Chapter 2 Travel

The trip to Orlando, Florida was as uneventful as possible for any party of six travellers that included three young children. Once on board the plane, the children proceeded to do all the ritualistic things children must do on their first flight. They visited the cockpit, where they had a million questions for the pilot. “What do all those buttons do? How do you know which way to fly? What spells do you use to keep the plane in the air?” Upon which Ginny and Hermione ushered the kids back to their seats.

Next, the children proceeded to adjust their seats to every position possible, play with their tray tables and try out the headphones.

“Mum, why can’t I hear you?” Molly squawked over the sound of the radio emanating full blast from her headphones. Ginny removed the headphones and Molly rubbed her ears. “That’s better,“ she said, blinking really hard. After a snack of soda and airline pretzels, James and Evan got bored, which resulted in Molly being found crying in a locked washroom.

“Well, I think it’s time for the children’s Dreamless Sleep Draught. The village Healer assured me it’s perfectly safe for occasional use and may help them recover better from the jet lag and continental time change,” explained Ginny.

“Plus, the rest of us can have a bit of peace and quiet,” added Hermione. “Sounds good to me. Is there any extra?”

The boys were eventually settled into their seats next to Harry, while Molly was tucked in a seat between her mother and Hermione. Once the kids were sound asleep, Harry busied himself reading reports. Hermione turned around in her seat to ask him, “Any news from the Front?”

“No new Dark Lords on the rise, if that’s what you mean, but there’s always enough nutters to keep us busy,” Harry replied. “What about you ‘Mione? When are you going to leave the patents office? It’s a waste of your talents.”

“I know you’re right, Harry. I always seem to find a reason to turn down opportunities that come my way,” Hermione offered.

“Nothing will ever be perfect ‘Mione, but you’re wasting that brilliant mind of yours, waiting for perfect to come your way,” Harry offered in a solicitous tone.

“I know, I know, and I swear I will do something before the year's end,” she replied.

“How about the romance department?” Harry continued. “Are you waiting for Mr. Perfect there as well?”

Hermione glanced at Ginny who was quietly watching the exchange between her and Harry. “No, Harry. That’s totally different. When it comes to men, Muggle or Wizard, I will never lower my standards. All I have to do is look at you and Ginny, and I know I don’t want to settle for anything less than what the two of you have. The problem is, no one has ever made me feel like that, and I’m not such a desperate girl that I need a man just to make me feel whole. No, I’ll settle back and wait, and hopefully The Fates will see fit to grant me love. Until then, I have my family, great friends and Crookshanks. That will just have to do. Are you done playing busybody yet?”

Harry caught Ginny’s eye and they shared a smile. “You're right, ‘Mione, don’t settle for less. It’ll be well worth the wait. And you know I only ask these things because I love you like a sister, and I want to see you happy.”

Harry returned to his reading, and Hermione noticed a faint blush grace Ginny’s cheeks. Her hands were in her lap and she was admiring her wedding ring. It pleased Hermione to think that even with a few years of marriage under the bridge, Harry and Ginny’s love appeared stronger than ever. After all, if anyone deserved happily ever after it was Harry Potter.

“Well,” Ginny began, breaking the introspective silence, “I’ve been giving some thought to my own future. Even though Harry would be happy to have several more children, even the proverbial Quidditch team, I really don’t want to follow in my Mum’s footsteps. Don’t get me wrong. I love being a mother,” she explained, as she glanced at Molly Rose with a smile. “I just think three children are enough, and I’m ready to think of my own career, after James and Evan start Hogwarts. Do you realize that’s only four years away?”

“Four years! That’s amazing. Have you decided what you’d like to do?” Hermione tried not to appear too surprised by her friend’s news.

“Yes,” Ginny continued, “and you’re the first person I’ve discussed this with, besides Harry, of course. I’ve been thinking about starting a school to teach basic flying and Quidditch skills to pre-Hogwarts age children,” Ginny explained.

“That’s brilliant! You’d be perfect for that,” Hermione added. “What does Harry think?”

“Oh, he loves the idea. And just think, with the famous Harry Potter available for some advance tutoring, the school is sure to be a hit. Plus, Ron can’t play professional forever. Even though I haven’t discussed it with him, I’m sure he’d like the prospect of something to keep earning gold after his pro-Quidditch days are done,” Ginny added.

“Indeed,” Hermione replied. “Would Harry quit working as an Auror?”

“Oh no. He loves the excitement too much. This would just be to help me make a name for the school, having him available for some privates lessons. However, Harry does like the idea of an alternative to the Ministry. If Ministry politics get too crazy, he could walk out the door without a second thought,” added Ginny.

“I just love this idea, Ginny,“ Hermione gushed. “Plus you, Harry and Ron working together. It’s brilliant. I, however, won’t ever be working for you. Unless you need a crack administrator, but I think you more than have that covered.” Both girls shared a laugh at Hermione’s last statement.

“Why wait until the boys are at Hogwarts?” Hermione inquired. “As much as James and Evan love flying, I think they could live at a flying school.”

“That’s true,” Ginny replied. “I’m going to move ahead with the planning straight away, but it is so much easier to parent one child round-the-clock than three. I just can’t envision opening the school with all three underfoot.”

“Fair enough,” answered Hermione. Since the plane was less than full, no one had sat directly adjacent to their seats. Nevertheless, they were gathering their share of odd looks. Hermione wondered which Wizarding words had reached the ears of their Muggle co-passengers. She decided it would be good to have some quiet time of her own. To pass the time in peaceful bliss, Hermione pulled out her dog-eared paperback version of ’Hogwarts, a History’. She had carefully covered up the book in a plain brown wrapper to create anonymity. With a warm feeling of familiarity, brought on by her well-loved tome, she felt herself relax and was soon well on her way to sleeping for the rest of the flight.