Chapter One - Heartbreak in B-flat Minor
Hermione sat the letter on her bedside table. She couldn't remember the last time something made her smile this big. Yes she did. It was the day she got her first letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It's amazing, she thought, that this letter was from the same place, but of much different content. This letter was from Headmistress Minerva McGonagall requesting her to fill the post of Professor of Muggle Studies at Hogwarts. Hermione was elated and filled with honor that she was being selected to join the prestigious staff of the school she felt was more like her true home.
She looked around at all her belongings so neatly and precisely arranged in her comfy flat. Everything she touched brought a different memory to her mind. The large collection of handmade scarfs from Molly Weasley. She could almost smell Christmas dinner when she caught the scent of one of the scarfs. Her large collection of books reminded her of Madame Pince and her incessant "hushing" towards the other students in the library. She glanced at the chest that contained all the gifts from George Weasley, which of course came from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes and required Hermione to place a detailed charm on the chest so not to be open accidentally. She was happy George had decided to keep the shop open and running after the loss of Fred, he was doing an amazing job. Aside from the books regarding magic, her small cauldron with potion ingredients, the moving photographs, and of course her wand, there wasn't much sign in the entire flat that indicated a witch lived here. After everything that had happened she fell back into muggle life quite seamlessly. There were those few things however, that she wouldn't dream of letting go. She quickly typed up her resignation for her current job with a great deal of sadness. It was going to be difficult to leave this life behind, but she had done it once before when she was 11 and will do it once again at the age of 25.
She opened her trunks and began packing her whole life up for her move. It didn't seem like it had been that long ago when she had unpacked into her small flat in the first place. If she thought about it, it really wasn't that long ago. After the war and completing her NEWTS at Hogwarts, Hermione didn't know what she wanted to do. Harry and Ron didn't go back to Hogwarts for the exams but weren't surprised when Hermione saw no other choice. They went straight into Auror training and passed with flying colors the same time Hermione passed her NEWTS by Christmas. Hermione herself had even considered going into Auror training after school but just couldn't see herself doing that for the rest of her life. Despite the many job offers at the Ministry, Hermione had never been so confused about her future. It had completely thrown her off. She was Hermione Granger for Merlin's sake, the brains of The Golden Trio. How was it that SHE was the one that didn't know what to do with her life?
As she magically shrunk all the pictures she had scattered everywhere of her and her friends she remembered the events that led her to where she was now. Hermione and Ginny were in Diagon Alley looking for Ginny's wedding dress. Harry had proposed on Christmas Eve. He couldn't even make it to dinner before asking Ginny to marry him. Everyone at the Burrow went crazy with happiness. Molly spent the rest of the evening hugging everyone several times over. Planning began immediately and the dress had been the most difficult to date. Hermione was beginning to think she'd never get married herself if it meant she had to look at more dresses. As Maid of Honor though it was her duty to stick by Ginny's side and help her with the difficult decisions. Truly she was happy that Ginny had chosen her and enjoyed how in love she and Harry really were. Hermione was happy with the relationship she and Ron had. They were content, happy, and loved each other. She thought sometimes they were too content, that they acted more like they had already been married for ten years.
With her parents still in Australia, without knowledge of their daughter, she spent all of her time at The Burrow with the Weasley clan. It was lovely being with her friends all the time and the students that decided to go back to Hogwarts to complete their exams were giving the choice of staying in the castle or living by their own means. So each and every evening she went to the apparation point outside the gates of the castle and made it just in time for a delicious, home cooked meal by Mrs. Weasley. Needless to say, they fell into routine. Hermione would immediately begin studying as soon as she finished eating and Ron would at least pretend to look through his Auror training materials. Things were just falling into place. The new wore off very quickly, much sooner than she thought it should. Ron didn't even seem to notice a difference, "red flag number one", she thought. However, with the planning of Ginny and Harry's wedding, Hermione began to feel excited again. Secretly wondering which colors she would pick, what shape of dress would look best on her, and which Weird Sister song she wanted to dance to first. She also wondered how Ron might propose to her, or if he ever would.
Ginny walked out of the dressing room in a beautiful dress and Hermione wanted to cry with joy at how amazing she looked. The dress had a modern halter-top neckline, a smooth satin bodice, and at the hips began a river of tulle. She truly looked like a princess and was going to make a beautiful bride. Ginny beamed at her obviously loving the dress as much as she did. The saleswoman came over and gushed at Ginny, more than likely just wanting the sale. As Ginny was changing back into her regular clothing Hermione walked around browsing at some accessories she thought might go with the dress for her to look at when she was finished.
While looking at a particularly intricate diamond and pearl jewelry set she was startled by the sound of a woman bouncing gleefully into the dress shop. It was Lavender Brown. She walked in like she owned the place and began talking animatedly with the older woman Hermione believed to be the shop owner. After picking up a bit of their conversation, it made sense. Lavender acted like she owned the place because her mother did, in fact, own the store. Suddenly curious about what was making the mother/daughter pair so cheerful, she made her way closer to where they were standing pretending to look for proper shoes for Ginny. Clearly Lavender was bragging about her current beau to her mother. Last Hermione had heard she had been dating Dean Thomas, but that was always subject to change given her flaky ideals regarding love. Whoever the guy was seemed to be making her very excited about something. Perhaps Mrs. Brown was going to get to fit her daughter for a wedding dress. Hermione was jolted out of her vision of Lavender in a white dress with puffy shoulders and covered in sequins by the mention of a familiar name that wasn't Dean Thomas. "Had she just said…? Surely not", Hermione thought. She was basically staring at the pair when she heard it the second time.
"Yes mom. The same Ronald I dated a couple years ago. I told you he was still in love with me. It was just a matter of time before he came to his senses and realized I am ten times more fun than that boring know-it-all would ever be. He asked me to dinner tonight! My Won Won and I are together again!" Lavender said to her mother.