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Five years later-April

"Nathan Hunter, we're running late!" A frazzled Hermione Granger shouted. She had a dish towel haphazardly thrown over her shoulder. She was hopping around the living room, trying to shove her stocking clad feet into her heels. She held a file between her lips. When that task was complete, she readjusted her skirt just in time to see her four and half year old son running toward her. His blonde hair was spiked and his brown eyes were wide with excitement.

"Mama, do I get to go to pre-school today?" He asked excitedly. Hermione grinned and hoisted him up into the air.

"Yes you do baby, but here it's called nursery school. Mama has her first day at work so Grandma Jane is going to pick you up." Hermione said. She picked up his packed backpack and handed it to him.

"I miss Grandma Molly." He sighed, pouting. Hermione smiled.

"We're having dinner at the Weasley's tomorrow evening, you'll see her there. And Victorie and even Teddy." Nathan's eyes lit up and he tugged on Hermione's hand.

"Mama let's go." shouted the energetic child. Hermione laughed and picked up her brief case.

The mother son duo had just returned to England one week before. That week had been spent massively unpacking boxes, showing Nathan the city, and having quality time with her family. Chicago had been an entirely different world-America was an entirely different world. Hermione had spent her time in Chicago focusing on her career and Nathan. Unlike many work obsessed single parents, Hermione had divvied up her time quite nicely. Nathan had a nanny named Maria, but Maria was a very nice Italian girl. Nathan referred to her as Aunt Mary.

They left the town house late, but luckily for her, Nathan's nursery school was right near the entrance to the Ministry.

Nathan left her right away at the sight of a pile of trains in the corner. His teacher, Miss Lauren, smiled and introduced herself to Hermione. The twenty four year old witch watched her son talk to another little boy somewhat sadly. He was a social boy, outgoing and bold, but he had such a sweet and kind heart. He was small for his age, but he made up for it in mind and spirit.

"Good bye Nathan, I love you!" Hermione called, waving. He looked up and ran over, tossing his skinny arms around her legs.

"I love you, Mama." He whispered. She bent over and kissed the top of his head.

Hermione left the overly cheerful school with her shoulders slightly slumped. For her, it never got easier leaving Nathan behind. She had grown so accustomed to him being around her nearly twenty four seven, when he was old enough to start school it was frightening and exciting at the same time. Hermione arrived at the Ministry right on time. She adjusted her shirt and then skirt and fixed her lipstick.

"Miss Granger," A booming voice said. She turned around and saw Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt striding toward her. He pulled her into an embrace and stepped back. "You're back in London, for good?"

"Yes, sir, I'm working in the International office. I just returned from Chicago." She informed as they stepped onto the elevator. He nodded.

"How's your son?" He inquired gently. Hermione smiled, but there was a niggling thought in the back of her mind. Nathan had been kept a secret some what. She had specifically kept him out of the public eye, for he was born in Chicago, but somehow many people knew of his existence. But then again, Kingsley was the Minister.

"He's quite well. He's off to a new school today." replied Hermione with a smile. Kingsley nodded.

"Good. Well, I'll let you get to work. Stop by sometime and bring him around. Nathan, that's his name?"

Hermione nodded and said she would. She made her way to the Department of International Magical Cooperation, her new home. A lot of people stared at her when she walked by, something that made her a little uncomfortable. It was a novelty, seeing a war heroine back in town.

"Miss Granger, welcome." A plump secretary said. She handed Hermione a file.

"Your office is right down the hallway. Your new partner is across the hall. Get settled then go say hello. He will brief you on all the current cases." She instructed. Hermione nodded and walked to the office.

She pulled a few things out of her bag; a picture of Nathan, a picture of the Trio, a picture of her and her parents and Nathan, and a few odd things. Most of her Chicago stuff had been transferred already, including most of her files. She set her bag down and reorganized a few things, then walked over to a mirror on the wall. She smoothed her long hair and the front of her blouse then she left the office. She took a calming breath then raised her hand and knocked on the door.

"Come in," A voice beckoned. Hermione threw open the door.

"Hi I'm Hermione-Malfoy?" She gasped, seeing the familiar blonde. He looked up, his silver eyes widening.

"Granger. Long time no see." He smirked. "Last I heard you were exiled to the states."

Malfoy leaned back in the high backed desk chair and folded his hands together. Hermione stood in the doorway, her mouth opened. She glanced around the room and felt a chunk of ice settle in the pits of her stomach. She took a step forward. "You work...here?" She said.

"I'd say that's pretty clear," He smirked. "Since when do you work here?"

She rolled her eyes. "I cannot believe that I get stuck with you of all people. I believe you have a few case files for me?"

He nodded, his mind reverting right back to business. "Yes, the Egyptian Minister sent this in and also Brazil is trying to negotiate a peace treaty with Peru, but Kingsley wants us involved." He handed her two thick, manilla folders. She tucked them into her arms.

"Okay. Uh, when do we meet with them?" She asked. Her mind was sort of reeling. In Chicago, she dealt primarily with the different states, not the entire world. That was for the Washington DC office.

"Tuesday and Wednesday at seven, for dinner," said Draco. Hermione thought and frowned.

"I er, have an earlier commitment." She explained lamely.

Draco rolled his eyes. "With Potter and Weasley? Granger, this is the big leagues not Chicago," He strung the word out in an over exaggerated southern drawl. They didn't even talk like that there.

"No, but it's not any of your business. But I guess I can reschedule..." She murmured, thinking. Nathan and her were having dinner at the Grangers, but they would surely understand. She sighed and leaned against the door frame. This was going to be a long year.

"Good," He said curtly. "I think you can handle a few cases on your own, I'll have Trudy send them in."

Hermione couldn't help but notice the way his voice was; like he was her superior. She scowled and turned around to her own office. She sat down then tossed the files onto the desk. Hermione caught sight of the photographs on her desk. There was one of her and Nathan, giggling and waving. It was taken the year before, at his fourth birthday party. She picked up the picture and smiled, feeling a peculiar warmth spread from her toes to her scalp.

He was her baby, hers and hers alone. No one could take that from her.


A/N: Sorry it's short :( But the reaction to the this story was lovely!:) Thank you all for the reviews. Let's get some more, shall we?

xoxo