A/N: First, thank you to all my reviewers.

KieraLee: I believe Snape isn't a 'bad guy'. I think in the end of the seventh book he'll end up helping Harry defeat Voldemort or something like that.

SlytherinSoulSister: I know chapters aren't very long, I'm sorry. I promise I will try to make them longer but I'm not one to write tons and tons of pages for one chapter. I know they will probably get longer once the story gets into more action.

Not mad but mentally unstable: Thanks for being a loyal reviewer. Here's your next update.

Duj: No, I don't think Hermione would choose education over her friends. However, I'm not trying to write this like JK will write it. It's fanfiction, so I have the plan worked out in my head and on paper. It works out better that Hermione finishes school.

Tired-of-the-dark: Thank you for the offer!

KD-Alamsy: Thank you for the compliments! You are an awesome reviewer. A second opinion would be good, three heads are better then two!

Evil Crazy Willow: Thank you for accepting the position! Don't be afraid to give me hateful emails telling me to write faster. I need the push!

Thanks again to all reviewers!

Now, I'd really like to make it clear that I am not trying to write the story as J.K would write the other book. I don't think in anyway that most of the events from my story will be in the seventh book, I just thought it would be fun to write a story that included the events of book 6.

I also know it has taken me a while to write this third chapter. I have no excuse for the delay except for the fact that it's summer and I have been on the beach a lot. Sorry again.

A big thanks to my beta reader's. You are amazing.


We do what we have to

Chapter 3 – A new hate for the Ministry.

"Well Miss. Granger, it looks like you're very qualified for the position so far, just by your school information and N.E.W.T.'s results." The little man across the table addressed her formally, peeking over his thick-rimmed glasses. Hermione felt a wave of triumph wash over her. She had thought long and hard about what she had wanted to do for the past couple of years and she had settled on becoming an Unspeakable.

She remembered when she had told Ginny, and Ginny had tried to talk her out of it, for the reason that Unspeakables don't get recognized for their work, and Hermione's talents should be recognized.

Hermione had politely told her that it was something she really wanted to do. To discover the unknown and it's secrets.

Now she was sitting here having her interview with Mr. Hawforth and the realization that she might be working for the Ministry tomorrow had made a cage of butterflies explode in her stomach.

Ever since her fifth year, Hermione had been extremely curious about the
Department of Mysteries. There had been so many things that she had been itching to stop and look at more carefully. She would love to spend hours down there studying the different objects. The hourglass, the tank of brains…

The Veil.

She shivered in her mind at the thought of it. That Veil which had seemed so beautiful at first sight, so mystical and wondrous, but as soon as you got closer to it… Well, it wasn't beautiful anymore. It had scared Hermione. Not like a horror movie, or running into a three-headed dog had scared her. The Veil had been a different kind of fear. The fear of the unknown.

He shuffled his papers on his desk, seemingly trying to find something to say. Clearing his throat he looked up at her nervously.

"So, with that out of the way, I'm going to ask a few more questions. Where are you living currently, Miss. Granger?"

"With my parents." His eyes shifted downwards and he began nervously scratching his left hand. Mr. Hawforth wasn't a very attractive man, he was balding on the top oh his head and his hair was a mousy brown. He was short and always fidgeting. Something that got on Hermione's nerves.

"Muggles, are they not?"

"Yes," she answered proudly.

"And they aren't connected to the floo network?" Her brow furrowed slightly.

"No, they are not. But I do know how to apparate, if getting to work on time
is your concern." The little man sighed and avoided her eyes shamelessly.

"Miss Granger, you know the dangers of being an Unspeakable, yes?" Of course she knew, you couldn't even apply for the job without knowing all the dangers.

"Yes."

"And you know the amount of secrecy that is involved and what could happen if the information we discover fell into the wrong hands?"

"Yes, of course I do, Mr. Hawforth." Hermione's chest suddenly felt tight, why couldn't the man just come out and say what he wanted to say.

"Then you'll understand why I can not give you the job."

She wished he hadn't of said it.

"W-what?" She stuttered, confused and crestfallen. "Why not, you said yourself that I am qualified. I have a letter of recommendation from Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick." The man sighed and got up from his desk, walking to the large magical window, which was holding heavy clouds and showed signs of rain.

"We are in a war, Miss. Granger." He began, turning to face her. "You are a muggle-born witch." He paused and looked sympathetic for a moment before turning back to face the window."

"A muggle-born, you're not hiring me because I'm a muggle-born." She said quietly, beginning to feel the anger rising up in her. Of all the prejudices things to do, not give her a job because of her parentage.

"You are a target for you-know-who Miss Granger, for that reason alone. But because you are close friends with Harry Potter it makes things worse. If he found out you were an Unspeakable, then I doubt he would stop at anything to get his hands on you." He paused, a far away look over coming his eyes.

"There are weapons in those walls that you-know-who would kill his right hand man for." Hermione became stiff; her lips formed a thin line of annoyance.

"I do not accept your decision." He sighed and walked over to his door, opening it.

"Well you are going to have too, it is final. It would be too risky for the department for you to work there. Maybe after the war if-"

We win. Hermione finished off for him in her head.

"Apply again after the war Miss. Granger, I'm sure you'll get the job then."
She stood up jerkily, not saying a word as she left the office and the door softly clicked behind her.

Xxxxxxxxxx

Hermione sat with a hot cup of tea and a blanket around her shoulders at the Weasly kitchen table. The hot liquid scolded her tongue as she sipped it.

The house was eerily empty, with Charley, Bill, and the Twins living on their own, Mr. Weasly at work and Ron… Well who knows where Ron was.

Only Mrs. Weasly and Ginny were around and they both sat on the other side of the table.

How could they have denied her the job? Two letters of recommendation,
O's on all her N.E.W.T.'s, she was perfectly qualified. Damn them, damn the
Ministry, damn Voldemort and most of all damn being Muggle Born.

She never actually thought they would deny her a job because of that.
Sure, it had crossed her mind once or twice, how could it not after years of
Mudblood insults for Malfoy?

"You know Hermione, I really hate to say this, but the man had a point." Ginny said slowly, her fiery hair was tied up and she was looking seriously at Hermione. "It would have been a death wish for you to get the job. I'm glad you didn't." Hermione said nothing because she knew there was truth to Ginny's words. Still it is hard to accept rejection from anyone.

"Why don't you try getting a smaller job, dear? The Ministry is incredibly cautious in all departments about hiring any muggle-borns these days. It's difficult times." Mrs. Weasly put a consoling hand on her shoulder.

"More tea, dear?"

"No thank you." Hermione smiled up at the women who had become like a second mother to her. Maybe she was right, there was no skirting around the subject that the Ministry wasn't going to hire any muggle-borns in important positions. And why would they? It could bring the wrath of Voldemort down on the department in question. But working at the Ministry now… No, she couldn't do it. Out of principle she couldn't do it. "I need to move out."

Ginny looked up and raised an eyebrow at her. Hermione herself was surprised by her sudden out burst. But the thought had come into her mind more then once since the summer started. She was eighteen now… No, technically she was 20 because of the use of her time turner in her third year. She was much too old, in her opinion, to be living with her parents. Also something Mr. Hawforth said had triggered a protective part of her body. She was a target, so her parents were automatically targets as well and she wasn't going to put them in more danger by living with them.

"I think I should move out of my parents house." She stated slowly, "I need to get into my own space. Maybe I'll get a flat in muggle London. Anything will work." She watched Ginny's reaction and was pleased to see she liked the idea. Ginny had always been really supportive of whatever decision she made. Especially when she had decided to stay at school for her final year. Hermione had to admit that it was wonderful have a girl as a best friend for a change as well.

"You know Hermione, that's not such a bad idea. I'll help you look for a flat, too. We'll have some fun out of it. What will your parents say?"
Ginny asked suddenly, "They won't be angry that your moving out, will they?"
Hermione laughed.

"No, not at all. They encourage independence and they even have old furniture in the basement for when I move out." She smiled slightly. She also had her college fund, her parents had always secretly hoped she'd go to muggle college, but since she wasn't going to they had decided to give the money to her when she moved out, to get started. Well, the time had come.

Xxxxxxxxxxx

"I like this one. It's really close to the Leaky Cauldron, it's not too expensive and" Ginny paused, sniffing the air momentarily. "This one doesn't smell like cat pee." Both girls giggled.

"I like it too, it's better then all the other ones we've looked at today," she smiled slightly. "And yesterday, and the day before that. I think you're more picky about the place I live then I am." Ginny smiled.

"Only the best for you, Hermione. Are you going to be bringing Crookshanks with you?" Ginny and Crookshanks had always gotten along; other people weren't so lucky with the half kneazel.

"Yes, yes of course. He can't stand dad, Crook's is driving him crazy." Hermione smiled fondly at the thought of her dad and the mental battles he had with her familiar.

Surveying the flat one last time, Hermione decided that this was where she was going to live. The place wasn't too big but it wasn't too small either, it was cozy. There was a bathroom, living room, kitchen and bedroom. That was all that she needed. She could get a job in Diagonally and not have to worry about traveling, because she was so close by.

"This is the flat I'm buying Ginny, hands down." Hermione stumbled backwards as she suddenly felt the weight of the red head on her, giving her a fierce hug.

"Oh that's fantastic, Hermione! It's perfect, and I'm so excited for you to be on your own! You could have a party, like the ones we had at Grimauld Place, but with out parents, and more kids from school. I could help you plan it-"

"Ginny!"

"What?"

"I'm not having a party."

"Why not?" Hermione rolled her eyes and smiled amused at Ginny's enthusiasm.

"Since when have you ever known me to be interested in party's?" She raised her eyebrow questioningly at her friend and only got a concerned smile in return.

"You're eighteen, Hermione, It's time you got out and enjoyed some things. I mean who was your last boyfriend? Not counting my brother because you didn't actually go out with him. It was Viktor, wasn't it?" At no answer Ginny laughed and smiled triumphantly. "That was in fourth year, Hermione! Ages ago, why don't you get out and find someone that you're interested in."

Hermione frowned, it wasn't like she didn't want a boyfriend, it was just that she couldn't find anyone she wanted to go out with. There wasn't really anyone she could hold a conversation with, or talk to about her interests. That would be something she needed in a man, common interests in some things, that was why she was glad her and Ron decided not to date, they were completely opposite.

"Ginny, I can't just date people for the sake of saying I'm seeing someone, I have to actually like them and I haven't found someone I've liked yet. Besides, I've never been big on seeing anyone anyway, with studies and…" Hermione surveyed her friend with narrow eyes as she realized Ginny was the type of person who isn't usually single at all. "Speaking of dating anyone, Ginny, you've been single for a while now." Ginny's cheeks turned a dusky pink.

"Well I-I haven't R-really thought, I just mean that…"

"Oh of course, Harry. I completely forgot. I'm sorry Ginny." Hermione grimaced at her mistake. Harry had broken up with Ginny, but Ginny was sure they'd get back together after the war. They had talked about it for hours that summer, how could she have forgotten?

Ginny blushed a deeper red.

"Right, Harry." She said awkwardly. Hermione new very well the look of someone who had forgotten something and suddenly remembered it, and Ginny's face turned into that look. Jumping up and shrieking she grabbed Hermione's arm forcefully to look at the silver muggle watch her dad had gotten her last Christmas. "What time is it!" She yelled before glancing at Hermione's watch and bolting towards the door.

"Ginny! Where are you going?" Hermione yelled after her.

"I have to meet someone!" And then she was gone and the empty room seemed suddenly quiet.

Curious, she thought. Where could that girl be running off to now?

Sighing, Hermione smiled warmly and headed out the door, so she could go back home and tell her mother she found a place.

Soon, She'd be calling this place home.


Read, Review!

Thanks again to all my readers. Chapter 4 is on it's way.