– Wow, I can hardly believe what I'm seeing. Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, the newest heroes of the wizarding world in England right here, in Australia, close to my house. Who would say…
In other times Hermione, Harry and Ron would understand this as a wicked irony. But the boy, who was all smiles, seemed too enthusiastic to want to rival them. In fact, Hermione thought that, at that moment, if something bad was going to happen, it would already be happening. Meanwhile, the girl could not find words to express the confusion that was in her head. She looked from side to side, dumbfounded, and it seemed as if Harry and Ron understood as much as she did. After all, who were those two strangers with hair so messy it looked like Harry's? There was no doubt they were wizards, but she didn't know why they were there. Whether they were friends or enemies would need to be explained.
– Sorry if we scared you. It was a little difficult to meet you – said the blonde who appeared last.
– Believe me… – Harry replied sharply to him. – We've been surprised other times, so we're used to it. We just didn't expect it to be…
– Here in Australia. - completed Hermione. She observed that the first boy who appeared did not speak; only the second, who nodded positively.
- I understand. They didn't believe they would be recognized. But by now I think you know they're in practically every wizarding newspaper known. Well, changing the subject, it may seem strange to you now, but I have to inform you that my brother doesn't talk. So don't worry if he doesn't open his mouth to answer... – the boy paused to laugh. - He was born without a voice. But if it's any consolation, he listens perfectly.
Surprised by this answer to a question no one had asked, Hermione, Ron and Harry turned to the first boy. The look he gave the three of them was friendly and indicated that he had been through this before.
– That's better, it's one less person to bother you with jokes... By the way, we don't introduce ourselves. I'm Eric Donnwall and my brother is Theodore Donnwall, but you can call us Eric and Teo – said the boy, moving to stand next to his brother. There didn't seem to be anything that made the twins different. They both wore the same models of clothes, with the same colours, they are the same height, a little taller than Ron, and they both have the same shade of blue eyes. Hermione even though they resembled the Weasley twins – George and the late Fred – in behaviour. With unusual speed, Teo bent down and quickly stood up, revealing a large bouquet of flowers and carrying it towards Hermione.
– That's it, Teo. Gentlemen and... Madam – said Eric, bowing. - This is our way of welcoming you.
– Teo... Er... Thank you. - said Hermione as she received the flowers from the boy's hands. Ron fidgeted a little unsatisfied with this kindness.
– That's right, flowers for the girl and a handshake for the boys.
The two brothers formally greeted Harry and Ron with a handshake, who returned the courtesy. Ron was as shy as ever, but Harry was suspicious and curious about the two strangers. After the greetings, Teo turned back to Hermione and pointed to the bouquets of flowers trying to show something. She tried to understand what he meant, but Eric was faster.
– There is a gift among the flowers. I hope you enjoy it.
The girl made a mental note: she would have to learn sign language on some course, and very quickly, because it would come in very handy at a time like this. With her free hand, Hermione began to rummage through those branches clumsily and, to her surprise, found something soft, precisely a stuffed animal. When removed, she melted into the gift.
- How beautiful! I loved it. Thank you both.
- Your welcome. - replied Eric, and Teo with a nod.
- But what is this? A castor bean with a duck bill? - Ron wanted to know, jealous of the kindness.
– It's a platypus. - said Hermione, an automatic response, she thought.
– One of Australia's symbolic animals, and it's one of the animals I most like to observe... I mean, my brother and I. - Eric completed, when the other looked at him. Then, looking at Ron, giving a wink, he said. - Don't worry about us, colleague. Like I said before, it's just our way of saying welcome.
Ron seemed to accept this answer, at least for now. But Hermione discovered that there was something else strange about the two brothers. There was something about those things that seemed to intimidate others. Harry, however, was at the end of the most urgent answers.
- OK. Thank you for your warm welcome, but we still don't know much about you. Why were they after us? I don't know if you've noticed, but the three of us want to avoid exactly what we're achieving here; We're getting attention.
With a quick look around, the boys noticed the few muggles along, who were pacing back and forth across the parking lot, looking at them.
- Oh good. You're right, Mr Potter. But for this conversation, I must ask you to follow us to our pickup truck.
– Pickup truck? Now yes, I am remembering you. - observed Hermione, adding to the look from one to the other. - Or would it be, one of you…
- Oh yes. My brother was a fool here – Eric interrupted, giving Teo a shove on the shoulder. - He was waiting at the airport exit while I looked for you in the lobby. He thought he should hold you guys back by getting in front of the taxi, but I said he didn't...
– Didn't you say you were in the lobby, looking for us?
– Well, my brother and I have a particular way of communicating, Mr. Potter. But I insist on going to our pickup truck so we can explain everything.
– How can we trust you? – Harry wanted to know.
The twins looked at each other, perhaps trying to find a reason to convince the trio.
– Well, we were "invited" to be your guides here in Australia. If it helps, we have a message from the English Minister for Magic. It's just in the truck.
Harry and Ron looked at Hermione, leaving the decision up to the girl. After a sigh, she nodded and said.
– Alright, let's go with you.
– But you two go first – said Harry, still suspicious.
- He is well. But I must warn you that in our case this would not be of much help. - Eric said, turning with his brother to go where the pickup was. - Oh, and we're not trying to imitate Harry Potter's hairstyle. -he informed, looking at Hermione.
In a few minutes Hermione, Ron and Harry crossed, in silence, in the company of the Donnwall brothers, the market parking lot until they reached their pickup truck. It was a very worn pickup truck, certainly with hundreds of kilometres on it. At the back of the body you could see the bodywork worn out by rust; The pickup truck's blue paint itself was all worn out, but the tires were impeccably intact. As soon as she saw it, Hermione was sure it was the same double cab pickup she had seen on the way out of the airport. Teo went to the driver's side while Eric entered the passenger side and looked for something in the glove compartment.
– Come in, please – he recommended to Harry, Ron and Hermione.
Hesitantly, the three of them settled into the back seats of the truck, adjusting their backpacks - Hermione in the middle of the two boys. Unlike the outside, the inside of the cabin was clean and everything was in place, although it still looked like a very old vehicle. While Teo, at the wheel, waited for something, looking at them in the rearview mirror, Eric turned to the three, handing Hermione an envelope made from a very familiar paper, saying "It's here".
– Yeah, I think they're right... It's the same envelope used by the ministry. It even has the same seal.
– And the lyrics are indeed Kingsley's – confirmed Harry.
Hermione opened the envelope and took out the letter. It was written by Kingsley himself, certainly to give veracity to what the twins reported. In the letter they could read:
Dear friends Hermione, Harry and Ron,
When I found out that you would be travelling to Australia to pick up your parents, Hermione, I thought they might need some help. So, although you didn't approve, I asked my friends in the Australian Ministry to get a guide for you. They informed me that these two young people would be the best company they could find to help them. I think you might really need them.
Hoping you are well,
Kingsley Shacklebolt
Acting Minister for Magic
Ministry of Magic, London, England.
Hermione finished reading, but was still holding the letter for Ron and Harry to finish. She didn't have to think long to come to the conclusion that she would end up needing local help. When she noticed that Ron had finished reading, she turned to him and whispered:
– Mrs Weasley? - the boy smiled, shrugging his shoulders and saying "Maybe". It was even likely that his mother had convinced Kingsley to look for acquaintances in Australia. She turned back to the twins to talk.
– Very well, I think you know why we are here. - the girl asked Eric.
– Yes. They are here to meet your parents, Miss Granger.
– Er, I think you can call us by our first names. It will be easier this way – informed Harry. Before Eric could ask anything to confirm, Hermione added.
- And truth. You can call us by our names.
– Well, we feel honoured – Eric replied, with Teo confirming with a smile. Harry felt the need to know more about the twins.
– So, tell us your story.
The two brothers looked at each other with a mischievous smile. Hermione still thought there was something more to the two brothers, and that they would eventually find out what it was.
– Well, as you saw, we were called to help you on this trip. We didn't know which flight you came on, so we waited at the airport, based on the information we knew about you when you left England. We were supposed to meet at the airport, but as you know, we missed each other. When my brother told me they were leaving, I ran to him and we left right behind, in the same direction, because we could only follow the taxi - Wait a minute. - interrupted Hermione. – But what do you mean, 'my brother warned me'? I remember looking at him in the truck; he wasn't wearing anything that was good for communication.
– Yeah... It might be strange, but I think it's better to explain that later - said Eric and the three nodded. - The important thing is that we are here to help; for now, answering your questions.
– How did you find us here, in the parking lot? Harry asked again. The twins looked at each other again, this time smiling playfully.
– I think my brother predicted this. We lost the taxiway; We didn't see where he wanted to go…
– But you found us... Did you know where we were going? – interrupted Ron.
– Yes. Er, Miss Grang... I mean, Hermione. Don't be mad, but when the minister from England contacted our ministry, our aurors looked for your parents to follow up on the case. Their idea was not to interfere unless there was a need. They checked Muggle records and found his parents, but they had already left. A feather. At least they found out where Adja Bergins lives.
– And what does she have to do with it? asked Hermione quickly. Soon she noticed a strange confusion in the twins' eyes.
- As? But you met her…
– That's right. We met with her. But she had no idea that two tenants had anything to do with wizards.
– Ah, for a moment you fooled us... - said Eric. Hermione didn't understand what he meant, but she let it go. - Well, I think you should know that there are more chances of a Muggle meeting a wizard here in Australia than in England. You'll discover that there's a lot of the wizarding world mixed with the muggle world here.
– But Mrs. Bergins is not a witch…
- Exactly. Most of the wasted ones are mixed in with the Muggles. In the case of Mrs Bergins it is more complex... But back to the subject, we knew that you would meet her, but we don't know where her house is…
– Didn't I say the aurors found out? - interrupted Harry.
– The Aurors did, but we weren't with them. You see, so instead of going out to look, and running the risk of losing even more track of where you were, my brother had the idea of waiting because he thought you would come back this way. And he was right. Finally he scores some points...
Hermione felt like an idiot again. How was it possible that her actions were predictable to anyone but her? In the war against Voldemort, in the days when she travelled with Harry and Ron, she managed to be rational. What would be happening now? Would a different situation make her more vulnerable? Was it because of her parents? But when it came to these twins, the girl thought that they weren't exactly just any wizards. She tried to organise her thoughts as she asked Eric.
– But, it wasn't just a matter of looking for the aurors…
- Not exactly. By then, you would already be in a hotel, or somewhere else. Then we would have to search the city. She has already thought about the poster: 'Looking for three famous English wizards lost in Canberra. Anyone who knows anything, tell the nearest wizard' - the boy replied, laughing with a joke. Hermione, Harry and Ron also laughed shyly.
– Good, since they are going to help us. Maybe they can recommend a hotel for us...
- I don't think so. If you don't mind, Hermione, my father told us to invite the three of them to stay at our house for as long as they need.
- We don't want to bother you. - Harry observed. Suddenly the three saw the brothers smiling widely.
- Just kidding? My father is dying to meet them, especially you, Harry.
There was a moment of deja-vu in that conversation. It felt a lot like the first days when Hermione and Ron started following 'the boy who lived' in his saga. Hermione looked into Harry's shy eyes and thought that the best company in Australia was the company of wizards; since they were really being recognized.
- All good. Let's go with you. Where is your father's house?
– Ah... It's at Rancho Cardinia, about a hundred kilometres to the west. Come on, Teo.
Teo, who until now had only been following the conversation, turned on the ignition and immediately headed towards the parking lot exit. The noise of the truck wasn't enough to take the trio's attention away from Eric; Ron leaned back against the bench, yawning lazily.
- Sleepy? - Ron just nodded at him. - Make yourself comfortable, colleague. Jet lag does just that... It messes up our bodies.
Hermione had so far not attributed the tiredness she was feeling to the jetlag; she thought it was just the long trip or the weight of the backpack. But she had to agree with Ron. It seemed that the twins left an air of comfort inside the cabin and that it was even possible to take a nap.
But before they could even leave the parking lot, something disturbed the peace of the moment. On the avenue where they were going, a truck advanced on the small square in the middle of the street, making a loud noise when it hit a kind of obelisk, drawing everyone's attention. Teo stopped with the truck and the two twins quickly got out to see what happened.
– Stay here – Eric said as he got out of the truck. The two ran to the place while Hermione, Harry and Ron looked at everything carefully. If what Eric said about wizards mixing with muggles in Australia was true, then it should be normal for wizards to interfere in muggle things, like car accidents. But where was the Secrecy Treaty in this case? As I thought about this, the twins were already returning; both with indecipherable expressions.
- Nothing to worry about. No one is hurt. - Eric said as he entered the cabin, without looking at them. Teo started again and passed the scene of the accident, already on the avenue to leave Conder. Looking from afar, he could see that the muggle driver was conscious and well and was being supported by the people nearby.
– Er... Eric, if you don't mind me asking... - Hermione began to ask.
- The answer is no. We don't reveal ourselves to muggles, just like in England or other countries. - he replied, kind of interrupting the girl's question. She noticed that they were both upset about something and at the moment she mentally formulated the question of how he knew what she was going to ask, he stepped forward, to the astonishment of all three:
– I knew what you were going to ask.
- How? - the three asked at the same time.
Eric sighed and exchanged a suspicious look with his brother who was driving too fast for calm traffic. The boy turned to the trio and smiled as if he was choosing the right words to say.
– Again, it's going to sound strange and... There's no better way to say this... We're both telepaths, my brother and I.
– What do you mean, telepaths? What is that? asked Ron, who still wasn't very used to Muggle terms.
– A telepath is someone who can read the minds of others – Hermione replied, with both brothers agreeing with her.
– In fact, this is the best definition for the case. But we both discovered that we can do a few more things, maybe because we are witches or because we inherited it from our mother.
Hermione, Harry and Ron looked at each other, trying to understand what they had just heard. "something more" would mean that they could do something beyond what is already known. Now Hermione understood why she thought there was something strange about the two of them. The girl noticed that Teo was constantly looking in the rearview mirror at them, while travelling along the avenue, seeming to want to study their expressions.
– And your mother... Is she also a witch? - Harry wanted to know.
– Yes, she was a witch. Mom passed away after she gave birth to us.
- I'm sorry. - Hermione said to the two brothers.
- All good. It was a long time ago... She wasn't exactly a telepath. She was different sensitive. She knew how to determine what people felt, and she could feel it even far away from them. But my father tells these things better.
Hermione understood that he wanted to close the subject of his mother. Apparently, Ron and Harry thought the same, because Ron looked out, taking in his surroundings, and Harry hung his head, perhaps, remembering the family he lost as a child. She decided to change the subject so that the silence wouldn't last too long.
– Eric, is there anything you want to tell us? About the accident just now?
- I do not think so. Nothing to worry about. - he said, smiling gently. – Do you mind if we speed things up a little? Go a little faster?
Before anyone could respond, Ron came forward excitedly.
– What... Are you going to tell me that this car flies?
Harry and Hermione looked at the redhead immediately. Eric and Teo didn't seem to understand.
- To fly? - Eric began to ask, who, almost at the same time, looked thoughtful as he looked at Ron and then looked as if he had discovered something immensely interesting. - Oh, come on. You have a car that flies.
– It's my father's... He was lost at Hogwarts for a while, but he came back. Dad was very happy, but Mom didn't care much. She's not very fond of muggle things…
- Interesting. Your father must have had a lot of trouble casting a spell to make a muggle car fly. But our truck doesn't. We haven't reached that stage yet – said the boy, smiling in the way of someone who enjoyed the subject.
Hermione looked sternly at Ron, trying to reprimand him, but the redhead paid no attention. How could he touch such a mediocre subject? Just Ron. Eric decided to return to the subject.
– The thing is that normal wizards can only apparate with what they carry or with one or two people. My brother and I can apparate whatever is around us just by concentrating.
– With whatever is around? Does that mean the truck and everything in it? asked Ron, interested.
- That's right. Maybe even a few more things, but we don't keep trying... So, can we?
– Of course we can – said Ron. But Hermione wasn't very comfortable with the proposal. Harry, however, was curious.
– Let's see what that's like…
Finally, the girl agreed with both of them.
– Well, in that case... – said Eric, as he turned to his brother. – When you see that it's ok, Teo.
Teo nodded, responding to his brother. Hermione understood that they needed to be somewhere out of sight of muggles. While they weren't ready, Harry decided to ask a few questions.
– And this thing of yours... This mind reading thing. Does an occlumency block this?
– No. – replied Eric. – It's not something that can be solved with magic. It's difficult to explain, there aren't many studies on this. Muggles have their theories and ideas, but nothing has really been proven. If they knew us then…
– And do you know of anyone else like you?
– No, Harry. They said that the two of us are a rarity in the world. And that we were lucky to be wizards, because if we were born Muggles it might be different. We are ready now.
– Ready to apparate? – Ron wanted to know.
- Exactly. Leave it to us, you don't need to think about anything.
Think about nothing? How to do this? Dozens of questions ran through Hermione's head, but she didn't ask any, because at that moment Eric started a countdown.
– Three, two, one... Now.
The sensation of compression was similar to the girl's normal apparition. But the difference is that, instead of feeling like she was entering through a tight tube, she saw that everything and everyone seemed to want to squeeze around her. Less than a second later, the cabin with all the occupants returned to normal, but in a different place. She knew this because there were fewer houses and there were no cars in sight on the street. The neighbourhood that enchanted the girl was left behind.
– Wow... How awesome! – exclaimed Ron, looking around him. Harry looked amazed, but said nothing.
- And that. Apparition without trauma... – observed Eric. – We do our best to leave nothing behind. One time, one of the tires came loose. Dad was shocked by the noise he made.
- I can imagine. - said Hermione.
The truck advanced quickly towards a landscape without houses and with more and more vegetation. Eric was commenting that they would soon see some animals, certainly kangaroos, as they were already approaching one of the many national parks dedicated to the preservation of Australian fauna and flora. Ron seemed to remember that he was sleepy and closed his eyes, leaning back in the seat. Soon, Hermione snuggled up to him, a little clumsy with her backpack and bouquets of flowers to also rest her mind. She wasn't interested in the conversation Harry had with Eric, so she didn't even notice what they were talking about. But every now and then, she felt the twins' gazes fall on her. She put it out of her mind and closed her eyes. Not thinking about anything was a good idea at that moment, until I had to think about what to do later.