Weeks had passed, maybe even months. All Hermione knew was that Draco was gone, Ginny dateless, and Brielle walking and talking. Brielle was now two years old and talking like an adult. That was the one thing that scared Hermione. Brielle was growing up faster then she wanted, making Hermione feel older then she really was. She was glad that she hadn't run into Draco over the years. For their last meeting he left a stunned and horrified Hermione, standing in her doorway with her mouth hanging open. 'Yes,' Hermione thought. 'That kiss was so wrong…but why did it feel so right?' Hermione and Ginny over the course of the years split up and bought there own houses. There wasn't anything bad between them or anything. It was that there just wasn't room for two people and a toddler to live comfortably. Now Hermione and Brielle lived out in the countryside, the nearest house a few miles away. She loved her privacy, so Hermione was most pleased when she had gotten a letter from Harry. Harry was the Minister of Magic now. The previous Minister, after finding his wife and small daughter dead, killed himself in front of everyone. Harry had taken up the position, seeing as everyone was pushing him to do so. He had heard from Ginny that Hermione needed a new home. One for her and Brielle. Not being able to resist the chance to see Hermione again, Harry bought a house for Hermione that he knew would suit her perfectly. Hermione couldn't believe her eyes when Harry showed her the house. It was small, brick and elegant. To Hermione it looked like a painting by Thomas Kinkade come to life. The first two weeks after they moved in, Hermione got herself settled. All the boxes piled up with books were the first to be unpacked. Then dishes and silverware. And so Hermione spent two weeks unpacking.
The sun was barely rising and Brielle was wide awake in her bed. Her eyes wide and hair in her face. She couldn't sleep at all and was afraid to go to her mother. She didn't know the way around the new house, no matter how small it was. She didn't even recognize the room she was in. Watching as the sun rose through her window, Brielle got out of bed and opened her door, peaking her head out. The hallway was dark and shadows were playing against the walls. Her mother's door was down the hall from hers. Looking to her right then left, Brielle ran down the hall, small feet tapping on the wood floor, and into her mother's room. Closing the door behind her hard. Brielle ran to the empty side of the queen sized bed, and jumped up. She crawled towards her mother and snuggled under the covers against her. Hermione smiled in her sleep, feeling Brielle's warmth against her. Hermione had heard her slam the door shut from the start. "Mommy, I want to go home!" Brielle muttered as she drifted asleep in her mother's arms. Hermione knew how she felt. Ever since moving in, she never had the feeling that she was actually home. There was something missing that would complete her. Though she did not know what. As Hermione fell asleep with Brielle, she couldn't help but have one last thought of Draco slip through her mind. The thought calmed her senses and lulled her to sleep.
The next week, Hermione woke up to the sound of noises downstairs. Getting out of bed and slipping her slippers on, she grabbed her robe and walked down the creaky stairs. Hermione followed the noise to the kitchen. Once she turned the corner her eyes were met with Brielle covered from head to toe in flour. She stifled a giggle as she walked into the kitchen and lifted Brielle onto her hip. "So, what are we making today?" Hermione asked as she wiped flour off of Brielle's face. "Pancakes! Today mommy turns 23, so I make you birthday pancakes!" Brielle squeaked as she mixed the pancake batter from her mother's arms. "Well, they look delicious! But may I help?" Hermione shifted Brielle to her other hip then got a spoon to help mix the batter. Hermione set down Brielle before going over to the stove. "Can you get the plates and silverware out Brielle? Mommy's almost finished with the pancakes." Brielle ran to the lower cabinets and took out two plates. She put them on the table then ran back for the silverware. While doing so, Hermione finished cooking the pancakes. Putting them on a separate plate, she placed them on the table and started to serve. After breakfast Hermione got Brielle and herself dressed before using floo powder to The Burrow. Hermione left Brielle with Mrs. Weasley while she was at work. The elderly woman enjoyed having the younger girl around, seeing as all of her children were grown up. None of them had children yet. That was what made the older woman feel lonely. So after dropping Brielle off at Mrs. Weasley's house, Hermione apparated herself to work at the Wizarding Library. She was early of course, as usual. As she walked in, Hermione was greeted by smiles and 'hellos.' Everyone liked Hermione and was glad when she had taken a job there. No one was more pleased then Alex. Alex was the type of guy that found a girl, used her and threw her out when he was bored. Everyone knew this, and had warned Hermione on her first day of work to watch out for him.
Hermione walked to her desk and turned on the computer. She now owned the library she had first worked at when she was younger. The doors opened and witches and wizards of all ages poured in and spread throughout the library. Later on in the day, Hermione saw Ron between the shelves looking at a small book with leather backing. On seeing him, Hermione stopped placing a charm on a book a little boy was checking out. The boy waved his hands in font of her face getting her attention. Hermione finished checking out the book and handed it to the boy, who when received it, ran out the doors and through the streets. Hermione put a sign on her desk saying, 'closed' and went to go find Ron who had moved from the bookshelves. After minutes of searching the library, Hermione found Ron sitting at a table reading the leather bound book. He was reading and very focused on the book in his hands. Hermione sat down across from him and gently but slowly pushed the book down on the table. He slowly raised his head until his eyes locked on with Hermione's. "Ron." Hermione placed her hands on his. Eyeing her hands on his, Ron looked back at her and opened his mouth to talk. "Hermione, I'm so sorry. I never ment for my anger toget so out of hand." His face fell back to her hands as he started rubbing them. "I want to be friends again. I miss the old days so much Hermione." His eyes resembled a tearing puppy who had a bone taken away. "It's ok. I know what I said was disturbing and I'm just, sorry about everything!" Laying her head on the table, Hermione let tears fall from her face and stain the wooden table. Ron got up and walked around the table, his arms wrapping themselves around her shaking body. He rested his cheek on her head and whispered soft words of comfort to her. "Let's just forget about everything that happened before." He pulled away from her as he spoke. Sticking out his right hand he said, "Hello. My name's Ron Weasley." Hermione laughed loudly at his childish behavior and gave him a hug. "Ron, you'll always be close to me, no matter how stupid you can be at times!" Ron, liking Hermione's touch, leaned in further so his lips were against her ear. "I was hoping we could be closer." He pulled away with a smirk on his face, looking a lot like Draco had when leaving Hermione in her doorway.
The rest of the work day went smoothly for Hermione. Besides the fact that Alex tried to ask her on a date many times throughout Hermione's shift. Ron had stayed with Hermione the whole day, and they laughed at Alex's attempts to make a move on her. It was nearing 5:00 PM and Hermione was getting ready to close up the library. She pressed the intercom button and spoke, "The library is now closing. Please take your final selections to the check-out counter now. Thank you." When Hermione turned around, Alex was standing beside her again with flowers." Oh, there you are Alex. I was wondering if you could do check-out today, okay. Thanks!" And she left him standing there as she apparated with Ron to The Burrow. They appeared right outside of the kitchen door. There were noises coming from inside and the screeching of the family owls. Hermione and Ron walked in the front door to find, once again, Brielle covered from head to toe in flour. Mrs. Weasley was all over the kitchen trying to cut the vegetables and stir the stew at the same time "Mommy!" Brielle spotted her mother and Ron. "Who's he mommy?" Brielle pointed towards the handsome red-head as she was placed onto her mothers right hip. "This is Ron. This is Mrs. Weasley's son. He went to school with Uncle Harry and I." Hermione walked closer towards Ron and shifted Brielle on her hip so she could see Ron better. "Ron, this is, Brielle. D-R-A-C-O-'S child." Hermione handed Brielle to Ron. Ron blushed at the thought of Hermione and Draco together and then her with child…But he pushed those thoughts out of his head as Brielle sat in his arms. 'She's so little.' He thought. 'Just like her mother.' He smiled at the adorable little girl as she spoke to him. "Are you my daddy?" Her eyes were filled with wonder at seeing a new face. "No, I'm not." He looked up to see Hermione blushing furiously. "But I'm sure you'll meet him very soon." Brielle's face lit up at hearing his words and turned to her mother. "Mommy, is it true! Am I really going to see daddy soon!" Hermione didn't answer her but instead glared at Ron who by now had another Draco-like smirk on his face.