A/N- An early update (I am just too impatient to not post!). I hope all of you enjoy. I would also like to thank Nightwing2013 for correcting me that NEWTs, and not OWLS are taken the final year of Hogwarts. It's been a while since I've read DH and appreciate the attention to detail from y'all!

~Dot

Hermione was tossing and turning, trying to calm her mind so that she could sleep. She couldn't help but replay the day's events over and over in her mind. Ron's yells of disappointment rang through her ears. It didn't help that her body was aching again, though not nearly as bad as her last episode. She was in just enough pain that she couldn't sleep.

Ginny had snuck out hours ago, something that was starting to become a regular occurrence. Hermione assumed that Ginny was with Harry, as some nights she was sure she could hear the pair whispering outside of her window.

Ginny and Harry's hot and heavy relationship only made Hermione feel lonelier. She hated how weak and disjointed she felt. She hated that Ron made her feel this way. In fact, she wasn't sad- she was angry. Angry at Ron and how he made her feel. Angry at his unnecessary outburst.

It was that anger that got her out of bed and all the way to his bedroom door. Only when she went to knock, did she question her actions. But that feeling of regret quickly subsided when he opened the door. His hair was ruffled and his pyjamas dishevelled; he had obviously been sleeping like a baby while she spent the night wide-awake from his actions.

She pushed past him in a snit, only waiting until he closed the door to let out her tirade.

"Been having a good sleep, have you?", she asked sarcastically. Ron stared at her perplexed. "You've got nothing to worry you; nothing to keep you up at night. No reason to toss and turn over what you said."

"Herm-," Ron started, but was quickly cut off.

"How dare you, Ronald Weasley? How dare you get mad at us for telling the truth. Do you think I want to go to the Ministry and relive it all? Of course not!", she answered herself. "But it's the right thing to do."

"And speaking of the right things to do. What very much isn't the right thing, is to talk about my torture. I've already told Ginny, but you didn't know that. How could you blurt that out? You talk about wanting to do what's right for me, and then you hurt me," she said, her voice faltering.

Ron looked as if he wanted to say something, but Hermione wasn't done.

"It's not like I particularly like Malfoy. And if they ask about all of the vile things he's done and said, I'll tell them. But people are complicated. He's done good things too."

"You know, Ronald, that's the problem with you. You think of things in black or white; good or evil. But life isn't like that. No one fits into a pretty little box. And no way am I going to allow someone to suffer in Azkaban because I didn't like them; because I was afraid to tell the truth." Hermione took a breath and realised she had said all she needed to- everything that had been ruminating in her brain since their fight earlier that day.

"I'm sorry," Ron said after spending some time hesitating to speak, as he wasn't sure she was done ranting. "You're right. Like always," he added with a half-grin, trying to warm her up.

"I shouldn't have talked about Malfoy Manor, that wasn't right of me. I am sorry. I also shouldn't have shouted at you and Harry. But, I just can't stick up for him. He's a miserable fuck who deserves what's coming to him," he said grimly. "That doesn't mean I won't support you and Harry if you testify. I'll be by your side," he offered, "if you want me to."

Hermione felt her anger melting away, but didn't want to give in that easily. She looked at him; with his twisted undershirt, his too-short hand-me-down pyjama bottoms, his ruffled hair, and his face begging for forgiveness, and she just couldn't stay mad at him.

She closed the space between them with a slight run and squeezed him tight, an action that caused a groan of surprise from Ron.

"I'm sorry for waking you," she said. "And for yelling."

"It's okay Hermione," he said, squeezing her in response.

"I should go," she said, though not entirely sure why she did. They were completely alone, which felt both exciting and terrifying. It could be hours until Harry and Ginny were back, and they could use the alone time. Still, her mouth spoke first, deciding on the sensible, Hermione-like option. How she wished she wasn't sensible, sometimes.

They broke from their hug and Hermione walked to her room. With each step, she regretted her decision to leave, but it was too late. However, once she plopped on her bed, sleep overtook her, as her mind was no longer absorbed with concern.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were met by reporters and onlookers as they were whisked away to the Minister's office. The sereness of Kingsley's office was in stark contrast to the bustling and clamouring in the rest of the ministry. They were led to his waiting room where oversized leather armchairs and a selection of teas and scones awaited them.

The armchair engulfed Hermione as she sat, causing her to sink low to the ground with a "huff". Seeing her difficulties, Ron and Harry decided to stand, and Ron preoccupied himself with the puddings.

Soon, Kingsley's secretary waved them in, and they were ushered into his office.

Kingsley's office felt much like the waiting room; calm and serene, but with a touch of grandeur. The wallpaper was a deep navy blue with painted golden stars shimmering by the light of his Tiffany-style lamps. He stood behind a large, embossed desk, which looked to have been hundreds of years old. In front of the desk sat three leather chairs, much like those in the waiting room.

Kingsley warmly greeted the trio before urging them to sit. Hermione was glad that the chairs were harder than the ones in the waiting room, and she didn't sink into it.

"It looks like we have a lot to discuss," Kingsley said in his deep, gravely voice. "So let's get started. Firstly, the public has been buzzing for news of your past year's escapades. I'm afraid if we wait any longer to tell the official story, they will have come up with one that does not show you three in the greatest light. Since we do not want to divulge information about Horcruxes or the deathly hallows, myself and a small trusted team has come up with an alternative."

"We have gone back some time, looking through Riddle's last, and have decided that the Philosopher's stone may be a good substitute," Kingsley said. "While it was said that Flamel only made one, we have thought it best to say that he secretly made more. Riddle and yourselves were both on the hunt for these, and only when you destroyed them all, could you truly defeat Riddle. Since the original makers of the stone are both deceased, there is no one to dispute these claims. We have also come up with possible holes in the story and have answers for them. Now, the last step is to have you three agree with it, since it will be your story."

"I agree," said Harry, and Ron and Hermione nodded their heads. Hermione didn't love the idea of lying, however, she knew this was for the best.

"Brilliant," Kingsley said. "Moving on. Morale has been understandably low since the final battle. While not my decision, it has been decided that there should be a celebration of sorts for the one month anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts. The main item on the agenda, and something I do fully support, is the awarding of the Order of Merlin, first-class, to the three of you."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at each other in shock. No one knew quite what to say, thankfully, Kingsley was not finished.

"It will be a memorial ball and the invites will go out tomorrow. You will be expected to come, but do not have to give a speech, if you do not wish."

Hermione felt a knot in her stomach. She wasn't sure how to feel about this. The Order of Merlin was probably the most prestigious award a wizard could earn, and she felt entirely undeserving. Not only that, the idea of a ball, of a party, just felt wrong at a time like this. She couldn't see herself being excited to dress up and dance (even with Ron). Looking over at Ron and Harry, she could see that they, too, were feeling mixed emotions. Ron's face was twisted in a suppressed grin, and Harry seemed unnaturally preoccupied with a freckle on his hand.

"I have seen that you have received your summons to testify at the Malfoy hearings," Kingsley said, changing the subject. "While you are not required to testify, I want to let you three know, that the trial will be completely private. Since there is a risk of disclosing Riddles true intentions, it is a matter of national security. Therefore, your testimonies would be sealed and the proceedings will have the utmost security."

Hermione felt a breath come out of her that she wasn't aware she was holding. Her experience- her torture- wasn't going to be public. She would have the power to tell, or not tell, whomever she wanted. Her mind was swirling with this new information distracting her from what Kingsley was saying until she heard her name.

"Other than that, all I have left to discuss is Hermione's trip to Australia. Would you prefer that to be private?", he asked Hermione, who shook her head in response.

"Right," Kingsley said. "At the moment international portkeys are difficult to get. Though I will have no trouble obtaining one for you. My main concern, however, is your safety. I know that the three of you are very strong wizards, and the offer to become Aurors still stands, however, there are still death eaters on the run and you three are especially vulnerable to attacks. So, I have arranged for an Auror to travel with you to Australia, and there you will be under the care of Australian Aurors. We have also located your parents, and they are under the surveillance of the Australian Magical Guard."

"They're alright?", Hermione asked anxiously.

"Yes, very well," Kingsley responded. "They are living in Canberra and have started a private dental practice there."

Hermione nodded her head, trying not to let tears of relief fall down her face. She felt as though she was floating. Her parents were alright! They hadn't been killed or tortured and her magic had held. She didn't realise how much anxiety she was holding in, worrying about her parents. She felt as if she could float away. The news of an award and a party didn't make her smile- but the knowledge that the only family she had left was okay, did.

"The only information I need from you, is when you plan to leave and who is joining you", Kingsley said.

"Well," Hermione replied, jolted from her happy reverie, " I suppose I'll have to wait until after the ball. So perhaps, June 4th?", she inquired.

"Yes, that will work", Kingsley said.

"And I'll be joining her," interjected Ron.

"Great, I will get the accommodations started for you two," Kingsley said, making a note in his diary. "One last thing. The first of the Auror training sessions begins August 10th, so if any of you are planning to take it, please let me know by the end of July."

They all nodded their heads, though no one spoke up about joining.

"Well, it has been a pleasure," Kingsley said, standing up. "I look forward to awarding you three in a couple of weeks," he said with a smile.

With that, the trio shook Kingsley's hand and made their ways back to the burrow. There was a lot to unpack from their meeting, though the two biggest topics were about testifying and the ball. Hermione and Harry decided they were officially going to testify and sent their owls in confirmation that evening.

They received their invites to the ball the next day, and the entire Weasley family was invited. Not only were they going to award the trio (something that brought tears to Mr Weasley's eyes when he found out) but it would also be a memorial, honouring those who died throughout the war.

Hermione wasn't sure if all of the Weasley clan would come, but she was certain that Ginny would. Harry had formally asked Ginny to the ball, and she was ecstatic. She shared to Hermione how she had been too young to truly enjoy the Yule Ball, and how this time she was going with the person she wanted to.

Ginny's excitement made Hermione consider that the ball might actually be beneficial for morale. Even she was beginning to get excited. After Harry asked Ginny, Ron looked over at Hermione with a raised eyebrow- his way of asking her. She agreed with a smile before resting her head on his shoulder and becoming lost in his scent as the rest of the family discussed details of the ball.