It was a good six months before Lavender finally had to admit she was ready to take the reins of her new job. She'd tried to delay it, wanting to continue working with Hermione but Hermione had paved such a smooth path for her it was impossible to delay it anymore. Now that Hermione was planning on leaving at the end of the week, she was neck deep in planning a surprise going away party.

She wanted to throw a great one that would express just how grateful she was for her friend and how much they would all miss her. Fortunately she had the help of Harry and her new boyfriend.

True to her word, Hermione met Lavender for lunch the day after the party and openly shared anything she could think of having to do with Ron, many of which made her companion either burst out laughing or, more often, blush and glance scandalized around the tearoom. Each time Hermione laughed off the embarrassed reaction and teasingly scolded the witch for not paying attention. By the end of the week, Lavender was ready to ask Ron out to dinner at his favorite restaurant. Even with Hermione's blessing he was hesitant to agree. But after a month of informal, sporadic dates, he finally relaxed and within a few weeks they announced themselves as a couple. It positively killed her to not be able to tell anyone what Hermione'd done for her. Instead, she had to settle for small gestures, like bringing her a coffee every morning to try and express her gratitude and admiration. It killed her even more that Hermione seemed to make a point of meeting every one of her gestures with one of her own. At least this time there'd be no way for that to happen… she hoped.

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The night of the party was a huge success. Lavender made sure that all of Hermione's friends and co-workers attended, including Shacklebot who, like her, was more than a little sad to see Hermione leave. The biggest surprise was the attendance of Hermione's parents – an idea Harry and Ron came up with and Harry, Sirius and Lupin spent the whole week orchestrating. The look the Minister gave the couple, and then three men clearly stated that the three had been operating entirely outside of the law. They didn't know how to feel about the fact that their reputation for bending the rules had even reached the Minister. Fortunately he decided to turn a blind eye to the whole thing by way of a present for Hermione, or they'd all be knee deep in shit.

Hermione shocked all those closest to her when she hugged Ron and Mrs. Weasley in greeting, making them both beam and blush to their ears in happiness. Over time she'd slowly moved on, talking to them more casually and even attending a few of the family dinners Molly invited everyone to. But never had she so openly and warmly spoken to either, much less come in any physical contact with them.

After she'd greeted and thanked everyone and been handed a flute of champagne, Hermione was accosted by a chorus of chants demanding a speech. Revolting against her as a whole, the crowd pushed the blushing woman to the back of the room and to stand on a chair. She tried several times to escape, but was always thwarted by a laughing Harry, Sirius or Lupin. Finally giving in, she stood straight and rubbed the neck of her neck with a nervous chuckle as the room became silent.

"Ummm… thank you. I can't believe how many of you came… and I didn't have a clue!" She smiled as soft laughter momentarily washed through the room at the memory of just how shocked she'd been. "I really can't thank you enough for arranging this all for me… ummm…" Hermione trailed off, her face red.

"What do you plan to do now?" Shacklebot called out. Everyone turned to her curiously, only a few having heard even a rumor about her plans.

"Traveling," Hermione smiled broadly. "I've been in contact with Professor McGonagall who told me about how Hogwarts has been helping people around the world affected by the war. Even now, there are so many people still trying to rebuild their towns, houses… lives. I've been helping however I can at home, but now I'll be working hands on."

Murmurs spread through the crowd. The only people not surprised included Ginny and Lavender, who as her closest girl friends were natural sources of advice on all things feminine. She'd also told her parents who weren't too thrilled about having her off the grid yet gain, but still supported her. However, the people she'd discussed the idea the most with, from its very birth, were her 'three musketeers' as they'd taken to secretly referring to themselves as. Time and shared history made her comfortable enough to trust Sirius and Harry. She wasn't sure why, but recently she'd begun to feel safer than ever in Lupin's presence. Rather than question the sudden change she simply choose to trust her instinct.

"What will you be doing, is it safe?" Mrs. Weasley now called, the concern in her voice not unnoticed.

"Perfectly. Volunteers travel to towns and villages assigned by Hogwarts based on requests with specific needs lists sent in to the school. We go in and supply all sorts of supplies and physical labor – basically whatever they need that we have the means to give. We aren't sure exactly who it will be yet, but I'll be partnered with a Potions Master and help to brew the potions on the go and distribute them in addition to us both helping with the usual jobs. The only reason for so much delay is that we're going to be one of the few teams working only as a duo so McGonagall is holding out to find a Master who she feels is skilled enough at defense for it be safe for us to travel." Hermione assured the group; she knew her former professor would never in a millions years let her go anywhere if she wasn't sure it would be safe. Already anticipating their next question she added, "I'll be leaving in a week to my first assignment. I'll meet my partner there."

"Here's to safe travels," Mr. Weasley raised his glass moments after Hermione's speech.

"To Hermione," Ginny added, raising her own glass.

"May she always be the amazing witch we know and love," called, meeting Hermione's eyes directly as she raised her own glass. Hermione blushed deeply as the crowed toasted her, murmuring their full-hearted agreement.