Finding Wendell and Monica....

AN1: This is the final chapter thanks to you all who went to the effort of reviewing each one has meant a lot to me. If you have any other suggestions/ideas for me please refer to the AN2 at the end of this fic!

Read on!

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After an exhausting weekend in Mount Buller with Mr and Mrs Granger Ron and Hermione returned to the Caulfield North house. Monday dawned early and the four of them drove into Melbourne to get their plane tickets home.

‘Mum, Dad I want you to let me do something for you both’ Hermione said as they walked down Collins Street.

‘What’s that buy us lunch? Sure go ahead’ Mr Granger joked.

‘No let me buy your airfare home’ Hermione said as they waited at a pedestrian crossing ‘you can buy lunch’

‘Sweetheart we can’t let you go to that expense!’ Mrs Granger exclaimed ‘you’ve got to save you money invest it in some real estate don’t waste it on your father and I we can get our own fares home’

‘Mum I hardly took out any money to fund this trip Ron’s helping’ Hermione said ‘please let me do this I want to do something nice for you both I still feel a little bit guilty about what I did to you’

‘You shouldn’t’ Mr and Mrs Granger and Ron said emphatically.

‘Please Mum let me do this’ Hermione said.

‘Well I suppose in return for your generosity your mother and I can buy you lunch’ Mr Granger said cheerfully ‘will a ham and cheese toastie be good for you?’

‘Ha ha Dad I’m putting us all in the pointy end of the plane I at least want a filet mignon’

‘You’re buying first class tickets?’ Mrs Granger exclaimed incredulously ‘Hermione that will cost thousands of dollars!’

‘Yeah well I have thousands of dollars’ Hermione said as they made their way to the other side of the road ‘Mum don’t worry I’ve already put my money in some investments. I’ve put some money in a wizarding and muggle term deposit account and I’ve invested in the potions market’

‘Is the potions market a good investment?’ Mr Granger asked in a mix of amusement and curiosity.

‘At the moment is everyone in Dumbledore’s Army have invested in it. Our agent is going to leave it six months then let slip that we’ve invested in it. He figures once word gets out people like Harry have invested in Potions the shares will go up and that’s when we’ll sell’

‘Yeah we bought shares at a Galleon each we’re hoping they’ll go up to twenty’ Ron said ‘no one’s really fussed though even if we get a Galleon and a knut it’ll be a decent return’

‘You’re in a very sensible group of people’ Mrs Granger said ‘and you’re only eighteen you’re too young to be so sensible. I’ve certainly never met amyone your age who is so sensible with money. I know when I was your age money usually went on clubbing’

‘You pissed you money up against a wall?’ Ron said in amusement.

‘Well not quite but I did have a rather socially active youth’ Mrs Granger said reminiscently ‘especially after exams’

‘Oh yeah especially after exams’ Mr Granger echoed ‘after final exams it was the party to end all parties though by then Bunny you were two years old by then and we couldn’t make it a whole weekend party like we would’ve before you were born’

‘Sounds like you two are the original party animals’ Ron said with a laugh ‘I reckon Hermione has inherited those genes’

‘Oh Ron dooon’t!’ Hermione groaned.

‘Why what did she get up to?’ Mr Granger asked with a grin.

‘Well immediatley after the Battle of Hogwarts Hermione was the one that organised the many drinking games in Gryffindor House and I believe she was the one that dared Seamus and Dean to go on their naked rollerskating rampage through the halls’

‘You didn’t!?’ Mrs Granger exclaimed in amused disbeleif as her husband roared with laughter.

‘Yeah I did’ Hermione mumbled going a bright red ‘well I was horribly drunk and felt like letting down my hair a bit’

‘Y-you certianly did that’ Ron said with a laugh pulling her close and kissing the top of her head ‘mind you everyone let their hair down that day’

‘You must’ve had a hangover that would’ve killed a bull elephant’ Mr Granger said.

‘Yes and no’ Ron said ‘in the wizarding world there’s a potion called a Hangover Draught if you take it before you go to sleep it lessens or totally takes away the effects of excessive drinking. Almost as much Hangover Draught as alcohol was consumed’

‘If that was marketed to the muggle world it was make millions of pounds’ Mr Granger said ‘pity about that statute of secrecy you lot go by’

‘Yeah but there are rules we have to go by’ Hermione said ‘if we let the Hangover Draught onto the Muggle market we’d have to let everything onto the market where would you stop?’

Minutes later the four of them walked into a travel agents office Hermione immediately headed for the one consultant that wasn’t serving any customers.

‘Good morning luv can I help you?’ he asked.

‘Yes I would like to buy four first class tickets from Melbourne to London’ Hermione said ‘one way preferably on the one airline’

The consultant lit up.

‘Of course of course!’ he enthused ‘please take a seat, when are you looking to travel?’

‘Tomorrow night’ Hermione said sitting on the stood behind the counter ‘if possible’

‘Okie dokie what airline are you looking to travel with?’

‘We’re not fussed’ Hermione said as long as it gets us home quickly and with as little layovers as possible’

‘Righto I might have to get you on more than one airline though’ the consultant said tapping away at his computer ‘we only had one direct flight from Melbourne to London but there’s only one first class seat left. Would you be alright with going via Hong Kong or Kuala Lumpur?’

‘Yes’

‘Alrighty!’

‘That’s another thing shitloads of people say in this country’ Ron whispered in Hermione’s ear ‘no worries and alrighty’

‘We haven’t come across anyone who’s said those two phrases in the one sentence yet though’ Hermione said with a grin.

‘I’m betting by the time we leave tomorrow night we’ll have come across someone’ Ron said dryly.

‘Okay I’ve managed to find you four first class seats back to London’ the consultant said brightly a few minutes later ‘you’ll be travelling from Melbourne to Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific then Virgin Atlantic from Hong Kong to London there will be a five hour layover in Hong Kong I’m afraid though. No other airline has the required amount of first class seats unless you want to stop over in Lon Angeles and Helsinki’

‘No way I’m not doing three stopovers’ Ron said ‘I can cop one five hour stopover but not three’

‘That leaves us plenty of time to check in our luggage once we get to Hong Kong though’ Mr Granger said ‘and I’ve been to Hong Kong airport before there’s plenty to do on a five hour stopover’

‘So would you like me to book you all in?’ the consultant asked.

‘Yes!’ came the collective reply.

‘Okay I’ll need to take your details one by one’ the consultant said ‘if we could start with you ma’am’

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I cannot believe you just spent sixty three thousand dollars on plane tickets’ Mr Granger said in disbelief fifteen minutes later as they left the travel agents ‘I don’t think I’ve spent that much on plane tickets in my entire professional life’

‘Call it a treat from Ron and I we went halves in it’ Hermione said ‘it’s great flying first class’

‘You flew first class on your way here?’ Mrs Granger asked in surprise.

‘As far as Sydney we did’ Hermione replied ‘after that we had to fly economy because you can’t fly first class domestically and we couldn’t get business class tickets to Melbourne’

‘According to our tickets we’re going to get back to London at ten PM’ Ron said looking through his itenerary ‘I might go to Cauldron Court before we leave tomorrow and get some Sleeping Draught if we take one going out of Hong Kong we won’t be so jet-lagged when we get home’

‘You’ll get us this Sleeping Draught too?’ Mr Granger said in surprise ‘can we take it safely?’

‘Sure you can, don’t worry it’s totally safe’ Ron assured the older man ‘it’s a natural organic combination of sedatives. It won’t totally knock you out it’ll just make you a bit dopey. Hermione and I took some on out flight from L.A to Melbourne and it helped us get over the jetlag quicker’

‘Oh okay then if it’s safe go ahead and get us a dose’ Mr Granger said amiably ‘now how about lunch?

They found a small Chinese eatery in the next street over and took a table in the back corner of the resturant.

‘I think we should ring the Burrow and let them know we’ll be home on Wednesday’ Hermione said hanging her handbag on the back of her chair.

‘What now?’ Ron said ‘why? It’s three o’clock in the morning there!’

‘Harry won’t mind’ Hermione said ‘he’s the one that takes the phone upstairs at night if we wake up anyone it’ll only be him and Ginny’

‘Go on then’

Hermione pulled the mobile phone out of her handbag and immediately dialled the Burrow. She then cast an invisible silencing bubble arund their table and an amplification charm on the phone.

‘A hundred Galleons we get a smart alec greeting’ Ron said.

‘Do you normally?’ Mr Granger asked.

‘Yeah the last couple of days we have’ Ron said ‘it’s all good fun though when we rang the Burrow on Friday night after our spa Harry answered with ‘Good afternoon this is the British Ministry of Magic Pest Advisory Beaurau what is your pest problem?’

‘Good bloody morning this is the British Ministry of fucking Magic due to the retarded hours of your call all departments are closed therefore you have been transferred to the answering service. You can leave a message after the beep and someone will return your call at a less retarded hour’ Harry answered in a heavily sleep addled voice ‘fucks sake Hermione it’s half three in the morning!’

‘Hello to you too Harry’ Hermione said with a giggle ‘I woke you up then?’

‘Oh no of course not I’ve been lying awake for hours passing the time reading my old Divination textbook just waiting for your c-call’ Harry said mid-yawn ‘how are ya?’

‘Great’ Hermione said ‘Mum, Dad, Ron and I are about to sit down to lunch. We’ve just come from buying our plane tickets home’

‘That comment seemd to wake Harry up.
‘You have?’ he exclaimed sleepily ‘so quick?’

‘Yeah we’ll be home Wednesday night’ Hrmione said ‘get a quill and I’ll tell you the details’

‘Uh okay hang on a sec’ Harry grunted.

There was a loud thunk which woke Ginny up.

‘Harry what’s up?’ she mumbled clealy unaware Hermione was on the line.

‘Hermione’s on the phone’ came Harry’s voice significantly quieter than it had been a minute before ‘talk to her will ya? I’m trying to find a damn quill’

There was another scrambling noise and a moment later Ginny came on the line.

‘Hermione? Ron you there?’ she said eagerly.

‘Yeah we are how come you didn’t wake up straight away?’ Ron said ‘every time we’ve rung at this hour you’ve woken up at the same time as Harry’

‘Well I was tired’ Ginny said ‘and no I am not telling you what made me that way’

‘I’m thinking it’s not what it’s who’ Ron said with a laugh ‘one day you and Harry are going to get caught by Mum and Dad you know you’re almost as Bad as Terry and Luna’

‘Fuck you Ron’ Ginny said ‘try not to be a total shit’

‘Tsk tsk language Ginevra’

‘Fu-‘

‘I’ve found a quill’ Harry said cutting Ginny off mid-cuss word ‘okay Hermione hit me with it’

‘We’re flying in on Virgin Atlantic’ Hermione said as Harry began scratching away on some parchment ‘flight twenty six eleven from Hong Kong. I don’t know what gate it will arrive in you can find that out when you get to Heathrow’

‘What time are you due to land?’

‘Ten PM’ Hermione said ‘do you think everyne will still come to see us home?’

‘Are you serious? Of course!’ Harry said ‘Bill said today at lunch he and Fleur want to come to the airport to welcome you home. At this stage everyone but George will be at the airport to welcome you home’

‘How is George?’ Ron asked.

‘The same as usual’ Harry said as Ginny interjected with ‘he’s being an arsehole!’ ‘he’s still holed up in his room he and Percy are sharing. He tried locking Percy out of the room last night and Percy was forced to blow the door of the hinges to break all the spells he’d put on it. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen Percy in a towering rage. He said if he locked him out of the bedroom again he would put his bollocks in a jar. He only let’s Percy into the room now not even your Mum can get in there’

‘Is he eating and drinking?’

‘Yeah but only because Percy stands over him and makes him’ Harry said ‘he’s the only one that George will talk to now. If Percy’s not here he’ll wait til we’ve all gone to bed to go down stairs and swipe something to eat, though it’s never more than a bit of toast or a mug of Milo’

‘He need to be taken to St Mungos’ Ron said in alarm ‘he’ll follow Fred to the other side if he keeps on like this’

‘I know that everyone in the house does’ Harry said ‘but you know he’ll go apeshit if anyone even mentions St Mungos. I think the only way we’re going to get hom there is if we slip him a sleeping draught and physically take him there. Your parents are waiting til you and Hermione return home so you can all have a family meeting to discuss what you’re going to do. Bills even offered to Imperious George to get him to go to St Mungos’

‘He’s risked getting busted committing a felony?’ Ron exclaimed incredulously.

‘Yeah he has’ Harry said ‘but your Mum put the kybosh on that she said in no uncertain terms she would hex him if he did that and Fleur threatened to divorce him. Though no one thinks she was serious about that. The general consensus is that the sleeping draught is the safest and best way to go about things’

‘Well when Hermione and I get home we’ll have that meeting’ Ron said ‘let everyone know about our arrival time home and we’ll see you Wednesday night yeah?’

‘Yeah of course have a safe trip home guys’ Harry said thorugh a yawn ‘behave yourselves’

‘Always’ Ron said ‘see you soon mate’

‘Yeah you too....bye’

‘Bye’

Hermione hung up and put the phone back into her handbag while Ron removed the spells from around their table.

‘Your brother is that bad?’ Mrs Grangers said in almost a whisper ‘I had no idea’

‘I don’t think anyone back home did til Percy was forced to blow the bedroom door off it’s hinges’ Ron said somberly ‘though it does sound like we’re going to have to commit him to St Mungos that’s going to kill Mum’

‘Things will work out Ron whatever you and your family decide’ Mrs Granger said reaching across the table and patting his hand ‘it may not seem like it at the moment but in twelve months things will be totally different I promise’

‘Thanks Mrs Granger’

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After lunch Ron and Hermione made their way back to the Caulfield North House with Mr and Mrs Granger to begin packing up all their belongings. Ron conjured half a dozen suitcases then lined them up in two rows on the lounge room floor.

‘We’ll put everything in those’ he said ‘if everything shrinks really well we might be able to fit it in one case with an Undetectable Extension Charm’

‘This is mindblowing moving house in total in half a dozen cases’ Mr Granger said shaking his head ‘let’s get to work’

Ron and Hermione went upstairs and each took a room. Ron went into the third bedroom and with several sweeps from his wand shrunk the furniture and fittings down to doll house size. He then banished the furniture downstairs and cast a cleaing charm on the room.

Suddenly there was a dull thunk and an explosion of foul language.
‘SHIT! Hermione cussed form the next room ‘Merlins pants that hurt!’

‘You okay?’ Ron asked closing the room door behind him and going to the next room where Hermione was hopping around clutching at her left foot her face screwed up in pain.

‘Yeah I just stubbed my pinkie toe’ Hermione hissed ‘crud!’

Ron snorted but quickly and unsucessfully tried to hide his amusement.

‘Oh it’s not funny!’ Hermione hissed sitting on the bed and rubbing her toe ‘ow’

‘It is a bit’ Ron said with a grin ‘don’t worry you’ll live, would you like me to rub it better?’

‘No I’ll be right’ Hermione said awkwardly standing up ‘oh bollocks doing this one by one....Minimus totalum!

Instantly the bed and the nearby wardrobe shrunk down and Hermione banished it.

‘You right to continue?’ Ron asked.

‘Yeah I’ll live you do the bathroom and I’ll do the attic’ Hermione said ‘last one back to the stairs has to be tied up tonight when we go to bed’

‘Oooh really?’ Ron said with a grin ‘I’m not sure that’s a bet I want to win, I quite like it when you tie me up. If you won would you still give me the full muggle experience and do it with silk scarves?’

‘Sod off and wait and see’ Hermione said her cheeks turning pink ‘go on!’

‘Ha ha’

It took Ron and Hermione twenty minutes to pack up and clean the entire second floor of the house they then ran back to the top of the stairs arriving at exactly the same time.

‘Oh well it looks like we’ll each have to have a turn’ Ron said cheerfully making his way down the stairs ‘oh what a pity’

‘Oh don’t you sound sincere?’ Hermione said dryly ‘painfully so’

‘You’re painfully sarcastic’ Ron said with a laugh.

‘Idiot’

‘How’d you kids go upstairs?’ Mr Granger asked emerging from the kitchen carrying a box labelled ‘kitchen stuff’

‘Good it’s all done’ Ron said ‘I’ll start putting things in the suitcases and Hermione will help you finish the kitchen yeah? If we all work together we can get this done inside an hour’

Ron went into the lounge room and started filling up the suitcases with the furniture he and Hermione had shrunk and sent down from upstairs. He then started on the lounge room furniture shrinking it down then putting it all in it’s own suitcase. By the time the lounge room was clear he had worked up nquite a sweat and finished puffing like he’d just run a race. He conjured a chair and flopped down into it at the same moment Hermione came in behind a box of ‘kitchen stuff’

‘Lazy arse’ she said sending the box to the remaining suitcase.

‘Sod off’ Ron said with a grin ‘you’ll notice that the lounge room is bare and clean that is because of me the man who made you squeal last night’

‘Ron shut up! Hermione hissed hurriedly looking behind her ‘I don’t want Mum and Dad to overhear us’

‘How about we run the risk?’ Ron said with a grin pulling her close.

Hermione slapped his arm.
‘You are an inappropriate git sometimes Ron you really are’ she said playfully momentarily letting him bury his face between her clevage ‘seriously not now’

‘Pity I was getting rather horny’ Ron said ith a grin.

‘Your mother would spank you if she heard you speak such filth’ Hermione said playfully.

‘Probably but I’d rather you do the spanking’ Ron said with a laugh getting to his feet and vanishing the chair he had conjured ‘it’d be much more of a turn on if you laid a palm to my arse’

‘Oh shut up’

An hour later the entire house was packed up and smelling faintly like eucalyptus. Ron and Hermione then took Mr and Mrs Granger out ot the garage to shrink the car.

‘I reckon a car this big will take half a dozen Shrinking Spells’ Ron said casting an eye over the wagon

‘Or one or two maxima’ Hermione said tapping her wand on the bonnet ‘I’ll vanish the petrol first though....Evanesco totalum!

‘That would’ve vanished the petrol and any other dirt in the car’ Ron explained taking his wand out ‘so when we get home and resize it it’ll be clean and sanitised’

‘Like the house?’ Mr Granger asked in interest.

‘Yeah like the house’ Ron said ‘though in the house we cast several cleaning charms too. On the car Hermione just cast a vanishing spell’

‘Well shall we?’ Hermione said ‘let’s try the normal shrinking spell first then try adding maxima’

‘Okay then on the count of three....one two....three!’

In unison Ron and Hermione pointed their wands at the car and cast the shrinking spell.

‘Minimus!

Instantly the car shrunk by a third. Mr and Mrs Granger watching the progression of the spell in enraptured silence.

‘I reckon if we cast one Maxima shrinking charm it ought to shrink the car small enough to put in the shoebox you found’ Ron said.

‘You can cast the spell if you like’ Hermione said.

‘Okay then’

Ron once again pointed his wand at the car then cast the spell
‘Minimus Maximus!

And again the car shrunk, this time down to the size of a muggle matchbox model. Ron then bent down and picked the car up.

‘Cute isn’t it?’ he said brightly holding out the car to Mr Granger.

‘Very’ the older man said turning the car around in his hands.

‘Well shall we call for a cab now?’ Mrs Granger said brightly ‘the house is clean and ready to go and the keys are at the agents if we leave now we can get to the hotel at a decent hour’

‘Sounds like a good idea’ Hermione said.

They returned to the house where Hermione called a cab while Ron helped her parents take the suitcases outside to the front porch. Hermione quickly followed locking the front door with her wand.

‘A cab is on the way’ she said tucking her wand inside her jacket ‘we ought to be in town inside an hour.

‘I reckon we ought to go out to a fancy resturant tonight’ Mr Granger said brightly hoisting himself up onto the cement fence of the front porch ‘to celebrate our return home’

‘Sounds good’ Hermione said ‘the hotel we’re going to has a pretty good resturant or do you want to find another one’

‘I know of another one in South Yarra that will be nice to go to’ Mr Granger said ‘and it’s what I’d call fancy’

‘Sounds good’ Ron said amiably as Mrs Granger said ‘you be responsible for the booking then’

Five minutes later the cab pulled up. Mr Granger and Ron put all the suitcases in the boot while Hermione ans Mrs Granger got into the cab.

‘So where to everyone?’ the young driver asked cheerfully as he got back into the drivers seat from helping Ron and Mr Granger

‘Swanston Street the Grand Central Hotel’ Hermione said from the front passenger seat.

‘Okie dokie’

Forty five minutes later the taxi driver droped them in front of the Grand Central Hotel. Hermione paid him and upon seeing the amount of luggage they had the concierge called for a luggage trolley and helped theim load their bags onto it.

‘Nice to see you again miss’ he said tipping his cap to Hermione ‘staying long this time?’

‘Only til tomorrow night’ Hermione said as the Bell Boy took their luggage into the lobby we’re flying home via Hong Kong at Six tomorrow night’

‘Well do enjoy your stay’

‘I will’

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The remaining time Ron and Hermione had in Australia flew by and before they knew it they were at Melbourne Airport in the check in queue for their flight to Hong Kong. The sun had just begun to set when they arrived but now it was pitch black outside because it seemed to Ron ‘Everyone in bloody Melbourne wants to go to Hong Kong’

‘That’s a slight exaggeration I think Ron’ Hermione said dryly as the queue inched forward ‘don’t worry the first class queue is shorter than the others and there’s two and a half hours til departure we’ll get on the plane easily’

‘Hmmm I just don’t like waiting in queues’

Fifteen minutes later Ron and Hermione checked in and waited to the side for Mr and Mrs Granger to check in.

‘At least flying home is going to be shorter than flying here’ Ron said peering at his itinerary ‘it’s only seven hours to Hong Kong and fourteen to London’

‘Only three hours less’ Hermione said in amusement.

‘In those three hours I can be back at the Burrow sopund asleep’ Ron said ‘and I fully intend on doing that he minute we get home’

‘Remember we’re going to have to apparate Mum and Dad home and get them settled back home before we get home ourselves’ Hermione said ‘it’s going to be their first time apparating so they’re going to be a bit ill and I’m going to need help to make sure they’re okay’

‘They’ll be fine it won’t take them long’ Ron said.

‘I’m going to ring the Burrow when we get to Hong Kong and ask Mrs Weasley to bring along some Anti-Nausea Draught and a Sleeping Potion’ Hermione said ‘if Mum and Dad have a measure of each they’ll recover quicker’

‘So do your parents know we’re going to apparate them back home?’ Ron asked watching Mr and Mrs Granger go through the checking procedure.

‘No I thought we’d spring it on them once we’ve gone through customs and immigration in London’ Hemrione said with a grin ‘do you think I ought to tell them they might get spewy?’

‘Yeah I would’ Ron said ‘they’re not going to expect it and they could get really ill ‘I got really crook the first time I side along apparated, and apparently when I was a baby I spewed all over Mum when she side alonged me for the first time’

‘Yeah but Ron you were only weeks old then Mum and Dad are both thirty nine adults with an adults constitution they’re more likely not to spew up than a month old baby would’

‘Yeah well there’s some truth to that’ Ron said as Mr and Mrs Granger left the check in desk and began to walk in their direction ‘they should be alright if they do upchuck a dose of Ani-Nausea Draught will fix them up’

‘Well Sir and Madam shall we progress to the first class lounge?’ Mr Granger said in a posh accent holding out his arm to Hermione ‘may I escort miss?’

‘You’re a goose Dad’ Hermione said with a giggle taking her father’s arm ‘why are you in such a mood?’

‘You tell me and we’ll both know’ Mrs Granger said dryly taking Ron’s arm.

‘Excuse me I’m just excited to be going home’ Mr Granger said raising his eyebrows comically ‘in fact I think we should have a Champagne to celebrate’

‘Another one?’ Hermione said ‘but Dad we had three bottles between us last night’

‘So? You can never have enough good bubbly especially if you’re celebrating something, and I am assured by the check in clerk we ill be able to get a bottle in the waiting lounge’

‘Well I suppose a flute or two wouldn’t hurt’ Hermione said ‘actually I feel like celebrating too. This is something worth toasting’

Ron and Hermione and the Grangers made their way through the security checks then into the Ctahay Pacific first class lounge where Mr Granger immediately ordered a bottle of champagne.

‘Okie dokie I propose a toast’ he said after pouring them all a glass ‘to being away and coming home’

‘To coming home’ Hermione echoed immediately going watery in the eyes.

‘Okay I think we might need some munchies with this’ Mr Granger annouced on swallowing his mouthful of champagne.

‘Great idea’ Mrs Granger said getting up ‘I’ll come with you’

‘You alright?’ Ron asked as Mr and Mrs Granger got up and headed over ot the service counter.

‘Yeah I’ll be fine’ Hermione said pulling a hankercheif from her pocket ‘I just can’t believe how well and quickly it went. Harry was right you know it went without complication and we’ll be home by the end of the month’

‘See our best friend was right wasn’t he?’ Ron said swallowing a mouthful of Champagne ‘both of us knew finding your folks wasn’t going to be the big drama you thought it was going to be’

Hermione gulped and wiped at her eyes.
‘You boys are so confident’ she said sheepishly ‘I don’t know what I’d do without you , you know’

‘You’d probably go nuts’ Ron joked.

‘Oh ha ha’ Hermione said rolling her eyes ‘but seriously Ron thanks for coming with me, and thanks for being sensible the whole time. I really don’t know what I would’ve done without you’

‘Aw that’s alright H I was glad to help out’ Ron said lifting the flute to his lips ‘the whole thing’ll be over soon we’ll be home withing twenty four hours and life can go on’

‘Yeah they can’ Hermione said ‘I want to go back on those Dementor Banishing Missions as soon as I’m over the jetlag as miserable as those things are it’ll help me get into the routine of things’

Across the room at the service counter Mr and Mrs Granger were watching Ron and Hermione as they sat close together talking and in Ron’s case sharing a chaste kiss.

‘Oh they’re so in love!’ Mrs Granger said with a whimsical sigh ‘remember when we were like that?’

‘I thought we still were?’ Mr Granger said with a chuckle.

‘Of course we are but you remember what it ‘s like when you first get together’ Mrs Granger said watching Ron whisper something in Hermione’s ear ‘she’s grown up so fast John, Lord it seems only yesterday we were seeing her off on her first day of primary school. Now she’s eighteen years old an adult in love with the sweetest boy’

‘Do you thnk they’re shagging?’ Mr Granger wondered.

Mrs Granger slapped her husband’s arm and he jumped.

‘Ow what was that for?’ he exclaimed rubbing his arm.

‘That’s none of our business’ she scolded him ‘if you must know yes I do think they are as you put it ‘shagging’ but they’re both adults and they are well within their rights to. And you are not to ask Hermione or Ron about it. It’s their private life and it is to remain private understand?’

‘Aye aye guv’nor’ Mr Granger said saluting his wife.

Mrs Granger slapped her husband again.
‘Be nice John this is our only child we’re talking about’ she said ‘she’s finding her way in the world and we’re to leave her to do it. Don’t play the overprotective father now’

‘Yeah okay okay okay’ Mr Granger said ‘actually I like Ron he’s a good strong lad he clearly comes from a good family. I can see why Bunny loves him. I think those two will be together for life, they’re so strongly bonded’

‘But they bicker like blazes’

‘Yeah but we do too hun, have a look at them they have a lot of similarities with us. They bicker but it’s not malicious and every chance they get they’re snogging the blazes out of each other....just like that’

They looked over to find Ron’s fingers running through Hermione’s hair and his lips on hers.

‘Yeah they’ll be together forever’ Mr Granger said assuringly.

‘Sir Madam your cheese and crackers’ a Cathay Pacific lounge attendant said brightly sliding a silver platter of cheese, fruit ad crackers onto the counter ‘are you sure you want to take it to your table yourselves it’s no problem for me to bring it over’

‘No thanks we’ll be fine’ Mrs Granger said ‘thanks very much’

*************************************************************************************

Eight hours later Ron, Hermione and Mr and Mrs Granger arrived in Hong Kong.

‘Another fourteen hours and we’ll be in London’ Ron said brightly after they’d cleared customs and immigration.

‘Well nineteen given our layover’ Hermione said as they headed over to the departures lounge to check in for their flight to London.

‘We’ve got enough time to head into the city for a drink and snack do you two lovebirds fancy coming with us? Mr Granger asked as they arrived in the Virgin Atlantic check in lounge ‘I know of a little café near Sha Tin racecourse. We can get a taxi there’

‘If you know the way’ Hermione said struggling to suppress a yawn ‘is it a café where I can get a coffee? I need one’

‘Sure it’s a quaint little place a mix of western and Asian food’ Mr Granger said enthusiastically.

‘Sure’

They all checked in then Mr Granger led them outside to a taxi rank where he quickly hailed them a car.

‘Where to?’ the driver asked in a thick Cantonese accent.

Mr Granger spoke to the driver in a string of unintelligible words.

‘Oh yes yes I know I know!’ the driver said enthusiastically nodding.

The driver then floored it causing Ron to be forced back in his seat.

‘Fuck!’ he exclaimed grabbing the back of the passenger seat where Mr Granger was sitting.

‘It’s dog eat dog in Hong Kong’ Mrs Granger said totatally unfazd by the sudden acceleration as behind them another taxi honked them ‘if you see a gap in the traffic you grab it. Taxi drivers in Hong Kong have balls’

‘No kidding’ Ron said easing back into the seat ‘you’d have to I reckon’

‘So what language is your Dad speaking?’ Ron asked Hermione a few minutes later as Mr Granger struck up a conversation with the driver.

‘Cantonese’ Hermione said ‘it’s similar to Chinese Mandarin ‘Dad had a Cantonese nanny when he was young and learnt to speak the language then. Then after high school he spent his gap year in Hong Kong working as a waiter in a French resturant. That’s why he can speak it fluently. Mum and I prefer French it was easier to learn’

‘You speak French?’ Ron asked in surprise.

‘Yeah fluently been able to speak it since I was small. Mum and Dad wanted me to have a wide range of experiences like they did when they were growing up so I used to have a French tutor three times a week up until I entered Hogwarts’

‘Fleur has been at everyone to learn French since the end of Battle’ Ron said to Mrs Granger ‘she’s my sister in law. She’s teaching Bill my brother her husband and reckon it would extend us all’

‘I think it would’ Mrs Granger said ‘it’s always good to learn another language. It makes things easier if you were to travel to Corsica, Belgium, north Vietnam, most of Canada and France itself’

‘I’ll keep that in mind should I ever go to Corsica, Belgium, north Vietnam, most of Canada and France itself’ Ron said dryly.

Hermione laughed.

‘Smart alec’ Mrs Granger said in amusement.

Due to the heavy traffic the cab didn’t drop them off in front of the café for forty five minutes. Mr Granger paid the driver then led everyone into the warm cosy café. Hermione immediately inhaled deeply.

‘Ah espresso!’ she said heading for the counter ‘coffee is on me food is on everyone else!’

After ordering Hermione, Ron and Mr and Mrs Granger took a booth in the far corner of the café near the kitchen.

‘So what are you two going to get up to once we all get home?’ Mr Granger asked Ron and Hermione sipping his coffee.

‘Well I’ve got nothing solid planned’ Hermione said spooning sugar into her cappucino ‘I’m going to spend the proper time without potions to get over jetlag then once I’m feeling normal again I’ll start volunteering for the Ministry led Dementor Banishing Missions and Patronus Tutoring Sessions again. I plan on going back to Hogwarts to do my seventh year but the new year doesn’t start til Septemer first two months away. I might get my seventh year text books and start studying up early too’

‘And you?’ Mr Granger asked Ron.

‘Same as Hermione except the studying bit’ Ron replied ‘well not for seventh year anyway. When I get back to England I will be getting together with Harry and Neville to go over some of the Auror material Kingsley gave us at Lupin and Tonk’s wake. We’ve just got to go over it in the lead up to when we start our studies. We’ve all got to practice our potions work none of us were any great shakes at it during school’

‘So you’ve got enough to keep you busy then’

‘Yeah I won’t get bored’

‘Well if you do find yourself getting bored at any stage you’re more than welcome to come up to the house and immerse yourself into the Muggle world can’t guarantee it’ll be as thrilling as what you and Bunny have gone through the last twelve months but we’ll try to make it exciting to some degree’

‘Actually sir after the last twelve months I could do with a bit of boredom’ Ron said with a grin as Hermione exclaimed with ‘Oh Dad!’ ‘I’ve well and truly had enough of thrills at the moment. I could really get into a thoroughly non thrilling life from now on’

‘I’ll second that’ Hermione said ‘thills are totally overated’

‘So I couldn’t talk you two into trying bungee jumping then?’ Mrs Granger said with a laugh.

‘Sod off Mum you’ll never in a million years get me to do that’ Hermione said making a face.

‘What’s bungee jumping?’ Ron asked.

‘It’s where mentally ill people attatch a huge elastic band to their ankles and jump off a perfectly good secure bridge’ Hermione said dryly ‘it’s considered an extreme sport. I think it’s stupid. I don’t see why anyone would want to do it’

‘I wouldn’t actually want to do it either’ Mrs Granger said with a laugh ‘sky diving is another thing....’

A few minutes later while Mr and Mrs Granger were at the counter getting everyone’s snacks Hermione pulled her mobile phone out of her handbag and punched in the Burrow’s number putting the handset to her ear.

‘I’m going to ring now while Mum and Dad are held up at the counter’ Hermione said to Ron ‘I don’t want them to hear about the potions and us apparating them home til we get home. If they don’t want to do it I don’t have to ask your Mum to give me the Potions when we arrive back at Heathrow’

‘Fair enough we can have the sleeping draught ourselves if your folks don’t take it’

‘Good afternoon Nellie’s Knock Shop Nellie’s not here will I do?’ Harry mirthful voice answered.

‘Harry James Potter you are an idiot a certified idiot’ Hermione said in amusement as Harry snorted gleefully ‘you filthy dirty degenrate you’

That only caused Harry to laugh harder.
‘So where are you now?’ he said momentarily ceasing his snorts.

‘Hong Kong’ Hermione said ‘we’ve got a while til our flight to London so Dad has brought us all into the city to have a meal in tis little café Aacross the road from Sha Tin racecourse. I really need to talk to Mrs Weasley can you put her on? I don’t want Mum and Dad to overhear this bit of conversation’

‘Yeah okay hold on’

There was a clunk then silence and the bang of a door shutting then after a few moments later there was a scaping noise and Mrs Weasley’s voice.

‘Hermione dear are you okay dear what’s wrong?’ she asked concern filling her voice.

‘Nothing Mrs Weasley I’m fine’ Hermione assured the older woman ‘really I’m fine I just need to ask you a really big favour’

‘Oh?’

‘Yeah I was wondering if you could bring with you to the airport when you come and meet Ron and I two doses of Anti-Nausea Draught and two doses of a mild Sleeping Draught. I want to side along apparate Mum and Dad home and I think they’ll get ill from the experience, most wizards do the first time they apparate so Mum and Dad being muggles are most certainly going to. And I thought to help them get over any ill effects and to help them sleep an Anti-Nausea Draught and a mild Sleeping Draught would help them’

‘Of course dear I can do that for you’ Mrs Weasley said ‘will you need a helping hand getting your parents home? Arthur and I will be more than happy to lend a hand’

‘No thanks Mrs Weasley I think Ron and I will have it covered’ Hermione said ‘but thanks for the offer anyway how’s everything back at the Burrow? I can’t wait to see how everyone is’

‘Oh we’re fine dear nothing much has changed’ Mrs Weasley said ‘Arthur and Percy are busy working at the Ministry, Bill and Fleur the same at Gringotts and I’ve been asked to write a cooking column for Witch Weekly so I’m gathering material for that’

‘Oh that’ lovely!’ Hermione exclaimed ‘really it is. I’ll have to start buying that now’

‘What’s lovely?’ Ron interrupted.

‘Shh you can talk to her in a minute’ Hermione said hushing him ‘so who’s coming to the airport?’

‘Oh everyone dear Arthur and myself, Bill, Fleur, Percy and of course Harry and Ginny. Audrey Percy’s girlfriend might be coming too but we’re not sure yet’

‘Well it’ll be great so see you all we’ve missed you all horribly’ Hermione said ‘right I’m going to hand you over to your youngest irritating git of a son he wants to chat I’ll see you soon Mrs Weasley can’t wait to come home’

‘Can’t wait to be home’ Hermione said ‘see you’

‘Thanks’ Ron said taking the phone from her ‘by the way I am not a git’

‘Yeah you are’

‘Ha ha’

Hermione and Ron spent a pleasant hour and a half at the café talking about home and their plans for the future then they returned to the airport just as the first call for their flight was announced over the P.A system’

‘Good evening ladies and Gentlemen this is the first boarding call for all passengers travelling on Virgin Atlantic flight twenty six eleven to London Heathrow. The aircraft is now ready for all passengers to board and we ask that all passengers scheduled to travel with us this evening make their way immediately to gate fifteen in preperation for departure’

‘Just made it’ Ron said as they cleared security and began jogging through the departure lounge in an effort to get to their departure gate in time ‘we’re really on our way home H not long now and we’ll be back home’

‘Yeah isn’t it wonderful?’ Hermione said with a grin ‘c’mon race ya’

Bouyed on my her excitement Ron laughed and raced Hermione to gate fifteen they arrived skidding to a halt and began giggling like little children earning many disapproving glares from their fellow passengers.

‘What is with you two?’ Mrs Granger said in amusement as both her daughter and Ron turned red in the face with the effort of suppressing their giggles which by now was nothing but a combination of hisses and snorts.

‘N-nothing Mum we’re just feeling good’ Hermione sniggered slipping an arm around Ron’s waist ‘really really-‘

‘Really, really, really, really, really, really good’ Ron added with a snort.

‘You’re both nuts both of you’ Mrs Granger said mystified as Ron and Hermione’s hilarity ‘are you drunk?’

‘No not yet Mrs Granger but that sure sounds like a good idea’ Ron said with a grin ‘would you like to help Hermione and I get rotten? It’s better to do it with company and we’re in first class we could get a whole bottle of Bubbly each’

‘Oh Ron behave!’ Hermione scolded as the line into the plane crept forward ‘seriously you’re a goat sometimes’

‘Nah that’s Aberforth’s thing not mine’

‘Oh Merlins bits!’

Eventually Ron and Hermione and Mr and Mrs Granger made it into the aircraft and were quickly shown to their seats. Ron and Hermione were placed in the second right hand row of the first class cabin and Mr and Mrs Granger were placed in the back row on the left hand side of the cabin.

‘Great we can snog without your parents seeing’ Ron said dropping a kiss on Hermione’s lips immediatley after fastening his seatbelt.

‘You’re a nut’ Hermione said affectionatley returning the kiss.

‘Yeah that’s true’ Ron said with a grin ‘you don’t seem to mind much though’

‘Nah I don’t’ Hermione said leaning back in her seat ‘I seriously cannot wait to get home if I thought I could do it I would apparate home but I’ve never done Internation apparating’

‘You would do it easy I reckon’ Ron said as the planes doors were secured shut ‘you passed your apparition test easy as pie the first time and have never created a bum portkey. I’m sure is you turned on the spot now you would arrive back home’

‘Yeah but if I did that it would raise too many questions’ Hermione said ‘the muggles would notice and it would be a dangerous practice seeing as I’ve never apparated further than Scotland before’

‘Well that time Harry and I were with you and you sucessfully managed to apparate from England to Scotland and I’m pretty sure that would be considered international aparition’ Ron said with a grin.

‘Oh you know full well what I mean’ Hermione said rolling her eyes ‘I mean super long distances. Fleur can do it she apparates from England to her parents house in Enghien all the time. I might ask her to tutor me once we get home’

‘What do you want to learn International apparating for?’ Ron asked in surprise ‘you don’t travel outside of the U.K much and when you do you fly with your parents’

‘Yeah but if I can learn it we could travel a bit more’ Hermione said ‘wouldn’t you prefer to cut down on travel time next time we go anywhere? There’s no point in having the ability to apparate unless you’re going to use it. Plus with you going into the Auror office you’re going to do a lot of International travel in the course of your work and I’m pretty sure the majority of that travel is going to be done my apparition’

‘Well....I suppose so’ Ron said ‘and France isn’t that far from England so it shouldn’t be too hard to do’

‘Well let’s ask Fleur for her help once we’re home and over the jetlag’ Hermione said.

‘Well I suppose it would be a handy skill to have’ Ron said scratching his scalp as the plane began reversing and the saftey demonstration began ‘let’s think about it after we get home’

*************************************************************************************

Exactly thirteen and a half hours later the pilot announced their descent into London.

‘Good evening ladies and gentlemen this is your Captain speaking we are about to begin our descent into London. Please fasten your seatbelts, return your seats and trays into the upright position and ensure that your window visors and left up. The local time is nine thirty PM and the tempreature is a warm thirty degrees centigrade. I estimate we will be touching down in approximately twenty minutes. Cabin crew please prepare for landing’

‘Squee we’re almost home!’ Hermione squealed clutching Ron’s arm as the flight attendants began moving through the cabin collecting rubbish and blankets ‘we’re seriously almost home!’

‘Deep breaths Bunny or you’ll start hyperventilating’ Ron said with a laugh.

‘Shut up with the Bunny name calling’ Hermione said in mock anger ‘only Dad is allowed to do that’

‘But you complain when he does it’

‘Yeah....well he’s my Dad’ Hermione said as if that justified everything ‘oh almost home I can see the lights of London. Look there’s parliament house!’

‘Oh yeah thrilling the halls of government’ Ron said dryly ‘let’s go for a tour when we leave the plane’

‘Oh shut up’

And precisely thirty minutes later the plane touched down at Heathrow airport. The breaking force of air travel no longer fazed Ron and her made a point of leaning back in his chair as the pilot applied the breaks and the reverse thrust. Hermione was gripping his arm hard and peering out the window eagerly as the plane slowed then turned to the arrivals area.

‘Now is not the time to apparate out’ Ron joked squeezing her hand.

‘Oh I know that I wasn’t going to’ Hermione said ‘I just can’t wait to se everyone you know? Everyone I know and love is in the arrivals lounge waiting for us and I can’t wait to see them’

‘I totally understand!’ Ron assured her as the plane finally came to a stop ‘try not to wet your pants’

‘Oh don’t be crass’ Hermione said as the sky bridge manouvered into place ‘I know you’re as excited as I am’

Ron grinned.
‘Yeah I am’ he said ‘come on let’s go’

Hermione quickly unfastened her seatbelt grabbed her backpack and ran into the aisle. Ron had to hold a hand out and hold her back to stop her disappearing into the crowd of other first class passenger.

‘At least wait for me to join you’ he said getting up and slinging his backpack over his shoulder.

‘Okay come one hurry up then!’

Ron grasped her hand an immediately they left the plane meeting up with Mr and Mrs Granger in the skybridge.

‘I’m going to confund the customs and immigration officers if they fart arse us about’ Hermione said as they left the arrivals gate and headed toward the luggage carousels ‘I want to get into the waiting area and see damn procedures to hell’

‘Have I heard you right?’ Ron exclaimed in mock incredulity ‘Hermione Jean Granger wants procedures to get bent? Merlins pants you’ve taken leave of your senses’

‘Ha ha’ Hermione said rolling her eyes ‘only on this occasion’

They reached the luggage collection area where Ron gathered two suitcase trolley’s for Mr and Mrs Granger moments after their arrival the carousel started up and bags began coming into view.

‘I supose now we’ve just got to find a taxi home’ Mr Granger said ‘we’ve got half a dozen suitcases we’re going to need a bleeding trailer’

‘Don’t worry Dad we’ll get a Maxi-Taxi’ Hermione said going forward and pulling the first of her parents bags off the carousel ‘I’ll help with the fare’

‘You will not’ Mrs Granger said ‘Hermione Jane Granger you’ve done quite enough for us up to this point. You’ve been more than generous paying for our plane tickets home and our stay in that posh hotel in Melbourne I think your father and I can manage the few pounds for a cab fare’

‘Well if you insist’

‘I do’

‘When are you going to tell them about apparating them home?’ Ron whispered as they stepped forward to pull their own suitcase off the carousel.

‘After we’ve cleared customs and immigration’ Hermione said quickly grabbing yet another of her parents suitcases onto a trolley ‘if they express any doubts I’ll have your parents talk to them about it....oof!’

Eventually all their suitcases were off the carousel and Ron and Hermione went through customs and immigration which to Hermione’s delight was rather quick and efficient.

‘Glad that went quick I could see your wand hand twitching’ Ron joked as they walked down the long walkway to the waiting area.

‘Oh shut up it was not’ Hermione said ‘hey Mum Dad? About getting home....’

‘You are not paying for our taxi fare!’ Mrs Granger repeated emphatically.

‘I wasn’t going to suggest that’ Hermione said ‘how would you feel about apparating?’

‘With you?’ Mr Granger said.

‘And Ron’ Hermione said ‘we can take one of you and apparate you to the front porch’

‘Is it safe?’

‘Of course it is we do it all the time and don’t suffer any ill effects’ Hermione said ‘you might get a bit ill though it’s similar to air sickness’

‘I’m not sure I’m keen on that’ Mr Granger said screwing up his nose slightly.

‘That’s why when we were in Hong Kong I rang the Burrow and asked Mrs Weasley to bring a measure of Anti-nausea Draught and a mild Sleeping Potion for you and Mum’ Hermione said ‘if you take the Anti-Nausea Draught immediately after or even before apparating with us you won’t get so ill. Or you mighn’t get ill at all. And the sleeping draught will help you get a restful sleep and help you get over the jetlag quicker’

‘It will?’ Mrs Granger asked in interest.

‘Oh yeah that’s how Ron and I got over the jetlag when we first arrived in Australia’ Hermione said nodding enthusiastically ‘you’ll get at least twelve hours sleep and it’ll be proper restful sleep not like an anaesthetic’

‘Well if it’s all safe I’ll give it a go’ Mr Granger said ‘and I can deal with a bit of nausea’

‘Oh great!’

Moments later Ron and Hermione rounded a corner where their attention was drawn to a large group holding a big sign reading ‘WELCOME HOME RON AND HERMIONE AND MR AND MRS GRANGER!’

‘THERE THEY ARE!’ Ginny’s voice squealed.

And Ginny broke free running forward where she engulfed Ron is a crushing hug.

‘Ooof Gin you’re crushing me!’ Ron groaned returning the hug.

‘Oh I have never been so glad to see my stupid big brother so much!’ Ginny exclaimed hugging him hard again ‘and you!’

Ginny turned to Hermione and bestowed upon her another crushing hug.

‘Good to see you Ginny’ Hermione said with a grin once Ginny released her ‘how are you?’

‘Oh I’m great’ Ginny said ‘really great’

‘These are my parents John and Elizabeth Mum Dad this is my best friend Ginny Weasley’

‘Nice to meet you Sir Ma’am’ Ginny said politely offering her hand ‘welcome home’

‘Thankyou honey’ Mrs Granger said.

‘Are we going to have to walk over there?’ Harry called from where everyone else was gathered.

Hermione ran over to him and engulfed him in a hug.
‘You were right Harry’ she said growing teary ‘it all went fine no major dramas at all’

‘See I told you’ Harry said with a grin ‘great to have you home Hermione’

‘Thanks Harry’

Mrs Weasley was the next to hug Hermione.
‘Welcome home dear’ she said pressing a paper package into her hand ‘here are the potions for your parents’

‘Thanks Mrs Weasley it’s so good to see you’ Hermione said greatfully returning the hug.

After Ron and Hermione had received hugs from everyone that had come to meet them Hermione began introducing her parents to them.

‘Mum and Dad this is Ron’s family’ she said ‘Bill his oldest brother and his wife Fleur’

‘Monsieur, Madame’ Fleur said politely ‘welcome 'ome’

‘The next one down the line is Charlie and his girlfriend Charlotte Charlie is the Dragon whisperer’ Hermione said as Charlie extended a burn covered hand to Mr Granger ‘he’s the outdoorsy quidditch nut’

‘Gee thanks Hermione’ Charlie said dryly shaking Mr Grangers hand.

‘So I take it all those burns are not from being clumsy with the hot plate?’ Mr Granger joked ‘nice to meet you Charlie’

‘No sir they’re from being clumsy with the hot end of a dragon’ Charlie said with a grin.

‘The next one down the line is Percy’ Hermione said introducing her parents to Percy ‘and this is his girlfriend Audrey Larrabee’

‘Good evening Sir welcome home’ Percy said politely ‘I hope it was an uneventful trip home’

‘Yeah mate it was nice to meet you’ Mr Granger said shaking Percy’s hand.

‘Oh loosen up Perce Mr Granger isn’t a Ministry official’ Ron said as everyone else sniggered ‘he’s not going to bite’

‘Unless you ask’ Mr Granger joked.

Percy who had loosened up quite a bit since the end of the war laughed.
‘Ha ha’ he said dryly

‘George isn’t here and you’ve met Ginny but these are my parents Molly and Arthur’ Ron said ‘Mum, Dad these are Hermione’s parents John and Elizabeth’

‘Lovely to meet you again’ Mrs Weasley said extending her hand to Mr Granger ‘it’s been quite a some time I believe the summer befere Hermione’s second year. It’s good to have you home’

‘I remember!’ Mrs Granger said with a dawning look of comprehension ‘thankyou dear. Ron’s told John and I a lot about what’s gone on this past year. I can’t imagine what it was like for you all to deal with’

‘Well it’s behind us all now and it’s only straght ahead’ Mrs Weasley said as Mr Weasley and Mr Granger struck up an enthusiastic conversation ‘I’ve told Hermione you’re welcome to come to a dinner at the Burrow next on the weekend if you’re over your jetlag ‘I’ve invited the whole family the weather’s pleasant so we can have it outdoors’

‘Mum we’re going to have to have it outdoors’ Charlie said dryly ‘if we had it inside the house would revolt on us’

‘Oh don’t exaggerate’

‘We’d be glad to come’ Mrs Granger said happily ‘I expect Ron and Hermione will tell us more about it in due course. Oh I must thank you for all the work you and your family you’ve done on our house. Hermione said you alone were responsible for making it possible for us not to visit the supermarket for the next three months’

‘Well that’s a slight exaggeration but there’s enough for a fair while’ Mrs Weasley said going pink in the face ‘we all wanted to make sure there ws as little as possible for you to do once you arrived home’

‘Well it’s very much appreciated’

‘So shall we head up to Puckeridge then?’ Hermione suggested a few minutes later.

‘Yes let’s I can feel our bed calling’ Mr Granger said suppressing a yawn with difficulty.

‘We’ll see you two back at the Burrow’ Mrs Weasley said to Ron and Hermione ‘if you feel tired take the Knight Bus don’t risk apparating’

‘Okay Mum we’ll see you soon’ Ron said hugging his mother ‘thanks for coming’

‘Oh it was nothing dear’

Ron and Hermione led Mr and Mrs Granger out of the airport and behind a huge avertising sign near the taxi rank out of sight of anyone in the vicinity.

‘Okay now all you have to do is grasp our arms firmly’ Ro said to Mr and Mrs Granger ‘there’s no need to grip too hard. Really a finger tip will do but to lessen the chance of splinching it’s best if you grip’

‘Alright I’m game’ Mr Granger said lightly gripping Ron’s upper arm ‘see you back at the house Bunny’

Ron turned on the spot and took him and Mr Granger into the compressing darkness. Just when he thought he would run out of breath the compression disappeared and he opened his eyes. He had brought Mr Granger back to the house landing on the front lawn to the left of the fountain. A loud retching noice drew his attention away from the darkened house and he turned around to find Mr Granger vomiting spectacularly into a nearby clutch of gerberas. On the other side of the driveway Hermione was with her mother who was also expelling the contents of her stomach into a patch of greenery.

‘Oh this is revolting’ Mr Granger muttered.

‘Here take this quick’ Ron said holding out a vial of purple liquid to the older man ‘it’s an anti-upchuck draught it’ll settle your stomach’

Without question Mr Granger took the vial and swallowed the contents quickly.

‘Oh that’s much better’ he said shakily ‘Jesus blazes that apparating larks stinks’

‘You get used to it believe it or not’ Ron said with a grin holding out his hand and helping the older man up ‘though I believe it takes muggles longer than normal to get used to it. Portkeys might be better if you find apparating doesn’t gel with you’

‘It’s the most peculiar feeling’ Mr Granger said making a face ‘it feels like going down a long rubber tube’

Ron pointed his wand into the Gerberas and vanished the sick.
‘Yeah it does but you do get used to it’ he said ‘next time I might give you the draught before I take you along’

‘I don’t know if I want to experience that again’ Mr Granger said dryly.

‘Aw you might especially to get to this dinner Mum’s got on on the weekend’ Ron said as they started toward the patio ‘our house is concealed from Muggles we’d have to apparate or floo you in to come here then take you on the Knight Bus. I can bring a bigger dose of potion for you if that would help’

‘Yeah I think it might’ Mr Granger said going up the steps ‘thanks for the quick trip home though saved an hour long cab ride’

‘No problem glad to help’ Ron said as Hermione and her Mum came up the porch.

‘That was revolting’ Mr Granger asked ‘I haven’t been sick like that since I was pregnant’

‘Did the Anti-Nausea daught help?’ Ron asked flicking his wand at the front door and spelling it to open itself.

‘Yeah it did amazingly so it’s wonderful stuff tasted like grapes’

‘Oh yeah Mum used to make grape flavoured Anti-Nausea Potions for us when we were younger’ Ron said as they walked into the house ‘if it’s made exactly as the recipe dictates it tastes rather plain adding grape juice ot it makes it taste nicer’

Hermione flicked her wand and turned all the lights on.
‘Well Mum, Dad what do you think of the house? Ron and his family helped me get all this ready for you’

‘It’s pristine!’ Mrs Granger said walking further into the room ‘nothing is out of place thankyou so much for getting it like this sweetheart’

‘Mum I only mopped the floors and cut the hedges, Mr and Mrs Weasley, and Harry and Ginny did everything else’ Hermione said going into the kitchen and opening the fridge ‘see? There’s food and drink to last you a month at least’

‘Great I’m starving’ Mr Granger said.

Ron reached into his pocket and pulled out Mr and Mrs Grangers suitcases he then resized them and banished them to the lounge room.

‘What would you like to do with the suitcases containing all your furnitrure and other household items Mrs Granger?’ he asked ‘the one with the blue ribbon on it is the one with your clothes in it’

‘They can go in the garage I suppose’ Mrs Granger replied ‘there’s loads of room in there’

Ron flourised his wand and five of he six suitcases disappeared.

‘Do you want me to re-size the car before Ron and I go bck to the Burrow Mum?’ Hermione asked reaching into her backpack and pulling out the box that held the Grangers shrunk car.

‘If you would dear that would be great’ Mrs Granger said ‘we’re going to have to go down to the motor registry office and get plates for it the ones on it now won’t be legal here and if we’re pulled up the police will want to see import papers’

‘I’ll go with you when you do that’ Hermione said ‘I can forge some documents or confund the desk clerk to give you the plates without being nosey. I’ll go and put it in the garage now’

Hermione disappeared outside and Ron continued taking her parents thorughout the house explaining the work that had been done on it in their absence.

‘Yeah so basically all that needs doing is garden maintenance’ Ron said as they came down the spiral staircase ‘all the linen is clean and Dad changed all the light globes so you shouldn’t have to do anything except clip the crass for the next few weeks’

‘Thanks loads mate you and your family preparing the house means a lot to Lizzie and I’ Mr Granger said shaking Ron’s hand.

‘As Mum said at the airport it was no problem we were glad to do it’ Ron said as Hermione came back inside ‘you’ve got the mobile number for the Burrows phone so if you need to ask us anything don’t hesitate to call’

‘We’ll do that’
‘Oh and here’s your sleeping draught’ Ron said holding out the brown paper package to Mrs Granger ‘don’t take it until you actually get in bed or you’ll fall over and have to sleep on the floor. It’s extremely fast acting. That vial should help you get over your jetlag quicker’

‘Thank you Ron’

‘So are you and Mum okay for us to go now?’ Hermione asked he mother ‘we’re going to head back for a meal and then go to bed’

Yes sweetheart we’re fine’ Mrs Granger said hugging her daughter ‘see you on Sunday for this dinner at Ron’s yeah? Ron expained you’ll both come to apparate us there’

‘Yep we will’ Hermione said hugging her father then taking Rons hand ‘see you then’

‘Byeeee!’

Ron and Hermione turned on the spot and disaparated arriving back at the Burrow seconds later and being welcomed by a delicious smell eminating from the kitchen and Ginny’s squeal of ‘THEY’RE HOME!

‘Ginny don’t scream!’ Mrs Weasley scolded as Ginny flew out of the back door.

‘You’re finally both home!’ she rushed engulfing them both in another crushing hug.

‘You say that like you didn’t just see us at the airport’ Hermione said with a grin as Ginny chivvied them inside.

‘Ha ha you’ve got to come inside Mum’s got chicken hot pot and garlic bread on’

‘Good we can eat while you lot get into the presents we got you all’

‘Oooh you got us something?’

‘Yeah because we knew if we didn’t you would bitch about it’ Ron joked and they entered the kitchen.

‘Oh shut up you git’

‘Okay everyone around the table we have a little something for you all!’ Hermione called pulling her Undetectable Extension Charm pouch out of her pocket and dropping it on the table.

‘You go me something?’ Percy asked in pleasant surprise ‘you didn’t have to do that Hermione’

‘Yeah we did’ Hermione said with a grin pointing her wand at the pouch and muttering ‘Accio baskets!

One by one wicker baskets flew out of the little pouch and delivered themselves to everyone around the table. There was one for Bill and Fleur one for Charlie and Charlotte one for Percy and Audrey a single one for George one for Harry and Ginny and one between Mr and Mrs Weasley.

‘In each basket is something magical and muggle for each of you’ Ron explained ‘we hope you like them’

‘Oh cool thanks loads guys!’ Harry exclaimed upon pulling his Melbourne Thestrals jumper from the basket ‘God I hope the Melbourne Thestrals are a good team’

‘Top of the Australian League apparently’ Ron said with a grin ‘they’ve won the Cup five years in a row and are the most sucessful team in the whole Australian domestic league. A bit like Puddlemere United. Hermione and I got your and Ginny’s names embroidered on the back’

‘Are these gloves? Giny asked incredulously miutes later as she pulled out her bright red pair of Blue Tongue Lizard skin Chasers gloves Merlins pants they’re gorgeous!’

‘According to the Quidditch shop clerk they’ll last you your whole career if you do go into professional quidditch when you leave Hogwarts’ Ron said ‘they’re made of Blue Tongue Lizard skin and have latex fingertips the best type for Chasers apparently. You’ll never drop a quaffle wearing those’

‘So I can finally get my gloves back then?’ Charlie joked inspecting a bag of mixed lollies with the Yum Yums logo printed on it.

‘Of course therse are gorgeous I’m definitely going to wear these this year thanks loads Ron’

Mr Weasley had found his cork hat and put it on to everyone’s amusement.
‘Oh I like this’ he said with a grin swinging his head side to side so the corks danced ‘I’ll definitely wear this’

‘How come mines so small?’ Percy asked in amusement as he put the child sized cork hat on causing his brothers and sister to snigger loudly.

‘Well unlike Dad I didn’t actually think you’d wear yours so I got a small one you can put on your childhood teddy bear’ Ron said ‘if you want to wear it you can just enlarge it a little’

‘You could wear it to the Ministry on casual clothes for charity days’ Ron suggested.

‘Oh sod off I will not I’m not in the habit of making myself look like a prat’ Percy said making a face as everyone tittered.

‘Oh and we’ve got a photo album too’ Hermione said reaching into the pouch and pulling out an elegant brown leather photo album. Ron and I took photos of everywhere we went’

‘Including the library?’ Harry said with a grin.

‘Yes but I didn’t take the photo on that occasion Ron did’ Hermione said dryly ‘he thought Percy might like it’

‘What the hell?’ Percy exclaimed pulling a red shirt out of the basket.

Audrey snorted gleefully.
‘Ahahahaha!’ she sniggered ‘Oh Ron you so got Perce that!’

‘C’mon Perce show us what it is’ Bill said with a grin ‘can’t be that bad’

‘Go on put it on’ Audrey urged.

‘No!’

‘I’ll hex you if you don’t’ Charlie volunteered fingering his wand.

‘Oh alright’

Percy unfolded the shirt and hurriedly pulled it on. It wasn’t until he smoothed out all the creases that everyone saw it read ‘NERDY WERDY est 1977’

Ginny, Bill, Charlie, Ron, Harry and Charlotte fell about laughing.

‘Oh Ronald that’s not very nice’ Mrs Weasley said trying to supress a laugh.

‘Hey who said it was me that got it?’ Ron exclaimed as Charlie pulled on a shirt that had ‘Dragon tamers do it with fire’ ‘I didn’t go to Australia all on my own’

‘No but you bought that shirt all on your own’ Hermione said rolling her eyes ‘everyone got one by the way’

Everyone rummaged in their baskets and pulled out their shirts. Harry pulled his shirt on and held out his arms. His simply read ‘Hero’

‘Well that’s true’ Charlie said.

‘I got Neville a shirt too and had B.A.M.F printed on it’ Hermione said with a grin ‘I think that’ll go down well’

‘What does B.A.M.F mean?’ Mrs Weasley asked curiously.

‘Bad Ass Mother Fucker’ Bill, Charlie, Percy, Audrey, Charlotte, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Harry chorused.

‘Oh my’

‘I tell ya Hermione these caramels beat Honeydukes!’ Charlie said minutes later swallowing a huge mouthful of the sweet with difficulty ‘seriously they’re great ta very much. I don’t think they’re going to last long’

‘No worries Charlie, I didn’t know what sweet you liked so I had to ask Ginny’ Hermione said ‘Ron liked Yum Yums mint choc fudge and ate rediculous amounts of it when we were away and brought several pounds of it back with us’

‘You ate the equal amounts of boiled lollies’ Ron countered.

‘Oh I bet your parents liked that’ Harry said with a grin.

‘Well they weren’t enthusiastic about it so I promised that on Monday when I take them to the clinic to undo the concealment spells I’ll let them look at my teeth’ Hermione said.

Mrs Weasley served Ron and Hermione a large bowl of chicken hot pot and several slices of garlic bread before sitting down to go through the basket of gifts Ron and Hermione had brought home.

‘You know it’s not even Christmas I don’t know what we’ve all done to deserve this’ Charlie said ‘it’s really nice of you’

‘Oui you ‘ave both been very generous’ Fleur said ‘eet is very nice zat you ‘ave brought us all zis gifts but you must be careful wis your money’

‘We’ve already done that’ Ron said with a grin ‘we’ve been sensible for over half of it. There’ no point in having a bit of money if you’re not going to be silly with at least a little bit of it’

‘I’ll second that!’ Harry said lifting up his glass of beer ‘we can be silly and frivolous now so why now Carpe Diem?’

‘Seize the day!’ Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Harry chorused banging their fists down on the table

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Later that night Ron and Hermione retired upstairs to their room the exhaustion of jetlag finally overtaking them.

‘I’m stuffed’ Ron announced dropping onto the bed with a loud sigh ‘seroously if a line of scantily clad chicks walked by be flashing their boobs I could not work up the energy to wank’

‘Merlins pants pants you’re crass sometimes Ron’ Hermione said rolling her eyes as she climbed under the covers with him ‘But I agree with you. I feel the same I just would go as far as scanitly clad chicks and wanking’

Ron laughed heartily.
‘Ah you’re funny’ he said pulling her close ‘well we’re home H and we did what we were supposed to do and we did it inside a month’

‘Much quicker than I thought’ Hermione said ‘I know I’ve said it before Ron but thanks so much for helping me. I really don’t think I could’ve done it without you’

‘No problem H I’m just glad it went well’ Ron said pressing a kiss to her forehead ‘and now it’s finished’

‘Yeah and now it’s finished

And from that moment on Hermione knew things would be alright and whatever may come across her path good or bad Ron would be there for her.

THE END!

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A/N2: Well there you go folks the final chapter if 'Finding Wendell and Monica' I do hope you liked Ron and Hermione's journey in finding Mr and Mrs Granger. Unlike most fics I don't think Hermione's parents would've been that pissed at what she did. I figured with Hermione being so sensible and reasonable so would he parents. This is all I will be writing for now but I do have a vague idea for another fic. If you have an idea for a pairing and or genre you would like me to tackle or have any other suggestions please email me at ratscentral@hotmail.com and unless you're a nutcase or a psysho I will be more than happy to listen to your suggestions

THANKS for reading and reviewing!