A/N: This one is a little long, but I liked how it came out so I didn't want to cut anything away. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Supernatural.

July 2009.

Jessica-Rose's birthday meant something special that year, for both Bobby and Hermione.

For Bobby, it meant his last day in England with Hermione.

During the weeks that passed since his injury, Bobby learned how to live with his… condition, as Hermione insisted on calling it. He still hated it, and he honestly didn't think he would ever stop hating it, but he accepted it, at the very least. Accepted that this was not something that was going to go away, and that just because he was in a wheelchair didn't make him helpless.

He learned how to do most everything from his position on the chair, and even though he still woke up some nights paralyzed with the pain in his lower limbs, he no longer needed help getting in or out of bed and to his wheelchair.

Let's just say those first few times before he learned to go to the bathroom on his own were more than a little uncomfortable, both for him and Hermione.

But now that his mental state was better, he knew he couldn't stay in England for much longer. The Hunter community in the States needed him, and though there was much he still managed to do from Hermione's apartment, it wasn't the same.

Besides, he missed his bed.

At the very least, Hermione understood, though she made him promise to call her at the first sign he needed any sort of help, pride be damned.

"Pride means nothing if you're dead," she said. "You're the one who taught me that."

At that moment, he couldn't help but regret that he did.

For Hermione, Jessica's birthday was special for a different reason. It was going to be the first time since she came back from Hell that she was going to spend time with her daughter without Ron's supervision.

Of course, there were multiple conditions – they had to stay in the city, Bobby had to be with them at all times, she was to call Ron the moment she felt as though she was sinking into her nightmarish thoughts again – but it was better than nothing.

The day was special for another reason, though neither Hermione nor Bobby didn't know that until they entered Ron's apartment to find Jessica-Rose happily playing with a woman.

Lynda, Ron later introduced. With a 'Y'.

Hermione kept a tight smile on her face as Jessica ran to her, showing her the toys they played with.

"Why don't you go grab your bag?" Ron offered, and Jessica happily obliged, her father and his girlfriend following her to her room.

"You have no right to judge, you know," Ginny told her. Apparently she and Harry set up a double-date with Ron and Lynda, in an attempt to get to know her better.

"I'm not judging," Hermione was quick to say, avoiding her friend's eyes and instead looking at where Bobby and Harry stood together, talking about Quidditch.

"Please," Ginny rolled her eyes. "I've been your friend more than 15 years, I can tell when you're silently judging someone."

"Alright, so I may be judging her," Hermione conceded. "But, I mean… Lynda? With a 'Y'?"

"They really are happy together – or, at least, they seem to be," Ginny said. "And she's good with Rosie. It's the best relationship he's had since, well… since you. And honestly, you've done a lot worse than dating someone who is kind and reliable."

Hermione lowered her gaze to the floor, knowing that Ginny was right. She really had no reason to dislike the poor woman, and even less to be upset with Ron for dating her. After all, she had done a lot worse.

"Besides," Ginny added, a smile creeping onto her face. "Your name is Hermione. Do you really have a right to judge anyone's name?"

Hermione glanced at Ginny, and slowly found herself returning the smile.

"A 'Y', though?"

"Hey, I went through it, too, believe me," Ginny laughed. "At least until Harry reminded me that my full name is 'Ginevra' so, really, I'm in no place to say anything. Honestly, besides Bobby, I think Harry's the only one who has a right to judge someone for their name."

"Did he?" Hermione asked.

"Harry?" Ginny questioned. "Are you kidding? He's purer than a bloody unicorn. Merlin forbid he'll ever make fun of anyone over something they can't control."

"Fair enough," Hermione laughed, deciding to change topic of conversation to something she actually wanted to acknowledge. "I heard you're quitting the Harpies?"

"At twenty-eight years old?" Ginny asked. "It's more like being retired. I was offered to coach the team, but I think I'll pass. I got an offer from the Daily Prophet to be a senior Quidditch correspondent, and I think I'll take it. Harry and I are starting to talk about another kid, and I think it would be best if I were home more often."

"Another kid?" Hermione repeated. "You are aware that this means they'll outnumber you, right?"

"Yes, Hermione, I can count," Ginny laughed. "Three seems like a good number, though, and after being surrounded by boys all my life I'd be happy to have another shot at having a girl. What about you?" she quickly asked before Hermione could say anything. "Are you planning on going back to work any time soon?"

"I actually talked to Kingsley about it last week," Hermione said.

"Oh, wonderful, then!" Ginny beamed. When will you start?"

"I won't."

There was a beat of silence as Ginny processed the meaning of Hermione's words.

"I beg your pardon?"

"I handed in my formal resignation from the Ministry," Hermione replied. "I mean, I wasn't officially a Ministry worker for over a year, now, but we still sat down to handle the paperwork."

"I don't understand," Ginny said. "I thought you loved your job at the Ministry."

"So did I," Hermione replied. "But lately, just thinking about going back makes me want to hide somewhere and never come back out. It's unhealthy for me, and I'm trying to do more things that are healthy for me. That's what I have to do to get better. To be, better, for Jessica-Rose."

"Well…" Ginny said. "As long as you're good with it."

"I really am," Hermione smiled. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go see how packing a bag could possibly take longer than five minutes."

"Good luck with that," Ginny laughed. "It's as if the older he gets, Ron only becomes messier."

Hermione laughed back heading down the corridor and to Jessica's room. For the first time in a long time… she was at peace.

August 2009.

Dean and Cas landed – for lack of a better word – in an apartment building's hallway. Though significantly better than any form of supernatural travel he had ever experienced – Portkey and Apparation being the prime two examples – Dean couldn't say he liked travelling by Angel.

If given the choice, he would choose the empty road and Baby any day.

This time, though, he didn't have a choice.

"Not that I complain about you magically learning about personal space," Dean started, "but why did you land us here and not in the apartment? There are, what? Five doors here? which one's hers?"

"This one," Castiel said, taking a step towards the door closest to Dean.

"How can you tell?"

"For the same reason I couldn't land inside," Cas replied. "The apartment is warded against any and all supernatural beings. Angels, Demons, even wand-carrying witches and wizards… None could enter without permission."

"I knew about most of these, but Angels?" Dean asked. "I didn't know you could do that."

"You can't," Cas said. "And neither can she. Which means it must be the Angel that pulled her out. And he is a powerful one."

For a moment, Castiel looked at Dean expectedly. The hunter clear his throat and collected himself for a moment before reaching out and knocking on the door.

It was late, he knew that. Or, rather, early. It was around midnight when they left Kansas City, so taking the time difference into consideration it should be around 6am here. Still, he waited patiently for about a minute before knocking again. When still no reply came, he sighed.

"I don't think she's awake yet," he told Cas. "I think we should go out, maybe grab a coffee and try again later."

Just as he was about to turn away, the door opened. He turned, wincing at the annoyed look on her face. He forgot how terrible she was in the mornings.

"Mya," he said, forcing a smile.

"Dean," she replied, not returning it. Her eyes darted aside for a moment. "Castiel."

The Angel nodded but said nothing, almost as if he was awaiting Dean's instructions. Hermione didn't say anything as well, instead looking at Dean expectedly.

"Can we come in?" Dean finally asked, once it became clear Hermione wasn't going to invite them in herself. Hermione didn't say anything, only looking at Castiel questioningly. "He's on our side now," Dean was quick to explain. "He really is."

Hermione thought for a moment before moving from the doorway, clearing out a way for them to enter.

"Just this once," she told Castiel, and the Angel nodded, telling her he understood.

Just because she allowed his entrance this once didn't mean he could arrive freely. Her permission would have to be granted for every instance. He was not a welcome guest in this apartment.

"Keep quiet, Teddy's still sleeping," Hermione added as she closed the door. "As should I be," she added under her breath, though both Dean and Castiel heard her.

"Teddy's here?" Dean asked.

"Yeah," Hermione replied, flicking her wand to light up the room and heading towards the kitchen. "He stayed the weekend, and we're meeting with Harry at Diagon Alley today. He's starting Hogwarts in September, and still has quite a lot of school shopping to do. Coffee?" she added as she started pulling out mugs from one of the drawers.

"Yeah, thanks."

Hermione nodded at Dean before turning a questioning look towards Cas.

"I do not require any sort of human food or beverages," he said.

"Right," Hermione said. "Of course not."

Hermione silently prepared two cups of coffee before sitting down on the counter, her own cup in her hand as she pushed the other towards Dean.

"So," she finally said. "Are you planning to explain why you showed up in my apartment, without as much as a phone call over the past two months, and at six in the friggin' morning?"

"Right," Dean said. "Yeah, I… I needed to talk to you."

"And you couldn't wait for a more reasonable hour?" Hermione questioned. "I mean, it must be the middle of the night back home."

"I was afraid that if I waited, I'd chicken out," Dean admitted. He was silent for a moment before looking at Cas. "Could you give us a few minutes?"

"Like hell he will," Hermione cut in. "There's no way I'm letting an Angel walk around my flat with no supervision, much less so when there's a sleeping kid in here."

"Mya…" Dean sighed. "Please? I… I need to talk to you. Privately. And I really do trust him, you know I wouldn't bring him here if I didn't."

Hermione clenched her jaw before turning to look at Castiel. "My book collection's in the spare room," she said. "You might find it interesting. And if you as much as think at looking into either of the bedrooms, I will kick you so far away from here you won't even know where you are. Understood?"

Cas nodded once, turning away from the pair and moving on to explore Hermione's apartment. Once he was gone, Hermione turned back to Dean.

"Well?"

"Well…" Talking was suddenly a lot harder than it was seconds ago. "The thing is, I…"

"Yes?"

"I love you."

Hermione froze, her cup of coffee halfway to her lips. Slowly, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She looked like she was in pain, and Dean wanted nothing more than to make it stop, but he knew he couldn't.

"Dean…" Hermione finally said, after a few long moments of silence. She opened her eyes, looking at him sadly. "We can't do this."

"I know what you're thinking, but please –"

"No." her voice was clipped, but he heard it shaking nonetheless. "If you knew what I'm thinking that you wouldn't have –"

"Things changed," Dean said. "I changed, and you did, too. And that's okay, that means maybe now we can try –"

"Try what?" Hermione asked, sounding like it was physically painful for her to get the words out. "We already tried, Dean, and every time it ended exactly the same – with you, running away while I'm left behind, heartbroken."

"I know," Dean said, and he did. He knew he hurt Hermione more times than either of them could count, but he also knew he'll be damned if he didn't at least try, one last time. "I know I hurt you, and I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, and I'm not asking for it."

"Then what are you asking for?"

"A chance," Dean replied. "Just… one last chance. Look, I…" he sighed. "Zachariah came tonight," he finally said. "He sent me to the future – or a future, at the very least. A future in which Sam said 'yes' to Lucifer, but I didn't say 'yes' to Michael. Sam and I never got back to talking, we only became further apart, and you and I…" he swallowed hard. "We hated each other, Mya. Like, really hated each other, and I can't let that happen."

"Are you seriously saying that we have to be together or the end of the world would come?" Hermione asked in disbelief.

"No," Dean said. "I'm saying that seeing how we hated each other, seeing what happened to the world, seeing myself… seeing myself die…" Hermione let out a quick breath, but Dean payed it no mind. He could explain what happened there later. That wasn't what he came here for. "It made me realize some things. And it made me realize that… I need you. And I love you. And I was stupid for letting you go."

"Dean…" There were tears in Hermione's eyes when she spoke, and Dean had to fight the urge to reach out and wipe them away. "What we had… it wasn't healthy. All we did was hurt each other and… and hurt ourselves."

"I know," Dean said. "And I'm not saying we'll go back to how we were. We'll learn from it, we'll do better, I promise. And – and if this doesn't work out, if you don't ever want to see me again, I'll go. I won't complain, I'll let you be. Just… please. Let's try. One last time."

For a few seconds, Hermione was silent and Dean thought she was going to kick him out. When she spoke,, however, her voice was softer than before.

"I won't give up the life I have here," she said.

"I never expected you to," he replied.

"And I won't just… come running whenever you call me."

"I know."

"And it won't be the same as what it was."

"That's a good thing," Dean said. He moved closer to Hermione, holding her face in his hands. "It won't be easy, but it will be worth it. You're worth it."

Hermione wiped a tear away from her face and Dean smiled, leaning down to give her a gentle kiss.

"I need to go back to the States," he said when they pulled away. "I'm meeting Sammy in the morning and I should probably catch a bit of sleep before I do."

Hermione nodded. She didn't offer for him to sleep at her apartment and he didn't ask. He will never ask for anything she wasn't comfortable with again.

"I'll probably go back to Dad's for a while after Teddy starts school," she said instead. "He's doing better, but… he's still alone most of the time."

"I'll come by," Dean said.

"Good."

Dean smiled, turning away from Hermione with the intention of going to call Cas, only to find the Angel standing in the middle of the living room and looking at them with unhidden intrigue.

"Dude!" Dean called out as Hermione jumped away from him, almost as if she was burned. "How long were you standing there?"

"Time is of no consequences for me."

"Yeah, neither is privacy, apparently," Dean muttered.

Hermione smiled as the two continued to talk about returning to where Dean left the Impala, though she couldn't help but feel something clench inside of her.

She made the decision already. Now she could only hope she won't get hurt again.