Author's Note: Only TWO chapters left after this one! Yay!

Chapter Twenty-Two

Much like January passed by her in a flurry of research, Hermione looked up one morning to realize it was already March. She found it encouraging to realize that time passed much easier for her than it did even a few months earlier. No longer did she struggle moment to moment, day to day. She had a purpose she was proud of and a life she'd come to enjoy.

Not to say that everything was perfect. Far from it. There were still times she would get frustrated or sad and need to excuse herself to hide alone in her bedroom until she felt more in control of her emotions. Little, insignificant things sometimes set her off with no warning. She would think she was fine, but a memory or a flash of anger would change her mood in a frightening manner. When she felt more like herself and would emerge from her hiding place to apologize, Cormac was always kind enough to give her a warm smile and reassurance that what she was experiencing was all perfectly normal. She hoped he was right. It was maddening to feel like she might never be in full control of herself again. But, she had to remind herself, she had always been a bit temperamental and certainly struggled with emotions. Once she tried to recall all of the times she hid somewhere in the castle to cry during her difficult school years and finally ended up giving up the count as impossible. Over seventy, at least.

On the first Monday morning of the month she tried to get her focus back on her research and off the events of the weekend. Spent almost entirely alone, she didn't see much of her housemate. She worried that he was avoiding her after the night she mistakenly thought that Kenneth was taking her out on a date. Though he never said so, she could tell Cormac was embarrassed. Or maybe he was angry. Likely both. Any attempt to have another talk like they'd had was met with resistance. If she was somehow able to catch him long enough to have a conversation, at meals for example, they never spoke about anything with the least bit of substance. It was all work-related or about the gardens or some piece of news they'd read in the newspaper that had no effect on their lives. Even though she didn't know what she wanted to say to the frustrating man, she knew she wanted to talk.

"Hermione? Hermione."

Looking up from the parchment she'd been doodling on in the corner, she saw an amused grin on Rose's face. Her assistant pointed to the violet paper airplane nudging Hermione gently in the side of the head. Realizing she was so lost in her own thoughts she hadn't even noticed the interdepartmental memo, she had to laugh. It didn't bode well for her productivity that day if she couldn't pay attention.

Very important we meet in my office as soon as possible. I'll be free next at half-past ten. -Kingsley

Rarely did the memos she received from the Minister contain such a sense of urgency. Worried that something might be wrong, she looked up at the clock on the wall of their office. She had ten minutes before he would be free. Excusing herself, Hermione rushed out into the corridor to the lifts that would take her to Level One where Kingsley's office was located. Every sort of horrible scenario raced through her mind. By the time she reached the desk belonging to Kingsley's assistant outside of his office, she'd worked herself into a fear that there was some sort of mass break-out at Azkaban and all of the infamous Death Eaters were on their way there to exact their revenge.

"Hello, Hermione. Minister Shacklebolt will see you in a just a few minutes. He's finishing up a secure Floo call. Would you like some tea?"

"Thank you, Gemma. I'm fine."

She longed to ask Kingsley's long-time assistant with whom he was on the Floo call, but stopped herself before she uttered a single word. It was none of her business. Just because her personal life was a bit boring didn't mean she needed to start wishing for catastrophes. Thankfully for her nerves, Hermione didn't have to wait long. The door to the office opened a few moments after she declined the offer for tea. Kingsley stepped into the doorway with a big smile of greeting.

"Gemma, please push back my meeting with the Head of the Department of Mysteries at eleven until after lunch. Saul shouldn't mind. My meeting with Hermione may take longer than I first expected. "

Worried that he would feel the need to delay his important work for her benefit, Hermione found herself concerned again about the serious nature of her impromptu visit. Once his assistant promised that she would do just as he asked, Kingsley gestured for his guest to enter his office. Unlike the last time she was in there for a meeting, he didn't lead her to the comfortable armchairs by the fireplace to share a pot of tea. While most visitors sat in the chair he pulled out for her opposite his at his desk, she wasn't most visitors. What was going on? Was something terribly wrong?

"I apologize for asking you to come to my office on such short notice, my dear, but I received an important owl this morning."

"That's all right, Kingsley. What sort of owl? Is everything all right?"

"Oh, of course. Nothing to worry about. Just something that concerns you."

She hated it when he acted mysterious. Being in the position that he was in gave him plenty of opportunities. Kingsley seemed to find it fun if the amused little grin on his mouth could be trusted.

"I had an interesting chat with the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot this weekend. We met at some horrible function for St. Mungo's. Terribly boring, I'm afraid, but all in a day's work. I might have mentioned that you were working on researching some of the antiquated pro-Pureblood laws still in effect."

It was finally happening. He'd warned her that she might have to wait a long time before she could get to present to the Wizengamot, but to be prepared for it to all happen very quickly once she did.

"The full Wizengamot meets Wednesday afternoon. The Chief Warlock is very interested in hearing what you have to say about the inheritance law. He just owled me an updated agenda. You've been added."

"Oh, Kingsley, that's…"

Practically bouncing in her chair with excitement, she didn't even know what to say. When she first started researching the laws, Hermione didn't hold out much hope that she would be able to do anything about them. It seemed an impossible task and she feared that she would have to disappoint Rose and Theo. Both of them had come to mean a great deal to her. Was it really possible that she might be able to help them?

"It's very short notice, I'm afraid, but if I know you, my dear, you've been ready for weeks. Maybe even months."

"Certainly, but there is still so much I should do. I need to get all of my notes in order. It wouldn't do to have the esteemed members of the Wizengamot dozing off in the middle of my presentation."

"No, it wouldn't but you're not going anywhere just yet."

There was a command in his voice that she didn't dare ignore. Old friend or not, he was still in a position of power over her and her job. She stilled in her chair, no longer on the verge of jumping out of it to run back to her office.

"You and I haven't had a proper chinwag in a long time. Too long. You're going to sit in that chair until I feel like I'm up to date with what's happening in your life."

Kingsley would make either a great interrogator or an effective therapist. With little prompting at all, Hermione began to spill all of the details of what she'd experienced since the day he told her to find another wizard to date to test her feelings for Cormac. Interrupting only a few times to request clarification on something she'd said, the wizard sat back in his imposing chair listening to every word she said. The more she spoke, the better she felt. Why hadn't she bothered her old friend since December? Obviously he cared about her life.

"And then he just picked up the bottle of fire whiskey, told me he supposed he would just have to live with that, and went upstairs to his room. The next morning he acted like nothing strange had happened. We haven't really talked since."

"Not at all?"

"No, we've talked, but we've talked about the damn weather and the Quidditch League standings and whether or not the walls of the guest bedroom on the second floor should be painted. Nothing about us."

"And is there an us?"

There was a reason why he'd been so successful at being the Minister for Magic. He had a gift with diplomacy and a way of making those around him comfortable enough to speak their thoughts out loud. Even just the simple question he asked made her stop and really think. Was there?

I don't know, Kings. I care about Cormac…"

"That's quite evident."

"What do you mean?"

He sighed, frustration evident. She'd been very careful to only give him the facts of all that he missed. There wasn't time to wonder about her feelings or what she thought.

"You had a chance to go to bed with International Quidditch star Viktor Krum and you turned it down because you were thinking about Mr. McLaggen. Do you know how many witches would commit murder to be in the position you were in?"

"I didn't turn him down. If anything, he turned me down."

"Because he was perceptive enough to understand that you would rather be with another man. And Hermione, darling, trust me as a man with a few more decades worth of experience than you, if all Christmas was to you and Cormac was just meaningless sex, you would've had it over and over again since that night. Especially since I could tell by the flush of your cheeks when you were telling me about it, that you enjoyed yourself. Even if you didn't tell me any of the details I would love to hear described."

His cheeky wink forced a smile out of her even as she considered what he was saying. She'd never really had a casual sex partner before. There was a wizard she was with after she left Hogwarts before she and Ron decided they really did love each other and wanted a future, but he wasn't exactly casual. They'd had a short, exclusive relationship. Perhaps she was old-fashioned in some ways, but she didn't want to just go to bed with a man she didn't care about. It was difficult enough for her to feel confident and comfortable enough to be intimate and naked with a man when she had real feelings for him.

"If the sex that night was meaningless, he wouldn't have run away in the middle of the night. Why did he did that?"

"I don't know."

"You never asked him?"

Of course she didn't. She had been too embarrassed and afraid to ask. What if he told her that he ran because he regretted it? As much as she knew it had been a mistake and they both should have been more careful that night, she didn't regret it. Not really. Not only had it been a great deal of fun, but she got to see a side of Cormac she never would've otherwise.

"Ask him, love. Find out why he ran out."

"I don't know…"

"And deal with your own feelings. You care about him a lot from what you've told me. I can respect you wanting to wait until you feel ready again for a relationship, but don't waste any longer than you have to just because you're afraid."

Kingsley's advice still rang in her ears when she returned to her office a short time later. How could one man be right so often? He was entirely too perceptive. Of course she had feelings for Cormac that went beyond just mere friendship. When she tried to think back to when they began, she couldn't be certain. It all just sort of crept on her. Gradually she began to see the once obnoxious wizard as the man he'd grown into and she liked what she learned. A lot.

"Is everything all right? You ran out of here like your hair was on fire and you forgot aguamenti."

Torn from her thoughts, Hermione offered her assistant a half-smile. She hadn't really heard the question. After years of working together Rose understood her tendency to get lost in her own mind. Seeing the other witch reminded Hermione why she was called to Kingsley's office in the first place. There would be plenty of time to think about his advice later.

"I'm presenting to the full Wizengamot Wednesday afternoon. Apparently the Chief Warlock liked the sound of my proposal when Kingsley told him about it this weekend."

"Really? That's wonderful news, Hermione."

Rose tried to hide her excitement, but she wasn't quick enough. Remembering the real-world applications of the dreadful law, Hermione suddenly didn't feel confident enough that her research and the presentation she'd created would be enough to get it overturned. How could she disappoint Rose? If she couldn't get the law off the books, she wouldn't be able to marry the wizard she loved. The pressure felt heavy on her shoulders.

"Please don't get your hopes up, Rose. A majority of the esteemed members have to agree and you and I both know there are still a lot of wretched Pureblood supremacists in the Ministry. They might hide well, but we know they're there."

"Oh, I'm well aware, but if anyone can do it, you can."

Sometimes she didn't know whether she should be grateful for the faith that her loved ones showed her or frustrated that they expected too much. She was only one person. With less than two days to prepare for her final presentation, she couldn't afford to waste any time feeling sorry for herself or upset with anyone else.

"I hope you're right."

Recognizing that her boss needed some space and some quiet to work in, Rose only smiled. Nothing else was said until the end of the workday when she stood up from her side of their desk, made Hermione promise she wouldn't stay too late, and left. With her mind focused entirely on her presentation, Hermione hardly even noticed she was gone.

For the next two days, there was no other room in her head for anything that wasn't in her presentation. She worked late each night until she could no longer keep her eyes open. Winky left a plate of dinner on the kitchen table under a warming charm, but she didn't see either of the other two souls who lived in her house. Once she had a few hours of sleep, she rushed through a shower, and was back at the office before either of them stirred from their sleep. If she allowed herself to think about it, her existence during her preparations was rather lonely. She looked forward to being done with the presentation for no other reason than she missed sitting across from Cormac over breakfast.

"Now, Rose, please remember that this is just the first presentation. It may take some time to convince enough esteemed members of the Wizengamot to get the law overturned. I don't want you to be disappointed if it doesn't work today."

Instead of reassuring her one final time before she headed off to the courtroom on Level Ten where the full Wizengamot met that she would be fine, Rose just picked a bit of fluff off of Hermione's robes and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. Once satisfied that she looked respectable enough to present, Rose wished her well. She was grateful that the day's session would be closed to all but the esteemed members and those on the agenda to make presentations. Having an audience of even her close friends would only make her even more nervous.

The journey to Level Ten had never taken her so long before. Or so it seemed. Her heart raced and she could hear it pounding in her ears. What if she made a fool of herself and they laughed her out of the room? Worse, what if she did everything perfectly and they still wouldn't listen to reason? Just like she warned Rose, there was always a possibility that no matter how well she presented the facts, the law would remain. She hoped she wouldn't have to be the one to break the bad news if that happened. Imagining the disappointment and sadness from the couple was too much.

A wizard from the Wizengamot Administration office greeted her warmly when she arrived at the door to the courtroom. She would be allowed inside only when it was her turn to present. Glad to be near the top of the agenda, she paced the corridor going over what she was going to say in her mind. Long before she was ready, the wizard called her name to invite her inside.

Standing before the entire Wizengamot was a bit intimidating even if it wasn't the first time she'd done so. One of Kingsley's improvements to the Ministry of Magic since he became Minister after the war was to order the old courtrooms completed remodeled from top to bottom. Too many innocent people were forever scarred by their experiences being dragged into those horrible rooms during the war. Much lighter and cheerier than it had been when she gave evidence against several Death Eaters at their trials fifteen years earlier, it was still rather imposing and nerve-wracking to see all fifty esteemed members plus their tie-breaker Kingsley wearing their plum-colored robes staring down waiting for her to speak.

With an encouraging smile from her old friend the Minister and the reminder that she had been doing all of that hard work for months to give two dear friends a chance at lifelong happiness, Hermione began her presentation with more confidence than she expected. Indeed, once she began speaking, she felt even more empowered that what she was advocating for was right and just. Perhaps it was the Gryffindor in her, but she couldn't bear the thought of something so unfair and dishonorable being allowed to continue in their present world. She'd lost people she loved fighting to make their world a better, kinder place to live. Their sacrifices should be remembered.

Thirty of the most exhilarating and daunting minutes of her career passed before she was even aware. All of her points were made. Several questions were asked by members that she was pleased to discover she could easily answer. No one appeared bored or frustrated or anxious for her to finish speaking. And if there was anyone who fell asleep during her presentation, they were skilled at making themselves appear to be awake.

"Thank you, Ms. Granger. If I could ask you to leave to wait out in the corridor while we debate and vote."

Once Kingsley requested she step outside, Hermione didn't hesitate. She was glad to be out of there. Extremely proud of what she had done, she knew that it had gone well. There was nothing else she could have done to make it any better, in her opinion. Waiting for the results would be the hardest part.

A flash of familiar deep blue robes caught Hermione's eye when she passed the wizard at the door. Halfway up the corridor on the way to the stairs she saw the blond head that went with them. Because of her frantic last-minute preparations, she hadn't actually seen Cormac in days. Calling out his name, she rushed to catch up with him. Knowing he'd been caught, he stopped and turned with a sheepish grin.

"I thought I was quick enough to get out of here without you knowing. Don't tell Rosie you saw me. She'll be mad I didn't sneak her in there with me."

"You were there? Why?"

Cormac shrugged his shoulders.

"I knew you would be presenting and I wanted to be there to offer you support even if you didn't know I was in there."

"That's so kind. Thank you. But it was a closed session. How'd you get in?"

"Bloke guarding the door wants to propose to his girlfriend in Italy next month. He let me slip in right after you went inside."

She had to laugh at his use of favors. At least all of the ones that she knew about were directly related to something to do with her. It was flattering and made her feel… If she honest with herself, she wasn't entirely sure how it made her feel. She hadn't given herself the necessary permission to allow her mind to travel down those paths just yet. With the end of her presentation, she might be free to do so soon.

"You are full of surprises, Cormac. Maybe it would be better if you didn't tell me all of the favors you do for people. I wouldn't want to be considered an accessory."

His laughter proved he knew she was only teasing him. Knowing that he was one person she could trust without fear, Hermione became more serious.

"So be brutally honest with me. How did it go?"

"Rosie and Theo aside, if I was one of them, I'd vote to overturn the law. It's horrible all on its own. Even if I didn't think so, you would've convinced me. You were brilliant, love. Anyone who votes against you is an idiot."

"Thank you."

She leaned up on her tiptoes to brush her lips against his cheek. His opinion meant more to her than just about anyone else's. After the almost year they'd shared together, she couldn't think of anyone else's thoughts she valued quite so much.

The chaste kiss on his cheek had more of an impact than either of them expected. All around them the air seemed to grow heavier, the atmosphere more tense. They hadn't really been alone since the night he was drunk and kissed her wrist. Even just the thought of his lips on her sensitive flesh created a shiver up her spine. His fingertips gently touched her cheek. She felt her body move closer to his all on its own. As Cormac leaned down ready to kiss her, the opening of a loud, creaking door reminded them that they weren't exactly somewhere private.

Heavy footsteps approached their corner of the corridor. When she looked away from Cormac to see who dared to interrupt their moment, she almost rolled her eyes when she saw a smirking Kingsley.

"Am I interrupting anything?"

"No."

Perhaps she responded just a little too quickly because Kingsley certainly wasn't convinced.

"Damn. I could go back inside and wait a few minutes before coming back out again."

Cormac chuckled, but Hermione couldn't deny she was embarrassed. Why was the dear, old fool so intent on teasing her at the most awkward moments? She could only imagine what the Minister was thinking and it was not appropriate for polite conversation. His infuriating wink might have made him appear even more handsome to other witches, but she wasn't so bewitched.

"Hermione dear, you were wonderful. We voted and the law was overturned. It's being marked off the scrolls of law as we speak."

She didn't know what to do next. It was a wonderful surprise. Prepared to have to fight even harder and to come back multiple times before she could convince the majority, she was at a loss of something meaningful to say.

"One down. Only four thousand eight hundred and ninety-three pro-Pureblood laws to go. But I have complete faith we can get them all overturned. Gemma will set up a time with you to meet with me next week. I have a proposal of my own to make."

Kingsley winked at her again before he excused himself to return to the rest of the Wizengamot proceedings. The full weight of the news he'd just brought her didn't hit until they were alone again. Happier than she could remember being in a very long time, she threw her arms around Cormac in a tight hug. The tension from earlier was replaced with an excitement they could both feel.

"This calls for a celebration."

Taking her by the hand, Cormac led her to the stairs. Unable to take a lift from that level, they climbed the stairs to Level Nine. He continued to keep a firm grip on her hand even as he pushed the button for Level Three, the Department for Magical Accidents and Catastrophes. Content to just follow him for the moment, Hermione only laughed when he took her straight to the Head of the Department's office. He entered without bothering to knock.

"Sorry to interrupt your busy day, Uncle Tiberius, but we are here to borrow Theo Nott for the rest of the day."

"Be my guest, son. Just please try to bring him back in one piece when you're finished."

Tiberius Zeller found the whole experience amusing. Shouting at Theo to come into his office, he struggled not to laugh when the wizard came rushing in with concern etched on his features. When he ordered Theo to leave with his guests, he offered no explanation in a tone that left no room for argument. Mr. Zeller caught Hermione's eye as Cormac began dragging Theo out into the corridor to smile. He wasn't nearly as formidable as he seemed.

Convincing Rose a few minutes later to follow them took a little more effort. She wasn't the sort to be ordered about. Unlike her boyfriend, she didn't have the same amount of healthy fear and respect for her boss. Especially not when her cousin appeared to be the ringleader.

"We're taking you both to the Leaky Cauldron to celebrate, Rosie. Hermione's presentation was perfect. The inheritance law has been overturned."

Big tears filled Rose's brown eyes when she threw her arms around Hermione's neck. Hermione had to fight back her own. Until that very moment, she hadn't allowed herself to exhale. No doubt there would be more work to come in the future, but she was going to celebrate that first victory.

The four of them settled into an empty corner booth in the Leaky Cauldron a short time later. Though it was near the end of the workday and tired workers were already filing in for a pint or two, Wednesdays were hardly the most exciting night in the tavern. Tom himself brought all of their drinks over. Cormac lifted his glass of fire whiskey and turned in Hermione's direction next to him.

"Let's drink to Hermione and her hard work. Without her, there's no way to know how many more years that horrible law would still be in effect and how many other innocent people would be hurt."

As soon as they all clinked their glasses and took their drink, Cormac turned his attention to the other wizard seated at the table.

"Now that the inheritance law is no more, you can finally make an honest woman out of my cousin, Nott, and I fully expect you to do so without delay."

"Cormac!"

Not nearly as offended as Rose, Theo only laughed.

"You know what? You're absolutely right, McLaggen."

Theo stood up from his seat just to immediately kneel down on one knee. A velvet box with a stunning diamond ring was held out to Rose as he asked her to marry him. Of course there was no hesitation on Rose's part. He wasn't even finished asking the question when she was throwing herself at him with a shouted 'Yes' echoing throughout the entire tavern. Cormac's laugh was almost as loud.

"Mate, I was only joking and yet you're prepared."

"I've been carrying it around for months just waiting for the perfect moment."

Back on his feet with his new fiancée at his side, Theo crossed the room to the bar to order champagne for everyone. As he passed each occupied table, the beaming wizard stopped to introduce the patrons to Rose 'my new fiancée'. He was positively adorable. Hermione's face hurt from smiling. It had been a marvelous day and she couldn't remember the last time she was so happy.

"You've been working a lot lately."

"Yes, I have and because of them, I'm glad I have."

She meant it too. There had been enough sorrow and sadness in the world. If she could do something to relieve even just a tiny bit of it, she would feel like she was successful and not a complete waste of space. Having a purpose, especially one that brought such joy to someone else, was an incredible feeling.

"You seem happy. Are you?"

Hermione turned to face Cormac. Her smile never faltered.

"Yes, I suppose I am."

"Did you remember what today was?"

She had to stop to think for a moment what he was asking. When she remembered the date, the smile slid right off her face. She'd been so focused on her research and so busy getting ready for her presentation that she hadn't allowed herself to remember the significance. Some of the joy she'd been feeling only moments before started to dissipate.

"In a few hours from now, it will have been one year since you told me to quit smoking in the Ministry stairwell."

Grateful and relieved that he didn't mention her divorce outright, Hermione smiled.

"Well, it's a very nasty habit and I'm glad you don't seem to do it anymore."

"I've been a very good boy. Only smoke when I'm stressed, and I was a bit traumatized that night."

His dramatic grimace and the way he glared at the happy couple on the other side of the room accepting congratulations from the proprietor made her laugh again. How was it that he was able to make her smile when she wanted to cry only moments earlier? It was a gift he had that she'd appreciated many times in the past year. He lowered his voice to a near whisper and grew more serious.

"I'm sorry you had such a hard year."

"Thank you. It wasn't all bad. I made a new friend I'd be lost without."

She slid her hand into his and he promptly squeezed it. Both recalled the moments standing outside of the courtroom before they were interrupted by Kingsley and his good news. They'd been so close to kissing again. For the first time, they would've both been sober too. Surely that was significant. She knew that she cared very much for the wizard, but she couldn't seem to ignore that small voice in the back of her mind telling her that she was making too much of it all because she was lonely. Was that true? Or was she attempting to sabotage her own potential happiness out of fear?

A gentle clearing of a throat next to their table brought them out of their thoughts and back to reality. Trying and failing to hide a smirk, Tiberius Zeller stood by the seats vacated by his assistant and daughter. Realizing he was staring right at their clasped hands, Hermione released her hold. She didn't want him to get the wrong idea of what was happening between her and his nephew. To both Cormac's and Tiberius' credit, neither of them brought any further attention to the innocent gesture.

"What a pleasant surprise, Uncle Tiberius. Please join us."

If there was insincerity in Cormac's voice, he was good enough to hide it. His uncle quickly took a seat, sliding down the bench closer to Hermione.

"An old friend of mine just sent me an owl to inform me that Theo finally asked my Rosie to marry him. Tom thought I might like to drop by."

"You knew?"

Tiberius smiled at Hermione's question. She couldn't help but notice that he was an attractive man. Certainly old enough to be her father and then some, age didn't have as much meaning in the wizarding world thanks to their genes. Even with a daughter in her late twenties, he wouldn't even be considered middle-aged for at least another twenty or thirty years. It was a wonder that such an eligible widower hadn't yet been caught by another witch.

"Of course I did. I've known about them for… at least three years now, I believe. Rosie thinks she's been so clever keeping their relationship a secret, but she hasn't. Just like her mum. Couldn't keep a secret no matter how hard she tried."

A sad smile on his face as he mentioned his late wife answered Hermione's question. He was still in love with Lady Caroline. Perhaps he would never be interested in another relationship as long as he lived, but she couldn't deny that the thought of that made her sad. Didn't they all deserve to grow old with someone they loved? It wasn't fair that his wife was taken from him too early in life. They should've had decades together filled with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Maybe even great-great-grandchildren.

From the moment his uncle sat down at their table, Hermione sensed a change in Cormac. At first seeming only to be slightly annoyed that they were interrupted, the longer Tiberius stayed and the more he spoke, the more sullen Cormac grew. She was certain she would never fully understand the frustrating man.

The return of the happy couple to their table helped to break some of the awkward tension coming from his corner of the bench, but not by much. When Tiberius moved closer to Hermione to let his daughter and son-in-law to-be sit down, Cormac didn't even hide his scowl. Was he jealous? She almost laughed. What a preposterous notion. It was hardly her fault that his uncle was a fascinating man who wanted to know everything about her presentation and had a number of questions. And it was rare to find someone who knew so much about the law and could offer suggestions on which laws she might want to concentrate getting abolished next.

"I have a wonderful book in my personal library about the Sacred Twenty-Eight Pureblood families that you should certainly read." Tiberius lowered his voice to a whisper and leaned in closer so he couldn't be overheard by anyone else. "I know Theo's a bit sensitive about his great-grandfather Cantankerus Nott and for good reason, but he certainly knew where all of the bodies were buried. I have a first edition, one that hasn't been edited to remove all of the scandalous bits. It'll help you understand why some of those pro-Pureblood laws were passed in the first place."

"Thank you. I would love to borrow it. I promise to be very careful with it."

"I'm sure you will."

Cormac stood up from the table so abruptly his arm knocked over a couple of glasses. Both mercifully empty due to his rapid drinking that night, all it did was make a loud crash to the floor. Red-faced, no doubt due to the fire whiskey and his embarrassment for causing the mess, he announced he was going home.

"Would you like me to come with you?"

"No, Hermione. You stay. I'd hate to ask you to leave when you're enjoying yourself so much."

Feeling like she should run after him no matter what he said, when she started to slide out of the booth, Hermione felt a gentle hand on her arm.

"Best to give him a few minutes to calm down. He gets just like his dad when he's had too much to drink."

"Are you sure?"

"If you're worried, you should go home after him, but I would wait."

She wanted to argue. Just as the words were on the tip of her tongue, she stopped herself. Their family was a close family. His uncle had known him all his life. He'd know better than she would. She could also see the sense in his suggestion. Cormac possessed an extra helping of Gryffindor pride. He would want to calm down to save face.

"But I am going to go home. I'm sure they would like to have a private celebration at home alone that I want to know nothing about."

Tiberius' grimace was so much like his nephew's that Hermione laughed. She moved to the edge of the bench to stand up to allow him an exit too. Before she was allowed to leave the tavern, Hermione was thanked and hugged tightly by both Rose and Theo. Each of them told her in their own way that they could never thank her enough for what she'd done for them. It was touching and made all of the hard work she'd done for months more than worth it. Tiberius walked with her to the entrance to Diagon Alley behind the tavern. He, too, made certain to kiss her cheek in gratitude.

"I haven't seen my Rosie smile like that since before her mum died. Thank you."

He Disapparated away into the night in an effort to hide the tears in his eyes, but she saw them. If Cormac was jealous, it was ridiculous. Could he not see with his own eyes how much his uncle still loved his aunt? Feeling annoyed herself that he would dare think anything so unreasonable, Hermione knew she wasn't ready to go straight home. Though she could certainly avoid him in their large home, she knew that if she went there in the state she was in, she would have a great deal to say to the infuriating man. It was best she calm herself down too.

The evening air was a bit chilly, so unlike the unusually warm evening exactly a year earlier. Thanks to the warming charms cast all over the shopping district, Diagon Alley was pleasant to walk down most of the year. Some of the shops were beginning to close for the night, but there was still a lot of activity. No matter how many hundreds of time she'd walked down that same path, she still felt like she was eleven years old all over again on her first trip. She hoped she never lost her sense of wonder about the wizarding world.

Quite without meaning to, Hermione's feet led her to the one shop in London she'd been avoiding for a year. Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes was closing up for the night. While Hogwarts was in session, there was no need for a joke shop to be open very late on a Wednesday evening. Perhaps it was foolish of her to stay rooted in the spot on the pavement watching as the lights within extinguished one by one. The entire day put her in an odd mood.

She wasn't surprised to see her ex-husband step outside the shop a few minutes later to lock the front door. Somehow she expected he would be the one that she found. When Ron looked up and saw her standing there, he was surprised. A smile soon lit up his face. She didn't have to wonder if it was genuine. There had always been few secrets between them.

"Hermione, what are you doing here?"

"I was out for a walk. Didn't mean to end up here, but here I am."

"How are you?"

A shadow crossed his face as he asked that simple question that most people asked a hundred different times a day. He understood the significance of the date. It was incredible to Hermione that an entire year had already passed since the night she thought her life was irreparably broken. Even though she could recall nearly every moment of that horrible night, it no longer hurt to think about it. When did that change? Likely when she wasn't even paying attention.

"I'm doing well, thank you, Ron. Had a marvelous day actually. I made a presentation to the full Wizengamot this afternoon to get a horrible pro-Pureblood inheritance law overturned. It was wonderful. Kingsley is going to meet with me next week and I think he's going to ask me to start reviewing more laws."

"That's wonderful, Hermione. You do seem happy. I'm glad."

"And you?"

The tips of his ears turned red and she could see the color rise on his neck. Unlike all of the times during their marriage when it was due to anger, she was pleased to realize he was feeling a little embarrassed. Did he not want to admit that he was happy too without her? She could tell just in the way he stood taller and held his shoulders back. Gently she squeezed his elbow in reassurance for only a second. He didn't need to give her any details.

"I'm glad you're happy too, Ron."

And she was. There would never be a day as long as she lived that she didn't care about the wizard and love him just a little bit. Not in the way that a wife should love her husband, however, but how old friends who'd grown apart and traveled down different paths could think back on the past with a wistful smile and hope that wherever their old friend was, they were happy too. She wasn't naïve enough any longer to assume that she would never again feel anger and sadness at her failed marriage. Those moments would come from time to time. With any luck, they would come further and further apart until they no longer had the same impact. She could hope at any rate.

The two of them could stand on the pavement and speak for years and still not express everything they needed or wanted. Recognizing the futility of words, Hermione kissed his cheek and wrapped her arms around his back. Hesitant at first, Ron only needed a second or two to hug her back. Though it lasted only a few moments, when they broke apart, neither of them were the same people.

"Have a good evening, Ron."

"You too, Hermione."

She walked away from the joke shop feeling lighter than she had in years. The air smelled sweeter and she no longer felt that horrible clenching of her heart she'd gotten so used to feeling. For the first time since the whole ordeal of her divorce began a year earlier, she began to look forward to seeing what the future had in store. Endless possibilities awaited her if she simply stopped being afraid. She deserved happiness and love and peace and joy and a best friend who could make her laugh until she cried. Was she brave enough to reach out for what was offered?

Anxious to get home to see if Cormac was finally calm again, she Disapparated straight to the front gardens. Nearing dinner time, she was greeted by the smell of Winky's delicious cooking when she stepped inside. There were no lights in the old formal reception room, but that didn't mean the master of the house wasn't home. Stepping into the kitchen instead, she found Winky pulling fresh bread out of the oven.

"Winky, is Cormac upstairs in his bedroom?"

"No, Missy Hermione. Mister Cormac hasn't come home yet."

She wasn't worried. Not yet. It was likely that he just went somewhere he could take a long walk to clear his head. She would wait for him. He rarely missed one of Winky's meals.