Chapter 1:

It was a humid summer's day, and there was not a breeze to be felt anywhere. Diagon Alley was usually a lovely place full of life for everyone, but today was not one of those days. Especially for two people… A frazzled Hermione Granger and trying to be calm Cornelius Fudge were in a heated conversation within a cramped office.

"You're going to what me?", she all but yelled in his face, "I'm sorry can you repeat that?"

"Miss Granger I really am sorry, but we have no other choice but to let you go!" He took a deep breath and tried to reason calmly. "There were budget cuts, and we had to fire many low level people, but unfortunately we have to let some of our more higher up employees go, too. I'm sorry but we have to—"

"Make me clear out within the week…" She smiled sadly. "I know, I'm usually the one giving the 'clear-out-you're-fired' speech." He blushed, lowering his balding head. "It was nice working with you Minister." They shook hands, and she turned to the door.

"Oh Miss Granger!" He said quickly, before she could exit. She turned on her heel.

"Yes?" She looked at him expectantly.

"The Ministry will miss you. Thanks for your work." He smiled and then said, "I've had to let too many good workers go. Hopefully we will get more funding soon, and if we do, you can be sure that we will come knocking." He shuffled some papers on his desk, and then said, "Good day, Miss Granger."

"Thank you Minister." She left the room with her head high, her eyes swimming with tears of angst.

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Hermione entered her office, breathing in the cool air-conditioned surroundings. Then her predicament finally sunk in. She began to pace. Oh Merlin. I'm unemployed. My parents are going to kill me. Wait a second… I'm going to kill me! Why, oh why did they have to fire me? I worked hard, long hours, and I solved practically all my cases! Is this about the time that I accidentally let those pixies out, because it was an accident! Thoughts raced around her head, refusing to let up. Finally she stopped walking, and flopped down into her plush office chair. She untied her hair, and let it flow down. Or to be more precise, frizz up. Her hair had gotten considerably less frizzy since her days at Hogwarts, but it was still not what you could call "smooth". It went down to the middle of her back, in a sort of bush, but she couldn't be helped to fix it. Frankly, she didn't really care. As long she did her work, and was happy with herself then she was happy with body, too! Her dress robes stuck to her back and clung there persistently. It was unbearable in her office. Even with the air-conditioning there was something claustrophobic about being in her office now. It didn't feel comfortable as before. Maybe because it wasn't her office. Ugh, I can't stand having all my work pulled out from under me! I'm so bored… She put her legs up on the mahogany desk, and groaned.

And as if an answer to her prayers, a little owl flew through the window, and perched on her windowsill, it's head cocked to one side while looking at her curiously with it's dark eyes. It had a letter tied to one leg, and a pouch for treats in the other.

"Why hello there…" She cooed softly to the bird while she undid the letter gently. She fed him a snack and he eagerly gobbled it down in earnest, all the while hooting with pleasure. She opened up the roll of creamy parchment and scanned it quickly, and then smiled happily.

Mione,

How are you? Fudge just sent me the list of people who have been let off, and I was shocked to see that you were one of them. You didn't deserve that, but if you want to talk about it, know that Ginny and I are both here for you. I hate to ask this of you at this time, but Ginny is getting… well rather tired with her enormous stomach (don't tell her I told you that, she won't want anyone fussing about her) and the baby is due in 2 months now. If it isn't too much to ask, could you watch Teddy tomorrow night? I wanted to surprise Ginny and make dinner, and go out for a movie… If you can't, I do understand.

Love,

Harry

Hermione smiled to herself and then chuckled when she saw that he wanted to make dinner. Harry was the last person on earth who she would hire to be a chef. His food was atrociously terrible. But it was so sweet that he was trying for Ginny. Where is that in my life? She questioned herself in her thoughts silently while writing to Harry that she would love to take Teddy of their hands. After Tonks and Remus had died, Andromeda had taken him in, but once Harry and Ginny had gotten married… well they really wanted to take him, and he was 1 years old, so it was fine with Andy. That was 3 years ago, Teddy was 4 now, and he loved his "Aunt Mione". That will be good for me. Having Teddy over will distract me from this ordeal and we can play games and…

Suddenly she looked at the time and jumped to her feet. 4:30, oh Merlin! I've got to get to the engagement party! In a flash she apparated to her flat and sprinted into her bedroom. It was a modest living space, and she had moved into it right after she and Ron broke up. 3 years ago, the same year that Teddy moved in with Harry and Ginny. That was one of her main consolations, spending time with Teddy. But at least she and Ron had parted on a good note. They realized that they both wanted different things in life, and that maybe they weren't a perfect match. The same couldn't be said for Ginny and Harry. They had married straight out of Hogwarts. High school sweethearts as we muggles would say… Gosh, they have always been so perfect for each other. Then Ron had met Pansy at a gala and it was apparently love at first sight. They went out for 2 and a half years and just 6 months ago he had proposed to her! They're perfect for each other. Yin and yang. I'm so happy for them… Hermione smiled with her thoughts as she stepped into the shower, washing away all the stress of the day.

When she got out of the shower it was already 4:45, and she only had 15 minutes to get ready, and pick up a cake at the bakery for the party. She cast a quick spell to dry her hair and de-frizz it a bit, braided it into a French twist, applied a bit of makeup, hurriedly changed into some powder blue dress robes and apparated into a alley near the bakery. Sprinting down the cobbled streets, she began to get a few odd looks from nearby wizards. She slowed to a walk, enjoying the feel of the warm, smooth rocks beneath her feet. Wait a second. If I can feel the rocks doesn't that mean… Oh please don't tell me that… She looked down at her bare feet.

"Merlin's beard!" She shrieked, earning her more than a few dirty looks. I forgot my shoes. Hermione how could you be so stupid! She quickly popped over to her flat once more with a bang, put on the first heels she saw, and apparated right in front of the bakery, bumping into people. "Sorry, sorry, oh so sorry!" She mumbled slipping past people. Pecan pie, pecan pie, pecan pie… She grabbed the first one she could see, paid, and then apparated right to Ron's open front door, glancing at her watch as she arrived. 4:59… just on time, and I can still check my makeup… She pulled out a mirror, reapplied her lipstick and then stepped inside.