Finding Wendell and Monica....

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Early the following Friday Ron and Hermione checked out of their hotel and disapparated to Mr and Mrs Grangers house. Their stationwagon was in the driveway packed and ready to go when they arrived.

‘Mum Dad you here?’ Hermione called as she and Ron walked in the front door.

‘In the kitchen!’

Ron and Hermione walked down the hallway and into the kitchen where Mr and Mrs Granger were packing a bag of munchies.

‘Morning you two’ Mr Granger said cheerfully ‘ready to go?’

‘Yep I’m keen to get on the slopes’ Ron said rubbing his hands tgether ‘need any more help packing?’

‘No mate you’re alright’ Mr Granger said ‘all we need is packed in the car already’

‘How long will it take us to get where we’re going?’ Hermione asked picking a banana from the fruit bowl and peeling it.

‘About an hour and a half’ Mrs Granger said typing up the plastic bag ‘shall we go? The earlier we get going the sooner we’ll be able to get on the slopes’

‘We’re ski-ing today?’ Ron asked in surprise.

‘Sure that’s why we’re leaving at seven’ Mrs Granger said looking at her watch ‘we’ll be there by nine. After unpacking all out stuff we can be on the slopes by ten’

‘And you can get busy falling on your bum’ Hermione said with a grin patting Ron on the back.

‘Oh be nice’

‘Okay that’s it let’s hit the road’ Mr Granger said a moment later.

Mr and Mrs Granger led the way back outside to the car locking the house behind them. Mrs Granger paused by the drivers door then tossed Hermione the keys ‘I think you can drive sweetheat’ she said brightly ‘Ron you take the front passenger seat’

‘But I don’t know how to get where we’re going!’ Hermione exclaimed catching the keys deftly.

‘Don’t worry I’ll give you directions’ Mrs Granger said with a grin ‘go on, you said you wanted to give Ron the full Muggle experience let him see you drive a car’

Hermione grinned broadly.
‘Okay then!’ she said enthusiastically walking around the bonnet to the drivers door ‘hop in everyone!’

Hermione climbed into the drivers seat and ajusted it for her comfort. Ron climbed into the passenger seat with an apprehensive look upon his face.

‘Ron don’t worry I’ve been driving for a while’ she said ajusting the rearview mirrow ‘I’ve never had an accident yet, not even had a close call. Mum and Dad made me do a defensive driving course when I first got my licence’

‘You’re in good hands mate’ Mr Granger said thumping Ron confidently on the back.

‘I trust her’ Ron said putting on his seatbelt ‘just don’t speed’

‘I won’t do that’ Hermione said fastening her seatbelt ‘I drive much better than Ern on the Knight Bus if that’s any help’

‘I don’t think anyone could drive as badly as Ern’ Ron said dryly as Hermione started the engine and put the car into gear.

‘Okay drive to the end of the street and turn left’ Mrs Granger said as Hermione reversed out of the driveway and into Pegasus Way ‘then follow the signs ot the highway you can’t miss them’

‘Okay’

Hermione put the car into drive and accelerated forward.
‘We’ve got to have some driving music’ she said ‘what’s in the CD player Dad?’

‘Just an eighties compilation I think’

‘Brilliant the best decade of music ever!’ Hermione exclaimed leaning forward and pressing the play button ‘prepare to rock Ron you’ll never have heard anything like it. Celestina Warbeck has nothing on Bon Jovi and Belinda Carlisle’

‘Is Calistina Warbeck a magical singer?’ Mrs Granger asked.

‘Yeah she’s the magical equivalent of Barbara Streisand’ Hermione said making a face as ‘She Drives Me Crazy' began playing ‘Mrs Weasley loves her and plays one of her albums or turns the radio up every time one of her songs plays on the radio at Christmas’

‘And it drives everyone in the Weasley house nuts’ Ron says ‘everyone hates her music but hasn’t got the balls to tell Mum. Fleur my sister in law has come the closest to hexing the radio when a Celestina song comes on’

‘So what do young people in the wizarding world listen to?’ Mr Granger asked Ron in interest as Hermione waited for a break in the traffic.

‘Three bands primarily’ Ron replied ‘The Weird Sisters, The Hobgoblins and Girl Business a five member girl group Hermione tells me is like the Spice Girls. Out of the three the Weird Sisters are the most popular. They played at our fourth year Yule Ball and rumour has it they’re doing a New Years Eve Consert in Hogsmeade this year. Tickets to that will sell out in minutes the minute the rumour is confirmed. I’d love to go but I don’t like my chances of getting a ticket’

‘We could go and line up at the Diagon Alley Box office’ Hermione said taking the chance and driving onto the main road ‘I’d quite like to go we could go with all the Gryffindor group, you, me, Harry and Ginny, Seamus and Lavender, Dean and Pavarti and we could probably get Neville to bring Hannah along. And I think Luna and Terry might go if we get a group of us to go we’d be able to get a private box or a row of seats in the VIP row. I reckon a night out like that would do Harry good’

‘He doesn’t go out much?’ Mrs Granger asked curiously.

‘No after the Battle Hogsmeade was packed with reporters local and international and he was constantly hounded with Owls requesting an exclusive interview’ Hermione said looking in the rearview mirrow ‘he feels hounded and han’t been anywhere since the end of the Battle. He only gives Patronus Tutoring sessions in a disguise and won’t go out unless he has his invisibility cloak. And he’s only left the Burrrow to go to St Mungos and see his Mind Healer. Other than that he stays in the house’

‘It’s that bad for him?’

‘It’s that bad for all of us but everyone else is more willing to go out and run the gauntlet or put on a simple disguise to go out and do what we need to’ Hermione said ‘we’ve all started going to Neville’s house in Upper Flagley in northern Yorkshire. The grounds are monstrous and there’s loads of nooks and crannies to hide or be yourself. And his great Uncle has a Herbology business that we help out in once in a while. Neville’s been a great friend his house is everybody’s house really’

‘Yeah he’s taken the lead in organising and conducting Patronus Tutoring sesions’ Ron said ‘he was seriously injured in the Lockinge Valley riots and would still be recovering although he’s out of hospital now so he’s not actually doing any sessions at the moment but will start doing them again once he’s better’

‘He’s your friend who cut the head off that snake isn’t he?’ Mr Granger asked.

‘The very same’ Ron said ‘he’s been hounded by the press too but there are wards on his house so on unscrupulous reporters can get to him and I think now they’ve given up’

‘And they’ve not given up at the Burrow?’

‘Nah there’s a small group of Papparazzi camped outside the wards hoping to get a photo of Harry but they’re starting to give up the group was a dozen in size when we left England and when we rang Harry last night he said there were only three or four’

‘Can Law Enforcement be brought into it?’

‘Nah not really they’re not actually doing anything illegal’ Ron said ‘they’re not camping on private property and aren’t doing anything aggressive they’re just an annoying presence’

‘But the minute they try anything Mrs Weasley said she’s going to go out there and hex them and to hell with any punishment’ Hermione said with a laugh ‘and everyone knows she killed Bellatrix LeStrange so they’re a little scared of her’

‘Maybe that’s why we’ve never seen Rita Skeeter near the Burrow’ Ron said with a laugh ‘that woman would poo her pants if she saw Mum coming after her, she cracks it whenever Hermione threatens her and H is nowhere near as scary as Mum’

‘I don’t know if I should take that as a compliment or not’ Hermione said dryly turning on the indicator.

‘It’s neither just a statement of fact’ Ron said with a grin.

Hermione just rolled her eyes.

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An hour and a half later after getting a clean run up the highway the group arrived in Mount Buller.

‘Ah that was good belting up the highway like that’ Hermione said as they entered the main gates of the resort they were staying at ‘it’s been ages since I floored it like that’

‘I thought Ron was almost going to cack himself there when you first hit it’ Mr Granger said with a laugh ‘I thought only pigs squealed like that’

‘Oh ha ha very funny....not’ Ron said dryly ‘if I’d known it was going to happen I wouldn’t have squealed like that. It was sudden is all’

‘Mum and Dad knew I was going to do it’ Hermione said with a giggle ‘I gave them a wink in the rear vision mirror then hit the gas. If you were paying attention you would’ve noticed’

‘Hmmm’

‘Next time I’ll give you warning and you’ll enjoy it more’ Hermione said patting his leg.

Hermione pulled up in front of the main admin building and cut the engine.
‘Okay let’s go check in’ she said pulling the keys out of the ignition ‘then let’s hit the slopes!’

‘I might start callng you Snow Bunny now’ Ron said with a laugh as they got out of the car.

‘Sod off, you do that and you’ll be singing falsetto the rest of your life’ Hermione said wrapping a scarf around her neck ‘I assume you value your testicles?’ she added in a whisper.

‘Yeah I do but you seem to value them as much as I do’ Ron whispered back with a grin ‘what will you suck on next time we want to get frisky?’

‘A boiled lolly’ Hermione said ‘shut up I don’t want Mum and Dad to hear something like that I’d die if they heard us talk dirty’

‘Don’’t you think they’ve already guessed?’

‘Guessing and knowing are two very different things Ron’ Hermione hissed as they walked down the icy path. ‘I’d rather they guess’

Ron just snorted.

After checking in Ron and Hermione and Mr and Mrs Granger drove up to their chalet nearest the ski fields. Upon entering the luxury cabin Ron and Hermione drew their wands and immediately cast several warming charms.

‘That’ll do us til we put the heater on’ Hermione said shutting the door behind them.

‘This weather is weird’ Ron announced ‘it’s summer back home and thirty degrees warmer than it is here now’

‘You’ll get used to it’ Mrs Granger said cheerfully ‘your room is down the hall and to the left right next to the bathroom’

‘Right’

Ron and Hermione went down the hall and quickly found their bedroom a quaint room with a black and white theme going on.

‘Very black....and white’ Ron said dropping their bag on the end of the bed ‘but nice and comfy we ought to shag in comfort in that thing’

‘Ron I am not shagging into the same house as my parents!’ Hermione hissed going bright red.

‘Why not?’ Ron said with a grin flicking his wand at the suitcase so it unpacked himself ‘I shag in the same house as my parents. You might remember you’re usually the one I do it with’

Hermione couldn’t help but laugh at that.
‘Okay but we’re using all the protective and silencing charms known to wizardkind’ she said reaching for her ski pants ‘I will be forced to kill you if Mum and Dad bust us bonking’

‘Okay that’s something I’m willing to deal with’ Ron said with a grin.

Within minutes Ron and Hermione were rugged up and went back into the lounge room of the chalet where Mr and Mrs Granger were similarly dressed and going through their ski equipment.

‘Well Ron you look the part’ Mr Granger said casting an eye over Ron’s navy blue and white ski-suit ‘you’ll get a lot of use out of that suit’

‘Here’s hoping’

‘Okay Ron and I are going to head to the beginners slope and sign up for a lesson’ Hermione said ‘how about we meet in the resturant for lunch?’

‘Sounds good you two kids have fun’

Ron and Hemrione left the chalet and Hermione immediately pulled out her camera snapping a picture on Ron in his ski-suit.

‘Oy sod off what was that for?’ Ron exclaimed making a face.

‘I want a pictorial memory of this trip’ Hermione said with a grin ‘plus I want to prove to Harry you actually tried a muggle sport. And Ginny’s not going to believe me either unless I present her with photographic evidence’

‘Are these going to be muggle or magical photos?’

‘Both, I’ll print a muggle set for Mum and Dad and a wizarding set for everyone else back home’ Hermione said tucking the camera back in her ski-suit ‘I want to document all of the things we’re doing. That’s why I took two rolls of film when we went up to Sovereign Hill. Your Dad would be really into that sort of gold rush muggle history. And you yourself said Percy would even be interested’

‘Yeah he would, I’m just not big on having my picture taken’ Ron said ‘my head is huge’

‘Yeah it is but not the one on your shoulders’ Hermione said with a grin pinching his bum.

‘Oh you have a revolting sense of humour’ Ron said dryly ‘you filthy dirty degenerate’

‘Ha! Me with the dirty sense of humur as if!’ Hermione exclaimed as they rounded the corner ‘you’re full of it’

‘Yeah yeah you telling me that is water off a ducks back Bunny’ Ron said with a grin ‘I’ve had five brothers and a sister tell me that all my life’

‘Call me Bunny again and I will bury you in the snow’ Hermione said in mock anger ‘if we weren’t in a muggle area I would whip my wand out and hex you’

‘You can do that to me tonight when we’re behind closed doors’ Ron said with a grin giving her a squeeze and dropping a kiss on her forehead ‘you can even do it with my wand’

‘Really? I never pegged you as a sub Ron especially after that episode on the London L.A flight’ Hermione said.

‘I’ll do anything for you H you know that’ Ron said seriously slinging an arm around Hermione’s waist ‘I wasted enough time in the past not doing so and now I can I want to as much as I can’

‘Oh shut up you’re making me teary’ Hermione admonished leaning into him momentarily ‘we’ve got ages Ron you know that don't you? Ages’

‘Yeah ages’

Ron and Hermione walked down the icy path and up to the beginners slope. Hermione immediately pulled him over to the ski-hire hut that was staffed by a young blonde headed clerk in his late twenties wearing a hunter green ski suit.

‘Where do we sign up for beginners lessons?’ Hermione asked him ‘I already know how to ski but my boyfriend doesn’t’

‘Okie dokie just sign up here on this form’ the clerk said brightly picking up a clipboad with a form on it ‘there’s a lesson to go off in ten minutes. If you sign up now and wait here the instructor will gather all the signed up people here. There’s nothing for the ten o’clock lesson yet so you might be lucky to get what essentially is a private lesson’

‘Good’

And sure enough ten minutes later after Hermione and Ron signed up for the lesson an instructor in his mid thirties arrived to pick them up.

‘So you’re my only students?’ he said brightly holding out his hand to Ron ‘g’day I’m Eddie’

‘Ron’ Ron said shaking his hand ‘I’m the beginner Hermione my girlfriend here already knows how to ski’

‘Great so you’ll have two instructors’ Eddie said ‘follow me and we’ll get started. You’ll be zooming down the black run in no time’

‘Is that the beginners slope?’

‘Na mate that’s the slope for experienced ski-iers’ Eddie said cheerfully ‘I give lessons on it twice a week. But I’m doing beginners today’

‘I doubt I’ll be going down the beginners slope any time soon’ Ron said ‘I’ve never been ski-ing in my life’

‘Ah I wouldn’t be so sure I teach little kids that have never ski-d in their lives either and they’re belting down the beginers slope inside two hours’ Eddie said ‘you might even get to skii-ing on the beginners slope quicker than the usual person because you have your girlfriends help. Most people in a group are all beginners so all progress at the same rate. Being paired with an experienced ski-ier will help you’

‘But you’re still going to fall flat on your bum’ Hermione said with a giggle as they walked up a short icy path.

‘Oh yeah that’s a given’ Eddie said ‘every beginner falls over at least half a dozen times in their first lesson and again that many times their first time down the slopes’

‘Oh that’s a great comfort’

Moments later they arrived to a large roped off undulating area set aside for beginners.

‘Okie dokie skis on’ Eddie said brightly ‘then the fun begins’

With Hermione’s help Ron put on his ski’s and immediately wobbled on the spot.

‘Fuck!’ he cussed jamming his ski poles into the snow ‘how could you not fall over on these damn things?’

‘Well part of this lesson will involve me getting you to fall over deliberately’ Eddie said.

‘What for?’ Ron yelped.

‘So later on when you’re on the slopes and you know you’re going down you can fall correctly and avoid injury. Snow may look soft and fluffy but really it’s not and at speed it hurts’

‘Oh that’s a great comfort’

For the next forty five minutes Eddie and Hermione coached Ron on basic ski-ing techniques that enabed him to confidently make his way around the beginners lesson area only falling half a dozen times in total.

‘So how do you feel about venturing onto the slope?’ Eddie asked as Ron skidded to a stop.

‘Well I’ve got to do it eventually it’s now or never’ Ron said let’s go!’

‘Hermione and I will ski either side of you to help you out if you get in trouble’ Eddie said as they started towards the top of the slope ‘if you’re going to fall you’re going to fall there’s nothing you can do about it just roll into it got it?’

‘Got it’

Ron, Hermione and Eddie slowly made their way to the top of the slope where dozens of other beginners were sliding about trying out their limits.

‘Okay here we go’ Eddie said ‘when you’re ready push off with your poles and remember it’s side to side, side to side and triangle the tips of your skis to stop got it?’

‘Yep’

Cautiously Ron pushed off and began sliding forward he slid right to left then right to left picking up quite a bit of speed Eddie and Hermione going alongside him before the tip of his left ski clipped a clod of snow and he fell forward headfirst into the snow, one of his skis caught Hermione’s and she fell on top of him one of her ski’s just missing his right ear.

‘Ah fuck!’ Ron cussed ‘OW!’

‘Oh I’m sorry!’ Hermione apologised rolling off him ‘you okay?’

‘I’ll live’ Ron grunted rubbing the snow off his face.

‘You did quite well for your first time’ Eddie said brightly bending down and holding a hand out to him ‘you can call yourself a skiier now’

‘I don’t feel like one’ Ron said dryly taking his hand and awkwardly getting to his feet.

‘Well you are keep doing that for the rest of the time you’re here and you’ll be belting down the hill in no time’ Eddie said turning to Hermione ‘you right luv?’

‘Yeah I’m fine’ Hermione said getting to her feet and putting her left ski back on ‘I’ve taken worse falls and dealt with worse than that before’

‘The snow is hard isn’t it?’ Eddie said with a grin as Ron swept snow off his knees and chest.

‘Not bloody kidding, it’s like ice, I had a bad stack ice skating on the pond at home when I was ten and it felt exactly like that just did’ Ron said making a face ‘though on that occasion I slid right across the ice and into the bulrushes’

‘That won’t happen here the worst that’ll happen is that you’ll collect another skiier and slide to the bottom of the slope’ Eddie said with a grin.

‘Gee you instructors do a lot for a blokes confidence don’t you?’ Ron said dryly ‘thanks loads pal’

Eddie laughed.
‘C’mon it’s like riding a horse’ he said brightly ‘if you fall off you have to get back on, here if you fall on your arse you get right back up and slide back down’

‘Easy for you to say have you ever fallen off a horse?’

‘Oh all the time, in the off season I ride trackwork at Caulfield Racecourse’ Eddie said ‘I fall off all the time especially when the two year olds come into work c’mon it’s slidey slide time’

Hermione burst into a fit of giggles and Ron made a face.
‘What’s so funny?’ he demended putting his hands on his hips his ski poles sticking out comically.

‘Hold that pose’ she said pulling out her camera.

‘HERMIONE!’

Hermione snapped a picture of Ron with a grin.
‘There that ought to be enough to convince Ginny you actually went skiing’ she said with a giggle.

‘I can take a picture of you two at the bottom of the slope when we get there if you like’ Eddie offered as Ron poked his tongue out at her.

‘Oh would you?’ Hermione said greatfully tucking her camera away.

‘Yeah no worries, I’m not just a ski instructor you know I double as a tourist photographer’

‘Ha ha’

‘Okay let’s keep going’ Eddie said ‘it’s slope etiquette not to stay in one place unless you’re unjured and can’t move, ready to start again Ron?’

‘Yeah let’s get back on the horse’

‘That’s the spirit’

Ron made it safely to the bottom of the slope with only one more minor fall. When he slid to an awkward stop at the bottom of the slope Eddie applauded him.

‘There you go you’ve lost your snow skiing virginity’ he said with a broad grin holding out a gloved hand ‘congratulations’

‘Er thanks I think’ Ron said shaking the instructors hand ‘I don’t think it’ll be the first time I’ll go arse over tit today though’

‘Nah of course it won’t be but you now have the tools to improve your skill and technique’ Eddie said ‘with Hermione’s help you’ll make it down the slope without falling by the end of your stay here’

‘I highly doubt that’

‘You say that because you’re inexperinced and it seems all you’ve done is fall on your butt, but trust me you’ve come a long way. I wouldn’t bullshit you on this’

‘Yeah so let’s catch the lift back up there’ Hermione said enthusiastically ‘c’mon Ron more slidey slidey time’

‘That’s the spirit!’ Eddie exclaimed but I do have to leave you here though I’m due back at the hut for the next lesson, feel free to ask for tips if you see me free though won’t you?’

‘Yeah no problem’ Ron said ‘thanks for your help’

Eddie ski-ed off and caught the lift chair back up to the top of the slope and Hermione turned to Ron.
‘Well what did you think?’ she said ‘did you have fun?’

‘I did actually’ Ron said as they slid toward the chair lift ‘so much so I want to do it again’

‘Great stuff, maybe now we’ve got the time we can start going skiing of a Winter’ Hermione said ‘we can go to France or Canada in the northern hemisphere Winter and here or New Zealand for the southern hemisphere winter. Apparently New Zealand has some great ski fields’

‘I don’t care as long as I’m with you’ Ron said with a cheesy grin as they waited for a spare lift.

‘Suckhole’

For the rest of the morning Ron and Hermione spend sliding down the beginners slope and taking the lift back up to the top. Ron fell dozens of times and by the time he and Hermione trudged into the resort resturant at twelve thirty he was shuffling like an old arthritic man.

‘Merlins saggy undies I’m sore all over!’ he groaned as they threaded their way through the tables and chairs ‘I think my arse is permanently bruised and I reckon the last time I went arse up I knackerd myself’

‘Well if you have I’ll rub them better’ Hermione said with a laugh ‘ah there’s Mum and Dad’

They found Hermione’s parents on the far side of the resurant at the table closest to the fireplace.

‘You’re walking like an arthritic old man’ MrGranger said a wry smile on his face.

‘I feel like an arthritic old man’ Ron said sitting down carefully ‘I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve stacked it’

‘Have you managed to go down the beginners slope without falling though?’

‘Oh yeah a couple of times’ Ron said ‘not cleanly though’

‘But you’ve done it, it’ll get easier when you go out after lunch’

‘I’m so sore I’m not sure I will go out after lunch’ Ron said making a face ‘I’m so sore I’m not kidding you’

‘You may be sore now but you’ll be worse tomorrow morning’ Mrs Granger said ‘overnight your muscles will settle so when you get out on the slopes again you’ll be stiff as blazes’

‘Oh what a comfort’ Ron said sarcastically reaching for the menu.

‘But if you have a hot bath tonight and put on some muscle cream you’ll be fine’ Hermione said ‘and it might pay to do some stretching before we go out tomorrow too. If you warm up you won’t get as sore’

‘True that’ Mr Granger said 'but have you had fun?’

‘Despite the fact my body feels like it’s gone through a garbage compactor sure’ Ron said with a grin ‘it was fun learning something new though and I definitely want to do it again’

‘Maybe you can convince your friends and family back home to try it during the next Northern Hemisphere Winter’ Mr Granger suggested ‘if you got enough people together you could rent a whole chalet’

‘Mr Weasley would be keen to try it I can tell you right now’ Hermione said as a waiter approached their table.

‘Keen is an understatement’ Ron said dryly.

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Later that day Ron and Hermione met Mr and Mrs Granger back at their chalet. Ron was shuffling even worse now every single muscle and bit of sinew in his body protesting.

‘Gee a hot spa is looking good’ he announced flopping down on the lounge.

‘So did you two kids have fun today?’ Mr Granger asked as Hermione sat down next to Ron.

‘Loads’ Hermione said happily ‘Ron and I signed up for a Skidoo trail ride tomorrow morning apparently there are some good trails around here. Then we’re going to take a snowboarding lesson, and if there’s enough time we’ll go up and down the beginners slope again’

‘Well we’ve got some news’ Mrs Granger said.

‘Oooh do tell’ Hermione said eagerly.

‘Well this past week your father and I went to an estate agent and discussed leasing out the house’ Mrs Granger said ‘we don’t really want to sell it so we’ve decided to lease it out. We’ve signed the papers and all we have to do now is pack up all our things and buy a plane ticket home’

‘Really? Hermione screeched leaping to her feet and engulfing her mother in a crushing hug ‘you’re coming home really coming home?’

‘Yup we are’ Mr Granger said hugging his daughter ‘as soon as possible I thought on Monday we could all go to a travel agents and get our plane tickets together maybe we can get on the same flight home’

‘Oh this is brilliant!’ Hermione squealed doing a happy dance ‘seriously this is the best news really it is! Whoo hoo!’

‘Whoo hoo?’ Ron said in amusement ‘you’ve never said whoo hoo in your life, well in the whole time I’ve known you anyway’

‘I’ve never had reason to’ Hermione said with a grin that would’ve put the Cheshire Cat to shame.

‘Would you like some help packing up your things?’ Ron asked ‘Hermione and I can shrink all your belongings down to fit in a few suitcases if you like. We can even do the same with your car’

‘You can shrink a car?’ Mr Granger exclaimed in surprise.

‘Sure we can shrink anything. Depending on the item being altered it can be done in one spell. Though on something as large as a car it might take half a dozen shrinking spells. I can even conjure a box to put the car in so that if any of the customs officers inspect your check in and carry on luggage it will look like nothing more than a toy car. You can keep it once you get back to the U.K or sell it whatever’s good for you’

‘Gee I’m thankful Elizabeth and I have you two’ Mr Granger said ‘you can make the moving experience so much easier for us’

‘We wouldn’t do it for everyone Dad’ Hermione said with a giggle.

‘So how long will it take to pack up the house with you two helping?’ Mrs Granger asked.

‘A couple of hours at the most’ Ron said ‘Hermione and I can start upstairs and you and John can start downstairs. Then when we’ve finished upstairs we can come downstairs and shrink what you’ve done. We can have it all in a few suitcases in half a day. You’ll be home by the end of the week’

‘That quick?’

‘That quick’ Ron said ‘of course you could be home in two days if we were to go really quick but I expect you’ll want to take time’

‘Yes a bit longer than two days’ Mrs Granger said ‘by the end of the week sounds good’

‘I have to ring the Burrow and tell them this brilliant news! Hermione exclaimed.

‘We’ll ring them after dinner’ Ron said ‘right now they’d be at breakfast. If we wait til it’s lunchtime more people will be there everyone goes back to the Burrow for lunch’

‘I suppose that’ll give us time to have our own dinner’ Hermione said ‘I’ve worked up an appetite ski-ing today’

‘Yeah so have I’ Ron said ‘in fact I could murder a steak right now’

‘You murdered a steak at lunchtime’ Hermione said in amusement ‘actually it was more like a side of beef’

‘Oh shut up’ Ron said ‘you didn’t exactly eat like a pixie’

‘Gawd I have never met anyone who bickers and snips and teases each other like you two do!’ Mrs Granger exclaimed in exasperation ‘can’t you two just get along?’

‘But Mum we do’ Hermione said earnestly putting her head on Ron’s shoulders ‘Mr and Mrs Weasley said exactly the same thing as well but Mr Weasley also said he can see we’re meant to be together. And it’s not literal malicious sniping we’re not that bad, when we’re not together during the day we tell each other how much we’ve missed each other at night’

‘Oh nauseating’ Mr Granger joked sticking his finger in his mouth jokingly ‘really Hermione your mother and I didn’t bring you up to be so....sickly sweet’

‘Shut up Dad’

‘I think it’s sweet’ Mrs Granger said with a smile ‘young love remember the days dear?’

‘Oh yeah back in my University frat boy days’ Mr Granger joked ‘sex drugs and rock ‘n’ roll Gee I miss those days’

Mrs Granger slapped her husband playfully on the shoulder.
‘Ha ha’ she said ‘on that note I think we should head down to the resturant for dinner’

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After a long hot spa bath together Ron and Hermione retired to bed sortly before midnight.

‘Fuck I’m sore’ Ron groaned flopping back ont the pillows.

‘I’m usually the one that says that’ Hermione said with a giggle pulling the mobile phone out of her handbag.

‘Ha ha’ Ron said dryly rolling his eyes ‘I’m not up to anything vigourous tonight literally every bit of me is sore’

Hermione levitated the phone then reached under the doona aand squeezed his cock.
‘Is that sore?’ she said with a lascivious grin rubbing his length up and down.

‘No but do you want to start something you can’t finish?’ Ron said huskily ‘we haven’t rung home yet and I don’t want to talk to my family in post orgasmig bliss. Harry and Ginny would know straight away and would never let me hear the end of it’

‘Rats’ Hermione said making a face ‘what a way to put a dampner on things Ron’

‘It won’t be a dampner afterwars though’ Ron said with a chuckle putting his arms under his head ‘well not unless you slobber on my cock’

‘Oh Ron don’t be so crass’ Hermione scolded as she grabbed the phone and began dialling the Burrow ‘you innapropriate git’

‘Aw but you love me’

‘Yeah I do’

When the phone started ringing Hermione levitated it and cast an amplification charm on it.

‘Good afternoon this is the British Ministry of Magic Pest Advisory Beaurau what is your pest problem?’ Harry answered.

‘You’re my pest problem Harry you big git’ Hermione said with a giggle.

‘Hey mate how are ya?’ Ron called.

Harry laughed heartily.
‘Yeah good you two’ he said ‘how’s things there?’

‘Briliant I went skiing with Ron today’ Hermione said.

‘Holy fuck Ron you actually tried skiiing?’ Harry exclaimed in disbelief ‘jeez only five years ago you said it was pointless and you didn’t see much point in trying it’

‘Yeah well I’ve matured haven’t I?’ Ron said ‘it was loads of fun Harry, Hermione reckons we ought to get te old gang togeher this Winter and go skiiing somewhere in Europe or Canada we could hire a full chalet’

‘I’ll put the word out see how many people would go for it’ Harry said ‘I’d give it a try, reckon Seamus and Dean would too seeing as they had mainly muggle upbringing’

‘I might be good to go as a family group too’ Ron said ‘Dad would go for it straight away’

‘Dad would go for what staraight away? Came Mr Weasley’s voice.

‘Snow skiiing’ Ron said ‘I went skiing with Hermione and her parents today?’

‘You did? I’ve heard all about skiing sounds marvellous fun’

‘Yeah it is’ Ron said ‘Mr and Mrs Granger suggested I bring you and Mum and the rest of the family along on a trip one day Canada apparently has the best skiing in the world according to Mr and Mrs Granger’

‘I’ll add it to my to do list’

‘How many people are at home?’ Ron asked ‘we’ve got a bit of news’

‘Ginny, George of course, your Mum and Percy’ Harry said ‘Hang on I’ll get them....Expecto Patronum Ron and Hermione are on the line!’

‘Harry James Potter you lazy lazy arse!” Hermione exclaimed ‘you cast a speaking Patronus just to get Mrs Weasley, Ginny and Percy to come to the phone? Why didn’t you get off you bum and get them?’

‘Because I can’t be arsed’ Harry joked ‘plus I have this huge plate of sandwiches in front of me for lunch and I wanted to get started on them. If I were to get up and go upstairs to get Ginny and Percy then outside to get Mrs Weasley it would take time away from my precious lunchie poos’

‘God you sound like Ron’ Hermione said dryly ‘have you stepped into the role of resident industrial garbage disposal unit in Ron’s absence?’

‘Sounds like it’ Ron said at the same time as Harry said ‘oh shut up’

‘I hope you’re contibuting to the grocery bill Harry’ Hermione joked ‘sounds like there’s nothing left in the larder’

‘Oh there’s loads in the larder’ Harry said in a tone indicating he had bitten into a sandwich ‘I did a big shop in town yesterday. We have chips, lollies, dip, bread, Nutella, Milo and shitloads of chocolate’

‘Foods for a well balanced diet’ Hermione said dryly as in the background the sound of the back door opening and closing and someone coming down the staris could be heard.

‘Harry you’re a lazy bum!” Ginny exclaimed ‘Hey guys how’s Australia?’

‘Cold at the moment’ Ron said ‘Hermione and I are in the snowfields at the moment we went skiing today’

‘You went skiing?’ Ginny said in surprise.

‘Yeah I know I was surprised too’ Harry said ‘you got any pictures of this strange phenomenon H?’

‘Yeah loads’ Hermone said with a giggle as in the background Percy said ‘is that Ron and Hermione?’

‘No it’s Babbity Rabbity’ Ginny said dryly.

‘We’ve got loads of stuff to bring home to document this trip’ Hermione said ‘photos souvenirs the lot we’re the stereotypical tourists now’

‘So what fantastic muggle experience are you getting my brother to do tomorrow?’ Ginny asked in amusement.

‘We’re going skidoo riding’ Hermione said ‘Skidoos are like a motorcyle that runs on snow....sort of. It’s an hour long ride then we’re having a snowboarding lesson and in the afternoon we’re going to try some more slope skiing’

‘You’re going to kill him Hermione’ Harry said with a laugh ‘mate you must be aching something chronic’

‘You could say that’ Ron said ‘I’m in agony seriously there isn’t one bit or me that doesn’t hurt I spent more time on my arse than my feet today’

Harry and Ginny sniggered

‘But we have some news’ Hermione said.

‘Dum de dum dum daaaaaaaaaah!’ Harry said.

‘Ron and I will be home by the end of the week!’ Hermione announced.

Everyone back at the Burrow burst into whoops and cheers even Percy could be heard saying ‘Excellent!’

‘I have even better news’ Hermione went on.

‘Oh any more and I might just faint’ Harry said jokingly ‘faint dead away’

‘Shut up Harry’ came the collective reply.

‘So what’s this even better news dear?’ Mrs Weasley asked.

‘Mum and Dad are coming with us’ Hermione said in almost a squeal.

‘Seriously?’ Harry said ‘no kidding?’

‘No kidding’ Ron said ‘On Monday we’re going to help them pack up the house then go and buy our plane tickets together. We’ll definitely be home by Friday though at this stage Wednesday is going to be the day’

‘Oh that’s great this place just hasn’t been the same without you two’ Ginny said ‘everyone’s missed you’

‘Yes we’re not used to the Burrow being this quiet’ Mr Weasley said dryly ‘it’s eerie not hearing you thump up and down the stairs’

‘I don’t thump up and down the stairs!’ Hermione said.

‘I wasn’t talking about you dear I meant my youngest son’ Mr Weasley said with a chuckle ‘I think a rampaging Hippogriff would make less noise’

‘Sure it would Dad sure it would’ Ron said rolling his eyes.

‘Well there’s a bit of news this end too’ Harry said ‘Neville got out of St Mungos today’

‘Really? About time’ Ron said ‘how is he?’

‘Well that we don’t know for sure’ Harry said ‘I got a owl about three hours ago from Enid his Great Aunt and she said he headed straight for Hannah’s in Wolverhampton. God knows how long he’ll be there. When Gin and I went to St Mungos to visit him we walked in on him and Hannah snogging so hard I thought they were about to start shagging’

‘Aw that’s lovely!’ Hermione exclaimed ‘they’re such a lovely couple you know’

‘East for you to say you didn’t walk in on them eating each others tonsils’ Harry said ‘saliva city’

‘Sounds like you and Ginny’ Hermione said with a giggle as Ron started making kissing noises.

‘Shut up’ came the collective reply.

‘Well we’re going to hang up it’s after midnight here’ Hermione said ‘take care all of you and we’ll be in touch again when we’ve got our plane tickets home’

‘You look after yourself and hurry home’ Mrs Weasley said ‘we miss you both!’

‘Thanks Mum see you soon’ Ron said ‘bye!’

‘Bye now’

Hermione hung up then returned the mobile phone to her handbag.

‘We’re in the homestretch H’ Ron said as she snuggled into him ‘just think in four days we’ll be back home and life will go on’

‘Yeah I can’t wait to get home’ Hemrione said ‘for the most part I’ve loved our time here but I need to get home. I miss the Burrow I miss all our friends you know’

‘I know exaclty’
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A/N: I had extraordinary fun writing this chapter even though I wrote it weeks and weeks ago I giggled in all the same spots as I proof read it tonight. Hope you all liked it and of course please review!