She landed in a large field roughly 300 yards from the Burrow. She could just make out the precariously built house in the distance. Hermione gave an involuntary shudder when she remembered that her last stay had ended in her life being irrevocably altered. It would do no good to dwell on the past, however, and she quickly put those thoughts to the back of her mind where they belonged, and hurried forward.
She wasn't entirely sure what she walking into. Perhaps she should have made it clear she had no desire for the large reunion that would surely occur if all the Weasleys were made aware of her impromptu trip.
Before she could muse further, she was standing in front of the front knocking. She hardly had rapped twice when the door was ripped open, revealing none other than her first friend: Harry Potter. Neither she nor he had anytime to speak before Hermione found herself on the receiving end of a crushing hug. She allowed herself to melt into the hug in a way she was loath to do with others.
She could feel him shaking slightly as they embraced. She tighten her grip. Harry eventually loosened his, allowing his arms, which had previously been wrapped around Hermione's shoulders, rest softly at the base of her neck as he withdrew. His eyes were misty.
Hermione was rather startled to realize that her own were as well.
"It's so good to see you 'Mione. I've missed you."
She nodded in lieu of speaking. She found her tongue as heavy as it was unresponsive. Instead, she pulled him into another quick hug.
"How was the portkey? Not too bad?"
"No, although the Ministry was a nightmare."
He gave her a sympathetic smile. "I can imagine. People can be ruthless."
"What are you doing here anyway? I thought you'd still be at work."
"And miss you?" He scoffed, "I wouldn't miss this for the world."
Hermione remembered Kingsley had mentioned that Harry had asked for the day. She had, wrongfully, assumed his request would be denied. She supposed there were certain perks to be being the savior of the wizarding world.
"Is that Hermione?" A loud voice called out from the kitchen. In a second Hermione found herself on the receiving end of another overbearing hug, this time courtesy of none other than Molly Weasley.
"Oh it's so good to see you dear." Her cheerful face turned serious before she smacked Hermione in the arm. "Don't you dare go another year without talking."
Hermione had the decency to look ashamed.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Weasley, I hadn't realized it had been that long."
"Don't be ridiculous, it's Molly."
"Sorry Molly."
"You can make it up to me by eating. Really you've gotten so skinny it's a wonder you haven't withered away yet. Come, come!" She started moving back to the kitchen.
Hermione, knowing better than to try and argue with the Weasley matriarch, made the wise decision to follow.
"Where is everyone?"
"Ginny had to go watch tryouts. She should be back soon. Ron was called in for one of the cases he's working on, it was some sort of emergency." At Hermione's alarmed look, Harry rushed to reassure her. "It's fine! Just backup I think. Nothing too serious or my team would have been called in as well."
"Oh, well, that's good. What about the rest?"
"We figured it might be easier if tonight was just us. We can call the others if you want?"
"No no, this is perfect."
"I was hoping…" He gave Hermione a sheepish look. "I was hoping you would want to meet the boys?"
Hermione's face broke out into a wide smile. "I'd love to! Where are they?"
"Down for a nap. James should be up soon- I reckon he's got more energy in one pinky than even you have during revision time."
She shot him a glare without any malice. "I didn't have an abnormal amount of energy I just-"
"Scheduled well. Yeah yeah."
They sat at the kitchen table. Two overflowing plates were placed in front of them.
"Molly, I just ate. You fed me."
"Harry I know they don't give you enough time for proper meals when you're working. We have to prepare you!"
Hermione grinned into her food as she ate. Harry kicked her in the shin under the table. Harry and Molly spent the next several minutes talking about the missing Weasleys. Hermione half listened as she ate. It really was good food. She was eventually drawn back into the conversation at Molly's words.
"-and his first date with that Marchbanks girl was a complete and utter disaster! I told him he should have cut his hair. Would it kill the boy to trim it or at least take out that damned earring!"
"Bill likes it. Besides, I don't think the Marchbanks woman would have been a good fit. The guys on Laughlan's team told me she's been working down the veteran list."
"Sorry, did you say Bill was on a date?" Hermione interjected, perplexed.
The pair turned to her. Molly was first to answer.
"Of course, what do you expect him to do after that woman," she said with a hint of disdain, "left him? Just wither away?"
Hermione was properly confused now. Cautiously she asked, "Fleur," Molly's scowl deepened. "and Bill split?"
"Blimey Hermione I forgot how long you've been gone. Yeah, they mutually," Harry gave a stern look to Molly, "decided they were better as friends. I think it was about two years ago now."
"Oh." She couldn't really find any other words. She had never considered Fleur and Bill breaking up. They had seemed so very much in love every time Hermione had seen the couple. It was one the things that she disliked about Fleur. If she were being honest, she had been envious of the effortless affection they showed one another, it was as though not holding hands underneath the dinner table when they thought no one was looking would bring them unbearable pain. Hermione had found it hard to hold hands with Ron even when they were in Australia, thousands of miles away from everyone they knew. It hadn't necessarily been uncomfortable, but pleasant was never a word Hermione would use to describe it.
She was spared from anymore talk of Bill and Fleur by the sound of soft pattering footsteps. A miniature clone of Harry's burst into the room a moment later.
"Daddy! Can I have a snack please?"
Harry chuckled. "In a minute James. We have a very special guest."
James turned to Hermione, surprised. His face quickly morphed into a gleeful expression when he recognized her.
"Aunt Mio!" He yelped as he ran up to her and wrapped his small arms around her middle.
Hermione froze before cautiously returning the gesture. She hadn't expected any recognition at all; the idea that James even knew who she was, never mind that he thought highly enough of her to hug her without question, warmed her heart.
"Hi James! It's so nice to meet you."
"Where have you been? Uncle Ron says you were fighting dragons, but mommy said you were fighting dust mites. What are dust mites?"
Harry and Molly laughed as Hermione unsuccessfully tried to smother her own.
"I was studying a lot of things. But I'm way more interested in what you," She poked his stomach playfully, "have been doing."
He gave her a serious look. "I don't work Aunt Mio. I'm only 3 and a half."
The front door slammed open before Hermione could respond. She jumped and felt her heart beat quicken. Her hands felt clammy as she automatically reached for her wand. Ron appeared in the doorway, a huge grin covering his face causing his eyes to squint. Hermione let her hand drop back to her lap. She didn't see Harry's watchful gaze on her.
"Hermione!" Ron bellowed. She found herself once again smothered by a pair of arms. She found she didn't mind.
"Ron!"
"James!" James added, clearly wanting to be a part of the excitement.
"Is that a niffler? Harry we can't have those in the house!" Ron swept up a giggling James and threw him over his shoulder.
"No it's me, James! Put me down Uncle Ron!"
Hermione's face hurt from smiling. Ron plopped James down on the bench in front of a newly placed plate curtesy of Molly.
"I'm sorry I wasn't here earlier. There's been- wait you've talked with Kingsley right?" He waited for her nod. "Several muggles popping up that weren't part of the primary obliviate sweep. Feels like every time we think we got the last of 'em another one pops up."
"It sounds like a nightmare. Are you working the case or just supporting?"
Ron puffed up his chest slightly. "I'm heading the cleanup effort."
"That's great Ronald!"
"It also means that when- I mean if- you consult we'd be working together! Just like old times eh?"
"I think I'm going to do it actually. I don't think I can pass it up."
Both boys yelped and hugged her again.
"Oh give the poor girl some room you two." Molly scolded from her spot by the sink.
"Sorry mum."
"Sorry Molly."
James, rather miffed at being ignored, pulled on Hermione's robe.
"Aunty Mio, what's going on?"
She dropped to one knee to match his eye level.
"You're going to be seeing a lot more of me. I bet you'll get real sick of me soon."
"Nuh uh!"
"Hey James, why don't you go play with your aviatmobile in the living room?" Harry said.
"But Aunty Mio is in here!"
"James." Harry said in a stern voice.
James pouted as he shuffled away.
"You're his hero. I'm actually surprised he didn't put up a bigger fight."
"His hero?"
"Sure! We've been telling him all about you since before he could talk."
"Oh."
She hadn't considered Harry would tell his kids about her. Sure, she thought he may have mentioned her as a passing figure in one of his stories, but never specifically about her.
"So, when do you think you'll be moving back? You're more than welcome to stay with Ginny, the boys, and me at Grimmauld Place."
"Or with me and Padma." Ron offered.
"Thank you both. I'm not sure yet. I think as soon as possible, maybe Monday? I might be working mostly on site. Kingsley won't tell me much until I officially agree."
"Well our doors are always open for you."
They passed the rest of the afternoon reminiscing on the more mundane misadventures they experienced at Hogwarts. Molly had disappeared upstairs once she was satisfied with the amount of food Hermione and Harry had eaten. At one point James, who had grown bored of his toy, had dragged Hermione outside to watch him play on his toy broom. The sun was just setting when a haggard looking Ginny apparated next to them.
"Bloody idiots. I don't even know how they let the first group through. I'm surprised one particular girl could differentiate one end of her broomstick from the other!"
Hermione stood silently and waited for Ginny to notice her.
"HERMIONE JEAN GRANGER!" Ginny barreled into her, leaning her upper body forward to accommodate her swollen belly. Ginny's muscular arms held her close. She was Hermione's first female friend, and if Hermione was being honest, sometimes her best friend full stop. When Ron and Harry were brooding, Ginny was a constant ray of uplighting energy, partially undercut by her bone dry humor. She had always been willing to listen to whatever weekly cause Hermione had championed when the boys eyes had long ago gone glassy with disinterest. Despite this, Hermione was shocked when she felt the a few fat tears run down her cheek, when they had been successfully suppressed thus far.
"We are having a long conversation. But first, I need to pee. Like really really need to be pee."
And with that, Ginny waddled into the house without a glance backwards.
"She hasn't changed huh?" Harry said, a fond look on his face.
"No she really hasn't."
Hermione and Ginny sat alone in front of the fireplace in the living room. Ginny, obviously keen to grill Hermione on all things "girl talk", had banished the boys upstairs to deal with her children.
"So. Nine years. You must have done something in that time. And by done something I mean done someone. My life is locked in and I need to live vicariously. Now spill."
Hermione chuckled. "I don't know if there's much to tell, to be honest."
Ginny gave her a disbelieving look, clearly not convinced.
"Really. No one. Not one person tickled your fancy?"
"Well there was someone. A few someones."
Ginny squealed in excitement. "Tell me everything. Right now. Or so help me, I will put you in timeout."
"Ginny, I'm 28 and older than you."
Ginny gave Hermione a stern glare that was so reminiscent of Mrs. Weasley, Hermione quickly backtracked.
"Ok, ok. First was Skyler-"
"Hot name. Bet he was fit." Ginny said eagerly.
Hermione steeled herself.
"She was."
For as long as Hermione could remember Ginny had something to say. It didn't matter what the situation was, she simply always had a snappy retort ready and waiting. But it seemed that finally, she was at a loss for words.
"She?" Ginny said weakly.
"She."
A moment of silence.
"Well. You have been having fun away! Tell me, is it any better than guys? I'd imagine it is. I mean, Harry wasn't ever bad, not really, but let's just say he has improved magnificently!"
"Ginny, I really, really don't want to hear about your and Harry's sex life."
"But I really, really want to hear about yours. Don't avoid the subject."
"Well, I wouldn't know what the difference is."
"You mean you never… I guess I just assumed you and Ron had, you know."
Hermione shook her head. "No, I was too focused on my parents' condition. It didn't exactly set the mood."
"So do you like, like cleaning the cobwebs with the womb broom? Peeling the banana? A little pogo in the shrub? Shooting the meat rocket into the sausage wallet?"
"Stop, please Merlin stop."
"Well?"
"No Ginny I don't like men."
"Huh. So Ron?"
"Will always be like a brother to me."
It had taken Hermione several years after their ill-fated end to come to the realization that neither of them had done anything wrong at all. She had assumed that their lack of chemistry was due to her fragile mental state. Eventually she ascertained that while, yes, recently having undergone severe torture only to find that neither of your parents could ever be your parents again, did not have a positive effect on your sex drive, they were not the sole reasons for her failed relationship. The awkwardness that she had experienced when trying to do anything physical with him was due to the fact that Ron was simply a he.
Victor Krum, meanwhile, had felt more like an obligation than anything else. All of Hermione's female peers were swooning over the male Hogwarts population, and an international quidditch star who, for whatever reason, had chosen her to fancy, had seemed at the time an obvious choice. It certainly had silenced the other girls gossiping about the odd Hermione Granger. But, like with Ron, Hermione had felt an intense discomfort when Krum had clumsily groped her in one of the hidden passageways. At the time she had told herself it was due to her inexperience and her lack of any real emotional connection with Krum.
The first time she had kissed a girl had been at a gay club in Montréal. She had unwillingly been dragged along by some friends. To compensate her uneasiness, Hermione made the unfortunate, or fortunate depending on your viewpoint, decision to drink until she no longer felt self conscious. For the self-aware Hermione Granger, this turned out to be several drinks. Which naturally turned into several more. Before she could fully comprehend what was happening, a pretty woman with golden hair was pressed against her in the middle of the dance floor. When they kissed, Hermione felt no lingering sense of awkwardness. While the next morning Hermione may not have remembered the girl's name or face, she did remember the feeling.
She was surprised when she found she didn't question herself. It just felt right. All the unpleasant emotions she had associated with being intimate did not appear when she was with a woman.
"Right. So Sklyer?" Ginny's voice knocked Hermione out of her introspection.
Pleased that Ginny seemed to take the news in stride, she continued to relay all of her previous relationship woes. It was a rather short list, but a list none the less.
Before Hermione knew it, the sky become completely dark. She jumped up.
"Blimey, I didn't realize it had gotten so late. I have to go!"
Hastily, she ran about the Burrow hugging Harry, Ginny, Ron, Molly, James, and a tiny Albus, asleep in his father's arms. She made Molly promise to apologize to Mr. Weasley (Hermione was not about to disregard her parents' teachings and address him as Arthur before being explicitly given the right to do so) for leaving before he returned.
Hermione's hair had long since escaped the bun she placed it in that morning by the time she had finished her hurried goodbyes. She all but ran to the field and apparated back to the ministry.
A quick tempus told her she had precisely six minutes to catch the portkey back to Portland. She dropped the all but, and blatantly ran to the elevator. Fortunately, there were few people still working and she had no difficulties returning to the Department of Magical Transportation. With one minute to go, she barged into a mercifully empty but one ministry worker room, ignored said worker's disapproving look, and grabbed onto the portkey.