Chapter 2
Hermione woke abruptly from her snooze, she found herself in a leather chair with a snug blanket wrapped around her. She looked up at the various ex headmasters of Hogwarts, realizing she was in what was now headmistress McGonagall's office.
Hermione's thoughts turned back to the last three days. The war was finally over and the castle had been half destroyed, she had stayed behind helping to locate the lives lost and gather sense of order. Harry and Ron along with other order members had gone with the Auror's to locate some of the Death eaters that had fled after their master's downfall. She had been thankful for the separation, feeling overwhelmed after the last few hours watching her best friend die and come back to life, what he had confided in her afterwards about seeing Dumbledore as he lay on the forest floor before feeling Narcissa Malfoy touch him and lie that he was in fact alive.
And then there had been her kiss with Ron
She had played that moment over and over in her head. She had been high on adrenaline from all activity around her, the fighting, the Horcrux's and then when Ron finally showed empathy for the Elves she had jumped to his lips without even processing what she had done. She had pulled away almost as quick, playing ignorance as the hours passed. She knew eventually she would have to talk to Ron, he appeared to have jumped conclusions and had on several occasions tried to kiss her again after victory, and she had managed to divert all times finding an excuse to look away or turn it instead into an embrace. Her body had let out an involuntary shiver at the thought. It had just felt wrong, she had felt something for him many months ago but that had changed when he had left them that night in the forest showing his selfish behaviour would never change and she realized he would never be someone she could truly rely on. So she had opted to stay behind when Kingsley asked for the trio's help. They felt reluctant to leave her but she insisted she was safest at Hogwarts and perfectly capable of looking after herself.
McGonagall entered the room seeing Hermione was finally awake. "Ah Miss Granger I'm glad you finally rested 3 days non-stop in the infirmary was greatly appreciated but you need to rest yourself also" she moved and sat behind her desk looking at Hermione. "Now please tell me what is bothering you?"
Hermione stalled for a second, taken aback by her mentor's bluntness. "I just want to help best I can professor, there's still so much to do" she stuttered.
"Hermione the castle will be repaired in time, the injured are taken care of and majority have left, why are you still here? You know I only want to help".
Hermione sighed, "I . . . I kissed Ron and I can't undo it without. . . Well" she was cut off
"Ahh, Mr Weasley can jump to conclusions, I understand your predicament you do not wish to hurt him but your heart does not belong. You always were an odd match for him Hermione he lacks the fire and passion" her mentors eyes glistened.
"I have a temporary solution, I understand you do not wish to return to the Burrow just yet, it's still too dangerous to return to your parents' home alone, and I can't allow you here, but if you will consider my suggestion I think it would be suitable?"
Hermione's face relaxed a little, glad she wasn't the only one to realize how odd she and Ron would be together. She turned back to her professor "What is your suggestion?" she looked expectedly.
"I wish to take you to Andromeda Tonks, I believe you are acquainted briefly with Nymphadora's mother. I spoke to her earlier that I felt you may need a temporary reprieve and she was more than happy to oblige"
Hermione was about to open her mouth to speak but stopped when her mentor held her hand up. "She is more than happy to have you Hermione I also feel you will be doing me a favour, I feel she needs an adult companion, she is still in shock from her loss of Remus and Nymphadora only after just getting over Ted's death and with only little teddy in the house it would be just what she needs." Hermione nodded, feeling her tears well up for the loss of her friends, and the little boy who would never know his wonderful parents. "When shall we leave?" she asked. "Whenever you're ready" the Headmistress replied.
Hermione stumbled slightly as she recovered from the side along apparition with her headmistress. Standing for a second and taking in her surroundings, they stood on the edge of a forest, Hermione could sense the magic wards of the fidelious charm. Minerva moved forward and held her hand out towards what appeared to be nothing until before her eyes Hermione could see the secret unfolding. Minerva was opening a wooden gate attached to the dry stone walled garden of a small cottage. The garden was immaculate with a trimmed lawn surrounded by wild flowers. The cottage was a small two-story dwelling of sandstone with a white door. Minerva knocked, Hermione nervously waiting behind her. Hermione looked up as the door opened a few moments later. Her eyes flew open and in a blind panic she pulled her wand from her arm holster holding it, in her shaking arm in front of her. "You must be Hermione" a soft voice said. Minerva turned around "Hermione put that away!" she scolded. Andromeda let out a hoarse chuckle. "I don't think there will ever be a time when I'm not mistaken for my deceased eldest sister". Hermione realized her mistake immediately putting the wand back, feeling shameful for such a reaction, "sorry" she mumbled not looking up.
They stepped into the dark narrow hallway entering the first door on the left. Hermione followed the other two women in shutting the door quietly behind her. They entered an adequate size living room with two squishy chairs and a large sofa all spread looking towards the large fireplace. In the centre of the room in a small baby rocker fast asleep was little Teddy Lupin. Minerva smiled at the site of the little boy, sitting on the sofa and gesturing for Hermione to join her. Andromeda sat opposite on one of the chairs. "How are things at Hogwarts?" Andromeda asked. Minerva began telling her of the various details. Hermione however sat taking in her new surroundings. She looked at little teddy barely 6 months old completely oblivious to the world changing around him. She guessed he must have inherited his mother's Metamorphmagus ability as his hair was currently a two tone colour of blonde and brown streaks. She then looked up towards her new host, who was currently listening intently towards her mentor. Hermione remembered harry once telling her of meeting Tonk's mother and the uncanny resemblance and Hermione realised he wasn't mistaken. Her face was almost identical but unlike Bellatrix mad and leering gaze, Andromeda's has soft hazel eyes and a face full of sorrow and loss like so many other she had seen in the past few days. Her hair was also more brown than black with a few whispers of grey. Hermione's was brought out of her thoughts as Minerva seemed to wrap up the conversation stating she could not stay for tea but must return to the school. Hermione stood up her gaze following her headmistress as she said her goodbyes and stepped into the emerald green flames. Hermione stood staring at the fire for a few seconds. "Perhaps some tea miss Granger?" Andromeda caught her attention as she stood from her chair. "Oh yes please Mrs Tonks. And please call me Hermione"
"Then please call me Andy"
Hermione sat back down feeling herself starting to relax slightly, her eyes rested upon several pictures sitting on the mantelpiece. The first was of a younger Tonk's whizzing round on a broom smiling sheepishly as she sees the camera losing her attention and almost crashing into the tree in front. The second was a graduation of some sorts with Tonks sporting her purple hair in robes in centre of her parents both looking proud. The third appeared to have some age to it, three young aristocratic girls sitting primly on a sofa posing for the camera and suddenly the eldest one diving on to the smallest blonde on sitting in the middle play wrestling. It took Hermione a moment to think before she realised this must be from Andromeda's childhood with her sisters. Immediately realising who the eldest child was Hermione began rubbing her arm again, the scar had begun to burn again mere hours after the battle and hadn't completely stopped since, despite being as healed as it could be when staying at shell cottage.
Andy re-entered the living room carrying a tray with a teapot and some cakes. As Hermione spotted the cake her stomach gave an involuntary rumble. She blushed as Andy looked across setting the tray down on the side table. "I thought you might be hungry, I will start dinner soon." She smiled handing Hermione a cup and then offering the cake tray. Hermione gratefully took both. "Thank you Mrs . . . Andy for letting me stay, if there's anything I can do to repay your kindness"
"Don't worry yourself with such things Hermione, your welcome to stay as long as you want to, if you're finished I can take you up to your room"
Hermione nodded gratefully setting her cup down stating she was done. She followed Andromeda out of the room towards the stairs letting her settle into her new temporary home.