to get better. He's not as young as he used to be."

Ron, who had just finished his third bowl of cereal, leaned over to Harry and whispered, "He sure flew down those stairs though when he thought Hermione was hurt."

"Okay, I guess we could go to the beach again. Do you want us to come back here for lunch?" Hermione asked.

"I'll pack a picnic lunch for you. How does that sound? And there are a few shops not far away, where you can look for your remaining gifts."

"Um… yeah. That sounds… great," Hermione said hesitantly. "Are you sure he's okay?"

"He'll be fine," she said a bit too quickly.

After breakfast the teens went upstairs to dress and returned downstairs. Mrs. Granger handed them a picnic basket and practically threw them out the door.

Hermione glared at the closed front door, "My mother is such a terrible liar. They're up to something. Along with being a penny pincher, my dad rarely gets sick."

Looking both ways, they crossed the street and followed the concrete path down the hill until it ended at the edge of the sand. They removed their shoes and placed them on the grass next to the picnic basket Hermione set down. Ron immediately took off running, sand flying up after him.

Hermione and Ginny laid the picnic blanket out on the sand and relaxed, as Harry ran up behind Ron pushed him to the ground. The moment his hand made contact with Ron's back, he turned with his seeker agility and ran for his life. Ron quickly recovered and took off after Harry.

Though the sand slowed both boys down, Ron was bigger and faster and soon caught up. Harry, noticing Ron closing in, evaded him by faking right into the water and turning left. Ron pounced, only realized his mistake when he dove into the water face first. Harry ran a safe distance away, right behind the girls. They watched in amusement as Ron picked himself up just as a powerful wave came crashing in, pushing his face into the sand once more.

Ron stood, wiped the water off with his hand, and looked at Harry murderously. He twitched, looking as though he was about to come after Harry. Harry immediately turned and ran as fast as he could down the beach. Ron casually strolled over to the girls and sat down beside Hermione in the sand.

"How far do you think he'll run 'til he notices I'm not chasing him?" he asked as Harry ran past a playground a quarter of a kilometer down the beach.

"I don't know but that look would make a death eater take off running," Ginny laughed.

"I'll keep that in mind," Ron smirked. They laughed as Harry glanced behind him and saw Ron wasn't coming after him. He slowed his pace, turned around, and stood, watching Ron rolling in the sand, laughing.

"Watch out he's annoyed," Hermione told Ron.

"How can you tell? All you can see is his outline," Ginny said.

"By the way he stands: his shoulders slouch," Ron explained.

"Hmm. Never noticed that," Ginny giggled.

"We only started to notice when Umbridge was at school," Hermione said.

"Well, actually I noticed in second year," Ron said.

"I would have noticed if Harry was annoyed in second year," she said, slightly irritated.

"Um, no. You and all the other girls were too obsessed with that pansy, Lockhart."

"I was not," she said indignantly.

"Were too."

"I most certainly was not."

"Were too."

"Ronald! I was not obsessed with Lockhart!"

"Denial doesn't change the past-."

"Oh, Shut up, Ronald! Just drop it," Ginny said. "How does Harry stand you two bickering all the time? You guys just need to shut up and get over yourselves. Fighting doesn't solve anything. Hermione all the girls were in love with Lockhart, admit it. And Ron if you want to continue to snog Hermione, unknot your knickers and shut it!"

Ron muttered something, but Ginny glared at him and he shut up. Harry was gradually jogging near, but slowed his pace further and watched Ron carefully.

"Why does Hermione look ashamed and you two look angry?" Harry asked.

"Don't ask," Ginny growled.

"Okay… Well, I'm going to go over to that pier," he said pointing to a wharf with some shops, "to see if I can find something for Bill. Seeing as you know your brother better than I do you two should probably come with me. You're welcome to come with me," he paused as they rose to their feet. They looked at him, waiting for him to finish. He looked at Hermione and then to Ron, "but you have to behave."

Both paled then flushed red. Ron began to splutter, "But- I-I-"

"Oh, shut up you meat sack," Ginny said heatedly, following Harry up the beach toward the dock. Ron glared at her back, but followed, grabbing his trainers as he passed the picnic basket. Hermione, with a flick of her wand, folded the blanket and stowed it with the picnic basket in her beaded bag, following behind Ron. When the dock replaced sand they put their shoes on and searched the shops for Bill's 'souvenir'.

"Hey. What about this?" Harry said lifting an iron rod off a hook.

"What is it?" Ron asked as the others gathered around.

"It's a branding iron," Harry replied.

"A what?"

"A branding Iron," he repeated. "When I was little, I read about ranchers branding their cattle in Dudley's old books." Ron gave him a confused look.

"It marks possession, like engraving your broom," Hermione clarified, putting it in terms he may understand.

"Oh, okay. So? What's Bill going to do with it? He's a curse breaker, not a cowboy."

"Well, these are for steaks, not cows," Harry said. Ron only blinked.

"You put your initial on your hunk of meat you tosser," Ginny clarified.

"So very uplifting with your words aren't you Gin," Harry commented, sarcastically.

Ron stuck his tongue out at her, to which Hermione scolded him for. "That's childish Ronald."

They agreed this was fitting and after purchasing Bill's gift they returned to the beach and ate their lunch, and then returned home. As they walked up to the house they noticed a small moving van in front. They entered the house and found Hermione's parents in the Living room.

"How are you feeling Dad?" she asked.

"What? Oh yeah. Much better dear," He said.

"Are the neighbors moving?" Hermione asked him, pointing to the van through the front window.

"Well… no."

Hermione frowned in confusion, and opened her mouth to say something, but her mother interrupted, just as a mover came down the stairs.

"We are!" She shouted excitedly. "We found an adorable little home in a town 5 miles north of Ottery St. Catchpole!"

"Wha- wha- what?" Hermione said in shock.

"Yes! And it's about 3 miles from Ron and Ginny's house, so you can go visit."

"That's wonderful!" Ginny and Harry said. Ron was thrilled, but waited for the silent Hermione's reaction.

He whispered silently to her, "Are you okay?" She nodded but said nothing, and he began to worry, "Is she not excited that I'll be a five minute flight away from her? Did we snog too much? Does she think we need to distance ourselves?"

Mrs. Granger finally noticed her daughter's silence, "Hermione, dear. Are you okay? You look pale."

"Yes. Just processing. I didn't quite think things through all the way," Hermione answered with little emotion.

"I know this is all a little sudden, honey. Your father and I thought you would be excited," Mrs. Granger said pulling her daughter into a hug.

"I am. It's just-," she paused, "things are finally going back to normal."

Her dad laughed. "I would hope so after all you've been through."

Hermione smiled and she and her mother separated when a mover came over. He was a big man who, in Ron's opinion, looked like an ape. He didn't appear to be very intelligent and this assumption was confirmed when he spoke.

"Um, sir?" he said with a distressed expression.

"Yes?" Mr. Granger said, turning to face the man that stood a meter taller than he.

"Was there something valuable in the box in your bedroom labeled, 'Big Screen T.V.'?"

Mr. Granger's eyes widened and he bounded up the stairs. They laughed at the sound of his anguished groans, two stories up.

"So, what are going to do with the house?" Ginny asked.

"Well, Hugh and I thought we could rent it out to snowbirds, then vacation here every once in a while," Mrs. Granger explained. Her husband came sulking down the stairs. "Is everything alright, dear?" she asked. He muttered something but all they heard was, 'No', 'stupid', and 'new T.V.'.

"Anyway," she continued. "We're leaving the furniture and such, but packing and sending personal items to England," she finished.

"Why do you need a moving van?" Ron asked.

"To move our stuff to the airport to be flown home," Mrs. Granger said nicely. Ron realized that if she was anything like her daughter she would have found this to be a stupid question.

Hermione saved him, "What he means Mum is why pay a lot of money, when we could just send it," she looked around to see if there were any movers nearby, "with a bit of magic."

"I like that idea," Mr. Granger said, finally coming out of his depression and joining the conversation.

"Of course you do, Hugh. Anything to save you money and you jump on it," his wife said.

"Yes, maybe so," he paused, "Are we going to do it?" he asked.

"Might as well," she sighed, "I see no reason not to."

"Ha ha!" he shouted in victory, jumping once in excitement. "Okay boys!" he shouted to the movers, "Unload the boxes in the van into the living room! Any and all boxes into the living room!"

"You had better go and pack your suitcases, so they don't pack them first," Mrs. Granger whispered to them. "We will go eat when they finish, come back here for a good night's sleep, and fly out tomorrow afternoon."

"Wait, Mum. Dad. What about your jobs? Have you told your boss?" Hermione asked.

"Well in a way," Mr. Granger answered. "Our bosses received an offer on the business and they took it Friday. They weren't originally going to sell, but something more important came up."

She looked at her father in amusement, "You own your own practice don't you?"

"Well we did. We don't now," her father said with a smile.

A/N: Did you like it? Well Did ya? Please review… I would love you forever… Please please? Oh and check out the new version of the first few chapters! I rewrote them! Yay!