Hey guys, I can't believe that we are at this point of our story. Yes I know it has taken me a while to get to this point; but as you can see I have worked hard over the recent months and the last year to try and get this series finished for you. I really hope that you enjoy where I am planning to go with this story, much love as always, RSD xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo.
*Hermione's POV*
Time had passed since the Battle of Hogwarts and many things had changed - some for the worst and some for the better. The void of those we lost that day has never been filled but we have tried to live our lives and tried to make sure that their sacrifices weren't in vain.
As soon as Hogwarts was rebuilt and the wizarding world had taken a few months to mourn me, Ron and Harry were asked what our next plans were. And even though I had given this a great deal of thought I knew what I needed to do. I still hadn't went to Australia to go and find my parents; I wanted to leave sooner but there was still so much work left for me, Harry and Ron to do. And even though Harry and Ron both told me that they would be ok; I kept fighting them on it. My parents were currently in a happy blissful world; so what was a couple more months - even though I was missing them terribly.
It took two months before me and Cedric started travelling to Australia to find my parents; and to say it was stressful was an understatement! After using a port key to get into the country we then had to try and find them; and even though there was a handful of Mr and Mrs Wilkins in Australia I was able to easily find them – by their new dental practice. So as me and Cedric booked ourselves into a motel for the night I started to devise my place.
For me to be able to see them I had to book an appointment at the end of the day; I thought this was for the best as I didn't know whether they were going to have any other patients there. So thankfully when me and Cedric went in their last patient was leaving so I was taken straight in and when I saw my parents I got a shock.
It looked like my mother was pregnant; and if I had to guess I would say that she was five months. She happily told me that they had always wanted children and she felt blessed that they finally had a little one of their own. I quickly threw Cedric a nervous look before I pulled my wand out and I quickly spelled them before they could say or do anything else.
I watched as their eyes went glazed for a few seconds before they shook their heads and they both smiled at me. They both then eagerly pulled me into a hug and I couldn't stop tears flowing down my cheeks; my life could now start to go back on track now that this whole sorry mess was over.
I then explained everything that had happened and they both fell into shock; they both told me that they wished that I hadn't done what I had done but they understood by I had done it. My parents then advised me and Cedric that they wanted to go back to England and this was expected really; we all arranged that we would fly back the muggle way – but we needed to get Cedric a passport first, which was going to take a few weeks. However this was perfect as it gave my parents time to pack everything, sent it back to England and close their surgery.
My parents then explained that I was going to have a little brother; which overwhelmed me. Growing up all I wanted was a sibling and now that it was happening I couldn't believe it. I couldn't wait to meet them and for them to have the happy childhood that I had.
After we all had returned back to England I was then approached by Professor McGonagall and the current Minster of Magic, Kingsley about what I wanted to do now. And after a very long discussion it was decided that I finished my last year at Hogwarts; I had been told that given the work I had done with Harry and Ron for the wizarding world I didn't need to finish my education but I wanted to. I know that Harry and Ron had decided to go straight into the Auror Office which suited them very well. Cedric was also re-joining the Ministry under his father in the Department of the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures; and everything seemed to be fitting into place.
My last year at Hogwarts was a bit of strange one to say the least; I was given my own room in the castle. I stated that I didn't mind sharing with the other girls but Professor McGonagall said that she knew that I would appreciate the privacy; especially now that the press had come to calling me, Harry and Ron 'The Golden Trio'. She also stressed that I was technically an older student; and she felt that it didn't feel right to put me with younger girls. I did end up value this in the end as people kept trying to ask me questions about the year that I was hidden away from the world – even they were told not to ask.
Just like most students who had missed their last year of school due to the war I had been given more freedom than the other students. I was able to go and see Cedric every weekend in Hogsmede and I was also able to leave school with my school work for the birth of my little brother. He was so perfect; when he was born he had a thin layering of brown hair on the top of his head and matching dark brown eyes. My parents had decided to call him Harry Ernest Grainger; which I felt suited my little brother perfectly.
By the time the year was over I had passed all of my N.E.W.T.S. at Outstanding level and me and Cedric were looking at houses. We both felt like we had missed so much of our lives together already that we couldn't wait to start the rest of our lives together.
It didn't take us very long to find a house and move into it; it is a beautiful large cottage home that is located in Otterton. There are two sets of French doors that open onto a large fully enclosed garden, which also has a sheltered sunny patio. Inside the three storey cottage it has an open fire with stone surround, beautiful solid oak floors and hand crafted oak doors which I felt really gave it a homely feel. On the roof there was dark brown tiles and chimney sticking up and the windows and doors were made of a lovely sandy oak wood. It wasn't too far from the Burrow or Cedric's parents; however I did feel bad that I was a distance away from my family; however what reassured me was the fact that I could apperate to them any time that I needed to.
In the mist of organising, packing, moving into our new home and seeing my family I was bombarded with job offers from the Ministry. I did think very hard about what I wanted to do and I finally decided that I wanted to work with the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures as this was still something that was very close to my heart. I felt like I could make a difference in this field and it would help me push S.P.E.W even further – which was something that I felt the Wizarding world very much needed.
I was now on the Hogwarts Express with Cedric and I was currently watching the world go by as we were cuddled into to each other. It was now the end of the Easter holidays so the train was full with eager students; but thankfully we were in our own compartment. So it felt like we were in our own little world; I loved being on my own with Cedric like this. We didn't need to do anything in particular; even sitting in silence like this was perfect. I loved him so much and I was over the moon with the life that we had started building together.
It felt so strange to be back on the Hogwart's express; given that I had only been left Hogwarts nine months. And I still was unsure why we were on our way to Hogwarts; all Cedric would tell me is that he had business with Professor McGonagall the next day. I had asked a few times the reasoning why but he kept trying to get us to talk about something else – which showed me that he must be working on something top secret for the Ministry.
We both had planned to stay at the Three Broomsticks for the night and I couldn't wait - it felt like a little holiday, which was what both me and Cedric needed right now. Yes we lived together but I think getting away from normal life was good for the pair of us – even if there was an undercurrent of Cedric working.
