Author's note: I wrote two prequels to this story. You don't have to read them but it might give you a better understanding! Thanks to those who have read and reviewed to my stories!

Disclaimer: Things that you recognize don't belong to me but to J.K. Rowling.

Her return

The light's return

I woke up and felt happier than I had in years. I decided to visit Diagon Alley. I had lots of things I needed to buy and lots of things I needed to do.

First stop: Gringotts

I needed a bank account. I had decided to put nine-tenths of my money in here. I thought that seeing as there would be no possible way that I'd be welcome back at home, I had better change my money into galleons and so on. As well as find a new job. Let's not forget an apartment to stay in.

Next stop: Magic Menagerie

I needed an owl of course. Definitely need to keep up with the Wizarding World. I had already missed so much I couldn't afford to miss anything else.

Last stop in Diagon Alley: Flourish and Blotts

Books. One word explaining everything.

Final stop for the day: St. Mungos

"Um.. Hi! I'm looking for Ronald Weasley. Do you know which floor he's on?" I asked politely.

"Who are you?" The receptionist said without looking.

"A friend, Hermione Granger," I said uncertainly.

"Oh! Miss Granger! Mr. Weasley is on Fourth Floor, Spell Damage," she looked up and smiled at me.

Whispers followed me. Occasionally I heard, "She's back. Been gone for 7 years. She's home."

Yes, I was home back where I belonged. I was back.

I went up to the fourth floor. I found the ward with the letters, Ronald Weasley. I gently opened the door. The room was painted white, giving it a cold feeling. The smell of hospital filled my nose. I walked across to where he lay. There was a chair. Flowers surrounded his bed. There was a poster of the Chudley Cannons. On closer inspection I saw that he stood at the back almost the middle of the row. I guess he lived his childhood dream.

I sat down. I don't know how long it was. Suddenly a person opened the door loudly.

Upon seeing me he said, "You're not allowed here. It's for family and close friends. Not fans."

Platinum hair and a cold, sharp voice. It couldn't be him.

I looked at him before slowly saying, "Dra…Draco Malfoy?"

"It's Healer Malfoy to…" He raised his head and looked at me. "Hermione?" His voice cracked.

"Hi! It's been a while. How have you been?" I gave him a small smile.

"Um… Ya, it's been long. Well… I told you I'd become a Healer." He smiled at me.

"What's wrong with him?" I looked at Ron.

"A couple ex-Death Eaters got to him. We're not sure which spell hit him but we do know that it's not Dark Magic. It's more likely to be an Ancient Curse. We… I had hoped that perhaps that you'd come back and help the researchers. It appears to have shut down his brain. There is no brain activity besides the normal. Breathing and small things like that," he summed up for me.

"At least now I know where to start my research," I looked down, there was a silence and then I said, "I'm sorry. They didn't trust me anymore. It was my family or magic. I chose the former because I thought that I couldn't lose them. I was wrong. I thought at the time that the hard times here were over and it was time to go home. Back to the muggle world, where things were easier and better in a way. Their lives were so simple."

"Does your fiancé know that you're here? I mean…" He looked at his hands then lifted his head in a questioning manner.

The corners of my mouth lifted slightly. "He broke it off with me. He had to think of his political career and he could see I was unhappy. It's better this way. He needs a politically powerful woman. Not an interior designer. It's what my mom wanted. The whole 'normal' life. I wanted to be a lawyer, doctor, Healer, Auror, anything but a designer."

He nodded. "I finish in twenty minutes. Why don't we go to Harry's for dinner? It'll be like old times."

"Okay. I was going to visit him and his wife. Two kids?"

"Twins. He's happy with his life. We all wished you were here. It's going to be great now that you're back."

"I'm going to have to look for a job now. Know any interior designing places. Or an available place for me?" I said jokingly.

"I know that Headmistress McGonagall is looking for a new professor to fill in Transfiguration or Muggle Studies. Both fields you know and do very well in," he said mildly.

"I wonder if I have enough qualifications," I said thoughtfully. "I always wanted to teach, even when I was little." I tapped my chin, then smiled.

"You'd be a great professor." He looked at his chart then at his watch. "Well I'll just clock out early. It's only five minutes. Let me go get my coat and we'll be off."

Draco took me Side-along-apparation to get to Harry's place.

"It's so… homey. It's beautiful," I said quietly.

"Yes, it does have its charm." He looked down at me fondly and held out his arm for me to take. I took his arm and off we went to Harry's front door. I was nervous. What would Harry say? Would it be awkward?

I shouldn't have worried so much. It was the best dinner I had had in a long time. There was so much laughter and catching up to do. I went in, Harry introduced me to everyone. Stephanie, James and Albus. They were all so nice. It all came to an end too soon.

"So where you're staying?" Harry asked.

"The Leaky Cauldron for now. I'm going house and job hunting tomorrow. Should be fun," I said with a wide smile.

Harry and Steph shared a look. Steph then said, "Why don't you stay here until you find a place? We have so many extra rooms that are never filled. Plus Leaky Cauldron is no place for a beautiful and single woman to live."

"No, I won't impose." I saw that Harry was about to protest so I lifted my hand and carried on, "I'll find a place by tomorrow and don't even think about bullying me into staying here Harry. It was kind and generous of you to offer but I need to start on my own two feet please. I'll be fine. I have my wand and I put up wards." I looked at all of them with a stern stare.

James then proceeded to crawl onto my lap and pull my hair. I smiled at him and played with him for a little while. The three adults appeared to be stunned until Harry mumbled, "Bloody hell. It's like she never left. Still as stubborn as ever to be independent though."

Draco nodded while Stephanie had a knowing look.

After the many goodbyes and promises to see each other soon, Draco and I left.

He apparated with me to the Leaky Cauldron and walked with me to my room. We stood there for a split second too long.

"Um… I should go," he said uncertainly.

"Do you want to come in?"

Silence.

"Ugh… When did things get so awkward?"

"I think you're the one that's making things awkward," I said with a giggle.

"Moi?" He then became all dramatic. Saying that it was not true and that I was being mean.

I laughed. When I stopped I suddenly became aware of the fact that he was standing really close to me. I was pressed against the door. His hands were on either side of my head. He bent down. His lips were on mine. It was a gentle kiss. It was like Draco was scared that I would disappear if he pressed down to hard. My hands went to his hair and we kissed for a while. When he left, he turned around and smiled at me.

My life was so much better it seemed. I was back where I belonged. My friends still cared about me. It all seemed too good to be true.

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DramioneEverlasting