Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins sat at a table next to a column bearing an engraving of a kangaroo. The restaurant was very crowded that night, but they managed to find a very welcoming place.
– How is the family, Henry? – asked Mr. Wilkins while the waiter waited for them to look at the menu and place the order.
– Very good, Mr Wilkins. Thanks for asking. – replied Henry – May I suggest grilled tuna fillet? It's wonderful today.
– Hmm, that sounds interesting. What do you think, dear? – said Mr. Wilkins, putting down the menu and addressing his wife.
– I think it fits well for tonight – replied the woman with a shy smile, leaving the menu on the table.
While waiting for the dish, they drank red wine and talked animatedly, making plans for the future. They had been planning for some time to buy a property in Australia to live in peace, although sometimes Mrs. Wilkins didn't really agree with the idea. The dinner they ordered didn't take long to arrive and they were really pleased to see that the steak was delicious, as the waiter had promised. After some time, eating and talking, Mrs. Wilkins decided to bring up the subject that had brought them to the restaurant. Placing the silverware next to the plate, she asked her husband.
– Honey, what are we really celebrating?
The man, who was taking a sip of wine at the time, was surprised by his wife's question. He had almost forgotten about that.
– It's true... Honey. – He paused, cleared his throat and continued – I discovered that we are a lucky couple, my love. Wait, I'll explain – added the husband, when he saw that his wife was going to ask why – We were invited on a couples cruise, passing through New Guinea, the Fiji Islands, even Hawaii. Three months at sea, what do you think?
– A cruise? But how...
– It was a client in my office who had the tickets, but won't be able to go. His wife fell ill and he offered me the tickets. He said he didn't have to pay for anything. Everything was already paid for.
- And you accepted? – asked Mrs Wilkins, trying to hide her disbelief.
– Yes, I accepted. I think it will be a good moment for us.
– And you checked... To find out if it was true?
– I called the agency listed on the tickets. From what I saw, everything is fine – Mr. Wilkins took the tickets out of his jacket pocket that he had placed on the chair next to him and showed them to the woman. She seemed to calm down after seeing the tickets. – We only need to be at the port in two days to board.
– I don't know if it's a good idea, Wendell...
– Come on, come on, darling. We need some moments together, to take a vacation, to leave our worries aside – Mr. Wilkins touched his wife's hand and, although she didn't want to bring up the subject, the woman understood what her husband meant. That conversation that something was missing in their lives had damaged the relationship. They needed time alone, so they could feel happy. And then, to Mr. Wilkins' delight, she accepted the trip.
- All good. I'll try not to get seasick on the ship.
– But you don't get seasick, darling.
– Not in small boats, which we sail in. But this one will be different. It will be a huge cruise ship.
– I'm sure we'll do very well – said the husband, holding his wife's hand tighter.
They spent some time talking while they ate dessert, and they almost didn't notice that the hours passed very quickly. When it was time to return home, Mr. Wilkins paid the bill to the waiter who served them and, together with his wife, headed towards the exit, while saying goodbye to those he knew. The two almost didn't see that they were stopped by an unknown couple who were waiting for them.
– Mr and Mrs Granger, what a surprise to meet you. – said the man, who was holding hands with a woman and both were smiling openly, making Mr. Wilkins startle.
- Sorry? But who...
– I imagine they are here for the congress. We could have come together...
– Congress? But what are you talking about? – he asked in astonishment, looking from the unknown man to his own wife.
The man, whom they didn't know, didn't seem to understand that those two didn't remember him; He looked at the woman next to him, who also didn't understand anything. Both disconcerted, the two couples looked at each other. The Wilkins couple wondering who these strangers were, and the other couple trying to understand what was happening.
– Dentistry Congress. – replied the stranger - We are professional colleagues, my dear. I'm a dentist too. My office is four blocks from your office in London.
Mr. Wilkins' head seemed to spin. He didn't understand a single word of what he had heard. How could he have a practice in London if he didn't even remember living there?
– How do you know I'm a dentist? – asked Mr Wilkins, in disbelief. The man didn't seem comfortable hearing that question.
– But… But… – grumbled the woman who was now holding the stranger's arm – You are friends… And how is your daughter? Hermione... I haven't seen her in a while...
– Madam, we don't know who you are or what you're talking about. – said Mr Wilkins, trying to ignore the stranger's last question - I think it's time to call the security guards.
– No... No need... – the man tried to say, but it was too late. The two security guards arrived and, after the Wilkins couple thought they were being harassed by strangers, they politely asked the couple of strangers to accompany them to the exit. The strangers, who were not at all pleased, left the restaurant under looks of astonishment and curiosity. Some waiters and the maitre d' met with the Wilkins couple to make sure everything was ok and apologized for what had happened.
– It's not your fault… – said Mr Wilkins – those people must have made a mistake. Maybe they thought we looked like some of their friends.
– All right then, Mr Wilkins. Hope to see you soon. – Said the man as he shook the man's hand and accompanied the two to the exit.
– Oh, I believe not so soon, my dear Higgs. In two days we will embark on a cruise. We're going to be away for three months.
– My goodness, how wonderful! I hope you are happy on your trip.
The employee called for an employee and sent him to get Wilkins' car. While they waited, they said goodbye affectionately, so much so that the three looked like brothers saying goodbye to go to war.
Once in the car, silence reigned between the two. Both were uncomfortable with the woman's question about an unknown daughter. Mr. Wilkins hid his concern, but his wife couldn't get the question out of her head. Meanwhile, the question seemed like a mantra for Mrs. Wilkins: "how is your daughter… Hermione…". Was that what they were missing? If they had a daughter, why didn't they remember her? What happened to her? Both remained silent, as they knew that any word on the subject would turn into another argument like they couldn't take anymore. And that was precisely what they tried to avoid so they could stay together. And then, in profound silence, Mr. Wilkins led them to the house, while the moon began to rise in the star-covered night.
The first rays of morning began to appear in the window of the Burrow's small room, but Hermione was already up and in good spirits, packing the clothes she would take for the trip in search of her parents. And knowing his girlfriend as he did, Ronald Weasley also woke up very early to prepare his own clothes. When they met in the hallway, they both said they were almost ready and went down the small stairs of the house while talking, as it was already time for breakfast. They knew this because Mrs Weasley called them; She also woke up very early.
– What do you mean Harry didn't sleep here last night? Where did he go?
– Yesterday he went with Kingsley and my father to the Ministry. They needed to review some documents; they went to sleep at his house. – replied Ron, still a little soft from having woken up so early.
At the invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger remained at The Burrow. Harry had accepted the invitation only because he hadn't planned anything for his life so far, other than finishing his studies at Hogwarts, and Hermione had accepted until she went after her parents, which she was already arranging. Molly Weasley tried to convince Hermione to let the Ministry wizards go and get her parents, but the girl insisted that she wanted to do it herself. Once Mrs. Weasley asked the girl if she would be able to make them return to their memories; she just replied "I need to try".
– Ah, but memory spells are not that simple, my dear. – warned Mrs Weasley. – and returning a memory is more complicated than removing or planting a false one. I'm not saying that you can't do it, – added Mrs Weasley, before the girl retorted – after all, you've already done a lot of things that, in my opinion, many wizards wouldn't even try.
But whenever Molly Weasley went to Hermione to try to make her give up on the trip, the girl always told her not to worry, because she didn't believe that anything bad would have happened to her parents; They were very safe, far from what was left of the Death Eaters who had fled, and the entire trip shouldn't last more than a week.
And that morning, when Hermione and Ron sat down for breakfast, it was no different. When serving the boys, Mrs Weasley sat next to the girl to ask again.
– Are you going today, dear? Are you sure about that?
- Yes I have. It's today that we're leaving. We're leaving at ten o'clock – replied Hermione as she helped herself to toast, eggs and bacon.
– Who else is there besides you and Ron?
Hermione held back an impulse to reply that Harry Potter would go too, because she didn't want to bother her friend with this trip; he already had enough to do. She had also asked Gina if she wanted to go, but the redhead hadn't answered for sure.
– Err... I think it's just Ron and I...
- How it is? I want to go too, why... – a familiar voice entered the kitchen through the back door. The three of them turned quickly (Ron almost choked on a sip of pumpkin juice) to see Harry Potter enter, smiling and accompanied by Kingsley and Mr. Weasley.
– Harry, darling! It's just time for breakfast – said Mrs Weasley, getting up and going to meet the boy to hug him. – come on, sit down.
- Thanks. But what about you? – he said, smiling, turning to Hermione and Ron – Did you think you were going to get rid of me that easily?
– Nothing! – Hermione replied with a smile that showed relief – I just think you already have a lot to do.
– How was it at the ministry? Too much hassle? asked Ron.
- Nothing else. Kingsley just wanted me to help with some documents about my parents. You know, some things they had and left for me. I sent Monster to take care of them. – said Harry, helping himself to cupcakes prepared by Mrs. Weasley, while Kingsley met with Arthur and Molly for a lively conversation.
– Harry, listen – Hermione said in a low voice, trying to get back to the subject of the trip. – You have a lot to do, I don't want you to bother with me...
– Hermione, that's enough – said the boy, looking into the girl's eyes. – I'll go with you and that's it. The ministry can manage just fine without me. And we have a lot of time until someone is judged or classes start again. After all, after everything you've been through for me, I want to be with my best friends in moments like this.
Later, in Ron's room, the three were gathered for Harry to pack what he was going to take, while he spoke to the couple more as if he were talking to the walls, because Ron and Hermione exchanged caresses, almost not caring that their friend was nearby. close.
– The ministry is just a mess. Nobody understands each other there. Kingsley is trying his best to bring order. Did I say I saw Professor McGonagall yesterday?...
- What? – Hermione said, and the two seemed to have woken up from a trance – McGonagall? How is she with everything that's going on?
– Ah, she's fine, despite being very busy. They are almost finished rebuilding Hogwarts. They will finish well about three weeks before classes start.
- Great. I'm looking forward to going back there... – announced Hermione, as someone walked through the bedroom door, making Harry turn around to see.
– Ginny… – Harry said the redhead's name, sounding more like he was in a dream.
- Hey guys. Hi Harry – She smiled, shyly, and their eyes met, as if they hadn't seen each other for many years.
Hermione jumped up, walking in between the two, making them realize they weren't alone. It took Harry a few seconds to get back to what he was doing.
– Ginny, are you sure you don't want to come with us? – asked the girl, hoping that the redhead would decide to go with them.
- I can't. Mom needs me here... – she replied, while Harry looked at her sideways while putting some t-shirts in his backpack – Charles is going back to Romania, George is busy in the store and Bill and Fleur are going to start working again in Gringotts . I think there are still some holes that a dragon left there...
The four laughed lightly, before Ginny turned to Harry and answered his silent question with her gaze.
- Don't worry. We will still have a lot of time together.
At ten o'clock, the three had already said goodbye to those who stayed at the Burrow and were walking leisurely along a path that led to the Muggles. Ron was not at all happy about walking, which Hermione insisted was for the best. He was still trying to convince his girlfriend to use witchcraft.
– Hermione, let's apparate... It's less tiring.
– No, Ron. It won't be good to disapparate among Muggles, will it? And we won't use brooms. Where would we store them? Besides, I hate flying... – added the girl, before Ron could ask another question. Harry, who was happy to get away from the wizarding world for a while, listened impassively to their argument.
– I still think we could use something... Did you know that daddy's bewitched car came back yesterday? We could use it...
– What for, Ron? So you can put that thing to fly? You don't even really know how to drive...
– So why are we going to that anomaly that Muggles use to fly?
– Planes, Ron... It's the safest way to fly, as far as I know. You'll barely notice we're on air.
- Yeah, and I always wanted to know what it would be like to fly in one of them. - said Harry, finally joining the conversation. – The Dursleys, even if they traveled frequently, wouldn't let me go with them.
Ron, who wasn't very happy with what he heard, remained silent, following the two on the walk. Soon they would arrive at a Muggle village to take a bus, because Hermione didn't even want to use the Knight Bus. He was apprehensive about going into something he only saw in the sky every now and then and didn't have much confidence that it was safe. And that was all he could do with the two of them until they arrived in Australia.