Journey to You
Chapter 4: Money Woes
"Ron? Ron! It's time to get up." Hermione nudged the very stiff young man, who would not let go of the the seat's armrests.
He stared blankly ahead, not caring that many people were boarding out of their plane. Their flight was rocky. Nothing out of the ordinary for Hermione, who has used air travel before, but Ron was not expecting turbulence. He refused to sit by the window, afraid that he might be sucked out. He didn't fully grasp the whole Muggle transport like he said he would. He held onto the armrests and didn't let go for the entire flight.
"Oh, for goodness sake!" Hermione snapped her fingers in front of his face. "We're here."
"Where?"
"Germany." She pushed him out of his seat at last and into the aisle. She reached up for their luggage, two small backpacks, and pushed him in the right direction.
Once they were in the airport, Ron relaxed as if he held his breath the whole flight. "I never thought I'd be so afraid of flying."
"Oh, it wasn't that bad," Hermione smiled, rubbing his back. "I told you to imagine it like a communal broomstick."
"At least you can control a broomstick," he breathed, taking a sip of water Hermione offered from her bag.
Hermione continued to peer down at him. She wasn't used to seeing him so winded from something so trivial. He's been through war and back, and the one thing that makes him almost faint with fear is air travel. "Come on," she sympathized. "Let's get something to eat."
Ron held onto her hand as she guided them through the busy German airport. There were so many fast food places. Some were chain restaurants that Hermione recognized, while others were privately owned authentic German cuisines. She stopped them in the middle of a food court, but Ron didn't let go of her hand.
"Your pick," she gestured to the masses.
Ron surveyed the crowded services. "You know me," he said. "I'm not that picky."
They ate at this quaint German restaurant, talking the entire time. Most of their conversations consisted of the mission, but they also made light of their situation. Bringing Ron along was a great decision, Hermione figured, for he really knew how to keep her on task while also having fun. He gave Hermione the hope and confidence she needed to find her parents and restore their memories.
She paid their waiter with what Muggle money they had.
"Oh, bugger," she mumbled, fishing around in her purse.
Ron looked at her inquisitively while chewing on the rest of his schnitzel.
Hermione slumped. "We need to get more money."
"We don't have enough?"
"Not enough for tickets and this food," she whimpered.
"When is the next flight?"
She checked her watch. "We have two hours. And it's already getting dark…"
They finished their meal and maneuvered their way to the airport entrance. "Do you know exactly where to go?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Ronald. It's a wonder you've made it this far without knowing your History of Magic."
"I can't help that Binns was the most boring professor to ever teach!"
"Anyway," she disregarded his retort. "We're in Munich. That's only an Apparation away from Schwangau!"
Ron's eyes lit up. "That's where the German National Quidditch Stadium is!"
"And their bank," Hermione added.
They shifted through the crowds and finally found a deserted spot to Apparate. She looked at him apprehensively. "Do you know where the stadium is exacly?"
Ron scoffed and took her hand. "Do I know where the stadium is…"
They Apparated on the spot, twisting and turning through space and time it seemed. Hermione squeezed Ron's hand tighter as she felt them near their destination. Their feet hit the ground roughly, knocking them both into each other. There was a short moment in which they stood in that spot, looking at each other. Hermione felt her face get warmer, so she let go and ducked her head down. This wasn't the right moment.
Ron cleared his throat. "You alright?"
"Fine," she squeaked. She surveyed the area. The outside of the stadium looked rather deserted. "I thought you said there would be a game today?"
"There was a game today," Ron said, looking up at the domed entrance. "Could've be over though. Germany has been dominating this season."
Hermione turned around and saw a long stony road leading to another archway. People were moving up and down the street beyond an archway. "My guess is the bank is that way."
Ron glanced down at an anxious Hermione, and lifted her chin up. "Don't worry. No one is going to recognize us. You have some Polyjuice potion as a backup anyway, right?"
"Like always," she replied quietly, patting her backpack gently.
Ron smiled which made Hermione feel loads better. "Then we have nothing to fear."
She took his outstretched hand again and they walked towards the bustling streets of Wizarding Germany. It looked a bit like Diagon Alley but with more emphasis on Quidditch (if that was possible) and Vampires. Hermione found it all quite hypocritical; while werewolves were ostracized in the Wizarding World, Vampires seemed to be celebrated and almost idolized. She had to get a closer look at a poster promoting a local band, Die Fangzähne, consisting of only Vampires.
"Which one is the bank, do you recon?" Ron asked.
Hermione searched their surroundings. It was difficult to navigate where they were with the language barrier and so many people pushing through, shouting about the apparent Quidditch victory. "Erm…" She caught sight of a rickety directory and darted for it, tugging Ron along. "Aha!" She pointed at a sign that clearly had "BANK" in the title to go left.
Feeling accomplished, she sped through the crowd, making a beeline for the big stone cathedral-sized building on the end of the winding road.
"Hermione!" Ron called after her. "Slow down!"
But she wanted to be absolutely certain they could exchange for some Muggle money and get back to the airport before their flight to China. She turned around to see a struggling Ron. "Come on, we're almost there!" But when she turned back around she was faced with a clump of Quidditch fans blundering towards them. They seemed preoccupied with whoever was in the middle of their pack, shouting and taking quick pictures.
Ron pulled her to the side of the road before the crowd had a change to trample her. "Are you okay?" he said. She huffed in response which made him a bit upset. "We stick together, Hermione," he reminded her sternly.
She nodded. "Alright."
"Hermione?"
The voice sounded very familiar, but it came from the crowd that had now halted in the middle of the street. Before either of them had a chance to inquire who had said Hermione's name, the crowd parted to show none other than Viktor Krum walking towards them.
"Viktor!" Hermione exclaimed, surprised. She greeted him with a hug.
Ron's body tensed as he stood there awkwardly.
"I didn't expect to see you here!" Hermione said, while Krum shook Ron's reluctant hand.
"I could say the same to you," he smiled. "Vot are you doing here?"
Ron could see Hermione get flustered with all the people around them, listening to their conversation. Knowing that she probably didn't want to disclose any information, he took her hand again and said, "We just have to take a quick trip to the bank. Come on, Hermione."
"Vait! The bank. It is closed because of the game."
Hermione felt a slight panic arise within her. Without enough Muggle money, they wouldn't have enough to eat or find a room if need be while they were in China or Australia. And at this point, they might have to stay in Germany.
"That's okay, we were just leaving," Ron said suddenly.
"So soon?" asked Krum. "If you are needing help, please, allow me."
"No, we don't-" began Ron, but people started to catch on who they were. After all, their faces were plastered all over the news for months, but now they were celebrated heroes. The crowd and cameras followed the three as they tried to find a safe place to Apparate.
"Actually, we could use your help, Viktor," Hermione said, slightly panicked.
With that, the three of them went to a good vantage point to Apparate to a tall two story home. The house had a circular front garden with a Quidditch-themed fountain in the middle. The house itself was a brown paisley color with white windows and black shutters. The front door's archway was topped with an elaborate crest.
"This is... this is…" mumbled Ron, feeling particularly inadequate.
"…Really generous," Hermione finished, red in the face.
Krum looked down, almost ashamed. "It is too much. I am being here for von veek and the Quidditch League is giving me this."
"Sounds like a real burden. Ow!" Ron's sarcasm was met with Hermione elbowing him in the ribs.
Viktor lead them inside. Just as they imagined, this house was embroidered with tall ceilings and portraits. He led them into the sitting room, where they plopped their luggage on the floor and sat down. A House Elf came into the room with three cups of tea already.
Ron smiled smugly, knowing how Hermione felt about House Elf rights. The House Elf offered the the tray up to each one of them. Ron took a cup and thanked the House Elf kindly, anticipating Hermione's disgust with Krum's treatment to his House Elf.
The House Elf went up to Hermione.
"And what's your name?" she asked gently, while taking her cup.
The House Elf blinked at her.
Krum stared at her through his glassy dark eyes. "He is not speaking English. His name is Behaart."
Hermione nodded and smiled, "Thank you, Behaart."
Behaart bowed and went over to Krum who took his tea and placed a Sickle on the tray. "Danke, Behaart."
Bewildered by his gesture, Hermione beamed. "You- you paid him."
"Vherever I travel, I am given many things. Most of the time, I get a House Elf," he sighed. He blew on his tea. "I pay them, if I cannot give them clothes."
"That's brilliant!" Hermione exclaimed. "Have you always done that?"
"Honestly, I have not. It vos not until your letters on S.P.E.W. that I vos realizing House Elves are living things too. It is not fair how some vizards treat them."
Hermione looked simply elated while Ron suffered from defeat. How was he supposed to compete with that?
"Aren't we supposed to catch a flight soon?" asked Ron rather harshly.
"But without much Muggle money left, we don't have a chance of getting tickets. And it's getting late."
Krum straightened up. "You can stay here for the night. There is plenty of room, of course."
Out of all the things he could have imagined happening during their trip, being spotted and offered hospitality by Viktor Krum was not one of them. And to think that he has been trying to show Hermione that he did care about her by going on this trip with her. It wasn't the only reason for accompanying her on the trip, but it was definitely in the back of his mind. He could kiss goodbye any chance he thought he had with Hermione…
"We would love that. Wouldn't we, Ron?"
They both turned to the sunken red head and he nodded faintly.
"It is settled then." Krum gave the tiniest of smiles.
They finished their tea; Krum and Hermione talked the entire time. They caught up with current events, and the war. Hermione made sure to skip over some of the details, for it was all still fresh in her mind.
While they had a field day talking, Ron felt uncomfortable. He scrutinized Hermione's expressions when talking to Krum and compared them to how she would act when talking to him. He didn't remember her ever laughing that hard over one of his jokes. And Krum wasn't even that funny! Was he even trying to make a joke?
Ron looked down at his tea, the swirling leaves just as bland as their conversation. Any part of the conversation directed at him was met with a snarky remark, making everyone uncomfortable until Hermione brought the conversation back. After a while, they stopped involving Ron altogether, convincing him further that something would have happened between the talkative pair if he wasn't there.
"Vell," Krum said, standing up. "It is getting late. Vould you like me to show you to your room?"
"Finally…" Ron said under his breath, hoisting his luggage onto his shoulders.
Hermione definitely heard Ron's remark, and she was afraid Krum might have heard it too. If he did, however, he chose to ignore it.
Krum and Ron went to grab Hermione's bag at the same time, but she got to it first. "Lead the way!"
They followed him up the stairs. Ron made many snide comments as Krum explained some of the artwork and portraits on the wall. At this point, Hermione was merely a buffer between the two, hoping that Krum wouldn't catch on.
He showed them to the guest room and bid them goodnight. Hermione thanked him again and shut the door. She immediately put a silencing charm on the room and hit Ron with a jolt of her wand.
"What the hell!" he exclaimed, reaching for his bruised forearm.
"I can't believe you did that," Hermione snapped, violently setting up her bed.
"Did what?"
"Come on, I know you're not stupid!" Ron still refused to show any sign of understanding. "Viktor!" she reminded him, exasperated. "I thought we were passed this!"
"He obviously fancies you!"
"So what if he does? I can't control how he feels. He knows where I stand, and that's enough for me."
"And where do you stand?"
"I don't fancy him, Ronald! I fancy you!" She knew this wasn't a good time. But, Merlin! She was angry.
"Me?" he said thickly.
"Yes, you!" she said, her heart pounding loudly in her eardrums. "Why do you- why do you think I kissed you?"
Ron's mouth was hanging open. "I thought- it was a- now or never situation."
"It was," Hermione sighed. She started pacing and talking really fast. "I didn't know how you felt because it was such an impulse, and we were at war, and you could have died, and you mentioned the House Elves, and that showed you did pay attention, and I just thought it would-"
"Merlin, woman! Do you ever breathe?" said Ron.
"I'm trying to be serious here!"
He sighed, ashamed. "I'm sorry."
Red in the face, Hermione folded her arms and stared at Ron expectantly.
He sat down on the side of the bed, and indicated for her to sit next to him. "I think we've waited long enough."
Hermione, not entirely sure if this was the best thing to do as a guest in Viktor Krum's house, took to Ron's left. She breathed in firmly and slowly let it out. "Alright," she agreed, steadying her hands from shaking. "But I'm still mad at you."
"Fair enough."