Hermione sat in her office mentally going over all the things she had to do before tomorrow. The children would be leaving and although she hated to admit it she was anxious about the idea of an empty house. In the few days she was home Hermione quickly fell into a routine with her family. Despite the lack of Harry's presence during the day and the sneaking into bed she was finding out how much great things she had going.

Hermione had written eight global best sellers. They were titled; The Dark Halfblood, Pureblood Supremacy or Tradition, The Deathly Hallows, Albus Dumbledore and the Order of the Pheniox, On the run- the true series of events as told by the Golden Trio, The Battle of Hogwarts, Nicolas Famel and the elixir of life, Magical Creature and equality and Wizarding life and Muggle Normals. She found out she also wrote an entire three chapters for the new edition of Hogwarts a History- and to her that was her biggest accomplishment.

She received numerous letters from her family and friends all wishing her well and hold basic conversation all but from one Ronald Wesley and although she wasn't romantically drawn to him, he was still her best friend and he acted like she didn't exist. Ginny was the most vague and brief with all her letters and Hermione wondered if they had a strained relationship.

Hermione however, hated the protocol for leaving the house to go out. She needed an escort and a whole other bunch of jazz as Harry was the Minister of Magic. Like she couldn't handle herself as well as any trained auror.

She also learnt many things about her family. First of all she had a cat named Perrie and reminded her very much of her old transfiguration professor. They were all very smart and talented children and they all loved her, which in the now was enough for her. She also learnt that her children were given only couples as their God-Parents. James' God- Parents were Ron and his wife, Albus' was Luna and her husband Rolf, and Lily was Neville and Ginny. She also learnt Albus had her father's allergy to tree nuts.

"Ok Hermione, focus!" she gently reprimanded herself. She grabbed a quill and made her list of things to pack before she left for Hogwarts every year.

Textbooks

Homework

Parchment

Caldron

Quills

All ingredients for potions

10 books for light reading

6 Dress robes

Scarves

Socks

Gloves

School shoes

School Bag

Money

2 pairs of denim

10 tops

Adequate undergarments

Trainers

Jacket(s)

Female monthly products

Shampoo and Conditioner

Soap

Body lotion

Brush

Hair products and ties

Towel

Floss and toothbrush with toothpaste

She duplicated the list and then wrote out each child's name and crossed of the things her boys didn't need and then she smiled at the list and crossed off all the things she was sure they had packed. She noticed the only things missing were their toiletries.

Hermione then continued to think of things she needed to be done before they left for school- Homework she thought almost in frenzy. She then mentally noted she went through their homework and was quiet pleased with the level of worked they each produced.

Hermione looked at the time. It was just past one and she quickly got up. She had a dinner to plan for a dinner party between 20 people. Tonight would be the customary goodbye dinner at the Potter's. As she made her way down to the kitchen she noticed Albus carrying Perrie."Are you planning on taking her to Hogwarts this year?" Hermione asked as she let him pass in front of her.

"I don't know. Should I? Can I?" He asked all in one breath.

"I don't see why not. You just need to pack her grooming products." Hermione answered gently. "Want to help me with the dinner for tonight?"

"Sure, I guess." he said and put the cat down and made his way over to the sink to wash his hands. His expression changed and he turned to his mother "But then who would keep you company?"

Hermione looked at her son as through he had grown another head. "Your father ofcourse." She replied.

"But he is never home." Albus argued.

"Take the cat to Hogwarts. She loves you! Don't pity me, your father and I make things work despite everything that's happening." She said with finality.

"What should I do then?" He asked as he looked around the room trying to break the awkwardness that crept in.

"You can cut up those veggies for now." She said with a thankful smile and waved her wand and sent the veggies, the knife and the chopping board towards the island for him to work. "Are you ready to leave for school?" She asked hoping to make conversation.

"I guess you can say that. Its sixth year and James' last year, pretty sure not it's going to be super hectic." He said indifferently.

"James' is a bit much isn't he." Hermione thought out loud. "So tell me what you love about potions."

"It doesn't change, if you follow the rules correctly you can do so much. Change appearance or save lives and all you really have to do is simply follow instructions."

Hermione smiled. She somehow already knew his answer but she loved it. He was the exact opposite of James and she loved that about Albus. "Is there anything you want to tell me?" Hermione found herself asking before she even knew she was talking.

Albus looked like a deer in headlights. He froze but then quickly relaxed. "Nothing I can think of."

Hermione raised her eyebrows and then turned to look at her so. "Just know, I love you no matter what. It's unconditional."

"I love you too mum." Albus finished the veggies and brought them over to his mother. "Will you miss us?" Albus asked softly.

"So much." She replied just as soft. "However, I can do with some quiet around here."

As the afternoon progressed Albus and Hermione worked side-by-side to create a large spread. They talked about many different things, yet Hermione felt like they didn't get to the real conversation they had to.

As the clocked moved closer to four she recruited her other children to help set up the dining room and make sure the house looked guest friendly. Although there was a bit of grumbling among the children no one made a bigger fuss. Each child finished their tasks and then running off to get ready.

After Hermione was done downstairs she moved up to her room and quickly got dressed. She put on a simple summer dress and headed downstairs. To her surprise her children sat in the family all looking decent and almost bored. It was almost 5:30 pm and the guest would start arriving soon. Nerves flooded Hermione's body. She was very aware that everyone in the family was very much aware of her 'condition', but she didn't want to be pitied. She mentally went through the pictures she saw of each of the families coming over. Neville and Ginny their seventeen year old son; Sutton and their thirteen year old twin Nathaniel and Benjamin. Then there was Ron and his wife Anna-Claire, their twin boys Fred and Hugo and Sybill. Lastly, Luna and Rolf and their two boys Lorcan and Lysander. Then there was her family of five.

New nerves settled in as she thought whether or not Harry would be home early enough for the party. Hermione quickly decided that Harry's presence would not affect the evening and waiting for the guest to arrive.

The first to get to arrive was Luna and her family all dress in a similar yellow floral print they all looked amazing. Their sons had her blonde hair but their father's built which was very tall and rather lanky. Luna smiled as she stepped into the family room and Hermione and the children followed suit.

"So glad you could make it." Hermione said and moved to embrace the woman in front of her in a hug. "We so missed you last year!"

Everyone except her children-who were used to random burst of their former mother looked at Hermione in shock.

"I thought Harry said you lost your memory." Rolf finally said butting into the conversation.

"It's more suppressed than lost." Hermione explained. She then turned her gaze to the children who seemed to be plotting. "What are you lot up to?"

"May we go flying in the back maybe a quick game of Quidditch?" Lily asked her mother with pleading eyes.

Hermione quickly turned to Luna to see if she approved and then turned back to Lily. "Sure, but James and Albus you need to go chaperone."

The three younger children ran out excitedly, while Albus just got up and followed then James however mumbled under his breath. As the children left, Hermione motioned for the pair to have a seat.

"We had the boys place some wine and dragon scale cookies in the kitchen I do hope that's quiet alright." Luna said and she sat down.

"Sounds delicious!" Hermione smiled and inwardly groaned. She remembered the last time she had some on Luna's cooking back in 1999. She was sick for a week.

"Will Harry make it tonight?" Rolf aking with sincere curiosity.

Luna as though sensing Hermione's uneasiness with the question answered; "Where the universe places him that's where he will be."

Hermione sighed a sigh of relief when the foo sounded. "That must be Ginny." Hermione said and excused herself. She was right. When she got to the foo room it was the Longbottoms. Neville and Ginny beamed at her. Before she even moved forward to engulf her best friend the foo sounded again and another four persons appeared - The Wesley's. Hermione forgot all about the Longbottoms. She took a good look at the woman who now stood in her house. She was beautiful. She had lovely dark brown hair and a small frame. From her oval face to flawless skin- Hermione immediately didn't like her.

"Hermione, are the children out back?" Ginny asked with a knowing smile.

Hermione looked at Ginny and wondered if there was a strained relationship with her and Ron's with wife. "Yes they are, why don't you lot go join them. I'm sure they could use some professional help." She said smiling at Hugo and Fred.

"Anything for you Aunt Mimi." Hugo replied and gave her quick hug Fred followed the pair made their way out of the foo room with the Longbottom twins Benjamin and Nathaniel mumbling their greeting along with quick side hugs. Sybil along with Sutton exchanged looks of reluctance. "James is out there too guys." They both shrugged and made their way out of the room.

"Luna and Rolf are in the family room. Will Ron be coming?" Hermione asked Anna-Claire without looking her in the eye just in her direction.

"He should be here soon." She answered. "I better go join Rolf and Luna." She said and left. Ginny gave Neville a look forcing him to leave.

"I'll go join them too." Neville said and quickly left the room.

"Ask away Hermione." Ginny said calmly and took a seat. "I knew you would rather do this in person rather than owl post."

Hermione looked at the witch before her. She was starting to look more like her mother minus the plum figure her mother had. However, their face seemed to age the exact same way. She wasn't sure how Ginny knew but she wanted to verify Harry's story about his and Ginny's relationship. "Did I break you and Harry up?"

Ginny smiled knowingly. "Yes and no. We tried hard after the war to make it work you know that but there was a shift. He trusted you a lot more than he did before the hunt and he trusted me a lot less. Not in a bad way just in that way when your life is so dependent on another's that a type of bond is formed. Harry was going through a lot and so were you and he could never bring himself to tell me, he would rather tell your sleeping form than tell me anything. That was my first red flag. The other was that despite my resentment for him doing that- I kept going to Nev every time something was wrong with my life. It took me a moment to realize that Nev and I formed the same kind of bond you and Harry did. The last red flag for me was when I asked Harry to spend some time with him and he didn't want to leave you alone. He claimed that although you made progress he didn't want you to be alone. I got upset and Harry told me if he lost you he would never be able to get past it you were his life."

"He could have meant I was his best friend the only person who knew the real struggle we went through. Ron did just leave us." Hermione tried to reason.

"Remember that look Harry got in his eye when Snape spoke ill of his parents? The one where he was ready to fight fire and brimstone to protect them because he cared so deeply for them? That was the look in his eyes. It was the same look he had when explaining why we couldn't be together just before the war. I knew right then that he was hopelessly in love with you."

Hermione looked guilty. "I'm so sorry. I really didn't mean to break you guys up."

"I know you didn't." Ginny replied softly.

"Did you hate me?" Hermione asked shyly.

"At first, a bit but I quickly realized I would rather be with someone who was as in love with me as I was with him. We went through a war it was silly of us to think we wouldn't emotionally different after it. We all wanted things to go back to what it was- some form of normalcy that we all forced it."

Hermione smiled understandingly. "So Ron's wife. What's the deal with her?"

Ginny grinned almost evilly at that question. "Oh you two have this weird friendship. It's almost like an unspoken competition between you two to always outdo each other but I think there is love somewhere down there."

"What's the score standing?" Hermione asked mischievously.

"You're way in the lead." Ginny winked and the foo placed erupted.

Ron stepped out looking awkwardly at the girls who immediately erupted into giggles. Harry stepped through shortly after Ron who looked to Harry for help. Harry simply shrugged his shoulders and looked confused.

"Don't worry about us boys!" Ginny said sharing a knowing smile with Hermione and leaving.

The three friends looked at each other. Hermione looked at Ron. Harry instantly saw the anger build up in her eyes. "No Hermione, please let us not have that fight tonight."

"I wasn't planning on it Harry. I have nothing to tell Ronald about Australia if that's what you're talking about. However, why haven't you been over once not even a letter, since you found out you know that I didn't have my memory!"

"Hermione," Ron said softly. "I'm sorry, you're right I should have at least written but when Harry explained when you thought it was I thought it may be best I didn't come around." Ron explained looked gently at Hermione. There was an intensity in their gaze and neither wanted to look away.

Harry awkwardly looked at the scene in front of him. He was almost tempted to do one of those clichéd coughs to break the moment up.

"I forgive you. You big goof, but we're family and family sticks together." Hermione said and moved toward Harry embracing him in a side hug. Ron smiled and left the pair going to join the others leave the married pair together sensing they needed a moment.

"You made it." Hermione smiled softly.

"I make it every year." He whispered. He wanted to kiss her she looked amazing in her dress and her small smile. She was happy to see him something he wasn't so sure she felt when he walked into the room for the past few weeks.

"Let's go join the family." Hermione said breaking his trance.

Harry and Hermione moved towards the family room and noticed it was empty and then made their way to the pitch outside. A full on match was in progress and everyone seemed to be having a blast. Hermione then had a brilliant idea and summoned the food outside on the entertaining area near the pool. She also summoned the drinks and a few more chairs. Harry sensed her plan and started to help her setting up her outdoor meal. He couldn't help but missing his wife in the moment. He knew he had Hermione and she was pretty neat when she was twenty one but she wasn't his wife. He couldn't kiss her, or hold her, or grab her bottom when no one was looking.

As the match neared the end the adults all came over to the set up Harry and Hermione worked on each pouring themselves a drink. Before they could begin an actual conversation the children who were sticky from game all gathered around eager for some food. When everyone was seated the children shared looks.

"What is that look about?" Hermione asked the group of young people seating together.

"Nothing." Sutton commented too quickly.

Hermione gave him a look of disbelief.

"We don't want to hear dad's lame stories about Hogwarts. We've all heard them 5000 times." James said bluntly. Hermione gave him a look of disapproval. She didn't want to have this respect your father fight with James here in front of everyone.

"James." Hermione said in a warning tone.

"Uncle Harry's stories aren't that bad really." Lysander commented.

"Dad's stories are." commented Hugo. Which got a laugh out of Fred. Ron looked at his children with a mock hurt facial expression.

"So what do you kids want to hear?" Rolf asked the group.

All the children started mumbling to themselves. Then Sybil spoke up. "Uncle Harry, tell us when you knew Aunt Hermione was the one."

"You're such a hopeless romantic." James said with annoyance.

"That's a good idea Sybill. I mean Hermione doesn't have all her memories. Why not share with her and us." Ginny said with a straight face to Harry and then turned to watch Hermione with a small smirk.

A blush crept onto Harry's face. He looked at Hermione to gain her approval or an easy way out of this. She gave him a small reassuring smile and a small head nod. He took a deep breath. "Well I knew the first time I kissed her. It was different. I knew instantly I wanted to kiss her for the rest of my life." Harry said quickly.

Anna- Claire and Ginny both rolled their eyes. "Details Harry!" Anna-Claire demanded.

"It was December 2001. Hermione and I, we weren't dating yet."

"When did you guys start dating?" Lily interrupted.

"In January 2002." Harry answered.

"That means you only dated for like 6 months and then got married." Fred said in complete shock and almost fear.

"That's right. Hermione was my best friend, the chemistry was there- there was not point waiting." Harry answered simply.

"When did you know you loved her?" Sybill asked again.

Harry sighed. He couldn't tell them the truth. He knew it was the moment he caught her trying to scratch off her 'mudblood' scar in her sleep. He knew then and there that he only wanted her to be at peace, that he was upset he wasn't the one to kill Bellatrix.

Harry was walking up the stairs heading to bed at grimmauld place in a hot June night 2001. Harry had sent most of the night locked in the study trying to not let Ginny's words continually ring in his ear. "You're in love with her! That's why you can't even set a date." Ginny sighed at that point "It's over Harry." She said and handed him bad the simple diamond ring. Tears were flooding both their eyes but she left with a pop before he could even beg her to change her mind. That was five months ago.

He knew that they didn't work the way they did before the war but Harry felt as though there was now no chance he would ever have a family. As he made it up the stairs he had this nagging feeling that he needed to check on Hermione.

He slowly went to her door and knock gently. There was no reply but he opened the door anyway. The sight killed him he could see her could see her mouth moving and it looked like she was screaming. Silencing charm he realized and dropped the charm. Hermione screams went through him. It broke him.

At this time is eyes were adjusted to the dim light and noticed the stains on her bedding. Blood. His heart beat increase. He slowly made his way to the bed Hermione still screaming. The sight made his blood boil as he moved closer to her. Hermione was holding her arm almost clawing out her skin with the scar. Harry gently woke her up and gave her a hug reassuring her it was okay. Bellatrix was dead and that she was safe. She broke into tears and Harry just held her for a few moments. He then got her out of bed and bandaged her hand and crawled into bed next to her after he changed her sheets.

"I'm going to stay tonight."

"I don't need to be watched." Hermione complained.

"I know, but I'd sleep better knowing you knew I'm here for you. It's purely selfish." He said in hopes of downplaying his fear she would do something stupid. She smiled.

"You're an idiot." She said and turned around to settle into bed.

"Were you thinking about Gin?" She asked as silence enveloped the room.

"No." Harry lied.

"You're a bad liar." Hermione said and turned to face him.

"I was, it just feels like I will never get my happy ending you know." Harry explained and immediately felt like an ass. Here he was giving her more to worry about.

"You will. The right girl will come along and you will know." She whispered.

"Thank you." He said softly.

After a few moments she whispered a thank you and it was Harry's turn to smile. He knew he was in love with her at that moment because she was always the only one who silenced his demons and now he was the only one who could silence hers.

"Harry" Ron exclaimed pulling Harry away from his thoughts. Harry blushed.

"Aren't you going to answer us?" Rolf asked with a smirk.

"I knew the moment I realized our demons played well together. That was a long time before I actually made a move- about six months before I did make a move." Harry said keeping the answer vague. Hermione watched him with curiosity.

"What about you aunt Gin when did you know Uncle Nevvy was the one?" Lily asked and the male children groaned.

Harry turned to Hermione and whispered the true story while the children's attention was taken up with Ginny and Neville.

Hermione's face paled and then she gave him a sweet loving smile. She then whispered to him covering her lips; "Thank you for not telling the children that, it's embarrassing. I mean I was a post- traumatic depressed potion addict and alcoholic, not exactly the proper role model."

"It's your recovery from that situation that makes you such an amazing person and mother, and wife- the perfect role model." He looked at her she blushed. Harry glanced at her lips and licked his own. "I want to kiss you." He whispered.

"Not with an audience. It would be in essence our first kiss again." Harry nodded understandingly at her words.