A/N: Okay, finally a chapter that's a little longer! The chapters will continue to get longer from here! Enjoy!

CHAPTER SIX: LOTTA LEAVIN LEFT TO DO

2 months later (January 2001)

Albus Dumbledore stared across his desk at the stony face of Hermione Potter. It amazed him how much she had grown in the four years since she had left Hogwarts. He had since found out that she had married Harry when they were thirteen. She was a devoted wife and mother, and worked as an Auror alongside Harry and Ron and the other elite in the Wizarding world. He now had the terrible task of telling her that she was Voldemort's next assassination attempt.

"Why are you telling me this?" she questioned. "Better yet, what are we going to do about it?"

"Hermione, you know as well as I do that you are particularly vulnerable to Voldemort. If we don't take action soon, HE WILL KILL YOU. "

"So what do you propose we do?"

"We beat him to it."

The look on Hermione's face told him that that had come out wrong. He could tell she thought he had finally fallen off his rocker, and she was seeing just how long it would take her to run for the door.

"It's not what you're thinking."

Had the situation not been so tense and sad, Dumbledore would have laughed at the sense of relief that showed on the young woman's face.

"What I am about to tell you will break your heart. I know it will. But remember, this is for your and your family's own good. What I mean by "beat him to it" is, we fake your death."

Hermione was out of her chair and headed for the door is a single swift movement. Dumbledore, moving with speed he had no idea he still possessed, moved ahead of her and blocked her way.

""Dumbledore, let me out. That idea is bull. I'm not faking my own death, and you won't help me. I mean, come on, how would we pull that off? Why would we even try? You know that's not me. I could never leave Harry and the kids. I want to face Voldemort."

"Hermione, you might be one of the best Aurors in the business, but he can hurt you. Terribly. Hermione, if you don't do this, you won't be around in the long run. Yes, you will have to miss months, even years of your children's' lives, but would you rather miss now and be there for them in the long run, or be here now and possibly deprive them of you in the later years?"

"Dumbledore, you are not a parent. Headmaster doesn't even come close to what it feels like to be a parent, so don't try that excuse. Harry, Charlie, and Cecilia are the reason I get up in the morning. How could I walk out on them?"

"All we'll do is move you out of town now, and I'll tell everyone that a tragic accident has befallen you. You'll be "dead", but still alive and healthy, and that's what important."

"Where will I go?" Hermione questioned with a look of dejection in her eyes.

"America. I know a family whose daughter just passed on. You could take on her appearance, and live like she would have. They are willing to accept you into their home. She was a singer. Voldemort would never suspect it, and even if he did, he wouldn't find you. Ever. You of course will always have my protection and theirs protecting you. What do you think?"

"You're insane. Now let me out. I'm going home."

"Hermione, he'll hurt you. I don't want that to happen. Please Hermione. Just go."

The look of disgust mixed with receipt in her eyes told him in no uncertain terms that he had her cornered.

"You'll leave for America. I'll send Fawkes along with word to the family. I'll send you there now."

"Now? Why now? Can't I spend time with my family first?"

"No. You'll only hurt yourself more."

Without allowing her another word, he vanished her, and sent her on her way to a town in Texas.