One of these days I'll get back on schedule. Thank you for your patience!

~Dot

Hermione was lost in thought while setting a table in preparation for the housewarming party. The smell of onions and roast chicken wafted through the doors, pervading her senses. She felt at peace as she looked over the place that she and Ron now called "home".

It had been a long journey to get here. They had looked at so many places before landing on this one- this perfect one. Their estate agent must have thought they were barmy, or up to no good since their only real requirement was that their new place had a fireplace. It didn't matter where it was located since they could floo or apparate wherever they needed to go.

So there they were; this young couple, only having had dated for a few months, with a very flexible budget, (they had their winnings to help pay for their place, though Hermione insisted that they stick to somewhat of a budget) not caring where their new place was, and paying with cash. They must have seemed very nefarious, indeed.

Nevertheless, their estate agent enthusiastically showed them a myriad of places. They had originally wanted to look at flats since that was familiar, but it didn't last. The flats they were shown were not what they had in mind; this one too modern, that one too uninviting, another too close to a motorway.

Finally, their exhausted estate agent brought them to the cottage. It was just outside of Stratford-upon-Avon, slightly out of the way, with the nearest neighbour miles away. One of the problems with a flat or a home with close neighbours was suspicion. Suspicion when the pair didn't have a car but somehow got to work. Suspicion when guests would arrive, seeming to appear out of nowhere. Suspicion when loud noises would pop throughout the day, startling and concerning the neighbours. This cottage was just far out enough, that even the nosiest neighbour wouldn't be aware of these discrepancies.

It was a quaint Tudor cottage, with a thatched roof, and brilliant colourful flowers blooming in its front garden. As soon as Hermione set her eyes upon it, she knew it was special.

Since it was a Tudor home, Ron had to duck to get into the front door. But that was something they could easily change with magic. The inside reminded Hermione of the burrow; it was cosy and snug. There were exposed beams on the ceiling and a large stone fireplace (big enough to squeeze in) at the centre of the main room. The estate agent showed them around the ground floor quickly, before bringing them to the back garden. What she called the "gem" of the home.

The back garden was expansive. They were on a small hill that led down to a lake, trees lining the path. Just like the front, colourful flowers had been expertly picked out, lining the home. Hermione could easily see herself spending her time out there, reading or otherwise spending her leisure time.

They were led to the first floor, which held three bedrooms and the second bathroom. The master bedroom overlooked the back garden, with beautiful, big windows. However, it was the nursery-come-office that sold the cottage to Hermione. It was the smallest room in the home, but could easily fit a desk and bookcase, or a crib. The walls were lined with wallpaper, which appeared to have been there for a bit, as the corners were beginning to peel. The subject of the wallpaper were flowers in a garden. They reminded Hermione a bit of the garden outside, except for one thing. The wallpaper wasn't covered in multicoloured flowers; instead, they were all one colour. Her favourite colour; blue. If Hermione believed in fate, she would have said the wallpaper was a sign. When they purchased the cottage, Hermione saved some of the wallpaper and framed it on the wall that was now her office.

She needed that office, too. Work was keeping her busy, not that she was complaining. She was enjoying her job immensely; she loved learning about wizarding law, spending most of her evenings reading and studying. She was planning on taking her law exam within the year. But she wasn't just studying, she was doing. She was voting on laws, though most were small and inconsequential. Her favourite part, however, was working on her reform bill.

As soon as she settled in at the Wizengamot, she was given an advisor, Ophelia Maister. One day, early on, she offhandedly mentioned to Ophelia about her poor experience finding a wizard therapist. Ophelia shared that she had a similar story. She recommended that she and Hermione work on a reform bill- to help to add more mental health curriculum to healers' education. It was the first step to changing the system and beginning to create a mental health healer position.

Hermione wasn't sure that she was the right person to be heading up the mission, especially since she was so new. But, Ophelia reassured her that she would be supported. Ophelia was sure that there would be support for the bill. And, after all, Ophelia questioned her, why did Hermione take the position if not to make positive change?

So, they began to work on the bill. It was daunting work, and they had barely just started. However, she was slated to talk to members of the Wizengamot in a couple of weeks to outline their plan and the progress it was making. It was just preliminary, and nothing would be voted on. But, Hermione was determined to make a good impression. Her stomach twisted whenever she thought about it, but she had to push it down, at least for now; company would be arriving at any moment.

They had invited just about every one of their friends, including Ophelia and the assistant shopkeeper at WWW. There would be so many people that dinner was to be outside, their tiny dining area not large enough to hold everyone.

Dinner went unreasonably well. Though, it was a bit hectic with all of the young children running around and the number of people Hermione and Ron had to greet. But, having spent so much time with the Weasleys', Hermione was well prepared.

After dinner, they had opened gifts and enjoyed pudding supplied by Molly. It began to grow dark, and those with young children and the older folks bade farewell. As a chill came over, those who were left went inside, using the fireplace and firewhiskey to warm up.

Soon it was only Harry, Ginny, Luna, George, and Angelina (as George and Angelina had gotten a sitter) with Ron and Hermione. Everyone except Ron and Hermione had grown quite tipsy- Hermione had stopped drinking in solidarity with Ron. They huddled around the fireplace, reminding Hermione of their Hogwarts days. She cuddled in deeper to Ron's arms as he kissed her head. They were revelling in the quiet when Harry spoke up.

"I 'ave an announcement," he said, with a slight slur. "I was offered Head Auror."

Jubilation broke out at his news, with Ron getting up to pat him on the back.

"I didn't take it," he said with enthusiasm, causing Ron to stop in his tracks.

"What do you mean?", Ron asked sceptically.

Harry looked over at Ginny, who was sitting on the arm of his chair and smiled.

"I quit."

Silence overtook the group, no one knowing how to react.

"Isn't that great?", he asked, seeming to not notice the concern in his friend's eyes.

"What do you mean, you quit?", Hermione asked.

"I quit, I left, I never have to go back there again," Harry said slowly as if he was explaining the term to a toddler.

"But, why?", Hermione asked, ignoring his antics.

"Why not? When I was sitting in that dingy office hearing that I would have to be in that job forever, I asked myself just that; 'why'. There's no reason for me to be there anymore. No reason to be risking my life daily. No reason to be doing all of that bloody paperwork!"

"There was a lot of paperwork," Ron said under his breath, as he took back his spot next to Hermione.

"What are you going to do?", Hermione asked, feeling concerned.

"That's the great part; I have no fuckin' clue," he said, raising his firewhiskey and clinking it with a perplexed George's glass.

"But I don't have to know, do I?", he continued. "We've got plenty of galleons saved. I don't ever have to work if I don't want to. For now, I'm going to follow my gorgeous wife around as she kicks quidditch arse and we travel the world."

He wrapped his arms around Ginny and kissed her on the cheek. It looked as though this news was not new to her, as instead of confusion or concern- her face read that of exuberance. She grinned widely at Hermione, who hesitantly met her smile back.

Hermione wasn't sure this was the best choice for Harry. But, she couldn't say she didn't understand it. They truly had no time to contemplate their futures before they were thrown into them. Him especially. His position as an auror was basically a given, and there was no way he wouldn't have taken it with his best friends needing him.

But now, they were safe. The world was safe. Or at least a lot safer. There was no need for him, specifically, to be a fighter. The auror ranks were growing exponentially every year. Maybe this was a good thing, a chance for him to finally do what he wants to do.

After cleaning up as best they could as soon as their last guests left, Hermione and Ron were absolutely knackered. It was half-past three when they finally made it to bed. Their bed.

"Mad about Harry, isn't it?', Ron asked as he fell into bed.

"Yes", Hermione responded, her face twisted.

"What's the matter?", he asked, looking worried.

"I mean I am a bit concerned about his future," she started. "But, I supposed I'm more concerned that he stayed in a job he hated for so long because of me."

Ron continued to look at Hermione, considering what he was going to say.

"I don't think that's it. I don't think he stayed because of you. And I don't think he hated it. Come to think of it, he only really seemed to be bothered by his job recently."

Hermione remembered back to when she was spying on Ron and Harry and their discussion of Ainsley's wand. She remembered how dejected he looked, appearing to be exhausted by the prospect of having more to do.

"I think you missing gave him another reason to stay on the force, yes. But, I don't think it's what kept him there. He's always been one to fight, I think he's finally figured out he doesn't have to do that anymore."

"I hope you're right,' Hermione said, crossing her arms.

"I know I am," Ron said, wagging his eyebrows playfully. "On another note, I know we are both spent. But, it is our first night here…"

"It might be bad luck if we don't christen it," he said with a cheeky smile.

"Well, we wouldn't want that, would we?", Hermione asked, wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning in for a kiss.