Hermione had spent enough time on Ronald Bilius Weasley. He was an immature man, who liked nothing more than to sleep with witches and brag about his latest Quidditch glory. And she had had enough of that. A witch, a smart fiery one at that, she took off after a five year relationship and moved to Ireland. Not the best choice maybe, but it was peaceful and full of people who had character to themselves. Harry often visited her there, keeping their friendship alive. Ginny visited as well, as often as she could with 4 children. She and Harry had been married for 4 years, and this past had brought them a beautiful pair of twin girls. Lily and Nymphadora were excellent companions to their brothers Remus James, or R.J. as the family called him, and Fred. The twins were impossible to tell apart, both with cobalt hair and shining green eyes, the spitting image of their father. The boys had their mothers eyes, brown and intense, with dark red hair. R.J was 4 and Fred was 3, and the havoc they wreaked rivaled that of Fred and George's early years. George himself was also a frequent companion, bringing Teddy along every visit. He had adopted Teddy after the war, absolutly refusing to let anyone else try to keep the newborn. Fred's death had hit him harder than anyone, even Molly, and Teddy was his only distraction. He had left Harry in charge of the shop, doing all of his work from home. Suprisingly Harry had taken the offer, wanting nothing to do with the ministry or Auror work, and Ginny was a reporter for the Quibbler. The Quibbler, since the war, had given the Daily Prophet a run for its money, and was neck in neck at sales. When Rita Skeeter had been exposed, the rest of the newspaper had been overturned. It seemed that while the Quibbler may have printed some sketchy articles it still remained that, if anyone actually read it, it wasn't entirely false. Although the Daily Prophet had turned itself around after about a year, the Quibbler had gained worldwide recognition and they were now the top competitors.
Hermione herself now owned a bookstore, the nice homey type you find tucked away in small towns. It had a small cafe which she also oversaw, and it brought in good revenue. Hermione wasnt suprised. Everyone who worked there was friendly and helpful, she wouldnt have hired them if they werent. She herself lived in an apartment about a block down the street from her store, and when she finally left Ron, she found she actually had some good decorating sense. He had decorated their last apartment with his trophies and newspaper clippings, and she hadnt been home that often anyway, working with Harry at the shop. Yes, she decided, everything was good now. Ron could, and probably already had, moved on. She was still on excellent terms with the remainder of the Wealseys, save two. Charlie was still in Romania, and they handnt heard from him in a while. Percy had run off with Penelope and the last she heard they were living in America, doing research for the Ministry. Bill and Fluer had their children, Victoire and Arthur, and they wrote as often as they could. Molly sent her care packages every week like clockwork, and often flooed into the store just to make sure she was getting along. Hermione half suspected she felt almost responsible for the end of the relationship, after all Molly had pushed, if subtly, for years. And Arthur was now head of the Ministry, and had succesfully turned things around, and bringing recognition to those who had been overlooked for so many years. It had all worked out for the best. And now Hermione could relax, not having to worry about reporters or other woman, and just live her life in peace.
" Where can I find The Great Gatsby?" A deep voice asked, and she turned her brown eyes in the direction of the intruder.
" You have a copy in your hand. And how are you?" She smiled and gave her best friend a hug. Harry was a difficult man to hug today as he had Nymph with him today, and Remus was also holding his hand. Nymph blew a tiny spit bubble from her position in her sling and Hermione beamed. She could never resist any of his children. Or Teddy. Hell, she couldnt resist children. She bent down to give Remus a hug, and he showed her the book he had picked out.
" That is an excellent choice. How about I get you guys some hot chocolate? You looked freezing." Except for little Nymph who had been bundled to within an inch of her life.
" My children are not freezing. And how come you have no Quidditch books in here?" Harry followed her to the cafe and Hermione snickered.
" I may have forgotten to order them. And there may still be some, in the closet." The closet was how she referred to the magical section of the bookstore, since the entire front of the store was muggle oriented. Just how she liked it, a mix of both worlds. Everyone witch or wizard who came thorugh almost always bought a muggle book along with a magical book, and even if they didnt, they still browsed.
" Forgotten. Pfft. The last time you forgot something was in, oh wait, youve never forgotten anything. Ever. Your like an elephant." Hermione whirled around, her hands on her hips.
" Harry Potter, exactly what are you trying to say to me?" his face immediatly turning red he stammered an apology and Hermione put in the order for 3 hot chocolates on the computer with a smile on her face.
" I wonder how your wife puts up with you."
" So do I." a light voice carried through the cafe and Hermione looked up in suprise. Ginny was there, holding Lily on her hip and Fred was following her closey, one hand on her left pant leg, the other in his mouth. Just his thumb really, but all the same, it was an adorable sight and Hermione couldnt have been happier. It had been 1 month since she had last seen Ginny and she had missed all the kids.
When their drinks were prepared, everyone sat down at a long table in the back and began chattering away. Harry told her about the shop, how George was doing and how Teddy had begun changing his hair in front of muggles for kicks. Ginny reminded her that the annual Weasley reunion was coming up, and although she said it in her usual bright tone, Hermione could tell she was worried about how everyone would react with Ron there. The last reunion they had been together, and even though they had been split up ten months they hadnt been forced to spend actual time together. Some wounds were harder to heal than others.
" I will be perfectly fine Gin. Don't even think about it. I'm at a great place right now, I have finally gained control of my life. Seeing Ron may even be good for me. So please, just look forward to having to chase all the kids around. And dodging cake." she giggled, referencing last years debacle where Remus and Teddy had decided it would be a great idea to have a cake fight that included unsuspecting family members. George may have encouraged them from the sidelines, but it had yet to be proven.
" You know he may be my best mate, but even I am getting a little tired of his Quidditch bragging. What do you think would happen to his career if he happened to take a nasty spill of his broom when playing a friendly game at the Burrow?" Ginny shot him a look but Hermione just smirked. Its not like it wasnt an entirely bad idea, just mean spirited.
" Oh you know." Ginny turned to her in excitement and Hermione saw a spark in her brown eyes, which normally meant trouble " Charlies coming. You havent seen him in what, three years? He's got some news for us, and says he'll be able to make it this year." Hermione caught Harrys eye, they seemed to be thinking the same thing- Ginny was planning something.
" Thats great Gin. You think maybe hes married?" A rather unladylike snort came from Harrys wife, and Remus and Fred laughed, started to imitate their mother. Soon the girls began laughing and making noises with their mouths as Harry and Ginny tried to calm them.
" This is why I love it when you all visit." Hermione couldnt stop laughing at the antics of the Potters, and finally had to get up to get some work done, or she would never leave the table. " Feel free to browse everyone, and I'll be in the closet if you need me." She walked away laughing, leaving four very entertained and two frustrated but happy parents behind. There was nothing like having your family visit you. At least, as far as she was concerned they were family. Maybe not by blood, but Harry was like her brother and Ginny her sister, and the kids all called her Aunt Mione. It was the same with all the Weasleys, save Ron. She was one of them without really being one of them. And that, for right now, was justu enough.