It was coming, fast and I wasn't sure if I was ready for it. There bodies still fresh in my mind a long with the pain of loosing them. I took a deep breath and looked down at the letters that I was about to send out. To see if my friends would be joining me this fall. I hoped they would but deep down I knew I would be alone for the most part. I knew their would be fellow students my grade returning, Neville Longbottom one of them. I sealed the letters and tied them to the outstretched leg of my owl, Bugs. I fed him a treat and a few pats on the head before he took off to the Burrow. I closed my window, and plopped back on to my bed. Thinking about the past year that had past.

After Harry had defeated Voldemort, they're was barely any celebration. It was more for the pain for our lost ones. Fred, Lupin,Tonks, Snape. Ron and I never really developed our relationship after the kiss down in the chamber. I think it was more spur of the moment, thinking we would be dead by morning type of thing. We barely kept contact through out the summer last year. Harry went back with them to the Burrow. I went to Australia to find my parents. That was a dead end, they had died in a car crash a few months after I had sent them. Even with all my effort to keep them alive and hidden they died in something as silly as a car crash.

I had hit a bad time after I found out. I was out every night, waking up in strange beds with random men. Never taking anything to far in my drunken haze, just being a tease. It went on for a few months before Ginny Weasley had spotted me at a bar and drug me to the Burrow, claiming I needed help. I said I was fine at the time. They kept me there for a few weeks, until I finally exploded, my emotions running wild. Harry helped me through most of it.

He helped me understand that I wasn't alone, that I had him, Ginny and Ron. Together they helped me find closure with my parents, and with the loss of our friends. During that time I started working with George at his joke shop. We became closer, dated a little, until he ran into Angelina Johnson from school. We agreed that our relationship felt more big brother , little sister type. I still enjoyed the time I spent with him, just to have his company, I believe he felt the same way. I still work for him today, living in the small two bedroom flat.

It was four months ago that I met Layla Sanders, an american half-blood witch that moved to London to live with her Uncle Tom, the owner of the Leakey Cauldron. I went in one day to meet up with Ron and Harry to catch up. That never happened, I was there for two hours before Harry sent me and owl saying they had got caught up at the Ministry and that I should meet them at The Burrow later that night to hear the good news.

I had ripped the letter up, ticked that they couldn't send a letter before hand, and making me waist two hours thinking something horrible had happened. Layla had brought me a firewhiskey and sat down at the table. I was taken back by her bluntness. She had dark black curly hair, not as frizzy mine could be. They were more loose, tucked back in a loose pony tail. Her green eyes pierced mine. She told me I looked pissed and that if I wanted she had a break in ten minutes, I could to rant to her.

I don't know what made me take her up on her offer, two hours later I had spilled everything to her. She didn't judge, or interrupt. She just gave me a word of advice, that I should stop allowing my friends to take advantage of me because I was smart, and was there for them when they needed to me.

I didn't go to the Burrow that night. When Harry and Ron had shown up at the joke shop they both looked pissed as hell. George, gave me a small smile and winked. He knew why I never showed and understood. I smiled at the memory of them storming in searching for me.

"What the hell Hermione? Why didn't you show up last night?" Ron demanded.

" Oh I'm sorry was I suppose to be somewhere? I wasn't allowed to leave you hanging?" I answered simply, not looking at him, but at the shelf I was organizing.

"I sent you a letter telling you we got caught up at the Ministry," Harry fumed.

I rounded at him and glared.

"Two bloody hours later. I had sat and waited for you . It didn't cross your dense minds that you should send the letter to tell me not to wait up that you were at the Ministry? I thought something something had happened to you. No, let's not tell Hermione anything till the last minute. I thought I was your friend, not someone you could just let hang because you no longer needed her to muck up your lives , with her problems. So I decided to show you guys how it felt. Try having some consideration. " I yelled.

Harry pinched his nose, and Ron's ear flamed red.

" Look, we are sorry, that we left you hanging. We never meant for it to happen. We got caught up with the time. It wont happen again. Are we forgiven?" Harry asked, staring at me.

Ron looked up, grimacing.

I sighed, and nodded, pushing my hair back from face, I could understand, our lives were changing and I couldn't stay mad at them for the worth of me. They both attacked me with a hug, mumbling sorry in my ear at the same time. I sighed and inhaled both of there scents. A mixture of mint and crisp apples.

They told me about how the Ministry offered them both jobs of Auror's and they wanted me to join as well. I had thought for a while on it, and when I was about to except the offer, I got the letter from Hogwarts. Asking me to come back.

I had went to the Leakey Cauldron, something I did everyday to get to know Layla a little better, and ask for her advice.

"Hey, H what's up today?" she asked, when I apparated inside , and sat down at the bar, she was currently waitress-ing at.

"So you know how the Minister offered Harry, Ron and I jobs right? I asked and she nodded, setting down a glass of Butterbeer down in front of me.

"Well I got a letter from Hogwarts a few days ago, asking me to come back to complete my 7th year."

She raised her eye-brows and nodded for me to continue.

" I don't which one to pick, the Ministry where I will be with my friends and catching the remaining Death Eaters, or school, something I had passion for, to help cure my thirst for knowledge." I said, taking a sip of my drink.

"Well, H, it sounds like you have two choices on your hands. Both hard to think through, but I know you can do it. Either you reply back to Hogwarts and tell them no, you'd rather not be alone and tag a long with your friends, not knowing if being an Auror is the right job for you. Or tell the Minister that you would like to hold off on the job, so you can complete your education, and if it's still available in a year if you could take the offer then. It's your choice Hermione. Not Ron's and Not Harry's. Do what makes you happy, and feels right. That's all I have to say. Drinks on me I have to get back to work," she said, smiling a little, the greeting the people that just came in while serving the people who were already sitting down.

I left her some money and twirled on spot, landing back at my flat. I had sent my response to McGonagall first then to Kingsley. He sent back that he would gladly wait until next year if being an Auror was an option for me then, then their would always be a spot on his team for me. He also said that it was up to me to tell Ron and Harry my choice.

It's been three months, and I still haven't told them. Ron being busy with training, comforting his mum, and his current relationship with Lavender. Harry was also with training and Ginny. With me I was busy with helping George and getting my supplies for school, moving Layla into my flat, because she couldn't still with her uncle anymore and work there.

I heard the peck of Bugs at my window, I shook my head and opened the window, noticing that a few hours had passed with me just thinking about the past. I untied, three letters, and shut the window, pouring some feed for Bugs. I opened the letter from Harry first.

Hermione,

I'm not surprised that school would be your option, I knew when my letter came that it would be a hard choice even for me. Sadly, even if the war hadn't happened I would of still choose being an Auror. If you remember, which being you I know you do that it was my career thing since year five.

I am proud that your doing what you love which is finishing your education, it's something you need to do for you. I love you 'Mi even if you choose to be a dirty slag , I know it would of been something YOU wanted to be. ( p.s I know it's not you just an example!)

I'm going to miss you, and I hope that on some special occasion that I can come see you at Hogwarts, or if not Hogsmead, so we can stay connected. Write to me and I'll try and write back the best I can. You know how I am with these things. Ginny is sending you news of her own. Molly is proud of you, George told her ages ago. She misses you and wants you to come see her and Arthur before you go. Tell Layla I say Hello! I haven't seen her recently, and tell her to write also.

Love Harry.

I smiled at his letter, my shoulders loosing some of the weight they bared , for finally telling him. I opened Ron's letter next, my heart beating faster, not sure of his response.

'Mione,

I can't believe you waited this long to tell us. I know the letter came a few months ago. I was waitng for your owl straight away. You won't be alone going back. I know Lavender is going to, she told me Neville, Luna, Seamus, Dean, will be going back as well.

I know you don't get on with Lavender very well, but she's changed. She isn't that dewy eyed school girl from fifth year. Promise me you'll give her a chance. You'll do great you always do. At least now Harry and I wont be dragging you down. Be safe, and if someone insults you let me know, I'll curse the git to the ends of the earth. Miss you, come see us before you go.

Ron.

Typical Ron, I nodded to his agreement with Lavender and smiled at the fact that some of my friends will be there to. I breathed in and opened Ginny's letter.

Hermione,

Knowing you, you opened my very IMPORTANT letter last, because your afraid of what I will say to you going back to Hogwarts. Well, does it matter what I say? You've made up your mind and no one can change it.

Honestly, I was planning on going back myself when we all received the letter but something big happened. Well,two things. I have no idea how to start them off, and I can hear you in my head screaming "Spit it out already" So here it goes!

I got into the Hollyhead Harpies! They offered me a 4 year contract, I'm so excited! I mean your going to be doing your thing at Hogwarts, Ron and Harry are going to be working at the Ministry, Layla.. well she told me a surprise of her own yesterday and I suppose she'll tell you when she get's home from work. Our lives can finally move on 'Mione. I'll write you as much as I can. I feel bad for not writing as much as I possibly can now I feel like a bad friend.

Oh and the second thing, I already know your going to come over right after you read this part and not finish the letter. So I just want to put this part first. I have faith that you will do absolutely amazing in all of your classes. I will miss you so much. and I love you so much.

Well here comes the news, Harry proposed to me earlier today! Bout time eh? See you soon.

Love Ginny.

I felt a tear fall down my face , she was right it was all coming together. I wiped my cheek and stood up from my desk. I grabbed my wand, flicking it at the letters so they would go in my trunk. I threw on a light pink sweater over my black tank top. It was getting chilly out at night as we neared September.

I walked into the kitchen from my room , leaving a note for Layla when she got home to meet me at the Burrow.

I spun in place and with a crack I disappeared.

A.N. So this chapter is just kind of look back in Hermione's Mind. Layla is O.C. I'll update as much as possible!. Credit goes to J.K Rowling where it's needed, I just own the plot, the O.C's and Bugs. Reviews and welcome :D ~ Nikki