Hermione was tired after a long day in Diagon Alley. Right now she just wanted to put Nikki to bed and settle down with a nice book. Nikki had other plans.
"Mommy, bet you can't catch me," taunted Nikki. Hermione had to smile.
"Oh you think so?" she asked making Nikki giggle. Nikki made a run for it to the Leaky Cauldron. Just as they made it through the door Hermione scooped her up. She suddenly got the feeling she was being watched, looking up she saw the entire Weasley family looking at her.
"Shit," she muttered. It was too late to pretend she didn't see them.
Ron looked toward the door seeing a laughing Hermione holding a giggling little girl. It was a different Hermione than he remembered, this one looked perfect. Her nails done, hair just right, and her perfect size two shape wearing designer jeans and tank top, a very different Hermione. Ron was very confused. As was everyone else at the table, they too could not understand this new Hermione. Everyone wanted to know where she had been and more importantly who was the little girl.
"Hermione dear?" Mrs. Weasley was the first person to speak. Hermione plastered a smile on her face.
"Oh, hello Mrs. Weasley, everyone," said Hermione in her happy hostess voice. When your husband was an influential member of the community you picked up a thing or two. "How have you been?"
"We've been well, how about you dear?" asked Mrs. Weasley. "Come and sit we haven't heard from you in ages, what have you been up to?" Hermione had no choice but to sit and once again include the Weasleys into her complicated life. Nikki pulled on her sleeve.
"Mommy who is these people?" she asked. There was an intake of breath at the table. Had they heard right? The little girl was Hermione's daughter?
"Nicole these are the Weasleys I used to spend summers at their house. Everybody this is my daughter Nicole."
"So your married now Hermione?" asked Ginny. Everybody held their breath waiting for the answer.
"I'm actually in the middle of am divorce," she replied and was pretty sure there was a collected sigh of relief. Having felt she had given then enough info she stood up. "It was great seeing you all again but I really have to get her to bed so I'll be seeing you all." And she got up carrying Nikki upstairs to their room.