**I altered Rose's age from the actual Potter Universe since I pictured her around 4 in the prologue so instead of being 2 years old than Hugo she is 4 making her a fifth year instead of a third year.

Other children's ages have also been altered to fit the needs of the story, example: Lily is a year younger than Hugo instead of the same age.**

Set 11 years after the prologue

"Hugo! Rose! Let's go you're going to miss the train!" Hermione yelled up to her children, they actually had plenty of time, but Hermione wanted to be there early, it was Hugo's first year at Hogwarts. Always late, she thought, just like their father.

"Mum!" Rose came running down the stairs, "I can't find Scabbers!" Her red hair was as wild as Hermione's but her eyes were all Ron's. She was dressed in her Hogwarts robes, her new Prefect badge pinned to them. "Do you think Crookshanks has him?" she asked running to the living room on the hunt for the cat.

"Don't you dare blame Crookshanks for your carelessness young lady!" She yelled after her. Oh yes, just like her father.

"Is Uncle Harry here?" Hugo said coming down the stairs still in his regular clothing, with his tarantula Edgar in his carrying case.

"He will be any second. Put Edgar by the trunks." Hugo unlike Ron had no fear of spiders, in fact he loved them. Hugo went out to the doorway to add Edgar to the trunk pile.

There has a cat like shriek and Crookshanks came running through the hall and hid behind Hermione's legs. Rose was not far behind screaming, "He's ate him! Crookshanks ate him!"

Hermione picked up the cat before her daughter could reach him. "He did not eat your rat Rose."

"Yes he did! That fat cat ate him for a snack! What a horrid animal."

"You...you." Hermione felt the heat rise in her cheeks. "You're just like him!" she shrieked and ran up the stairs to her bedroom. Slamming the door shut and locking it she released Crookshanks to the floor and collapsed on her bed with a sob. She reached to her night stand and grabbed her wedding photo hugging it to her chest. "She's just like you." she cried. The Ron in the photo leaned over and gave the blushing Hermione in the photo a kiss then smirked back at the camera. Hermione sighed watching it play over and over. Some days it was just too hard, she had lost a part of herself that day. She had never gotten a chance to properly grieve, sure she had cried and lost control but only for a moment. She needed to be strong for Rose. A few days after he disappeared she found out she was two months pregnant with Hugo. Hugo who at eleven looked like someone had copied and pasted his father, he looked like Ron in ever way, from his disheveled red hair, his piercing blue eyes, and the freckles that sprinkled across his entire body. Rose had favored Hermione more, except for her red hair and Ron's eyes. But unlike Hugo, Rose acted like Ron she was 100% Weasley.

There was a knock at the door drawing Hermione from her thoughts. Wiping her eyes she cleared her throat, "One moment."

"It's me." Harry said from the other side of the door, "Can we talk?" She flicked her wand unlocking the door and Harry stepped in. "Rose told me what happened."

"Don't treat me like a child Harry." She said straightening her posture. "She told you what I said didn't she? Harry you should have seen her. You would have thought Ron was in the room during third year."

"Maybe you should tell Rose you didn't mean it in a bad way." Harry walked over to the bed and sat down next to her. He picked up the photo Hermione had been holding, "She remembers him you know."

"I know." Hermione said looking up and the ceiling as if to prevent herself from crying.

"We all miss him Hermione. But he's gone. Have you considered da-"

"No Harry." Hermione cut him off sternly. "We've been through this a hundred times. You don't understand."

"I don't understand? Are you kidding Hermione? He was my friend too. Hermione I know what it's like. My parents are dead, incase you've forgotten. But they still have you. We're just worried about about you Hermione, maybe it would be good for you." Harry said picking at his pant leg.

"You don't understand Harry. Imagine if it were Ginny, would you have moved on? Would you be dating other women? Would you have another woman in your home? In your bed? With your children? I need to focus on my children and my job, they are the only things that matters now. You don't know how hard it was always having to explain to Rose that he wasn't coming home. She would sit up for hours waiting, she would wish for him every birthday, every Christmas. And what about Hugo who never got to even meet him? It isn't fair to them Harry." She paused for a second choking back the tears in her eyes. "It isn't fair to me Harry. I have to be in this alone. I remember that day Harry, Rose was sitting at the table eating her pancakes and coloring with him. He wasn't even supposed to go to work, they called him in. He kissed us goodbye and that was the last time we saw him. He never even knew about Hugo, he never knew he has a son. He doesn't know his daughter is a Prefect, or Keeper for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. He'll never know."

Harry was about to reply when there has a soft knock at the door. "Come in." The door opened and Hugo and Rose were behind it, clearly having heard everything that was just said. Rose had tears streaming down her face, she ran to her mothers arms and cried on her shoulder. Hugo stood in the door way expressionless. He stared at his uncle unsure of what to do or say, the uncle he had always considered to be like a father to him.

"We're going to be late and your grandmother will have my head." Hermione said running her fingers through her daughter's hair in a soothing manner.

Hugo nodded and his face lit up that he remembered something, "Rose! Scabbers is in the laundry room. I caught him rolling in the fresh sheets and put the basket over him."

Hermione gave Rose and I told you so look, who just smiled in return.

They arrived at Kings Cross Station and everyone crossed into 9 3/4. This was it except for Lily, Harry and Ginny's youngest, all of the children were off to Hogwarts.

was waiting with Fleur and Bill with their children Victoire, Dominique, and Louis. George and Angelina with their two Fred and Roxanne . Percy and Audrey were with their daughters Molly and Lucy. Even Charlie had come to bid them farewell.

Mrs. Weasley grabbed Hugo and hugged him tight to her, "Little Hugo is going off to Hogwarts." She dropped him and grabbed Rose, "My little Rosie is a Prefect! Just like your fa-mother." she faltered at the end looking to Hermione. Hermione smiled embracing , "It's going to be awfully lonely in that house, maybe you should come stay at the Burrow for a bit."

That was the last thing she wanted. Half the time she couldn't even bare Sunday brunch there without feeling overwhelmed with memories. "Thank you Molly, but I will be so busy with work I won't even notice." That was a lie, sure she'd be busy with work, but she would notice.

Molly said nothing but just smiled. It was her I know you're lying smile. She moved on to her other grand children who had arrived, commenting on James and Albus's messy hair, and how they could really use a hair cut. Teddy, who had come with Harry shortened his hair and changed the color before had a chance to comment.

The children began boarding the train, Ginny had to hold Lily back who was throwing a fit.

"But I want to go to! It isn't fair mummy!"

"Next year Lily, come on. If you're a good girl we may even stop by Auntie Hermione's and play with Crookshanks."

This caused an immediate desirable response, Lily stopped fighting and smiled, "You mean it?"

"Of course."

The children hung out of the windows waving to their relatives. Hermione smiled proudly and Hugo yelled; "Mom! What if I'm not in Gryffindor?" The young boy had been worried about his house selection ever since his sister had told him he was more of a Ravenclaw. Every Weasley had been in Gryffindor, no exceptions.

"Don't worry, that hat will know you're a Weasley!" She yelled back.

"I'll write immediately! I love you!" He yelled getting looks and laughed at by his sibling and cousins.

Hermione continued to wave as the train rounded the corner. She dropped her arm and smile at the same time. Ginny patted her back, "It's okay. Don't think Lily and I are letting you off the hook. You'll have us everyday."

"I know. I know. And don't worry I can't wait to have you. I bet Crookshanks is going to be even more excited." She said leaning down to Lily, she straightened back up and looked at Ginny. "I was just thinking about him. What he would have said to Hugo."

"Something along the lines of" She cleared her throat and imitated Ron, "If you're not in Gryffindor, we'll disinherit you, but no pressure." Both of the girls laughed and Hermione nodded her head in approval.

Harry came up beside them, "What are you two laughing about?"

The girls looks at him and laughed even harder, linking arms and walking off to the car.

Harry shook his head and followed muttering, "Women."

Later that night, Hermione sat in her sitting room reading up on her latest case. She was working in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and was head of her department. She was still considering leaving the Department as a whole, she had her letter of resignation tucked into her desk at work. Ron had worked for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement as well, in the Auror Office he was co-head with Harry. Unlike Harry he was also a Hit Wizard*, he lived for the thrill. And ultimately it was that job that caused his death.

She sighed resting her head in her hands. "Hermione, you there?" She jumped at the voice coming from her fireplace. It was Ginny.

"I'm here." she said getting up and standing in front of the fireplace.

"We're coming through now if that's okay." Ginny said looking down, "Lily relax dear."

"Hi Auntie Hermione." Lily said only a portion of her little head visible.

Hermione laughed, "Hello Lily." They both disappeared and reappeared whole in her sitting room.

Lily was clutching a small catnip toy in her hands, which was immediately noticed by Crookshanks. The cat leapt off the couch and straight towards the little girl. Lily always brought Crookshanks toys and treats and always treated him with great respect. In return Crookshanks adored Lily, and awaited her arrival. Lily laughed throwing the cat nip toy and running after Crookshanks who was retrieving it.

"How are you doing?" Ginny said sitting down on the couch.

"I'm alright, just reading up on work. Tea?" She asked waving her wand and summoning a pot, two cups and biscuits.

"Of course." Ginny smiled and grabbed her cup as Hermione poured the tea. "What are you thinking about? You have that look on your face."

"Same old." Hermione said stirring her tea. "I've been thinking about quitting. I don't know if I can handle the department anymore."

"You're joking? Please tell me you're joking." Ginny said putting the biscuit she was about to bite into back down. "Hermione, you can't live your life like this. You love your job, you dreamed of your job since you were little. Why don't you want to work there anymore?"

"It's the department Ginny. They all know, and I feel like everyone always treats me like I'm some fragile little girl. Ginny, last week they wouldn't let me look at a case because it was about a missing Auror. For Merlin's sake, I'm head of the department!" She sipped her tea. "It's been 11 almost 12 years, and yes it still hurts everyday. That hurt will never go away, but I don't need to be treated like this. I should have listened to him and quit when I had Rose. He wanted me to quit and stay home to raise the children. But no, not me, not Hermione Granger. I would not be bound to a house like some baby making slave." She was crying now.

Ginny put her cup down and moved to Hermione's side. "Weasley, You're Hermione Weasley. You're a strong independent woman, and if you had actually ever listened to Ron the world would have exploded. You never listened to him, and I think that's one of the things he loved the most about you. You always put up a fight, you always stood up for what you believed in. You never let anyone walk all over you. You should go in there and tell them that you are head of the department and you can handle anything, you are their boss and you understand and appreciate that they are trying to protect you. But you don't need it and they are not to hide cases from you."

Hermione nodded and moved into her friends embrace, "You're right Ginny."

"I know." The younger girl smiled and squeezed her friend tightly. "Now cheer up! Did I tell you I was promoted to Senior Quidditch Correspondent at the Prophet?"

"No! Congratulations!" Hermione hugged her, "About time!"

"Thank you." Ginny hugged her back.

The girls spent the night talking and gossiping about the latest news. It was late into the night when Ginny scooped the sleeping Lily off the couch and floo'd home to a waiting Harry.

Hermione showered and tucked into her bed ready for the long day at work tomorrow. The house was eerily quite with no children sneaking around or watching television. She rolled over and grabbed the pillow from Ron's side of the bed hugging it tightly and drifting off to sleep.

She was having the same dream again, one of the good ones. Her and Ron running along the beach, hugging and kissing. They were youthful and this was less of a dream and more of a memory. It was from when she and Ron had gone to retrieve her parents from Australia. It was the first time Ron had said he loved her, and Hermione had never been happier. She could smell the salty sea and feel the coarse sand under her feet. She was breathing heavily as she ran away from him, she knew he was going slower than he was capable of to keep the game up. Finally he grabbed her and pulled her into the sea. Under the waves they swam, the salt stinging their eyes. Coming up for air he was laughing, she slapped his shoulder and laughed with him. But the dream was always cut short with the sound of her alarm clock, and this time was no different.

She opened her eyes moaning in frustration, she leaned over and hit the alarm clock off. "Stupid clock." She mumbled getting up and going to the bathroom. She ate her breakfast, showered and dressed and was off to work. She waved hello to secretary and entered her office.

It was the largest office on the floor, walls lined with books someone may have mistaken it for a library. She put her briefcase on her desk and sat down sighing. "This isn't just another day, Hermione. You can do this. You just have to tell them how you fell." The courage she was feeling from the night before had left her in her sleep and her normal courage was leaving by the second. "After lunch." She told herself, this was the most reasonable time to do it, everyone would be in by then.

She worked on her cases for the next couple of hours. Researching and re-reading them all. All these people were guilty and Hermione would barely have to open her mouth to prove it. With Hermione as the prosecution the Defendants usually tried to weasel their way out of it, no one wanted her fighting against them. But if you were innocent then you wanted her, because Hermione would never convict an innocent person and she would flat out ask for a dismissal.

It was about ten minutes to lunch when the owl came barging through her door.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Weasley he wouldn't give me the letter." Her secretary Susan apologized standing in the open door.'

Hermione grabbed the letter from the owl, "It's alright Susan, he's from Hogwarts. He couldn't give it to you. And he isn't leaving so I suppose he is waiting for an answer. Alright then." She opened the letter it was from Headmistress McGonagall requesting that she appear at Hogwarts as soon as possible, there was a very important matter she needed to attend to. Hermione sighed, "What could this be about?" She replied with a simple, "I will be there by noon." Standing up she attached the letter to the owl and gave him a treat, he hooted and flew out the door. "Susan cancel all my after lunch meetings, tell them I have an urgent meeting." She grabbed her cloak and ran out the door and to the nearest apparation spot in the Department Floor Lobby.

*Hit Wizards comprise a team of highly trained wizards tasked with arresting dangerous criminals. The entry requirements include five O.W.L.s, one of which must be Defence Against the Dark Arts. The equivalent of a Muggle S.W.A.T. Team. Members have a personal bed reserved at St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. In 1993, Cornelius Fudge suggested that only Hit Wizards should attempt to capture Sirius Black, an Azkaban escapee then believed to be a highly dangerous criminal.

A/N: Ahhh I don't know!

Let me know what guys think so far. Reviews would be lovely!

I am going to be posting the last chapter of The Wizard Games either tomorrow night or Tuesday!

And now I've got a new writing baby.

If anyone would like to Beta for me please let me know.

Thanks for reading,

Hailyxx