Hermione sat in the chair by the fire, thinking back on the past few years. She had left school with the highest marks since Professor Dumbledore. The war was over, her heart ached at the thought of the war, so many lives had been lost. She had then gone on to work in the Ministry of Magic, as an Auror. There were still many Voldemort supporters at large, and she was part of a team responsible for bringing them in. Not long after that she had met Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome, her heart stopped aching at the thought of him.

They had bumped into each other at the school, whilst Hermione was there on official business with Minerva. It wasn't love at first sight, but it had been more amicable than when they were at school. Both of them had felt alone, with nobody to talk to. Both had lost people in the war. It helped to have someone to talk to. She remembered how they would meet in Hogsmead every week, either for a pick-me-up in The Three Broomsticks or a quiet cup of tea in Longbottom's Café.

A few months passed like this, Hermione working at the Ministry, him working at the school, their weekly get together, and the empty, lonely space in between. She would never admit it, but she wanted to see more of him, life felt better when she was with him. She didn't know at the time that he had felt the same way.

She laughed a little when she remembered how she had made up some silly excuse to meet him one weeknight. He had been a little irritated at first; she had pulled him away from some last-minute grading. He quickly forgave her though and they had a good night, chatting about old times, and old friends.

She couldn't remember how this unlikely friendship had turned into a loving relationship, but from that night they had continued to meet, ever more regularly. When Hermione bought her cottage, he came round every evening, to help do the place up. He would do the DIY, and she would do the decorating. She would cook a meal for them both and then he would apparate her back to her flat. When the cottage was ready, he helped her move in. He never left.

At that point she was snapped out of her thoughts by the front door closing.

"Hello, love. I was just thinking about us." She smiled.


A/N Please leave reviews so I know whether this story is worth continuing with. If it is worth continuing with you will find out who Hermiones mystery man is next chapter. Many Thanks, Danni-Jane.