Chapter 2

"If you don't like the story then I won't like the story Ms. Granger, keep that in mind." Alderdice smiled warmly before stepping through the large fireplace, striking green flames licking around him. His office was much bigger than any of the other offices in the building, but it was packed to the brim with papers, folders, books, and two large computer monitors sitting on his corner-shaped desk. Aside from the general office objects there were many kinds of plants placed in any available spot. Small succulents crammed on the bookshelves, quite a few hanging plants, a rather large sansevieria nestled in the corner next to the large black marble fireplace. I could tell why he liked spending so much time in here. I made a note to look for a plant or two to spruce up my own office before reluctantly retreating to my own workspace.

I took in and let out a few deep breaths as I walked. I was just tired, for a lack of better words, and I tried to calm my worry about the work lying menacingly on my desk, waiting for me. This career was not going quite as I had planned. Not that the workload was too much, it was rather refreshing actually to be able to take the time to genuinely critique what was in front of me. And in theory it should be a perfect match, with the reading and all, but it sucks to just toss another paper and crush another dream.

On top of that, there was Malfoy.

Shaking my head, I scold myself for even allowing any of my thoughts or energy to float towards him. This job is way too important for that kind of distraction, and I deserve to finally relax in the softness of normalcy. To just throw it all away because I am worried about Malfoy would be silly, and my pre-teenage self would be severely disappointed. After all that has happened, if the only thing actively wrong in my life is that I have to see that git in passing from time to time, I'd say that I made it out alright.

Living at the Burrow with the other Weasley's and Harry has been chaotic and quite a change from the quiet I grew up in. Instead of spending evenings drinking warm tea and reading quietly, we drink Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice while playing board games or telling stories.

The chaos is nice though, and a welcome distraction from the void that has remained after not being able to locate my parents. There is sometimes a pang in my heart when I read a book that I know Mum would love or hear a new song that I know Dad would want to learn on the piano. But my mind knows that what I did was the best and smartest thing I could have done to protect them, and they would have wanted to protect me just as fiercely had roles been reversed.

But I have made my peace with it, to an extent. One day I may find them, and one day we may be a family again, but it just is not in the cards for now.

I have been trying to be more positive these days. It is easy to focus on all the bad when that is what has surrounded you for so long. I find that reminding myself to focus on the good things, the things that bring me joy, helps me feel more present in my life in a way that I had previously been lost to.

So that is why I have made the decision to just simply stop worrying about Malfoy. The war and all its trauma has had an unfortunate effect on all of us, and I am in no way obligated to feel sorry for him. Nor will I continue to allow myself to be so on-edge with anticipation of his inevitable snide remarks.

Its settled. I won't concern myself with him, and everything will be perfect. Life will be perfect. I smile to myself, a newfound positivity beginning to trickle through my veins. I set to work in my small little office, making furious red marks on the stories in front of me. When I finish the stack, I look at the clock and realize I have worked approximately half an hour after closing. I smile a little at my adult self, paying homage to my younger self who spent countless nights in the library at Hogwarts. After packing my things and shrugging on my emerald pea coat – my new favorite item of clothing – I grab a pinch of floo powder and shout "The Burrow!" before stepping into the green flames.

"'Hermione dear, you're home!" Molly's motherly voice drifts from the kitchen and I follow the smell of food. I place my bag and coat on the rack near the large orange door before hauling myself onto a stool beside Ginny. I can say, I quite like the renovations that have been done here.

"How was work?" Ginny turns to me. Her red hair is wet and piled on top of her head and she smells of the homemade soap that Molly makes. She must have gotten home from Quidditch practice not too long ago.

"Great! But you'll never believe who works there." I say and Molly gives both Ginny and me two empty mugs.

"Who? Pansy? Luna? Hannah Abbott? One of the Patil twins?" Ginny rattles off the entirety of the Hogwarts class as Molly drops a teabag each into our cups and follows with boiling water. I shake my head at Ginny's wild guesses.

"Try male," I stir the tea and rub a hand through my hair before turning and fully looking at Ginny, "and blond." I say with a huff then take a sip. Her eyes get wide before she slams her hands on the countertop, "No way in hell!" I nodded as I moved her mug out of the way of her flailing hands.

"Ginerva, language." Molly says sternly, eyebrows at the top of her forehead.

Ginny huffs and takes a sip of her own tea before speaking again, "I thought he was sent to Azkaban!" She takes another sip then smirks, "did you punch him again?"

"Very funny. No, but I did talk to him. He said he was surprised that I wasn't at home being Ron's little housewife and I told him I was surprised that he wasn't in Azkaban." I say and she laughs.

"What a bitch," Ginny says under her breath and my cheeks flush red. We glance at each other before falling into a fit of giggles like children.

"Who's a bitch?" Ron asks casually as he walks through the door. He pulls himself onto the stool beside me, plucks a warm bread roll from the plat that Molly has just placed in front of us, and slings his arm over my shoulder.

The sponge that had been magicked to scrub the dirty dishes suddenly flies across the room and hits Ron square in the chest, leaving a large dark and soapy spot on his shirt. He looks down in disbelief, mouth hanging open with a piece of the roll shoved into his cheek. He looks down and scowls at the offending sponge when Molly's shrill voice cuts through the air.

"If I hear one more disgusting word you will all wash dishes by hand for the next two months!"

The red-headed siblings on either side of me sit up a little straighter under their mother's stern gaze. But when she turns around, they both make faces at her back.

"Now look what you've done, Ron," I whisper jokingly to him. "What I've done? I've only just got here!" Ginny and I laugh more as Ron shoves the rest of the roll into his mouth, he chews some before asking, "how was work?"

"Good." I blushed a little and looked away from him, cringing a bit at his tendency to speak while he was eating. Merlin, could this be any more awkward?

I hear the roar of flames behind me, and I am relieved that someone is coming through the floo to save me from this awkward fiasco.

"Well," he starts before pulling off his thick jacket and wool cap, "you three are quiet." Harry Potter stands in front of the large orange door, hair even more unkempt than normal. He heels off his boots before taking the final stool beside Ginny. I'm instantly reminded of the old days at Hogwarts when we would all sit around the fireplace in the Gryffindor common room. I sigh as I look at the three most important people in my life talking and laughing together. I don't think life could get any better.

"How was work 'Mione?" Harry asks enthusiastically. Stealing yet another roll from Molly's plate.

"Quite nice actually! You would not believe the stories I got to read today!" I smile and begin to go into one particularly nice story I read about a boy that reminded me very much of Harry.

I am cut off by Ginny, who grabs Harry's arm in excitement, "and you'll never believe who works there." Ginny chimed in.

"Draco Malfoy." I finish for her. Harry looks oddly unconcerned by it, "Well I mean what did you expect? That he was going to just lock himself in his manor and rot?""

"Well, no, but I did not expect to see him at the same place I am working," I say with sigh a before finishing the rest of my tea. Harry shrugs and they all start a different conversation about Quidditch – I think. I hop off my stool and excuse myself to take a shower. I figured a few moments along was exactly what I needed. I grabbed my clothes and a towel and turned on the scorching hot water before stepping in. My tensed muscles begin to relax and for the first time today I actually feel at peace.

Hi again! Sort of a filler chapter because, as you know, nothing actually happens. I just wanted to give more context on the characters and their personalities I guess. I started this story years ago and I have taken each chapter and I am adding, subtracting, and reworking it line by line, just to practice adding filler and such. I promise there will be more action in the next chapter though, maybe even a different point of view ;) who knows?

Anyway, thank you for reading!