Bringing Memories

By Oriondruid

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Summery: A few months after the war ended and the tragedy of all the funerals was endured Hermione Granger decided she must travel to Australia to restore her parent's obliviated memories. She and Ronald jointly make the trip. This is how, and what happens when they get there.

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With regard to the following story the characters and settings belong completely to the works and 'world' created by J.K. Rowling and are derived entirely from her work. Only the plot is my own and certain 'Antipodean innovations'. I am grateful that Jo so kindly allows us, her fans, to enter her world and 'play' for a while. This is an entirely amateur work and not for profit.

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Authors note: This 'Australian themed' story is not in any way, (other than it's setting) related to a previous and far longer project of mine, abandoned and adopted by a better writer than myself, as it had become too 'unwieldy' for my limited talent to progress. This has virtually no elements in common with that tale and will be far shorter and far more concise, at most three shortish chapters long and more directly plotted, without (I hope) extraneous factors causing 'Plot Bloating' as is sadly sometimes a feature of my writing. Anyway, here's the first part, hope you enjoy it. :o)

Many Blessings. Oriondruid, (John).

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Chapter One: Departure.

The large Ministry Eagle Owl carrying documents in a 'jiffy bag' type padded envelope arrived at The Burrow and, unlike the Weasley's diminutive and very short sighted owl Earl, managed to work out which of the windows was actually open and flew into the kitchen landing on the table, dropping it's burden. It sat there squeaking and looking very pleased with itself at having been given such a prestigious job and visiting such a well known Wizarding family.

Molly got the owl some treats to thank it for it's good work which it ate then flew off, back to it's Ministry roost and then picking up the envelope she read the address. Molly then called up the stairs, saying, "Hermione, Ronald, I think your passports and tickets are here from the Ministry."

The young pair soon arrived down the stairs and entered the kitchen, looking a bit 'flushed. Molly assumed they'd been snogging, as a lot of that had been happening in the past few weeks since things had begun brightening up, following the sad time of Fred's and all the other's funerals after the Battle. In general although still quite sad Molly approved of life getting 'moving' again and that the youngsters had found happiness together, as long as things didn't 'go too far' under her roof. Indeed remembering her courtship with Arthur fondly she had hopes that the couple would soon decide to make things a bit more 'permanent', the pleasant idea of grandchildren never being far from Molly's thoughts.

That is why, although somewhat 'torn', she had agreed along with Arthur that Ronald could go to Australia and act as 'escort' to Hermione, when she went to retrieve her parents from their 'safe haven'. They were, after all, 'both of age' and didn't really need their permission, although out of respect had asked for it.

In any case after all the horrors that the youngsters had been through Molly knew it'd be good for Ronald and Hermione to get away and see a little of the wider world. Particularly for Ron, as Hermione was in fact a bit more seasoned as a traveler, since, as a young child and prior to attending Hogwarts she and her family had made several foreign trips, mostly ski trips around Europe, but once when she was ten and for her birthday the family had visited the States to go to the various attractions in Florida. Typically for Hermione the ones she'd loved best had in fact been The Kennedy Space Centre and Sea World, since Disneyworld and the other similar theme parks featuring rides and cartoon characters were, she'd felt, a little 'childish' for her 'mature' ten year old intellect.

Reaching over the table with his long 'keeper's arms' and before Hermione could reach it Ronald excitedly tore open the envelope that had been laying there, as she looked on with a slightly annoyed expression on her face, since if she'd got the chance to open it it would have remained intact and re-usable.

Ron eagerly tipped out the contents on to the table's surface and they could all see they were made up of several documents. Firstly there were two shiny new British/EU passports, Hrermione felt a pang of sadness at seeing the new travel documents, her parents had of course used their passports, (on which as a young child she had been included), to travel to Australia, she having magically altered their details. In any case as a young adult she would have needed a new one anyway to travel in the way Muggles do. Ronald picked his own new passport up and opened it, staring in fascination at his 'Muggle style' photograph, as if daring it to move. Hermione inspected her new passport closely as well, although in her case more to check the details in it were correct, or at least as 'correct' as the Muggle border security agencies in both countries would need to know anyway.

There was also a handwritten parchment note written on Ministry stock, from the new Minister Kingsley, now following an election officially confirmed into the position he'd previously assumed as an emergency role, stepping in to sort out the power vacuum and chaos immediately following the Battle of Hogwarts.

The note was headed by the official Ministry Crest and read...

Dear Ms. Granger and Mr. Weasley.

I'd like to express once again my own and the Ministry's extreme gratitude for all that you, Harry and your DA friends did to ensure the defeat of Tom Riddle and his followers in the recent war. As you know the Ministry and the Wizengamot are currently deciding upon suitable awards and honours for each of the participants in the fighting and underground struggle against the Voldermort regime, but as I am aware of the situation involving your parents the enclosed is just a small token of both the Ministry's official esteem and also my own personal admiration. Please find enclosed the two Passports you will need, two First Class air tickets to Australia and also an itinerary and introductory letter from myself to the Australian Ministry of Magic, requesting they extend you all possible courtesy and aid in your 'quest'. In addition on arrival you will find funds transferred to an Australian account, to aid you with travelling and other expenses involved. Good luck with your 'mission'.

From the Office of Kingsley Shacklebolt.

Minister for Magic.

Whitehall.

But following this very 'official' sounding letter was an added personal footnote from the new Minister. Written in his own hand and in a very different tone it read...

P.S. Hi kids, that's enough of the 'official stuff'. :o) Good luck on your mission to retrieve your parents Hermione, I'm sure it'll go well, you're such a powerful and skilled young witch I doubt there'll be any problems. Relax, enjoy the trip and don't worry about Harry, he's working here at the Ministry with me for a little while, clearing up some 'loose ends' before he and Ron both start their Auror training later in the year. We'll see you two 'lovebirds' when you get home. Take your time and don't rush back, all's well, the renegade Death Eaters are being rounded up even as this is being written and it'll be good for you and Ron to have a nice holiday after you get the 'important business' of restoring your parent's memories sorted out.

See you soon, bring me back a Koala. :o)

Fondest regards.

Kingsley.

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Hermione and Ron arrived at Heathrow Airport in the VIP section of the new built Magical Departure's Lounge, direct by Apparition, their luggage having already been delivered and checked in separately by Ministry porters. The new airport facility was an innovation like many that were beginning to appear in the reviving and becoming vibrant post war Wizarding World. Even back at the time of the last British staged Quidditch World Cup, which the Weasleys and their friends had attended, it had been commonplace for witches and wizards from remote areas of the world, particularly Muggleborns who were used to the idea, to use muggle air transportation in order to travel long distances comfortably, as the magical alternatives were not in the slightest bit pleasant. Long intercontinental chains of Portkeys being hard to arrange authorisation from all the governments involved along a chain, and even when this was achieved they represented an uncomfortable, disorientating and nausea inducing way to travel. The muggle alternative was far more tolerable. Via the Muggleborns increasing influence several other 'innovations' were starting to be adopted as well and the first signs of the 'communications revolution' were beginning to become visible, with a few of the trendier young Witches and Wizards risking having mobile phones, even though the problem of magic causing damage by it's nearby strong use was not yet fully conquered. However some progress had been made by researchers and unless one did something really stupid like Apparating with a device turned on the 'Shield Charms' developed did help stop expensive 'accidents'.

Ronald nevertheless, and despite all Hermione's attempts to reassure him, still looked apprehensive at the idea of boarding one of the Muggle's huge, noisy and mystifying contraptions, still being unable to see what strange Muggle force kept 'em in the air. His father Arthur however had finally grasped the idea of aerodynamics after Hermione had explained it in detail, with some simple practical demonstrations in a 'lecture' she'd given to them both at The Burrow. Arthur having understood the idea immediately got into the idea of building model aeroplanes and was happily pursuing his new hobby in his workshop at The Burrow. He was obviously envious of Ron, for having the opportunity to give Muggle aeroplane flight on a real plane a go. Ron, on the other hand, was still not so sure.

A frustrated Hermione seeing the slightly ashen tinge to Ron's complexion and lacking much sympathy said; "Honestly Ronald, how many more times do I need to explain it. Like I showed you it's all to do with the way the air flows over the wings, and those engines on the planes are hugely powerful, they push the plane along so fast that the 'lift' generated is enormous, don't worry, I tell you there's no way for a plane to just 'stop flying' it's a million to one that an accident will occur, the plane is far safer than that old flying car you and Harry happily went gallivanting off to Hogwarts in, that bloody thing was a death trap, even if it did save your lives.

Ron did not look too reassured, still certain that he could die, but gulped and summoned up his courage and shortly both he and Hermione were seated in the luxury and comfort of the First Class lounge of their enormous and almost brand new Airbus 380 Superjumbo and soon found themselves aloft. The take-off was so smooth that had Ronald not been looking out of the window and grasping Hermione's hand tightly he'd have hardly known they were flying and once well into the air he visibly relaxed, obviously finally convinced that this huge Muggle metal contraption really could fly.

Hermione, seeing he had calmed down a lot once off the ground smiled at him and asked, "Feeling a bit better Ron, trust these 'infernal Muggle machines' now do you?"

Acting nonchalant Ronald smiled back at her and replied, "Don't know what you mean Hermione, it's 'a piece of cake', never doubted it, like I always say they're damn clever these Muggles! Anyway, when's lunch?"