Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

The Last Remaining Light

Chapter 1

May 10th, 1998

"This has to be the most beautiful flat I've seen here in London," said Hermione as she walked into Harry and Ginny's large new flat in the of Muggle London. She was helping them move in the last of their boxes. They had spent the last few hours laughing and having fun.

Harry came in carrying a box and set it down before exclaiming: "Done!" He sat down on the couch and motioned Ginny to do the same. Hermione took it as her cue to leave. Her good day spent with her two greatest friends was over. She said her goodbyes, and apparated back to her lonely home.

It had only been a week after Voldemort's defeat, and Harry already knew what he wanted in life. She, on the other hand, had absolutely no clue where her life was headed. Ron was following Harry into an Auror career. 'Typical,' she thought, 'he can never do anything on his own.'

She snuggled up with a pillow in her room, thinking about what was in store for her future. She could do absolutely anything she wanted. A few days after the war had ended, there had been an enormous deposit into each of the Golden Trio's Gringotts accounts. 'Payment for their courageous acts during the war,' the Ministry called it. That made her and her two best friends some of the richest wizards in their world.

However, all she wanted to do was learn. She had missed an entire year of her education, and she yearned for the opportunity to return to Hogwarts. Professor McGonagall had assured her that she'd have a spot with the 7th years if she wanted to go back, not that she needed it. She was the brightest witch of her age after all.

She also thought about applying for a spot for a healer position at St. Mungo's but her mind always seemed to wander back to school. With her love of books and learning... maybe she could be a professor at Hogwarts... she hadn't thought of that before.

Hogwarts was her home for six years and she could definitely imagine going back to teach Charms, Potions, or even Transfiguation. She briefly imagined years of teaching students, becoming Deputy Headmistress, and eventually Headmistress. That was it. Her mind was made up.

It was the only thing that would make her happy. The emotional wounds from the war were still fresh. She had to keep herself busy in order to keep the nightmares away. Neither of her friends had brought up any conversations of the war or the final battle since that day. None of them were okay, but they had to move on.

May 11th, 1998

She woke up with a smile on her face. Her decision from the day before was still the first thing on her mind and she couldn't be happier. She took a quick shower, had a small breakfast, and got properly dressed all before 7 am. After reading a book, and noticing that it was 9 am, she decided to share the news of her decision with Harry and Ginny.

Upon her arrival at their flat, she was greeted at the door by an unexpected guest. Ron stood at the door, a huge grin on his face as Hermione stood there, shocked.

"R-Ron?" she threw her arms around him and smiled. "Where have you been? You just disappeared last week. I mean your mother said you were fine and wanted to be alone. And I suppose it's with good reason. But you could have said something to someone other than your mum. And-"

"Hermione, you're rambling," he interrupted. "But she was right. I just needed some time to think about what I wanted to do. I'm back now though and I have somethings I want to talk to you and Harry about." They both walked into the apartment, hand in hand, to the kitchen where Harry and Ginny were waiting for them.

"Morning guys," greeted Hermione. "What is it you want to talk to us about?"

"Well, Hermione, I want to take you to find your parents."

"What? Are you serious Ron?" asked Hermione. Hermione had modified her parents' memories in hope that Death Eaters would be unable to find them. She was certain that they were living in Australia, but had not made any attempts to find them.

"Yes, I am," he said and turned to Harry. "I wanted to ask you if there's any way you can use any of your connections to help us find them, Harry."

"Of course he can," said Ginny. Harry was still shocked at Ron's sudden kindness. It was no big secret that Ron wasn't very nice and was very selfish.

"Oh, yea, I can," mumbled Harry. He looked at Ron, who was smiling at Hermione. He felt uneasy, as if there was an enemy in their company. It was a feeling he got a lot before the Final Battle. He disliked feeling that way about his best friend. But something had changed in him. There was something dark in him now. He wondered if Ginny saw it too, and made a mental note to ask her later.

They all sat around and had dinner and a few drinks. Harry had sent off Ginny's owl to Kingsley asking him to help Ron find Hermione's parents. Little did he know, he had just made a huge mistake.

May 12th, 1998

Ron expected a response from Kingsley within the week, but was happy to have received it the following day. The owl had delivered the letter in the morning. It contained all the information on the whereabouts of Hermione's parents.

He sat at his desk and began to write a letter.

Zabini,

I'll be taking her the day after tomorrow to see her parents. Make sure you get there and do what we planned. I've enclosed the address. Take Goyle with you. We'll meet on the 20th, same time, same place.

Weasley

p.s.

Let it be known, even though the Dark Lord is gone, We are not.

He sent the letter off with his owl. With a smirk on his face, he apparated to Hermione's home. 'The war isn't over,' he thought to himself as he walked up to her door. 'It's just begun.'