Hermione was packing her bags as she heard a knock on her door.

"Come in" she called.

The door opened and Hannah Longbottom waddled in, a month ago she might have been walking, but with her baby being almost ready to come out she was having serious troubles walking with a straight back. Neville had been a round child and it seemed like his baby was going to be a cherub lookalike too.

Hannah spotted a chair and flopped down on it with a satisfied sigh.

"What is this I hear about you leaving, Hermione?"

Hermione put the sweater that she had been folding down into her suitcase.

"You know I need something new to do, I can´t stay here as the eternal student. Before I know what had happened I might have apprenticed with all of the teachers hiding away here in the castle. I know moving to Wales is not really throwing myself into society, but it is a change at least."

Hannah gave Hermione a small smile.

"I am not going to try to persuade you to stay, I just know that I am going to miss you. If you don´t come and see us on a regular basis me and my hormones will come and hunt you down though. Have you heard anything from the boys?"

Hermione smiled.

"Ron and Lavender are almost impossible to get hold of, the twin babies are keeping them up at all hours and I have a feeling they sleep every minute both of the babies are even remotely quiet. Harry and Ginny are on their way to Italy for a quick vacation. Ginny´s quiddich and Harry´s Auror apprenticeship makes it hard for them to see each other as much as they want. They share a house but are rarely both in it at the same time. I am amazed they managed to find time enough to get married."

"It was a lovely wedding though. But back to you sweetie. Are you sure you will manage being a governess? I assume you went to muggle school before Hogwarts, most of us from wizarding families were taught by our parents or governesses and tutors, probably a bit different from your experience." Hannah said.

Hermione closed the suitcase and sat down on it.

"I really enjoyed teaching during my apprenticeship and I like children, so hopefully I will figure it out. I assume dynamics between governesses and employers have changed a bit since Jane Eyre, so I hope I will enjoy it. I have a lot of studying to do as well, so I think time will fly by."

"What do you know about the family?" Hannah asked

"Nothing much, they live in Wales out in the countryside and have apparently rather recently been thrown together. My employer, Mr Sovereign has somehow received guardianship over a young girl, I don´t really know anything more than that."

"Well, write to me as soon as you have settled in and tell me everything, I will be holed up here for a while longer until the baby decides to pop out, Neville does not even want me to use the floo network in case it would hurt the baby. I have a feeling my husband is going to be a nervous wreck by delivery time. He is experimenting on spells to turn all our belongings soft and squishy so that the baby can not get hurt on them. I tell you, the scolding he got from me when I realized the bedposts where not sturdy enough to hold up the canopy any more and therefore trapped me in bed was one that could be heard all through the west side of the castle."

Hermione laughed. She knew they would both be wonderful parents, but there was a rather strong risk that Neville would drive Hannah insane in the process.

"OK, I have to go pee, again." Hannah said as she pushed herself out of the chair. "But I expect several hugs before you leave in the morning."

"I will give you one in advance" Hermione said as she enveloped her friend in a bear hug.

When Hannah had waddled out Hermione looked around her room. It had served her well and truly felt like home. She was not sure what tomorrow would bring, but even though she was nervous, she was excited as well, it was time for a new chapter in her life.