A/N- This is of course merely a collaboration of Ms. Rowlings/ Ms. Meyer's worlds with my own take on PostWarAU. Only the unrecognizable characters are mine, all other credit goes to the wonderful ladies who've created such lovely universes. Many thanks to them.
New Beginnings
Chapter 25
When Hermione awoke the next morning, her hand hurt. She awoke to find that Neville had made breakfast and changed Teddy. He was walking out the door, Luna in tow, passing the giggling baby to Hermione just as she came downstairs.
"Talk to me when we get home from school? Please?" He murmured, brushing an errant curl from her avoiding eyes. She shrugged slightly in response, timidly looking to Luna who was, again, staring out the window, fingers tangled in the Butterbeer cork necklace. "We'll be late..." Neville sighed, motioning for the blond to proceed, closing the door behind them. Hermione stood staring at the door until Teddy grabbed a hold of her hair and yanked at it, impatient for attention.
...
Hermione took the other car to Forks early in the afternoon. There some things to get at the grocery store, and when finished she couldn't stand the thought of going back home. Stir crazy is what her mother used to call it. Hermione was decidedly stir crazy, sitting at home all day with Teddy, driving Neville and Luna to school, waiting to and then going to get them when it was done, making dinner, putting Teddy to bed. Again and again and again each day. Stir crazy, was only the beginning...
At least Harry has work, even if it was going in and out of the American Ministry of Magic all day, to meetings and the like. Neville and Luna were able to struggle along with Muggle high school. The adventures of her days comprised of choosing what to make for dinner, breaching the perils of getting the baby dressed, and waiting. Hermione hated waiting.
"Hello Hermione," someone greeted, causing her to jerk her head up quickly, out of her musings back to the real world.
"Mr. Cullen." She returned. "How are you today?"
"Very well, thank you, and please, call me Carlisle." He smiled brightly. She shifted Teddy in her arms and his eyes flickered to the burn on her hand. "Oh, that looks painful. Would you like me to take a look?"
"Err, that's alright. I'm sure it's fine." She declined.
"Really, I insist." He said, catching her arm and pulling it a little closer. "Water burn?" Carlisle asked. She nodded stiffly. His cold finger soothed the inflamed skin. His tinkling laugh brought her from her reverie with a slam and she yanked her hand from his grasp.
"No, please, Hermione I wasn't laughing at you." He defended immediately.
"What were you laughing at then?" She demanded. He stopped. He couldn't tell her that it was not a laugh of amusement, but happiness to the relief on her face. "That's what I thought." She turned quickly and exited the store, Teddy bouncing on her hip.