The next morning Ron and Harry had an early start for testing and were gone by the time Hermione came downstairs.

"Morning," Ginny croaked, when she came into the kitchen.

"Morning," Hermione responded. There was a big pot of tea on the table in front of Ginny, so Hermione got a cup and sat down.

"What are you up to today?" Ginny asked, her voice still rough.

"I'm back at Hogwarts working on Herbology. At this point, it's probably my weakest subject."

"Not a lot of call to collect plants on the Horcrux hunt?" Ginny quipped.

"I occasionally collected plants when I saw things I could use for potions that we needed, but for the most part no."

Ginny arched an eyebrow. "You brewed potions in a tent?"

"I had to. I kept an almost complete Polyjuice potion with us all the time. I picked Dittany whenever I saw it because it's so useful for wounds. And of course, I picked anything edible, because we were chronically low on food."

Ginny nodded. "Of course."

Hermione twisted her cup in her hands. "Speaking of potions, last night Harry said that you should only take dreamless sleeping draught. I didn't know that."

"Because of me, Mum only makes the dreamless kind, so that's all I ever have on hand, but I was out. When I got some from Monica I didn't even think to check. Stupid really."

"But why—"

"According to Madam Pomfrey it has to do with having been possessed," Ginny said, shifting uncomfortably.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked."

"No. It's okay." Ginny cleared her throat. "You should know that, just like I needed to know Gimshine's spell."

Hermione nodded. "Right, but Harry already knew."

Ginny smiled. "Harry's in the same boat because he was a Horcrux. It's not the same as being possessed, but it's similar in regards to sleeping draughts. You get trapped in the dream and you can't escape until the potion wears off or someone gives you the antidote."

"Oh," Hermione said, and sipped her tea. "At least you're okay now?"

"Yeah," Ginny nodded. "So, I'm guessing it was bad."

"You don't remember?"

"No. A side effect of the antidote is it wipes away the dream you were trapped in."

"Good," Hermione said.

Ginny shook her head. "It's not good. It's never good to not know what's happened, to only see or feel the after effects. I know I was screaming last night because I'm hoarse this morning. It's like during first year when big parts of the year are a blur for me. I'd wake up covered in feathers or paint and I'd hear people talking about the Chamber of Secrets and I would have this overwhelming sense of shame and dread, but it took a while to really believe that I was doing it."

"But you weren't," Hermione said. "Voldemort made you do those things."

"I know that, but it was still me, my body involved. Possession is a weird sort of rape."

"I guess I never thought of it like that."

Ginny sighed. "I wish I didn't. The analogy has a tendency to take a more concrete form in my nightmares."

"I'm so sorry," Hermione said.

Ginny shrugged. "It is what it is. Maybe one day we'll all be nightmare free and living normal lives. Wouldn't that be nice?"

Hermione smiled. "I think that'd be great."

"Sometimes I hear some of the other kids talking about what they want to do after we graduate, and I think, I'd just like to get a good night's sleep on a regular basis. Is that so much to ask?"

Hermione chuckled. "You wouldn't think so, but some weeks it's just impossible."

"Right?" Ginny said. "And I still don't understand what triggers the nightmares. Sometimes it's obvious, but most of the time, they happen for no reason at all."

"Well, if you ever crack it, let me know."

Ginny nodded. "Will do, but right now I need to go. I've got class in a few minutes."

"Can we meet for lunch?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah, the Great Hall at 12:30."

"I'll be there," Hermione said.

xxx

When she arrived in the Great Hall for lunch Hermione saw a crowd at one of end of the Gryffindor table but no signs of Ginny until she realized Ginny was in the middle of the group. She remembered what the Slytherin table used to look like whenever Viktor ate in the Great Hall and why he stopped doing it. She started maneuvering her way into the mass around Ginny, who was politely smiling and making small talk with what were mostly guys, but the smile wasn't reaching her eyes. When she caught sight of Hermione she stood. "Oh, my future sister-in-law is here. Can't keep her waiting." She pressed a bag into Hermione's hand and hurried out of the hall toward Gryffindor tower.

"Is it like that every day?" Hermione asked.

"If I eat in the Great Hall, yes, so I don't eat in there anymore. I don't know what I was thinking suggesting we meet there. I packed you a lunch from the table. I hope you like it."

"I'm sure it's fine," Hermione said. "So, this Quidditch thing is intense."

Ginny blew out a frustrated breath. "It's not about Quidditch. It's about that stupid poster. "

"It's pretty popular then?"

"Apparently, I'm a best seller. The bloke who runs Quality Quidditch Supply actually sent me a thank you note this morning with a coupon for 50% off anything in the store. Oh, and Harper, that knobhead, told me they're all over the Slytherin boys' dorm. I'll leave it to your imagination as to what he said they were doing with them."

Hermione grimaced.

"Yeah," Ginny sighed, rubbing her forehead. "It's been a day."

"I'm so sorry. That sounds dreadful," Hermione said.

"It's not so bad. The other Gryffindors have been great about it actually. They often bring me meals to the tower and when I'm out on the grounds they'll surround me and provide a buffer. I'm sure it will all die down eventually, or you know, I'll graduate, whichever comes first."

"Right," Hermione said.

xxx

Hermione arrived home early that evening. She fed Crookshanks and then settled on to one of the sofas to read Magical Plants of the British Isles. A few minutes later the big orange cat curled up on her lap.

At six o'clock, Ron stepped out of the fireplace. He grinned at her and held out his hand. "Come with me."

"Where?"

"The Leaky Cauldron. We're celebrating."

"What?"

"Harry and I are officially Auror's."

"Fantastic!" She stood to hug him and he swung her around. When he set her back down, she said, "I thought that wasn't until Friday."

"The official ceremony is Friday. Testing was completed today and we passed. Numbers one and two in class to be exact."

"Not surprising," she said, and hugged him again.

He kissed her and she pushed his robes off his shoulders and tugged at the hem of his shirt. "Do we have to leave right now?"

He grinned at her. "I think we have some time."

xxx

Taylor handed Harry and Loonat a beer, and sat down at the large table they'd commandeered at the back of the pub. "Where's Weasley?"

"Gone to fetch Hermione," Harry answered.

"Good," Taylor said. "I like her. She was a total hottie that night at Bagley's."

"You know she doesn't actually look like that," Harry said flatly.

Taylor laughed, "I know. I'm not talking about how she looked. I'm talking about how she moved. Did you see her work that crowd? A glamour charm doesn't make you move like that."

Harry frowned. "Yeah, I think she took dance lessons as a kid."

"And it shows is all I'm saying," Taylor said, bumping his shoulder against Harry.

Across the table, Brown shook her head. "You're such a troll, Taylor."

"Ah, come on," Taylor said. "I know about Granger. She's the witch who wandered around the countryside with you and Weasley kicking Death Eater ass and taking names."

Harry gave him a withering look. "Yes. That's exactly what it was like. Lots of ass kicking and name taking."

"Right," Taylor said. "Anybody that can do that and dance too has to be loads of fun."

"Yup," Harry said. "That's our Hermione, loads of fun. Everyone always says so."

Loonat leaned over and whispered to Harry, "I know I was a couple of years ahead of you guys at Hogwarts, but I don't remember her as the life of the party."

"No?" Harry said, smiling. "Must have happened after you left."

"Huh," Loonat said and drank his beer.

"What about your girl, Potter?" Brown asked. "Is she coming?"

"No." Harry said.

"Why not?" Taylor said, waving his empty glass at a pitcher of beer floating through the air. "She seems fun too."

"She's still in school."

Taylor laughed. "She doesn't look like a school girl in that Harpy poster."

Harry's jaw clenched. "Well, she is one."

Taylor punched his shoulder. "Like 'em young, Potter?"

"She's only a year younger than I am Taylor," Harry said, trying to keep the irritation out of his voice.

Ron and Hermione stepped out of the fireplace. As they got to the table, Ron said, "Oi, you lot remember Hermione."

Hermione shook hands with everyone at the table while they shifted to make room for her and Ron to sit down.

"I hear congratulations are in order for all of you," Hermione said.

"Yep," Brown said. "Six started but we five finished."

"Well done," Hermione said. "Next round is on me."

"I knew I liked you," Taylor said. A tray with a pitcher of beer and six more glasses came sailing over to the table and plopped itself in the middle. Hannah Abbot waved from behind the bar.

"So, tell me," Taylor said to Hermione. "What was it like tromping around in the woods with these two?"

Ron opened his mouth, but Hermione squeezed his thigh beneath the table.

"About like you'd expect," Hermione said.

"Kicking Death Eater ass all the time?" Taylor said.

"Every day," Hermione said, nodding. Ron looked at Harry who looked back and shrugged.

"Yeah!" Taylor said, pounding the table. He looked up suddenly. "Hey does anyone know what happened with that Muggle girl that McLaggen got hold of?"

"She's back with her family," Ron said. "They think she was in a car accident that caused some minor memory loss. She'll be okay."

"Good," Taylor said. "That bastard. I hope he never sees the light of day. When is his trial?"

"End of February," Brown said.

"Bloody brilliant of you to grab him Weasley," Taylor said.

"Bloody stupid more like," Ron said. "Worked out in the end though."

"I'd say," Taylor said.

"Too right," Harry said and raised his glass. "To Ron!"

Everyone except Ron clinked their glasses together. "To Ron!"

"Alright, alright," Ron said, his face turning pink.

Hermione stretched and kissed his cheek.

Brown stood. "I've got to hit the loo."

Hermione stood too. "I'll go with you."

As the girls headed toward the toilets, Taylor shook his head. "Why do they always go together?"

The other guys all shrugged.

xxx

When Brown came out of the stall, Hermione was adjusting the charm on her hair.

Brown caught her eye in the mirror as she washed her hands. "Loads of ass kicking?" she said.

Hermione quirked her lips. "Maybe not loads."

Brown chuckled, but then sobered. "I saw you guys at the Battle of Hogwarts. There was definitely some."

Hermione nodded. "Yes."

"How has it been?" Brown asked.

"What?"

"The adjustment, you know, back to regular life? Off the Ministry's Undesirable List and all that."

"Slow," Hermione said, still looking at Brown through the mirror. "But steady."

"Good. You guys ever need anything, you let me know. Potter and Weasley are the best."

Hermione smiled. "Thanks. I think so too."

xxx

When Brown and Hermione came back to the table, Harry stood and looked at his watch. "I'm going to head back. I'll see you lot tomorrow."

Ron looked at Hermione. "Want to go too?"

"Let's, I've got a lot of work to do."

"What line of work are you in?" Taylor asked Hermione as Harry headed for the fireplace.

"I'm sitting for my N.E.W.T.s." Hermione said.

"Which ones?" Taylor asked.

Ron answered. "She's completed Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, and Potions. So far, an O in everything except Potions, which will probably be an O, but she hasn't got the grade yet. So Herbology is next and then Transfigurations and she'll be done."

"Seven?" Brown said. "I thought I was an overachiever with six."

Loonat laughed. "The rest of us thought that too, we all only have five, unless you count Potter and Weasley who couldn't be bothered to manage one between them."

"Some people are so naturally brilliant, they don't need N.E.W.T.s," Ron said.

"Ah yes," Hermione said. "So, I guess I'm overcompensating."

"It's okay, luv," Ron said, kissing the top of her head. "Some people just have to work harder."

She laughed. "Let's go home then, because I really do have work to do."

"Goodnight all," Ron said, and held her hand as they walked to the Floo.

Hannah waved goodbye as they passed the bar.

xxx

The next morning Hermione was in the massive greenhouse at Hogwarts working on plant identification. It was oppressively muggy inside, but she had to wear a protective coat, heavy gloves, and goggles, because so many of the plants were dangerous. She had a piece of parchment and had charmed a quill to take notes when Neville walked in.

"Hiya, Hermione," he said.

She turned to him pulling off her goggles. "Neville, what are you doing here?"

"I'm here to see Professor Sprout. She wants me to do fieldwork for her. She can't get out like she used to."

Hermione nodded. She'd noticed that Professor Sprout wasn't as spry as she used to be and was moving much slower among the racks of plants in the greenhouse. "It's good that you can help."

"It's nice to have a steady job, maybe I can finally move out of Gran's house."

Hermione smiled. "It is nice to have your own place."

"You're lucky that way."

"Yes."

"I mean Hannah has a room at the Leaky Cauldron, but that's not the same as your own flat, is it?"

"I guess not," Hermione said sympathetically. "I imagine if feels a tad public."

"Yeah." Neville nodded. "So, what are you up to?"

"Trying to identify all these plants. I'm afraid I'm way behind in Herbology. There just wasn't much call for it in my life last year."

"I'm sure that's true," Neville said. "Why don't you take my study cards? It's seems such a waste of time for you to make all these notes when I have what you need ready-made."

"You wouldn't mind?"

"Of course not. I don't need them anymore. Although, I do sometimes look through them just to keep sharp, so I definitely want them back."

"Naturally, I'll get them back to you straight away."

He smiled. "Shall I bring them out tonight? Say around seven?"

"That would be great," she said beaming.

"Alright then, see you tonight."

xxx

After finishing up in the greenhouse, Hermione spent the rest of the day in the library before heading home at five o'clock. She had plenty of time to shower and get changed before Ron came through the Floo just after six.

"Hullo," she said.

"Hi," he said, leaning down for a quick kiss.

She looked at the fireplace. "Is Harry not coming?"

"I'm not sure when he'll be back. Proudfoot and Savage took him and Taylor a couple of hours ago for some kind of mission in the north."

"What sort of mission?"

"I don't know, do I? It's weird because Harry's my partner. I don't understand why they would take him without me."

"What about Brown and Loonat?"

"They didn't go either."

"So, it couldn't have been too big of a deal then, right?"

Ron shook his head, "I don't know. I'm starving though, do we have anything for dinner?"

"Let's go see," Hermione said. "I'm sure there's something." In the kitchen she used her wand to start a knife pealing and slicing potatoes while Ron dug through the icebox.

"We have gammon steaks," he said, holding them up.

"Great. We can fry those with eggs when the potatoes are almost done."

"Sounds good," Ron said, moving around her to get the frying pan out.

xxx

They were just setting the food on the table when they heard the Floo open and Harry walked into the kitchen. His robes were dirty and there was a soot smear across his face.

"Harry?" Hermione said.

"Where have you been?"

"Northumberland."

"What were you doing up there?"

Harry tightened his jaw. "We got Greyback."

Hermione put a hand over her mouth. She could hear Ron's breathing hitch. "You went after Greyback without me?"

Harry shook his head. "I wanted you along, but Proudfoot and Savage felt that due to your personal history with Greyback that you might not be able to keep a cool head."

Without breaking eye contact with Harry, Ron reached out his arm. Hermione stepped into the embrace and he pulled her against him. "So, he's in custody?"

"He's dead. There was no taking him alive. He was…" Harry shook his head. "Taylor's at St. Mungo's."

"Is he alright?"

"He will be. Took a pretty nasty curse across the chest. It'll likely leave a scar."

Ron held Hermione tighter. She could feel him trembling and his breathing was ragged. He kissed her head. "I should let Bill and Fleur know."

Hermione pressed a hand against his chest. "Don't Apparate like this. Let me take you."

He looked down at her for a long moment before nodding his consent.

Hermione looked at Harry. "We'll be back. Help yourself to dinner." They Disapparated.

xxx

A minute later they were gasping on the beach in front of shell cottage. It was pouring rain. Ron pushed his fingers back through his hair. "I need a minute," he shouted over the wind and rain.

Hermione nodded and backed away from him, giving him some space. He lifted his face up to the sky and let the rain wash over him. He just stood there for a minute. Hermione looked away, trying to give him some privacy to pull himself together, but unwilling to go but so far should he need her. She glanced back at him. He pushed his fingers through his hair and turned around. He held his hand out to her and she took it.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"Don't be. We all need a minute sometimes."

He smiled at her and tugged on her hand until she fitted her shoulder under his and they walked up to Shell Cottage with his arm around her.

Ron knocked on the door, and a few seconds later Bill opened it, wand drawn. "Ron? What are you two doing out in this weather?"

"We have news," Hermione said.

"Greyback's dead," Ron said.

Bill stepped back and from behind him they heard a soft cry. Bill hugged Ron and Hermione and a moment later Fleur was hugging them too.

After a minute they all separated. Bill wiped a hand down his face. "You're sure?"

"Harry was there," Ron said. "He's gone."

Fleur wiped tears from her cheeks with her fingers. "Good."

Bill nodded. "Do Mum and Dad know?"

"I figured we'd tell them after we told you," Ron said.

Fleur shook her head. "You are both soaked to the skin. Go home. Bill and I can tell your parents."

"Are you sure?" Hermione said. "As you say we're already soaked."

Bill smiled. "Go home. We'll tell Mum and Dad."

"Alright," Ron said. He took Hermione's hand again and they stepped back out into the rainy night.

xxx

Back in Heathgate, Harry took a shower and pulled on a pair of jeans and a flannel shirt before going back downstairs to heat up some dinner. The Floo activated as he passed through the parlor. Neville stepped out of the fireplace with a box in his hands.

"Hiya Harry," he said cheerily.

"Hi Neville, what brings you out?"

"I told Hermione I'd bring her my study cards." He grinned. "Who would have ever thought I'd be helping Hermione Granger study?"

Harry shook his head. "Crazy times, Neville."

"Is she around?" Neville asked.

"She and Ron popped out for a bit. I'm not sure when they'll be back. Are you hungry? I'm just about to heat up some dinner."

"If you have enough, that'd be great. Hannah's got a late shift at the Cauldron, and it's Gran's card night, so I'm on my own for dinner."

"Come on," Harry said.

They had just sat down to eat when there was a pop and Ron and Hermione Apparated into the kitchen. They stood there for a moment dripping on the floor, before Hermione said. "Hullo, Neville. I'm sorry. I forgot all about you coming out tonight. Did Harry tell you the news?"

Neville looked at Harry.

"Greyback is dead."

Neville blew out a slow breath. "When did that happen?"

"This afternoon," Harry said.

"Wow," Neville said.

"We went to tell Bill and Fleur," Ron said.

Neville nodded. "Are you going to tell…well…I guess they'll read about it in the paper tomorrow."

"Who?" Ron asked.

Hermione squeezed his hand. "Lavender's parents."

"Sorry," Neville said. "I shouldn't—"

"You're right." Ron said, "I should tell them. They live in Hogsmeade don't they?"

"Yeah, just a couple doors down from Madam Puddifoot's."

Ron looked at Hermione. "Can I talk to you for a sec?"

Hermione shook her head. "No need. Go. I understand."

He kissed her forehead and Disapparated.

Hermione looked at Harry and Neville. "I'll be back down in a minute. I just need to get out of these wet things."

xxx

Twenty minutes later Ron was back at the house. Hermione, Harry and Neville were still sitting at the table. Hermione got up. "Go get dry. I'll heat you a plate."

He nodded without saying anything and went upstairs. Hermione finished heating the plate with her wand and Ron still hadn't come back downstairs.

"I think I'll just take this up to him," she said.

Harry nodded.

Neville gave her a weak smile.

"Goodnight, Neville. Thank you for the cards. I'll get them back to you as soon as I'm done with them."

"No hurry," Neville said.

Hermione smiled and went upstairs.

xxx

Ron was sitting in the reading chair when she came in.

"I brought your dinner. I thought you might not be up to company," she said holding out the plate.

He took it, and set it next to him on the bookcase.

"How did it go?"

"They thanked me for telling them. They said Lavender always spoke very highly of me. Why would she have done that? Why wouldn't she have told them what a great prat I was?"

"I don't know. Maybe she thought you'd get tired of me and go back to her," Hermione smiled, trying to lighten his mood.

Ron shook his head. "She never thought that. It didn't take her long to figure out what was what with you and me."

"It's not like you cheated on her, Ron." Hermione said.

He looked up at her. "Oh, come on. I cheated on her every time I looked at you."

Hermione sighed and sat cross-legged on the floor next to him. She rested her head against his knee and didn't say anything, but her mind was flooded with thoughts of sixth year. It was a particularly painful year for her, not just because of having to see Ron and Lavender demonstrating their affections, but because Lavender constantly made comments on their relationship when she knew Hermione could hear: comments on how much he loved her hair, how he couldn't keep his hands off her, how much he enjoyed her breasts. They were always casual and offhand, but they hit Hermione like steel barbs. After all, if Lavender was his type, then what hope was there that she and Ron would ever get together? If he wanted a buxom blonde with silky hair and a penchant for Divination, then Hermione would never be his girl. She spent a lot of time reminding herself of things she'd done with Viktor and Jean-Pierre and how that hadn't meant she was in love with them. Ron was feeling his oats. Hadn't she done the same? She'd kept telling herself his behavior with Lavender didn't necessarily mean anything. If only she hadn't had to keep seeing it and hearing about it.

Ron sighed again. "I just wish they hadn't thanked me."

"Shh," she said. "It's over now."

He slid on to the floor next to her and looked at her very intently. "Why were either one of us ever with anyone else? What were we thinking?"

"Well, we were just kids for the beginning, right? I mean I didn't really think about boy-girl stuff until third year, and by then, we were friends. I don't know about you, but I really only had two friends and it seemed ill advised to risk losing one, if not both of them, to see if maybe you and I could be more than friends. Not to mention, you just weren't interested in me. When you and Harry talked about girls it was always about girls like Cho or Ginny or Fleur. Really pretty girls. You even took Padma and Parvati to the ball. They're gorgeous. The only reason they were available is none of the other guys had the guts to ask them."

"What are you talking about?" Ron said. "You were gorgeous at that ball."

She shook her head. "It took three hours for me to look like that. Ginny got ready in twenty minutes and half of that was a shower."

Ron shook his head. "Well, Gin is ridiculous."

"Ridiculously beautiful. Did you know her Harpy poster is a best seller?"

"Seriously?"

"The owner of Quality Quidditch Supply sent her a thank you note and a coupon for 50% off anything in the store."

"Wow," Ron said.

"Right. So yeah, try competing with that kind of beauty all around you. Those other girls roll out of bed in the morning looking amazing. I do not."

He frowned at her. "I love how you look in the morning."

She rolled her eyes.

"I do!" he insisted.

She leveled her gaze at him. "You love that I'm usually up for a go in the morning."

He smiled. "I do love that, but I also think you're beautiful. Don't think I don't, because I do." He ran his thumb across her lips. "I really do." He kissed her and she believed him.