A/N Could it be? A semi-early update for your reading pleasure? Yes! It is! We have some nice moments between Hermione and Minerva and Hermione and Draco. It's been a while. Let's get to it then, shall we?
The school year wrapped up nicely for Ginny, Neville, Luna, and Draco. Harry and Ron had some trouble on their exams but they managed. They never realized how much Hermione had done for them with school until they didn't have her anymore. Some of the students were sad to go. Hermione's castle was more fun than Hogwarts, even if it was smaller. They had come to realize that the concept of house rivalry was a bit silly, especially the older students. The teachers had noticed, too, and Minerva was considering alternatives. She wouldn't get rid of the houses entirely, but maybe she could allow for more mingling of the students. Mealtimes hadn't been disastrous at all, despite her initial expectations.
"Remember, students, next year you will be returning to Hogwarts, not here. I look forward to seeing you all again. Have a wonderful vacation," Minerva said, watching as her students disappeared via floo and portkey. It was strange not to see them boarding the Hogwarts Express, it almost made it feel like it wasn't summer.
"Hello, Minerva," Hermione said, appearing next to the Headmistress.
"Hermione, good to see you. You look well." Minerva smiled, turning to Hermione.
"I'm glad I don't look a wreck. Everything is crazy. I was hoping when the battle ended my part in this would be over but, clearly, I was wrong."
"I take it you don't plan on being Minister, then?" Minerva asked.
"Merlin, no. I want to enjoy my life with my family, travel with Bella, that sort of thing," Hermione sighed.
"That's understandable. You've done so much already, but just now that people will demand certain things from you because of your part in all of this."
"I know. I don't suppose we could talk inside?"
"It's your castle, Hermione."
"That's actually part of what I came to talk to you about." Hermione led Minerva inside, the two taking seats in the library.
"So, what's this about the castle not being yours?" Minerva asked, crossing her ankles and leaning back.
"No, it's mine. I mean, Morgana left it for me. I just-I don't see myself using it between Bella's properties and all of mine. I was thinking maybe Hogwarts might have a use for it, maybe for expanding herbology or just having somewhere else for the students."
"I think that would be nice. The students loved being in a new place and it would be a benefit to do herbology research. Thank you for the offer, Hermione. I'll think about it and let you know my decision. Now, what else is on your mind?"
Hermione chewed her lip, tucking her legs under her. "You heard what I did to Azkaban?"
"Yes. Personally, I think it's a great decision. Let me guess, you need somewhere else to put them?" Minerva's eyes glimmered in amusement as she watched the young witch.
"Yes. Aurion and I have been going through all my properties to see if any of them might work but Merlin it's so boring," Hermione groaned, slumping in her seat.
Minerva chuckled, leaning forward to put her hand on Hermione's shoulder. "You'll think of something, Hermione. You always do. What can I do to help?"
"I don't know. I just want to be done with all this but I can't seem to get there."
"You'll get there. Surely it won't be too much longer."
"Hopefully. I guess once I solve the prison dilemma everything will be in order for a new Minister. Then I can finally get married to Bella and we can just be together without worrying about all this crap."
"I don't suppose you'll be returning to Hogwarts for school?" Minerva asked.
"No. I feel like I've learned all I can from the school. Bella and Cissa have been great teachers. I'm sure Aurion and Andy have plenty to teach me, too. Maybe I can go around the world learning new magic from different people."
"That sounds perfect for you, Hermione. And congratulations on the engagement."
"You'll be invited to the wedding, of course. Cissa has been trying to talk to me about it but I just haven't had the time."
"Isn't that all the more reason to come up with a solution?"
"I suppose you're right, as always. Thank you, Minerva. I've missed you," Hermione said, hugging the older witch.
"I've missed you, too. Feel free to visit anytime. Bring Bellatrix, too." Minerva squeezed Hermione tightly.
"I'll be sure to," Hermione said with a smile. She turned on her heel, leaving the Headmistress alone in the library.
"Welcome home, Draco!" Hermione greeted as she engulfed him in a hug which he returned.
"Thanks. I'm so glad it's finally summer. It's nice to have a real break from all the craziness of the last year."
"Wish I could say the same. I had no idea the world was no needy."
Draco laughed, feeling Hermione begin to pull away. "What do you have left to do?"
"I don't even know, Draco. Right now I have to find a place for a new prison but I'm sure something else will come up," Hermione lamented.
"If you don't think of something soon, people are going to start protesting."
"I know. I know. I'm trying Draco. I'm trying so hard." Hermione leaned her head against his shoulder, just now realizing how tall he had gotten.
"You need a break. Let's do something fun."
"Actually, there is something I need your help with. It's for your mum, Bella, and Andy. It'll go much faster if I have your help."
"What is it?"
"I'll show you. Ready?"
Draco nodded, feeling the sensation of Apparating overtake his senses. They stood in front of Black Manor, the large building just as intimidating as the first time Hermione had seen it. Draco stared up at the imposing grey facade, feeling dread flood his body. It was overgrown and untamed, the building crumbling from age and the crushing vines growing up the sides.
"What are we doing here?" Draco whispered, afraid to break the silence.
"I want to fix it up, make it a place they might actually want to come to. I know it holds bad memories for all of them but I thought maybe if they make good memories, I don't know, they'll like it more?" Hermione hadn't meant for it to come out as a question, but her uncertainty was too strong.
"How do we start?" Draco asked, ignoring Hermione's uncertainty because he felt it was the best way to keep it at bay. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief and he smiled softly at her.
"The garden. Once we get it under control we can work on the building. I brought some plants from my gardens to make it a little less...creepy. I'm not sure if they'll grow but the climate is pretty much the same so they might."
"Right. So, do we just start hacking at it with our magic?"
"It requires a little more tact than that, Draco."
"Does it?"
"No, not really," Hermione admitted.
The duo drew their wands, casting whatever spells they could think of to get the garden under control. It was slow-going. A lot of the plants would immediately grow back and they had to try several spells before it was tamed. Even working together their progress was slow, but not so slow that it wasn't noticeable. Sure, it would take a while just to do the garden but it was worth it. It wasn't entirely boring, either. They took short breaks where they would each make a pile of leaves and jump into it, not speeding up the cleaning process, but they were just leaves. It was easy to get rid of them with a simple wand gesture. What mattered was that it broke up the routine and would send them into fits of laughter so strong they needed entire minutes just to breathe without giggling.
They were filthy when they returned to Malfoy Manor. They knew if Narcissa saw them, she would have a fit, so they quickly parted to clean up before joining the family. They each crept through the hallways, moving stealthily to avoid the house's other occupants. Draco was entirely successful, making it all the way to the bathroom without being seen. Hermione made it as far as her shared room with Bella. As soon as she stepped inside, she was face to face with the dark witch, and she put on her most innocent smile.
"Merlin, you're filthy, Hermione," Bellatrix said, wiping her thumb over a smear of dirt on Hermione's cheek.
"Don't tell Cissy. I was just about to bathe," Hermione whispered.
"I won't. Go wash up, it's almost dinnertime." Bellatrix gave Hermione a chaste kiss, pulling away with a smirk when Hermione tried to deepen it.
"Fine," Hermione said, moving past Bellatrix to the bathroom. She waved her wand, watching the tub fill with steaming water before she undressed and slipped in.
Hermione sighed as the hot water met her skin. The temperature was perfect, as always, and she leaned her head against the edge of the tub. The young witch closed her eyes, using magic to move the water in small currents. The dirt came right off, turning to mud in the tub. Hermione made a noise of disgust, realizing she could have just cleaned herself with a charm and saved herself the trouble.
Stepping out of the tub, Hermione wrapped a fluffy white towel around herself, all traces of dirt gone. She dressed in a pair of robes Narcissa had chosen for her to buy, knowing the blonde witch would approve. Draco arrived in the dining room just as she did, the two sharing a look before sitting at the table. Tonks strode in a few seconds later, joining the family at the table. It was the first dinner of summer, and the first dinner they all shared since the war had ended.
The mood was light as they are and talked. For the moment, they were able to push all worries away. They always did better when they were together and it was about time they all got to eat together again. Hermione held Bellatrix's hand, playing with her fingers as she listened to the conversation at the table. This is what she wanted to be doing instead of solving problems. A newfound resolve swept through Hermione to find a solution to the prison and let someone else fine-tune everything. She just knew she didn't want to be in charge this way.