A/n: Really awesome to see some familiar names in the Follows/Favs and reviews. A big Hello to you all, and thank you for the welcome back. As always, let me know what you think. I'm enjoying writing this so far, and have a lot of content already planned out. Hopefully it doesn't disappoint.

Thank you again!

Chapter 3

Only a few hours later Hermione found herself stood outside of a rather large cottage-esque home. Though as she gathered her bearings, she noticed that it seemed she was not at the front door but at the back instead. Ginny had dropped her arm as soon as they had landed, and had wasted no time in wandering through a big open glass door. Ginny had come to get her alone, and sent Harry ahead to Storm's to make sure she "hadn't set anything on fire". The statement had been said with a wry smirk and a roll of her eyes leaving Hermione questioning whether or not that had actually happened before. If she absolutely had to guess, she would definitely wager for a yes.

Hermione took her brief moment alone to pull in a deep calming breath through her nose, noting the distinct smell of salt in the air. The slosh of waves assaulted her ears and she became all too aware of the fact the house and the decking she was now stood on backed right onto the beach. The water lapping gently at the shore under the mid-morning sun. Of course, it made sense for Storm to live somewhere so remote she thought as she examined the length of beach that stretched on for what could have been miles with nothing else in sight.

With one final sigh she steeled her nerves and made to move inside where voices were already sounding out, conversation obviously already flowing quite readily. She couldn't help the quirk of her brow as she took in the scene that had met her. Storm was stood at the stove wearing nothing more than a pair of socks, shorts and a t-shirt. Though it wasn't exactly a cold morning, the breeze that flowed into the space from the water was fresh but still chilly.

Ginny had her fingers wrapped around Storm's collar as the younger of the two tried not to burn whatever was in the pan she was holding. Harry had already taken his seat at the table behind the two women and his green eyes had settled on her almost as soon as she had stepped into the space. A mug raised in the air as he beckoned her over towards him without much in the way of a spoken word.

"Hermione, will you tell us who this one went home with? We can't get it out of her" Ginny asks almost as soon as she notes the older woman is finally in the room. Turning to fix the brunette with a questioning stare, figuring she'd spill the beans on the promiscuous shifter. The redhead moving to pull a disgruntled Storm around by the collar to show the oldest woman angry red scratches that had been carved into the side of her neck.

"Pardon?" Was all Hermione could squeak out, dark eyes wild with panic as she turned her stare to Storm who was sheepishly trying to flip a pancake at the most awkward angle imaginable. Storm's own dark eyes flicking up from the pan to meet hers, soft and apologetic.

"They think I left you for someone at the Cauldron." Storm spoke, clearing up the confusion and explaining with unsaid words that she hadn't said anything about the night before. The red tint that had taken her cheeks evident. She looked a little lost, and Hermione wondered just how long she had been subjected to the teasing.

"Oh right, no. I left first so I wouldn't possibly know" Hermione added then, addressing Ginny and Harry directly. A small smirk tugging on her lips at the huff that had echoed from somewhere by the stove. It seemed Storm had been busy for a long while already, the table full of an assortment of pancakes and other goods. All of which appeared to be enchanted to stay warm as steam still rose from each plate.

"I told you already, ran into a bush on my morning run. I was still a little drunk from last night and didn't really see it" Storm grumbled as she made her way over to the table, another plate in hand and a mug in the other. Her cheeks were still red and she worked hard to avoid all eye contact. What she had said wasn't exactly a lie. She had taken to running when she got home in order to clear her mind a little in preparation for their breakfast. It also hadn't been a lie when she said she ran into a bush, or fell into it was probably more accurate. But she was most definitely not still drunk.

Ginny was watching her with thinly veiled amusement as she took the empty seat beside Hermione. Harry next to the redhead quietly watching the exchange, a smile was evident on his own lips as he lent back to really examine the shifter.

"You know you should really be more careful; those bushes seem to really not be your friends" He chuckled as he flicked his green eyes over to his own best friend. Hermione seemed to be quieter than normal and he wondered then if she too was a little hungover.

"Well, I'm just glad you got rid of whoever it was in time. I have honestly lost count of how many times we've arrived to you still swanning around butt naked" The redhead quipped, her hazel eyes never leaving the shifter. "I'm sure that would definitely have made this the last breakfast Hermione here ever shared with us" She laughed at the shifter's expense then, watching as Storm just floundered in disbelief.

"There hasn't been that many times" Storm grumbled before flicking her eyes up to Hermione who had an eyebrow raised in quiet question. "Honestly Hermione, it's not been that many times." She added though her voice wavered a little bit, and the sheepish look that took her features once again told the older woman exactly what she needed to know.

"Why don't I believe that?" Hermione spoke then, finally relenting and adding her own teasing into the fray. An amused smirk tugging one side of her lips up as she regarded Storm with a coy look of her own.

"One night with you Stormy and Hermione's got you pegged good!" Ginny laughed out loud at the look of sheer disbelief that had tugged its way across her closest friend's face. The younger woman shaking her head as she sat back in her chair.

"You forget there were at least three occasions I caught Storm here after curfew wearing next to nothing." Hermione added again with a quiet laugh as she recalled their time at Hogwarts briefly. She had never quite gotten anything more than a quiet apology and an easy acceptance of detention from the younger girl.

"Well seeing as you're the only one who ever caught me, one could argue you were simply looking to find me in such a state of undress!" Storm sniped back then, her dark eyes fixing her with a pointed stare. Her lips quirked up in what could only be described as an arrogant smile.

"Well, these pancakes look lovely" Harry added, successfully dragging the group away from the topic. His bright green eyes full of amusement as he took in his oldest friend looking a little bit astonished at the accusation. Though he couldn't deny that she seemed to be much happier than she had been the last time he saw her.

"I didn't know what type you like Hermione, so I made a variety. I know Ginny will eat absolutely anything and Harry isn't all that fussy either." Storm stated simply, pulling a few pancakes from each dish onto her own plate as she spoke. Though Hermione didn't miss the teasing glance that had been sent Ginny's way. The redhead's cheeks already puffed out as she stuffed a forkful past her lips.

"They all look lovely" Hermione spoke truthfully then as she too followed what everyone else seemed to be doing. She hadn't really taken Storm as the type to be able to cook much of anything, and had once again been surprised to see how wrong she had been about the shifter. "What made you choose pancakes?" She quizzed, not having expected such a sweet breakfast. Though she found as her stomach gurgled with the remnants of alcohol from the night before she was glad for it.

"It's Storm's hangover food" Harry spoke with a chuckle, nudging the redhead beside him as she nodded to agree before the shifter could even get a word in edgewise.

"What survivor boy said" Storm stated with a roll of her eyes, hooking her thumb over as if to point at the green-eyed man who seemed unphased by the nickname.

"So, did you enjoy your evening last night then Hermione? It's been a while since I've been down to the Cauldron." Harry asked then, fixing Hermione with a curious stare. When Ginny had told him about how well she and Storm had gotten on after she had arrived home the night before he was a little taken back. Never having expected the meeting to have gone so well.

"It was incredibly refreshing to get out and forget about work and Ron for a little while" The brunette spoke honestly, seeing no point in denying it or sugar-coating reality. She had been incredibly liberated by the freedom she had felt the night before. "I can't remember the last time I had so much fun" She stated, her lips pulling up into a wide smile.

"Good to hear it, you deserve to be happy Hermione. I'm glad you had the chance to relax a little." Harry stated honestly, pulling his mug of tea up to sip on it. "I suppose there's no point in asking if it will become a regular occurrence then?" He stated, his smile turning slightly mischievous as he did.

"I should hope so, If I'm welcome again that is" Hermione quipped in return, her own dark eyes flicking to each of the other women at the table in turn.

"Of course Hermione, you're more than welcome!" Ginny retorted as if it was the most obvious thing in the world before she turned to Storm and added "Well if you can put up with Griffin and her insufferable complaining" She laughed, reaching across the table to flick Storm in the forehead.

"I do not complain, and I think I'm rather good company. Besides, I'd very much like it if you came again Hermione" Storm added as her own dark eyes fixed the older woman with a pointed stare, an eyebrow quirking suggestively. Though Hermione questioned if she had read more into the look than what was really there as she seemed to be the only one to notice it. She tilted her head then, raising her own eyebrow as if daring the younger woman to elaborate. She was met with a more than cheeky grin as Storm tried to hide her expression behind her coffee cup.

The moment was broken entirely by the eruption of flame in the room adjoining the kitchen and a loudly shouted "Mom!". Storm jumped up almost immediately, mischievous smirk giving way to a wide-eyed look of surprise. Though she hadn't time to get much further before a lanky young boy with a mop of dark scruffy hair meandered into the kitchen almost lazily. One hand stuffed into his pocket and the other holding what looked to be a liquorice whip to his lips.

"Hi Aunty Ginny, Harry" the boy spoke with a wide smile as he took in the audience he had just stumbled into. Strangely familiar dark eyes stopped on Hermione herself and he seemed to pause for a moment, holding his hand up to halt any more conversation as he rummaged in his pocket. Finally, he pulled out what looked to be a few chocolate frog cards and examined them closely before pulling one from the pile.

Storm shot her a look of apology as if she knew exactly what was happening, a small smirk tugging at her lips as she flicked her eyes between the two of them. Noting how frozen Hermione had become at the interaction as if she had no idea what to expect. She figured she probably didn't, and felt a little bad for subjecting her to her boy so soon.

"You're Hermione Granger, right?" Joe spoke then, holding the card out to her to show her what was on it. Her name sat in a banner under the dark empty window, and she couldn't help but smile a little proudly as she examined what had been held out to her.

"I am, and you are?" She quizzed, though she knew exactly who he was. It was always polite to give someone an opportunity to introduce themselves.

"Joseph, but you can call me Joe. You're far prettier in person. Did you know you had a card?" He asked as he made his way towards Harry. Holding the cards out for him to take as if it was a gift. To his credit Harry took the card with a simple thank you, and slipped it into his own pocket. Smiling up at the boy who was now leaning on the chair he was sat in.

"Well that's a very kind thing to say, thank you. I did know I had a card but I had never seen one." Hermione spoke honestly, flicking her eyes from the boy in question to Storm who had grown red once again. She seemed to not really know what to do in this situation having been quite caught off guard by her son's presence.

"Little charmer aren't you. Your mother could use some lesson's" Ginny stated casually before chuckling to herself. Neither her nor Harry had seemed phased by the arrival of the miniature Storm and Hermione figured they were very well acquainted with the boy at this point.

"Where do you think he gets it from? It's definitely not Cho" Storm regained her composure then as she moved away from the table, taking her dish with her. She made her way over towards one of the cupboards and fished out another plate. Holding it out in silent question to her son who had already plonked himself down comfortably in her recently vacated seat. The boy already eyeing the food on the table with thinly veiled interest.

"Cho? As in Cho Chang?" Hermione questioned then with wide eyes, her gaze moving to each and every person in the room. She wasn't sure who she thought Storm shared a child with, but Cho Chang hadn't really ever crossed her mind. They seemed to be an unlikely pair and she found herself wondering how exactly that had happened.

Joey nodded quite happily as Storm lent over the chair to put the plate in front of him, a set of cutlery followed it and a glass of orange juice after that. She seemed to shrug in response to Hermione's question, and both Harry and Ginny joined in with Joey's nodding.

"Storm and Cho had a thing when you guys were out hunting Horcruxes. Cho has a thing for people with a hero complex and Storm owned up to something she hadn't done to spare one of the younger kids the cruciatus. Apparently, the nobility of it wooed her." Ginny explained to the brunette as if it answered all the questions she might have. Though she didn't want to press for more information, or seem rude by asking for details she kept quiet.

"Oh, well how lovely" She spoke, though she didn't really know what else to say. She wondered how many times Storm had been subject to the awful curse, either through her own doing or someone else's. From what she had heard about the Carrow's it had definitely been their punishment of choice, amongst other things.

"Not that I'm not happy to see you here bud, but what are you doing? And does your mother know where you are?" Storm interjected then, having pulled herself up another chair to sit at the end of the table. Her dark eyes watching as the boy ate happily amongst them all.

"Yes, she knows" He starts with a huff, turning to fix his mother with a look of certainty. "I forgot my lucky socks; I have to have them." He states as if it was the most obvious thing in the world before turning back to the table to announce why he needs them exactly. "I'm trying out for the Quidditch team this year!" He states, his tone full of excitement.

"Well, I'm sure Gryffindor will have a run for their money with you playing for Ravenclaw!" Harry replies then, a look of pride pulled across his features. "What position are you hoping to get?"

"Seeker! We've practised loads! Ginny and mom helped me!" He stated proudly, his eyes bright as he nodded towards the redhead who was just smirking. Her own dish empty in front of her and mug almost empty.

"Did they really? Did you beat them?" Harry asked again, his green eyes flicking up towards the redhead and Storm who was once again wearing a proud look.

"Of course he did! Best seeker this century I'm sure of it." Ginny stated as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, fixing the young boy with a pointed look. "Another thing his mother could use some lessons in" She added with a laugh.

"Oi! I'm the one who win's your games for you remember!" Storm stated with a smirk, "I'm the best in the game right now, you know it!" She spoke, though her voice wasn't arrogant.

"Quidditch weekly called you our best chance at winning the next world cup you know. One of my friends at school showed me." Joseph spoke as if it was the most casual thing in the world, moving to push his now empty dish away from him and lean back in his chair. "But they didn't believe me when I told them you're my mom" He spoke again though this time his lips turned down into a frown.

"Well, Ginny and I will be sure to come and see you at Hogsmede during one of your visits this year. They'll have to believe it then." Storm stated simply, leaning over to rest a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Once they see how great you are up on a broom, they'll see it then too" She smiled kindly, warmly. Her dark eyes running quite clearly over her son's features as they watched for a sign the sadness had ebbed.

She was met with a winning smile that only lasted for a moment before it turned sheepish "Does that mean we can go to Honeydukes too?"

"Obviously" Storm laughed, shaking her head as she did so. "Your socks are on the clean clothes pile on your bed pal, why don't you go and grab them mate?" The shifter spoke, ruffling her son's shaggy locks with long fingers briefly before nudging him on his way. He seemed to deliberate for a moment, rocking back in his chair to really look at his mother then, eyes squinting for just a second before nodding and jumping up to meander slowly from the room.

Storm sighed heavily as she watched him go before pulling her wand from her pocket to swish at the table a few times. Effectively starting the cleanup process and clearing the table quite quickly. Taking the opportunity to return to her half-drunk cup of cold coffee to take a generous swig.

As the coffee cup dropped down she turned to Ginny with a wry smirk and a raised brow. "Lucky socks huh, you'll never guess where I found them" Storm spoke then amusement evident in the glint of her dark eyes.

"I had five brothers Storm, and you. You don't need to tell me" Ginny laughed out loud then before adding through her amusement "I bet they were well starched"

"Hey! My socks never received that treatment thank you!" Storm grumbled, though her beet red cheeks told a completely different story.

"That sounds like it might be time for him to learn the ways of the washing machine" Harry added, wrinkling his nose in detest.

"Have you always had to split him between yourselves?" Hermione asked then, pulling Storm's attention in her direction. It was curious watching how the younger woman behaved as a mother. She would never imagine the girl she had known at Hogwarts to become this patient and downright domestic. It was refreshing how grounded she seemed to be, and though she hadn't expected the encounter with her son it was nice to see the shifter in an entirely different light.

"She didn't tell me until I left Hogwarts, he was already about five months old when I actually got to meet him. By that time she was very settled and had a lot of help from her family so didn't really need me. But gave me the option to be involved if I wanted." Storm started a little bit quietly.

Hermione noted the way the younger woman's lips were still turned up into a sad smile as she flicked her eyes up to Ginny. The redhead nodding her reassurance quietly.

"My parents died at Hogwarts, during the war. So, I had to sort their house out, I just couldn't live there. So I sold it and used the money to buy this place. As soon as it was ready we arranged a schedule that worked for us both. I'm quite lucky she's not a horrible git, otherwise I doubt I'd even have been told about him" The shifter explained, moving to lean forward in her chair and rest her elbows on the table top in front of her.

The older woman couldn't quite wrap her keen mind around what had just been said, what she'd just been told. Images of the woman sat in front of her now, much younger and much more injured flooded her mind. That night that so many lost so much and yet she had still risked her own neck to save her life so effortlessly. Hermione had never thanked her for doing so, for shielding her as she had been caught off guard. She wondered then if Storm had already known about her parent's fate during those moments, or if she had yet to find out.

"Storm" She started tentatively; her voice low as words she could possibly say flitted through her mind at pace. "I had no idea. I'm so sorry" She whispered as if the words were really just not enough. She knew they weren't yet had no idea of anything else she could possibly say.

"That's alright Hermione. A lot of people lost a lot that night and that year really. It was a really awful time but I've made my peace with it" She spoke just as quietly before leaning back once again. "Did you enjoy your breakfast? I'm sorry if it was a little uncomfortable. I didn't realise he'd be coming back for socks" Storm laughed then, rolling her eyes playfully as she did.

"It was brilliant, and truly I had never seen my own chocolate frog card. Very insightful indeed" Hermione laughed too, still not quite over the whole ordeal.

The rest of the morning and mid-afternoon passed much the same. Healthy conversation and a few more hot drinks had been shared between the four adults. Joseph having taking his leave with his trusty socks shortly after finding them. Having promised to write to his mother about when exactly his first Hogsmede weekend would be.

Ginny, Harry and Hermione all taking their leave together a few hours later. With Hermione and Harry having to get ready for work the next morning and Storm having almost dozed off in an armchair after the group had moved to continue their chat in the living room. Hermione quietly promising to see the shifter as soon as possible, Storm not so quietly telling her she was welcome any time and that her floo channel was always open to her whenever she fancied some company.

Ginny had laughed at that and just quipped about it being true before mentioning she'd probably have to make her own hot drink from there on out. With a final round of pleasant see you soon's, they all departed from the back porch. Leaving Storm leaning against the glass door to see them off.