Disclaimer: I do not own these chaacters they belong to JK Rowling, I am only 'playing' in the world she created.

A/N: This is my first story so please review. Criticisms are welcome as is praise. Please review!

CHP 1: The Letter

Hermione looked up from her book when she heard a tapping at her window. With an annoyed look on her face she glanced at her watch seeing that it was well past midnight. Crossing to the window she opened it, stepping back as a large barn owl flew into the room. Pulling the letter off of its leg, she filled up a bowl of water for the owl before returning to the letter. Seeing that it was Ginny's handwriting, Hermione eagerly broke the wax seal on the letter and pulled out the parchment. Smiling she read the letter

Dear Hermione,

I hope all is well on your side of the ocean and that your studies are progressing. Aren't you due to start your exams any day now? Good luck, because I know how difficult they will be, but then again it is you, the smartest witch I know. Well, time for my news, maybe you should sit down for this. Harry and I are getting married! He asked me last night at the party mum was throwing for him and Ron. They both completed Auror training and had been on several successful missions. They both earned special commendations from the Minister of Magic. The wedding is in a few weeks, and I want you to be my maid of honor. Please say yes! Send me an owl back as soon as you get this, I can't wait to see you!

With love,

Ginny

Hermione couldn't help but smile when she heard that Harry had finally proposed, it was inevitable, but Hermione was hesitant to reply to the letter. She hadn't been back to England in almost 5 years. Was now the time to make the journey? Sighing she placed the letter on her desk and closed her textbook on spell damage, trying not to remember the night she could never forget.

"Hermione!" yelled Ron from across the Great Hall waving at her frantically. She had been in the library studying for her NEWTS and was late for supper. Spotting Harry and Ron and she made her way towards them dropping her heavy bag on the floor as she slipped into her usual seat.

"I'm here, what's the problem? Forget to finish you potions assignment again?" she asked Ron, teasing him because she knew he had finished it. Last night he had asked for her help. She was glad that for once he had actually asked for her help instead of nagging her so he could copy the assignment.

"No, umm...Hermione, McGonagall said that you need to go see Dumbledore immediately she just went to check for you in the library" said Ron in a very serious tone.

Puzzled by Ron's serious tone and Harry's concerned gaze she picked up her bag to leave the Great Hall. She heard Harry call behind her " 'Mione, do you want us to come with you?"

Hermione didn't answer, her stomach was in knots, why did Professor Dumbledore ask to see her? Walking towards his office she met with Professor McGonagall who ushered her forward. Professor McGonagall glanced at Ron and Harry who had been walking a few paces behind Hermione, worried about Hermione. "I suppose you two should come as well" McGonagall said as an afterthought.

Hermione mounted the stone steps behind McGonagall and followed her into Professor Dumbledore's office. He was seated behind his desk reading a piece of parchment, a grave look on his face.

"Thank you Minerva" he said softly before turning his gaze to Hermione.

"Miss Granger, there is no simple way for me to tell you this, but...." Dumbledore paused not quite sure of how to continue.

"I received an owl from the Ministry of Magic informing me of the death of two muggles early this morning, your parents" he concluded, his gaze shifting from Hermione to Ron and Harry who stood behind her.

Hermione, her voice faltering said "Di...Did I hear you correctly sir? Did you say that...that my parents were...killed?"

Tears shimmering in her eyes she asked "Who....WHO did this?!" finally unable to control her emotions anymore, Hermione began to sob sinking to her knees.

Ron and Harry both stood opened mouthed in horror at what they had just heard, rushing forward they knelt down beside Hermione, trying to offer her some comfort. Hermione threw her arms round Ron's neck as sobs wracked her slight frame. Awkwardly Ron stroked her head when Harry stood up turning towards Dumbledore, anxious for more information.

"Sir?" He asked, "Was it a Death eater attack?"

Dumbledore nodded his head. Harry, fists clenched managed to maintain his anger, and glanced over at Ron who was still comforting Hermione.

Hermione snapped out of her trance when she felt the large barn owl softly nip at her finger, it was obvious he was waiting to return with a reply. Sighing, Hermione sunk down onto her sofa contemplating her options. Was she ready to return to England, ready to see Ron and Harry after all these years? They had exchanged pleasantries over the years. Hermione regularly received letters from Ginny and she always got cards from Ron and Harry at Christmastime and for her Birthday, but things had changed. After a time, the letters grew fewer and fewer as Hermione studied more often and Harry and Ron worked harder at their Auror training. She hadn't actuallytalked to either Ron or Harry since she got off the Hogwarts train after graduation.

Harry had felt immense guilt when he found out that her parents had been killed even though she had said it was not his fault. Ron on the other hand, he had been very supportive, all the Weasley's had but she was feeling smothered. The looks of pity she received from classmates disheartened her. She couldn't' forget what had happened, but was glad when Harry managed to triumph over Voldemort in the end.

At graduation she had been approached by the Ministry of Magic for a job and she had even considered entering Auror training with Ron and Harry. In the end she knew she couldn't be an Auror, she had spent too much of her young life fighting the horrors of the world, she instead decided to become a Healer, dedicated her life to helping others. She had almost given up magic entirely and gone back to living life as a muggle, thinking it would be better living in the dark than knowing was out there lurking in the shadows. She was convinced by Harry and Ron that she should never give up, her parents wouldn't have wanted that and she had to agree with them.

Needing to break away from her comfort zone, Hermione choose to leave England and study in America. She had been living there for the past five years and was in her final year of school. Being clever had its advantages though; she was graduating a full two years early.

Hermione looked over at the owl that was starring at her with a quizzical look. "Alright, Alright, I'll go back, happy now?" she asked receiving only a hoot in response. Rolling her eyes she picked up her feather quill and jotted down a quick note.

Ginny (and Harry),

I was so happy to hear from you. Congratulations on your engagement, I just knew you and Harry would end up together. I finish my exams next week and after that I will be a fully certified Healer. I am still looking for a place to practice though. I will be delighted to be your maid of honor and I will come home following my exams. I'll see you sometime next week; give everyone a hug from me.

Yours,

Hermione

Hermione sealed the letter and attached it to the leg of the barn owl. Watching as it flew out the window she let out a sigh and returned to her book to continue her studies. Was she doing the right thing?