Chapter Thirty one
Hermione was driven by the small round taxi driver from the airport across the Via Liberta; a long bridge that spanned the beautiful turquoise waters of the Laguna Veneta. The air was fresh and cool but the skies were a wonderful powder blue colour and the light was just breath-taking. Hermione could see the tightly packed island of Venice as she drove ever closer.
The driver took her to the Piazzali Roma, where she was met by a very tall and thin Italian Man.
"Professore Granger?" he asked politely, "Your water taxi is waiting. This a way signora."
Hermione followed him around a busy bus station to a small marina, where a gleaming, polished brown boat awaited amongst others which were exactly the same as the one she would be taking. The tall man stepped aboard the boat, and offering her his hand pulled her on to the deck. He ushered her to a comfortable leather seat at the back of the boat and then he walked forwards where he took the controls at the prow. The boat moved off smoothly down the Grand Canal.
The water was choppier than Hermione had imagined it would be, but the stunning sights took her mind of it, as she passed attractive buildings and bridge after beautiful bridge. The boat wound it's way along the canal and Hermione saw traditional black gondola's slowly punting happy looking couples to and fro.
This gave Hermione another pang of loss, as she imagined being in one of those spectacular gondola's with Draco.
The air was a little chilly and Hermione was, even now, still slightly wet from her soaking back in England. She pulled her coat more tightly around herself as the water taxi sailed over the undulating waves of the canal. The calles beside the canal weren't particularly busy being as it was November 9th, and by no means was this time of year the peak of the tourist season.
Eventually the water taxi pulled in towards the side of the canal. Hermione saw someone waving excitedly. Aurelia was standing upon a short jetty, a beaming smile stretched across her pretty face.
"Hermione!" She squealed as the boat pulled into the dock.
"Hi Aurelia," Hermione said as the driver of the boat helped her ashore. Hermione paid him, and Aurelia scowled at the driver as he took the money.
"I've already paid you." She said with a hint of anger, but Hermione stepped in.
"It's okay," she said kindly "consider it a tip. The lovely journey was well worth it."
"Grazie bella," the man said with a smile as he got back onto his boat.
"You didn't need to do that," Aurelia said, "They'll walk all over you given half the chance."
"It's fine Aurelia, I mean, the trip was free so I can't really complain. Anyway, it's great to see you." She said giving the blonde witch a friendly hug.
"You too," Aurelia said, squeezing Hermione a little too hard. "Isn't it beautiful here?" She said pulling away and looking up at the tall buildings with rich terracotta roofs and aged plasterwork walls.
"It certainly is," Hermione said, taking in the magnificent Calle Cavalli Costello. The two young witches strolled down the Calles past fascinating shops, restaurants and hotels. Some of the buildings fronts were overgrown with climbing plants and others had the most stunning flower baskets Hermione had ever seen. The calles grew narrower as they reached their destination, and Hermione loved the ambience of the place, it felt like she was in another world and she could see why so many artists from all around the world had taken up residence in the city.
"This is my hotel," Aurelia said, gesturing towards an impressive three storied building, "come inside, I have a favour to ask of you."