October 6th, 2011

A/N: I'm very sorry it's been such a long time, everyone D: Last weekend I was sick and unable to write a chapter, and then I forgot what I was going to write about. I still don't know. I'm just typing whatever crap pops into my head…and I've been a little too mad to write. My lit/LA teacher is killing me. Not to mention all that typical boy drama that does appear every so often in a teenage girl's life. Thanks again to Cat (kitcat234) for beta reading this! You are amazing (:

Chapter Five

Now that Hermione thought about it, opening a day care/little school seemed like a brilliant plan. She loved learning new things, so she'd probably enjoy sharing that with others. And it would give her a chance to influence the children of pureblood witches and wizards who were stuck in the old ways. Yes, this plan would suit Hermione quite nicely.

All she had to do was tell Ron about it, and how she came up with the idea.

Hermione didn't doubt that Ron would take it well. But sometimes passiveness was as frightening as anger. At least when Ron was yelling and shouting Hermione knew what he was thinking.

Pull yourself together, Hermione thought as she prepared to apparated back to the Burrow. It's not such a big deal. You've overcome far more challenging trials. This'll be a piece of cake. Saying things to your mind and believing them, though, are two very different things.

"Hermione!" It was Harry's voice that greeted her first. "Where did you run off to?"

"Sorry, Harry," the curly-haired witch replied, taking her friend's arm to steady herself as she appeared in the kitchen. "I had to talk to Draco."

Hermione watched as Harry struggled to bite back an insult directed towards their old classmate. He was trying, that much was obvious, and Hermione appreciated it. If only Harry could see for himself that Draco had indeed changed for the better, of which she was attempting to inform him daily.

"Why?" Harry asked as they walked into the sitting room.

"He helped me come up with an idea," Hermione said, smiling. "But I'll tell you later. I want to tell you and Ron together."

"Tell him and Ron what?"

Hermione turned and came face to face with her boyfriend. "Oh!" she exclaimed in surprise. "I didn't know you were here…" In all honesty, Hermione had guessed that Ron would stalk off and brood somewhere for a while before coming back and talking to her again. Judging from Harry's smug expression, it was obvious that he had been the one to speak with Ron.

"So what were you telling me and Harry?" Ron repeated, motioning with one hand for Hermione to speed up in her explanation.

"I'm going to start a day care!" Hermione announced, sitting down on the worn but well-loved couch and drawing her feet up under her.

"A what?"

"A day care, Ron. I'm fairly certain they have those in the wizard world too," Hermione said, a bit dryly.

"They do, but are you sure?" Ron asked, sounding far more skeptical than Hermione would have liked.

Harry appeared as if he might side with Hermione for that one time, but he knew it was best to keep to himself during conversations – or more likely arguments – between two people who happened to be in a relationship.

"I'm quite sure," Hermione told Ron, frowning slightly. "I don't know why I didn't think of it earlier, either. It might be a little rocky just starting out, but I think I'll enjoy it. Maybe Gina will even help me out."

"I just don't want to see you stuck in another job you hate," Ron replied, holding his hands up, palm out, in the universal sign for 'surrender'. "And who's Gina?"

Hermione opened her mouth, but Harry took the words right out of it. "Ron, do you ever pay attention to anything?" Ron might have been Hermione's boyfriend, but Harry was and always would be her best friend, for many reasons. That moment was only one example.

The building was quaint and welcoming. It was almost like a very large cottage with a playground nearby. And best of all, it was in a wizard community not far from the Burrow, so Hermione didn't have to travel too far.

"What do you think?" Hermione asked, turning to Gina. She was lucky to have convinced her old coworker to join her in founding a new daycare. Hermione had liked working with Gina, who was witty and compassionate, and shared her hatred of Richard Gruesen. Gina was probably the only thing Hermione had missed about the Ministry.

"I like it," Gina decided with a smile. "It's cute. Plus, we can install another swing set closer to here on some of the grass in the back of the daycare." She pointed to a small backyard, where she could already picture little witches and wizards playing.

"That's a brilliant idea, Gina!" Hermione said. "You think we can open this place up before I turn twenty one?"

"Is that a challenge?"

Hermione thought about it for a moment and grinned. "Why not? Let's make it one. Let's see if we can open our daycare by the time I turn twenty one."

"You've got yourself a deal, Ms. Granger," Gina said, laughing as she offered a hand to Hermione. Struggling to keep a straight face, Hermione shook the hand, and promptly burst into fits of laughter.

Hermione wished Gina had been a Gryffindor with her during their school years, instead of a Hufflepuff. They could have been great friends while they were at Hogwarts, but they had never crossed paths due to different houses, even though they were the same age. There was no time to talk with anyone outside of your small group in Herbology, and then there was the fact that Hermione had vanished for her seventh year before going back. Gina had once admitted that going up and chatting with one of Harry Potter's inner circle was a tad intimidating to some people.

"Who do we talk to before we get to claim this place?" Gina asked, her dark eyes focused on the building as a few of her fingers played with her long black hair. Hermione didn't know why an Italian family like Gina's had moved to England, where there was no sun. But more importantly, she didn't understand how they maintained their olive complexions.

"A real estate agent who should have arrived by now," Hermione replied, frowning as she glanced around. She had no idea what the man looked like, but she figured he would have a name tag or something to represent his position. She was beginning to regret missing the initial meeting, which never did get rescheduled.

Gina was obviously getting impatient. While she strived to help others, she could tolerate waiting for only about ten minutes. To take up time, Gina liked to pace.

Hermione almost felt like joining her. The real estate agent was twenty minutes late. She and Gina had already gotten the chance to go inside the building and examine it, and had even walked to the park to see what it was like. If the man didn't show up soon, Hermione had a feeling that if Gina left, she would follow shortly after.

"I'm so very sorry I'm late, Ms. Granger, Ms. Rivera," a flustered young man who looked no older than twenty three said, running up to meet his clients. When he stopped, Hermione noticed that his glasses were askew, and his tie was rumpled. All in all, his appearance was rather ruffled, so it was hard to hold a grudge against him. "I hope you weren't waiting too long."

"Oh, only a few minutes," Hermione assured him. It certainly had not been three or five minutes, but judging by the real estate agent's worried expression, he didn't need to feel any guiltier.

"Oh, thank Merlin!" The young man blushed. "I suppose I should introduce myself. My name is Joseph Gruesen. You can either call me Joey or Joe."

Hermione blinked. "Your last name is Gruesen?"

"Why, yes," Joey answered, seeming as confused as Ron when it came to anything Muggle.

I don't recall him ever mentioning a younger brother…Hermione thought. Perhaps I shouldn't say anything. But curiosity got the best of her and she had to ask.

"Would you happen to have an elder brother who works at the Ministry, by any chance?"

"Yes, actually, I do," Joey said, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. "Do you know him? His name is Richard."

Hermione suppressed a wince. How was seemingly nice, flummoxed Joey related to Richard Gruesen in any way? Their differences were shown in their careers, though. Richard would never even consider being a real estate agent, no matter how high the pay might be. He believed he belonged in an office that represented his power and position. Joey was actually out in the world helping other people make their right match. In Hermione's mind, there was no question as to who did better with what they had.

"He used to be our boss at the Ministry," Hermione explained, gesturing to herself and Gina. "I, ah, didn't always see eye to eye with him." She hoped her statement wouldn't offend Joey. People always tended to be very defensive of their family, which Hermione understood, but she felt obligated to be honest. Lying during the first meeting didn't bode well for any relationship, especially a business one.

Fortunately, Joey nodded in understanding. "It's alright, I know what you mean." He pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose and cleared his throat. "Shall we get to business and take a tour of the building?"

"We've already taken the liberty of looking inside," Gina said. Joey turned his full attention to her, then blushed and began to stutter again when he spoke.

"I-I see. Then we c-can skip right to the p-papers."

Hermione hid a smile behind her hand as Gina caught her eye, and did her best to nonchalantly turn to look at their surroundings for what had to be the fourth time since their arrival at the soon to be daycare. She was facing Joey again by the time he had the papers and pens out.

"You two just need to sign your names and write your initials down in some places, and then this place is yours! You can call me if you have any questions," Joey added, looking terrified at that very thought.

Instead of answering Joey, Hermione simply took one of the pens from him and scrawled her signature on the appropriate lines. Once she was done, she passed everything to Gina and smiled in satisfaction. She was really starting her own daycare. Hermione couldn't wait to show Ron, and Harry, and Ginny, and Draco. He had become a constant in her life, so she couldn't leave him out of many things anymore. If Hermione had to tell Harry something, she usually had to share with Draco as well.

Unable to contain her excitement and not caring that what she was about to do was hardly dignified, Hermione grabbed Gina's hands and started jumping up and down.

"We've done it, Gina! We're opening our daycare!"

Gina threw back her head and laughed. Hermione's joy was rather contagious. Soon, even Joey was chuckling at their acting like little girls. Sometimes, even the most responsible witches and wizards have to let loose and have some fun.

"You honestly jumped up and down? Right in front of the real estate agent?"

Hermione nodded a bit self-consciously, but her grin was still there. "You can even ask Gina to confirm it."

Draco shook his head in disbelief. "She should have recorded that or taken a picture or SOMETHING." Since he had started to spend more time with Hermione, so much so that they saw each other at least four days every week, Draco had learned more about Muggle culture. Honestly, they invented amazing things without magic. They had found a way to make wizard pictures that not only moved, but talked. That was pretty cool.

"I'm sorry to say that she did not have a camera on her…wait, no. I'm not sorry about that," Hermione said, laughing. "It's embarrassing when I think about it. Having other people see it, aside from Gina and Joey…Merlin, that would be mortifying!"

"Was it really that bad?" Draco asked, laughing as well. He noticed that they were both done with their meals, and motioned for Hermione to wait a moment. Draco flagged down the waitress and paid for lunch quickly, so the witch in front of him didn't have time to protest.

"I didn't think much of it until Gina said something," Hermione told Draco as they stood and walked out of the café together. "She's probably still laughing about it now."

Draco snorted, shook his head again, and slowed his pace so Hermione could lead the way. He had no idea where her and Gina's daycare was, and he didn't want to make a fool of himself by getting lost.

He had reached the crossroad before Hermione. Instinctively, Draco turned to the right and made to go down that path. A small hand on his arm startled him. When he looked down, Hermione was by his side.

"You're going the wrong way," Hermione informed him, her eyes bright with amusement.

"Hey, that's not my fault," Draco said, but it was half-hearted. Maybe it was partially his fault…perhaps the tiniest bit.

"Come on, it's to the left." With her hand never leaving his arm, Hermione led Draco to what was now 'Hogwarts for Children 10 and under'. There were only going to be two 'professors', but every child at Hermione and Gina's daycare was going to learn whatever they needed to blend in and thrive in both the Muggle and wizard world.

Hermione stopped in front of the building, a proud, radiant smile on her face. She had never felt so confident about anything before in her life – that much was obvious.

"Here we are!" Hermione sang happily. "The sign isn't up yet, but it will be soon. Gina and I think we can be ready for business by the time it's my birthday."

"Your birthday's on September 19th, right?"

He remembered! Hermione thought, a bit surprised, but delighted nonetheless. It was nice to be friends with a guy who wasn't extraordinarily forgetful.

"Yes, it is. Do you think we can open our daycare up by then?" Hermione replied. September 19th was exactly one month away. She could get plenty of things done in thirty days.

Draco considered it for a moment. "Yeah, I think you can. Knowing you, you could probably get anything done by then," he said, laughing a little. He had never met Gina, but from what he heard, she was as much of a hard worker as Hermione. Together they were most likely unstoppable.

"What does the Weasel think of it?" Draco asked, eyeing the cottage-shaped school.

"Ron," Hermione went out of her way to exaggerate the name, "hasn't seen it yet. Aside from Gina, you're the first."

Draco didn't bother to conceal his shock. "I am? Why?"

Hermione chuckled and ran a hand through her tousled brown curls. "You were the closest, I guess. And I don't like to pull the boys out of their Auror training. Ginny has Quidditch practice. Luna's off on some goose chase again. Besides, you're my friend too. The real question is, why not?"

"Fair point, Granger," Draco said. "Now, can we go inside?"

About an hour later, Hermione was back at the Burrow. She felt thoroughly exhausted, and didn't even know why. She hadn't done much that day. Perhaps it was just her excitement getting to her at last. Whatever the case, Hermione didn't dwell on it too long.

The moment she arrived at the Burrow, Hermione disappeared into Ginny's room and changed into more comfortable clothes to wear around the house. She switched slacks and a blazer for well-worn jeans and a sweater Mrs. Weasley had made for her one Christmas, then wandered out to the kitchen to see who was home with her.

"Hermione, dear, how did the meeting with the real estate agent go?" Mrs. Weasley asked the moment she saw Hermione.

Grinning, Hermione handed Mrs. Weasley her copy of all the papers she had signed that morning.

"Oh, that's wonderful! When do you plan on opening it? And I quite like the name, too," Mrs. Weasley added, smiling along with her youngest son's girlfriend.

"Gina and I think that we can get it ready before my birthday," Hermione said, sitting down at the kitchen counter. "Would you like to see it later? I'm planning on taking the others out there when they're all back."

"I'd like that very much, dear."

Hermione felt her eyes sting at the maternal look Mrs. Weasley gave her. She was so much like a mother to the girl, she had no idea. Not only had Mrs. Weasley taken Harry in, she had taken in Hermione as well. Hermione's own mother had no clue as to what her daughter was up to, despite her attempts to reconcile.

With an understanding smile, Mrs. Weasley drew Hermione into a warm hug, not letting go until all of her tears had disappeared.

A/N: So if any of you have gotten impatient...remember that I DO have homework, I do have extracurricular activities (I'm a reading tutor, of course), and that not only do I have to write the chapters, Cat has to take time out of her own writing to beta read mine. Just a few suggestions for fan fics: Wizards-Pupil if you like any of the twins with Hermione - she also has one out about her and Oliver. kitcat234 if you just wanna be awesome xD But she specializes in Germione. WrittenAnonymous if you like Rose and Scorpius - her fics are pretty good, albeit a bit American, the way mine are before Cat gets to them. I had more but I can't think of them right now. Check those out if you're interested, because I highly recommend all of them :)

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