Hello, everyone! Welcome to a brand new story a little different than the last one. With Hermione Granger and the Werewolves' Moon I tried to make it read as much like a Harry Potter novel as possible, this one I wrote with less constraints, and more because I wanted to try my hand at, basically, a modern romance. This will not be the same, in fact, very little is the same as my previous long story.

Because of this I wanted to warn you: this is rated higher for a reason. This takes place years after Hogwarts, the characters are in their twenties, and they act it. There is swearing, there is bullying, there are some not-safe-for-work moments. Please don't read this is you're too young and/or it will offend you. Another thing is, I am not nearly as kind to Ron in this one. In fact, I should say I am very unkind, partly because last time I felt I was too nice to everyone.

This is rather an experiment, to see how I do with the type of story, so if the more mature subject matter doesn't bother you, I would love to know how you think I did. I wasn't aiming for literary brilliance, just a little entertainment. Now that I've gotten this off to a wonderfully negative start, I did have fun writing it, and I will be updating with a new chapter every Friday. Enjoy and ta ta.

S. White

Disclaimer: I certainly do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 1 - A is for Adaptation

Hermione Granger looked at her watch and groaned. It was almost 5pm and she still had so much work to do. Well, overtime wasn't an option tonight. Her boyfriend of four years, Ron Weasley, didn't mind if she stayed late at work if she left him something for dinner in the fridge, but she hadn't been expecting this much work so there wasn't anything in there for him.

She sighed. Her desk was a mess. Stacks of papers covered it, arranged in a haphazard fashion according to her own particular system. It wasn't long ago she had left the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures and moved to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and she was still a junior member of the group, but she hoped that with a lot of hard work she might be able to secure a promotion by the end of the year. Well, part of that working hard was getting more work done than she had time to do.

She piled up all the paperwork that still needed to be done and waved her wand, shrinking the pile to make it easier to carry, and after that it was a few seconds to pack up and leave her office. She smiled and waved to her coworkers on the way out of the Department and hummed as she walked down the corridors, the beat of the song in time with the clack of her heels. She entered one of the main lifts as a few lilac coloured paper airplanes zoomed in and the golden doors closed. She rocked on her heels and hummed happily as the lift rose and when she reached the atrium she waved to a few more people and apparated home.

Hermione reappeared in the flat where she lived with Ron. It was small but comfortable and filled with old but good second hand furniture that had been given to them by her parents or their Ministry coworkers. Hermione thought that with her salary and the money Ron made they probably could have afforded a bigger place or new furniture but she was comfortable here. Besides, the little purchases seemed to add up and they never had as much money left at the end of the month as she thought they would, but she was only able to estimate the amount Ron spent on and after his Quidditch. He had begun to play with a local group a few years ago and he went two or even three nights a week so he must be enjoying it. He had also had a change in jobs recently, but unlike her he had left the Ministry completely, joining George at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. She felt the move had been a good one; even with Harry at the Auror Office, it was obvious he hated working there when he left.

Their flat only had a few rooms, but they made use of them as best they could. She had appeared in a large space with a half high wall dividing the kitchen and living room. They had room for a good sized table in the kitchen and some muggle appliances and the living room had a fireplace on the outside wall, a worn but comfortable sofa, and a new and large television. Hermione had done some research and discovered how wizard radios worked by magic and applied the same type of spells to their muggle things to make them work. But she headed for what was technically their guest bedroom, but was more often her study. Since they had so few overnight visitors Hermione had talked Ron into letting her put a desk and bookshelves in and she used it for work. She left her stack of paperwork on the desk and hurried back out.

The floors were a mess so she pulled the broom and vacuum out and set them working a simple charm on each. She pulled food out of the fridge, setting a knife chopping vegetables with another charm while she finished preparing some chicken and put it in the oven. Ron usually got home between 5:30 and 6pm and he liked to have dinner right away, so she didn't have any time to waste. She knew this kind of hurried atmosphere wasn't the best to learn to cook in, but she was doing her best to improve. Ron usually ate what she cooked, at least, wolfing it all down like he had at Hogwarts or the Burrow. And he couldn't be starving during the day either, she thought as she began to make tomorrow's sandwiches. When she packed his lunch as always gave him twice as much as she gave herself and sandwiches were hard to get wrong. She always remembered not to give him the corned beef he hated and when he was having a particularly bad day she gave him his favourite bacon sandwiches the next day to cheer him up.

Hermione stood in the kitchen like a conductor in front of an orchestra, managing multiple charms at once. The floors looked much better once she used a vanishing spell on the piles of dirt left by the broom and put the vacuum away. She yawned and tried to blink her fatigue away. She could feel her own tiredness as if it was a weight pressing on her brain just behind her eyes, but she shook it off and prepared some rice to go with the chicken and vegetables.

She was assembling tomorrow's sandwiches when flames burst into life in the fireplace and Ron stepped out, brushing ash off his brightly coloured suit. He was frowning and Hermione fixed her eyes on the bread in front of her, wordlessly summing the bacon from the fridge with a flick of her wand. She tried to finished as quickly as she could.

"How was work?" She asked with a fake smile, trying to sound as cheerful as she could.

"Rubbish. I swear George gives me all the difficult customers."

"I'm sure he doesn't mean to," She said in soothing tones.

"Yeah, right. Is dinner ready yet?" He growled, throwing himself on to their couch and turning on the television. All she could see was his head and shoulders above the half wall between the rooms.

"Soon. Ten minutes."

Grunt.

Hermione only just managed to stop herself sighing. She put the finished sandwiches in the fridge and set the table, not even considering asking Ron to help. She had tried years ago but found it was just easier to do it herself.

When dinner was ready Ron sat down and started to mound his plate without a word. She tried to ask him about his day a few more times, but after two or three more short, sharp answers she stopped trying and fell into an uncomfortable silence. She occupied herself with thinking about the work she had brought home and mentally organizing all of it. When they were finished eating Ron left his plate in the sink and returned to the television. Hermione piled everything else in with it and enchanted the dishes to wash themselves while she picked up a dishtowel to dry. Ron came back in with hardly a glance at her to open the fridge.

"Are we out of butterbeer?" He said, disappointed.

"There aren't any in there? Then yes. I can pick some up tomorrow on my way back from work."

"Fine," He grunted, and pulled something else out instead.

Dishes dried and put away, Hermione headed back to the guestroom where she settled herself with a contented sigh and resumed her work. Her mental organization earlier had helped and she got through the work faster than she normally did. She thought her superior would be particularly pleased with a few of these reports.

She was nearing the bottom of the pile when she was getting almost too tired to go on, but she forced herself to finish up. A quick check of her watch told her it was hours later than when she had started and just about time for bed. Well, sandwiches were made for tomorrow and she always left before Ron and packed up their lunches then. Was there anything else she needed to do? She had to remember to get butterbeer tomorrow after work and there was enough food in the fridge that she could probably stay late if she needed to and she would be a little late if she was going to do some shopping. She packed away the paperwork safely in her bag, noticing that the television was off and then made her way to the bedroom.

Ron was in the bathroom and she pulled off her more formal work shirt with relief. She should have changed into something more comfortable a while ago but she had been so busy she had forgotten. She ran her fingers through her hair with a tired sigh and pulled out one of the oversized t-shirts and pajama pants she liked to sleep in. She turned and found herself face to face with a grinning Ron. Something about the grin made her want to take a step back. She sniffed. She could just smell a hint of firewhiskey under the toothpaste. He must have taken it instead of his normal butterbeer.

"Ron?" She said, keeping her voice almost completely steady.

"You don't have any sexy underwear. Why haven't you gotten any of those see-through things for me?"

"Ron, I'm not comfortable in that stuff, you know that. Besides, I don't have time to change and I need to be decent and comfortable at work."

"Screw work, I'm your boyfriend!" He growled and she carefully put her clothes on the dresser and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

"I know. Here, I'll have a look for something next time I'm in muggle London, alright?" She said in placating tones.

"Good. And when are you going to let me have you?"

"Ron! I-what do you mean?"

"You know what I mean. I want ALL of you."

"Ron, you already have me."

"Everyone says it feels better. They say it's tighter." He had that grin that made her uncomfortable again and his hands squeezed her behind.

"Ron, no! I told you no, and I mean no! I don't understand why you want to in the first place. The idea is disgusting, and besides, you could hurt me."

"Stop being so prudish, Hermione!"

"Prudish! I am not being prudish and the answer is still no!" She practically screamed at him. She was sure some people would consider her prudish but others like her own grandmother would call her something much, much worse for having premarital sex at all. But it wasn't enough for Ron when he drank; he wanted her to act more like a porn star. That was one thing she was glad she had never explained to Ron.

The alcohol was talking, not him, she knew. He didn't care what kind of underwear she was wearing and he didn't do anymore than he usually did. He hadn't lit any candles and the lights were off and all she could see was his silhouette in the moonlight. He pulled off the plain black bra he objected to so much only a few seconds later and practically ripped off her black slacks. She laid back and closed her eyes.

Hermione had enchanted her alarm clock so that only she could hear it and it went off at 6am, playing some of her favourite music very loudly. She pulled herself out of bed, still tired, and got herself into the bathroom. She would feel better after a shower. And she did, after she peeled her clothes off and let the wonderfully hot water burn the night's feelings away. She plaited her hair quickly and twisted it up into a bun that she secured with pins.

Dressing was simple; black slacks, gold undershirt, red blouse, and a simple Ministry cloak over top. She scraped some butter over a few slices of bread for breakfast and assembled her and Ron's lunch, leaving his in a paper bag with his name on it on their kitchen table. After another check to make sure the paperwork was in her bag she apparated away. At the Ministry she smiled happily to her coworkers as she walked to her office, cradling the completed paperwork in her arms.

"Did you take more work home last night, Mione?" A friendly voice said from the office next to hers.

Hermione glanced over. Her coworker Megan had her head stuck out of her door and was smiling at her, and Hermione smiled back. Megan pushed the door open and came out to help Hermione with the teetering stack of papers, taking half the pile and setting them in front of Hermione's chair. Megan put her hands on her hips with a laugh. She was a plump and beautiful dark skinned witch and Hermione envied her easy grace. Megan's eyes shone above round cheeks and her hair always looked amazing in cornrows. She was currently looking stunning in a rich yellow dress that stopped just past her knees and matching yellow heels. She was Hermione's closest friend at work and she had supported and helped Hermione from the moment she had switched departments. Her days would have been a lot more difficult without Megan to pull her through.

"Yes, I had a bit more work I needed to get done," Hermione said with a smile.

"How late were you up with all of this last night? You are getting enough sleep, aren't you?" Megan said, peering into Hermione's face with concern.

"I wasn't up too late. I didn't quite get eight hours, but it was close," Hermione said. She was tired, but she tried not to show it. She didn't want to worry her friend.

"Well, if you would let that lump of a boyfriend make his own dinner for once, maybe you could get some rest," Megan said, hands firmly on her hips again as she scowled at Hermione.

"I'm managing okay so far," Hermione said meekly. "And I do love him."

"I know, honey," Megan said, patting her shoulder. "What does he do while you're cooking, anyway?"

"Usually he sits in front of the television," Hermione said, starting to shift paperwork and sorting it all into its respective piles. She had to deliver these today and send a memo to the Auror Office, plus there was filing to do-

"Honey, how do you let him sit there?" Megan said sadly.

"Sorry, what did you say?" Hermione looked up guiltily, she hadn't been listening.

"Nothing, sweetheart. Come and get me when you go for lunch, right?"

"Of course. Sorry, I have to go deliver some of these," Hermione said, standing with a smile. Megan held out a hand and Hermione took it and gave it a squeeze before she left.

Hermione gathered a large pile of paperwork and wandered out of the office, leaving Megan shaking her head behind her. She went from office to office, rifling through the papers she held for the right ones. Finally, all she had left was a stack for her boss and a few sheets of paper for Harry. She went to the Auror Office first, hurrying in her eagerness to see one of her best friends. It was the beginning of September now and she always missed Harry and her other school friends most keenly around this time of year, besides, she hadn't seen him in a few weeks.

"Harry!" Hermione said happily when she reached his office.

"Hermione! Long time, no see! What brings you to my office today, sis?" Harry stood and gave her a quick hug. They were still working, after all. The last four years had been good to Harry; he still had his round, black rimmed glasses and his lightning bolt scar, and his years as an Auror hadn't left him with anymore. His face had matured and there were more lines across it, but he was still looking at her with a boyish grin under that untidy black hair.

"Well, I have some paperwork for you, frankly. How are you and Ginny doing?" She said, handing him the papers.

"Good, good. How are you and Ron?"

"Oh, um, good."

"Actually, Gin said she might come and see you today at lunch if she has the time."

"Really? That would be nice. Any special reason?" Hermione said with a smile.

"She wouldn't tell me, so I bet its bridesmaid stuff." Harry grinned.

"Alright." Hermione laughed. "I know I've said it a hundred times but I'm so happy for you two."

"Thanks, sis."

"You're welcome, Harry, dear," Hermione said, kissing his cheek and leaving the office.

Hermione was smiling broadly now as she made her way to her boss' office. Her immediate superior wasn't the department head but the head of her section of legal researchers. He had a considerate young wizards as his secretary who had just completed his NEWTs at Hogwarts. The secretary gave her a friendly smile and waved her through when she approached, so she went straight up and knocked on Mr. Keelan's door, and after he called for her to come in she pushed it open and entered.

Mr. Keelan was a middle aged man with thin streaks of grey beginning to fleck his slick black hair. His face was handsome, his eyes were soft, and Hermione considered him thoughtful and adorably enthusiastic about his job and his interests. To the dismay of some of the women in the office, he wore a wedding ring. He looked up from the work on his desk and smiled at her when she entered.

"Ms. Granger, how can I help you?"

"Actually, I finished all this last night and you did say you wanted it as soon as possible," She said, handing him the rest of the papers she held.

"I wasn't expecting these for a least a few days, if not a week. This only took you three days?"

"Well, I sort of took it home last night, but otherwise, yes," Hermione said, wringing her hands and blushing in embarrassment.

"Ms. Granger, you didn't need to take the work home! I wasn't expecting you to have it finished until the end of the week or later even." Mr. Keelan shifted some papers in what she thought was an embarrassed way. "How much work do you still have and how long do you think it will take you?"

"Um, enough for the morning, maybe the rest of the day."

"Look, Ms. Granger, you've never taken a vacation, I'd like you to take your time on what you still have this morning and then take the afternoon off, okay? I'll make sure you get a bonus for the overtime last night, but this way you'll work about the same hours and I'll have time to figure out what else I can give you that might keep you busy for more than a day." He said with a silly smile.

"Do you think that would be alright, Mr. Keelan?"

"If anyone complains you can send them to me. Frankly, I need some time to line up some more work for you."

"If you're sure, Mr. Keelan," Hermione said, still not really liking the idea.

"I am."

Hermione returned to her office, but poked her head in Megan's door first. "Megan, hun, you know that work I finished? Mr. Keelan said he didn't expect me to finish so soon, so he doesn't have anything new for me yet. He told me to take the afternoon off."

"That's great, sweetie," Megan said, swinging around in her chair to smile at Hermione.

"You think I should?" Hermione said, looking anxious about the idea of skipping work, even if her boss had told her to.

"Mr. Keelan told you to, so do it. I think you could do with the break, dear."

"Thanks, Megan," Hermione said with a smile and went to her own office.

She followed Mr. Keelan's instructions and tried to take her time with her work that morning, but she was quickly engrossed in the case. She had pages of notes scribble on her note pad and had pulled over her typewriter to type up a report clean of her ink when there was a knock at the door. She glanced at her watch as she stood to open it and nearly stumbled in shock at the time. It was past noon. She opened the door and did stumble as the person waiting outside practically fell in and hugged her. Hermione laughed as her vision was filled with long, shiny, fiery red hair.

"Hi Ginny, how are you?"

"Fantastic! How're you, Mione?" Ginny said excitedly with a huge grin.

"Not bad," Hermione said with a laugh.

"Are you free for lunch?" Ginny said eagerly.

"You know what, Gin? Mr. Keelan told me to take the whole afternoon off."

"Really? That's fantastic!" Ginny was practically jumping up and down now. "Would you mind looking at bridesmaid dresses? Luna's free too."

"Gin, I would love that." Hermione hugged her friend again. "Oh, do you mind if Megan joins us for lunch first?"

"Of course not!"

Hermione grabbed her purse and closed up her office, suddenly not feeling nearly as bad about taking the afternoon off. She didn't think she had enough work to last the rest of the afternoon and Ginny's weekend was a good cause. No one at the Ministry would object to her taking time off to help with Harry Potter's wedding. They grabbed Megan, joined Luna, and had a fantastic lunch. Megan left them with reluctance to return to work but gave them colour suggestions, and they set out, determined to pick their dresses today.