Chapter Twelve

The Granger Museum

"I know how you feel, Hermione."

"I'm not kidding myself, Ginny, you feel worse than me."

Ginny shook her head, her fiery red hair slapping her face. "I won't believe that. You loved them just as much as I do... Maybe not in the same way..."

Outside of her house Hermione hugged her friend, the smell of flowers filling her nostrils. "I love you." Then she let her go and pressed the keys into her palm.

"Don't go..."

She flinched at the sound of it. The way Ginny said it, desperate and pleading reminded her of Draco. An open wound...

"Will I ever see you?"

"I don't know. Do what you want with the house, it's yours. I don't think I will... Never mind." Whether or not she should say that she wasn't coming back was something she hadn't decided. She was sure that she wasn't, but would Ginny do anything drastic to stop her? "I love you," she said one last time.

That was the last day she saw Ginerva Potter.

They were a makeshift family. Draco, Hermione, Joanne, and Theo. In a line they stood in front of the four story house that Hermione left behind for her new life. Draco a Pureblood given up magic, Joanne his daughter a Squib not fitting completely anywhere, and Theo the best friend, the godfather, the uncle. Her? Hermione was simply the prodigal girlfriend and sister coming home at last.

It was taken care of very well. The grass was mowed, flowers of Marigold planted along the sides. It looked as if there was a fresh new coat of white painted on. The windows gleamed in the high sun. A brass sign hung over the door reading, "The Granger Museum." It was an indescribable feeling seeing her name officially on there. It was very surreal.

She broke away from Draco and Joanne walking through one of the double glass doors Inside there was amazing light from the chandelier that turned on automatically. It glimmered over the lilac walls and the cases very similar to the ones in the jewelry store. They held knives, swords, mases, and other assorted ancient weapons. It lined the whole room.

The first floor was separated into three rooms. The one to her left contained one staircase, it was too small to hold anything else. The one to her right was full of battle armor, clothes from that century that the Goblins wore. She saw other cases and tiny moving figurines in them moving in sequence to the past.

Draco and Luna had done a better job than she could have imagined. They completed her modest collection by a long shot.

As she started up the stairs her line of sight was caught by a yellow string of yarn tapped on the wall. She looked quizzically to Draco who laughed nervously, a sound she rarely heard from him.

"Luna," was all he said, but that's all it took to explain it to her.

Gently she touched the soft fabric. It no longer felt like her place. It was Draco's and Luna's. They really did pick up where Hermione left off, except this time she didn't feel sad or the least bit resentful. or even playing the part of the maverick. She was... Grateful. It was clear to her then that Draco hadn't moved on like she thought, nor was she so easily replaced. It wasn't that at all. Draco was seeking comfort. Instead of wallowing he tried forgetting, but it was like he said, it couldn't be done when you wanted to hang on to the things that were sentimental.

"Hermione? Is something wrong?"

She realized that she had one foot on the next step and was still staring at the piece of string. "Every thing's wonderful." She glimpsed back to the room taking in the spans, and lighting. It was perfect. She leaned onto the railing. "How do you like this for the wedding?" She pointed to the room next to it where the short styles of armor were. "And that could be the reception." Yes, she could see it. The lights, some flowers, Draco and Joanne at the end of the aisle waiting for her. She would see her old family and tell them the news, hoped they would accept it... It would be a new beginning.

Joanne looked like she was about to squeal, but she bit her lip, something that Hermione recognized as a trait of her own. it sent a thrill through her. Maybe it wasn't all genetic.

Draco grinned the widest smile she ever saw as Theo jabbed him in the ribs with his elbow six times.

"Making another promise, Hermione?"

"No, it's the same one..."

"But," he guessed.

"But this time we're not going to wait." She sighed, "we both know what happens when we wait, Draco. I'm not doing it again."

"Neither am I."

Elation filled her. She felt like she would float away at any moment so she ran down the stairs and into his open arms. Joanne wrapped hers around her waist. She could feel Draco shaking in her arms as Theo clapped him on the back.

Once more Hermione had the fulfilling emotion of having a family. Now all she needed was her career.

She didn't have long to wait to hear from Mr. Shacklebolt. Theo was over the next morning while Draco and Joanne slept. She was setting the table when he arrived.

An envelope with her name neatly written in gold plopped on the plate she just placed. She picked it up and Theo - without sparing one word - helped himself to the pan cooling on the counter.

Her fingers shook as she slid her nail through the flap. Her first reaction was joy but it turned into a dread.

Dear Ms. Granger,

I can't tell you how pleasing it is to hear from you. I hope all is well.

Yes, there is a position opened, but I'm sorry to say that it's not your previous job. It's a higher position earning twice as much. You'd be handling foreign affairs in a legal manner. There will be no training need as you are already fully qualified. The job is yours if you choose to accept it. However, there is one catch, you must be willing to move to Malaysia.

I would be much obliged if you come to my office to discuss this matter further. I'll look forward to seeing you.

Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt

Theo made himself at home lounging in a chair, his mouth full of toast, but in question he raised his brow.

"Mr. Shacklebolt offered me a promotion."

He swallowed hurriedly to answer, and winced. "Why are you upset then," he gasped out.

She flicked the letter to him. "The job's in Malaysia."

"You'd think the world was trying to keep you and Draco apart."

"I wonder how long I'd be gone..."

His eyes rounded. "You can't be serious! You're going to take it?"

"It's a great opportunity, Theo. How can I just pass it up?"

"Easy! Say you don't want it. This isn't a great opportunity, it's ruin! Draco won't pack up his life for one you've just begun. That isn't fair!"

"You're being ridiculous."

"Am I? Hermione, when is the last time you've been truly happy?"

Her cheeks heated in anger. She didn't want to talk about it. She could live the rest of her life without having that conversation, but it didn't appear as though Theo was going to give up any time soon, not judging by his elbows digging into the table and his thick eyebrows knitted above his dark eyes. He wasn't going to give up.

"When Harry and Ron were alive," she said through gritted teeth.

"Exactly. Don't give up your happiness for a job."

She shook her head, not in response but to disbelief that only one thing could make her happy. Why couldn't she have both?

"Where are you going?"

Hermione was strolling past him to the lounge heading for the door. She snatched her jacket from the hook swinging it around her. "Tell Draco I've gone to see the Minster about the job. You'll see, he'll be okay. We all will."

"What about the charity benefit? That's tonight, you know!"

"I'll be back in plenty of time, stop worrying, Theo!"

She ignored his further complains and left. She felt gratified when she went inside of his unlocked flat to use his fireplace.

A/N: I'm sorry for the shortness of this chapter. This is more of a turning point for Hermione, where instead of planning on planning, she's going through with it, she's really going to get her life back in order.