I know it's been forever.. no excuses! I'll just give you the next chapter!

After leaving Hogwarts, Hermione expected that things would get easier. That wasn't so.

About a week after getting home, Hermione was having morning tea with her parents. She had decided that after tea she would head out to the local park to have some time to herself to think. To think about Draco, but mostly to try to figure out where to go from here.

Her parents were dentists which meant that Hermione's family was very well off. She had money to spare, which meant that she had time to spare to decide what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. She had thought about healer training. She knew one of her strongest callings in life was to help others. But she didn't think she would realize her full potential in a healer's setting. So it was, she decided she would go for auror training. It wasn't like she didn't have enough experience.

As far as Draco went, she hadn't heard a thing about him since leaving Hogwarts and she very much planned to keep it that way. How would she forget about him and move on if she did any different. She had eventually told her friends about her fling with Draco and in doing so had asked them to keep any news that they heard of him to themselves. They agreed for her sake.

Hermione was walking through the park at her own leisurely pace and just trying to take in the calming nostalgia of one of her favourite childhood hangouts.

"HERMIONE! Yeah! Over here!" she looked up to see one of her old friends, Errol, running towards her.

"Errol! Oh my goodness, it's been so long!" When he finally reached her, he picked her up and swung her around in a giant hug like he used to do when they were younger.

"Yeah, long time no see. I haven't seen you since the party last summer."

Hermione's face visibly dropped. Those were not good memories for her.

"Look Hermione, I heard about everything that happened with Derek and Cierra and I just want you to know that I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that from either of them."

"Yes well, that's all in the past isn't it." Hermione plastered on one of her best fake smiles and tried to change the subject. "So how have you been anyway, Errol?"

"I've been doing really well! I'm just home from university for the summer. Actually, I just came from Derek and Cierra's.. They have their own apartment now. A nice little place just down the road from here. Just came down to get us all some coffee but then I saw you walking. I'm a godfather Hermione! They've had a little girl.. They named her Jean. After you. They really are sorry for everything that's happened 'Mione.. They both miss you."

In some part of her heart really deep down, this touched Hermione. When she really thought about it, after everything, was she really still hurt? After everything she went through with Draco she hadn't thought about the Derek situation in a very long time.

"Are they happy together?"

"They are the happiest little family I've ever seen Hermione, I'm sorry if that hurts you to hear."

"It doesn't. It's good that they're happy. You said you're getting coffee and heading back, right? Do you think they would mind if I came for a visit with you?"

"Not at all! They would love that!"

So Hermione and Errol walked over to the coffee shop and then headed to Derek and Cierra's apartment.

When they arrived, Errol knocked once on the door and then let himself in. Hermione followed quietly behind him.

"Hey guys! I brought back the coffee.. and I brought another visiter."

Hermione walked around the corner into the livingroom.

"Oh my god, 'Mione!" Hermione smiled at her old bestfriend. It had been too long and everybody makes mistakes. It was about time she put this behind her.

"Well, get over here then. Give me a hug."

Cierra ran across the room and launched herself at Hermione.

"God, I'm so so sorry Hermione. I never wanted to hurt you. I can't believe what a mess everything has turned into. Please forgive me. You're my bestfriend!"

"You're forgiven.. It will take me some time to get used to this. But I forgive you and I'm truly happy that you are happy. Congratulations on your baby girl!" Hermione caught Derek sheepishly looking on from the corner of the room. "Same goes for you Derek."

Derek beamed at her. He looked truly happy, and somehow that really did make Hermione feel good.

"So, where is this bundle of joy?"

Cierra walked into a bedroom down the hall and came back out with little Jean in her arms.

"We named her Jean, 'Mione. For you. We call her Jeany most of the time though. I think it really suits her."

Cierra handed the baby to Hermione who sat with her in a chair and looked down at little Jeany. She was absolutely beautiful. She had a full head of brown hair, beautiful big blue eyes and the tiniest button nose.

"She's amazing guys. Truly. I know Errol is the godfather, he made no secret about that. But who did you name godmother?"

"Well.. we didn't. Actually, I refused to name a godmother. I was still holding out hope that someday you would forgive me because there is nobody else I would rather see my child go to than you, Hermione. I know this is all strange and so sudden after everything, but would you like to be the godmother?"

Hermione beamed. She gratefully accepted. This little human in her arms was going to be a part of her life forever.

Over their coffee Hermione caught Cierra up on everything that had happened to her that year at school, including Draco. While the girls talked, Errol and Derek played some video game or other on their new game system. After about an hour or so, Hermione thanked them for the visit and headed home.