"Oh Hermione I have missed you so much" Polly crooned as she hugged her cousin tightly, well, maybe too tightly. "Polly" Hermione huffed laughing "You'll miss me even more if you don't let me breathe cousin." Polly finally pulled back still holding Hermione's shoulders and smiling at her. "Sorry, you are just gone for too long"

Two years to be exact, Hermione mused as the two girls made their way from the airport terminal to the parking outside where Polly parked her car. Hermione has been touring Europe and Asia for the last two years in search for her peace as she put it. The truth is traveling the world has been something Hermione always wanted to do. She almost lost the hope in doing so during the war but as soon as she had the chance she left. First she sat her NEWTs. Professor McGonagall has been generous enough to offer her a place in the expedited and crash NEWT course. Four months after the rebuilding was finished and six months after Voldemort's demise, she sat her speedy exams with one other student, the only other student to attend the crash course. Draco Malfoy. Hermione thought it was impressive that he had the mind to study and score very high, a few points below her in fact, this soon after his trial. His and his mother's trials have been expedited as well. Thanks to Harry and Hermione mainly then to McGonagall and Kingesly next, Draco and Narcissa were pardoned with some linen stipulations. Lucius also had a reduced sentence. Considering he was always acting out of fear and misplaced loyalties, he was sentenced to serve one year in Azkaban as well as a financial penalty which he was more than happy to pay. Draco requested to be on the speedy NEWTs program having no desire to return to a full year and face his classmates who he was sure would make his life a living hell.

After NEWTs, Hermione went to France and spent the next 3 years earning a degree in medi-magic. She always wanted to be a healer and the war strengthened that need. Then upon graduation she refused an offer from St. Mungo to fulfill her dream of travelling the world. Two years later, here she was. Back to Britain. To a family gathering no less.

The Granger's family gatherings are almost as bosh as celebrity parties. This time her grandparents have booked rooms and a conference hall for a week for the entire family. Her bosh aunts are usually responsible for organizing the whole thing. Events and meals through the week ending with a grand ball on the week end.

"So" Polly started pulling Hermione back to earth "Do you have a date for the ball? Maybe a hot guy you met while traveling?" Hermione laughed "No, Polly. I don't have a hot guy following me from Spain to take me to my family Ball. Sober up will you, I told you I was done dating for a while." Polly just nodded. Being one of the few people who Hermione kept in contact with during the last two years, she knew what her cousin was talking about.

Hermione was in a few serious relationships during the first few months of her travels. When she got hurt, badly each and every time, she decided that enough was enough. From then on she kept it casual, just having fun not letting herself getting attached. That attitude worked wonders for her self-esteem. Now, the once shy and prude bookworm blossomed into a very elegant and beautiful woman.

By the time they arrived at one of the grandest hotels in London, where the gathering was to take place, the two girls have caught up on each other news. "Oh, Hermione, he is wonderful." Polly cooed as she locked the car and started helping her cousin with the luggage. She was telling her about her boyfriend of 8 months. "He is charming, elegant and very kind. Many people might think him aloof but underneath he has a very sweet character. I can't wait for you to meet him". Hermione laughed "I am happy for you Polly, I would be honored to meet him of course."

They drifted into the hotel, settled Hermione's bags in the room they will be sharing over the course of the week then went down to the room where their family was to have their first official dinner. Jane and Richard Granger were the first to greet the girls "Hermione!" her mother practically screamed smothering her in a hug. "Hi mum. I missed you too." Hermione laughed hugging her mum just as tightly. "Jane please. You'll suffocate the girl before the rest of the family get their chance. Let her breath." Richard admonished with a chuckle from behind. Hermione released her mother and turned with a grin to her father then jumped into his waiting arms. "Oh dad, I missed you so much". After that she went and greeted her aunts and uncles. The only people she liked enough to hug would be her aunt Minnie, Polly's mum, Uncle John Minnie's husband and her father's brother and her grandparents of course. Among the whole family, these were the few that knew her secret. Of course there was also aunt Lola, her father's oldest sister, but Hermione never liked her. Mainly, because Lola always made Hermione feel as if her magic was an illness. Lola of course was sworn to secrecy. When Hermione was in her fifth year Lola almost ousted her to the entire family, so the girl made her aunt take a vow, magically binding to Lola's dismay, and explained the dire consequences if she ever broke that vow. Of course, Hermione may have exaggerated just a bit, but it was worth the look of absolute horror on Lola's face.

After dinner Hermione and Polly retreated to their room, exhausted from a long day, fallen asleep as soon as they hit their beds.