AN: So here we are again, I've done my best to get this out as quickly as possible so I hope it's up to standard. I've never been to Australia so if anything sounds off I'm really sorry. I hope you enjoy it and send me lots of reviews to keep me going.
Mega thanks to Astarte_Lydianna for looking this over for me. Go check out her stories.
Disclaimer: All recognized characters and situations belong to J. K. Rowling. I make no money from this and own nothing from the Harry Potter Universe.
After writing back to Kingsley, placing the spell on the envelope so that only he could open it, Hermione tried to continue to enjoy New Years Eve.
Unfortunately her nerves were creeping up on her the entire night. She was worried about the long journey but Portkey, as she hated that form of travel almost as much as she hated flying.
She was worried that when she got to Australia that she would not be able to properly remove her Obliviation charm from her parents and would cause them some sort of permanent damage.
Then she began to worry about their reaction if she did manage it properly. By the end of the night Hermione was visibly shaking and Draco was at a loss as to what he should do for her.
Eventually the countdown to midnight began and Draco pulled Hermione into his lap and held her close, placing the sweetest kiss he could manage on her lips at the stroke of midnight.
"Happy New Year Sweetheart" he whispered in her air, and stood from the couch to carry her upstairs and to bed. They lay there and he held her until she finally fell asleep in his arms, and spent the rest of the night just watching her.
….
Early the next morning Draco and Hermione stood under the protection of the back porch, ready to apparate to the ministry where they were to pick up their Portkey after meeting quickly with Kingsley.
Hermione's hands shook as she locked the back door and Draco took them tightly in his own, "It's going to be fine sweetheart, I promise" he said even though he didn't know how he was going to make everything fine if the situation turned out unfavourably.
Holding her hand tight, Draco turned on the spot and apparated them to the public entrance of the Ministry of Magic. As it was New Years Day, the area was empty and they quickly got into the red telephone booth and lifted the receiver to gain entrance before some unsuspecting muggle turned the corner and saw them.
After making the decent down into the Ministry and presented their wands to the security guard, Hermione felt a little sad that he had to work even on New Years Day, but they were still rebuilding their world and the occasional attack from closet Voldermort supporters was heard of.
They passed the security desk and entered one of the magical lifts. As soon as they were in the doors jerked shirt and they jolted backwards as it began to move. After a quick and rickety ride they exited as the lift announced that they were on "Level One, office of the Minister of Magic and administrative staff"
Kingsley stepped out of his office just as they were about to knock on the door and welcomed Hermione with a large hug. "It is so good to see you Hermione" he said in his deep booming voice.
"It's good to see you too Minister" Hermione replied, stepping out of the friendly embrace.
"Come now Hermione, none of that Minister business, at least as there is no one around, we have known each other long enough" the minister replied.
"I have set up your Portkey, you will be leaving from my office in ten minutes. I understand that Mr. Malfoy will be joining you" the minister gave Draco a look, not quite a sneer but quite clearly saying I wouldn't trust you as far as I could throw you.
"Yes, he will be. He is the only one that knows that you have found my parents and has agreed to accompany on the trip" Hermione said, taking Draco's hand and making it clear that the point was not to be argued.
"As you wish, follow me" Kingsley was clearly unhappy but had did not say anything further.
They walked into Kingsley's large circular office, on one wall over a fireplace was a large moving portrait of Kingsley and what looked like his family although Hermione had never known if Kingsley was married or had any children.
On the opposite wall a large bookcase full of tomes that under any other circumstances Hermione would be desperate to get her hands on. Kingsley's large mahogany desk was in front of a window that showed the image of London even though they were underground.
On his desk was an open book, which Kingsley told them was their Portkey to the Australian Ministry.
"You will be met there by the Australian minister, once he realised who was coming he didn't even ask for an explanation as to why or argue about the required secrecy, and I would suggest that the less people know the better, there are still people out there that wish to harm you Hermione"
"I won't tell anyone" Hermione assured him.
"Good, now once you know whether your parents will be coming back with you or not let me know in the same way as usual, they are muggles so I won't be able to arrange a Portkey for them, but I will be able to provide protection for them as they use muggle transportation" Kingsley informed her.
"I really appreciate everything you are doing for me and my family Kingsley, I can't tell you how much" Hermione's eyes began to well up with tears and Draco took her hand to offer some comfort, a move that Kingsley noticed and looked as though he wanted to stop.
"Okay well you have about a minute, might as well get situated and hold on tight, it's a long journey" Kingsley said and sat down in his chair behind his desk.
Hermione took a deep breath just as the book took on a blue hue and felt the tug behind her bellybutton that normally came with most types of magical travel before her feet left the ground and they began spinning.
Thirty minutes later, although it felt like a lifetime, they landed in the Australian Ministry. After getting her balance and giving herself a minute to stop feeling dizzy and sick Hermione took a look around.
The Australian Ministry was very similar to the British Ministry, with its high ceilings and statues of witches and wizards, the main difference being that the Australian Ministry was not underground.
"Oh, Miss Granger…. How wonderful to have you visiting us" came from behind Hermione, she and Draco span to see a tall wizard with blonde hair and a long dragon-tooth necklace swinging from his neck.
Hermione held out her hand to have her whole arm shaken by the wizard who was greeting her with enthusiasm to rival Hagrid.
"I am the Australian Minister for Magic, my counter-part in your country asked me to greet you personally so here I am" said the Minister who went on to introduce himself as Terry Dundee.
Hermione had a hard time not laughing when he introduced himself, "Yes yes I know there is some sort of stupid muggle movie about a crocodile hunter with the same name, believe me there is no connection" the minister answered the grin on her face and turned to shake Draco's hand.
"Please forgive me Minister, I didn't mean to laugh" Hermione answered, blushing. "This is my boyfriend Draco Malfoy" Hermione introduced Draco.
"Malfoy? I know that name. Met your father once when he was here on business…hold on a second, wasn't he a death eater?" the minister asked.
Before Draco could get annoyed Hermione jumped in and answered, "Yes but we wouldn't want to accuse by association now would we?"
"No, of course not, sorry dear boy" the minister said, clapping Draco on the back.
"Now, I have a place for you to stay in the area of Sydney that Minister Shacklebolt suggested that you are interested in, my aid Jonny will take you there if you are ready"
"Thank you minister Dundee, we are more than ready, that wasn't the nicest journey by Portkey I've ever made, going to our apartment would be lovely" Hermione plastered her most charming smile on her face and Jonny who had been standing behind the minister the entire way began to lead them to the exit.
After a twenty-minute ride in one of the Ministry Limo's, thankfully air-conditioned as Australia was right in the middle of it's summer, they pulled up in front of a tall apartment block, twenty stories high and buzzing with magic.
"It's an all magic apartment building, there are spells on it to put muggles off coming near it and they never look at any apartments at all, so you can practice all the magic you want in there without worrying" Jonny told them before getting out to let his passengers out.
Draco took Hermione's hand and they followed Jonny into the apartment block and into a lift that took them to the top floor of the apartment block and upon exiting the lift Hermione realised they had walked directly into the penthouse suite.
"Jonny, there must be some mistake, this can't be for us" Hermione gasped as she looked around the beautifully decorated apartment. It was open plan, all white with splashes of colour in the furniture. The French doors opened out onto a balcony, which Hermione could never go out on with her fear of heights.
"Of course it's for you Miss Granger, nothing but the best for one of the golden trio" Jonny exclaimed.
Hermione felt like a knife had pierced her belly and had to physically force herself not to put her hand there to stop the gaping hole she felt at the mention of her press-given nickname, after all the Golden Trio had all but disbanded.
"Really this isn't necessary" Hermione replied as politely as she could but Jonny was already moving to give them a tour of the rest of the living space.
"Obviously the lift opens into the living room, just through that archway is the kitchen, completely stocked with muggle and wizarding appliances. The fridge and pantry are fully stocked and will restock on its own so no need for you to spend time shopping" Jonny began walking towards the winding staircase.
"Up here is the master bedroom, guest bedroom and each room has an en-suite bathroom. If you need anything just send an owl down to the front desk and they can provide for you"
"I don't know what to say, this place is incredible" Hermione said, looking around the cream master bedroom. It boasted the biggest bed she had ever seen, with dark mahogany bedposts that had cream curtains hanging from them.
Draco came from behind her and put his arm around her waist, placing a sensual kiss on her shoulder when Jonny wasn't looking. "Why don't we get rid of Jonny and make love on every surface of this place" he whispered in her ear.
His breath against her skin while he whispered sent a shiver straight up Hermione's spine and she felt juice gush between her legs.
She nodded and Draco quickly shook Jonny's hand and assured him that they would speak to the front desk before politely but briskly shuffling back into the lift and warding it shut as soon as it began its decent.
Draco picked Hermione up and apparated them upstairs, as it meant he didn't have to waste time walking up the stairs. He threw her on the bed and whipped out his wand, vanishing their clothes and casting a contraception charm before crawling on top of her and thrusting straight into her waiting entrance.
Draco built his speed quickly, hitting Hermione just at the right angle to make her moan his name, louder with every thrust until she fell apart underneath him and milked him for all he was worth.
With all the travelling and the time difference the pair were exhausted and after untangling themselves from the mess they made of the sheets they curled around each other and went to sleep.
…..
After a good night's sleep they woke up on Australian time and ready for the task at hand. Hermione was nervous but determined and after a light breakfast and a shower each the couple set off to find Hermione's parents.
At the reception desk of the building, with a little creative lying on Hermione's part they got a map to the nearest dentist surgery. Hermione hoped it would be her parent's one, and going on the information from Kingsley she was sure it would be, why else would they have been sent to that part of Sydney.
They followed the map to a parade of shops ten minutes walk from where they were staying. They found the surgery in the middle of the parade and before Hermione could take a breath she saw her mother through the window, speaking to the surgery's receptionist.
"Are you okay sweetheart?" Draco asked, putting his arm around her and pulling her into his side.
Hermione wiped a tear from her eye and nodded, "I'm fine, it's just that when I left them I didn't know if I would ever see them again; it's just such a relief to know that they are okay"
"I know sweetheart. Come on let's go in and do this", Draco slipped his hand from around her shoulder to take her hand and led her into the surgery.
"G'day, can I help you?" the receptionist asked with a beaming smile, Hermione knew her father's work anyway and had to take a deep breath before answering.
"Yes, could I please speak to either Monika or Wendell please" Hermione asked in her most professional voice, she knew she was going to have to lie her way through this a bit and was determined not to turn to magic if she didn't have to.
"Do you have an appointment miss?" the receptionist enquired, pulling her appointment book out from under some files and looking down it waiting to be given a name.
"Oh no we don't but I think they would be very interested to see me" Hermione told the young woman, giving off her own bedazzling smile.
"Listen if you're here to sell anything we are not interested" the receptionist said putting the book back in its place.
"Oh I'm not selling honestly, I just need to speak to them" Hermione assured her but it was obvious that this receptionist was well-trained and not going to budge.
"Oh for Circe sake…Confundo" Draco cast pointing his wand at the woman, then used it to shut all the blinds and lock the door.
"Draco! What on earth do you think you are doing, we can't afford to have the Australian Ministry coming here to find out why we are using magic on muggles!" Hermione screeched.
"What is with all the secrecy Hermione? What has got you and Kingsley so spooked that he wouldn't even tell the Australian minister why we're here?" Draco finally asked, it had been bugging him since New Years Eve when they first got the letter saying that Hermione's parents had been found.
"Because there is still a threat against me and by association my parents" Hermione shouted, losing her temper with his stupidity, "the death eater trials may well be over but there are still Voldermort sympathisers out there and if they saw the chance to hurt me they would take it!"
Draco was suitably chastised and stayed silent for a moment, carefully deciding how to phrase his next question, "So why are you here telling them the truth? Surely they are safer as they are"
"I'm going to give them the choice, it's a luxury I couldn't afford before" Hermione quietly replied, "come on, let's get into the back before she realises what's going on and hope to Merlin that my parents don't have any muggle patients back there"
They quickly went through the door next to the reception desk and walked straight into Hermione's father.
"What is going on here?" he asked after taking in the situation in his waiting room.
"da….. Mr. Wilkins, I'm sorry to disturb your surgery hours like this but I really need to speak to you and your wife urgently" Hermione said, praying to any deity that they would listen that he didn't catch her slip before she could remove the memory charm.
"What do you want with us?" he asked, turning as Hermione's mum walked out of the door to her left.
"Sweetheart I think you had better just reverse the charm before this gets any worse" Draco whispered quickly.
Hermione nodded and pulled out her wand. Her parents flinched but she just ignored it and began to mutter the reversal to the Obliviation charm.
Hermione's parents became very still, their eyes didn't move for a few moments and Hermione began to really panic that she had done something wrong.
Hermione's father spoke first, "Hermione?" he looked around and then at Draco, then back at Hermione.
"Dad, are you okay?" She asked. He nodded, as did Hermione's mum.
"Are they supposed to be disorientated like this?" Draco asked quietly.
"Well they should still know everything about their lives since I left them, but now all the memories I took away will be rejoining their minds, so I guess so" Hermione replied quietly.
Finally after a few moments Hermione's parents became more coherent and her mother finally spoke, "Hermione Jean Granger, you have a lot of explaining to do!"
AN: Uh Oh. Do you think they will get very mad at her after she explains? Well I don't even know yet, so review and get me inspired and then we can find out :)