Finally have had time to post! Hurrah!

Holidays will soon be here – that means more time. Things are flowing nicely, aren't they?

I'm in FAME!, my school's musical. Just as Music Chorus, but yippee!

Please review. Check out my profile? I've revamped the story about Remus and Tonks (Wolf and Nymph: A Tale) and Power of Love.

The original version of this chapter was written in 2011, when I'd just gotten back from a Central Australia trip. Can you tell what I did there?

Onto the story.

Over the next few weeks, the group of Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville and Luna worked extremely hard. Some days they studied at Hogwarts. Other days they studied at Willowwood, or Longbottom Place, or even (once or twice) at Blossom House.

Harry knew Kingsley's offer would still stand unless the marks were truly horrible, but he really wanted to prove himself - to show others that he didn't use his name and deeds to get himself and his friends everywhere. Only himself and Ron were taking the full NEWTs. The others were taking something that would assess where they stood in preparation for the coming year.

On one of these days, Hermione said as they were all working, "Guys... Can I ask you something?"

They looked at her. She continued, "Do you think it's settled down enough that I could go get my parents back?"

They nodded and traded glances, but it was Ron who said, "What do you mean, 'you could go'? I promised I'd go with you and Harry and Ginny, at least, want to come too."

Neville said, "Luna and I, for various reasons, can't go."

Hermione laughed. "Of course you can come, Harry and Ron. Neville, Luna, I understand... I just thought... With the exams..." she blinked. "You've discussed this already, haven't you?"

They sheepishly nodded. Then Harry shrugged. "We can study on the plane - I'd assume that's how we're getting there?"

Hermione glanced at the others. Ginny smiled. "I've never been on a plane before. Should be interesting."

Ron frowned. "We'll have to be careful what we say though. We'll be travelling with Muggles."

Hermione grinned. "I'll make arrangements then."

They told the others at dinner that night. Molly was a bit upset but understood. And, as Hermione said, they only thought they'd be gone for a couple of weeks at most.

When she said that, some were surprised. Hermione explained, "I'm using a tracking spell. I placed one on my parents when I left. All I'll need to do is go back to my original home and say the spell, a keyword only I know and both parts of my parents' names – real and pretend – over a map."

They were all preparing to say 'see you' - the four would leave tomorrow - when Kingsley - who'd dropped by again with Hestia - remarked, "Oh, Harry, by the way - have you contacted your aunt and uncle yet?"

Harry frowned. "No. I guess I'll have to do it when I come back." he said sheepishly. He didn't know how he felt about seeing them.
Hestia smiled. "That's fine, Harry. I understand. I've got to warn you, Vernon hasn't changed. But... Petunia and Dudley have... I think."

Harry shrugged. "Stuff to think about for the journey, I guess..." On top of everything else.

The next day the four were up bright and early. They Apparated to Hermione's childhood house to get their bearings before heading for London. Hermione refused to go inside the house itself, not wanting to get nostalgic. In London they took a bus and eventually ended up at Heathrow Airport – catching a glimpse of a sign to Little Whinging on the way.

Ron and Ginny stared at the sights. "It's huge," Ron muttered.
Ginny squeaked, "Are those aeroplanes? Wow!"

Harry and Hermione calmed them down slightly and they entered. Hermione led the way to the flight queue for Australia. They checked in and went to the flight lounge. As they were sitting down to wait - Hermione, being Hermione, had made them come nearly two hours early - Harry noticed a shop nearby. Most people seemed not to notice it. Only a few people would occasionally wander in.

Harry muttered, "Hermione, look at that shop over there. Do you think it's a wizarding shop?"

They all looked. Hermione gasped and got to her feet with a nod. Carrying their small carry-on bags, they headed to the store.

Stepping inside, they could immediately tell Harry had been right. It was a doorway into a mini Diagon Alley. Like a small shopping plaza, the indoor street was lined with shops centred around a cafe.

Harry saw the big names of Honeydukes, Quality Quidditch Supplies, Twilfit and Tattings and a Gringotts international branch alongside several localised gift-shops. The cafe was called Portkey Pastries. There were several informative shops showcasing the various 'extras' a wizard could get when flying, and information about International Wizard Travel, such as the Portkey Depot and Floo Connections – as well as a general information shop. It was here that the group headed first.

A tall thin witch peered inquiringly at the group. "Can I help you?" she asked, then gasped. Harry pressed a finger to his lips and she recovered quickly. "What can I do for you four? Travel brochures? Inflight activities? You name it we got it!"

"We're heading to Australia on this flight." Harry showed her the tickets. She smiled. "Hold on two ticks and I'll register you. That way, if you need anything a Muggle can't provide, one of our flight attendants will help."

She also gave some brochures on wizard in-flight entertainment.

After an hour or so wandering through they went back out into the waiting area to join the queue to board. Harry settled into his seat with a sigh a short time later. This was going to be interesting. For the first leg of the journey (London to Singapore), the four would be sitting next to each other. For the second leg (Singapore to Melbourne), they'd be sitting in pairs, three rows apart. That was the plan, anyway.

Harry buckled in then checked to see everyone else was all set. Hermione was 'helping' (trying to help would be more accurate) Ron prepare for take-off. ("I know, Hermione, don't nag.")

Ginny had buckled in and was flicking through one of the brochures the travel witch had given them. She smiled at him. "How long should we give those two before reminding them where we are?" she asked.

Harry grinned. "Hmm... If they get any louder than a whisper, I'd say that's when we intervene."

They laughed.

After take-off, when the seatbelt sign went off, the group settled down to enjoy the flight. After talking for a while, Ron tried out the TV (Hermione had to remind him to use headphones) and began watching a Quidditch game. They started doing their own thing.

The flight was very long. Harry was glad they had room to move - though he wasn't as happy when he realised the woman at the wizard-flight desk had given them that by changing their seats!

They switched planes at Singapore, with no time to peek at the city. They slept a lot on the next leg of the flight. Ginny sighed, "Have we been travelling for 24 hours? Hmm, well, we did want the experience..."

At long last they arrived in Melbourne. Deciding to get stuck into their task straightaway, they took the shuttlebus to Ballarat, as Hermione told the others that was where the tracker had placed her parents. After all, they would probably have a bit of time for sight-seeing on the way back.

The first bus trip was all right - they got their bags to their motel and slept for a while. The next day, they ran into trouble. They were able to track Hermione's parents to their practice, but were surprised to see a sign saying "Closed - We're on holiday!" at the door. Hermione frowned and whispered, "They haven't left yet." and they peered around the back. Just in time to see the Grangers finish packing the car.

Mrs Granger said, "Oh Walter, isn't it wonderful! A holiday in the outback, with a bit of work in between!"

Mr Granger agreed. "Good thing we signed up for that Outback Dentist Clinic Roster thingy. Let's go!"

So saying, they got in their car and drove off.

The four teens could only watch. Then they turned to look at each other. "So, Uluru here we come?" Harry said to Hermione, who sighed and nodded. This trip had just gotten a lot more interesting - and complicated.

They went back to their motel, packed up again and tracked the Grangers as they drove across the states.

After crossing Victoria into South Australia, Hermione's parents took a flight from Coober Pedy to Alice Springs – sight-seeing along the way.

The foursome followed, travelling from Coober Pedy to Adelaide's outskirts before Hermione booked them on a flight to Alice Springs as well. On the plane, she explained, "The one my parents took is a special plane. You heard what they said; but we're not part of that. We'll have to play at being 'proper' tourists." This suited the others just fine. After all, they'd been sight-seeing along the way as well – Harry had already gifted a blushing Ginny with earrings made of Coober Pedy-mined opal.

The group landed at Alice Springs and immediately noticed the differences. "Ruddy hell!" Ron exclaimed. Hermione shushed him, but Harry agreed. It was so red out here - and hot.

"Yuck." Ginny muttered, then Hermione gasped. They were walking down the main street and she quietly pointed out a couple who appeared to be her parents. They went closer to be certain and Hermione beamed, then shushed Ron when he tried to speak.

Mr Granger was saying, "Oh, look, love, do I have to put that on? There's none around."

Mrs Granger held out a bottle of insect repellent. Hermione beamed suddenly and half-turned away, mouthing her mother's next words along with her. "Now, Wendell, you know you're allergic. We have to give you all the protection we can. Mosquitoes will be around soon, even if they're not around now."

Hermione's eyes misted over before she gave herself a rough shake and waved her wand - charmed, for this task, to appear like a spray can - and cast insect-repelling charms over them. After a pause, she directed one at her father too, muttering, "All the protection we can". Ron smiled.
"Does she say that a lot in summer?" he asked. Hermione nodded, eyes brimming. Awkwardly, Ron wrapped an arm around her.

They followed the Grangers back to a hotel. That was where the real fun began. The next few days were spent trailing the Grangers as they travelled around, seeing the sights and, according to Hermione, "running dental clinics".

In Alice Springs, while Hermione's parents were busy, the group looked through the shops (the girls mainly, dragging the boys around). They went to a Desert Park and learnt an awful lot about outback animals (Ron was swooped by a kite as it showed off and Hermione reprimanded him for swearing). They visited the Royal Flying Doctor Museum and learnt more about the program Hermione's parents were involved in.

Then they journeyed on to Uluru and the campground at Yulara, following Mr and Mrs Granger. Ginny was interested at first when she saw the climbers getting ready, but Hermione vetoed that idea. "It's a sacred site to Muggle Indigenous people, Ginny. They don't like it when people climb it."

Instead, they walked around the base. Harry was amazed at the detail of the rock and its history and traditions.

"Don't take photos at this point..." Ron read, "Oh! Harry — err — we can't look here either. It's a women's site."

A little while later Hermione playfully told Ginny to look away — "Unless you want to be turned into a boy!"

After Uluru, they went to King's Canyon, following the Grangers as they walked it. It was gruelling, but rewarding work, as the views were fantastic.

However, throughout the trip there were a few instances the other three didn't dare tell Hermione about...

In Alice Springs, Ginny got separated from the others in the Park and nearly ran into Mrs Granger when she was trying to catch up. At Uluru, Ron found himself behind Mr Granger at the kiosk. At King's Canyon, Harry realised he was reading the same descriptive plaque as both Grangers.

Yeah. There were a few things they didn't tell Hermione.

The trip was relaxing in more ways than one. While some time in the evenings was spent revising for the upcoming exams, the rest of the time was spent being, as Hermione had said, "proper tourists", escaping from burdens and past events and just having fun.

Until the night came. At night, the group dreamed. They had booked two rooms. Originally, the boys shared one and the girls shared the other. But that premise was defeated pretty quickly. Every night, it seemed, Harry would wake from his nightmares to find Ginny slipping in, to comfort both of them, while Ron slipped out to do the same with Hermione. It was innocent; just a talk, a kiss or two, before going back to sleep with the beds pushed close so they could still hold hands.

Slowly, they improved. Slowly. It would never fully go away, but it would get better. Eventually.

Then, suddenly the whirlwind trip was nearly over. Harry noticed Hermione had grown more and more nervous as the days passed and talked to the others. The night before the end they cornered her. "Hermione," Ron began awkwardly, "Err... When are you going to actually...you know..." He glanced towards her parents. "Change them back?"

Hermione sighed. "I - I keep meaning to do it." she started, "I'm just...nervous, I guess."

She glanced over at them. "Perhaps we could invite them to have dinner with us?"

So that's what they did. Under the pretence that they'd noticed the "Wilkins" were British like them, the group invited them to come to their campfire and share a meal.

The offer was accepted.

After the meal, Hermione started, "So, uh, Monica," ('introductions' had been made earlier) "how long have you guys been in Australia?"

'Monica' smiled. "A little less than a year. We've always wanted to live in Australia and I can't see us going back to England anytime soon."

Hermione's face fell slightly. Harry cut in quickly. "Well, we're just here for a holiday. Seeing the sights and stuff."

'Wendell' smiled and looked around at the group. "Hmm, yes, you guys have been to the same places as us, haven't you?"

Hermione looked startled. Harry looked sheepish. "Ah, yes. We have seen each other a few times." he acknowledged.

Ron nudged Hermione in a do-it-now sort of way. She gathered herself then muttered the spell to reverse her memory charm. Both Grangers gasped and slumped forward slightly before straightening again.

"Mum?" Hermione whispered. "Dad?"

The Grangers jumped up and ran to hug her. Hermione began crying. "I'm sorry," she said, "I'm so sorry. I just didn't want you getting hurt."

Mrs Granger sighed. "I-I understand, dear."

Mr Granger nodded. Then Mrs Granger smiled. "Now, from what Hermione's told me, you're Ginny - Harry - and Ron." she nodded at each of them in turn, the correct order. Her eyes lingered for a fraction of a second longer on Ron than on the others.
Hermione noticed. "I'll explain later, Mum," she said, suddenly looking pink. Harry smirked and Ron's ears reddened.

After a cheerful evening by the fire, the group headed back to Ballarat. The Grangers showed them some of the sights of the town, including the Wildlife Park, Arch of Victory and a day at the Lake Wendooree area and Botanical Gardens.

Then Hermione realised her parents were happy in Ballarat – Australia. "You see, dear, it was one of our dreams to go to Australia...maybe live there." Mrs Granger explained.

Mr Granger added, "I mean, if we went back, we'd have to start again, wouldn't we? We sold our practice in England."

Hermione stammered, "But - but - we - I - I'd help you-"

Mr Granger smiled. "We know you would. But, you know, we've already got a practice here. A little niche. No, I think we'll stay."

He pronounced this with an air of stubborn finality. Hermione pursed her lips. "I just wanted you home," she muttered, looking very stubborn also. Harry looked from one to the other and suppressed a grin. So that's where Hermione had got her stubbornness from.

Mrs Granger sighed. "Who'd like a cup of tea?" she asked.

Everyone agreed. At a look from Mrs Granger, Ron got up to help.

A minute later, Ron poked a pink head back out again. "Orders?" he asked. "The usual, Harry, Hermione...Ginny?" he added. They nodded.
Ron looked at Mr Granger, who said, "I always have milk, no sugar thanks."

Glancing around, Harry caught Hermione mouthing her father's order along with him. Then he realised something and grinned at Hermione, with Ron. Hermione's order was always the same as that.

Mr Granger said to Harry, "You guys obviously know each other's tea rather well," he said curiously. Harry grinned. "Ginny is Ron's sister. And there's always tea on camping trips...well, when the going's good." he said. "So I suppose this year...yeah, I've learnt them."

Mr Granger looked baffled. He turned to Hermione. "Clearly, you have some explaining to do." he stated.

Hermione swallowed. "Where should I start?" she asked.

Mrs Granger came in with Ron. "The beginning is usually a good place."

"Of this year?"

"No." Ron said. Hermione turned to him. "I think...it might be best...if you started from - fourth year onwards."

Hermione gave him a long look. Mr Granger's eyes narrowed and Mrs Granger smiled.

Then Hermione began. Starting from the World Cup, she told of the things that had happened from then until now. She talked until her voice was hoarse, explaining each year. Most were still – rough details. But they were details all the same. More than her parents had heard in a while.

At the end the two were flabbergasted. "You kept this much from us?" Mrs Granger gasped. Hermione nodded. "I had to."

Mr Granger frowned. "Really? But Hermione, we're your parents!"

Hermione sighed and Harry bit his lip. So much for the happy homecoming.

Days passed. The boys realised just how close the exams were - under a month now - and started frantically revising.

After a hard week, they were nearly ready for home (England) when Mrs Granger suggested an outing to Sovereign Hill.

The group agreed. However, there was only room for five in the Grangers' car. Harry and Ginny volunteered to ride the bus instead.

When they got to the train station, there were so many buses. Harry turned to Ginny. "Which bus do we need?"

She consulted her map. "That one." She pointed to a route that would take them in the right direction.

Then a white-haired old man brushed past Harry and nearly tripped on the pavement. Harry reacted just in time, reaching out to steady him. The man turned and thanked Harry. "Wasn't watching my feet properly," he said with a grin, then paused. Harry did also. There was something familiar about this man, which he couldn't put a finger on. His green eyes, perhaps? But no, that was stupid. Still... Silently, he watched as the man crossed the road to the bus stop opposite. Then he made up his mind. "Ginny, can — can we —"

"Follow him?" Ginny finished quietly, looking puzzled. She'd seen the flash of vague recognition in Harry's eyes, but...

"Please," Harry whispered. So they did.

They boarded the bus, paying the fare - Harry feeling glad they'd collected and exchanged money at the Gringotts international bank at the start of their trip - and found seats.

Ginny pulled out a mirror Hermione had given her. It would look like a mobile phone to Muggles. She contacted the others and gave a quick summary of what had happened, ending with a 'see-you-later'.

They rode through the town. After about ten minutes, the man pressed the bell and got off. Harry and Ginny rode another stop, then got off too. They started walking, doubling back on their tracks.

After about a block, though, there was an ominous rumble of thunder. Ginny and Harry exchanged a glance. Soon after, the rain began pelting down. It was June and in Ballarat Australia that meant winter – wet and cold. The old man, now fiddling with his keys on his front porch, saw them as they dithered on the footpath getting soaked.

"Hello again." he said, "Do you two want to come inside? No use standing out there in the cold." He smiled. There really was something familiar about him to Harry, as though he'd seen the old man before, but that was impossible. Maybe it was because he had an English accent, like them, Harry realised.

The man led them inside. "My name's David Stevens." he said.

Harry and Ginny introduced themselves as well. After giving Harry an odd glance (or was he just imagining things?) David led them into a lounge room. Ginny contacted Hermione quietly as David went to put the kettle on. When she finished she grinned at Harry, who was looking at photos on the wall. "Hermione says they made it to Sovereign Hill before it started raining."

Harry absently nodded. Then his attention was drawn to a particular photo. "I don't believe it," he gasped.

Ginny frowned. "What, Harry? Is something wrong? Harry, should you really-?"

Harry had picked up the photo. There stood a younger David, with light brown greying hair and familiar green eyes. He was grinning proudly. On his arm was a young woman Harry knew very well. Well, not in person exactly - Riddle had deprived him of that chance, but...

He showed the photo to Ginny, who gasped. "Harry," she whispered, "that's your mum!"

Harry sighed. "I know..."

David re-entered the room. "Ah, do my photos interest you?" he asked. Harry jumped.
"Sorry. I - um - this woman just reminds me of someone I know."

David sighed, coming over and taking the photo. "That's my Lily on her wedding day. She always was a good one." he glanced at Harry, who was careful to look neutrally interested, even though his insides were bubbling with excitement and nerves.

"Mmm, yes. I have two daughters." he told Harry. "Don't see them - can't since I've moved here. I talk to Pet - my eldest - on the phone...but...ah, things happen."

Harry glanced at the photo again. David said, "I moved here in 1979. February, it was. My wife had died about a year previously and there was some...pretty strange stuff going on. The authorities blamed it on the IRA, but I don't know. Lily and I... I don't quite remember exactly, but we had a fight about me moving here. I don't think she wanted me to go. Never heard from her since. And... It might sound silly, but I... told myself...I wouldn't go back unless I heard from her."

Harry glanced at Ginny. "I don't find it silly at all."

David smiled. "That's kind of you. Oh look, the kettle boiled just as the sun's come out."

Harry said, "We'll still stay, if you'd like."

David smiled. "Of course you can. Say, how long are you staying in Ballarat?"

Harry shrugged. "That depends."

They sat in the lounge with tea for a while. Then David received a call. When he returned they looked at him. He said sheepishly, "I work at Sovereign Hill a couple of days a week and I'm... needed. It's busy today and the other guy's sick. I heard you talking about planning to meet friends there before the rain, so, err, do you want to come with me?"

Harry got the feeling David didn't want to leave them. Had he sensed something about Harry, too?

They got up and headed out to Sovereign Hill. "It's a pretend gold rush town. Ballarat was once, apparently. In the 1850's. All sorts of things to do." David explained. "You ever heard of the Eureka Rebellion? They're quite proud of it 'round here. Where democracy in Australia was born, or something."

They met up with Ron, Hermione and her parents outside the place. David headed off to his job and Harry explained what he knew. "We'll have to change him back then." Hermione muttered.

Hermione's parents were a little confused but happy to see things going smoothly. Harry was faintly amused to see that Mr Granger kept shooting looks at Ron. That 'secret' had been spilled then. As they walked up the street, Ginny bumped into someone. She gasped. "Raven? Huh?"

The girl in costume grinned. "Ginny! Fancy seeing you here!"

They chatted for a minute then Ginny caught up with the others. "Raven was a Muggleborn in my year – well, according to the Death Eater logic. All four grandparents were muggle-born. Anyway, she was one of the only girls in Luna's dorm who didn't shun her. We're sort of friends."

They walked on. Harry then spotted David dressed like a trooper. "Good day to you, sir!" he said with a wink. As they were about to go into a café three men in hooded cloaks ran up from a laneway. "There they are! Grab 'em!"

Before Harry had time to wonder at what was going on, the three men had grabbed Hermione, her mother and David, Stunned them and ran off up the street with them, leaving Harry and the others gaping. Death Eaters here?

Ginny's friend came running. "Damn! They're still around! I thought they would have gone when he did."

A second girl said, "Raven, hush - we're in costume!" she turned to Harry. "We are terribly sorry, sir. Tis bushranger season I'm afraid." Then her eyes widened and she glanced at his scar before turning to Raven again.

A man nearby shouted, "Troopers - assemble!" then muttered, "A bit early, Johnny and with the wrong people...you weren't supposed to grab the trooper..."

This gave Harry an idea. "Ron, come with me," he said, outlining the plan. Ron agreed. Ginny's friend 'Raven' said, "Let's run to the Post Office, Trish and make sure the Commander of the Garrison knows." then she mouthed, "Your uncle".

'Trish' nodded. "Come with us," she said to Ginny. Harry and Ron ducked into a spot where they wouldn't be seen. Then they changed their clothes to look like David's costume and their wands to look like guns.

Then they went back to the man, who was hurriedly attempting to organise this. "Cap'n, let us handle this," Harry said.
Ron added, "After all, you've said we're ready!" He cast a broad confounding charm. The man agreed, looking puzzled. The two ran off after the Death Eaters. They were holding hostage a shop. Harry and Ron snuck close and listened.

"You idiot!" said one voice.
(Ron scowled. "Scabior." he muttered, "Must have come here after he failed as a Snatcher.")

"This is one of them, her mother and a random! I don't care about the parents! You've already stuffed up once today by bringing me the wrong local girl. Now you've done it again – with the main ones! I want all of them."

Three mutters of apology were heard. One said, "But sir, this one...he don't look like just a random. He got the same eyes as the Potter boy! Could be his grandfather or somethin'!"

Harry swore, and decided he had heard enough. "Delusions of grandeur, Scabior?" he asked, stepping forward after casting Muggle-Repelling charms.

Scabior and the others froze. Then Scabior laughed. "Four against two, Potter! You fell right into the trap!"

Harry rolled his eyes then looked around. "Four against two? That's hardly fair." With two quick flicks, Harry Stunned and Disarmed two of Scabior's henchmen. Ron awakened Hermione and got her wand back. As he did so, David cracked an eye open, blinking rapidly when he saw the scene in front of him.

Scabior snarled, "Avada Kedavra!"

Harry jumped out of the way. The curse hit the wood behind him which started smouldering. "Argumenti!" Harry cried. The smouldering wood was doused in water. Harry spun around and directed the water at Scabior. Ron used a Full Body-Bind on the last sidekick. Hermione got to her feet and pointed her wand at Scabior, who had been blown over by the forceful jet of water. Harry sighed and Disarmed him. "Tie him up, Hermione? I just want to check everyone's all right out there..." he turned away towards the door.

"Harry, look out!" screamed Hermione. Harry turned quickly. Scabior had gotten another wand - Harry cursed himself for not checking for spares - and had fired off two Killing Curses. One high and one low. Harry cursed and leapt sideways. The high curse hit a mirror, shattering it. The low curse hit a metal step at the door where Harry had been standing moments before.

Harry fired several Stunners; Scabior was using darker curses. Hermione and Ron fired spells also, causing Scabior to have to dodge. But he replied in kind. Scabior – or someone else – seemed to have rigged up some sort of system where spells could come from several directions, even with just one caster. Harry suspected runes. Whatever it was, it was making things difficult for Harry, Ron and Hermione.

Then David provided a distraction. "Oi, meat-head!" he yelled. Scabior turned to find a heavy plank of wood heading his way. He blasted it with a reducto, but the distraction was enough for Harry, Ron and Hermione to hit him with three Stunners.

There was a long pause. "Ruddy hell…." Ron muttered.
David cleared his throat. Rubbing his head, he said, "What on earth was – all that?"
Harry sighed. "It's a long story. I'll…I'll tell you once we've cleaned this place up."

A few minutes later, Harry removed the Muggle-Repelling charms after Hermione had modified the memories of the Muggle shopkeepers involved and tidied up a bit. The other captured girl already knew about magic.

The first person on the scene was a wizard from the Victorian Auror Branch. "We've been wanting these guys for a while," he said gruffly. "Thanks... Oh and good job with the other guy, last month, too."

As soon as he'd gone, taking the wanna-be Death Eaters with him, Harry just had to laugh. Then Ginny returned. "According to Raven – that girl was her friend – that lot have been causing a lot of trouble since about December." she sighed. "Now what?"

Harry looked around and saw David approaching, looking thoroughly puzzled. Harry smiled slightly. "Now," he said, "I need to explain things to him."

He sighed. Suddenly he wanted to tell David by himself, whereas a few minutes ago he'd been happy to let the others come with him. Hermione picked up on the change straightaway. She offered to take her parents and Ron to the café. Ginny, also realising, drifted off towards Raven and her group again.

Harry went to David. "Let's go sit down somewhere quiet and I'll explain." he said gently.

David followed him to a secluded picnic area. When they'd both sat down he spoke. "Harry, what in the blazes was that all about? I feel like I ought to remember but I have no clue."

Harry turned to him. "Tell me, David," he said, "Do you believe in magic?"

Ooooh! Cliffie! Kinda.

I know some things are slightly implausible here...not many people would invite two random strangers inside their house just because it was raining. Let them shelter on the porch, possibly; go inside, no. BUT: as I tried to mention, Harry and David both connected on an instinctive level when they first bumped into one another. Not because they've met before, but...because of my theories on magic. Hopefully, sometime in the future, I may explain them.
Also, Raven, Trish and 'the other girl who…knew about magic' are OCs from a planned story of mine, Surviving the Second War. It's the story of a 'muggleborn' girl who goes to Australia with her parents after Dumbledore's death. Unfortunately, while at first all seems peaceful, trouble follows her there….
The question is whether I'll actually get around to posting it.