Finding Wendell and Monica....

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The following morning Ron and Hermione went downstairs to the hotel’s bistro for breakfast.

‘Well today’s the day H’ Ron said cheerfully as they helped themselves to the fruit yoghurt and muesli at the breakfast buffet table ‘we’re going to do some spectacular stuff today’

‘I hope we do’ Hermione said pouring herself a glass of orange juice.

‘Did you think of how much like planning for the break into the Ministry last night was?’ Ron said for a grin serving himself a plate of bacon and eggs ‘we have a shitload of notes and a plan down to the last minute detail’

‘Yeah well I hope today will go better than that farce’ Hermione said dryly as they made their way back to their table.

‘I’d hardly call it a farce we got the locket’ Ron said.

‘Yeah but we didn’t get it like we planned and we nearly got killed doing it’ Hermione said making a face at the memory.

‘Hey we may have nearly gotten killed doing it but we did it’ Ron said brightly ‘our sole aim was to get the locket and not get killed doing it and we did that’

‘Oh fine contradict me then’ Hermione said rolling her eyes.

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After a long leisurely breakfast Ron and Hermione returned upstairs and went over their plans for meeting Hermione’s parents one more time then a call came through from the desk clerks in the lobby.

‘Sir the cheauffered vehicle you requested is downstairs waiting for you’ the clerk told Ron when he answered the phone.

‘Great stuff we’ll be down in a minute’ Ron said ‘thanks’

‘Okay it’s time to go’ he said with a grin picking up a folder ‘shall we go?

‘Right away’

Precicely an hour later the cheauffered car dropped them in front of Sixteen Pegasus Way Caulfield North.

‘Would you like me to wait out the front?’ the driver asked Ron.

‘No thanks mate this might take a while’ Ron said tipping the driver a twenty dollar note ‘here you go thanks for getting us here’

‘It was no problem’

‘Ron and Hermione got out of the car and waited on the footpath til the driver left the cul-de-sac.

‘Okay now it’s time to get this started’ Ron said as they made their way up the driveway ‘I’ll work on your Dad you work on your Mum yeah?’

‘Got it’ Hermione said nervously drawing her wand out of her handbag and tucking it between the folder she was carying and her chest ‘fuck I’m nervous’

Ron tsk’d
‘Tsk tsk naughty girl such foul language’ he joked as they climbled the steps of the house.

‘Fuck you Ron’

With a grin Ron reached forward and rang the door bell. There was a moment of silence then heavy footfalls on wooden floorboards began. The lock on the door clicked then it swung open and there stood Hermione’s father. She squeaked but quickly covered it with a polite cough.

‘Ron?’ he said holding out a hand ‘hi I’m Wendell Wilkins’

‘Ron Weasley’ Ron said politely shaking his hand ‘and this is my colleague Hermione Granger she’s my personal assistant’

‘Hermione lovely to meet you won’t you come inside?’ Wendell said ‘Monica just has a pot of coffee on’

Ron and Hermione stepped over the threshold of the house and Wendell shut the door behind them.

‘I was saying to Monica last night Ron it was quite a surprise to hear from you neither of us had any idea John was ill’ he said leading them down a long high ceilinged hallway into the dining area.

‘He wasn’t sir it was very sudden’ Ron said ‘he passed away in a horse riding accident’

‘Oh that’s sad Monica dear this is Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger here about John’s Will , I’ll take them through to the lounge shall I?’

‘Of course ‘Monica’ said brightly setting a plate of biscuits on a tray ‘I’ll be right through’ a tall older woman the spitting image of Hermione said brightly.

‘Wendell’ led Ron and Hermione through to the other side of the house into a large comfy lounge room decorated much like their house back in Puckeridge.

‘So how long have you been in Australia?’ he asked sitting down on the large lounge suite ‘I hope it wasn’t too much trouble to find us’

‘We’ve been here about ten days’ Ron replied ‘we spent four days getting over the jet-lag then started looking for you and Mrs Wilkins through all the dental practices listed in the White and Yellow pages in the Melbourne Library’ Ron said ‘we started looking on Monday and the receptionist at the Keilor East Dental Clinic found you for us, or rather one of her contacts did apparently you did some fill in work for them six months ago?’

‘Oh yes for about four weeks’ ‘Wendell’ said a reminiscent smile on his face ‘it was a lovely place to work very friendly environment. I suppose you spoke to Barbara?’

‘Yes she was most helpful’ Ron said ‘she did more for us in six hours than Hermione and I did together I in five days. We’ve been ringing around dental practices and hospitals all week. We’re going to send her some flowers when we’ve finished going through all of Mr Illingworh’s papers with you and Monica.

Moments later Hermione’s Mum ‘Monica’ bustled into the room carrying a tray of coffee and biscuits. Out of the corner of his eye Ron saw Hermione’s wand hand twitch and knew the minute he gave the signal she would whip it out.

‘Monica how lovely to meet you I’m Ron Weasley this is my personal assistant Hermione Granger’ Ron said politely standing up and offering his hand to the woman ‘I wish we were meeting under more cheerful circumstances’

‘Oh so do I Mr Weasley so how did you know John?’

That was not a question Ron had planned on being asked and he gave a nervous cough.
‘I didn’t know him personally Ma’am he was a close friend of my boss Arthur Potter’ he said ‘Mr Potter has some vital scheduled surgery and isn’t able to travel at the moment and he asked Hermione and I do come on his behalf. Hermione and I work at the same legal firm in London Prescott and Prescott we’ve just graduated from Law school you see’

‘Right so shall we get down to business?’ ‘Monica’ said.

‘Of course’

Ron gave Hermione and wink their signal and together in perfect synchronisation they drew their wands and together cried....

‘STUPEFY!

‘Wendell’ and ‘Monica’ crumpled in their seats instantly unconscious.

‘Fuck I’m glad we got that over and done with I couldn’t pull that act much longer’ Ron said to Hermione as he flicked his wand and levitated Mr Granger to the far end of the long couch.

‘And I wouldn’t have been able to keep quiet much longer’ Hermione said levitating the coffee table and chairs they’d been sitting in out of the way ‘five star stuff that last answer’

‘Thanks let’s do this hall we?’

‘Yup’

Ron trained his wand on Mr Granger’s chest and began undoing all the spells Hermione had cast on him

‘Confundus Reverso, Obvliviate Reverso, Immigratus Finite Mindus Arrangus Finite....

For a solid half an hour Ron and Hermione undid each spell a violent sweat breaking out on their brows as they undid complicated spell after complicated spell then finally they said together.

‘Magicus Totalum Finite Incantatum!

Exhausted Hermione conjured a large chair and together she and Ron collapsed into it.

‘Fucking Hell Hermione you did this twice all on your own?’ Ron groaned heaving for breath as if he’d just run a race ‘how the hell did you manage it?’

‘I nearly d-didn’t’ Hermione puffed ‘it took a four hour rest between doing Mum and Dad for me to manage it, after that I came to the Burrow. Remember how I was always tired and slept for hours when I arrived? It was because my magical energy was drained. If I’d apparated during that time I would’ve likely splinched myself’

‘Do you know that for sure of did you research?’ Ron asked.

‘Both’ Hermione said sitting up and resting her elbows on her knees.

‘Well that makes sense now’ Ron said ‘I wondered why you arrived on the Knight Bus’

‘Well apart from the fact the Burrow was protected so I couldn’t apparate or floo into the grounds it was the only way I could magically arrive’ Hermione said ‘and did you notice my Patronus wasn’t as strong as it would normally be when I sent it to let you know I’d arrived right outside the wards?’

‘In hindsight? Yeah I did’ Ron said ‘so how are we going to get back to the hotel if we can’t apparate?’

‘We can take a taxi or the train back into the city centre’ Hermione said ‘I saw a train station nearby here when we were in the car’

They sat for several long moments before Ron spoke.
‘So when shall we wake them up?’ he asked watching Mr and Mrs Granger ‘sleep’

‘Let’s give it a few minutes I’m exhausted’ Hermione said wearily.

‘Do you want some of this coffee and a biscuit?’ Ron asked levitating over the tray ‘I feel like something sweet’

‘Yeah a cuppa would be nice’

Ron poured himself and Hermione a strong mug of coffee each.

‘Now all I have to do is explain to them what I did’ Hermione groaned dunking a chocolate biscuit in her drink ‘how the hell am I going to do that?’

‘You’ll manage’ Ron assured her ‘I’ll help you’

After two mugs of coffee and half a dozen biscuits each Hermione drew herself up. She got to her feet and vanished the seat she and Ron had been sitting on.

‘Let’s do it’ she said ‘I can’t put it off any longer’

Once again Ron drew his wand and pointed it at Mr Grangers chest. He drew in a deep breath and uttered the last incantation....

‘Ennervate

There was a split second before Mr Granger stirred then yawned at the same time as his wife. They stretched then sat up opening their eyes sleepily.

‘Mum D-Dad?’ Hermione said hesitatingly.

‘Hermione?’ Mrs Granger asked on confusion.

‘Where are we?’ Mr Granger asked rubbing hs eyes ‘Have we been asleep?’

‘Of sorts’ Ron said pocketing his wand ‘how do you feel Mr and Mrs Granger?’

‘Son do I know you?’ Mr Granger asked in confusion.

‘Dad this is Ron from school’ Hermione said ‘you’ve seen him before, in Diagon Alley before my second year.

‘Thought I recognized you’ Mrs Granger said sitting up in her seat a little straighter ‘why does our house look different? Where have the ceilings gone?’

‘Mum, Dad I have so so much to explain to you’ Hermione said ‘I need you both to promise me something though’

‘And what is that?’ Mr Granger asked.

‘I need you and Mum to promise me not to get angry or interrupt until I have totally expalined why you’re here and everything looks odd’ Hermione said ‘it’s really really important to me’

There was a short pause in which Mr and Mrs Granger regarded their daughter.

‘I promise’ they chorused.

‘Well do you remember after I came home from sixth year at Hogwarts I told you the war with Voldemort was looming and it wouldn’t be long before he tried to make a big go of getting at Harry?’

‘Yes’

‘Well it happened’ Hermione said ‘and becase I had such a close connection to Harry being one of his best friends I thought Voldemort might try to get to him through me, I thought he might track down you both and torture you for information. So to protect you from harm and to save your lives I modified both of your memories so you thought you were Wendell and Monica Wilkins and that you wanted more than anything to emigrate to Australia. My reasoning was that if you were on the other side of the world under pseudonyms Voldemort and his cronies couldn’t find you therefore get to me and by extension Harry. It’s June tenth ninteen ninety eight now and for the past twelve months you’ve been here in Melbourne, Australia living your lives as Wendell and Monica Wilkins locum dentists’

‘We’re in Australia?’ Mrs Granger asked incrdulously.

‘Yes Melbourne, Caulfield North to be exact’ Ron said.

‘How did we get here?’ Mr Granger asked.

‘You flew’ Hermione said ‘on a plane shortly after I cast all the spells. You didn’t enter the country illegally’

For a long time there was an excruciating silence as Mr and Mrs Granger digested this news.

‘What happened in this war? Mrs Granger asked ‘are you safe now? Is your friend Harry safe?’

‘Oh yes everyone’s fine’ Hermione said ‘Harry brought down Voldemort and he died, the good side lost a couple of good people that we knew but all in all we escaped unscathed save for the odd broken limb or concussion’

‘How about you?’ Mrs Granger asked

‘I had some superficial lacerations but nothing major’ Hermione replied.

‘And when did this war happen?’

‘Well the War in earnest has been building up steadily for the last twelve months but the final battle was a month ago’ Hermione said ‘it happened at Hogwarts right in the Great Hall. The destruction was enormous. Some of the hexes, jinxes and curses were so strong they destroyed walls made of foot thick stone. One of the walls fell on one of Ron’s brothers and killed him’

‘Oh love I’m so sorry!’ Mrs Granger exclaimed looking at Ron ‘please accept my condolences’

‘Thanks’ Ron said.

For the longest time Mr Granger hadn’t uttered a word but Ron had noticed his expression getting more and more stony as the minutes passed.

‘D-dad?’ Hermione stammered noticing her fathers angry expression.

‘Why didn’t you give us a choice wether we wanted to be protected?’ he seethed ‘Hermione we did not bring you up to behave in this manner’

‘I did it to protect you!’ Hermione exclaimed incredulously ‘surely you don’t want to be in a box in the ground tortured by a group of people that makes Adolf Hitler and the Nazi’s look like pussycats?’

‘Don’t you think that might be exaggerating a little?’ Mr Granger asked getting ot his feet.

‘Mr Granger I don’t think you truly understand’ Ron said quietly.

‘And who the hell are you to say what I understand or don’t understand?’ Mr Granger said turning on Ron.

Ron got to his feet.

‘Sir with all due respect you have no bloody idea what Hermione went through to protect you and your wife’ he said taking a step toward the older man ‘I’ve seen her break down and cry so many times this past week wondering if what she did was the right thing. You know two days ago she was so emotionally delicate I was on the brink of taking her to hospital? Now you promised you would sit down and listen to her story so sit down and listen’

‘Hey mate you’re in my house you have no right to tell me what to do!’ Mr Granger exclaimed.

‘John for pete’s sake sit down!’ Mrs Granger said tugging on her husbands arm ‘we did promise Hermione’

‘I don’t see why..’

‘Sir let me explain something to you and the significance of what Hermione did’ Ron interrupted the older man ‘I’m going to explain to you about Voldemort and what he did and exactly what she saved you and Mrs Granger from. If you must be angry at Hermione then be angry after you know the whole story. You’re assuming all sorts of things about Hermione and you know the saying in assuming you only made an ass of yourself’

Mr Granger shot Ron a death glare but consented to flopping down in his seat.

‘We have a good friend back home called Neville Longbottom’ Ron began ‘when he was one year old a dark witch called Bellatrix LeStrange tortured his parents to try and get information on a society called the Order of the Phoenix which is a secret society formed to fight against Voldemort and his dark forces. She used a curse on them called the Cruciatus Curse so often and so hard they are now in the long term residents ward of St Mungos the wizarding hospital barely able to feed themselves. The Cruciatus Curse feels like a thousand red hot daggers are being stuck in your body and twisted over and over and over again. It doesn’t let up until the caster removes the spell. That same night Voldemort the ultimate dark wizard whom your daughter was protecting you from went to my best mates house and killed his parents making him an orphan at a year old. Fast forward thirteen years to our fourth year in school where a magical tournamnt called the Triwizard Tournament was held at Hogwarts. Voldemort killed our Head Boy and one of the triwizard Tournament competitors Cedric Diggory then tortured Harry with the Cruciatus Curse on and off til Harry was forced to duel him. Fifth year he almost killed my father with his snake and Bellatrix LeStrange one of his cronies actually killed Harry’s godfather Sirius Black. Sixth year because some of the Dark Magic he cast our headmaster Albus Dumbledore died at Hogwarts. And seventh year he killed Mad-Eye Moody the best Auror the British Ministry of Magic had ever seen. And after his cronies or Death Eaters as they are more comonly known gatecrashed my brothers wedding and tortured my family Voldemort set off on a quest to try and kill Harry. After she’d modified your and Mrs Grangers memories Hermione and I joined Harry on the run to try and undo all these dark spells that were aiding his cause. You know we were captured by a bunch of death eaters a two months agao and held in a lightless cellar? Hermione was taken up to the drawing room of this house and tortured with the Cruciatus Curse til she wanted to die? Your daughter your only child was tortued with the same Curse that made one of my best mates parents into virtual retards. Hermione modified your memories and got you to immigrate to Australia because she didn’t want you to die, she didn’t want you to know what it’s like to feel like your soul is being tabbed with red hot daggers. I think you’re being damn ungreatful’

‘But..’

‘I HAVE NOT finished yet!’ Ron went on in full swing now drawing his wand.

Ron pointed his wand at the coffee table and expertly transfigured it into an exact replica of the stone pensive in the headmasters office at Hogwarts.

‘H I need the memory you have of Bellatrix LeStrange and you at Malfoy Manor’ he said.

‘Ron I can’t do that!’ Hermione exclaimed.

‘It needs to be done’ Ron said firmly ‘your Dad isn’t going to fully comprehend why you did what you did until he sees it’

Reluctantly Hermione drew her and from her jacket and pressed the tip of it to her temple, She retreived the memory and immediately put it in the penseive.

‘Mr Granger I need you to see this Ron said firmly and assertively holding out his hand.

‘And what the hell is that? Mr Granger exclaimed increduously staring at the penseive that was once his ornate coffee table.

‘It’s called a penseive it’s a magical recepticle for storing memories’ Ron said ‘what you saw Hermione do was retreive a memory that when you see it will make you fully understand why Hermione did what she did’

‘I don’t think I need....’

‘John just do it’ Mrs Granger said.

Mr Granger stared at Mrs Granger and Ron.
‘How the hell am I supposed to see this supposed memory?’ he asked sarcastically.

‘Just lean down and put your face in it as if like a child would blow bubbles’ Ron said ‘hold my arm’

Mr Granger grasped Ron’s arm and let Ron pull him into the penseive.

The two men fell through the memory landing with a thud in the drawing room of Malfoy Manor their attention was immediately drawn to the centre of the room where Harry, Ron and Hermione were bound together being guarded by Fenrir Greyback and Scabior.

‘Take these prisoners down to the cellar Greyback....Wait, all except....except for the Mudblood

‘NO!’ shouted Ron ‘You can have me, keep me!’

Bellatrix hit him across the face; the blow echoed around the room.

‘If she dies under questioning, I’ll take you next’ she said ‘Blood traitor is next to Mudblood in my book. Take them downstairs Greyback, and make sure they are secure, but do nothing more to them-yet’

The memory swirled to what must’ve been only moments later.

‘Where did you get that sword?’ Bellatrix hissed to Hermione poking her hard in the side with her wand ‘TELL ME!....CRUCIO!’

Hermione still bound fell to the floor writhing in agony and screaming so hard her throat tore. She twisted and rolled being tortured by the red hot pokers burning every fibre of her being.

‘It-it app-peared to us!’ Hermione whimpered in the split second the Cruciatus Curse was removed from her ‘t-t Har-ry!’

‘You are lying, filthy Mudblood, and I know it! You have been inside my vault at Gringotts! Tell the tuth....tell the truth!

Beside him Mr Granger was watching the scene unfold before them with astounded incredulity both hands over his mouth as Hermione screamed.

AAARGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!’

‘What else did you take? What else have you got? Tell me the truth or I swear, I shall run you through with this knife!’

Bellatrix flicked her wand and increased the impact of the Cruciatus Curse Hermione twisted on the ground hears streaming down her face.

‘ARRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

In the background Ron could only just hear his own voice bellow ‘HERMIONEEEEEEEEEEEE!

‘What else did you take, what else? ANSWER ME CRUCIO!’

By now Mr Granger was openly crying as he watched his daughter writhe on the ground in pure unadulterated agony. Ron looked at the older man out of the corner of his eye and thought the moment of realisation was near.

‘How did you get into my vault?’ Bellatrix screeched ‘Did that dirty little Goblin in the cellar help you?’

‘We only met him tonight! Hermione sobbed. ‘We’ve never been inside your vault....it isn’t the real sword! It’s a copy, just a copy!’

‘A copy?’ Bellatrix screeched ‘Oh, a likely story!’

‘Come on Mr Granger I think we better leave’ Ron said to the sobbing man ‘you’ve seen what you need to’

Ron grasped Mr Granger’s arm and jumped the two men soared upwards arriving back in the lounge room stumbling backwards onto their bums. Mr Granger scrambled to his feet and headed straight for Hermione engulfing her in a crushing hug

‘I’m so sorry for thinking the worst of you Bunny’ he said his voice muffled ‘I had no idea’

‘And that’s what Hermione was protecting you from’ Ron said flopping back down in his chair ‘I’m sorry I had to show you that but that’s what we had to deal with, actually it’s only the tip of the iceberg we’ve had to deal with much worse than that. But trust me that’s only the beginning of what you and Mrs Granger would’ve copped had Voldemort and his Death Eaters found you’

‘I had no idea’ Mr Granger whispered releasing Hermione ‘Bunny I am so sorry!’

‘Aw that’s okay Dad’ Hermione said retreiving her memory from the coffee table/pensive and putting it back in her head ‘but what you saw is what Bellatrix did to our friend Neville’s parents he knows what the Cruciatus Curse is like he copped some of it at the end of fifth year’

‘What did you see?’ Mrs Granger asked somewhat fearfully.

‘Trust me Mrs Granger you don’t want to know’ Ron said transfiguring the table back ‘But it was enough to make Mr Granger realise why Hermione did what she did. I expect once we’ve gone he’ll explain it to you’

‘How can I explain something like that?’ Mr Granger wondered.

‘Just wing it’ Ron said.

‘What happened to that Bellatrix woman?’ Mr Granger asked wiping at his eyes.

‘My Mum killed her after she tried to kill my sister’ Ron said ‘spectacular stuff. I might actually show you that memory one day. All the people in that room died eventually except Greyback and the Malfoys’

‘So a lot of people died then in this war you magical people had’

‘Yes but the Dark side lost more than the light side’ Ron replied ‘anyone who killed or captured a Death Eater received a generous financial reward from the Ministry of Magic there was a ten million Galleon bounty on Voldemort’s head Harry got that of course and there was a five million Galleon bounty on Bellatrix LeStrange’s head. My mum got that. Everyone in my family got some sort of reward. Hermione has used part of her reward to pay for the trip out here to find you and Mrs Granger’

‘So where are you staying?’ Mrs Granger asked helping herself to the pot of coffee.

‘The Grand Central Plaza in Swanston Street’ Ron replied.

‘Wow that place is posh’ Mr Granger said in surprise.

‘Well as I said Sir we did receive a generaous reward from the Ministry’ Ron said ‘it’s allowed us to travel to find you and Mrs Granger and travel in relative comfort’

‘So did you fly here or do that apparating thing?’ Mrs Granger asked in interest.

‘No Ma’am we flew from London to Los Angeles then Los Angeles to Sydney’ Ron said ‘we then took another flight down here from Sydney. Neither Hermione and I have tried international apparition yet, apparition is difficult normally so trying it internationally isn’t a good idea if you’ve not tried it before and given the importance of this trip we felt it more sensible to fly’

‘So now that you’ve found us are you heading home?’ Mrs Granger asked her Daughter.

‘Not straight away’ Hermione said with a smile ‘we don’t have to be home for another two weeks yet, we’ll be here til at least Wednesday I have a dress being made that won’t be ready til then and Ron has some jewellery that’s being modified that won’t be picked up til then’

‘So you’ll be able to to com here for meals and tell us more about what you’ve been up to this past year?’

‘Well....if y-you want us to’ Hermione said hesitatingly.

‘Of course you’re my daughter Hermione I want to know what’s been happening with you, I know as non magic people your father and I can never fully understand how you live your life but we want to know as much as we can’

Hermione lit up like a Christmas tree.

‘I think I can do that’ she said.

‘Has anyone back home noticed we’ve been gone?’ Mr Granger asked.

‘That I can’t be sure’ Hermione said ‘but I don’t think so’

‘What about the practice?’ Mrs Granger asked in alarm.

‘The practice is fine’ Hermione said ‘I cast some spells to hide it from Muggle view, if and when you come home I’ll go and lift the spells so you can go back to it’

‘And the house?’

‘The house is in pristine condition’ Hermione said ‘I cast several protective spells on it so hide it and Ron helped me lift them just before we came to Australia. Ron’s parents, sister and Harry also helped me get it back into shape because once the protective spells grew the garden went mental. We spent one whole day cutting the grass, pruning the roses, cleaning the house and Mrs Weasley even went into town poud a load of groceries and spent the day cooking so when you get home you’ll have a larder fridge and dep freeze full of ready to eat meals. You’re not going to have to do any grocery shopping for about three months’

‘You did that for us?’ Mrs Granger said to Ron in a greatful tne ‘thankyou!’

‘It was no problem ma’am we were all happy to help you out’ Ron said ‘the grass might need cutting by the time you get home but apart from that everything is all set for your return’

‘You do want to come home don’t you?’ Hermione asked

‘Of course!’ Mr and Mrs Granger chorused.

‘Are you both still doing locum dental work?’ Ron asked.

‘Yes at the moment we’re working for a clinic in Frankston’ Mr Granger said ‘what are we going to do about that?’

‘You could still do it’ Ron said ‘just pretend you’re still Wendell and Monica Wilkins. If you want Hermione and I can help you along magically if you like’

‘No son you’ve done enough to help us’ Mr Granger said ‘we’re only scheduled to be there for another week anyway. Then I think it might be time for a holiday’

‘What do you have to be home so soon for?’ Mrs Granger asked Hermione ‘can’t you stay a bit longer?’

‘I’d love to Mum but Ron and I are prosecution witnesses for one of the Death Eater trials which starts in a fortnight' Hermione said ‘otherwise I would stay here longer. But Ron and I can stay for at least another week. We can chat loads in that time and even more so when you get home’

‘We have a lot to talk about don’t we?’ Mr Granger said.

‘Yeah Dad we do’

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Hours later, long after the sun went down and nearing midnight Hermione and Ron finally decided to leave.

‘We better be going Mum’ Hermione said ‘it drained a lot of our magical and physical emergy taking all the spells off you an Dad and we’ve both had it’ Hermione said reluctantly ‘we’ll be back tomorrow night though we need to tll you everything about the past year’

‘Are you going to apparate back to your hotel or do you want us to call a taxi?’ Mrs Granger asked hugging her daughter hard.

‘I think we’ll be okay to apparate Mum’ Hermione said returning the hug ‘see you tomorrow night at six then?

‘Til then sweetheart’

Ron and Hermione grasped each others hand and turned on the spot disappearing into the compressing darkness. They appaeard moments later in their hotel room bouncing off the bed and onto the floor.

‘Ooof’ Hermione grunted rolling onto her side ‘Maybe we shouldn’t have apparated’

‘At least we didn’t splinch ourselves’ Ron said getting to his feet with a grunt ‘ugh’

Hermione got to her feet and burst into the widest grin Ron had ever seen.
‘I can’t believe how well everything went!’ she exclaimed kicking off her shoes ‘I thought for a minute there Dad was ging to go ape’

‘I think he would’ve had you not given me that memory to show him’ Ron said ‘sorry about that but it needed to be done’

‘You know it was probably illegal don’t you?’ Hermione said in amusement.

‘Yeah probably but it isn’t until someone who can get me in trouble for it finds out’ Ron said with a laugh ‘I’ll keep quiet if you keep quiet’

‘Deal’ Hermione said ‘do you feel up to ringing the Burrow? I promised Harry I would ring everyone once we found Mum and Dad’

‘Sure you dial out I want to get into my jammies’

Hermione giggled.

‘What’s so funny?’ Ron asked with a grin.

‘Accio phone! You saying jammies’ Hermione said with a grin catching the phone ‘it sounds so cute, jammies jammies jammies’

‘Oh shut up’ Ron said dryly pulling off his suit jacket and banishing it to the wardrobe’

‘Everyone in my family calls pajamas jammies’ Ron said ‘though when she was little Ginny used to call them jim jams’

Hermione giggled. As she dialled the Burrow’s number then cast the Amplification and Levitation Charms on it. She and Ron had just changed itno their nightclothes when the line picked up and Mrs Weasley answered.

‘Hello Ron, Hermione?’ she said.

‘Hey Mum’ Ron said ‘before you say anything I need you to get everyone home around the phone can you get Harry, Ginny and everyone?’

‘Of course dear hold on’

There was a clunk and footsteps then silence.

‘Fifty galleons Ginny squeals when they all came to the phone’ Ron said.

‘Oh come on Ron I think Ginny has more self control than that’ Hermione said dryly wiggling her toes under the doona.

A scecond later a shrill squeal echoed over the line.

‘Ron, Hermione is that you?’ Ginny rushed.

‘No it’s Tweedledee and Tweedledum’ Hermione said dryly.

‘Who?’

‘It’s a Muggle movie reference, Alice in Wonderland’ Harry said ‘hey guys any news?’

‘Yes but wait til everyone’s around the table’ Hermone said ‘How’s Teddy?’

‘Oh great had his first shit explosion today’ Harry said ‘seriously the most revolting experience of my life. He covered everything in shit, most of it I Evanesco’d but there were somethings magic just couldn’t clean’

In the background Ginny had fallen about laughing.

‘And as you can tell Ginny was no help she just stood there laughing at me’ Harry said dryly ‘Percy and Mrs Weasley had to cast extra strength Vanishing Charms so the whole Burrow didn’t smell of baby poo’

‘Alright we’re all here’ Mrs Weasley said a moment later ‘Arthur and I, Harry, Ginny, Percy and Charlie’

‘Percy Nerdy Werdy’ Ron said with a laugh.

Ginny snorted gleefully.

‘Oh shut up’ Percy retorted.

‘Well everyone I have news’ Hermione said.

‘Dah dah dum dum daaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!’ Harry said.

‘Oh shut up Harry don’t be a git’ Hermione said dryly ‘last night after five solid days of searching Ron and I found Mum and Dad and today we sucessfully lifted all the memory modification spells on them!’

Everyone suddenly burst into loud yells, cheers and shrill whistles.

‘Congratulations!’ Percy said as Charlie, Harry and G....THEY FOUND THEM!'Ginny began cheering 'THEY FOUND THEM, THEY FOUND THEM‘how did you manage it?'

‘Well Hermione told me all the spells she cast upon her parents and last night we formed a plan to undo them one by one’ Ron said ‘I did her Dad and she did her Mum and it took us thirty minutes. It was draining as blazes too both of us are knackered’

‘How did your parents handle it dear?’ Mrs Weasley asked kindly as in the background Charlie, Harry and Ginny continued to cheer wildly ‘shut up you three....really!’

‘Well Dad was a bit pissed but Mum understood’ Hermione said ‘for eight hours Ron and I started to explain what has happened in the last twelve months and we’re going to their home tomorrow to finish telling them everything. When they come home I was wondering if I could bring them to the Burrow and you could let them know your side of the story? I want them to know everything that happened. Being muggles they’re detatched from my life so much and I want to help them feel included’

‘Of course dear, you must bring them to the Burrow when they return home’ Mrs Weasley said.

‘They are coming home aren’t they?’ Ginny asked.

‘Yeah eventually they’re not exactly sure when though’ Hermione said ‘they have to finish up the contract work they’re doing now and sell their house. Dad said after that they’ll return home. Mum and Dad want to thank you all for helping get their house back to it’s original start too. Mum especially wanted to thank you Mrs Weasley for all the cooking you did, when I told her you did so much she wouldn’t have to cook for three momths she said ‘thank God’’

‘As I’ve said Dear it was no problem’ Mrs Weasley said ‘I’m so glad things went smoothly for you, we’ve all been worried about you these past few days. Sounds like the only way is up now’

‘Fingers crossed yeah’ Hermione said ‘it’s going to be a long journey back to how things were but with the support of all of you I’m sure I’ll cope fine’

‘So did you get us any souvenirs?’ Harry asked with a snort.

‘Oh Harry really!’ Ginny exclaimed.

‘You’ll have to wait til we get home to see you nosey prat’ Ron said dryly ‘it’s rude to ask for presents you know’

‘Ah so you did get us something then!’ Harry joked.

‘Everyone else yes I might just give yours to a poor homeless bum’ Ron said.

‘Ha ha!’

‘So are you two shag bunnies going to go on a proper holiday before you come home?’ Charlie asked.

‘Oh shut up Charlie you idiot’ Ron said ‘have’t you got any action lately?’

‘Ah that would be for me to know and you to find out’ Charlie chuckled ‘seriously though do you think you’ll go on a holiday? Both of you deserve one I think’

‘Might do’ Ron said ‘depends how long we stay in Australia, we’ll definitely be home by the start of the Death Eaters trials though’ Ron said ‘we’re prosecution witnesses we have to be there. That’s two weeks away. Hermione and I thought we’d spend another week in Australia maybe holidaying with her parents then fly home. Hermione’s going to book our plane tickets the day after tomorrow once we’re sure they’re okay we’ll come home. You can all meet us at the airport when we arrive home if you like’

‘Oh I think you’ll find your welcoming home party will be rather large dear’ Mrs Weasley said ‘you’ll let us know when your plane is due to land won’t you?’

‘Of course’ Hermione said ‘the moment I’ve bought the plane tickets I’ll ring you with our arrival times. I’m going to try and get on a plane going via Singapore it’s the shortest route back to London’

‘Will you be arriving in the same part of Heathrow?’ Mr Weasley asked eagerly.

‘No it’ll be the opposite side of the airport Mr Weasley’ Hermione said ‘the arrivals lounge. If you catch a bus from where we caught one ot the departures lounge you’ll end up at the arrivals lounge’

‘I think we can manage that’ Giny said ‘though we might ave to arrive a couple of hours before you are due home because Dad’s going to get nosey and is going to want another in depth super duper technological tour of the arrivals lounge’

‘Oh don’t exaggerate!’ Mr Weasley exclaimed as all around him fell about laughing.

‘Don’t worry Mr Weasley I stand by my promise when Ron and I get home I will take you out on a Muggle day trip, including a tour of an airport if you like. There’s Stanstead and Gatwick airport in the South and John Lennon airport in Liverpool in the North I’ll take you to all three’

‘Oh that’ll be his wet dream’ Charlie said dryly.

‘Charles Phillip Weasley language!’ Mrs Weasley exclaimed as everyone snorted ‘disgusting child’

‘I’m just saying what everyone’s thinkin’ Mum’ Charlie said with a laugh ‘anyway Ron, Hermione I’ve gotta head out, I’m meting Bill at the Ministry for a Dementor Banishing mission you two stay tidy and I’ll see you two shag buckets when I you get home’

‘Yeah yeah Charlie whatever you git’ Ron said dryly ‘keep it in your pants now’

‘Never! Well only with Lottie anyway’ Charlie said with a laugh ‘later!’

There was a snapping sound down the line and Ron knew his brother had disapparated.

‘I can’t believe that boy is mine sometimes’ Mrs Weasley said half amused.

‘Ah he’s good fun Mum’ Ginny said ‘he could go on the comedy circuit with that sort of material’

Even Percy laughed at that.

‘Well everyone we better be going we’ve had a big day and it’s nearly one in the morning here’ Hermione said ‘just thought I’d touch base and let you know the latest news, I’ll ring through again if anything else happens’

‘Thank you for letting us know dear’ Mrs Weasley said ‘we’re all so happy for you’

‘Thanks Mrs Weasley we’ll ring through again soon’

‘Of course dear bye now!’

‘Bye’

Hermione flicked her wand and banished the phone handset to it’s cradle therefore ending the call.
‘I seriously cannot believe todays events’ she said snuggling up to Ron under the doona ‘all week I’ve been convinced it was all going to be a shit result and Mum and Dad were going to hate me for what I did, but they don’t seriously today was brilliant. Thanks for helping me’

‘No problem’ Ron said kissing his on the lips ‘I’d do it again but I think we should send Barbara at the Keilor East clinic a bunch of flowers when we get up tomorrow, what do you think? A big shitload of ‘em’

Hermione giggled.
‘Yeah I think a nice bunch would be nice’ she said ‘Gerberas they’re bright and colourful and last ages and they’re good to give someone if you’re thanking them for something’

‘First priority tomorrow we find a florist’ Ron said.

‘And another shop’ Hermione said with a giggle ‘it’s addictive you know, and let’s do something touristy a walking tour or something like that, I have a camera and I want to use it’

‘Okay second priority for tomorrow something touristy’ Ron said wiggling a finger in the air mimicing writing.

‘Oh don’t be an arse’ Hermione said with a giggle smacking him on the stomach.

‘But I do it so well!’ Ron said with a grin clutching at his stomach ‘ow that hurt’

‘Oh it did not don’t be such a girl’ Hermione said dryly.

‘I ought to spank you for that’ Ron said ‘but I know how much you like a palm upon your rump if your performance on the plane to Los Angeles is anything to go by’

‘Don’t start anything you can’t finish Ron we’re both too tired to make it worth it’ Hermione said snuggling up to him ‘maybe tomorrow we can start the day off with a bang’

‘If you wish to be so crude’

‘Oh shut up’

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A/N: There what did you think?