Disclaimer: I own Todd and Josephine and I guess Michael too and that's about it... oh wait and the plot!

Thank you Lilly for betaing this chapter!

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Just a refresher, Michael is Michael Mungo (the head of St. Mungo's, duh) and Josephine is the doctor Hermione has been assigned to help (a trainee or something like that) and Todd has yet to be introduced until now...

2. Ruined Tranquility

"Hey, Hermione."

"Oh, hey, Todd," Hermione said as one of her doctor friends from St. Mungo's, Todd, entered the staff lounge.

"Tough day?" he asked when he saw Hermione sprawled out uncomfortably on the chair.

"More like tough morning."

"I've had those days, they really bite," he said, squeezing her shoulder reassuringly and taking a sip of coffee.

"Trust me, Todd, not like mine."

He took a look at her face. "I'll take your word for it."

"Good choice."

"Want to talk about it?" he asked.

"No, not really." Hermione shook her head.

"Well, I'm here if you need someone."

"I know, thanks." She smiled.

Todd was about to leave when he turned around and said, "By the way, Hermione, I was talking to Michael the other day and I'd maybe, perhaps," he said slyly as he shrugged, "put in a good word for you on getting you off the trainee 'bench'."

"Are you kidding me?" she asked, instantly perking up.

"Absolutely not." He smiled.

"Well, what'd he say?" Hermione asked, intrigued.

"He said he'll think about it, so you be on your best behavior if you want to get off assistant duty."

"When am I ever not on good behavior?"

" Good point," he said. "Talk to you later, 'Mione'," he said before leaving.

"Yeah." Hermione nodded as she sat back down and got lost in her own thoughts.

Todd was like Harry: a pureblood father and a muggle-born mother. He had light brown hair and dark green eyes; he was just a bit less pale than Draco and was almost as tall as Ron, or he looked like it. They had become good friends, and if she ever needed a guy friend when Harry and Ron were busy, he was it.

Of course, that was before this morning, where Draco had come back into her life. It was amazing how quickly a decision could be made that could turn your life around... again.

Part of her was smacking herself mental at her stupidity in taking him back. What had ever happened to independent? Well... she had tried it, hadn't she?

Yes, she had. Had she enjoyed it? Yes. She liked not having someone telling her her every move and being a free spirit. Not being... "hooked" to a man.

Hermione Granger was no fool, but, when it came to love the girl, needed help. So the question was... was she ready to pick up where she left off, with no regrets?

Only time would tell.

It was as if life never got easy for her. Just when everything was going fine, BAM! Something would come and ruin the tranquility. There were always decisions to be made on the subject of love, and sometimes, love could die for all that she cared!

Hermione sighed and threw out the wrapper to the sandwich she had been eating just as the lounge door opened.

"Hey, you finished?" Dr. Josephine asked.

"Yeah." Hermione nodded, walking towards her.

"Good, I have ten patients left to check up on. I'm trusting you with four," she said as she handed Hermione four clipboards. "That okay?"

"Yeah, sure, no problem," Hermione said in monotone as she flipped through the pages.

"Hey, cheer up, the sun will come out tomorrow." She smiled.

"Oh, please," Hermione said, cracking a smile.

Josephine and she had become good friends-- no, they were like best friends, and they practically told each other everything without letting work get in the way. They had lunch together and had a girls' night out which consisted of movies and lots of food. They very rarely went out to something like a club. Josephine had both magical parents but they had both grown up in the muggle world so she was accustomed to the muggle traits.

So, long story short, Josephine already knew about Draco.

"Hey, if I have to wear tap shoes and sing, 'The sun will come out tomorrow', which I hate by the way, just to get you to cheer up, then I will."

"Will not."

"Okay, you're right, I won't, but why spoil a good thing?"

"What good thing is that again?"

" Having your husband back," Josephine said as if it were obvious.

"Yeah, but... now I'm not so sure," Hermione said as they went out into the hall.

"That's what you're saying now."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means that before you know it you'll be changing your mind and back again. Give him about a week."

"And after that?" Hermione asked.

"You decide."

A/N: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, I like hearing what other people have to say and I really appreciate the reviews you write.
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