A/N: This story is for the Quidditch League Fanfiction Competition round six. I am reserving for the Wasps as Seeker. We had to write about a character born in the month of September, and I chose Hermione. And for any of my usual readers, you'll be surprised that it's Romione.

This is just a small, slice of life story after the war. I hope you enjoy.

Final word count (according to google docs): 1378


As the dream ended, she chased it, feeling lost and forlorn. So few of her dreams held any happiness lately, held anything other than the flashes of light, pools of crimson, and sounds of screaming. From those dreams, she almost always woke with a start, coated in sweat. But this one had been peaceful. She couldn't even rightfully remember the dream, only the feeling of utter peace that it had brought.

After a moment, listening to her alarm ringing and wishing she could return to that one moment of serenity, Hermione silenced the clock by her bed, threw away her covers, and sat up. This would be her first day at the Ministry. She was excited, working in the department that she'd always wanted to, and was prepared to make a difference in the lives of magical creatures such House Elves and Goblins. All she needed to do, was get dressed, and show up on time. A good first impression was the most important thing at such an important job.

Hermione found her way to the kitchen, starting a pot of coffee and putting a couple of slices of bread in the toaster. She already knew what she was going to wear. Everything about the day was perfectly planned, every last moment of it.


"I was thinking that perhaps I could talk to you about some of the regulations for-"

"Look, Ms. Granger, you are not here to change the world," the shrewd woman Hermione now called her boss scolded. "You are here to fill out the necessary paperwork and look into the reports. You get coffee when asked and that's it. Nothing more.."

Once upon a time, Hermione would have spoken out, would have even stood up for herself. She would have cried out at the injustice. But the day had already gone atrociously. She'd gotten lost trying to find her department, even though she'd been there before and had studied the direction meticulously. She was a few minutes late because of it, and her boss wasn't happy. Then she was immediately sent on a coffee run. Just before Hermione could hand over the last cup of coffee, a passerby had knocked the drink against her and although it took nothing more than a quick scourgify to clean up the mess, it only earned her further disapproval.

After hours of paperwork, a lunch that had been eaten by someone else, and more paperwork, Hermione had finally found the perfect moment to talk about the numerous things she wanted to do while working in the department for Magical Creatures. And now she was being shot down.

"I only thought-"

"Get back to work, Ms. Granger, or I shall write you up for subordinance. You are not in good standing with me after today. I must say I'm less than impressed. After your interview I rather expected more from you."

A cringe followed by a small shift of her gaze down to her shoes. "I apologize. I'll get back to work."


Hermione shuffled into her flat, opening the door only enough for her slip through before closing it. Her finger stumbled slightly over the switch before the light above flickered softly into being. With a sigh, Hermione turned around and walked towards the kitchen. Then she paused, blinking in slight confusion before a smile began to break out across her face.

"Surprised?" Ron asked. He had changed so much over the last couple of years. His red hair was now longer than it had been for most of their lives and his face, even more freckled (if that were even possible). Harry stood up next to him, smiling, his hair wild as ever, and his skin a shade tanner. Being Aurors suited them, all the training, everything they did. They were happy.

"How was the first day?" Harry asked, walking over and grabbing a hug.

She gave a small chuckle. "It was...something," she said. "Not exactly as I planned it."

Her friends chuckled, Ron leading her over to the couch and pulling her down to sit with him, an arm around her. "'Mione, if everything went the way you wanted it to, you'd be bored out your mind."

The smile at her lip grew slightly as she snuggled into him. "But I couldn't even get them to listen to my ideas, or anything about S.P.E.W. I was told that I'm not there to change the world, but that's exactly why I'm there."

Harry walked over, holding a butter beer and handing it to her. Although Hermione might have, for once in her life, preferred the stronger effect of Fire Whiskey. Still, she thanked him softly and drank deeply, the drink warming her a bit. She'd always enjoyed the taste of it.

"You know, 'Mione, you can't do it all at once," Harry mused. "This isn't like in third year where you got special permission to take every class Hogwarts had to offer. Take it one step at time."

"Yeah, take a while to get used to the way things are run. Study them for the most opportune moment," Ron agreed, squeezing her slightly.

Hermione thought for a moment, taking a deep breath. "I guess you're right." She sat up again, looking between the two boys-no, they were men now. "Tomorrow is a new day. And tomorrow, I will be better."

It was great, to have friend that were always there. They'd come to celebrate her first day at the Ministry, and now that she'd been cheered up, she wanted to celebrate too. They'd survived war, though that was years behind them, they'd survived training and she'd survived an eighth year at hogwarts, and now they'd all survived their first of working for the Ministry of Magic. Together they would continue to survive, and thrive in the days following.

"Alright, what did you two have planned?" she asked, raising a brow at them, and grinning completely now.

The boys chuckled before Ron spoke. "Technically, it's a family affair. Mum wanted made dinner and we were just sent to pick you up." Then he stood, bent over, and literally picked her up from off the couch. Hermione let out a squealing laugh and clung tightly.

"Let me down," she laughed.

"Only if you say the magic word."

"Please?"

He smiled and relented, setting her gently down on her feet before giving her cheek a small kiss. "Alright, got any floo powder?"

Ron hadn't much enjoyed apparating much since he'd been accidentally splinched during their months in hiding. Hermione gave a slight nod, gesturing to a small velvet bag on her mantle. "Always."

She understood, always had. Though others gave him a hard time for it (of course he still apparated, he just preferred not to), Hermione had supported him. The trio made their way over to the fireplace, a quick spell from Hermione's wand setting a fire in the fireplace, ready for them to step into with the floo powder.

"See you two there," Harry said casually, grabbing a small handful. It was his way of respectfully giving them a chance to be alone together for just a few moments.

"Was it a really bad day?" Ron asked when they were alone.

"I suppose it could have been worse," she responded softly. "Spilled coffee, was a little late, boss scolded me. But I did get all my paperwork done on time."

He chuckled, pulling her in for another hug. "Of course you did. I think I'd die of shock the day Hermione Granger turns something in late."

She laughed and playfully hit his chest. "That's not funny." It was though. And she knew it. "Alright, shall we get going?"

"Yeah, mum is rather excited."

Hermione kissed him softly and then reached into the bag for a small handful of floo powder with him. Ron disappeared into the emerald flames. Hermione couldn't help but smile to herself as she stood alone. It wouldn't matter how many bad days she had, she knew she always had these two to make things better. So she stepped into the fireplace with her handful, ready to go.

"The Burrow!"