Hermione sat at her dressing room table staring at herself with a mixture of horror and disgust.
How had she got here, when had she become so . . . pathetic!
She picked up her brush and ripped it savagely through her frizzy hair.
"To proud to even straighten my own god-damned hair with magic," she muttered as the brush automatically snagged itself in one of her many tangles.
In a fit of temper, she turned and threw it across the room, accidentally hitting a picture of herself, Ron and Harry, taken when they were just children. She stood slowly and walked over to the picture, barely repressed tears sparkling in her eyes.
"So long ago" she murmured as she absently as she picked it up and examined it.
"If only I knew then what I know now, things would have been so different, so very, very, different."
She moved to the bed unsteadily as her tears started to track down her cheeks. "How could he" she whispered to herself in misery as she stared at faces in the old picture.
She knew Ron has always been jealous of her intelligence, but then her rapid rise in the ministry of magic had seemed to exacerbate it, after a few years he'd started to become mean and spiteful, and she'd endured, because they had children, and she wanted them to have a family, security, love. She wiped her eyes furiously, but had he cared about that, no, he'd simply gone out and had an affair, and with Lavender Brown of all people!
Lavender had been working as a receptionist at the ministry where they both worked. So Ron had made sure that he'd not only had an affair, but it had been such a loosely guarded secret that the entire ministry had known before she did. He'd humiliated her, their children, their life together, and everything she stood for, and for what? An ego driven pelvic bump designed to make him feel like a man! She'd give him man she thought viciously, she'd tear his balls off and feed them to Lavender – bloody – Brown!
A sob escaped her as she stood and wheeled back towards the mirror where she once again gazed at her reflection. In a way she couldn't even blame him, she wasn't in love with him, and if she were honest, she never had been.
Everything had just seemed to spiral out of control after what had happened with Voldermort, their struggles, their fight, and the long march to freedom that they'd made together. Then came that horrible last night, all the deaths, all the sacrifice, and the clean-up and hunt for those that had escaped afterwards, everything had combined to fool the pair of them that they destined to be together.
Both her and Ron had been so inexperienced, so damn naïve, they'd actually believed that what they'd found as young adults was love, instead of the close bond of enduring friendship, forged in terror and struggle, that it really was. Unfortunately, that, coupled with a large dose of unfolding teenage hormones, was more than enough to fool them both, so they'd married.
With the gift of maturity and hindsight she could now see what an idiotic mistake that was. Neither of them had been happy for years, oh, they both adored their kids, that would never change for either of them, but love? No, that was something others felt, that was something that was to be forever denied to Hermione, Granger.
Thank God for Harry, if it wasn't for him, she'd have still been in the dark about Rons cheating. She knew Ginny would be furious with him for telling her, one thing about the Weasleys, they always stuck together against anyone "outside" the family.
So, when push came to shove and Hermione had confronted Ron, and then later, filed for divorce, the Weasleys -whilst upset with him - had stuck by their beleaguered son and brother. And today, well today was D-day, or divorce finalisation day, she was no longer married, no longer a wife, and no longer a Weasley. Now she could start to live again, maybe she could even start to find some real happiness for herself at long last, perhaps even take a lover to find out once and for all if it was her or Rons ineptness that had left her cold.
She wiped her eyes again as she continued to gaze at herself, all the while trying desperately to figure out the last time she was truly happy, or better still, the last time she felt that real down to earth, slap in the face, push you up against a wall, old fashioned lust.
Frowning in puzzlement she started thinking, because this question really intrigued her. She knew she'd never really desired Ron sexually. Yes, she had thought she'd loved him, but sex had always been a very short, one-way affair between the two of them, with her on the losing end. Without thinking she started to tap her fingers in a steady staccato as she let her mind wander.
"When was the last time?" she muttered to herself as a frown creased her forehead.
The more she thought, the more she came to realise that there had only ever been one man that had, had the power to make her body tremble, and her dreams to be filled with wicked thoughts, so much so that there were some nights she'd woken up breathless, her hand reaching downwards as she thought of what she'd just dreamt.
No matter how hard she thought about it she could only picture his face, his body, his eyes, all of it rolled into the troubled form of Harry's godfather, Sirius Black.
She's never told anyone about her teenage crush on Sirius, and she certainly hadn't mentioned her nocturnal imaginings. Yet for a young prim, and proper, Hermione, the man had oozed danger. From his dark good looks, to his irresponsible, devil may care behaviour, he had vitality, a dangerous edge to his sexuality that even a long stretch in Azkaban couldn't dimmish, he was just so hot, so . . . vital! Even now, just thinking about him made Hermione's nipples tighten.
She blushed slightly at her inadvertent reaction. Well, Sirius does me no good now, she thought peevishly. And it wasn't as if Sirius was around to scratch her itch anymore, besides which, she was now a responsible Forty-Two-year-old witch, an esteemed member of the Ministry Of Magic.
She shook her head in annoyance. "You're doing what you always do Hermione, you're trying to make excuses, you're always doing what's right, never exploring what you want! So, WHAT IF?" she asked herself.
She narrowed her eyes in thought, as she looked angrily at her reflection, an idea had begun to form at her challenge to herself, an idea that was so utterly crazy, so utterly impossible, so stupid, so very, very, wrong and, so totally and utterly un-hermioneish that she couldn't repress a watery smile.
She could use her brains and try to create something never before attempted. She could create a time turner, but not one like she'd once used at Hogwarts, no, this would need to be one that could go back years, twenty-seven years to be precise. If she were clever – and she was – she could not only save Sirius, she could bring him back home with her!
She frowned, the entire stock of time turners had been smashed by her, Harry and their friends years ago, and to make more of them, well, that was next to impossible, because each time turner needed the empty shell of two used Horcrux's, and the Ministry of Magic only had one, the necklace her raging idiot of a husband had donated to them, in a rather pathetic attempt to try to curry favour.
She glanced over at her magically protected safe. She still had her very own Horcrux with-in, the cup of Helga Hufflepuff that she'd destroyed down in the Basilisks lair under Hogwarts was just waiting, and she knew Harry still kept Marvolo Riddles ring and Voldemort's diary. They were both treasured mementos to what had happened to him. The ring reminded him of everyone he'd lost, and then seen again, before he'd faced his nemesis, and the diary was a reminder of when he'd first began to care for Ginny, and of when he'd faced Riddle and the Basilisk to save her.
She smiled to herself, "C'mon Hermione, you can do this. Screw Ron Weasley, he doesn't even rate! Your kids are settled, and finished school, it's your time to shine, LET'S DO THIS!"
Without another thought she disapparated, reappearing in her study a moment later, where she grabbed an old book and began to read feverously.
She spent the entire weekend devoted to her idea, studying different books, even visiting Hogwarts library to pour over a couple of ancient tomes that were stored in its vast library while she took copious notes. By the start of the working week, she'd come up with a plan of what she thought might, if she were lucky – work, but for her plan to succeed, she needed every empty Horcrux she could acquire, and that meant stealing the locket from the Department Of Mysteries, in the Ministry Of Magic itself!
Been there, done that, this time will be much easier, she thought with a smile.
The next morning Hermione set off for her office much later than usual, she'd spent most of the previous night reading and re-reading through the copious notes she'd made from her studies, until finally she was somewhat satisfied with what she had planned.
First off for the day she had to go see Harry. Unfortunately, Harry was now head of the Auror's Department, and Ron was still employed there, she just hoped he wouldn't cause an embarrassing incident. She knew why Harry still kept him on of course, his wife, Ginny. Over the years the friendship between Ron and Harry had slowly waned, as Rons jealousy of not only Hermione, but of Harry's enduring popularity, had begun to cause problems.
Hermione shook her head sadly, Ron couldn't even keep his mouth shut to his boss, he was always having small, nasty little digs at not only him, but at the other aurors as well, and from what she had heard since their split, his work over the last few years had been average at best, with the only thing keeping him in a job being his friendship with his boss, a friendship he had no qualms about abusing.
She walked briskly across the foyer of the Ministry of Magic, looking up at the new statues that would preside in the foyer for a week until another new lot arrived for their weekly viewing, this week it seemed it was the Red-crested Mangren. Hermione liked the ever-changing statues of magical creatures, it was so much better than what was there before, and it was something she had lobbied hard for. Even though the Mangren did give one food for thought, unfortunately they looked exactly like a normal jersey cow - with a bright red fright wig attached to their heads, with an equally bright red stripe between their large green eyes.
She walked on to the elevators and entered the first available one. "Level two," she said briskly.
Eden a young secretary from the same office - who was also in the lift - went bright red when she heard Hermione's destination.
"Ah, Mrs Weasley," at Hermione's raised eyebrow, she quickly changed it to, "I'm so sorry, Mizz Granger, I just wanted to, well, give you a heads up. Mr Weasley has organised a celebration, of sorts, in the office, he's even hung some signs."
Hermione sighed, "Let me guess, they're quite unflattering and rather offensive?"
Eden went even redder, "yes ma'am, I didn't want you getting poleaxed when you entered, he's been quite . . . well, rude, all morning. Mr Potter arrived about a minute ago, if you give him a few minutes he might have it cleaned up by the time you arrive."
Hermione gave the girl kindly smile, "Thank you Eden, you've been exceedingly kind, and I do appreciate it, but I won't be backing down from the Ronald Weasleys of the world ever again, and if I can give you some advice?"
The girl nodded eagerly and Hermione continued. "Never, EVER, let the Ronald Weasleys of the world bully, or cajole you, guard your back and arm your heart against them, or they'll take you down with them if they can."
The lift stopped and the door dinged open, right into a furious tirade. Harry was shouting at an equally irate looking Ron.
"Did I come at a bad time?" she said with an amused look on her face.
"What are you doing here," snapped Ron, "Come to get some cake from my freedom party? "Look around," Ron smirked, as he pointed at some banners proclaiming such things as Free from the Frigid Frump, and Hermione the Haranguing Harradine, complete with a small pictures of Hermione's face cackling madly at them.
"Sorry Hermione, I'm just getting this crap taken down now. I never authorised it." Harry said, his face a mask of anger.
"It's perfectly fine Harry, everyone knows Ron is simply acting out because he's been dumped. Now I need to talk to you, it's important, just leave Ronald to whatever it he does around here, perhaps there's a bulletin board or something that needs to be checked, he should be capable of that, surely?"
"You didn't dump me, I'm the one that couldn't stand you anymore, I'm the one who had an affair, you're just a dried-up olds crone that nobody in their right mind would want," snapped Ron, incensed at Hermione's put down.
"That's enough!" said Harry turning on Ron, as he finally reached the end of his tether with him. His old friend had been changing for years, becoming angrier and more bitter with every passing day, and now, this. For him to come into his office and find these disgusting attacks against not only his friend, but a respected member of the Ministry, well, it was appalling. Enough was enough.
"You would protect her, wouldn't you. The great Harry Potter, the man who can do no wrong, the only reason you even got your job was favouritism, and your "good friends" recommendations. Well let me tell you, you're not so damn hot, not according to what Ginny says anyway." Ron said with a malicious sneer.
Harry shook his head. "Clean out your desk Ron, you're fired!" He turned to one of the other aurors who were standing there in shock as they listened to the heated exchange. "Make sure he leaves with-in five minutes, and someone, for goodness' sake, take down these bloody signs!"
Ron went scarlet. "You can't fire me . . . you're, you're, you're not allowed!" He stammered, as his brain slowly filtered exactly what Harry had just said.
"I'm afraid I can Ron, your work ethic has been shoddy for years, as well as the disruption you cause in the office on a daily basis. Not to mention all the complaints I've had to field against you over the years."
Harry stared hard at the man who was once his best friend. "You know, I remember a long time ago, back when we were still at school, Luna Lovegood once said to me that you said funny things sometimes, mean things. She was right Ron; goodness knows I've tried to help you. I've tried because of what we both went through so long ago, and for the sake of both my wife and your own, but I've had it, I can't keep making excuses for you. I won't. You're done! You chose this path a long time ago, and I think it's past time you started to live with the consequences of your actions."
With that he turned and walked swiftly away, taking Hermione with him, and leaving Ron standing there red faced, and on the verge of tears. The world he had built for himself had just come crashing in on him, and there was nothing he could do about it, except maybe, Ginny. If Harry thought he was going to get rid of him that easy then he was sadly mistaken, he had to see his sister, now, he turned and hurried to the lifts, two aurors shadowing him.
Harry guided Hermione directly to his office, it was only after they both sat that he saw how close to the edge she was, how utterly fragile. Damn Ron, the thought in dismay. "Hermione, are you alright? He asked gently.
Hemione nodded. "Sorry Harry, that got to me a little more than I expected, I'm okay now though.
Harry nodded, "You said it was important, so, what brings you to the Aurors Department, and more importantly, what can I do for you?"
Hermione took a deep breath, "Since the . . . split, I've begun to realise I need new challenges," she began, "so I've decided I might want to explore new areas of magic. Not that my old pursuits are less important, I just think I need a total change."
Harry nodded waiting for her to continue, "So," said whilst eying Harry closely, "I'm thinking about joining the The Department Of Mysteries, and becoming an unspeakable."
Harry frowned and she continued quickly, trying to get her whole rehearsed speech out as quickly as possible. "Since I want to submit a decent resume to add to my cause, I've decided I might do some research into Horcruxes, and their use in Time Turners – seeing as we broke the last lot." She added with a rueful smile.
Harry turned pale, his skin losing all colour as he stared at her. "Harry, are you alright, you've come over all pallid," she said in alarm.
Harry grimaced, "I'm fine, Hermione, just a bit of a bad breakfast, you were saying about Horcruxes and Time Turners.
Hermione nodded, "Oh, yes, of course. Well, Time Turners, as you may know, are made by utilising the remaining magic, a potent mixture of both dark and light, plus the residual effects of the banished soul that was contained with-in it. As the ministry no longer has any - well, bar the locket Ron so generously gave them - I thought I might do a bit of study, into different objects that been used overall and see if perhaps we might be able to, well, make a short cut of some kind, but to do that, I'd need to borrow your book and ring for a short time, that's if you think it's a good idea." She finished breathlessly.
Harry continued to stare at her for a long time, a strange, almost sad look on his face. "That's a good idea, I'll contact Kreacher and have him drop them at your place immediately."
Hermione beamed at Harry, "Thank you Harry, thank you so much!"
Harry smiled, "I know you'll what's right Hermione, you always do, just, well, be happy." He reached across his desk and grasped her hands, "That's all I want for you Hermione, to find some peace and to find some happiness with someone you love. Just promise me one thing." At Hermione's rather puzzled frown he said, "promise me you won't be afraid to love again, and if the someone you love decides to be a stubborn idiot, then don't let that dissuade you, they may just need someone exactly like you, clever, beautiful, and exceedingly stubborn. Promise me Hermione," he said urgently, "just promise me that no matter what happens in the future, you'll remember my words."
Hermione looked at Harry in total consternation, she was totally taken aback by his impassioned plea to her. "I promise," she said earnestly. "You know me Harry, I never forget a promise, and I never break my word."
Harry smiled and leaned back in his seat, now looking both relieved and relaxed. "Okay, that's settled then, anything else I can do for you?"
Hermione smiled and stood, "No, I've got what I came for, and I still have a lot to get through today. Thank you, Harry, you're a good friend."
Harry smiled and watched as she walked out of his office, unaware a tear was trickling down his face.