AN: This is a short chapter but my life has been wacky this week! Also we are getting close to the end just about five more chapters. I have the poll still open but I will close it tomorrow because it's time to start the beginning drafts of the next story! So, enjoy this new chapter even if it is short, I just figured short chapter is better than no chapter. Also it's a filler kind of chapter with some important info at the end! Clumsy!

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Jake reached out and took her hand as he and Hermione walked along the beach again. It had become a nightly ritual that they would take a walk together along the beach, or through the forest to the falls and Jake's cave just to be alone for a while. It was a ritual that she hoped never to get tired of.

"Hey Jake, will you tell me your best memory and your worst memory? Then I will tell you mine." Hermione asked and offered. She wanted to get to know him much better and nothing beat communication.

"Well, they're a little strange. There are two memories one ties for best and worst, then the other of both. Confused yet?" He laughed. "Meeting you is absolutely tied with my mom's death for best. Worst would be again my mom's death and Renesmee's birth."

"I definitely want to know how your mom dying ends up as a good memory; but I really don't want to hear about the birth because I have heard stories about those kinds of births." She answered.

"Well when she got sick she suffered for a long time and it was heartbreaking to witness this vital woman slowly withering away and living in painful agony. So obviously that's a worst memory but the day she died; I've just never seen peace and contentment that sure and strong. She knew she was dying and she knew that her next journey was a happy one if you know what I mean. She was amazing and that peace she found at the end is what makes it a great memory." Jake explained.

"I'm sorry you lost her so young; it's not fair." Hermione comforted.

"I'm good; my dad's a great man and he made sure I never doubted that I was loved. Now tell me yours but I already know your worst so you don't have to suffer through that memory again. I just want to know the best." Jake explicated.

"Well mine is a tie as well. Meeting you means so much to me," she smiled at him. "And the memory that ties that is the day I got my letter from Hogwart's and Professor McGonagall sat down and explained that all those weird things I did was because I was a witch. I had no idea whatsoever at the time that accepting my place in the Wizarding world would begin a journey as big as it became."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, if I hadn't gone and I hadn't met Harry and Ron then I wouldn't have ended up at the dead center of a war and the best friend of the target of the darkest wizards and witches of all time. With that said, I also wouldn't have my Harry, Ginny, Fred, George, Draco; none of them and I wouldn't trade them for anything. Even with everything Ron did in the end there was so much good that came before. Plus I wouldn't have loved Gracie and my belief is that one day I will get to meet her when my time here is done and I move on to my next great adventure." She said and Jake couldn't help but wonder about the short laugh at the end of her speech.

Hermione of course had been thinking about what Harry told her and Ron Dumbledore had said when he visited him in the hospital wing at the end of their adventure in first year. She found it strange to look back and see that in a short eight year time span her life had grown so much. She'd endured a lot of darkness, torture at the hands of the enemy and a loved one and she'd come out on top.

She'd learned just how strong she could be when she had to; but she liked not having to be strong for Jake. He was more than willing to share her burdens with her and lighten her load. She didn't have to be a rock with him and help prop him up and it was an enormous weight off her shoulders.

They spent the rest of their evening walk in companionable silence as each was lost in the feelings and memories that their discussion had brought to the surface.

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The next morning Hermione woke up to the smell of bacon frying and coffee brewing. She got out of bed and stumbled to the shower and let the hot water work its magic and wake her fully.

When she was dressed and ready she walked out of her room and made her way to the kitchen where she found quite the surprise.

"Gah! What now? We got Percy already, why are you all here?" Hermione asked in frustration when she saw Draco, Fred and George sitting at the table eating.

"Because this woman can COOK!" Fred joked about Emily and made her laugh.

Hermione leaned down and kissed Jake good morning and took her seat awaiting the explanation. She simply gave Draco a look that made it clear she wanted to know what was up.

"You won't like this but something has happened. We probably should have discussed it with you but we didn't and we can't change it. We've been having your owl post checked for safety while you've been gone." Draco said this all very fast as if that would make it easier to hear.

"You've what!"

"I know 'Mione, ok? I understand but it is a good thing we have because this morning somebody tried to send you Devil's Snare hidden inside an aloe plant for your potions." Draco told everyone while looking nowhere but Hermione's eyes. He registered the panic and frustration as soon as they appeared. He dreaded the next thing he had to say which would make it so much worse.

"But….Draco….I'm just so….How? I thought Percy was imprisoned and it was all safe finally!" Hermione stuttered do to the panic and tears that had filled her eyes.

"That's not all 'Mione." Draco said tiredly. "Molly Weasley disappeared after word reached her that Percy was caught. Arthur and the twins have looked everywhere and haven't heard from or seen her in over a week." He watched as all the blood left her face and she reached out for Jake's hand. Draco was so glad she had found this place and Jake Black; she deserved to be happy. Draco and Harry would see to it that she got to keep her happiness this time.

Everyone started talking again and Hermione found herself explaining about Devil's Snare and thinking about how fast life can change. It wasn't so long ago that Molly had been a second mother to her and had nurtured her when her parents were gone. Her heart hurt that Molly could hate her this much, but she decided that what she'd found here was worth fighting to keep. Molly Weasley would be sorry if she decided to come here and face 'Mione down.

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AN: I know Jake's mom's death may not be true to canon but it's how it is for my story which is why my story is AU!