Home sweet home?

The battle is over. Harry has won. The Death Eaters, including Thorfinn Rowle, have all been caught and sent to Azkaban. Rowle has a secret connection with Hermione Granger. What happened between them at the fight? Why was his the only trial she attended? Why did she break up with Ron and leave England?

She was racing down the corridor, choking on the smoke and thick dust hanging in the air. Suddenly she was yanked into a broom closet. She couldn't see who had her but she could tell he was very tall and broad-shouldered. There were really only two men currently at Hogwarts who actually fit that description. It meant she had just been yanked out of sight by Fenrir Greyback or Thorfinn Rowle! She was scared of Rowle but she was positively terrified of Greyback!

The man scooped her up and put her against the wall. She grabbed his wild hair. She could feel him chuckling under his breath. Next thing she knew, he was kissing the daylights out of her and she was actually enjoying it! So much so that she didn't realize he was disrobing them until he wrapped her bare legs around his bare waist and pushed into her. She gasped with pain and tried to shove him away but he was firmly planted by then.

She raked her nails across his shoulders leaving behind bloody furrows. He didn't seem to feel it. He set a fast steady pace that had them both screaming in ecstasy in no time. Before she knew it, they were both breathless and panting. He pulled out and fixed their clothes back. Her eyes had finally adjusted to the dark enough to see him. She had just had sex with Thorfinn Rowle, in a broom closet, in the middle of the biggest battle of her life! He slipped a necklace out of his pocket and over her head. He kissed it then her. "There, that's done. Wait for me, Granger. I'll be back for you!"

"Wait, what?" she stuttered. He grinned wickedly, kissed her once more and ducked out the door. She darted out in time to see him battling his way down to the Great Hall. She had to admit, he was a very accomplished at dueling, easily holding his own against Arthur, Kingsley AND Bill! Knowing if he killed anyone, he'd immediately face a life sentence in Azkaban, she aimed a Stunner at his back. That would keep him out of combat. They couldn't give him more than ten years if he wasn't even in the fight! Why she was trying to save him, Hermione had no clue. But he'd given her jewelry. Even Muggleborns knew a pureblood bachelor wizard didn't give out jewelry like candy. If he put jewelry on her, he had plans for her! She wanted to know what those plans were. The battle reached a pitch point when Voldemort once more tried to kill Harry, not realizing that he was using Draco's wand, the same wand that had disarmed Dumbledore and won the elder wands loyalty. The curse rebounded and Voldemort lay dead on the ground. Almost immediately, the Aurors began rounding up the Death Eaters to haul them off to Azkaban. Hermione was running down the steps when she saw them grab Rowle. He turned his head to look at her. He shook his head at her, then blew her a kiss.

One month later

"This court sentences Thorfinn Rowle to six years in Azkaban Prison for his actions in the Wizarding war of 1997 and 1998." Kingsley Shacklebolt intoned. He eyed the young man, glancing at the young witch high up in the stands, watching the prisoner. Had it not been for her pleas, he would have made him suffer a life sentence. She had been the one to point out Rowle hadn't actually killed anyone, merely setting fires everywhere. Shacklebolt had to agree: the boy might be a firebug but he wasn't a killer. Still he had to be punished. It was only fair.

Hermione Granger watched with a breaking heart as Rowle was led from the courtroom. She jumped up and raced out into the hallway. This was the last time and the closest she would be to him for a long time. The hallways intersected and she reached the end of the corridor as they walked him past. He glanced at her, seeing HIS necklace around her neck. He smiled arrogantly at her and blew her a kiss. The guards separated into a loose group around him, giving them a moment of privacy. They stared at one another, the Death Eater and the Gryffindor Princess. Then she threw herself against him. He picked her up and gave her one last kiss. He placed his hand on her stomach. "I hope we have someone in common soon." He brushed her hair out of her eyes, set her back on her feet and was led away. She curled one arm around her waist and bit the knuckles of her other hand as she watched him disappear with watery eyes.

One week later

"What are you doing, Hermione? I thought we were together now? You don't even want me touching you anymore. What gives?" Ron Weasley was confused. He thought they had gotten everything settled between them. He watched as she continued packing.

Hermione wiped her eyes. She'd tried, Merlin, had she tried to put HIM out of her mind. She knew Ron had thought they were together now. They had kissed after destroying the Horcrux. Unfortunately, right after THAT, she'd found herself in a broom closet having sex with a Death Eater. He had marked her, with both a necklace and a child. She'd quickly realized there was no way to get the necklace off. It was a close fitting choker so she couldn't just slip it off. She'd tried to break it, only to figure out he must have charmed it Unbreakable. She had taken to wearing high-necked shirt to hide it. Shacklebolt was the only one who knew about the necklace. He'd been the one who grabbed Rowle at Hogwarts. She had cornered him shortly after he was made Minister of Magic. He'd confirmed that it was a family heirloom necklace belonging to the Rowle family. The biggest giveaway was the stylized R hanging on the chain. As long as she wore it, she was officially engaged to Thorfinn Rowle. As he'd made the necklace unable to be removed, only he could break their 'engagement'.

She finished packing and hugged Ron tightly. There was no way she could make him understand about Rowle or the baby. The best thing for everyone was removing herself from the picture. She had saved every letter from her parents, still under a memory charm. She would move to Australia, take the charm off and they would stay there. Australia was a lovely place and the town they lived in sounded perfect for raising a baby in. Harry, Ron and Ginny could come visit her anytime they wanted to and she wouldn't have to worry about HIM anymore.

Six years later

Thorfinn Rowle took a deep breath. Finally, he'd finished his sentence. He was a free man again. Because he'd kept his nose clean and stayed out of trouble, he'd even been given his wand back. Of course, his home and estate were long gone, sold as restitution for his crimes in the war, the money divided between the victims whose homes he'd sent up in flames. They couldn't touch his vault, though, so he was still fairly wealthy. Now that he was out of prison, it was time to start his family. First he had to locate his fiancé, Hermione Granger.

On his way to Gringotts to get his account unfrozen, he overheard a conversation. The two young men in front of him seemed to be talking about the same witch he was about to hunt for. He needed to find her, the young witch whose memory kept him alive and sane in Azkaban. He'd replayed that day over and over again. Those precious few moments with her in that closet, putting his mark on her, hoping like hell he'd just given her HIS child.

"When are we going to visit Hermione again? I want to bring Romilda and introduce them. You don't think she'll be upset, do you, if I do bring Rommy?" Ron wondered.

"No, she won't mind. She's been telling you for years to bring your girlfriend to meet her. So far, you haven't taken her up on the offer." Harry snorted.

"Most girls require more than a week's notice when you tell them you're taking them to Australia to visit your ex-girlfriend." Ron laughed. Harry chuckled, then froze as he caught sight of the person behind Ron.

"I still don't get why she left. I mean, yeah, I know she got caught by a Death Eater and had his kid. But that wasn't her fault. Did she honestly think we would turn our backs on her? Hell, I would still have married her, even if it turned out to be Malfoy's kid." Ron looked around as they stood in line. Taking only minimal notice of the people around them, his eyes passed right over the big blond behind him. Harry was sharper on the uptake. He'd recognized the blond as soon as he saw him. He remembered him. Thorfinn Rowle. The only Death Eater whose trial Hermione had personally attended. He groaned as he realized Rowle had just heard EVERYTHING Ron had just said about Hermione!

"I don't think it was Malfoy who got her, there were two more blond death eaters there. Yaxley and Rowle. Remember?" Harry quietly asked Ron. Ron thought back to the battle.

"Couldn't have been Yaxley. He killed Remus and Dora. They gave him the Kiss, shortly after the battle. So, it was Rowle, then?" Ron might be slow to notice but he knew when something was bothering Harry. And right now, Harry was seriously bothered about something. Harry glanced over his shoulder. Ron suddenly realized who the big blond was. His eyes widened in alarm. 'Damnit! Had he really just blabbed Hermione's secret in front of the very one she was hiding from?!'

'So she lives in Australia and has a daughter!' Interesting, very interesting! He wondered how old the little girl was and if she'd begun showing signs of accidental magic yet. No word on her marital status. She wouldn't be able to form a bond with a wizard but the necklace would be unable to prevent non magical wedding ceremonies.

Gringotts has an Australian branch. He has nothing left here, no ties to anyone. His parents are deceased. Thorfinn knew the Potter boy was still watching him as he stepped up to the counter. He kept all expression off his face as he asked to speak privately with a goblin. He arranged for his money to be transferred to the Australian branch and took enough to tide him over until he got over there.

He left the bank and went to the Ministry. He arranged a Portkey and immediately left the country, heading for the Great Outback. The Australian ministry was curious but accommodating in helping him find her. It took him a week to track her down. She and her family lived in a small town called Summer Bay, on the coast. Before he went there, he did some research on the town. He learned about the Caravan Park. He called ahead and reserved one on a short term lease. Then he bought an old beater of a car that nobody would look twice at. He pulled out a dolly that had been in his family for years. This would be his first present for his daughter. He hoped she looked like Granger.

That same week

Hermione loved her job. It was hard work but it had its rewards, too. She was a substitute teacher at Summer Bay High School. She was able to support herself and Reina without being too much of a burden on her parents. They all lived at the Beach House. They babysat Reina while she worked. It helped that Reina was in Primary school now. She took her to Yabbie Creek Primary school in the mornings and her parents picked Reina up in the evenings. She worked two days a week at the high school and three evenings a week at the Beachside Diner. She was frankly amazed that she'd been accepted as a substitute considering that she wasn't much older than her students.

It was almost time for Harry, Ron and Ginny to visit her. They came every year to keep her up to date on everything happening in Wizarding Britain. Even though it was never specifically mentioned, Harry also kept her informed on HIS status. It had been almost six years. He'd be getting out soon. She wondered how long it would be before he showed up to break the engagement. It wasn't until Shacklebolt brought it up that she'd discovered another possible reason for him claiming her. If he was known to have a wife or fiancé waiting for him, he couldn't be sentenced to any longer than ten years. Once he was released, he had three months to either break the engagement or convince her to marry him.

She checked the time on her watch. She was due to work a shift at the Beachside tonight. Her parents would be back soon with Reina. Sometimes they went straight home but they would occasionally drop in with Reina while she was working. She hurried through a shower, took a moment to wind her long, curly hair into a bun and fastened it securely. She dressed and ran out the door.

Kim, Robbie and Tasha were seated at their usual table. They were discussing the pop quiz they'd taken that morning. Robbie nudged them and pointed. Their substitute teacher, Miss Granger, had just walked in. They watched curiously as she walked into the back and came back a few minutes later, wearing an apron. They hadn't realized she worked there. They were curious about her. She'd never been seen with anyone but an older couple and a little girl. They had quickly deduced that they were her parents and the little girl had to be either her daughter or little sister. She was a little cutie, with bushy dark blond hair and ice blue eyes. Whereas Hermione always got slightly sunburned, Reina quite easily tanned. They all speculated as to who and where the father was.

"Hmm, maybe he's dead. She's been here for six years, right? Surely he wouldn't leave her alone that long. He has to be dead." Kim said.

"No, I don't think so. I think he's in jail. You can see her get scared every time we have strangers in town." Robbie insisted.

"Well, it doesn't matter. What matters is she's alone and we could find someone and introduce her to them. It can't hurt. All she has to do is meet them. Doesn't mean she has to jump into anything." Tasha said.

Kim looked at the other two. "And, uh, why exactly are we trying to match make for a teacher?" Robbie and Tasha looked at him quizzically.

"Because, Kim! She's not much older than us! She's more like a big sister than a teacher! She deserves to be happy, too! Even if she does spring pop quizzes that you two don't study for!" Tasha stated firmly. Robbie and Kim rolled their eyes, grinning sheepishly.

As they playfully argued, a stranger walked into the diner. It was Kim who first noticed him. "So, we all know what Miss Granger's little girl looks like, right?" Robbie and Tasha nodded, staring at him. "Look over there and tell me that isn't her dad." They both glanced in the direction Kim indicated. Their jaws dropped in shock. "So you see it, too? The resemblance? That's not me going crazy?" they shook their heads. No, Kim definitely was not going crazy.

The man was basically the older, taller, male version of their teacher's child! Who was this mystery man? They knew there were three people who came to visit her every year. They were old school friends, she said. Was that who he was? Just another part of her past? Or was it pure coincidence that the child bore an uncanny resemblance to him?

As they watched, he sat down at the counter. He pulled his hood up, concealing his face. Right after that, their teacher came bustling out of the kitchen with her arms loaded. They waited until she placed all the orders, then waved her over. She seemed to hesitate as she realized it was Kim waving her over. They had always noted that she seemed uncomfortable around Kim. Until now, however, they hadn't known why. He looked enough like the stranger that he must have been a constant reminder of him from the moment Miss Granger saw him. She approached their table.

"Miss Granger, I don't want to alarm you but there's a man over at the counter who looks like your little girl." Tasha was the one who told her about the stranger. She didn't think it would go too well coming from Robbie or Kim. "He just came in. He has his hood pulled up, just there." She pointed him out. Her eyes widened as she looked over. As it happened, he was looking at her as well.

Hermione gasped and stepped back. Dear Merlin! What was he doing here! As she watched, Rowle took a key out of his pocket. He kissed it, then stood up. He walked over and slid the key into the pocket of her apron. Then he leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Caravan Park. #19. Come find me after you're off work or so help me, I'll rip this fucking little town apart tomorrow until I find you! You KNOW I'll do it, too. Don't fight me on this, Granger!" he kissed her, then walked out the door.