AN: My first attempt at writing fan fiction! Would love reviews and constructive criticism is very much appreciated! Would like to find a beta if anyone is interested please pm me! Also : I own nothing but the plot!
Happy reading! :)

Chapter 1 – New Beginnings

Well, I guess this is it, Hermione thought to herself as she shifted the small box on her hip, which was filled with the last few odds and ends she had packed up before they had left her parent's house in Ireland. Looking down at the little girl holding her other hand, whose large blue eyes were looking back at her, her strawberry blonde curls blowing gently in the wind, she couldn't help but smile.

"So Rose, what do you think?" she asks, nodding in the direction of the small cottage, in front of them.

It had been quite a process for Hermione to find the perfect house for her and her daughter, but after a few months of searching she had finally found it. The cottage wasn't very big, just a small one level house, with a basement below. On the main level there was a modest master bedroom with an ensuite bath for herself, a bedroom for Rose that was large enough to hold her already impressive book collection, as well as any toys she deemed worthy to own, a small living room for receiving any guests they might have, as well as a bathroom. There was an office in the basement that Hermione planned on turning into a library for her own use, a family room, and another bathroom. Her favorite room in the house though, was the kitchen as she had recently developed a love for baking.

The cottage had a large wrap around porch. On the porch there were few chairs and table, for dining, if you so desired to eat outside, as well as a lovely swing to sit on to read. The house was surrounded by beautiful large willow trees, which was one of the things Hermione knew her daughter wanted. Rose was almost as big of a book lover as her mother was, and when her mother asked her if there was anything specific she would like her new house to have, she stated 'large trees outside, so that I may sit under them to read'. Hermione, of course couldn't deny her and specifically looked for such, and was so please to find a home that met all their combined requirements.

Rose slowing looked around, taking in the cottage and the surrounding trees. Once seemingly satisfied, she nodded once, smiled and looked up at her mother.

"It's perfect!" she replied, in such an excited voice Hermione just couldn't help but smile right back at her.

"Excellent! Let's go unpack then shall we?" Hermione asked, as she started forward towards the house, Rose nodding and following right beside her.

Walking into the house Hermione couldn't help but think of how she had gotten to be where she was. A single, widowed mother of a very spirited and curious six year old girl, and who was hoping to finally follow her dreams. She figured it had begun as the Final Battle ended.

It was utter chaos, the first few days following the battle. Injuries to heal, bodies to move and identify, loved ones to find, hopefully alive. Her only saving grace was her newfound relationship with Ron. While deep down she wasn't sure what the future would hold for them, she needed something to hold onto, something that was simple and easy in what she knew would be difficult days ahead.

Ron and Hermione attended funerals together, held each other while they cried, and did everything they could to remind each other that they were alive and finally free. When the funerals came to an end they spent their time, along with Harry and many others, rebuilding Hogwarts. The Trio knew, that despite everything that they had already been through in their short lives, they wanted to continue their live as normally as possible, and to do that they wanted to finish their seventh year and complete their N.E.W.T.S. Seventh year was everything they hoped it would be. They healing began and they finally found a routine that was quiet and peaceful, exactly what they wanted. Hermione and Ron continued their relationship throughout the year, growing closer than she ever thought possible, and at the end of the year, at their graduation feast, Ron proposed in front of friends and family. She, of course, said yes and they were married that summer.

Hermione always figured that she would continue with her education, but wasn't quite sure what she had wanted to do with her life. She convinced Ron that they shouldn't start a family until they both had secured jobs. So while Ron went off to Auror training, Hermione took some time to figure out what it was she wanted to do, she had many offers but wanted to make sure she chose the right thing for her. It didn't take her as long as she thought it would. First she ruled out being a professor. She once thought she would love to impart her knowledge a younger generation, but she couldn't decide what subject she might like to apprentice for, and in the end thought it might be too structured and restricting for her.

Next she ruled out working for the Ministry. While things were slowly getting better, under the new Minister, Kingsley Shacklebolt, she really didn't want people to think she used her name instead of her brains to land herself a job. She also ruled out being a Healer. While she loved to help people she had seen enough blood and guts to last a life time.

One day she sat down with the classified section of the Daily Prophet and noticed that there was an ad for an assistant at Flourish and Blotts. It was perfect! She had a deep love of books, so why not have a job where she could be surrounded by them all the time! She pulled out a parchment and quill, wrote up an application and sent it right then and there. The owner of Flourish and Blotts, of course, recognized her name, not from all her efforts in the war, but from the countless hours she used to spend in the store during holidays and while shopping for school supplies. He wrote her back accepting her application right away and said she could start first thing Monday morning!

Hermione was thrilled, as was Ron when she told him! That night they discussed when to start trying to expand their family. Ron of course wanted to start right that minute, but Hermione convinced him that they should wait a little while so that she wouldn't have to stop working so soon after she was hired. Ron agreed but insisted they celebrate her getting the job by practicing.

It was about two years later that they decided to stop using contraceptive potion and spells. It took only a few months of trying before Hermione told Ron the great news. Hermione had booked an appointment with her Healer that morning, since it was her day off. She was only 3 days late but where they were trying to get pregnant Hermione had a feeling that she was. The Healer ran a whole bunch of tests and sure enough, she was 6 weeks along. The feeling and emotions she then went through were indescribable. Never had she felt so excited yet terrified in all her life! She was going to be a Mommy, and she couldn't wait to tell Ron.

That night she prepared a huge meal, complete with appetizers, salad, a full roast beef dinner, and cheesecake for dessert! She was practically vibrating with excitement, and didn't know how she was going to be able to hold it in until they were finished with supper. But she was nothing if not persistent, and sure enough was able to wait until Ron had finished his last bite of cheesecake before she blurted "Ron, I'm pregnant!"

Of course Ron being the type of guy he was, was ecstatic and couldn't wait to tell his family, and they immediately flood over to the Burrow. Just their luck most of the family was there. Molly and Arthur were elated to find out they were going to have another grandchild, while Harry, George, Bill, and Charlie couldn't wait to go out to have some celebratory drinks, so off they went to some hot new bar in Muggle London. Had Hermione known that their celebrations were going to turn fatal and leave her a widow, she never would have agreed to let Ron go.

Hermione shook her head before the tears threatened to spill in front of her daughter. Seven years had passed since that time, and thinking about it still made her want to curl up in a ball and cry. While she missed Ron for his companionship more than anything, she would always be heartbroken that Rose never got to know him. The Weasley's made sure she knew the kind of person he was, but it just wasn't the same as growing up with a father.

Time to stop living in the past Hermione and start looking towards the future, she thought to herself. She had moved back to home and bought a house on the outskirts of Hogsmeade, as well as a vacant shop in the small town so that she could open her own bookstore with adjacent café. This was her dream. Books had helped her throughout her whole life, and more recently baking had become a passion of hers. So when Rose asked if they could move to be close to Ron's family, she thought, why not? Why not do what you've always dreamed of doing?

So here they were, at their new beginning.