Hermione apparated to Hogsmeade the following day, after gathering as many things as she'd need and stuffing them in her trunk, and stopping at the Ministry to send owls and check in with her boss. Diggory didn't come down on her very hard, which made her feel worse, as if he were resigned to failure. After packing up the last of her personal effects, she had waved a weak good-bye to Arthur and headed out. Sad, really, she thought, that she could fit everything she needed in one trunk. It was a magical trunk, to be sure, but even they had limits; she just didn't have much…stuff. I'm just not very sentimental, she thought wryly. "Reducio", she said to the trunk with a flick of her wand, and then stuck it in the pocket of her robes.
It was honestly difficult to see Arthur Weasley every day. She knew he didn't hold her responsible for Ron's death, but that really didn't make it any easier. She could see Ron in him, and it hurt. Naturally, Harry, Hermione and the Weasley family had talked for days about Ron's death and had certainly come to a peace about it, she still could see the sadness in Arthur's eyes.
There was a rap on the door of a low, nondescript house on the Hogwarts side of Hogsmeade. "Hermione!" Remus Lupin stood, positively beaming, at the door. "I was so happy when I got your owl. Sirius is off getting something to eat, and will be along shortly." She walked into the cottage, which was deceptively larger than it appeared from the outside. "How is Sirius getting along? Harry hasn't mentioned him in a while."
"He's been quite ill, which is why I'm here right now. I really should be up at Hogwarts preparing for the influx of students, but Sirius doesn't have anyone to take care of him during the week. He's getting better. He had, if you can believe it, a non-magical malady…mononucleosis! Can you imagine?" Remus had returned as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher the year after Hermione's graduation, and to everyone's great relief, had stayed on. At this point in the war, many of the old prejudices had died, thankfully.
"Oh, dear. Why didn't you owl me? You know I'm a Muggle doctor as well as a mediwitch!"
"Well, he's better now, and I didn't want to disrupt your research." Remus was aware of the research, as she consulted him from time to time on the grey magic she incorporated into the working model. "I did hear about your – ah – meltdown from Dumbledore."
"Sirius doesn't know, right?" Given Sirius' role to play in the war, this information was a little too valuable to let him in on. He was very much a wanted man, and he played his role with gusto…too much so sometimes.
"Right." At this, the door opened and Sirius Black strode into a big hug from Hermione. "How are you dear?"
"Fine, fine, I wish you hadn't gone to all the trouble of lunch. I hear you've been ill."
"Better now, though Remus wouldn't let me trouble you for help."
"I've already been on him about it. Your color is good though, I am sure you've recovered. What's new with you?"
The three prattled on about life, as much as she could say without giving away her real work to Sirius. She knew he also had a secret duty for the Light, and didn't ask.
"Harry says the two of you are still on the outs." It wasn't an accusation; it had been two years, but Sirius still held out faint hope of reconciliation.
"We're best friends, and nothing more, and it's none of your business anyway," she said as she punched him lightly. "Why, you're looking for a piece of me then?"
Remus snorted and clapped Black on the shoulder. "She's on to you, my fellow."
"Humph," said Black, who changed into a dog and put his head on her lap and wagged his tail.
Glad I came here for a laugh before seeing Snape, she thought.
"Let me walk you up to Hogwarts," Remus said. "I really do need to get back, and the doggie here can take care of himself." Sirius changed back and grinned. "See you tomorrow, thanks again for coming for lunch Remus. Hermione, it's good to see you again." She put a hand on his arm, and walked out with Remus. Sirius briefly shook his head. He knew she was absolutely right about not being Harry's soulmate, but his heart still ached for Harry. Much time had been spent by Harry at the cottage drinking whisky and pouring his heart out. They say time heals all wounds, Sirius thought, but she is so amazing that it's probably harder to heal that one for Harry. There won't be another woman like that.
Lupin and Hermione entered the front doors of Hogwarts, and a real smile came at last, for the first time since the explosion. She was home again.
