Disclaimer; Again, I don't own Harry Potter.

Back to reality…

The rest of our honeymoon was filled with more tours and wine. Rich food and wine. Walks through ancient ruins and wine. Shopping and wine. Oh, and did I mention the wine? It was our last day and our bags were packed. We would be apperating back to our house. I had decided floo powder was not my preferred mode of transportation. Draco had gone to the front desk to pay the bill and turn in the key. I remained in the room so we could apparate from there without being seen.

"Ready love?" he asked holding our suitcases in each hand.

"Ready mi amore" I said with a sultry look. I was finally learning some of the language, and of course, it was time to go.

"One, two, three." and a sudden jerk behind my bellybutton pulled me back to our quaint little home on Avalon drive.

"Home sweet home." he said as we walked inside the house. My first thought was to grab the letter from the ministry that sat tantalizingly on the kitchen counter. I opened it and started to read.

Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy,

I hope this letter finds you well and you are enjoying your honeymoon in Italy. Your department assignments are included. Draco Malfoy you will report to the office of magical games and sports. You will be the head of the department, with 5 people reporting to you. Hermione Malfoy, we would be honored if you would continue training with us to join the department of mysteries as an unspeakable. Training takes over a year before you will be qualified. It will require lots of research and time spent learning, which we know you will be up for. Please report to the ministry on September 1 at 9am. Thank you and good day.

Rufus Scrimgeour

Minister of Magic.

"Oh Draco! The department of Mysteries! An Unspeakable! I can't believe it. They only take a few people for that job. I can't believe it!" I was blown away!

"I don't know why you are so surprised. You got an outstanding on every N.E.W.T. You were bound to be chosen for that. Although I thought they would pick you for an Auror personally." he said setting our luggage near the bottom of the stairs.

"I would have liked that, but an unspeakable, that is huge!" I was so beyond excited. I have to owl Harry; he already knew he was going to be an auror. At least we would be working somewhat together.

Harry,

You will never guess! The ministry wants me to become an Unspeakable! I start September 1. Draco is head of Magical games and sports, he is really excited about that. I can't wait to start training. Italy was fantastic! We ate drank and were generally merry for the entire trip. (Smiling) I hope you and Ginny are doing well. How is Ron? He looked better when we left the reception. Why don't you and Ginny come over for dinner tomorrow night? We would love to see you and show you pictures from the trip. We might invite Blaise and Ellen too. Hope to hear back from you soon. PS bring Crookshanks with you, I miss him.

Love Always,

Hermione

I wrapped the letter up and called Draco's owl and sent it off to Harry's apartment.

"Honey I invited Harry and Ginny over tomorrow okay?" I yelled to him.

"Ok" he yelled back from upstairs.

"Owl Blaise and see if he and Ellen want to come over too so we can show the pictures of the trip."

"Ok"

I went upstairs to help him unpack our luggage. He was sitting up on our bed, looking very sad.

"What's the matter honey?" I asked him as I sat next to him on the bed.

"Its nothing." he said, but as I looked closer I saw tears forming in his pale blue eyes. He laid his head on my shoulder.

"Something is wrong; I wish you would open up to me." I said stroking his cheek.

"I just wish my mum could have been there to see our wedding. She always talked about how she couldn't wait until the day I got married." he looked so sad.

"I'm so sorry honey. She wouldn't be very happy about who you married would she?"

"Oh, she didn't buy into all that pureblood crap; she just wanted her only child to be happy. And she would be so glad that you brought out the best in me, and have made me so happy." tears flowed freely now. "I miss her the most. She always treated me like her precious little treasure, and she would talk of my wedding, and her seeing her grandchildren be born. I wish she could have lived to see this."

"Oh, honey. I am so sorry. I wish there was something I could do to make you feel better. I never knew your mum. But I did know that she loved you more than her own life. That is why she risked everything to make Snape do the unbreakable vow. She knew it would put her at risk. But your safety was more important. That is true love." I said soothingly as I took his hand in my own.

"I know. I will be okay. It just hit me all of a sudden. I am sorry for making you worry." he said wiping his tears quickly from his eyes, trying to be a man about it.

"Remember what my mum said to you. You are a part of our family now, and she loves you."

"Thanks, it helps a little." he said standing up and continuing to unpack.

It touched me a lot to see him so upset about this. My heart went out to him and I was very sympathetic towards him the rest of the night.

The next day I was preparing dinner for Harry, Ginny, Blaise and Ellen, whom I hoped I would get to know better. I was making chicken parmesan, pasta with olive oil, and garlic bread. I was almost sick of Italian food, but Draco thought it would be a good idea to make that to celebrate us being home. About 6pm the doorbell rang and standing outside was a very excited Harry and Ginny.

"Hermione!" Ginny screamed as she threw herself into my arms accidentally dropping Crookshanks on the floor. Harry stood there holding a bottle of wine (Ug…) and a white package with a pale blue bow.

"Hey Hermione" he said reaching over to hug me and simultaneously handing me the wine and the box.

"These are for you." he said "You look great."

"Thank you!" I said giving him a beaming smile. "Come in; let me pour you a drink." I said putting the box down on the counter. "What's the present for?" I asked.

"It is our wedding gift to you; we didn't bring it to the wedding since we were getting ready together. Open it already!" Ginny shrieked.

"Let's wait for Draco, he should be down in a minute." and right on cue he walked down the stairs looking so handsome in a dark green dress shirt and tan pants. His eyes burned into mine as he smiled at me before greeting our guests.

"Harry, Ginny so glad you could make it." he said warmly.

"Thanks for inviting us" Harry said brightly.

"Ciao bella" he said to me brushing his lips against my cheek

"Amore della mia vita" (Love of my life) I said under my breath.

"Hey now, English only." Ginny cried.

"Ok," I laughed pouring Draco some of the wine they had brought.

The doorbell rang again and Draco ran to get it.

"Ciao Draco" Blaise greeted him, hugging him.

"Hey Blaise, where is Ellen?" he asked.

"Uh…we had a fight. I think that is rifinito" (finished) he said with a hearty laugh.

"I'm sorry" Draco said leading him into the family room.

Blaise walked over to me and grabbed my hand.

"Signora bella" (Lovely lady) as he kissed my hand lightly.

"Grazie" I replied. "How are you Blaise?"

"Alright I suppose. Ellen and I broke up."

"I'm sorry." I said handing him a glass.

"It's ok, probably for the best since I will be traveling the states, lots of lovely American women there for me." he said with a trademark Slytherin grin.

"Probably." I said laughing. "Dinner will be done soon"

"Can we look at your pictures now?" Ginny asked.

"Uh… sure. Draco honey can you grab the photo album from the closet." I said stirring the sauce.

Ginny giggled.

"What is so funny?" I called.

"You two are just so a married couple." she giggled again.

"Thanks, I think." I called back.

When I walked back into the living room they were looking at our wedding photos and the photos from Italy.

"It is so beautiful Hermione, what was it like?" Ginny asked.

"It was wonderful, paradise." I said thinking of our trip.

We talked for a while before dinner was finally ready.

We sat at the table, eating and talking. I was so glad to have close friends to have over.

"So Hermione, are you excited about starting work?" Harry asked.

"You have no idea Harry. I can't wait to get there and start my research. I have so many ideas and theories. The year of training will fly by. And best of all I will be working in the same building as my best friend and the love of my life." I smiled brightly at Harry and Draco, and they smiled back.

"We can have lunch together every day." Harry said, then looking at Draco "or once a week." Draco laughed.

Dinner went smoothly and soon dessert and coffee were over. Harry and Ginny were saying goodbye to me in the foyer. And Draco and Blaise were chatting in the living room by the fireplace.

I walked back in and sat on the couch next to Draco.

"Well I had better be going." Blaise said taking one last drink from his cup.

"Be sure and write from the states." I said standing up to hug him goodbye.

"I will."

"Bye Blaise, talk to you soon." he hugged him and walked him to the door.

"Arrivederci'" he said waving, and with a pop he disappeared.