Author's Note:

Hi all! I'm back with another fic. Hope you enjoy. I've already written the entire thing, so hopefully I'll be able update every day or two.

Please review! I'd love to hear what you think as it progresses. :)

Happy reading!


Chapter 1

"And be sure to conclude your negotiations with a deep bow." Hermione finished with her own demonstration. As she stood back up and adjusted her blazer she looked around the room. A few wizards scribbled a note on parchment, others twiddled their fingers, and one in the back chuckled and rolled his eyes. Hermione bit her lip, attempting to hold back what Ginny liked to call her "fiery condescension." She took a breath and continued.

"As I mentioned at the beginning of this training, some of you may have been raised to believe there is a hierarchy among beings..." She glared over at the wizard in the back with slicked back brown hair. "...but the fact is we are all equal and deserve to be treated with fairness and respect. That is why the FBC - Fair Beings Council - was created. One of the prime tenets that has come out of this council is that those wizards who cannot follow the new Wizarding laws and expectations" Hermione patted the book in front of her, "will no longer have a job here or be able to practice law on behalf of the Ministry of Magic."

She noticed a few re-adjust and sat a little higher in their seats as she continued.

"As we have concluded our section on Centaurs, the next four weeks will be on negotiations with and advocacy for Elvish rights." She heard a few mumbles, but ignored them as the meeting time was finished.

"Thank you." She gave a curt nod, grabbed her book and pile of parchment, and left.

Despite the mediocre reception she received from the magical legal team, it had gone better than her first two sessions with them. They seemed to be warming up.

"Ms. Granger." She heard a voice call from behind her. She turned as she continued down the marble hall noticing the man with slick brown hair catch up to her.

"Mr. Savoy." Hermione said with an acrid tone, and continued walking. "Did you need something?"

"Well, now that you mention it. I just wanted to tell you how beautiful you were in there...you know, despite the training topic." Hermione's body lurched a bit, trying to sublimate a fiery response.

"Okay" was all she managed to get out as she continued making her way across the Ministry to her department.

Ever since the war, and since...Ron... wizards across Europe have seen her as a conquest. A prize to be won. She even heard someone make reference to thawing the 'Ministry's Ice Queen' and knew they were talking about her.

"What I mean to say is...I'd like to take you out to dinner at Maison Blanche. What do you say?"

Hermione choked back a laugh, turning it into a cough.

"That is very kind of you, Mr. Savoy, but I am not interested." It always worked better when she didn't offer up excuses, these suitors always found a way to accommodate her. It was better for them and for her to rip off the band-aid.

"Oh, come now. I am a great date, and you can get whatever you want on the menu. It's on me."

"That's sweet." Hermione responded sarcastically. "But, no thanks."

Savoy grabbed for her arm and stopped her in the middle of the bustling hallway.

"You'll go out with me one of these days." He said in a sly self-assured manner. "I always get what I want." He said sternly. He was not the first guy she ran into that didn't take rejection well.

Hermione pulled her arm away and looked him dead in the eyes. "I highly doubt that."

With that, she briskly paced down the hall and into the lift. Savoy threw his arms up in the air as the doors closed. She could have sworn the words 'ice bitch' came out of his mouth as he disappeared from view. Hermione slumped and took a deep breath.

Ever since the war, since she went back for her 7th year at Hogwarts, she'd been lonelier than ever, not because she wasn't surrounded by adoring fans and new fast friends, but because they didn't really know her. And quite frankly, she didn't want them to. There were far too many Mr. Savoy's on the prowl and no one cared about the real work she was doing. It was like SPEW all over again, but this time everyone was required to become a member.

Hermione stood back against the cold elevator railing as people filled in. A few notes hovered above her head waiting to exit on another level. As she became an anonymous person in the lift, her mind wandered to what she had been avoiding all day.

It was a thought that both gave her chills of excitement and dread. She gripped her book and parchment a little tighter as the lift opened and she exited, walking towards the new FBC wing of the Ministry.

The hallway opened up into an expansive lobby that felt as large as the Great Hall at Hogwarts. One of the prime directives that her and her boss worked on together in the beginning is that any being from Giant to Goblin would find themselves to be comfortable at the Fair Beings Council Headquarters. She dropped all of her training materials onto her desk and plopped into the chair, her head landing face down on the desk as she closed her eyes.

"That bad?" She heard a voice issue over her. She felt his shadow and his gentle fatherly timbre envelop her in a warm hug.

"No." She said slowly looking up at the Centaur standing above her. "Just a long day."

Firenze nodded consolingly. After Kingsley Shacklebolt was elected Minister of Magic one of his first decrees was creating a new department specifically related to the fair and equal treatment of all beings no matter their origin. He named Firenze head of the department, which was a monumental shift and a clear signal to wizards and beings across England of the Ministry's intentions to do better. After Hermione finished her 7th year at Hogwarts, she was more than elated to have applied and received the position of junior officer under Firenze to help form the FBC. Firenze had warned her that it was an uphill battle to shift how people think about those they consider less-than, and he was right. He had experienced incredible hate and mistreatment (both direct and indirect) of individuals in and out of the Ministry, and Hermione experienced daily jokes about her job. They both had to remind each other every so often, that change takes time and by updating laws, providing accommodations for different personalities, cultures, sizes and abilities, would make a difference in the world, even if they didn't see it today.

Firenze gave his horse-like contemplative sigh. "Or does this have to do with tonight?" He said slowly.

Hermione cringed. Over the time they spent together, and her time she spent with the Centaurs during her grant work, they had come to really understand each other well. Firenze didn't often bring up her personal life, and she didn't often bring up his, but this time she gave him a sly and awkward smile.

"No?" She tried on for size. Firenze rolled his eyes and strolled towards his office.

"Sure." He called back. "By the way, Head Elf Engelrew has made arrangements to visit us next week to discuss adjustments to the Elvish agreements and Auror apprehension procedures."

Hermione perked up. "Great! I'll get everything prepared and reserved for her visit."

The last hour of the day went by quickly. While she was focused on her work, the anxiety creeped in until all she could do with herself was pack up and head back to her flat to change before she was off to the Leaky Cauldron.


"Cheers, Mate!" Harry sang as he handed Ron a pint of Butterbeer.

"Thanks." Ron accepted, modestly. He had missed everyone, but it felt strange to be back. For the past six months he felt as though he had been frozen in a constant state of fear and alert. He had to live a constant lie.

"How did debrief go? I bet that week of isolation felt like years." Harry wrapped an arm around him. Ron accepted this closeness. He had missed his best friend.

"Well, honestly, it was nice to get a bit of peace and quiet after…" Harry nodded, interrupting Ron's words. While Harry knew about the assignment he had been on, all the details weren't public.

"Ron!" Ron turned to see Ginny rolling up to him and enveloping him in a big hug. "For someone who fell off the face of the Earth for six months, you're looking better than I thought you would." She joked. Ron mumbled something in her shoulder before they pulled away.

"I'm glad you made it back in time." She said changing the subject. "I was not going to move the wedding...again."

Ron looked over at Harry who gave a subtle shake of the head. He would never get married without Ron there.

The place was getting busier and suddenly a rush of people stormed in. He recognized them immediately. It was virtually the entire Auror department. All of his friends from their two years of training and work at the Ministry, together celebrating him.

He heard hoots and hollers from across the room as various men and women came over and slapped him on the back.

"Weasley!" He heard a coarse, but feminine voice call from across the room and knew who it was immediately.

"Aliesha Avery." He smiled. Ginny and Harry disappeared into another conversation as his friends crowded him. "It is good to see you."

Avery gave her foxlike smile and launched into a hug. Besides Harry, Avery had been one of his closest friends. They had even dated for a while after training was over. It seemed to be a strange on and off again relationship with no beginning and no end.

"I'm glad you made it back to us." Her eyes rested on him longer than he was prepared for, but she changed the subject quickly. He always knew her to jump to fun before sentimentality.

The group joked and talked for a while, but Ron wasn't really in the mood for such a large celebration. He appreciated it, no doubt, but if he was honest with himself, there was only one reason he wanted to be at the party tonight. One reason he had pulled him out to be social, and she had just walked through the front door.

The Leaky was booming with jovial noises, but Ron hadn't heard any of it. His eyes froze on her as she pushed the door open. It had been over two years since they had last seen each other in person, and even at that time their friendship had been fairly surface level. Their close friendship, and love, had crashed and burned, and Ron could admit that both he and Hermione had responsibility in its downfall.

While all of the awkwardness and distance flitted through his mind, his body had other plans. He could feel his heart speed up and his face warm. Even after all these years, his body couldn't help but respond when he was in her presence.

Ron recognized every part of her that remained the same, her mousy, but confident frame, her bushy hair, her perfect brown eyes. He watched as she peered around, trying to see over and around the people near the entrance. She spotted someone she recognized and perked as she weaved her way through a laughing group of pub-goers.

As she walked, he also took note of everything different. She seemed to stand taller, her walk was less of a hunch and more of a glide, and her clothes seemed to transform from bookish school mum to professional woman in charge.


Hermione took a deep breath and opened the door of the Leaky Cauldron. As soon as it opened, the thick aroma of beer nearly shoved her backwards. The Leaky was abuzz and she could barely see over everyone.

Hermione had expected this excitement though. Not only was it a normal Thursday night with Quidditch on the radio, but it was Ron's welcome home celebration. Though she hadn't seen it first hand, she was aware of his popularity at the Ministry. While she was away on her two-year research grant, he was in the Auror office making a name for himself. She tried not to take it personally that she had to drag him through his classes and homework at Hogwarts, but once went into training he was the top of his class and aced all of his exams.

She quickly spotted Ginny's red hair across the room, and noticed Harry waving her over. A chill ran through her spine. Was he with them? How would he look? How would they be together?

As she made her way up she tried not to look put out as they welcomed her. Each gave one another a quick hug.

"Good to see you again, stranger." Harry joked.

"I know. I know." Hermione rolled her eyes. "Things have been busy." She said airily as she looked around the room.

"Too busy to try on your bridesmaid dress?" Ginny asked her pointedly.

Just as Ginny posed the question, a small path cleared and her eyes landed on to him. He stood amidst a group of Aurors and he gave them a chuckle.

Hermione's jaw dropped. He had transformed from a lanky teenager (of whom she adored), to a muscular and toned man right before her eyes. She could still point out that every single freckle was in the exact right spot, and that his red hair was as vibrant as it always was, but there was something new about him - something more serene she supposed. The way he stood seemed almost more confident and comfortable than it used to.

Before she could look away, his eyes scanned the room and locked with hers. They remained frozen for what felt like an eternity, but was more like an instant. Then it happened. His face slowly grew into a smile. Her body reacted without her control and she popped her hand up to give him a small wave. She could see him turning to head her direction and she couldn't move. She ignored Ginny's sarcasm in the background as she prepared to talk to him.

Just as he was breaking away, one Auror she recognized, Jeremy Lancaster, pulled him aside. She could see his face fall, probably mimicking hers, as he acquiesced and followed Jeremy out of site.

"Seriously, Hermione. Next weekend, The Burrow. No excuses." Ginny said, poking her shoulder.

Hermione turned her attention back to Ginny and Harry and nodded. "Fine!"

They were both looking at her with the same sympathetic smile that Firenze had given her earlier that afternoon.

"So how long has it been?" Harry asked gently, already knowing the answer.

Hermione shrugged. "How long for what?"

"Oh please." Ginny rolled her eyes. Harry Gave Ginny a pointed look and she quieted down.

"Two and a half years." Hermione started softly. "But we wrote to each other too...occasionally." She offered up.

They nodded, sympathetically again.

"Stop looking at me like that!" Hermione crossed her arms. "We've been busy, and you know it just didn't work out the first time. It's just nice to see my...friend again."

"Well, you know you are finally both in the same place, at the same time…" Ginny offered.

"We just didn't work well together. We didn't have the trust that you two have. It's over and it's fine."

"Okay." Ginny said without enthusiasm.

Before their conversation could continue a friend of Harry and Ginny, of whom Hermione did not know, appeared and they seemed to start another lively conversation.

"I need a drink." Hermione sighed to herself as she made her way to the bar.


There was no one in the world who could pull his attention so quickly as she could. Even when they were at Hogwarts, though at that time it was masked more in bickering.

She gave him her small and polite wave and he knew that if he waited one more instant he would lose his nerve. He pulled himself out of a buddy's arm that was wrapped around him and started to make his way toward her. He felt the magnetic pull of her, even after all this time.

"Ron, it's good to see you."

Ron felt his body tense as a hand landed on his shoulder. He tried to ignore it, but it was firm and he recognized it to be one of his good friends, Jeremy Lancaster. Jeremy had saved his life on more than one raid and he had done the same.

"Good to see you Lancaster." Ron said turning and giving Jeremy's arm a squeeze.

"I know you just got back, but I've been waiting to get your help on something." Jeremy asked. "You know, you said if I ever needed you."

Ron looked back at Hermione. He could see her face sober up as she started angling back towards Harry and Ginny. He followed Jeremy to a quieter spot.

"Alright." Ron answered. "What can I do for you?"

"Listen, I meant to ask you before you left, but I didn't have the courage. And since then, you know, things have changed and I knew if I didn't get your help, I'd miss out on something really great."

Ron leaned in. He knew whatever Jeremy needed, he would be there for him. And it sounded really important.

"It's Hermione Granger." Jeremy said slowly.

Ron felt his insides flip over. That was not what he was expecting. He tried to keep his eyebrows from raising up over his forehead and barely managed a croak of acknowledgement as Jeremy continued.

"I know you both had a fling back in the day, but it has been so long, I figure you'd be alright with it."

"Alright with what?" Ron's face was a deep shade of red.

"Me asking Hermione out." Jeremy pushed forward.

Ron's white knuckles clenched his butterbeer. "Why are you asking me? Don't you think that is a question for her?"

Jeremy shifted and nodded. "Well, we've had some great conversations together and get along great, but…"

"But, what?" Ron tried to keep his voice from shaking.

"She said she doesn't date Aurors."

Ron's eyes lifted even higher than before. "She said that?" He asked looking over in her direction.

"Yeah." Jeremy said. "I figured that was because of whatever happened between the two of you. And honestly, she's amazing. She's smart, kind, gorgeous. I just want to do anything I can to make it happen."

Ron couldn't breathe. He recognized that they hadn't worked, but he didn't realize that they were so broken that she refused to date anyone even remotely like him. Even if they had broken up, deep down he had hoped tonight would be about reconnecting.

"Ron?" Jeremy questioned.

Ron shook himself out of his thoughts. "I still don't get what you need from me?"

"I was hoping you'd put in a good word? You know, tell her you support it?"

Over the last six months Ron had faced death head-on almost every day, so he had learned how to keep his cool under pressure.

"Listen Jeremy, she is in charge of who she dates. I'm not her keeper. She will date you if she wants to."

Jeremy nodded. "Thanks man. I'll let her know I have your blessing. We're sure glad to have you back."

Jeremy gave him a quick hug and darted off. Ron stood still, unsure of what to do next. His entire body deflated. What had he just done? All he knew was that he wanted her to be happy, but he had hoped it might have been with him. Maybe they could fix what they broke a few years ago. He sighed, recognizing that maybe Jeremy was the right one. Maybe he had caused her to give up on Aurors entirely. Maybe he was what made her miserable. Then a thought hit him, should he even bother talking to her? His heart ached.

"Weasley, get over here!" Called Avery from across the room. He looked over towards Hermione and couldn't find her, so he made his way back over to the Auror group.

"Shots, just like old times." Avery called, dragging him to the bar with a few friends. Ron looked at the bartender and returned a nod. The group hollered in glee.

After the fifth straight shot, all of his buddies were sloshed. Everyone was rolling over one another, everyone except him of course. During his assignment, he had learned how to be a part of the fun without actually losing himself in it.

He hadn't noticed with everyone buzzing around, but not far down the bar, there she was. Before he had a chance to get up and move that direction he realized who she was talking too. Lancaster. How had he moved that fast on her? From the angle he was at, he could see her smile, that she was having a nice time. His heart dropped.

"Why the long face Weasley?" Avery asked, handing him another shot and ruffling his hair.

"Nothing." He smiled turning back over to her deciding to drown his thoughts out with celebration. He had achieved a great feat on a long assignment, he deserved to celebrate.

For the remainder of the evening he spent all of his joy and energy celebrating and singing as his friends became even more rowdy. By ten o'clock he was helping flu them all to their homes and heading back to his own quiet flat trying desperately not to think about the brown-haired woman that so often visited him in his dreams.