The usual disclaimer applies. Anything you recognise does not belong to me, and I make no money from this story.

My Halloween present to you all; an update a couple of days early!

Chapter 3

Hermione woke up suddenly, startled from some unremembered nightmare. She glanced over at Ares, and took a deep breath when she realised he was still asleep. She looked out the window and decided to go ahead and get up when she saw that the sun was starting to rise. Quietly padding to the sitting room, she began to compose a letter to Professor McGonagall.

Ron had made some valid points when they had their talk; she really hadn't given much thought to her future and none to what she would do with Ares whilst she was working. But no matter what, she needed to take her N.E.W.T.s to do almost any job in the wizarding world.

Hermione quickly penned a letter to the Headmistress. She would post it later in Hogsmeade, since she did not have an owl of her own. Just as she had put the quill and parchment away, she heard soft whimperings coming from the bedroom.

She looked into Ares' cot and noticed that he seemed to be having a bad dream. His eyes were still closed, but he had a grimace on his tiny face and seemed to be shaking slightly. Hermione frowned herself as she wondered whether someone so small could remember being in an accident or losing their parents.

As she walked towards the kitchen to prepare her breakfast, she heard a light tapping sound on the window. She immediately recognised Harry's owl and opened the window to let him in. She pulled the parchment from his leg and began to read.

Hermione,

I didn't want to floo call and possibly wake the baby, but when would be a good time for Ginny and I to come visit? Molly explained the situation, and we would love to meet the little man. Oh, and I'm sorry Ron has been such a prat, but I guess I'm not that surprised. But in the end, he usually does what is right. Just give him some more time to accept everything.

Harry

Hermione couldn't help but smile as she read Harry's letter. They had now been friends for over seven years, and he really had not changed much at all. She decided to go ahead and send him a letter as well so she would only have to make one trip to the Owlery in Hogsmeade.

Harry,

You can floo-call any time after seven in the morning to arrange a visit. Ares is usually up by then. Give Ginny my love.

Hermione

Just as she finished her toast and coffee, she heard Ares cooing softly in his cot. Lightly lifting him out, she stroked his hair softly as she carried him to the sitting room. She was hoping that today would be a nice, calm day at home, unlike the previous couple of days.

-ooOOoo-

The quiet had lasted three days, but it was enough time for Hermione to get into a routine with Ares. After breakfast she would bathe him and then give him some time on the floor to exercise his little arms and legs. He usually took a bottle every four to six hours and would nap for about two hours after the first two bottles. In the late afternoon when he was more awake she took him for a walk in the pram. Hermione knew that by most people's standards her days were quite boring, but after everything that had happened in her sixth year, she enjoyed the peace and quiet.

Hermione had just finished Ares' bath when she heard the floo activate. Harry's voice echoed loudly into the kitchen as he spoke. "Hermione? Are you home? Is now a good time to come over?"

"Yes," she spoke as loudly as she could without shouting. "Just give me a few minutes to put some clean clothes on Ares."

Just as she finished snapping closed the sleeper on Ares, Harry and Ginny stepped out of the floo. "Hello, Harry and Ginny," she smiled as she carried Ares towards the sitting room.

"This must be Ares," Ginny cooed softly. "He looks a lot like you, Hermione. He even has your crazy hair."

"Yes, I've noticed that," Hermione gave a non-threatening smirk as she spoke. "But if he keeps his hair short as he gets older, it shouldn't be a problem."

As they all sat on the sofa, Hermione was the first to speak, "So what have your mum and Ron told you?"

"Well, I guess almost everything," said Harry. "We know that when you went to Australia you found out your parents died in an accident and that you found Ares in a foster home. You were able to bring him home, so I'm assuming you are his legal guardian now."

Hermione sighed in relief that she wouldn't have to repeat everything. "Yes, that is pretty much it. The paperwork normally takes much longer, but I used a bit of magic to push it through quickly. I didn't want him to stay in foster care and be raised by strangers."

"About that," Ginny started nervously. "Ron said that you changed your goal of working at the Ministry. He didn't exactly sound too happy about everything that has changed," she paused momentarily as she saw Hermione's grimace, "I'm not sure he told us everything, so what exactly do you plan to do, Hermione?"

"Well, I wasn't going to go straight into work anyway. I appreciate that we were offered honorary N.E.W.T.s, but I'd rather earn mine. Before Ares," she paused and stroked his cheek, "my plan was to go back for my seventh year and take my N.E.W.T.s. After that I figured I would work for the Ministry. But now... Now I am going to try to take my N.E.W.T.s early and then see what kind of job I can do whilst still taking care of him. I have enough money for the both of us for a few months, and hopefully I can figure out the job situation by then."

"Have you talked to the Headmistress about taking them early?" Ginny was genuinely curious.

"Yes, I've already sent a letter. I am expecting to hear back from her sometime today, in order to set up a meeting to discuss it."

The room was silent for a few seconds after the discussion ended. Harry looked at Ares and then back up at Hermione, noticing both had a peaceful expression.

"Hermione, I have to ask, are you okay? Your parents, Aries, school and work, it is a lot of changes." Harry had a concerned look on his face.

"Well, it is a lot to take in all at once. Losing my parents, raising my baby brother, and now trying to take my N.E.W.T.s early and find a job." She started to tear up as she thought about her parents. "But I will be okay. I have to be, not just for me, but for Ares as well. I am already so in love with him." Her lips turned up just slightly as she finished talking.

Ginny leaned in and gave her a hug, trying not to squeeze too hard since Hermione was still holding Ares. "You know that we both will be here for you if you need us. Let us know if there is anything we can do. And if Harry and I aren't available, come to the Burrow. Mum hasn't been able to stop talking about Ares, so I know she would love to see you both."

Hermione walked Ginny and Harry towards the floo, and hugged them both before they left for the Burrow. She was very excited that things had gone so well, but she was exhausted now and ready to join Ares in a nap.

-ooOOoo-

Hermione had just put Ares to bed for the night when she heard the familiar tapping on her window. Although she didn't recognise the owl, she immediately knew who the letter was from once she saw the familiar Hogwarts seal.

Miss Granger,

I was very surprised to get a letter from you this close to the start of term. N.E.W.T.s are normally just offered at the end of the Spring term, but after everything that happened at Hogwarts, the board is willing to provide make-up N.E.W.T.s early this autumn for those that wish to take them. The date has not been set, but it will probably be in October.

As far as the job situation, there is a job at Hogwarts that has just opened up, and you could start at the beginning of term. N.E.W.T. status would not be needed to start this job, and room and board would be provided just as they are to the rest of the staff at Hogwarts.

Please reply if you are interested to set up a time to discuss this more in detail.

Minerva McGonagall

Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Hermione was ecstatic. Not only would she be able to take her NEWTs early, but she would probably have a job as well.

A/N...Thank you Meladara, for taking the time to beta this even though you are working on a few stories of your own!