“Where is Harry?” Hermione asked Mrs. Weasley who was in the kitchen, watching pasta being drained into the sink.

“I don't know dear. Why don't you ask Ron?” She responded. She had calmed down quite allot since starting supper, deciding to embrace the fact that her family no longer had to fear for the well being of themselves and the rest of the world. Even if that did mean the loss of one of her children.

“No, I think Ron is tired of listening to me at the moment.” She sat herself down in a chair at the table, not quite sure if she should look for Harry to talk about Hogwart's and the possibility of finishing their seventh year, or stay and talk to Mrs. Weasley regarding her frustration with Ron.

“Well I very much doubt that. You know how Ron is.” She said as plates zoomed across the kitchen, one forcing itself under Hermione's elbows that were resting on the tabletop.

“I am beginning to doubt that, too. He just gets so... difficult sometimes. I mean, doesn't he understand what it means if we don't finish our seventh year?!” Her voice rose a little, she could feel his ignorance even when he wasn't in the room.

“Of course he does, Hermione. He just looks at the world in a different light, is all. Of course, considering what you have done for not only Hogwart's, but the Ministry, too, I wouldn't be very surprised if you were given graduating honors. Granted, they appoint a Headmaster within reasonable time.” she said, ineffectively trying to comfort Hermione. “Even so, Harry's got allot more to worry about these days than trying to balance school work, too.”

“What do you mean?” asked Hermione's

“Well didn't Tonk's and Lupin, rest their souls, leave little Teddy with Harry?”

“Oh my, you're right! I wonder if Harry has even thought about that? How is he supposed to take care of a little baby? Obviously they didn't consider the war against Voldemort when they appointed Harry Godfather. Poor thing.” Hermione said.

“Or maybe they did.” said Mrs. Weasley, giving Hermione a look of affirmation.

“You don't supposed Mrs. Tonks is going to surrender Teddy very easily?” asked Hermione, wondering if this battle might be nearly as difficult as the one with Lord Voldemort.

“Well, I have personally only met the woman on few occasions,” she said, “but I can most certainly say that if I were in her situation it would take Merlin's dander to get that child from me.”

Mrs. Weasley's opinion wasn't exactly comforting, none the less Hermione felt it was best to wait until the boys had a full stomach before laying the obvious in front of them. The meal she served, being the first meal after Voldemort was defeated, was the most enjoyable meal many of them had ever had. George even made his first joke since Fred's death, taunting Ginny and Harry for being in her room together so long. Harry had wished no one had noticed, unfortunately that was not the case at all. Mrs. Weasley was quick to get George to hold his tongue, recalling the first time George had a girl over. When everyone was done eating super Hermione was quick to suggest they all retreat to Ron's room for a quick chat, much to Ron's dismay.

“So Harry. You do realize you are Teddy's new guardian, right?” Said Hermione in her condescending tone. She was positive that the welfare of the little child had not even crossed Harry's mind.

“Yeah, but I figured he's probably better off in his grandmother's care than mine.” he said while tossing the snitch Dumbledore had left him in the air and catching it. “I can hardly care properly for myself, not to mention a whole other person.”

“No, Harry, Mrs. Tonks is going to awfully excited that she has to give her newborn grandson to a 17 year old! Especially since his parents, her daughter, passed away 3 days ago!” said Ron, expressing his opinion in a less literal sense than Hermione and Harry commonly do. Hermione shot him a glare that could melt a glacier.

“Well I personally think you should at least keep allot of contact. He is your Godchild after all. What if Mrs. Tonk's isn't so great? Imagine what would it have been like if Sirius was around your whole life, Harry, and not just for a year?” Hermione knew she had hit a soft spot with Harry, almost purposely. He stopped throwing the snitch and stared at the ceiling. What if Hermione was right? Should he at least go see how Teddy was doing? He couldn't help but feel a great responsibility for the child, even though he had never met him and was likely in good care with Andromeda. Lupin and Tonk's trusted him to make sure Teddy was given the type of life they would want him to have. A life they would have provided if not for Lord Voldemort. Ron nudged Hermione's leg with his foot, not appreciating her tactic to make Ron look like a careless fool. Harry didn't seem to want to touch on the subject so much now that he was think about what Hermione said. Of course, Ron had no problem changing the discussion.

“So Harry, what are you going to do with the Elder Wand since it too powerful for you?” asked Ron, disappointed that Harry wasn't going to keep an instrument that Ron found not only intriguing, but useful.

“Well, I am going to put it back where it came from. In Dumbledore's sarcophagus.” said Harry

“I dare say it's just me, but that doesn't seem like a very good place to hide the wand, Harry. I mean, it's so easily accessible to the wrong person, isn't it? Voldemort got it out, didn't he?” She said, worried that Harry was actually considering hiding the wand in such an obvious place

“Even if that does happen, Harry is still the rightful owner, right Harry?” asked Ron, as if Harry had more abundant knowledge than Ron himself, which was not true

“Exactly. So not only will they have to find the Elder Wand, but they will have to... kill me.” The flaw in Harry's idea hit him like a bludger. If anyone really wanted that wand they would most definitely come after Harry, and he wasn't particularly looking forward to that.

“Well I think as long as it's in his tomb that no one is going to seek it there. Why, of all places, would they look for the Elder Wand there?” he tried to sound convincing

“I don't know, maybe that's because it was there before?” said Ron

“Well where do you think I should put it? I don't hear either of you suggesting a better place.” Harry was frustrated that his perfect plan had a gigantic flaw that could not only lead to Harry's death, but could put everyone else at risk, too. How long would it take for someone to find the wand? Would they realize that Harry was the true owner and would it be after Harry had already died, hopefully of natural causes? The biggest question was if Harry was willing to risk all of that.

“No one believes that children's rubbish anyhow, right?” he responded, trying to make the idea a little more realistic, and make himself feel better about it.

“They didn't until the other night.” said Hermione, “You and Lord Voldemort discussed the wand in front of dozens of people, Harry. And I can assure you they have talked to many friends and family regarding the duel. There is reason for everyone to believe that the Elder Wand is real. And the Death Eaters are still out there, too. They definitely know about it.”

This put Harry's thoughts in a frenzy. Hermione was right. Everyone knew the Elder Wand existed and they also knew Harry was the new owner. Even if they could not find the wand, if they killed Harry, or even so much as disarmed him, the wand would no longer be in Harry's control, which was a terrifying thought.

“I think we should take some advice from old Voldy. It was hell trying to find those Horcrux's.” said Ron

“Good Lord, Ron. Are you really suggesting Harry make his own Horcrux's just to protect the Elder Wand? You really can be an idiot sometimes, you know that?” said Hermione with a disgusted look on her face.

“Yes, Hermione. That's exactly what I am suggesting. Harry should most definitely use Dark Art to completely obliterate half of his soul and be immortalized in a wand, as if a memorial isn't good enough. What I am saying is we should put it in some hidden place that's insanely difficult to get to. Like that sea cave!”

“We?” said Harry, catching the operative word

“Well, of course, Harry. We wouldn't let you do that alone. Plus, with my logic, your wits and Ron's... um... charm... we can build a protective barrier and traps that not even Voldemort could have devised! I'll go get some books for research!” Hermione got up and ran out of the room

“Where the bloody hell does she think she's going? My non-existent library?” said Ron loudly “She gets mental sometimes when she's excited.”

Harry had been wondering about the status of Ron and Hermione for a while and had no opportunity to ask until now, which was as good a time as any considering they were alone and there was a great chance Hermione was going to be gone for a while.

“So, Ron. I have been wondering. What's up with you and Hermione? You know, you guys did spend half an hour making out in the hallway. Which, by the way, was not the greatest of timing.”

Ron sighed, “I don't know, Harry. One minute I wanna hold her hand and the next I wanna cast a Bat-Boogy hex on her. It ruddy confusing! If she would be more agreeable sometimes...” Ron knew he probably shouldn't be discussing this with Harry and that Hermione would kill him if she knew, but Harry was his best friend, too.

“Yeah. Girls can be very confusing at times, eh?” Not that Ginny was confusing at all. If anything Harry was the confusing one. Harry wanted to make Ron feel like he wasn't alone, though. “Have you... well this might see over obvious, but have you told her you like her? I mean, you can't really get far if she doesn't know. Right?”

“Told her? She should know! Girls are supposed to take hints and all, right?”

“Well, maybe that's the problem, Ron.” Harry couldn't help but feel like Ron was entirely missing the point, “Maybe you should clue her in.”

Ron didn't look amused with Harry's suggestion, mostly because he knew he was right. Harry was in no way an expert of girls but it seemed common sense to just tell Hermione that he likes her.

“It's not so bad once you get started, really. You just tell her.” He said, referring to his conversation with Ginny earlier, not that is was a conversation so much as Ginny talking at him, but was amazingly easy to tell her he loved her once she had said it first.

“Oh yeah, is that what you did with Ginny?” he said, sneering at Harry. Ron still wasn't comfortable with the fact that Harry was chasing his sister. Little did Ron know the chasing has quite subsided but Harry chose not to answer this question, for his own safety. Ron haulted the conversation upon Hermione's unexpectedly quick return.

“What about a vault at Gringott's?” suggested Hermione as she walked into the room looking up hexes in How to Charm Your Chamber

“That worked really well for Bellatrix.” snapped Ron “What about the Shrieking Shack? No one ever wants to go in there. As far as they're concerned it's haunted.”

“It's too common” replied Harry, “We need somewhere far away. Where no one is going to attempt to get it.”

“Well wouldn't it be a better idea to hide it some place where we can keep an eye on it? You know, somewhere we'll be able to monitor if anyone is trying to reach the wand? It seems a little irresponsible to put it somewhere that we don't have access to.” said Hermione,

“That's a good point, Hermione. I don't think the Shrieking Shack will work because I don't think we'll be at Hogwart's too often, but that's a very good idea.” said Harry

“I know!” said Ron jumping up, “We can hide at Grimmauld Place with Kreacher!”

“Ron, I thought we decided on somewhere we could monitor.” said Hermione

“I know, I know! But think of it - Harry owns that place and we can go there anytime we please. And Kreacher will surely let us know if anyone tries to enter. And – and Dumbledore is the Secret Keeper and he's passed on. Which means that the identity of the house can't be given to anyone else who doesn't already know it!” Ron has jumped up from his bed that he was sitting on out of utter excitement. It was not very often that Ron came up with great ideas as this one, even Hermione was quite impressed that he took into consideration the details of the Fidelius Charm. It was indeed true that the location can only be passed by the Secret Keeper, even in the event of their death.

“Ron you're brilliant!” exclaimed Hermione “And I have found some hexes and curses that will most definitely keep any intruders out. Where is the wand now, Harry?” Harry pulled out the mole skin pouch Hagrid had given him and laid in on the floor.

“So when should we take it there? Today?” asked Ron

“I think we should sleep on it. Make sure it's the place we want to put it. We don't want to be going around casting spells on every house we see do we?” said Hermione

“Good point.” Said Harry as he placed the Elder Wand back into the pouch. He recalled Hagrid as he patted it on his chest. “We haven't paid Hagrid a visit in some time. Why don't we go see him tonight? He may even have some more ideas of places to put this thing.” said Harry.

“Actually, Harry, I need to go find my parents in Australia. Lord knows what they are doing there and I never really gave a thought to the trouble it is going to be to get them back to Britain.” Hermione started gathering the books she had taken out of her beaded purse and putting them back in one by one.

“Do you need help?” asked Ron, think this was an excellent opportunity to use Harry's useful, yet undesirable, suggestion.

“Well I - uh, sure. Why not?” Hermione was a little apprehensive about taking Ron with her. He more than likely was going to be more of a burden than of any assistance in addition to the hassle of introducing him to the Muggle world. “But you have to promise me you aren't going to embarrass me. This is going to be hard enough as it is and I don't need some boy overcome with amazement following me around.”

“

“Oh I do, I do. I promise. So where is this Austrilium place at anyway?” he said

“It's Australia, and it's basically on the other side of the planet; no where near Britain. We'll have to get you some Muggle clothes, a plane ticket and a passport. Then we will have to find my parents. It promises to be quite an eventful trip.” she said, “Harry, do be sure to tell Hagrid we miss him and that we promise we'll visit as soon as we can.”

“Oh yeah, sure.” Harry was fairly accustomed to having Ron and Hermione at his side almost constantly and now they were leaving for a vacation by themselves. He didn't necessarily want to go with them, he knew Australia was quite a dry and dead place, but how was he going to occupy his time while they were gone?

“Ron you'd better pack some things to take along. Just cloths, really. I have everything else here.”, she patter the beaded purse, “Just grab the best Muggle clothes you can come up with. No robes or any of that rubbish.” Hermione continued to run around the room picking up random books on her way out.

Harry watched as Ron, more excited than Harry had seen him since he beat his first Bludger, grab clothes from his bureau. Those, not too surpisingly, consisted of a pair of aqua toned corduroy pants, a orange and black striped shirt that look most likely to be too short for Ron's long torso, and a pair of flip flops.

“Is that seriously all you own, Ron? You're going to look like a damn' clown with that on.” Harry said.

“Well what do you expect? It's not like your clothes can fit me and how often do I find myself in the Muggle world?” Said Ron a bit disgruntled at Harry's comment. He thought he'd done a fabulous job picking out his own Muggle clothes.

“Well I suppose it doesn't really matter what you're wearing so long as Hermione's parents are color blind” Harry couldn't help but laugh at his own jest. Ron joined in, too. It was now rather obvious that the clothes were going to look ridiculous.

“Really now, Ron.” Hermione stormed into the room when she heard the boys laughing, “If you honestly want to go with me we have to leave in three minutes. I have set up a portkey in the sitting room, so get your bum out there!” She left the room to watch the portkey.

“Well, mate, I guess we have got to go. Tell Hagrid I say hello and make sure he doesn't have anymore mad animals running around.” Harry and Ron hugged and Ron set out to the sitting room for his journey. Harry could hear the portkey leaving the living room and then the sound of Mrs. Weasley walking towards Ron's door. She barged in the door, rightfully assuming Ron had left.

“Harry, don't tell me Ron just left again. Please.” She had a look that not only expressed anger, but sadness. Harry wasn't quite sure how to answer that question consider she almost begged him to tell her that Ron had not left, which was quite obviously untrue.

“Wait a minute. Why are yo still here, Harry?” She said, suspiciously

“Hermione and Ron went to fetch Hermione's parents from Australia. I didn't go because I am going to go see Hagrid and ask him what I should do with the wand.”

“You're going to ask Hagrid?” said Mrs. Weasley, slightly offended that he had decided to ask someone who once tried to house a dragon in his shack, which he had boughten from Lord Voldemort. “Dear, I think you may want to consult the likes of a more... well there really isn't a nice way to put this but -”

“-Did you say Ron went to Australia, Harry?” Mr. Weasley had interrupted his wife, interested in the thought of traveling to such an amazing Muggle continent

“Um, yes. Him and Hermione.”

“My goodness. Did he really? That's going to be a fantastic adven... I mean he should have told us he was leaving!” Mr. Weasley realized the scowl on Mrs. Weasley's face and immediately changed his tone, but inconspicuously winking at Harry.

“Enough of this talk, it's making me furious just thinking of it.” Said Mrs. Weasley as she left the room. Mr. Weasley followed, muttering something about how grown up the boys have become lately to her. Harry knew what Mrs. Weasley was getting at with Hagrid. He did not exactly have the best record of making the most intelligent, if not reasonable, decisions. Traditionally this would be something Harry would discuss with Dumbledore, though he tried to avoid that thought. He did, however, have the next best thing.