At Second Glance
Chapter One: 10 years later
After the war, the first thing Hermione did was get engaged with Ron. She then married him two years later. She made sure he couldn't run away again. She made sure she'd always have someone there to remember her and love her. She made sure the rest of her life would be secure and safe.
Of course, Harry and Ginny married, too. They had already given birth to two and Ginny was currently sporting the bump of a third. Hermione insisted that she and Ron wait until she had achieved some of her aspirations, like founding of the Department for the Equality of all Magical Beings. However, Ron wanted a family.
"Mr. and Mrs. Weasley," a Healer with sandy hair and a preppy face walked in. He was new and unexpected. "I'm Healer Connick."
"Uh, call me Ms. Granger," Hermione corrected. "Please."
The healer did a double take, but nodded regardless. "Right well… my understanding from your previous healer, Healer Glenn, is that you guys have been trying to conceive a child for…" He looked at his notes.
"Eight years now," Ron cut in.
"Yes," he nodded in agreement.
"Excuse me, but I would like to know why you are here in place of Healer Glenn," Hermione said bluntly while adjusting her blouse. "She's a lot more pleasant."
"Mione, stop," Ron said through gritted teeth and while turning a steaming color red. "What she means is that we were expecting to see Healer Glenn today."
Hermione was about to cut in that she meant exactly what she said when Connick cut in. "My bad, I forgot to introduce myself. Typically, healers do a better job about introducing me," he clapped his hands together in a 'let's get down to business' sort of way. "Right, well, I work in the Saint Mungo's Department for After War Healing. More specifically, I research the after effects of the Cruciatus Curse."
Ron looked over at Hermione in what was an attempt to be subtle. He quickly glanced back at the Healer. Hermione's eyes never left the eyes of Healer Connick. Connick never one looked to Ron. Instead, his blue eyes met those of honey and he nodded at her. Solemnly confirming the fear on her mind.
"According to latest research conducted and surveyed, infertility amongst Cruciatus Curse Victims is at 84 percent in rats. In witches and wizards, it is 68 percent. However, those numbers are not entirely accurate since there are other confounding variables and since our pool of potential surveyors is smaller and is underrepresented," Connick explained. "With that said, it is my belief that you are infertile and that there is only a 5.7 percent chance of you getting pregnant."
Ron's head immediately fell into his hands. However, Hermione let out a long exhale. Healer Connick continued to study Hermione's face and could have sworn it was sigh of relief.
When Ron and Hermione returned home, there was an owl perched on a branch located on a tree near the front door to their little cottage. Ron was still upset and barely noticed it. He quickly threw open the front door and marched inside, leaving the door wide open for Hermione.
She whistled for the bird to come down from its spot in the tree. The owl flew down, dropping the letter (two actually) in her hand and then returned to the tree. Looking down, there was a letter addressed to a Mr. Ronald Weasley and to a Ms. Hermione Granger from the Hogwarts School of Magic.
However, seeing it brought a bit of hesitation and wariness to her face. It was the ten year anniversary of the war, and Hogwarts would be throwing a ball. Which meant she'd need to give a speech along with Harry. She'd need to watch as mothers cried over sons and daughters that would never return home. And she'd need to hear the sobs of adults, no older than her and typically younger, mourning the loss of their parents.
She opened the letter addressed to herself.
Ms. Hermione Granger,
On May 2, 2008, Hogwarts will be holding its annual Victory Ball.
You are formally invited to attend and to speak upon your adventures and trials during and leading up to the Battle of Hogwarts.
Please owl back as to if you plan to attend.
Sincerely,
Minverva McGonagall
Below that was a hand written note.
Hermione,
I know how troubling those times were for you and how hard it is to relive those days, however, only because I know you are strong and have it in you, do I ask that you attend. Your presence is profound and meaningful to not only me, but the wizarding community as a whole. You are our beacon of hope.
Hermione scowled. She was tired of being a beacon of hope or what not, but knew that she would be attending regardless.