Love In Translation

Chapter 5. VENICE

As soon as we got off the train, we found ourselves pushed out of the station and onto the street by thousands of tourists. Once we were on the street and I had a chance to look around, I was surprised by what I saw.

A wonderful window on the past opened in front of us. Venice was so beautiful, surrounded by water, as if suspended from time and space.

I quickly looked around, and I realized that it was the famous Venetian Carnival Season: while walking down the small alleys, we were greeted by several people dressed in masks, displaying their sumptuous robes decorated with precious stones, coloured feathers, and ancient laces.

Angy and I's mouths hung open as we looked at the wonderful sight. All those masks matched perfectly with the ancient marble buildings, the golden bridges crossing the canals, and the coloured gondolas (typical Venetian boats) that were silently floating on the water.

"I could have worn my usual witch robe, and nobody would have noticed me!" said Angy, deeply annoyed, and I had to admit that after all, she was perfectly right; for sure, nobody would have noticed our strange witches robes.

"We'd better look for a place to stay the night. Let's go," I said, thinking of our most urgent problem.

***O***

When I opened the window of our little hotel room, my mouth dropped open again at the wonderful sight. We were right in front of the famous Canal Grande, the main Venetian canal, and beneath us, a great number of gondolas were slowly slipping on the water, carrying large groups of disguised people who were laughing and singing happily.

Since we had gotten there a few hours before, the sun had already set, and with the darkness of the night, the city looked even more magical to me. Several little lights were shining on the ancient palaces and small boats, and cheerful music was coming out from houses and squares.

But while everyone was busy celebrating the Carnival, I had death in my heart because I knew that Harry was risking his life and that Angy and I were his only hope of salvation.

"Here we are. I'm ready! What do you think?" Angy's voice cut my thoughts off.

When I turned to her, I was shocked by her appearance.

"Angy? Is that really you?" I asked. Her face was completely hidden by a large and beautiful golden china mask symbolizing a smiling sun, surrounded by thousands of red and golden rays; her long robe was really sumptuous, made of a heavy red and gold silk and decorated with several shining rubies.

"Of course it's me! Do you like my mask? Well, I must say that it took great effort to change those horrible muggle clothes, but the result is amazing, don't you think?"

"Yes, it's really not bad at all! But do you really want to go out dressed like that?"

"My dear Hermione, of course I'm going to go out dressed like this. It's Carnival Season, and if you don't want to get noticed, you have to! Come on, I've a wonderful mask ready for you." She spoke in a professional manner.

"You must be joking! I'd never wear something like that!"

"Oh, shut up! You're going to do as I say, and that's it! Now turn around. I have to take your measurements."

Resigned to the idea of wearing a mask myself, I turned around and let her take my measurements.

Then she pointed her wand at me and said the magic words: "Moony luminas!"

I felt a strange prickle on my head, and suddenly, my muggle clothes were magically transformed.

"You look delightful! Come here and take a look in the mirror." Angy seemed really satisfied with her work, and she pushed me in front of the mirror.

When I saw my reflection, I caught my breath in surprise: my face was completely covered by a large china mask representing a half moon, and my robes were navy blue like the night sky, embroidered with thousands of shining diamond stars.

"Well, I've done a great job, I must say. Maybe I'll change dresses with you." said Angy, thoughtful.

"Please, don't change anything. Can we go now?" I asked, rolling my eyes.

Soon after, we were walking on the street, easily managing to blend in ourselves with the thousands of masquerade people crowding the alleys and squares.

But still, Angy hadn't told me anything about where we were going to meet her friends. I moved closer to her and whispered, "Could you tell me where we are going?"

"You'll see. Don't worry! But please, try not to attract any attention."

I silently laughed, thinking that in any other circumstance and in any other place, it would have surely been impossible not to attract attention dressed like we were.

We walked a lot, and finally, we arrived at St Marco's Square: it was really huge square, and on one side was the majestic St Marco's Cathedral, decorated with wonderful oriental domes and white marble statues.

At that time of night, masquerade people, singing, dancing, and celebrating the Carnival, crowded the square. We overcame them with a certain difficulty and finally reached the Cathedral.

Then Angy stared deeply at a huge white marble statue of a giant winged lion, the symbol of Venice. In the mean-time, I was looking around, checking if any wizard from the Order of the Phoenix or Ministry of Magic was coming, but it seemed that nobody cared about us.

"Can you tell me where they are?" I asked, slightly disappointed.

"Who are you talking about?" asked Angy.

"I'm talking about your friends!" I answered, surprised by her question.

"They are right here in front of us!"

I looked at her, really puzzled.

"Can't you see farther than your nose?" Angy was starting to lose her temper with me. She took my head in her hands and forced me to look at the entrance of the Cathedral.

"There's nobody there!" I said stubbornly, starting to lose my temper as well.

"Well...Am I nobody, then?" I jumped with surprise. A low, deep voice was coming out of the giant winged lion statue in front of me.