Hermione noticed Ginny sitting out on the patio. Ginny was still wearing her pyjamas and had pulled on a gown to protect against the early morning chill. She was drawing what warmth she could from the still weak sun and watching the activity build up on the harbour as the city awoke.
Earlier, Hermione had climbed out of bed carefully so as not to disturb Ron. She had heard a light snore as she walked past Harry's room. She was fairly certain that both 'her boys' would stay in bed for at least another hour as there was no pressing need for them to arise. The only venture on offer this morning was an expedition to buy clothes, not something that would make them jump out of bed with enthusiasm. She made herself some coffee and joined Ginny.
"Morning Ginny."
"Hi Hermione," Ginny replied smiling. She looked very peaceful. "It's just so wonderful out here," she added.
Hermione just nodded and sipped her coffee, soaking in her surroundings, and gathered her thoughts.
"Ginny, what happened yesterday afternoon?" she asked gently.
Ginny's head jerked around to look at Hermione. There was a look of surprise, then briefly of guilt before Ginny finally adopted an air of innocent puzzlement.
"I don't know what you mean, Hermione."
"I tried that line on my mother yesterday when she asked me about Ron. She didn't buy it either. Give Ginny."
"I don't see it is any of your business, Hermione," she said defiantly. She turned away from Hermione and pretended to watch the activity on the harbor.
Hermione sat quietly for a little while then said simply, "do you really believe that Ginny?"
Ginny turned to Hermione angrily. "Nothing happened," she spat out. "It nearly did and it was great but then noble Harry pulled back. There, are you satisfied?"
"No... Is it your plan to seduce Harry this holiday, Ginny? To make love to him?"
"What if it is?"
"You'll probably succeed. You need to think about the consequences of that Ginny."
"I'm glad you think I'll succeed. I haven't had much luck so far."
"I know him better than you, Ginny. He's not exactly immune to your charms."
"Good"
"No, it's not good Ginny. He's not ready. You agreed with that just last week."
"Yeah, well, I didn't know then that we would be holidaying at the other side of the world to my parents."
"Parents to whom both you and Harry promised nothing would happen, or have you forgotten that. If Harry breaks his word he will be wracked with guilt. He won't be able to look them in the eye. He's carrying too much emotional baggage as it is. He doesn't need that."
"That's funny coming from someone who changed her parents' memory and sent them around the world despite them saying no."
"That's got nothing to do with it." Hermione felt as if she'd been slapped across the face.
"And who are you to be talking, f..ing my brother senseless each night."
"Ginny!"
"You're trying to say that I'm being selfish; that I don't really care about Harry. Well I do. I love him and I can make him happy!"
"Ginny, that's not –"
"You can't have them both, Hermione. They're no longer 'your boys'. You've got Ron. Harry's mine." Ginny stormed off leaving Hermione sitting there mouth agape. A few seconds later she heard Ginny's bedroom door slam closed.
About an hour later Hermione's mother arrived, followed shortly by Michelle.
"Ron, could you let Ginny know that Mum and Michelle are here?" asked Hermione, but before Ron could move, Ginny emerged from her room, bright and breezy.
"Hi everyone, we all ready to go?" She even smiled at Hermione.
"Are the boy's coming with us?" asked Jean.
"Um, I think we'd just be in the way," said Ron.
Harry nodded vigorously. "Yeah, maybe we can meet up later for lunch."
Only Ginny looked disappointed. Jean smiled. Michelle led them off on their expedition. It was a total disaster. It started at the first shop they entered. Hermione tried on an elegant full length red strapless sheath dress. It was low cut with a split to just above the right knee. Both Jean and Michelle loved it but Ginny simply said "Ron would go ballistic if you wore that in public."
It went on like that for the next hour; Ginny and Hermione vetoing each other's choices with increasingly nasty put downs that more than hinted at possible deficiencies in each other's figures. At times they fell just short of calling the other a tart. Both Michelle and Jean were becoming increasingly embarrassed. They held a little conference and then Michelle announced "I know a shop that should be just right for Ginny. I'll take her there and you can take Hermione to David Jones." She dragged Ginny away before she had an opportunity to object.
"Let's get a cup of coffee, Hermione," said Jean. When they had settled down and the coffee had arrived Jean asked "so what's going on Hermione?"
"Ginny and I had a nasty argument this morning."
"Yes I gathered something like that. What about?"
Hermione reluctantly told her. Jean burst out laughing.
"It's not funny Mum!"
"It's hilarious. I know you know the meaning of the word 'ironic' Hermione"
"Yes Mum, I understand the irony in the situation, but it's serious. Ginny is only sixteen and I feel responsible for her being over here in the first place. And then there's Harry. Harry is carrying a heavy burden of guilt from the war. He feels he should have found a way to end it sooner without so many people dying."
"That is a terrible burden for a seventeen year old boy to have to carry," said Jean both surprised and a little outraged. "Is there any reason for him to feel that way?"
"None whatsoever; it's just how Harry is. He takes responsibility. If he breaks his word to Ginny's parents he will feel really bad about it. It will affect his relationship with them and they are like surrogate parents to him."
"Hermione, I know you care about Harry, but if that is how he feels then I suggest it is up to him to keep his word. It's not really your job, not anymore."
"Harry is my best friend, Mum. We've been protecting each other since we were 11. We are brother and sister in all but name. And Ginny is my closest female friend. I care about her a lot. What she is planning will hurt them both. I can't stand by and let that happen."
"What does Ron think?"
"He doesn't know. I'm not sure whether he would kill Harry or Ginny first if he found out. He's only just come to terms with them kissing."
Jean tried unsuccessfully to conceal her smirk.
"Yes Mum, ironic, OK. I do feel sorry for Harry at times. It's a daunting challenge dating a girl with five very protective older brothers."
"Not to mention a very protective older sister. Hermione, in the end Harry and Ginny have to work this out for themselves. You've said your bit to Ginny. Now you should leave it be."
Hermione opened her mouth to respond but then she stopped herself. After a while she said "I guess. …I'm sorry we put you through that Mum."
"Don't worry about it. It just feels so good to be a mum again. Now let's go and get that first dress you tried on; the red one. It was by far the best we saw."
"Ginny wasn't wrong when she said Ron wouldn't like me wearing that in public."
"Good, all the more reason to buy it. You have to make it clear to Ron early on that you are going to decide what you wear, not him. Besides he'll be proud as punch to be escorting the belle of the ball."
Later, they all met up for lunch with the boys. Ginny had also gone back and bought a green dress she had tried on before. Hermione recalled liking it very much, but that is not what she had told Ginny. She looked over at Ginny who also appeared embarrassed. Hermione announced she was going to the bathroom and Ginny soon followed.
When they were alone Hermione apologised. "Ginny, I meant what I said about Harry, but that's something for you and him to work out. I'm sorry for how I've carried on the rest of this morning."
"I didn't mean those things I said to you either, Hermione, I'm sorry too."
"We have been carrying on like a couple of prize prats, haven't we? Merlin knows what Michelle thinks."
"Probably just confirms what she thinks of English witches," replied Ginny.
"I really do like that dress you bought, by the way."
"Doesn't make me look like an under dressed, over exposed string bean, then?" responded Ginny cocking an eyebrow.
Hermione winced at the recollection of what she had said. "Sorry about that. No, Harry will love it. You look beautiful in it."
Ginny took on a look of concern. "Hermione, what you said about Harry; I don't know what to do."
"Why don't you talk to Harry about it? That's what being in a relationship is all about. You make the important decisions together."
Ginny looked thunderstruck. "Oh Merlin, Hermione, what have I been doing? I made Harry promise that on the big things that affect us both that he wouldn't make the decision alone, that we would do it together but I've been trying to make this decision for him."
"Talk to him."
"I don't know where to start."
"Start with what happened yesterday. Harry won't want to talk about it; boys never do, but he'll be glad that you did."
Ginny nodded. The two girls embraced then, arm in arm, both smiling, they returned to the table. The two boys had never realised anything was wrong.
The following evening the two boys were in the lounge room of their suite waiting impatiently for the girls to emerge. They were both getting dressed in Ginny's room.
"Come on Hermione," called out Ron. "The limo thingy with your parents will be here any second."
They were to meet the Australian Minister of Magic privately before the reception proper.
Five minutes later the door to Ginny's room cracked open and the two girls emerged rendering the two boys slack jawed.
Harry finally managed to get out "Ginny you look spectacular!" Ginny beamed with pleasure. Not quite as an afterthought Harry added "you look wonderful too Hermione."
"Wonderful?" protested Ron, "you look absolutely stunning Hermione!"
Hermione smiled brightly and she did a twirl showing off her dress.
"Um, Hermione," added Ron, "I don't know how to tell you this, but they haven't finished sewing the seam down the front of your dress."
"It's meant to be like that, Ron."
"And Hermione, you're sort of naked from here up."
"They're called shoulders, Ron. Don't you like the way they look?"
"What I don't like, Hermione, is the idea of other men ogling you all night. You're not wearing that in public."
"And where do you suggest I wear it, Ron? In the bathroom? It's an evening dress, Ron, designed to be worn in public by women whose men respect them and appreciate the way they look. Don't you appreciate the way I look?"
"Well yes, but –"
"Good, then that's settled!"
"And you better not start on my dress either Ron!" declared Ginny.
At this he noticed just how much skin Ginny was displaying, how low her neckline.
"Bloody hell," he muttered and looked to Harry for support but Harry was just smirking.
"Sorry mate," he said, "but you're fighting a losing battle here. Besides we'll be the envy of every wizard in Australia when we walk in with these two on our arms."
Ron frowned, and then he shrugged. "There is that," he conceded.
"You really do look beautiful Hermione and you don't look half bad either Ginny."
"Gee, thanks, Ron."
Ron offered his arm to Hermione, and with Harry and Ginny following they went down to the hotel lobby and the waiting limo.
George had accompanied the Granger's during the 30 minute journey from their home in Gordon and they were getting on like a house on fire when they arrived at the Park Hyatt. The limousine took the group the short distance to Government house, an elegant 19th century structure set in large grounds adjacent to the Botanical Gardens. It was once the residence of the State Governor but was now used for state occasions and charity functions. It had the advantage of being private. The reception area and the ballroom were actually quite cramped and narrow, but they had been magically extended for this evenings function.
When they arrived, George ushered them into a lounge area where he introduced the group to his father. Kevin Lonnergan greeted them warmly. He had a straight forward, down to earth and friendly manner with very little of George's flamboyance.
After pleasantries had been exchanged, The Minister for magic apologised to the English travellers.
"I'm sorry to put you through this tonight; there are more than a few people who wouldn't have forgiven me if I didn't give them a chance to meet our celebrity visitors. I'm afraid most of them are fairly boring."
"It's the least we could do after what you've done to help us," said Harry. "We are very appreciative."
"Glad to help. I should also warn you that the press will be here tonight, including a contingent representing the British press, so I'd be careful what you say. I've found from bitter experience that it never goes down well either at home or abroad if you say something controversial when away."
"Thanks for the warning," replied Harry who had been asked to say a few words. Fortunately, Mr Granger had given him the same advice so his prepared remarks were fairly harmless.
"There are a couple of people, however," Kevin continued "whom you could well profit from meeting, ….that is if you are serious about doing the things you talked to George about."
"We are," replied Hermione.
"Good. The first is Sasha Halifax. She is Australia's ambassador to the British magical community and she is back in Australia for consultations at the moment. You'll find she has a very shrewd understanding of British politics and will be more than happy to be of assistance to you. The second is a British wizard, a businessman and someone whose views, I believe you will find, are in line with your own. He is both very intelligent and well-connected and I believe could be of great assistance to you. His name is Peter Lowry."
"We'll be pleased to meet them," responded Ron.
"Good. Always remember you have friends in Australia."
Turning to Robert and Jean he added "George tells me there may be some irregularity with your immigration status in Australia. He'll introduce you to our liaison with the muggle government who should be able to sort out any problems for you. Minister Shacklebolt in England assures me he will be able to sort out any issues over there."
Jean and Robert both breathed a sigh of relief and thanked Kevin.
Turning back to the four youngsters he continued.
"Now if you will accompany me we have to join the reception line with my wife Jenny. George, could you take care of Jean and Robert?"
The evening was surprisingly pleasant. The food was excellent and the conversation brisk. Ginny and Harry found themselves sitting next to Sasha Halifax who was a delight. She had them in stitches of laughter with some less than diplomatic observations of some of the leading lights of British and European politics. Her description of how Cornelius Fudge's dithering and pomposity had almost lost the British the right to host the last Quidditch World Cup was almost painful.
At one point, when no one was in a position to overhear them, Sasha's demeanour completely changed. She became very serious and said to Harry "I understand you and your friends are hoping to bring about some social and political reforms in Britain. It is a difficult road you are choosing. Feel free to come and talk to me whenever you need to. I will try and give you whatever advice and assistance I can." Within seconds she switched back to her former manner and launched into a juicy tale about Kevin during his university days.
The speeches were all fairly low key, though the four did become somewhat embarrassed with the praise being heaped upon them. Harry's own speech went over well despite the lack of any real content.
The Granger's were enjoying dessert, a delightful mixture of meringue, fruit and cream called a Pavlova. They had been seated with Peter Lowry who was muggle born and had been able to explain to them the more obscure aspects of the evening's proceedings. Robert found himself confessing to Peter how amazed he was at the attention being lavished on their daughter and her friends.
"I gather she is a war hero, but all this seems so excessive," he said.
"Let me help you understand," said Peter. "What your daughter, Harry and Ron have done is an extraordinary feat of endurance, courage and daring. All the same, the world is full of people doing courageous and daring things. So what makes what they did so special? Let me explain it from the Australian perspective. They have been gearing up for a global war between wizarding nations. That old saying 'The storm clouds are gathering over Europe' seemed very real. There was a deep dread spreading through the community. Voldemort looked unstoppable and a global conflagration seemed inevitable. Then one morning everyone wakes up and it's all over, the dreadful, unavoidable danger gone. There has been a great battle, Voldemort is dead, his forces defeated and these three are the ones who brought it about. That is something not soon forgotten. Add to that how young they are and you have the stuff of true legend. I doubt there is a country in the world at the moment where your daughter would not be feted or the gratitude profound."
Robert and Jean were speechless. They were just beginning to understand the scope of what their daughter had achieved, who she had become. After a while they realised that Peter was still talking.
"…what young Ginny did is also quite noteworthy. She stands out as an example to all of us of courage and standing up for what you believe in despite the cost."
Jean and Robert realised they really did need to know in detail what the four young people had done during the last year.
"Would you like to dance, Mrs Granger?"
Jean looked up to see Ron standing politely, offering his hand. Beside him, Hermione was dragging her father onto the dance floor."
"I would be delighted, Ron." She took his hand and joined him on the dance floor. Ron was no natural dancer but he was attentive and careful. Besides he was a strapping young man. She found herself enjoying the dancing.
Much to Harry and Ron's annoyance Ginny and Hermione were swept away by a long list of wizards eager to dance with them. They were too busy to do much about it. Most of the witches, young and old, were eager to dance with them and showed no reluctance dragging them onto the floor or cutting in.
George, of course, dominated the dance floor. He used a series of steps that incorporated magical moves. When he was dancing with his girlfriend Ariadne, the results were arresting. Their dancing achieved the rare double of being both dazzling and graceful. They floated, glided, bent and twirled in perfect harmony. Soon more people on the dance floor were watching them than dancing themselves.
The reception ended around midnight. After a series of farewells and thanks they climbed back into the limousine. On the way back to the hotel Robert reminded Hermione that she had promised to give them the full story of the last year. They agreed they would come up to The Granger's home the next morning and take them through it.
Once they reached their hotel suite the four sat out on their balcony for an hour talking happily about their night.
The next morning they apparated to the Granger's home. They spent the rest of the morning and much of the afternoon taking Hermione's parents through the events of the last nine months. They included a description of what Ginny had been through at Hogwarts. It took a lot longer than on previous occasions. The Grangers lacked the background in the wizarding world and they not been involved in any of the events as the Weasleys had. It was a very difficult journey both intellectually and emotionally for everyone.
Hermione had been very nervous about taking her parents through the story and one reason was soon obvious. It became clear to Harry, Ron and Ginny that the Grangers knew next to nothing about Hermione's more dangerous adventures during her years at Hogwarts. They knew nothing about the mountain troll, Fluffy, the Philosophers Stone or the Chamber of Secrets. They didn't even know that Hermione had been petrified. They knew nothing about her forming a clandestine army in fifth year or the battle in the Department of Mysteries. Hermione had told them nothing and neither had the school apparently. Ron's parents had always been notified of any incident or injury. The school clearly had a different policy when it came to muggle parents.
These revelations were difficult for Hermione and made her parents angry.
"If I had known how dangerous Hogwarts was I would have taken you out of there years ago!" said Robert. This was, of course, precisely why Hermione had never told them. Danger or no, Hogwarts was where Hermione belonged and she would have preferred to die rather than leave there for the muggle world. She tried hard to explain this to her parents.
They were all drained emotionally and mentally by the time the story had been told. They had left nothing out.
"You are four very extraordinary young people," was all Robert could say. Jean just nodded her head in agreement.
Later that night Jean ordered some pizza. They sat around the dining table discussing their immediate plans for the rest of their 'holiday'. On Monday, two days away, the four were travelling to a tropical resort just north of Cairns. They planned to go snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, to explore the area and to sip exotic fruit juices while sunning themselves around the resort pool. Hermione had a stack of books she planned to read.
They had invited the Grangers to join them but they had declined. They needed to start tidying up their affairs in Australia and planning their return. They had decided to return to England, the main reason being that Hermione had made it clear that that was where her future lay.
The next day, George and Ariadne were taking them to an international Quidditch match between Australia and Japan. Harry, Ron and Ginny tried their best to explain the game to Robert and Jean.
"So it's like aerial football, or soccer as the Aussies call it, except there are three goal mouths and you have players who are allowed to go around knocking other players off their brooms even if they don't have the ball," summarised Robert.
"Yeah," replied Harry, "but don't forget about the golden snitch."
Jean had tuned out the explanation early and was having a side conversation with Hermione about her education next year.
The main Sydney Quidditch arena was tucked away in one of the large forest reserves that surrounded Sydney. Although the arena could easily take 15,000 spectators, to muggle eyes, even muggle satellites, there was no apparent break in the forest. The arena was rapidly filling as they took their places. Jean very much enjoyed the game, Robert was exhilarated. He was an instant convert. It was the beginning of a love affair that would stay with him the rest of his life. He and Ron would attend many matches together over the years though Robert never quite took on Ron's obsession for the Chudley Cannons.
Ten days later their holiday was drawing to a close. Ginny and Hermione were lying on deck chairs beside the resort pool. Ron and Harry were in the pool playing volley ball. Ron was winning and couldn't keep the satisfaction off his face. The following day they were returning home, flying first to Singapore then onto Heathrow.
Hermione was very happy. Every one she cared about was safe and well. Her mission to Australia had been a complete success. Her parents would be back in England in a month's time ready to resume their old life. Hermione and her parents were fully reconciled and there were now no secrets between them. Her parents had insisted that from now on Hermione keep it that way and she was happy to comply. She was now looking forward to sharing her life in the magical world with them, something she had been afraid to do before.
Hermione was also pleased how things had gone between Ginny and Harry. Ginny had had that conversation with Harry on the morning before they left for Cairns. They had decided, together, not to go any further than they already had until at least Ginny's seventeenth birthday in a little over two months' time. Their relationship had noticeably matured and they had both been extremely happy.
What Hermione was most happy about was Ron. She had thought before they had left England that she couldn't love him anymore. She was wrong. His warmth, tenderness, concern for her and the maturity and respect with which he had interacted with her parents had her falling deeper and deeper in love with her gangly red head with strong arms. This last 10 days had been very much a honeymoon for them.
Of course Ron still had his moments. He was scandalised when the girls wore their bikinis in public. They had worn bikinis when they went swimming at the Burrow but this was different, he decided.
"You can't lie around in public practically naked," he declared. He was pleased when the notorious Weasley white skin had forced Ginny to cover up to protect against the sun, even though the same white skin had caused him a painful dose of sunburn. It was only after several days that he relented, after he realised how everyone one else was dressing. Ginny had been exasperated, Harry amused. Hermione thought it was cute which exasperated Ginny even more.
Hermione watched Ron as her man slammed one more goal past Harry. Tomorrow it was back to the real world, but today everything was perfect.