She ran her fingers over her soft curls. Until a few years ago, she would not have believed that her hair could look like this. A few years ago, she would not have believed that her LIFE could be like this. The meeting a one slytherin boy just after her ill-fated birthday changed the course of everything. And it gave her the family she wanted.
- Mom, mom! - The curly brunette heard the voice of her only child. Moments after that, a small girl with brown straight hair and unusual eyes emerged from the door. Their neighbor used to say that they were the color of dark chocolate. - The more time you spend in front of the mirror, the less time we have to get to the ball.
Hermione chuckled under her breath at the way she had been scolded by the little five-year-old girl. Ivy looked more and more like her. - I'll put my dress on and I'm ready to go, sweetheart. Can you help me choose?
They both went to a large oak wardrobe carved by her husband. The girl formerly called the brightest witch of her generation knew that she would never get rid of this piece of furniture. As she remembered today, evenings in which she talked about her work while HE, with a chisel in his hand, carved a floral motif on the door.
- Honey, will you tell me to choose which is better? - The witch had emerald green dresses in both hands. One of them was silk and revealed her shapely legs and arms, and the other was her opposite. Ankle-length and long sleeves. Modest but very effective. Mainly thanks to the lace covering her back.
The girl sat up in bed with her head propped on her hands. - Why should it be green? Mom, you look so pretty in red.
Hermione walked over to her daughter, knelt down and said looking her straight in the eye. - Your dad is no longer with us. Today we're going to Hogwarts to see people I haven't seen in a long time. I want to feel that He is here with us. Green was his favorite color. Green was the color of his school house. I don't know why, but when I wear green, I can feel His presence.
- In that case, mom, choose the one in which you feel comfortable. It boosts your self-confidence. You always tell me that. - A wide smile appeared on the child's face.
- When did you get so smart? - a few tears appeared in the corners of Gryffindor's eyes, which the woman hastily dried.
The girl just shrugged, smiled and hugged her mother. - Move and get dressed, or we're really going to be late. - She added after a moment of reflection.
The proud mother moved away from her child, deciding that the end of her secret life would be unforgettable.
xxx
In the former seat of the Order of the Phoenix, preparations for the Hogwarts Reunion were already advanced. Ginevra Potter née Weasley was trying hard to convince her husband to wear a tie.
- Harry James Potter ! - She shouted being on the verge of endurance. She didn't understand how her mother had seven pregnancies. She is only three times pregnant and she is sick of it. - Wear this tie or you will remember me for the rest of your life.
The boy-who-lived calmly walked over to the nervous redhead, kissed her cheek and took the embarrassing piece of his wardrobe. - I just can't understand why it should be green.
- It's not logical? It's supposed to match my dress. - Ginny replied as if she assumed Harry would guess her intentions.
- Why did you choose a green dress? - he heard his wife explaining it to Luna but he couldn't resist teasing the woman with whom he is still in love for years. - You're a Gryffindor.
- It is in this world that I cannot wear the Slytherin color, although it suits my hair so well?
- Oh, honey. Don't panic. I'm just teasing you. We've already finished school a long time ago and you can dress whatever you want. I just thought about it with this tie. At school, Hermione tied it for me. I thought that maybe she would come this time, that her place at the table wouldn't be empty.
Ginny looked at her husband and said - It's not official yet, because sometimes people don't come even after sending an acknowledgment of arrival ... You know, sometimes something unexpected happens. Hermione sent an arrival confirmation.
- She will come? And Ron knows? - he asked, a little sharper than he intended. It's been so long, and he still couldn't believe that after what happened between his two best friends, he had lost one of them. He couldn't understand why the girl who was like his sister didn't come to him for help.
- Ron doesn't know, but we should probably warn him that he might see her there. - she sighed before continuing. - I don't think she wanted to cause you a problem. She didn't want to make you have to make a choice. - The woman often wondered if, if she hadn't put pressure on the relationship between Hermione and her brother, things would have turned out completely differently. - You will ask her about everything if she really shows up.
- Just so you know I'll ask her. - he growled standing in front of the mirror, irritated by the tie he didn't like so much.
xxx
The corridors were at the same time the same and completely different from those she had to walk through during her school years. The appearance was consistently the same even though she was fully aware that a large part of Hogwarts was in need of a major overhaul. However, there was something about them that she completely did not expect. Composure. Peace radiated from the nooks and crannies of this old castle.
- Honey, remember. - she crouched next to her daughter - if you get lost during the party, look for me or Aunt Daphne. Don't go away with anyone and if you cannot find us, conjure sparkles towards the ceiling.
- Yes, mom, but you know I'm big now and I'm not going to get lost. - The girl groaned in annoyance.
- Young lady, believe me, even an adult can get lost. It has nothing to do with age.
- But mom ... You can't get lost ! What am I going to do without you? - she asked with tears in her eyes.
- Moms also get lost sometimes, but they love their children so much that it is harder to lose them. Hermione felt stupid because of the lie uttered, but she didn't know how to calm her child. It was still too small to explain that not every "getting lost" is accidental. - Well, come in, sweetie.
xxx
Daphne Greengrass-Nott looked out for her friend in the crowd. She hoped Hermione hadn't chickened out again and this time she would really be coming to the school reunion.
- What's going on? - her husband Theodore Nott asked.
The woman leaned against him and said - Nothing. I was just looking for someone but I didn't find that person.
- Can you tell me who? When I notice this someone, I will tell you where to look. - he suggested.
- Hermione Granger. I was looking for Hermione Granger. - She knew that she shouldn't hide the fact that Hermione Granger is no longer Granger but it wasn't up to her to tell the story - She said that she would come today but I can't see her anywhere.
- What the hell do you want with Granger? - growled Draco Malfoy standing nearby - When did you become friends?
- It's not your business. - She replied then went back to ignoring him. She understood that his engagement with Astoria was arranged by their parents, and neither Astoria nor Draco wanted to attend, but she couldn't forgive him for terminating the contract in such a bad way. They were still acquaintances, but they had long been no friends. - I don't interfere with your private life.
Theo surprised at his wife's reaction. - I'd like to know what you want with that bookworm too.
- Theodore, I am your wife, not your property." If you forgot, you don't explain your acquaintances and friendships to me. Why should I explain myself to you. It's not like I had a lover like some people.
xxx
Ron Weasley studied his brother-in-law. He was visibly nervous and worried. He played with his fingers and stared nervously toward the door of the Great Hall.
- Man, what's going on? - he asked carefully, not wanting to anger him. - You're not acting ... Normal.
His friend looked him in the eye with apparent difficulty and said - They say Hermione is supposed to be here today.
- We hope for it every year ... - The redhead sighed with resignation in his eyes.
- This time is different. She sent the confirmation of arrival.
xxx
Ever since he heard Daphne's comment, Draco stared at the door to the Great Hall. He hasn't seen Hermione Granger in over five years. Many wizards, despite strenuous denial on the part of the minister, believed that she was missing. Only recently it appeared that his would-be sister-in-law knew the whereabouts of the troublesome witch. However, they could not reveal it to anyone, because she threatened everyone with death if someone insisted on betraying her best friend.
- I wish Goyle was here. - He said, wanting to break away from intrusive thoughts about a certain brunette.
- We haven't heard of him since the war ended. He voluntarily went to the ministry and surrendered. From what I heard, he got magic bracelets that suppress magic. He was to live like a Muggle for four years. - Blaise Zabini replied.
They didn't finish the conversation. At this point, both hawks searching for their prey, their eyes fixed on the brunette who had just entered the room. A long and modest emerald-green dress, although it covered practically the whole body, could not hide its shape. Hair cut to a length of a few millimeters didn't take away her femininity at all. On the contrary, they revealed a long and shapely neck.
- Who the hell is that? - Theo hissed nearby.
- I don't know, but I'll find out. Same as find out what's under that dress. - the Malfoy heir whispered to himself before receiving a heavy blow over the head. - Mom, what are you doing?
- How dare you talk about her like that? She did so much for us. - Narcissa looked at her husband for support.
- I never thought that you would speak in public in this way about the woman who saved our family. - Lucius Malfoy grunted in disgust.
The realization touched the former Slytherin. He looked from his parents to the mysterious brunette. Before he could ask the question, the answer came in the form of a scream from Daphne Greengrass-Nott. - Hermione !
xxx
Hermione, standing in the entrance, did not look for her old friends. She looked out for one girl who showed her incredible support both before and after her husband died. A girl who respected her wish not to tell anyone about his funeral. A girl who gave her her shoulder to cry more than once.
- Mom, mom! - She felt a tug from her daughter. - Auntie is calling us. - A broad smile appeared on Ivy's face. Fortunately, the healer tactic has worked. The little girl understood that her dad would not come back, but he looks at her and he would not want her to be sad all his life. She understood that it was okay to be sad, but she didn't have to be forcefully happy either. The realization seemed to reassure her.
The brunette picked up her daughter and walked over to Daphne. Not bothering with unnecessary courtesies, she melted into the embrace of her friend, who immediately kissed both her and Ivy. It took her a moment to release them, saying - I thought you wouldn't come again.
- How could I fail you again? - she giggled. - Ivy wanted to see her godmother to tell about what has happened with us recently. And I figured it was time to stop hiding.
Daphne smiled at her, then turned to look around at the surprised company. The expression on her husband's face made her laugh. - Would you like to say something, my dear?
- What are you doing with Hermione Granger? You said you were friends. But it is more than that. You don't even greet Pansy like that.
The girl looked into the eyes of the former Gryffindor looking for the permission she had received. - I present to you Hermione and her daughter Ivy. Hermione and Ivy Goyle. The wife and daughter of our dear Gregory Goyle. So it's more than that because Hermione is family. At least for me.
xxx
- She came ... Both Ron and Harry heard Ginny gasp. - She looks amazing.
The boy-who-lived looked towards the door. Looking at his friend, he had to admit that she was more beautiful than ever. He was surprised by the lack of long curls but it wasn't the most important thing anyway. The most important thing was that she was back. - I think she's looking for someone.
- What? She has a child? - Ron asked, surprised as they watched Hermione pick up a little girl very similar to hers. - Where is she going? Shouldn't she come over to us?
- Why is she going to the Slytherins? - asked George Weasley from nearby.
xxx
- Now tell me what you did with your beautiful hair?
- My little prat disappeared them when we walked here. I carelessly said that I was disturbed by unruly strands. It wasn't the first time she did it. I can't be angry with her because her outbursts of random magic are rather cute.
Hermione's smile didn't leave her face as she proudly spoke of her daughter. Draco Malfoy did not miss this, as he stared at a girl unseen in Britain for the middle of a decade.
- Goyle? - That was all the confused Theo managed to say.
Hermione looked at his friend with a superior gaze and replied - It must be obvious why my name is that. Daphne, do you want to go for a walk with us before anyone else asks you questions? Ivy would like to ask why she doesn't have cousins yet.
Draco couldn't help himself. He grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him. - Where is your... husband?
Tears appeared in Hermione's eyes, but before she could say anything, the little girl he had ignored earlier tugged at his robes - Leave my mother! Can't you see you're hurting her?
His fingers relaxed and she knelt. She stroked the baby's face in a reassuring gesture. - I'm fine, honey.
- Most sincere condolences Miss Gr ... Mrs. Goyle. I did not know, I was not informed about what happened. - his father's voice broke the silence.
- Nobody knew Lord Malfoy. That was my husband's wish. Only his family members were to be present, and no one else.
Draco felt his mother's hand on his shoulder before she asked. - When did it happen?
- I became a widow six months ago. My beloved husband passed away six months ago.
xxx
Would you like to read a sequel or the events leading up to this point? There will be two more chapters to this story. If you are interested in a prequel (pairing Hermione/Gregory) or a sequel (Hermione/Draco) it will be published as a separate part in the series.
