A/N: Another update! Wow, I must be a different person? Some chapters have been pre-written before I had a huuugee writer's block. I mean, I just want them to get together! Anyway, as always, I don't own the wizarding world of Harry Potter. If I did, Draco and Hermione would have ended up together. Just saying. Enjoy!
Three years later
Ilvermorny was better than what Hermione expected. She had the freedom to choose whether she wanted to go home or stay. She was sorted during her stay, just like any other student to ever walk through the doors of the academy.
It would have been a clear house, Horned Serpent all the way because of her intellect, but because of everything she has ever endured, all four houses offered her a place in their houses- a rare occurrence in the entire history of the school. She chose to follow her heart and accepted the Horned Serpent as her house, although a part of her knows that it's all because of Draco, and the Horned Serpent maybe her feeble attempt to connect with him in some sort of weird way.
"Yes, mother. I am coming home today." Hermione said with slight annoyance as she continued to go around her room while floo-calling her mother.
"Good, good. Everything has been settled here, Mia."
It should be. It's been three years. She silently thought to herself.
"I have to go, mother. I'll see you later." After an exchange of I love yous, Hermione was the first to end the call.
The last three years went by fast. The first year was hard, having to adjust in a new culture all on her own, but the next were just pure bliss. She adjusted well, she was top of her class, but this time no one said a word about her superior intellect. It was just... accepted. She was practically wizarding royalty after all. She even made friends along the way. Friends who didn't care about who she is.
"Hermione! Let's go! We need to hit the village before you leave!" Her friend, Cassandra, announced with much enthusiasm as she barged into her room.
"I will forever wonder how you have the high level of enthusiasm this early in the morning." She replied with a laugh. "What are you plans for me, then?"
"Well for one, we're going shopping. You need a collection from America to bring back to Europe." Cassandra stated. "Then I'll probably take you to have your hair done. After that, we'll meet up with Ian for lunch before we send you off."
Hermione paused. "I don't think that's a good idea." She said cautiously. "I still feel all awkward with Ian."
"So he told you he likes you. It's inevitable, Hermione. I've predicted it since we were in Ilvermorny." Cassandra rolled her eyes at the fact. "Would you two stop acting like children and just go to lunch? We're all mature young adults right?"
Hermione nodded but not without letting out a resigned sigh. "I'll just finish up and talk to the landlord after your plans for me."
"You can always stay with me when you come back." Cassandra repeated for the umpteenth time since Hermione brought up the subject of returning home and forfeiting her flat to the landlord.
"I know, Cass." She smiled and with a flick of a wand, all her belongings were packed.
"Come on!" Her friend dragged her out of the flat complex and together they apparated to the wizarding village in New York. The heart of all wizarding activities in the Upper East Side.
True to her words, Cassandra submerged Hermione into a day of shopping and makeovers. It was something she could give to her friend before she leaves. It would have been pub hopping last night, but Hermione warned her about her mother being strict. Cassandra Johnson was not one to risk facing a mother's wrath.
She had her hair permanently straightened at the top and curled at the bottom. It hinted a sense of maturity but still entirely appropriate for her age. By the time the clock hit noon, the brunette and redhead witches made their way to the diner where Ian was waiting. They had opted to eat at downtown muggle New York for some authentic diner experience.
"Finally! I'm starving!" A dirty blonde haired young man groaned when he spotted the two witches. "This is the reason I don't come with you two everytime you go out."
The two witches sighed before slipping into the booth, sitting side by side. A waitress approached them for their orders and they thanked her before she left.
"Any words of wisdom for me before I leave for Europe?" Hermione joked as she casually sipped her milkshake. "I'll be gone for a while. Don't miss me too much."
"A while? Are you saying you'll be coming back? You won't be staying in London for good?" Excitement and hope just oozed out from Ian. If it's true that Hermione will return to America, he's going to take it as a sign and pursue his feelings for her.
"Nothing is set in stone." Hermione replied cryptically. "I don't know where I'll be in the next months. I could be back here, or still in London, or maybe travelling the world."
"Just don't be a stranger when you do whichever." Their orders came and the trio began eating while swapping stories of the last three years for Hermione to bring back to London.
"Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?" Ian said to Hermione, hoping Cassandra would take a hint.
And a hint, she took. "Hey, I'm just gonna check something in that shop. I'll be back in five."
Hermione knew where this conversation is heading before it even began. She's not dense after all.
"Ian-"
"I like you." Hermione didn't dare to continue her sentence. "I know I already told you this before, but I really, truly, genuinely like you. I know you don't share my feelings but I just want you to know that if you come back to America with no attachments or ring on your finger, I won't hesitate to pursue you. That's a promise."
Hermione smiled and hugged her friend. He knew someone back in London holds Hermione's heart but he also knows how that someone is arranged to be married. Now whether that person is or isn't, when Hermione returns with no attachments, he won't waste time.
"Thank you, Ian. We'll see. But don't go pausing your life for me. If you meet a girl you like, take her out on a date. You won't be hurting me." With a final pat on the back, Hermione pulled away from the hug. "Thank you for looking after me."
"It's something I don't and I won't regret doing. Thank you for moving to Ilvermorny three years ago. You don't know what you coming to our lives meant."
"It's time, Hermione." Cassandra approached them with a sad smile. "We promised your grandparents that we'll make sure you catch your portkey on time."
The trio apparated back to Hermione's flat where she shrunk all her belongings and stuffed them inside her purse. They waited for her outside the complex while she talked to the landlord and surrendered her keys.
Hermione knew people will come looking for her in one of their many estates that is why she chose to live in a flat complex in wizarding America for the duration of her stay in the continent.
When she emerged from the building 10 minutes later, they apparated to the American Ministry.
"I'll see you guys soon." Hermione pulled both of her friends into a tight hug before fixing her purse and making a move to walk past the security checkpoint.
"Floo call us!" Cassandra shouted after she crossed the threshold. With one final look and wave goodbye, Hermione clutched the portkey in front of her.
When Hermione landed, it was in the Ministry's receiving area. It's been a few years since she last set foot in that very room.
"Welcome back, Miss Granger." Current Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shackelbot greeted her. Hermione's arrival was kept in secret because she didn't want anyone bombarding her with questions the exact moment she arrived.
"Minister," she greeted with a serious tone but with a slight smile. "Thank you for personally welcoming me back."
"Of course, Miss Granger. You are an important figure in our society. I assure you, no one knows of your arrival." He led Hermione out of the Portkey Office and into the lifts.
"It's alright, Minister." Hermione said when Kingsley expressed his opposition on the idea of her taking the floo. "I have to make my return known at some point. I just didn't want everyone hounding me with questions."
True enough, the moment they stepped out of the lift, everyone in the atrium couldn't help but stare and whisper about the return of a certain Hermione Granger. And news travels fast.
The moment news reached Harry Potter it was only three minutes upon his arrival in his department. Exactly a minute since Hermione stepped out of the lift.
"Harry! Have you heard? Kingsley personally escorted Hermione to the floo network!" Disbelief was evident in Ron's voice as he welcomed his best friend back from his mission in Wales.
Wasting no time, the duo all but raced out of their department and into the lift to catch Hermione before she left again.
"This bloody lift needs to be upgraded." Ron muttered in annoyance. Who knew a two floor difference was going to take so long?
"Hermione! Hermione!" The two shouted repeatedly as the ran off the lift. Anyone in the way immediately made a sidestep to avoid the racing lunatics.
Hermione was already inside one of the fireplaces with Minister Shacklebot right outside when she heard her name being called by two familiar voices. Shacklebot looked at her but she shook her head no.
When she saw Ron and Harry getting close to her, she threw the floo powder on her feet shouting, "Granger Estate, Wiltshire!"
Harry saw her inside the fireplace making him run faster than he already was. Just when they were about to reach her, large green flames engulfed her. She was gone.
When he tried to follow, Kingsley placed a hand on his shoulder. "Not today, Harry. She's going to come out soon, just not today." With a dazed nod, Kingsley patted his back and told them to go back to their department.
"It's all that bloody lift's fault." Ron muttered with so much annoyance. "We really should have it upgraded." Harry couldn't help but chuckle as the made their way back to the lift.
"Let's go, mate. We've waited for three years, what's another week or month?"
As soon as Hermione arrived, she saw that her parents were already waiting by the fireplace.
"My darling girl!" Her mother couldn't help but cry as she pulled her eldest into a fierce hug. "It's been too long."
Hermione could only return the hug with a confused stare directed towards her father.
"You don't know how much has changed ever since you left!" Jane continued. "Do they not feed you back in America? Your arms are too thin for my liking! And your hair! What in Merlin's name have you done to it? And this outfit! How indecent!"
"Mother, we just got off the floo call a few hours ago. What is wrong with you?" She noted the inconsistency in her mother's pitch as she busied herself in criticizing her daughter. "You're nervous." She concluded. "What are you hiding, mother?"
Jane evaded the question but she continued pointing out things she didn't like. Hermione looked over to where Felix stood and scrunched up her forehead.
"Alright, dear. Stop invading our daughter's personal space." Felix finally intercepted. "Spare her the annoying comments and tell her what's going on."
"You tell her!" Jane said through gritted teeth. "It's your fault!"
"How was it my fault? You're the one who insisted on keeping her return a secret!" Felix retorted through the same manner.
While her parents were arguing, Hermione noted the smell of tea and french macaroons coming from the parlour.
"Daisy!" She called out to the most loyal house elf to her. The loyal house elf appeared with a pop right in front of Hermione.
"Miss Hermione has returned! Daisy will prepare miss food!"
"I want you to tell me what is going on and who are inside the parlour." Her parents stopped arguing and looked over at her. "I'm waiting, Daisy."
"Daisy, I forbid you!" Her mother shouted, frightening the small loyal house elf. "I'm your mistress. I forbid you."
"Stop being difficult, mother." Hermione groaned before looking back at Daisy. "Daisy, you are my house elf. You listen to me. Don't mind mother. Tell me."
"Stop dragging the suspense, Jane. Just tell Hermione if you're so against Daisy telling her." Felix chided with his arms crossed as he leaned on the wall by the fireplace.
Before Jane could even answer, two figures emerged out of the parlour shocking Hermione.
"What did I miss?" It was all she could ask as the two figures turned to her with shocked expressions as well.
"You're... back?" The lack of enthusiasm and evident confusion from the brunette's voice convinced Hermione they were here for something else. Not to welcome her back.
"The planner wants to know what the color motif you two decided on was again." It shocked her even more when Theo followed the first two people. "Come on Tori, Drake. I need to tell the planner before Hermione comes."
"Three years later and you're still dense, Theodore." Hermione couldn't help but joke. "I've been here for the last ten minutes."
"Mia!" Theo greeted her with a tight hug. "Why are you back so early?"
"I was scheduled to come back today, Theodore." She rolled her eyes. "I'm not expecting a welcome home party, but I did expect that my family knew the date of my return." Hermione pointedly said as she return Theo's hug.
"We've just been busy with preparations." Astoria replied. "Today's date must've slipped our minds."
"Yes, yes. Of course. The wedding. I understand. It's long overdue." The words have that bitter taste in Hermione's mouth.
"What are you wearing?" Theo was quick to divert the topic.
"This is muggle American trend. Wizarding America is adapting to it." She explained as she gestured at her cropped orange top and matching printed orange miniskirt. "Stop being such a conservative, Theo."
"You're going out in public dressed like that for the rest of your stay?" Theo exasperated.
"Don't be daft, Theodore. I'm here to make arrangements regarding my inheritance and properties. I'll be observing proper pureblood decorum."
Pureblood decorum. She never thought she'd see the day where she'll uphold the values of a pureblooded witch.
"You're speaking in a weird way." It was the first time Draco spoke in the duration of his encounter with the brunette witch. It took him quite a few minutes to get a grip on himself and shake of the initial shock of her return.
Three years. She had been gone for three years.
"I am not." Hermione replied indignantly. "You just haven't been around me for quite some time."
Draco scoffed. "Yeah, and whose fault is that?"
There was deafening silence that surrounded the group as soon as the words escaped Draco's mouth.
Felix was the first to recover and address Daisy. "Daisy, prepare Hermione's room. She needs to retire for the afternoon."
"Yes, master Felix. Daisy will fix Miss Hermione's room now, sir."
"Please excuse me. I need to get settled in. I have an appointment with the head goblin at Gringotts." She bowed her head slightly and started her retreat. "But please don't leave under my account. I'm sure you have an important matter to attend to."
Once she was in the safety of her own room, Hermione let out the breath she had been keeping in for so long. Draco was, in every way possible, absolutely dashing.
His hair was cropped into a clean and classic pompadour cut. His body built was larger than it was back in Hogwarts but it wasn't the scary, all-muscles type of body. He was in good shape and he looked handsome in his smart casual attire that consisted of navy blue fitted trousers, a white long sleeved button down, and a jumper to match his trousers.
"Stupid, stupid Hermione!" She whispered to herself as she threw her things on the bed after dismissing Daisy. "I wasn't staring! I was merely observing." Or so she tried to convince herself.
Sure, keep telling yourself that.
She shook her head to clear her thoughts and groaned while ruffling her hair in utter annoyance. She was back for less than an hour and the platinum blonde already had a grip on her. She should know better than to pin after a man betrothed to her cousin.
It was something she did not dare to forget for the last three years. Even when that young platinum blonde man came to her prior to her admission in Ilvermorny.
With Hermione being in the legal age, she already had the right over assets in her name. That is the first agenda in her return.
Arrange all her assets and slowly integrate herself in the pureblood society. By doing so, she will gain access to all Greengrass-Granger accounts. It would grant her instantaneous and unlimited entry to all their family's riches, thus making her stay back in Great Britain easier.
That evening, owls came flooding in their mansion, all carrying letters of request to interview the recently returned runaway pureblood daughter; quite a mouthful description of Hermione.
Her mother scoffed, slamming down yet another letter over dinner. Hermione merely looked over the growing stack before slicing her herb-crusted salmon.
"Do you have any plans to conduct an interview, darling?" Her father asked, immediately sending her mother into a scoff.
"Felix! You cannot be actually considering this?" It was Hermione's turn to scoff at her mother's irrationality.
She placed her knife and fork down to address the Lady of the house. "Mother, what could they possibly want in an interview? It's not like they could kill me."
"I just want you to have a peaceful stay back, Hermione." Her mother argued. "With your siblings coming home for the holidays, I assure you that there are so much more you can do to make use of your time."
"Like taking care of the annual holiday ball, you mean?" Hermione deadpanned.
Jane nodded. "It's family tradition and you have not made an appearance for the last three years."
"It's not like my appearance years back counted, mother." She muttered. Hermione resumed eating, not responding to her mother's suggestion. Jane, however, took this as consent to continue discussing her elaborate plans for this year's ball.
"I was thinking of a black and white theme, of course it is still up to you, since this will be the first ball you will host." Jane said with much enthusiasm. "We have to draw up a guest list. Everyone who's any one must be invited, darling. Your father's business partners, family, of course, and we've been inviting Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley ever since you've been gone. For goodwill, of course. We must also hold an auction to raise funds for St. Mungo's."
Hermione barely listened. She just nodded to every word her mother said, not really caring. December was three months into the future, that's ample time to worry about the blasted ball her mother goes on about. With her return and influence, she's sure anyone would clamor just to talk to her, much more attend to her requests.
"I've sent an owl to your siblings telling them you've returned." Jane said, finally dropping the long list of things they needed to sort out for the holiday ball in three months. "Don't worry, I've asked them to not cause trouble."
While Hermione never wanted to, her ties with both her siblings have been slightly severed. The two younger Grangers were unapologetic with their actions years prior, believing that they did it for the best. No matter how much she loved them both, their meddling caused her three years away from her family, friends, and dear, dear Draco. Hermione just didn't know how she would start approaching her siblings again.
It started with not coming home for the holidays that first year away, until she made excuses to no go home for the summer. She ultimately cut everyone off, and avoided her family, choosing to alternatingly live between California and New York.
Almost at the end of dinner, Daisy popped in with a low bow. "Miss Hermione has visitors. Shall Daisy grant them entrance?"
The three of them looked at each other in confusion. Hermione nodded slowly and Daisy popped away. She excused herself from the table to attend to her guests.
"Hey."
