It didn't even appear to be a capital that Hermione, Ron and Harry were visiting. Ron didn't know much about movement in large urban centres and found it interesting, but Harry and Hermione knew it well and thought that the taxi was travelling in very calm traffic. Asked about the tranquillity of the place, the driver just gave a friendly smile and replied that he was not travelling through the centre of Canberra, but rather taking an alternative route that he thought would be faster. Hermione didn't pay much attention to the boys' conversation with the driver. She was more worried about the reunion with her parents, as she searched the streets for something that could compare with something in London or that reminded her of something from the wizarding world she knew.
When the driver reported that they were already arriving in Conder, Hermione suddenly asked him to stop near a square. The driver reported that they were still a little far away, but the girl was trying to contain her anxiety, thinking that a good walk would help.
– It doesn't matter, it's fine here – said Hermione with a smile, while the boys got out of the taxi without understanding her attitude.
- Right. So, to get to the street you want, just follow that avenue directly. Up ahead you will find the street you are looking for – informed the driver, still trying to be kind.
– Thank you, sir – said the girl, reaching into her backpack to get the payment for the trip. – Harry, you can keep this. Here are Australian dollars...
Harry, who was also rummaging through his backpack to help pay, was surprised that he hadn't thought of this detail and, still, almost ended up taking wizarding money.
When the taxi drove away, the three began to cross the avenue, which was not very busy. Hermione in front, looking to the sides, and Ron and Harry trying to follow the girl's steps. Despite the tranquillity of the place, the girl walked quickly, almost making the boys run.
– Look, you two, we need to walk quickly – said Hermione, as she walked. – It's still too early for the sun to set, but we should take some time looking for the house.
Harry and Ron didn't respond; They just looked at each other, hurrying to follow the girl. They walked for some time in silence, with Hermione in the lead and passed near what looked like a large market with a parking lot that also had many trees.
– Many trees... - Hermione whispered to herself, but the boys heard her, barely understanding.
- What? I don't understand – asked Ron.
- Anything.
As they walked down the avenue, Hermione took in the houses, thinking they were exactly the kind her parents dreamed of living in when they retired. They were not luxurious, but not so simple. All of them were well cared for, with small gardens in front. In the distance you could see beautiful landscapes of hills and mountains with good vegetation, certainly serving as homes for kangaroos and koalas, the girl thought. Simply a dream place for many people. What caught the girl's attention most was the location of these houses. A place away from the hustle and bustle of central London was what her parents wanted, as they told her. And as it turns out, they got a place like that in Australia, even if they didn't know it.
After passing through two squares, and many trees later, the three saw the street that would take them to their intended house. The path they were on looked nothing like any other they would have seen in London – Ron much less so – it was so peaceful. The sound of birds could be heard very clearly around and the few residents that the trio observed were busy with household chores or in everyday conversations. As they turned another street to the right, Hermione's heart began to pound. They were closer to the address they were looking for. The girl thanked her, in thought, because Harry and Ron were respecting the silence of the walk. She took the parchment with the address out of her bag, disguising it with a muggle magazine, and began comparing it with the house numbers.
- It's right there. - said Hermione, breaking the silence.
- Good. - said Ron. Harry just looked around for one more look at the street as he walked.
On the other side of the street, two children were playing with a dog, while the three walked past a lady who wore a cloth tied around her head and who was taking care of the garden in front of her house, right next to the number they were looking for. They had finally found the house. The elderly woman stopped what she was doing when she saw Hermione, Ron and Harry. Hopeful as she was, Hermione was startled when a car passed by them and stopped two houses away. A man who appeared to be returning from work got out of the car and a small boy came out of the house to meet him, in a very happy hug. The three of them turned at the same time to see the scene, and Hermione was immediately reminded of the time she ran to meet her father when he came home, when she was a child. A tear threatened to come out of the girl's right eye, but she quickly put her hand away to avoid it.
– Are you looking for a house, dear ones?
The three turned around, surprised. The lady, who they saw just now, was standing next to them, removing the cloth from her head and revealing grey hair that curled up, making her resemble an angel from an old painting. She had a small gardening shovel in her hand and was looking very closely at the trio, lingering more on Harry's face. Is it possible that she knew who they were?
- Er... Well, actually, we already found it. - said Hermione, trying to hide her nervousness, pointing weakly in the direction of the right house. The elderly woman turned to look at the house and quickly turned back to them.
– Good. It's still rented. Was that what you intended? If so, unfortunately, there are no more houses available on this street. But I know of a house on the street…
– No, ma'am. It's not about that – Harry politely interrupted the lady.
– That's right, ma'am. We look for the people who live in this house.
- Oh, I understand. And, if I may ask... Where do you know?
– Yeah... Well... - Hermione hesitated to answer that question. She didn't want to lie, but she had in mind that telling the truth to any stranger would be very awkward. As the lady seemed quite interested in the trio, she didn't wait for Hermione to finish her answer.
– First, confirm one thing for me. You're english, aren't you?
– Yes. We are english. How do you know, ma'am? - Ron wanted to know.
– Ah, that's easy to notice. Because of the clothes they wear and the way they walk. In general, the English have a more formal walk than us Australians. And you... – the lady lowered her voice, making the boys approach her. - Well... I think I know who you are.
Hermione held back a scream and Harry and Ron looked at each other. Of the many things they could expect from this trip, meeting wizards was far down the list.
- Do not worry. They are safe with me. I think I'm the only one who knows about wizards within a ten kilometre radius – she whispered with a discreet wink. - Let's go in. I think I can make some tea for us to drink.
The three followed the lady into her house. Hermione glanced at the house next door, wondering where her parents were. Maybe they are still working and haven't returned. She thought she did well to leave the profession of Dentistry in her parents' memory so that they would have something to do, to work. She knew that just a vacation trip wouldn't be a good cover.
Inside the house, the three did not see anything that could link that lady with anything from the wizarding world, and this made them worried. In the room where they waited for the woman to arrive with tea there was a comfortable sofa where they sat, a simple coffee table and next to this a nice armchair with a small desk next to it. There was also a luxurious bookcase, which looked very old, and held some silverware that looked like every housewife's pride. Hermione noticed that there weren't even any photos on the walls. It wasn't long before the lady of the house appeared from the kitchen carrying a tray of tea and biscuits, which she began to serve to the boys.
– I'm sorry, we didn't introduce ourselves properly. I'm Adja Bergins.
– And I'm Hermione, this is Harry and Ron, ma'am.
– Yeah... I already know – said the woman, showing a smile. - But I imagine you're wondering if I'm a witch and how I know about you.
– You're right… We really are – said Ron, taking a cup from Mrs Bergins. She looked at them with a mix of curiosity and sympathy that none of the three were used to seeing in people, even Harry who was always the focus of many looks in the wizarding world.
– Well, then I think I should show you something… – the woman said this as she sat in the front armchair and reached over to the desk to open a drawer and take out some newspaper pages. – I was reading this just yesterday. I can believe that you haven't noticed, but you are news in practically the entire wizarding world.
Mrs. Bergins handed the newspaper to Harry and in it the three could see, amazed, a photo of themselves still in Hogwarts castle celebrating, together with their friends, the end of Voldemort, and also another newspaper that showed more information about Harry, Ron and Hermione and also about the tyrant regime they overthrew.
– That's... Strange – said the boy, adjusting his glasses to read the news.
– Well, I imagine it is. For you, who from what I could see, have never left England.
– Good, ma'am. Modesty aside, I've been to several places with my parents, but I didn't imagine I would see something like this.
– Are you surprised? - asked the woman, and the three responded with nods. - That's right... I think anyone in your position would be. You guys are news anywhere there's a wizarding community. Isn't it impressive?
– Sorry, I don't want to seem impolite, but how do you know that, being such a muggle? Because to me, you don't seem like a witch. - Hermione wanted to know.
– A muggle? - said the woman, looking fixedly at her. – Yes, very pertinent question. Well, my dear, I'm not a muggle. I don't like to talk about it much, but I was married to a wizard, I have two wizard children, and I was born into a family of wizards. But I wasn't lucky enough to have the same powers as wizards.
– So you are a squib?
Upon hearing this question, the woman looked sternly at Ron, clearly offended by what she heard. Hermione tried to kick the redhead's foot, but only managed a small bump that the wizard barely noticed.
– Well, little boy. Another sign that you're not from here. We find this term quite offensive, which is why we call people like me 'wasted'.
- Sorry. - said Ron, a little embarrassed and with red ears.
- Don't worry. In the end it comes to the same thing. It's just a way of labelling people. But, changing the subject. From what I've read about you, I could assume you've prepared for a meeting with our wizarding community.
- How is it? asked Harry.
– Didn't you come on a date or something?
- No ma'am. - replied Hermione. – We came to look for the people in the other house.
– Oh, it's true. I had forgotten about that. It's not every day that we have three celebrities in our house - Mrs Bergins smiled, being accompanied by the three. - I just can't imagine what your interest would be in a couple who knew practically no one, didn't even receive visitors, to come from so far away.
Hermione thought for a while. Under the eyes of Ron and Harry, the girl decided to tell this stranger the truth. The fact that her parents ended up living next to someone who has connections with the wizarding world was already quite suspicious. On the other hand, this lady didn't seem like a bad person. She looked at the two boys, figuring they would support her whether she told them or not.
– Er, well ma'am. It's just that they are my parents.
Mrs. Bergins raised her eyebrows showing surprise at what she heard from Hermione.
- Sorry dear? I don't think I understood correctly.
– I said they are my parents. I sent them here to be safe while we had problems in England.
– Well, that's a bit peculiar. I never imagined the Wilkins would have a daughter, especially one your age.
– Their real surname is Granger, ma'am. -said the girl, seeing that she was being convincing.
– Granger? Of course, I should have guessed.
– If you need to see their documents, ma'am…
- No, it's not necessary. - Mrs. Bergins interrupted. – What other reason would three people like you have to come from so far away, if not to rescue something precious? I understand you, young lady. I also have a family. I just find it strange that they never mentioned having a daughter.
– It's because they shouldn't remember, ma'am – said Hermione, with sadness in her voice, seeing that the woman fixed her gaze with curiosity. - I bewitched them so they wouldn't remember anything about England, nor would they remember that they had a daughter. It was the best way to ensure their safety.
- Security? Do you think it was really necessary, dear?
There was a moment of silence where Ron held Hermione's hand for support. The girl tried not to put into words what she thought would happen to her parents if they had stayed in England in those days. After a few seconds, she responded, trying to find the right words so as not to go into details:
– Yes, I think it was necessary. We were being chased. I didn't want to risk losing my parents in that war. That was the best idea that came to me.
Hermione and Mrs. Bergins' eyes met and the girl noticed a strange understanding on the part of the owner of the house that she couldn't explain.
– Okay, darling. Sometimes, in troubled times, we need to make difficult choices. The important thing is that you thought and acted well. I'm sure they will be proud of you. But I think you should know that the Wilkins, your parents, won't be home for some time. I don't know much, but what I do know is that they left on a cruise yesterday morning.
– A cruise? – Hermione was surprised.
– Yes, a cruise. The night before last, your father told me this when he came looking to pay the rent for the house. Then they went out to dinner, at the restaurant they like to go to. It looks like they'll be at sea for three months.
- Three months? But does a cruise trip take that long? - Harry wanted to know.
- I don't know. I've never been on a trip like that – Mrs Bergins replied, to which Hermione added:
– Yeah, I don't know anything about cruises either. My parents were never interested in this type of travel and it seems very strange to me.
– I also think it was too quick, but let me say that I didn't see anything strange in your father's attitude, dear. I think it was just a vacation trip. A little sudden, but nothing that I think I need to worry about.
- Well, I hope so. - said Harry.
– Everything will be fine, Mione – said Ron in his girlfriend's ear and holding her hand tighter.
– Do you know where this restaurant they like to go to is? - asked the girl.
- I am not sure. I know it's in the center. I just don't remember exactly where, but I think I have it all in the phone book. Then we look.
– Madam, would it be possible for me to go into the house to take a look? - asked Hermione and the woman considered the request, but obviously this was not an attitude she wanted to take.
– Well, darling. That doesn't seem right to me. For you to see, I don't even have copies of the keys they use. I only stay with them when the house is unoccupied.
– I understand, Mrs Bergins – the girl was happy.
– But I think that, in your case, I will make an exception - said the lady, making Hermione happier.
Mrs. Bergins allowed Hermione to Apparate into the living room of the house where her parents live, while Harry and Ron waited hurriedly outside. The feeling of not belonging to that place was strange, even though she knew who the residents were. She looked at every detail, in every piece of furniture, in every corner of the house, looking for similarities with her home in London. She knew that from England they only took a few clothes and enough money for their first expenses. Hermione had to arrange new accounts for her parents at banks in Australia and this was a huge amount of work for her, having to do everything alone, as quickly as possible, because she couldn't tell anyone what was happening. All in the name of their safety.
From where she was, Hermione walked to the kitchen, remembering the day they had to order a pizza because she and her mother decided to make lasagna, but the two got so distracted by talking and playing that they ended up letting the lasagna dry out too much. The chicken they put in looked like little straws it was so dry and the noodles were seriously compromised. After laughing a little at this memory, Hermione returned to the present; She visited the room in that house, lingering there for a few minutes, sitting on the bed and having another good memory. This time, she remembered two days before her parents left for Australia, when her mother decided to show once again the clothes and objects she used to wear when she was a baby. Everything was kept in an old trunk, a family heirloom, containing several little dresses, diapers, little onesies, little hats of various colours, sizes and shapes. Her mother kept most of the things that Hermione wore as a child and the girl loved looking at those things because she didn't remember much from the time, although there were several photos to prove that she used them. There were also several children's toys; rattles, dolls, stuffed animals and a teether that still showed marks from Hermione's teeth. That day was special for her; the girl thought that her mother felt a premonition about what would happen to them and needed to tell Hermione, in her own way, how much she loved her daughter. "The trunk is still there," thought Hermione, "and we'll be going through it again soon." Then Hermione got up, took another look at the tidy room and went back to the living room, where she stopped in front of the enchanted picture frame that was on top of a shelf, with a photo of her parents on one of the trips they took together. She understood why there was no mention of this cruise trip on the parchment – it was because the picture frame remained in the house. She took the object and a flood of memories flashed through the girl's head as she looked intently at it.
- We will meet. I'll take you back home – she promised, with some tears in her eyes.
A few minutes later, the three were already on the road again, talking animatedly, after saying an affectionate goodbye to Mrs. Bergins. Hermione preferred to go back the same way, because it seemed easier and quicker. In a few hours it would start to get dark and they needed to look for a hotel.
– Well, it looks like there's not much to do for today. Unless you have time to look for the restaurant Mrs. Bergins mentioned.
- How it is? Aren't you going to look for the ministry? – Ron wanted to know.
– We don't need to worry anyone else about this yet. As far as we know, it was just a cruise vacation.
– A cruise that takes three months – observed Harry.
- You're right. But for now we need to know more. Be sure before taking action, do you agree?
– I agree, Mione – replied the boy, being accompanied by Ron.
When they were arriving at the market they saw earlier, Hermione stopped for a moment to look around and admire the place again. She liked the place and wished, in her mind, that her parents could find a home in a place similar to this, but in England.
– Let's continue, Mione... - called Ron, making his girlfriend wake up from a trance. She suggested the boys go to the market before heading on their way.
– Let's see if we can buy something here.
– Let's go, maybe we'll find some beans with all the flavours.
– Ron, it's a muggle market... – said the girl.
– I know, it was just a joke.
They entered what looked like the back of the market, in its parking lot. There were few cars and some trees for shade. At that moment, there weren't many people in the place, but they passed a blond boy who was sitting next to a tree. Hermione had the impression that she had seen his face before, and the boy had been staring at the three of them since they entered the parking lot, as the girl noticed. Hermione met Harry's gaze, realising that he thought the same as her, and they both quickened their pace, making Ron follow suit. The redhead turned his face to see the boy, who stood up after the trio passed, still looking at them, but was held back by his girlfriend, who said softly:
– Ron, don't look.
– Do you think… - Ron tried to whisper.
– Shhi! - Hermione and Harry did it at the same time. The girl held her boyfriend's arm, making him turn forward and continue at the same pace as her.
- This way. - Hermione said to the two, turning as she passed near a small bus.
She immediately thought it was the wrong choice, as another boy appeared, also blond. For a moment, the girl thought it was the same boy who had suddenly appeared in front of them, but she looked back and saw the other one approaching. They were wearing similar clothes and Hermione noticed that they were twins, so she thought they were the same. The two approached Hermione, Ron and Harry, almost surrounding them. On impulse, she reached into the pocket where she kept her wand, also seeing that Harry had done the same, and at that moment, the boy who appeared last said:
– No need for wands – he said, drawing the attention of the three. There was a serious tone to his voice, although there was a smile on his face.
The stranger who spoke was closer and the three stopped. Hermione was already evaluating their chances of leaving without causing problems with the local muggles. Feeling like an idiot, the girl thought she had an obligation to pay more attention on the way, especially when the stranger said:
– You're right, bro. They are themselves. We found them.