It had been just over three years since the war had ended. The war had changed everything. Deborah Walker hadn't realised it at the time, but most of her life at Hogwarts had involved the little events that happen in the lead up to a war.
In her 4th year, she had witnessed the return of Cedric Diggory's body from the graveyard, his eyes unblinking and face pale, as the cheers of the crowd became screaming and sobs. Her house - Hufflepuff - had gone into a state of full mourning after his death. The next year, the Golden Trio had created Dumbledore's Army, and Deborah's heart knew she had join. She would carry on her mother's legacy and fight against Voldemort, and anyone else who pushed forward his regime. Sneaking around in her 5th year had been completely worth it, the frequent trips the the Room of Requirement had made her a better witch than she had ever thought possible, and she would have been lost the next two years without it.
After the sighting of Voldemort at the Ministry of Magic, Hogwarts life became very intense. Every class felt like a preparation for war, not for a career or the future. Deborah made sure that every charm, curse and defensive spell was burned into her memory, for when the time came. And then it did. Dumbledore was dead. Voldemort had Hogwarts. That year was a nightmare. All threatened into submission, and listening to Potterwatch as quietly as they could so they didn't get caught. Then came the Battle. She knew she had to fight alongside her friends, and possibly face the ultimate sacrifice, as her mother had done all those years ago. Curses flying, screaming, walls crumbling, bodies of people she knew, it was too much for her to fully remember. But she made it through; surviving had made her promise she would never take a moment of her life for granted again.
With Voldemort gone and the Wizarding World in repair, Hogwarts was up and running again. Professor Mcgonagall and Minister Shacklebolt had offered that previous 7th year students, whose last year had been ruined by the war, could return and finish their schooling while working for the Ministry, as a way to get their NEWTs while moving forward into working life. This meant that students would go into Hogwarts for two days, and the Ministry for the other three; Deborah leapt at the opportunity. She had chosen to go into the Department of International Magical Cooperation, as had Hermione Granger.
Over her years at Hogwarts, especially during her time in Dumbledore's Army, Deborah had become friendly with the Trio, even getting on a first name basis, but she had always had a schoolgirl dream of being in the Gryffindor in-crew. Now, being with Hermione every day, their friendship blossomed shortly after the first week. It began with sitting together in classes, then eating lunch together, then days out on the weekend, eventually drinks with the other girls, to becoming a full member of the gang. After two years of friendship, Hermione and Deborah shared a small flat together, and invited Ginny and Luna round for girls nights or sleepovers every week. In the past year, Deborah had become good friends with Ron - Hermione's boyfriend - as he was often round at their flat. She and Harry - Ginny's husband - found they got on like a house on fire. Harry and Ginny would say that the only thing they regretted about their wedding, was Deborah not being a part of it, as she was only an old school friend at the time of their 'straight outta school' elopement.
Deborah loved her life. She loved her job. She loved her friends. She loved her Dad. She loved magic. But now came the tricky bit, finding love. During the war, half of Hogwarts professed their love for each other, so by the time the war was over, most of her friends were committedly coupled up, or straight up getting married. In school, she had had crushes, and flings, and boyfriends, and girlfriends but nothing that made her feel 'in love', the way she thought love should be. Straight after the war, she had moved back into her muggle father's house, and decided to give dating some muggles a try, even going on some dating websites. But it was no use. She realised she could never have a relationship with a person, who couldn't understand the magical world and the PTSD that being involved in the war had on her. She would have to look in the magical world for her perfect match.
Her friends loved a challenge. They loved to set her up. Luna had only met Rolf because Hermione had set him up on a date with Deborah, only for Deborah to realise that he was perfect for Luna five minutes into casual conversation. They seemed to live through her dating life, girls nights had become Hermione, Ginny and Luna listening to her stories of bad dates, good dates and everything in between, often requesting explicit details. She began to suspect they would set her up on bad dates just to hear her tell them the story when they next met over drinks. They honestly couldn't have thought that Seamus Finnegan was a good match for her! After too many failed attempts, she decided no more set ups, she would focus on her friendships and her work, and love would have to come to her. This was six months ago. In the muggle world, it was completely normal for a woman in the early twenties to be single, circumstances were just different in the magical world. Then everything changed.
It was a Sunday, Deborah was laying on the sofa reading her book, when the flash of green light appeared from the fireplace, and Hermione stepped into her view. She glanced up at Hermione, she was dressed in Ron's old t-shirt and joggers, this was completely normal for a Sunday after Ron and Hermione's date night. They took turns staying between their flat or Ron's place. As soon as the girls made eye contact Hermione broke into a huge smile, her eyes tearing up.
"What is it? What's bloody happened?" Deborah jumped up with such energy that her book flew up in the air and landed with a thud. Hermione couldn't seem to speak, Ron was a true romantic at heart, and would take them on some incredible date nights, but Deborah had never before seen her this speechless.
Hermione just lifted her left hand into Deborah's view, and a perfect diamond was on her ring finger.
"Ron asked me to marry him! And I have said yes!" Hermione finally cried out. The girls hugged, jumped and danced around for a while, in blissful happiness. Before they slumped down on the sofa, out of breath, Hermione spoke again, "We are going to have a couple of celebratory drinks tonight, just close friends and family, are you coming?"
"I wouldn't miss it for the world." Deborah beamed. Not knowing that her best friend's engagement would help her find what she had been looking for.
