AUTHOR'S NOTE I'm not going to lie: this chapter sucks. Seriously. I guess it's just a filler chapter. It's kind of rushed, but I realized that if I want to get this story finished before DH, I need to step it up. I changed the direction I'm going in too. Next chapter I'll probably divide into three parts, showing Ginny, Harry, and Ron getting ready for their return to England. Thank you to all of my reviewers. You're the best. J

DISCLAIMER Not mine. Harry Potter is JK Rowling's.

Chapter One

FOUR years had passed since that day at St. Mungo's. Shortly after leaving Harry's room, Hermione had been taken to a small conference room, a room that she believed was usually used to tell families their loved one had passed on. The Minister of Magic had been waiting for her, and upon entering, Hermione's assigned Auror passed by her to stand next to the Minister. Hermione had stood straight up, her hands folded in front of her, waiting for the older man to speak.

"Miss Granger," he had begun, "this is Tyler Williams. He is one of the top Aurors in America, where you will spending your time while in hiding. Only the two of you will know exactly where your location will be. Tyler will give you further details in a moment." Hermione looked up at Tyler, but he only stared ahead, not bothering to acknowledge her. "While there, you will pose as a young newlywed couple, wanting to start your married lives. You will be able to keep your first name, but you will use the surname of 'Wilson'. Tyler has managed to secure a job for you at a small children's hospital, if you choose to take it. You may send an owl out once a month to anyone of your choosing, but never are you to reveal your whereabouts or give any clues, in case the owl falls into the wrong hands. Naturally, do not disclose your true identity to anyone you meet. Being a muggleborn, you shouldn't have too much trouble adjusting. Do you have any questions?" Hermione had shaken her head, too nervous to speak. "Very well. I shall leave you alone now. Tyler will be kept you up to date on our progress. We hope to have you home soon."

The Minister quickly exited the room, and Hermione once again looked to Tyler. Her first impression of him was not getting any better. He appeared rude, coldhearted, and Hermione vaguely wondered how she would be able to pretend she was married to such a man. Tyler finally met her gaze, and Hermione dared a smile. Tyler merely looked at her and then stepped forward.

"We'll be going to a small town in North Carolina," he replied. Hermione noted that his voice didn't sound as harsh as it had in the hall. In fact, it didn't even match his personality. "The Minister has told me that we shouldn't have to spend more than a couple of months there. Are all of your things packed? We're taking an airplane, and our flight leaves in only a couple of hours." Hermione had nodded, not really sure if Ron had finished packing yet. "Good. Come along then." He walked to the door and opened it, motioning for her to go first. And that was when Hermione's new life begun.

HERMIONE Granger giggled as her boyfriend of three years, Tyler Williams, or as he was known to the rest of their small town, her husband of four years, Tyler Wilson, danced around the kitchen, putting the final touches on her birthday dinner. She was seated at the table, her eyes blindfolded. She laughed harder still, when she watched Tyler knock into the open refrigerator door. She couldn't believe that he could be so naïve to think that she wouldn't put a simple charm on the cloth, enabling her to see.

"What's so funny?" Tyler asked. He eyed her skeptically.

"Nothing."

"You're such a liar," he replied. He placed the silverware he was holding on the table and approached his girlfriend. Hermione's smile widened and she suddenly screeched as Tyler's fingers found their way under her arms and he began to tickle her.

"Tyler," Hermione breathed, "Sto--Sto--" She giggled louder and then tried to catch her breath. "Stop!" She yelled.

"No!" Tyler laughed and captured her lips with his. "Umm…"

Hermione pushed him away. "You can't win me over with a kiss, you doof." She removed the blindfold. "Is dinner ready? I'm starved."

"You can't have it now. You cheated. I should've known you would charm it."

"Oh, you're no fun," Hermione said, and then brought Tyler back in for another kiss.

If someone had told her four years ago that she would fall in love with her Secret Keeper, she would have laughed in their face and insisted she was the Dark Lord brought back to life. During their first week together, Hermione's opinion of Tyler never changed. He hardly ever spoke to her, and then finally, Hermione decided to take matters into her own hands. She went up to Tyler one evening when he was watching the news and promptly told him to either stop being such a prat, or she would leave and jeopardize his position as an Auror. Needless to say, Tyler took her threat to heart and opened up to Hermione. And soon, she found that he wasn't such a heartless jerk, he just wasn't very good at being social and making friends.

Hermione also knew, that if someone had told Hermione she would have to spend over four years away from her family and friends, she would have promptly refused, no matter what. But, now, Hermione was thankful for the last four years she had spent in America. She had become a better person and found a wonderful friend and lover in someone who she never expected. Her life was absolutely wonderful and she couldn't have imagined it any other way.

"So, how does it feel to be twenty-three?" Tyler asked as he pulled away. He walked to the counter and brought the Italian dish to the table.

"Not any different from twenty-one. Besides, after I turned twenty-one, there was nothing left for me to look forward to." Hermione smiled as Tyler prepared her plate for her.

"I know what you mean. But, even reaching legal drinking age in America wasn't anything for you, is it?"

"I guess not."

"Well, anyways, happy birthday, Beautiful. May it be the best yet."

THE next morning Hermione awoke to a tapping at the window. She tried rolling over to see what the source of the noise was, but the weight of Tyler's arm prevented her from moving. She closed her eyes, hoping to ignore whatever it was and go back to sleep, but the tapping became more persistent and Hermione groaned. She pushed Tyler with her back, wondering vaguely why he wasn't bothered by the sound. Tyler was usually a very light sleeper. He let out a snore and Hermione sighed.

"Tyler," she whispered. He didn't stir. "Tyler," she repeated, this time speaking louder. "TYLER!" screamed. Tyler jumped to attention, sitting straight up in bed and off of Hermione. She turned over and looked at the window, realizing that the source of the tapping was an owl. That's odd, she thought. Owls during the day?

"What in the hell is the matter, woman?" Tyler mumbled. Hermione ignored his attitude.

"There's an owl at the window."

"An owl?" Tyler rubbed his eyes and got out of bed. He opened the bedroom window, allowing the owl entrance into the room.

"Who's it from?" Hermione asked.

"No idea." The owl had landed on the arm of the desk chair and extended its left claw. Tyler untied the letter. He placed some American coins into the owl's money pouch and the owl took its leave. Tyler was silent as he read the letter, his brow furrowed. Hermione couldn't read his expression, and when he was done, he handed her the letter. Immediately, she recognized the Ministry of Magic letterhead.

20 September

Dear Mr. Williams,

After four long years of work, I am happy to inform you that the last of the Death Eaters have been captured and will no longer be a threat to Miss Hermione Granger. Arrangements are now being made for her return home.

Hermione abruptly stopped reading the Minister's letter. "You mean," she began. "I get to go home?" Tyler nodded, his eyes blank. Hermione knew he was thinking the same thing she was. After the last four years, so much had changed that Hermione wasn't sure if she could just go back to England and return to her old life. She had a life in America, with Tyler. A life that didn't include England, her parents, her friends, and most importantly, Ronald Weasley.

Hermione knew that when she left, she had no attachment to Ron, but when she began dating Tyler three years ago, she did feel like she was betraying him. After only a couple of days with Tyler, she voiced her concerns. He understood, but also made her realize that she didn't know what Ron was doing or who Ron was doing, wherever he was. She didn't have a clue if he was waiting for her, so why should she? And Tyler was a wonderful guy. She deserved to be happy too.

Tyler sat down on the bed and Hermione handed him the letter. She sighed. "So, what are we going to do?"

"Don't you want to go back?" Tyler asked. He gave her a quizzical look. He had been so scared that when that letter came, Hermione would be jumping for joy, ready to go back to England and back to Ron. He felt sure she was going to leave him behind.

"Well…" She hesitated. "I guess I do. But I don't want anything between us to change."

"It won't," Tyler assured her, taking her hand in his. "But, if you don't want to go back, we don't have to."

Hermione closed her eyes and thought about it. Tyler was right. They weren't obligated to return. After all, she felt at home in America. She had grown accustomed to the way of life, and she quite liked it.

"Maybe," she said, opening her eyes. "Maybe we could go visit. I mean, I would like to see my friends, but I don't know if I want to move back."

"Well, then it's settled. I'll write the Minister and tell him of our decision to stay, but that we would like to come for a visit. Hell, I've been working with the American Aurors for so long now, it won't take much to transfer me permanently. And then, when we come back, perhaps we can make something else permanent," Tyler said with a wink. Hermione's eyes darted to the small ring on her finger and she smiled. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad to really be married, she thought, placing a tender kiss on Tyler's cheek.

AUTHOR'S NOTE Even though it sucks… please review.