Authors' Notes: This story is part of an ongoing epic involving a natural Legilimens named Sydney (Siggy) Whetstone, a first year student at Hogwarts, his cat Morpheus, Severus Snape (who has become Siggy's guardian following the death of his abusive uncle), and Hermione Granger, who is studying Morpheus, a maneki neko with unusual magical powers. It takes place in roughly 2007 or thereabouts.
A Trip To Remember
A collaborative effort by Sinistra_Furze and SadiraSnape
CHAPTER 8 – Romania
Dear Ginny
Greetings from sunny Romania. The rest of our stay in Egypt was uneventful you will be pleased to hear. We were accompanied to the apparition place by friends of Mr Valentinas.
Once in Romania we flooed to the town nearest the Reserve and finished the journey at night on brooms. I hate flying! I was cold, uncomfortable, and giddy. Severus offered me a potion for air-sickness but gave the impression it was more for the sake of those on the ground than for me. He has a way with words.
I've never been so glad to get off a broom. I swear I never, ever will fly again even if it means walking back home from here!
I passed on your Mum's letter to Charlie. He laughed when he read it. I'm dying to know what she wrote. He's enjoying his work immensely, as I expect you know. He's a picture of health due to all that outdoor activity. They fly on patrols every day (yes, I declined) on fire-proofed brooms and take regular observations of the dragons and their habits.
They have a healthy respect for the creatures -
"…you can never turn your back on a dragon, however well you think you might know them."
In the guest rooms there are posters up on the walls of all the different kinds of dragons kept at the Reserve. Siggy was awestruck and can't wait to go have a look at the real ones. He is promised a visit to see Bobby (the not-so-baby Basilisk) tomorrow. Severus is giving that side-trip a miss.
Severus is after the rare Resurrection flower. I'm not quite sure what for but I'm allowed to go along. I think I might take a picnic. Haven't used the tea set so far and I didn't want to have brought it in vain.
Oh, one of Charlie's workmates is coming along tomorrow. Handsome is not the word, but I can't think of a better one so far!
See you soon
Love
Hermione
22 July
We have arrived in Romania, and have been cheerfully greeted by Charlie Weasley in typical Weasley fashion. The last leg of our journey was by broom, which I don't particularly care for, and which apparently the redoubtable Ms Granger positively loathes. She turned some rather interesting shades of green on the trip, owing no doubt to the flight being at night (we couldn't see any ground landmarks, which gives a rather peculiar sensation of being suspended in nothingness), scattered rain/snow, and quite a bit of wind turbulence.
I offered her some Nix Vomica potion, but I may have worded my offer a bit clumsily. Thinking back, I suppose saying, "Here, take this. We don't need you gracing the locals with an unexpected air drop" could have conveyed a certain lack of sympathy for air sickness… and my word, if looks could kill, she would have finished what Tom Riddle started!
Siggy of course found the flight a pure lark. I'm not sure Morpheus did – I could hear him howling and complaining in his basket from two dragonlengths away!
At any rate, we arrived at the dragon reserve with no problems (or unexpected air drops), and were conducted to our lodgings – very comfortable guest rooms in the main hall.
I had some rather interesting owls awaiting me from Albus, Ginny Potter, and Molly Weasley. Seems young Ronald Weasley is taking this entire trip rather poorly – he fancies I'm "out to get" Hermione or something. That phrase could be interpreted in several ways, some more intriguingly than others, and which I would no doubt quite enjoy. (As would she, if I do say do myself.) He's apparently been threatening Albus with legal action, pleading with Ginny to get Potter to come save Hermione from my dastardly clutches, and whinging to Molly about how much he adores Hermione and would "just curl up and die" if anything happened to her while with me.
Ha. It is my considered opinion that, if young Mr Weasley stood a chance with the estimable Ms Granger, there would have already been a redistribution of surnames. It would not surprise me one whit if Hermione has not been attempting to scrape Ronald off for quite some time – a more mismatched pair I never saw in 25 years at Hogwarts. Not even Lily and the execrable James Potter were so poorly matched as Hermione and Ron.
In truth, I rather expected young Potter and Hermione to end up together – he is a bit brighter than Ronald, as much as it makes me grit my teeth to admit it. Although Ginevra has turned out to be a good match for him – she keeps him well in line and his nose to the grindstone. I wonder if she could teach me that trick… I expect young Potter spawn to be arriving at Hogwarts before long…
Ah well. I should retire, as it will be a long day tomorrow. I must locate a good deal of Resurrection Flower tomorrow, my stores are frighteningly low, Hermione wants a picnic, and Siggy wants to go visit Bobby, the ashwinder/basilisk cross that almost put me 6 feet under at the start of last school year. I don't believe I shall accompany him on that little visit.
A picnic with Hermione, though, should be quite interesting. Except for the oaf that Charlie has detailed to accompany us. I feel like a scrawny 4th year next to him. Which makes me wonder, why do I even care? Hmmm…
Dear Ginny
I have to say overall it's been a wonderful trip. I've learned a lot, gone interesting places, seen the better side of Severus (yes he does have one) and enjoyed the company of the delightful young Siggy Whetstone. Up to yesterday I could even say I'd do it again.
But I am never, never, ever getting on a broom again.
It went like this. Siggy had already set out with the Head Ranger to visit Bobby. I was chatting to Gregor over breakfast, very much looking forward to our walk to find the flowers but as I prepared food for the picnic Gregor dropped the bombshell - we had to travel by broom.
No. Other. Way.
Well, I didn't want to sit in the cabin all day while everyone else had fun, or miss the chance to spend some time with gorgeous Gregor, or give Severus the satisfaction of another smirk – so I took a deep breath and said I'd still be going. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
It was a bright day and they gave me a slow but smooth-running broom with a soft seat. Gregor took point with Severus and me behind. After about half an hour of flying in warm sunny skies we started to descend to our hillside destination. I was beginning to get my wings and almost relaxed. Suddenly a shout went up. Large green dragon on our left, catching up fast. I wobbled as I looked over my shoulder, and tried to speed up. But the ancient broom just wouldn't do it and the beast kept getting closer. I saw Severus look back and cast a spell.
"Hold on tight!" he yelled, quite unnecessarily.
Immediately I felt a pull on my broom. I was being dragged along by a binding charm, tied to Severus' broom like a water-skier on a tow line. He turned sharply to the right and I swung wildly to one side shrieking like a banshee. I'm sure I ended up spinning at one point. My eyes were closed, so I can't swear to it, but I did swear at Severus. Frequently. Up and down, left and right we went 'till a savage lurch loosed the lid on the picnic basket I'd tied behind the broom seat. The contents, including my beautiful tea set, scattered in all directions in a shower of china and cucumber sandwiches. Surprisingly this caught the attention of the dragon which turned away and abandoned the chase.
Gregor led us over the next ridge and down into a grassy meadow. Having abandoned all pretence at finesse I landed with a thump and bounced down the slope. My head was spinning, I couldn't move, I could hardly breathe. As the world slowly came back into focus I realised someone was talking. Gregor had put his strong manly arm around my shoulder and was asking if I was alright. Oh Ginny, if only I could have held it together a bit longer. Regrettably my stomach was still turning over and I lurched to one side and threw up horribly. Gregor grimaced and Severus sneered. I was mortified. Seeing the wreckage of my expectations spread across a Romanian hillside I did the only thing that would make it worse. I burst into tears.
I couldn't bear to stay with Gregor as he started inspecting the brooms for damage so, rather unsteadily and trying not to sniff, I followed Severus towards a stream flowing prettily down the hill.
Nothing was said until he paused at a bush, gathered some berries and said
"Eat these, you will feel better."
It was as close to an apology as I was going to get.
He fetched some water from the stream and I sipped at it, watching as he strode ahead looking around for signs of his precious flower. I lay back on the grassy bank in the warm sunshine grateful to be on solid ground. How quickly things can spin out of control. I worried momentarily about Siggy, hoping he was OK. But he was with an experienced Ranger and I tried not to fret. Such a curious boy; clever, practical, level-headed and devious enough to get the better of Severus more than once. I decided to keep in touch with Siggy once the trip was over.
I must have dozed off. The next thing I knew Severus was sitting next to me on the grass saying we should be getting back. I wondered why he said it so gently, then realised the only way back was on a broom. I opened my mouth to protest but he was ahead of me.
"You can travel with me on my broom. You have no need to worry, I'll hold you tightly and I've got a calming draught if you need it."
There seemed no alternative, so that's how we travelled back.
First thing I did at the cabin was take a long hot shower. I realised I was shaking despite the warmth. A series of deep slow breaths, a fluffy towel and my softest clothes provided comforts enough to help me relax. A delicious dinner of bread and stew provided the nourishment I'd missed all day. The wine finished me off. I was nodding off by nine o'clock.
Siggy was also tired after a long day but full of chatter about Bobby and how happy he was in his new home. He'd spent the afternoon learning a million new things about basilisks, dragons and all kinds of other creatures. I wondered if he'd end up like Charlie, or if he'd pursue a more academic career. Plenty of time to decide, I suppose.
He was goggle-eyed as Gregor told him about being chased by a dragon. He went so far as to say he wished he'd been there! I suddenly felt very old. I looked across at Severus. He was smiling.
We're packing up tonight, and will be home tomorrow. I really need a day to recover so is it OK if I come to dinner the day after?
Love
Hermione
23 July
Oh hell. Oh hell. I almost lost her today. Damn brooms, damn The Oaf Gregor, damn dragons, damn this side trip to Romania, damn my need for Resurrection Flowers.
Damn me.
I can't write about it now. Maybe later.
Oh thank whatever grace watches out for insufferable know-it-all brilliant beautiful Gryffindor lionesses who fly on slow brooms…
Never again. Never again.
What if I'd lost her… Oh damn.