The year progressed much in the same way it usually went – when a power-hungry psychopath with a penchant for mass murder wasn't in the cards, at least. There were the occasional surprises, such as the time when a couple of daring sixth years enchanted several portraits to whistle suggestively whenever Argus Filch passed by their frames. Besides the occasional detentions, Hermione was very pleased with how the term was going.

She and Narcissa had not spoken again after her intrusion. Though the blonde had since returned to the Staff Table looking well-rested and overall healthier, they had not exchanged more than the passing observation on the weather or on their students. William White, who had been cause for many of their past conversations, seemed to be doing rather well in general. He had yet to befriend any purebloods in his House, but thus far things seemed quiet, so there was reason for Hermione to inquire about him.

Hermione didn't like their stilted conversations at present. She felt absolutely awful for invading Narcissa's privacy the way she had, but the witch had waved off any further attempt at apologizing from the brunette. It left Hermione with an odd taste in her mouth and a strange feeling in the pit of the stomach. She wanted to get to know Narcissa. Hermione Granger did not like not understanding things, and Narcissa Black was one of the biggest enigmas she had encountered after she graduated Hogwarts.

It was around mid-December that Victor Krum approached her, completely derailing the thoughts she had over the Potions Professor.

"Professor Granger" he said, in his usual, fake pretentious tone. Hermione grinned. Ever since they had reunited as coworkers at Hogwarts, he had made a big show of always calling her 'Professor Granger' whenever they spoke. The joke was that it was much easier to pronounce than her first name, even though his English had much improved over the years.

"Professor Krum" she responded in kind "how may I be of assistance?"

"I had an idea that I would like to run by you. Have you got a minute?"

"Of course."

They moved to the teacher's lounge on the second floor, a place Hermione had been astounded to find once she was just hired. She, like Harry and Ron, had thought they knew every inch of the castle – they had found the Chamber of Secrets, for Merlin's sake! Then again, he supposed Hogwarts would never cease surprising her.

Krum led her to the comfiest chairs in the room, by the fireplace. The lounge was empty, except for themselves and Professor Everett, the Muggle Studies Professor, who was tinkering with what looked to be an alarm clock.

"The idea" he said as they sat, steaming mugs of tea popping onto the table before they could even think about it "is to provide students with more opportunities to engage in practical activities. A bit like extracurriculars."

"Hm. What do you have in mind?"

"I want to reopen the Dueling Club." He said.

Hermione sat back, intrigued.

"Oh?"

"And I would love to have you help me run it." He added.

Hermione immediately tensed up.

After the war, Gryffindor's Golden girl had an excellent job at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, a job that required a certain dexterity with her wand. She had always been a competent duelist, but the nature of her job made her pursue more practice in order to fine tune her skills. With the trauma of war still deeply affecting her, dueling provided a useful, physically strenuous activity that helped clear her mind in a way – the controlled environment at the Ministry's Dueling Practice Range helped her separate the sportive aspect of dueling from its battle component. She could be calculating, she could strategize, and, most importantly, she could get things out of her system. For a good while, it kept her from going completely off the bend when her mental health deteriorated.

After Kingsley Shacklebolt saw her obliterate the one and only Harry Potter a few too many times in practice, her took her aside and asked if she had ever thought about trying out for local dueling tournaments.

She hadn't, but the seed had been planted. After two months of practice, Hermione took first place the Greater London Duelling Tournament, and then again at the All-England Duelling Competition. Through the years, she had even gone to a few international competitions; she got second place in her first tournament with the Fédération Internationale des Duels in Lyon, just narrowly losing to an extraordinary veteran American duelist – the man had once lost to none other than Albus Dumbledore himself.

And so it was that Hermione retained a small collection of trophies and honors from her short-lived dueling career. When she resigned from her position at the DMLE, she decided to stop dueling as well – she wanted a more quiet, calmer life for herself, and she had found it in her post at her beloved school.

"I don't know, Viktor" she said truthfully. "It's just… it's just not who I am anymore, you know? I'm done with all this intensity."

"And I understand that, Hermione. But think about it – it would be madness to create a Dueling Club without at least the input of a war hero, the Brightest Witch of her Age, and an international dueling champion. Your guidance, at least, would be something wonderful for our students." He argued.

"Well…" she started, her tone just as uncertain as it had been.

Viktor stopped her.

"Please, just tell me you'll think about it?"


"Goodness gracious, Draco, what are you feeding this lovely boy? He's growing like a weed!" Narcissa exclaimed as she bounced her grandson on her knee. Scorpius giggled happily as he grasped at his grandmother's flowy locks.

"We've had our first encounter with accidental magic" Draco commented with a smile. Narcissa looked horrified.

"And you did not see it fit to write me about it?" She demanded.

"It only happened yesterday! I thought I'd tell you in person!" Her son defended. "He exploded all the taps in the townhouse; Astoria thought we'd never get the landing dry again."

She smirked knowingly, looking down at Scorpius and his bright blue eyes.

"But of course you're already up and at it, aren't you, sweetheart? You'll be a powerful wizard one day." She cooed. As the little blonde boy busied himself with some paper cranes his father had enchanted, Narcissa turned back to her own son. She could tell Scorpius would look just like his father; those Malfoy genes were strong indeed. Though he had a little bit of Astoria's nose.

"And how is Astoria?"

Draco sipped on his butterbeer. "She's off in Albania pursuing a story. Something about an illegal werewolf fighting ring."

Narcissa shuddered. Her daughter-in-law was a determined reporter for the Phoenix Gazette. Narcissa appreciated the woman's tenacity, though she sorely wished her work did not have her travelling so often, especially in the pursuit of dangerous stories. Draco's job was also no picnic. She worried for her grandson.

"And no word on that promotion to Editorial?" she prodded. Draco chuckled.

"I think even if it did come up, 'Ria would have a hard time accepting it. She likes it in the field." He explained.

Narcissa huffed. She didn't blame the woman, but her grandmotherly instincts had to go somewhere.

"I so wish you two were at home more often. I worry about you and your jobs, why could you two not have something a little more… serene?"

Draco laughed. "I think we still want to get the action while we can. Don't worry, mother, I'll be up for promotion soon. And then, I promise, I'll take a cushy desk job. How does that sound?"

She huffed. "Much better, in fact."

"And besides," Draco continued "Molly Weasley and the Potters are always happy to have him when we're both out of town. It works out perfectly."

When Draco began his work at the Ministry, he inevitably happened to work more and more often directly with the Golden Trio. He remembered the first day he walked into the office. Ronald Weasley came up to him, an odd look in his face.

"Weasl…" he couldn't even finish. Ronald had immediately punched him square in the face, knocking him to the floor. Before Draco could even think of getting up, the ginger was already pulling him to his feet.

"That's for being an absolute ferret all those years, Malfoy. Welcome to the DMLE." He said, clapping Draco on the back.

Draco had not appreciated the broken nose, but it did help erase any residual tension that the War brought with him. After a year, he was actually on good terms with the Trio, especially – and perhaps most surprisingly, Hermione Granger. They had worked together on several cases.

Soon Draco found that friendship with the Golden Trio came with an entire red-headed family. He felt supremely awkward when Ronald casually extended an invitation for dinner at The Burrow, and even more so when Astoria convinced him to go. But nothing could have prepared him for the onslaught of kindness and understanding coming from the Weasley's. It had been too much; he had to excuse himself, close to tears. Potter was the one to bring him back; his second chance had finally begun.

After their respective marriages and the birth of their first children, Draco and Harry became even closer. Ginny Potter and Molly Weasley regularly took Scorpius in whenever his own parents were taken out of town for their jobs, though Draco and Astoria did their best to minimize those instances.

Narcissa's sad look took Draco out of his musings. He cocked an eyebrow.

"What is it, Mother?" he said, worried as he noticed his mother was on the brink of tears.

"Oh, Draco. I hope you do not think me a wretched grandmother." She choked out.

Draco immediately panicked; his mother did not usually show this much emotion.

"Why would I ever think that? You're a wonderful grandmother, you spoil him rotten!" he exclaimed, genuinely puzzled. Narcissa sniffed, getting her tears under control before the child in her lap noticed them.

"It should be me caring for him when you're away. Merlin knows I do not do it as I should. What must Molly Weasley think of me, leaving my own grandson to her care when his father is away?" she sniffed.

Draco understood. He reached over their table to grasp his mother's hand in his own.

"Oh, mother. Don't trouble yourself. We understand. Molly understands." He scooted closer. "You are busy yourself. You're working on your Potions Mastery, you got a job – two jobs! And you are doing so much you could never do when you were my age. This is the first time you have ever been able to just live your life; nothing could make me happier than that." He said truthfully. The change that had come about in his mother as she dedicated herself to her life was tremendous; it was the first time he had seen her happy for as long as he could remember. "And trust me, you spoil Scorpius enough already!" he said, hoping to brighten the mood.

Narcissa laughed.

"You haven't seen anything yet, darling. As soon as this little munchkin can get on a broom, he's getting all the best ones!" she proclaimed, letting the subject drop. She did feel like an inadequate grandmother at times, but Draco had been her biggest supporter as she followed dreams she couldn't have followed in her younger years. He understood she was making up for lost time.

"Just what we need, another Quidditch fanatic in the family." Draco rolled his eyes.

"What, with you and Astoria both having a history of playing, did you truly think this boy has any other choice?" Narcissa joked. "He'll make a fine Chaser. Perhaps a Seeker, too. I'll accept anything other than a Beater."

"No doubt he will. He's a Malfoy! And I can bet Potter's kid will play as well. They will create the biggest Malfoy-Potter rivalry – in the pitch, that is." He joked back. Scorpius giggled at the proclamation.

Mother and son took some more time chatting. Since she took her post at Hogwarts, Narcissa had not had the opportunity to speak with her son other than their almost daily correspondence. He had a rare long weekend off, so he had taken Scorpius to Hogsmeade to see his grandmother. They talked for hours at The Three Broomsticks; Narcissa told him about William White, the Muggleborn in Slytherin, as well as her classes and research. She did not mention her continuous batches of Wideye Potion.

"I'm glad this William kid seems to be doing well. No trouble thus far, then?" Draco said as Mme. Rosmerta brought them tea.

"None as of yet. There are whisperings, of course. Some Pureblooded students are… surprised, still. But it seems Mr. White's academic skill, and the points he's won for Slytherin, have put him in the good graces of many of his Housemates."

"That is good to hear. What about your side-project with Longbottom? I hear Black Manor is almost ready?" Draco inquired. Narcissa had tirelessly worked with Neville Longbottom and St. Mungos Wizarding Hospital to transform her childhood estate into a Wizarding Mental-Wellness Ward. As far as he knew, his mother expected it to be done by Christmas. Apparently, she had had a lot of fun getting rid of all of her family's portraits.

"We are working on the finishing touches. At present, we have a bit of a problem reworking the wards for the place." She said. "There are several problems; one is the very old magic guarding the grounds. Another, many patients suffer from psychological ailments that at times provoke accidental bouts of magic. We want to create a safe environment, but warding the property has proven to be exceedingly complicated." she confessed.

"I don't doubt it" Draco said, frowning. "Your ancestors were famous for their ancient Blood Wards. Have you spoken to Granger about it?" he asked casually.

Narcissa gave him a weird look.

"Why would I ask Hermi… Ms. Granger about it?"

Draco thought it strange his mother almost used the brunette's first name, seemingly without noticing it, but chose not to comment. "Well, I thought you knew. She was a Ward Specialist with the DMLE; she single-handedly stripped the Mulciber Estate of its wards when we tracked a Death Eater cell there." He commented. "She's been excellent at warding charms since she was seventeen."

Narcissa didn't need to know why. It seemed Hermione Granger had become proficient at several things due to the War. She shuddered thinking about how the girl had ended up on the floor of Malfoy Manor; she was certain that, were it not for the taboo, the Golden Trio would have never been captured.

"In any case, I think you should talk to her. Perhaps she'd be willing to lend a hand." Draco continued, unaware of his mother's pondering.

"Yes" she murmured pensively. "Perhaps."


Hermione had thought over Krum's offer for long after he left the Teacher's Lounge. She had finally returned to her private rooms, where she had a fitful night's sleep over the proposition. Part of her missed the dueling, the activity, the strategizing.

She was interrupted out of her musings later that morning, as she sipped tea in her private sitting room. A most unexpected appearance made her almost choke on the beverage.

"Harry James Potter and Ronald Bilius Weasley, what in Merlin's name are you two doing in my private quarters? How did you even get in?" she all but screeched.

"Godric's arse, Mione. Hello to you too" Ron grumbled as she flew in for a hug.

"McGonagall let us in. We have some exciting news!" Harry chirped, a dreamy expression on his face. She narrowed her eyes into slits, she had seen that very same expression before. Once she realized when, she gasped.

"Ginny's pregnant again!?" She yelped.

"Wait, what, how did you know?!" Harry choked out as Ron burst into laughter.

"I told you, mate. It's written all over your face." He jabbed. Hermione threw herself into Harry's arms, impossibly happy for her friend.

"What about you, Ron? What brings you all the way from Ireland to my humble abode?" She asked.

Harry rolled his eyes. "How come you can tell with me, but not him?"

"Oi, mate! It's my news to tell!"

Hermione frowned. "What do you… RONALD WEASLEY! Lavender is expecting too!? Is this true?" She couldn't keep throwing herself to hug one of them at a time, so she simply grabbed Ron strongly by his lapels, pulling him into an awkward, but no less happy group hug.

"Sit, sit, sit!" she commanded once she let them go of her bear hug, summoning the teapot and cups. "When did you find out?" she asked.

"Bloody funny story, really" Ron began. "Harry and I ran into each other at the Apothecary." He said laughing.

"We both immediately knew what was going on once we literally bumped into each other in the 'Witches' Worries' aisle" Harry explained, a flush tinging his cheeks a bright red. "There was not much we could say when we were both walking out with the 'The Conceivably Expecting Witches' Checkup Potion', was there?"

Hermione laughed. "Have you told Molly yet?"

"Oh, yeah." Ron said. "She wasn't too happy about mine and Lavender's out of wedlock situation, but Merlin, the woman's so excited for more grandkids she forgot it right quick" he chuckled.

Hermione smiled, genuinely happy for Ron. He had wanted a family for so long, she could practically feel the joy radiating from the father-to-be. Molly would also be understandably ecstatic – Angelina was about to give birth now, and then soon after would come Ron's and Harry's newest additions. New life made her hopeful for the future, and seeing her friends' jubilant faces warmed her heart in incredible ways.

"There's more, 'Mione." Ron said, after they had taken some tea. "Lavender and I… We talked about it, and we want you to be the godmother of our child." He finished, his eyes brimming with tears.

"Oh, Ron! I'd be honored. Of course, of course!" she said, leaning in to envelop her friend in yet another hug. "This calls for more than tea." She said, summoning a bottle of butterbeer from her pantry."

"Mione, it's not even eleven in the morning!" Harry joked.

"Shut it, Potter. My two best friends are becoming dads – you for the second time. This calls for a toast!" She said, already pouring.

"Hear, hear!" Ron yelped happily.

The three friends toasted and reminisced for a good few hours. Hermione missed having the time to just be with her two boys. They talked about everything and nothing, just like they used to – whenever a murderous lunatic wasn't on their tail, obviously. Ron was happy, though the unexpected news came with a bittersweet note: his promotion to Ireland had been indefinitely postponed. The Ministry had decided not to put a family man in charge. Though Ron understood the decision, it still hurt, and Hermione felt for her friend. He had been working incredibly hard.

"I'm so sorry, Ron." She said. He waved her off.

"Ah. Nothing to be done about it" he said, his tone resigned. "I'm probably going to be reassigned to Wales; Lavender's quite happy about it since she's got family there." He reasoned.

"I know, but you worked so hard to establish the Ireland division…"

"Don't worry yourself, 'Mione. Dean is bloody competent, he'll do a smashing job" he said. "And in a few years, who knows, I might find myself back there."

Hermione smiled, happy with how Ron had grown over the years. The old Ron Weasley would not be taking the news too well; he would have most likely thrown a right fit over it.

"Godric, can we stop talking about me? How's it going in these parts, 'Mione?" he said, eager to change the subject.

"Yeah, what of that Muggleborn student? Still scaring him?" Harry teased.

Hermione brightened red. She had written the two about William White, from the time of the boy's historic Sorting, up to her talk with Narcissa at Neville's greenhouse. The boys had ribbed her for her traditional overbearing qualities, they were, in their words, "quintessential Hermione." She took it in stride.

"He's doing much better now, thank you. Narcissa has been quite helpful." She said.

"Excellent, excellent!" Harry said. "I'm glad things seem to be working out. What else is new?"

"Well…" Hermione hesitated. "Viktor approached me yesterday. He wants to reopen the Duelling Club." She finished, looking at her friends expectantly.

"And?" Ron baited.

"And he wants my help running it." She finally said.

Harry and Ron exchanged a glance between them.

"I think you should do it." Harry said confidently. "You are an excellent duelist, you'd be able to show these kids a trick or two."

"I agree" Ron piped in. "I know you like how quiet everything is now, but don't you miss a bit of the action?" he teased. Hermione smiled.

"I do… I'm just… I don't know. Dueling was a way to cope. I don't really need it anymore."

Harry nodded. "That's all well and good, Hermione, but not everything needs to be a coping mechanism. You're allowed to do some things for fun." He resoned.

"Yeah" Ron agreed. "I bet it would be fun to school some of these kids, huh? It's just for sport, after all."

Hermione smiled at her friends' encouragement.

"Alright, fine. But I might call on some of my Auror friends for a couple of demonstrations." She winked.

"Hell, 'Mione, as long as you don't kick my arse again, it's all peachy!" Harry quipped.