Author's Note:

Woohoo! I managed to get this one out to you right on time! Thankfully, there've been no toddler mishaps this week :D.

That being said, I feel very silly. Believe it or not, reviews were notwhat I had intended on asking you all for last week. It wasn't until I had gone back and reread the chapter in preparation for writing this one that I realized I had completely left out my request. So that I don't forget it again, here it is.

I am looking for Fic recommendations! I read just about any Hermione pairing except for Ron. I'm a sucker for both marriage law and time travel fics cliché as they are by this point. If you've got a finished story that you can recommend, even better!

In return, I would like to offer a couple of recommendations to you all. Always and Forever by lorelover is a great in-progress story for H/Hr lovers. Just about anything from ShayaLonnie or Columbria are guaranteed to be amazing reads. If you would like more suggestions from this end feel free to let me know and I'm sure I can find something that floats boats!

This Chapter plays more into the potential Harry/Hermione pairing. We're still a long ways off from true romance but there's a few sweet moments in this chapter that might help carry you over until that changes.

Anyway, I hope that you enjoy the chapter! Let me know what you think and if you've got any ideas on the story's direction. I can't guarantee that all suggestions/requests will be utilized but if I can fit them into the storyline, I will do so!

Chapter 8
Pain and Peace
11 January 2003
the Burrow
Ottery St. Catchpole

Hermione wasn't quite sure what to make of Daniella Landry. Due to her previous issues with the Prophet, she had expected to be meeting with someone who was a cross between Lavender Brown and the Patil twins. She had given her the benefit of the doubt based on Harry's opinion which is why her mind had included both of the Patil twins. She was surprised when she did finally meet the reporter and found herself interacting with a witch who was much more like a blonde version of her younger self than any of the witches she had been anticipating.

She still felt quite weary after the woman's article and her nerves were most definitely pushing their limits. It was requiring every ounce of courage she could muster to keep herself seated firmly at the Burrow's kitchen table. She had seen the curious glint in Daniella's eyes when they landed on Hermione's swollen belly and that made her nervous. She prayed to whomever would listen that Harry was correct and this woman was not another Rita Skeeter. Hermione wasn't certain she had it in her to deal with that sort of mess at present time.

Healer Catherine arrived following behind Ginny shortly after Daniella's arrival. The two newcomers joined Daniella, Hermione, Harry and Molly at the table as they waited for Ron to return with his representative from the DMLE. In an attempt to calm the obvious tension, Molly quickly set about offering tea to all present and stirring up idle talk to keep the silence from becoming overwhelming. Hermione loved her for the attempt.

"Miss Granger, might I ask a question?" Daniella asked, curiosity strong in her tone.

"I'm sorry but please, I would like to only have to go through this once. I swear to you if, by the end, you've still got questions that need answered, I will answer them. Both you and the DMLE will have full access to whatever I can give you, including relevant medical records. Just, please, be patient. The rest should be here soon." Hermione pleaded.

The reporter's eyes narrowed slightly in disappointment and then narrowed further as she watched Harry reach to take Hermione's hand in attempts to help her keep calm ahead of what would surely be a daunting experience.

As predicted, it was only a matter of a few minutes before Ron entered through the door with a tall, gangly wizard following in his wake. "Evan this is, in order, my mum, Molly Weasley, my sister Ginny. You, of course, know Harry Potter and beside him is Hermione. That's Healer Catherine Kristov and next to her is Daniella Landry from the Daily Prophet. Everyone, this is Evan McGowan from the DMLE."

With introductions made, everyone took their seats and Hermione braced herself for the intensity of the situation. Swallowing heavily, she sat forward in her seat and looked wearily at the two individuals who were there to both interview and investigate her. "We all know why we are here and I will be as open with this entire thing as I can possibly be. However….However, I'm not sure where to begin."

"Once Ron spoke with me about this, I took the liberty of reaching out to the American Ministry. They are in the process of obtaining and forwarding onto us all associated documentation from their Muggle counterparts. Police reports, coroner's reports for Mr. Gordon, everything should be in the possession of the DMLE by this time tomorrow," the Auror stated.

Hermione nodded having expected as much, "Mr. McGowan, once you have compiled all the needed information along with what you receive tonight, would you please be so kind as to release what you are allowed to release to Ms. Landry? I've no desire for secrecy in this. I simply want it over." With a brief glance to the reporter in question, he gave a curt nod and scratched something into the parchment sitting on the table in front of him while Daniella did the same.

"Perhaps, Miss Granger, it might be easier for you if we were to ask questions?" Daniella asked. After receiving a weary nod, the witch glanced down at her notes before beginning her own questioning.

And so it began.

Several hours and several more pots of tea later the story was finally told in full.

Evan McGowan had a stack of certified medical records courtesy of Healer Catherine and several vials of memories to be reviewed later via penseive sitting in front of him on the table in addition to his own notes. While domestic violence wasn't exactly unheard of in the wizarding world it was significantly underreported to the point of seeming virtually nonexistent, especially considering the easy access to most potions and common healing spells. That being said, provided all the evidence added up, the story that he had just bared witness to was horrifyingly grotesque. As an Auror, he had witnessed much of the worst their society had to offer. This was potentially another such example.

Daniella Landry also had a similar stack of medical files, though hers were reproduced copies by way of charm and a promise to view the memories at a later date should she feel the need. Upon entering the world of journalism, Daniella had made a point to hold true to her honor and integrity. She refused to follow in the footsteps of the slanderous Rita Skeeter. She had always felt that a good reporter reported the news but an excellent reporter, a true journalist, did their own dirty work on investigations so that they could tell the truth and, more importantly, the whole truth. Not just write what people want to hear but give them the facts so that the readers can dig at the details and make informed understandings about what they read. In her short career, she made a point to take on whatever stories she could find and make them shine all on their own. Without the lies and fluff that the Daily Prophet had gotten a reputation for.

Up until now she felt that she had done an excellent job at keeping true to her own code of morals and ethics. Up until now that is. She realized with a feeling of sickening disappointment that she had failed herself and her readers with her most recent articles. With many families still healing from the aftermath of the war, Daniella's heart had gone out to the young woman who came to her with a disturbing story about her brother's death. Instead of following her normal procedures and digging into the story to try to find full answers, she had run with the story. As a result, she had severely misrepresented the woman sitting in front of her and misrepresented herself to the witch and her family and friends. In truth, that particular article made her no better than the mutually loathed Rita Skeeter.

"Miss Granger….Hermione…I promise you now that when the article is posted it will absolutely not be the whimsical bullox that the previous one was. I cannot undo the article, however, please except my deepest apologies," Daniella said humbly. "And I would also like to thank you. Both for this opportunity to meet and speak with you but also for reminding me what journalism is really about. I strayed from my own morals and I must thank you for directing me back to them."

Hermione smiled tiredly from her spot leaning heavily against Harry, his arm draped comfortingly across her shoulders as it had been for the last hour. "Thank you, Daniella, for taking the time to find the truth and not just running with the gossip. I appreciate that more than you could possibly understand."

"May I ask what you will do now?" the reporter asked curiously.

"Tomorrow morning I will be returning to Hogwarts to assume the position of Librarian so that Madam Pince might take her retirement."

"And if we were to have further questions?"

"So long as there is nothing that is potentially harmful in your letters, your owl will reach me with no problems."

"I will keep that in mind then. Thank you again, Hermione," the witch said gathering her things as she rose from the table, "I'll see myself out."

McGowan and Healer Catherine both rose as well and with brief "thank yous" and "goodbyes" the three visitors left the Burrow conversing over the sharing of information and the best ways to proceed.

Finally, after what seemed like days, the residents-including the occasional ones-were finally on their own once again. While Hermione closed her eyes and focused on Harry's warmth to keep her grounded, the other four at the table exchanged glances, each clearly as upset and disturbed as another. All of them had, prior to that day, heard Hermione's story at least to some extent. None had, however, heard the in-depth version that was revealed that evening. They had all known it was bad but the true severity hadn't fully registered to any of them until they sat and listened to their Hermione tell, in as much detail as she could remember, the whole story. Harry and Ron both felt excruciatingly nauseous ever since Hermione had described the evening that the child she's carrying was conceived. Molly knew the vague details but none of them had been truly prepared for the interview (aka interrogation) that they had just witnessed.

With uttered "good nights" the family drifted away from the table. Harry lifted Hermione, one arm around her back and one at the bend of her knees as he and Ron followed Ginny up the stairs to her room. Ginny glanced quickly over her shoulder and quickly but quietly closed the door behind the two wizards who looked at her curiously. With a nearly silent muttered spell one of the beds shrunk to the size of a matchbox while the other expanded in size until it filled the room.

"You're both staying. We're not leaving her alone tonight," the ginger witch stated firmly to which both men nodded in grim understanding. If ever there was a night that would bring night terrors, this would be it. It took a few moments of maneuvering for Harry to lay the sleeping witch in the center of the enlarged bed. Harry and Ron left the room long enough to change into pajamas while Ginny swiftly did the same in her own room and transfigured Hermione's clothes into something more suitable for sleep. When the wizards returned, Harry and Ginny lowered themselves carefully onto either side of the sleeping witch while Ron stretched out on the other side of his sister. All three fell into restless slumber with an awareness to any change in Hermione's sleep.

12 January 2003
the Burrow
Ottery St. Catchpole

The next morning Hermione woke up in confusion. Before she had even opened her eyes she was hit with a feeling of unusual and unexpected-though not unwelcome-warmth. Her brain, though still not fully awake, attempted to analyze the situation without using her vision for a moment. There was solid sort of warmth completely surrounding her but she was certain it wasn't due to any sort of blanket. There was also a slight unfamiliar heaviness around her waist and resting on her belly. The baby inside her seemed to be less inclined to wake up than she did, she noticed.

Finally deciding to open her eyes in order to make sense of everything. Right in front of her was Ginny, still solidly a sleep with her mouth open and quiet snores escaping. Just behind the sleeping witch was her equally sleeping brother. Ron seemed to have sprawled as much as he could given the arrangements with one arm stretched above Ginny's head and the other draped over his eyes. Finally, Hermione lowered her eyes to look at the hand resting against her belly. With a small smile her eyes traced the hand to the wrist to the arm, rolling over slightly only to pause when the path led to green eyes watching her curiously.

"Good morning, Harry," she greeted quietly, ever mindful of the sleeping siblings next to her.

The wizard offered a half-smile as he propped his head up on one hand while the other stroked attentively over her belly, "Good morning, love. How'd you sleep?"

"Mmm, much better than I had thought I would to be honest," Hermione replied. "If I dreamt at all, I can't remember it."

"Good," he nodded. "We were all worried about you."

"Who do I need to thank for this, by the way?"

"It was Ginny's order but I don't think Ron or I had any arguments against the idea."

"Order?" She repeated curiously.

"Yes, order. I believe the words were something to the effect of 'You're staying'," He smirked. "Though, it's not as though it required much convincing."

Hermione smiled gratefully and leaned her head against his shoulder, feeling her face warm slightly when the arm that had been moving in slow circles over her belly paused long enough to pull her right up against him and his lips pressed gently against her temple.

"We're all here to help, Hermione. And if that means sleeping right here next to you," he spoke softly into her ear and she could feel his lips turn upwards in a smirk when he paused. "Well, you definitely aren't going to hear me complain one bit."

A shiver moved down her spine in reaction to both the action and the words and Hermione rolled the rest of the way around so that she could face him fully. Curiosity and nervousness warred across her expression as she briefly studied the wizard who was, in turn, studying her. "Harry, you know that I love and trust you very much, right?"

Harry smiled and shrugged the best he could in his current position, "I know that I like to believe so but it's something that's always nice to hear. Just as long as you know and remember that I love you too. You do, right?"

"As you said, I like to believe so but I'm still relearning how to believe it," Hermione admitted softly. She lowered her gaze and curled slightly into herself before speaking again. "But, Harry, you know that…that I don't think I'm ready for what it is I think you're hoping for."

His smile softened and his hand moved from her waist to gently brush a few stray curls from her face a, lifting her chin so that she was looking at him once more before pressing another kiss to her forehead before returning his hand to its previous spot. "I know, Hermione, but I'm not going anywhere. I've waited eight years already, most of it due to my own issues, I'm not afraid to keep waiting. In fact, I'm pretty insistent on it."

"Eight years?" She repeated, eyes reflecting her surprise.

"Eight years," he confirmed.

"But that's…that's not possible. Eight years…that'd be fourth or early fifth year…b-but Cho…that's not possible."

"Yes it is, 'Moine. The whole bloody school knew it," Ron's sleepy voice interrupted. "Well, except you, I guess."

Hermione was silent as her mind attempted to understand this new information.

"I can hear you thinking, Hermione, it's gonna wake up the whole house if you don't calm down," Ginny muttered, eyes still closed and voice thick with sleep.

Hermione opened and closed her mouth several times before finally closing it firmly, unsure what to say.

"Hermione, none of us are going to push you. Especially not about this and least of all me," Harry reassured. "Right now I'm more than fine with just being there and being able to help you through with whatever it is you need my help for. Regardless of anything else and any changes that may or may not happen in the future, you are first and foremost one of my best friends. I may be rash at times but I'm more than capable of being patient when I need to be."

"For my part, and Gin's too, you're not just our friend, you're our sister and it's our job to help take care of family. That's what the Weasleys and being a Weasley is about. Family," Ron said, firmly. "And I can guarantee you that Luna would say the same if she were here. Same with the rest of our brothers. Mum and Dad too."

"Speaking of…Hermione, I'm not trying to upset you but…have you found anything on your mum and dad?" Ginny asked, tentatively.

She had, up until now, been able to avoid thinking or talking about it. At Ginny's question, however, she closed her eyes firmly and bit down on her lower lip to keep it from trembling and gave her friends a slow nod in the affirmative. With her eyes closed she was unaware of the worried glance exchanged between the other occupants. Harry's arm tightened gently around her and Ginny took her hand while Ron reached over his sister to play soothingly with Hermione's hair.

"And?" Ginny asked, worriedly.

Hermione took a shaky breath and opened her eyes slowly, "They never really moved."

"What do you mean? They still live in the same home?"

"No, they haven't lived there in almost two years. The house is mine now, technically. T-they don't live at all anymore," Hermione confessed.

"Oh on, Hermione, do you know what happened?"

"From what I've been able to find out, they had gone out for dinner and dancing for their anniversary just like they do almost every year. They always claimed it was their one night a year to spoil themselves and each other. They never made it home that night though. Drunk driver is what the reports said. I was next of kin but they had no way of getting in contact with me. I only found out a few weeks ago, just after New Year's when I took off for a week or so."

Harry and Ginny's hands tightened and Ron's free hand took ahold of the hand that Ginny hadn't claimed. "Why didn't you tell anyone, Hermione?"

"You're all doing so much for me already, how could I ask for even more?" Hermione said, voice shaking.

"Love, we've told you, we are here for you. However it is you need us, whatever it is that you need. We are here to help and support you in whatever way you need us to be," Harry insisted. "You're not alone, Hermione. You don't always have to stay strong. We're here to be strong for you until you can do it on your own without hindering your own healing."

"I know you're not fond of accepting help, Hermione," Ron said, smirking when Ginny snorted at the blatant understatement, "but there are times where you need it. This is one of those times."

Hermione nodded wearily at the familiar but comforting lecture. "I know. I guess…I guess I didn't want to have to acknowledge that it's real. That they're gone. Talking about it makes it real."

The conversation was cut short by a knock on the door. Before anyone could respond, the door swung open and Molly studied the four with curiosity. "There you all are. The boys' rooms were empty but I'd thought they had stayed last night. All along I was just searching the wrong rooms."

"Good morning, Mum" the group chorused causing the matriarch to smile warmly.

"Good morning, now up you get, all of you. Breakfast will be done soon. Hermione, you've got a package from Minerva when you're ready for it," she said before moving back towards the stairs, pointedly leaving the door open.

"Well, I guess that's our cue," Harry laughed. He gave Hermione a firm but gently squeeze and a quick kiss on the cheek before he and Ron rose and made their way to dress for breakfast, closing the door behind them.

The girls quickly dressed and headed towards the kitchen greeting Molly and, to their slight surprise, Luna. Once the table was set, Molly settled herself into her tea and the newspaper while Ginny and Luna chatted away over their respective breakfasts. Hermione picked up the relatively thin but hefty packet from Minerva as the two wizards came down the stairs. Harry quickly took his spot beside Hermione while Ron took his own next to Luna.

With a small smile in Harry's direction, Hermione quickly busied herself opening her envelope. The contents were much more extensive than what she had anticipated. Frowning curiously she flipped open the only individual piece of parchment in the packet.

Miss Granger,

I have sent to you the contract that the Headmaster has drawn together concerning the position that you have accepted. Included in the contract are the guarantees of room and board, offered salary for the position and the agreed upon options of an assistant, medical and child care. In addition, there is a section that outlines responsibilities associated with the position to include the annual inventory that we spoke about yesterday. At this juncture, you will not be required to take part in evening rounds however there may come a time when you are asked to do so. If and when that situation arises, you will be added to the rotating roster. Shifts may be traded amongst staff members as needed. It also outlines what authority you do and explicitly do not have as a member of the staff. As I had mentioned yesterday, you will have the same authority as any other staff members to grant or deduct House points and to issue detentions. However, excessive deduction of points at one juncture or extensive lengths of assigned detentions will be reviewed by the Headmaster and myself. This is a stipulation for all staff members. More information on what constitutes 'extensive' can be found within your contract.

It is understood that you have already accepted and are qualified for the position and therefore this contract is simply a necessary step to ensure that we continue to meet the requirements and standards set by the school, the Ministry, and the Board of Governors. Please take the time to review the contract in its entirety. If you have any question or require clarification in anyway, please ensure that you ask. Once you have read and fully understand the content of your contract, please sign it and return it to the Headmaster as soon as possible. Quarters have already been arranged for you near the library so you are most welcome to arrive at any point. It is, however, imperative that you have read and signed the contract prior to any sort of training is to start.

I hope that your interview yesterday went as well as we can hope for and that you're not fairing too badly after the fact. I shall be there to greet you at the gates should you still choose to come to the castle today.

I look forward to having you on the staff, Hermione.

Thank you,

Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Hermione smiled warmly and passed the letter to Harry who had been watching her curiously. She idly scanned through the packet of parchment that was her employment contract. She would dig more thoroughly into it later prior to signing but for now she simply wanted to get the gist of the information provided. Putting the packet down in front of her, she dug into her breakfast allowing her mind to sort through her "to do" list.

She really needed to go to her flat to pack up somethings if she was going to be at Hogwarts for the majority of the year. She needed to meet with Madam Pomfrey for her next prenatal exam and she still needed to start picking out furniture and such for the baby before she got too large to want to do it. It would probably be a smart idea, also, to pick up a few more sets of working and casual robes.

"Harry? Are you returning to the castle today?" she asked.

"I probably should but I hadn't decided. Why?"

"When you go, would you mind if I tag along? I figure that I'll spend the next hour or so reviewing the contract and writing down whatever questions that I have along with my current 'to do' list. If I can get whatever questions there are answered then I can sign and return it right then and there," she reasoned.

He nodded in understanding, "Sure, just let me know when you're ready to head out."

"Thanks, Harry," she smiled. Finishing her food quickly, she moved her plate to the sink and headed towards the couch in the living room. Within just a few moments she was fully immersed into her reading. It was several hours later when she finally reemerged from her reading induced solitude. She had to admit that the contract was very thorough. It seemed that her concern and weariness were unnecessary. She sat up on the couch and stretched her arms over her head working out the kinks that had settled into her joints from sitting in the same position for an extended period of time.

She glanced around curiously only to let out a startled shriek of surprise when she realized that Harry was not only sitting right next to her but, judging from the amused grin on his face, had been for some time. She growled and swatted his shoulder for startling her which only seemed to cause the wizard to burst out into laughter that he had clearly been trying to hide.

"That wasn't nice, Harry!" She scolded.

"Oh, come on, it was funny! It's not my fault you become oblivious the moment your eyes lock onto any sort of text," Harry chuckled.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at the wizard and crossed her arms over her chest and responded very maturely by sticking her tongue out at him. Which, once again, only seemed to make Harry laugh that much harder. To her disappointment, she found herself struggling to keep a grin off of her own expression. A sheepish grin but a grin nonetheless.

The two settled down and Hermione settled herself into his side, his arm draping over her shoulders once again and her head against his chest. After a few moments of comfortable silence, Hermione spoke up quietly, "Harry? Did you really mean what you said earlier this morning?"

"Which part? That I love you or that I'm willing to wait?"

"Both?"

"Yes, love, I meant every word of it," Harry confirmed.

"A-and the…the eight years?"

"Yes, I meant that, too"

"Why did you never say anything?" she questioned.

"At first, I was unsure what it was that I was feeling. Once I figured that out, I was worried about making you even more of a target. Especially after everyone's reactions to Skeeter's articles and then Sirius…You remember how I was at that time. The last thing I wanted was to put you at any more risk than you already were. You deserved more than that. So I kept quiet. Then after the war, I had come so close to talking to you about it but by then you and Daniel were getting friendly. I wasn't going to potentially jeopardize your happiness. In hindsight, I wish I would have, though." Harry explained, his hold tightening around her.

There was a pause between the pair. Hermione felt Harry's hand tap her chin, gently lifting her face so they were looking at one another. "Hermione, I meant every word of that entire conversation this morning. As far as I'm concerned, I've been yours for years and I don't care if it's one month or ten years from now, I'm confident that one day that'll be true on both sides. Until then, well, until then we continue on as we have been."

Seemingly unable to fully refrain, Harry briefly but gently kissed her. First her forehead, then the tip of her nose before finally pressing a chaste kiss to her lips. When he pulled back and released her chin, she watched him carefully before offering a tentative smile, "I hope in time I can give you it all."

Pulling himself back together after the intimate revelations, Harry loosened his arm around her and leaned back into the couch a bit more heavily. After another few moments of silence, he cleared his throat. "When did you want to go to Hogwarts, Hermione?"

Hermione snuggled closer and mumbled, "Later. It'd be a shame to move right now. I'm comfortable."

He chuckled softly and hugged her tightly to him, chin resting against the crown of her head. "Alright. Later then."

After a few moments of no response, Harry noticed that she was sinking more heavily against him. Tilting his head to see her face, he smiled tenderly. It was really encouraging that she trusted him enough to be able to fall asleep on him the way that she had. There was something extremely powerful and incredibly humbling about being that kind of comfort to someone who had gone through as much as Hermione had.

Isn't it adorable? Thanks for reading! I look forward to reading your thoughts!

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Until next time,

ABD