Chapter 1

Life After War

Hermione was in the hurry to come back home. It was her and Ron's first anniversary. They supposed to have dinner and she now she was late.

She got lost in her work and didn't notice where the time gone. In the haste she threw all her things in her bag and run off to the nearest apparition post and apparated home.

Apartment where Hermione lived with Ron was quiet, no one seemed at home. And it was strange on itself. She was not that late what Ron would have gone to bed upset with her. But anyway she decided to check the bedroom.

The closer she got, the stronger the strange feeling in the pit of her stomach got. Every step got her closer to the door, behind which now she could hear rustling, and small moans.

Hand on the handle freeze as she heard familiar voice sigh out "Oh Ron." With trepidation Hermione pushed the door open.

Even though from the sounds coming from inside she knew that to expect, but nothing could prepare for the sight of her boyfriend in the throes of passion with his ex-girlfriend Lavender Brown. They were so into each other that even door banging into the wall did nothing to disrupt them.

Rage was building inside her and she felt her magic flowing inside her veins. Her hair frizzed out and the sparks were dancing on her fingertips. With another loud moan from Lavender Hermione was unable to control herself and wild untamed power got lose on the Ron his tramp.

They both were blasted from the bed. Lavender ended up on the floor and Ron hit the wall with hard thud. A second later angry looking purple boils appeared all across his body.

Not waiting another second Hermione waived her wand in the air and her things flew straight to her open bag and she stomped outside her apartment and apparated away. Paying no attention to Lavender's sobs and calls for her to stop and reverse whatever she did for Won Won. But it was in no avail Hermione was already spinning on her heel and disappear with the crack.

Hermione appeared in front of odd looking building. It was cylinder form, crooked to the left with small round windows painted bright yellow and blue colors. The garden was full of rare flowers blooming in vibrant colors and various plants. Not far away you could hear soft calming babbling of the creek.

Hearing the crack of apparition Luna stepped outside. One look at distraught on her best friend's face made the girl to rush and envelop her comforting hug.

"Shhh. Everything will be okay." Luna's soft dreamy voice made Hermione to calm down enough for them to get inside the house.

Sitting in one of mismatched kitchen chairs Hermione looked around the colorful room.

"Where is your father?"

"Oh, he found collector in Sweden who has a horn of Crumple-Horned Snorkack. He'll be out of country for at least next two months." Small friendly smile graced blond witch lips."You could stay here with me. Nargles flying around you indicates that you need a break."

"Thank you, Luna." Hermione refused the beet root juice Mr. Lovegood made, choosing a cup of tea.

Once both girls sat at the table curly haired witch was able to actually think about what happened.

For Hermione it was quite strange that apart from anger for lying to her and slight hurt that one of her oldest friends could do this to her, she was otherwise unaffected. That on to itself was worrisome.

After their shared kiss in Chamber of Secrets during the final battle Hermione give in to familiarity of Ronal and let him talk her into starting a relationship. The summer they spent in the Burrow where Ron spend much time with his family mourning Fred's death and Hermione dived in to books.

Newly appointed headmistress McGonagall, or as she asked Hermione to call her, Minerva granted the opportunity to take NEWTs in the end of the summer, just before new school year begins.

Of course Hermione got all O's in her final exams, she wasn't called the brightest witch for nothing.

Start of the autumn brought change in Wheasley family's routine. Ginny was forced to go back to Hogwarts to repeat her 6th year, because she was deemed unqualified to start the 7th with Luna. After two weeks of school she send Harry letter explaining that she had time to think and was unable to carry on with long distance relationship between them, since Harry chose to take his NEWTs remotely just like Hermione.

Harry Potter, Hermione's best friend was heartbroken by the news. Sometimes during the hunt for horocruxes only the thoughts about Ginny and their possible future hold him together. Next month Harry spent in the Grimmualdi's place refusing to see everyone except Hermione. Even Ron was banned, because he spend his time trying to convince Harry that Ginny was just scared and he should visit her on the next Homesmead weekend. Thanks Merlin that Hermione was able to dissuade him from this notion, because later she got letter from Luna saying that red head was already seeing newest Gryffindor seeker.

'At least she had decency to break up first' Hermione thought bitterly.

By the middle of October Hermione got her NEWTs result accompanied by the letter from Minister Shacklebot proposing entry level job at the ministry Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. She of course eagerly accepted the offer. That's when fighting with Ron started. He was furious what she took the job without talking to him first. Maybe this was the first sight of many more to come, that they wanted different things from life. But after she found out that memory charm she placed on her parents erasing her existence from their mind was permanent Wheasley's were only thing she could call family apart from Harry and Luna.

Job demanded a lot of effort from Hermione's part and long hours - another point of disagreement between Ron and her. In the bargain Ronald demanded that they should move in together to see more of each other.

Of course with living together come the questions of sex. It did not matter how much Ron pressured to start their intimate relationship Hermione still felt not ready. So in their arguments he often called her frigid. And if it was what he said to her face, wonder what he said behind her back.

Finally Ron's pestering started to wear her on. She did not want just quick shag to get it over with, so she planed something special for their anniversary. It looked as such a nice occasion. She bought skimpy lingerie girls in dormitories used to talk about. She thought she would put some effort to make it memorable. But looks like Ron couldn't wait for her and chose to cheat on her with that slag Lavender.

And now she was telling everything to her best girl friend Luna. Who did not judge her for her decision, nor did she say 'I told you so' even though she did say that dream nymphs were not contend with Hermione and Ron's relationship. She was just there for her. She gave her shelter to stay because Hermione couldn't imagine going back to her apartment. Also she already had all things she needed in her bag with magical extension charm. To add to all of this her boss gave her four weeks of vacation. For the trip she planned with Ron and Harry. But now she was left with just a lot times on her hands.

Hermione couldn't sit still without anything to do, but Luna's hunt for extinct magical creatures didn't capture her attention. So she found her own project.

In the attic of strange Lovegood's residence was Quibbler headquarters. And with father and daughter living with their heads in the clouds the office was the right mess. The old copies of the magazines were put in huge piles all over the room. Drafts of articles and scraps of parchment were scattered on all available surfaces including printing equipment and even the floors. Here and there you could see various bits and bobs - small artifacts, potion ingredients, spare quills and unknown contraptions.

The young witch was couldn't comprehend how anyone could work in these conditions. So she started organizing with Luna's blessing of course. She threw out all unnecessary old copies, leaving just one of each. All devices and other possessions were neatly placed into the shelves. All research papers and notes were sorted and filed. Writing desk was ready for work, quills and new rolls of parchment were methodically placed to improve efficiency. Not one thing was out of place.

She was so invested in her task that only people she interacted was Luna, Neville, George and Harry. Who after Ginny break his heart were in much colder relationship with Wheasleys with exception of Ron and George. Somehow Molly got into her head that break up was all Harry's fault. And after what happened recently he was so disgusted with Ron's behavior what he cut his ties with him, but not without good punch in her nose for betraying Hermione.

So Harry's birthday was small affair with just five of them sharing few bottles of Ogden's best firewhiskey for the boys and elves wine for the girls. It almost felt like it was like before; before life got complicated.

Everything was relatively calm for next few weeks. Until one sunny afternoon when Hermione was lazily lounging in the back yard taking opportunity to catch some sun and watching Luna weeding her flowers, Harry Potter franticly rushed to them, troublesome Kingsley trailing behind.

Taking good look at their somber expressions anxiousness grew inside Hermione and she shot up from the blanket to talk more comfortably with new arrivals, but before she could ask what happened she enveloped in crushing hug.

"Thank Godric, you alright." Harry sighted into her hair.

Hermione pulled away to look in his eyes before she asked. "What's going on?"

"It's Bellatrix. She escaped."

I do not own anything, just few books I read about a million times. :)

I apologize to those who like Ron and Ginny. I just needed them gone from the story and to strengthen the bond between Harry and Hermione.

Next time will see what these lovely characters will come up with.

Thank you all who read this story and if you liked it your review will be appreciated.