Chapter Two! Thank you to those who reviewed. Enjoy this chapter, and look forward to the next.

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As Harry and Hermione entered the room, the conversation fell quiet. Hermione gazed at the crowd of people who had come to welcome her home, and was humbled. The survivors of the Order, her friends from Hogwarts, and some people she didn't know. All the Weasleys, their girlfriends, (including Verity and Penelope) and in Ginny's case, a boyfriend (Dean Thomas). Lavender and Parvati were there, as well as some of the people she had worked with after the Final Battle. McGonagall and Flitwick were there, as was Kingsley and Bill and Fleur. Fleur was holding a baby, a little girl with a head of silver hair. Luna and Neville were together, Luna sporting a large baby bump.

For a moment, the they just looked at Hermione, whose arm was still threaded through Harry's. Then they burst in to chatter, coming forward to hug her and welcome her. Luna was the first to come give Hermione a hug, followed by Neville. Then came her former Professors, then the Weasleys, then the Order.

Finally everyone had given their words of welcome. Molly Weasley had prepared a buffet of fingerfoods people could eat while moving around. Almost everyone was having a good time, and Hermione was surrounded by girls.

"I didn't believe it until I saw the pictures, Hermione. I mean, you, a model?" giggled Lavender. "I mean, we shared a dorm for six years and I never realized that you were actually pretty. How did you start modeling?"

Hermione lifted one eyebrow, giving Lavender a look of pure disgust. "I was at a club with one of my friends. They said they needed an extra model for a shoot they were doing. She asked me to come with her, because I was the only person she knew that could fit into the clothes the sick model had left with out needed to fit them. I went, they loved me. End of story." She turned away, but was blocked the other girl she used to share a dorm with.

Parvati ran an appriacative eye over Hermione's dress. It had sleeves down a few inches past her elbows, a deep V-neck, and a skirt that fell to her knees. It was a deep purple-red, and hugged Hermione's curves. More-than-modest heels elevated the petite girl, giving her a commanding aura. Her make up was perfect, and her hair was pulled back into a large bun at the back of her head that was giving off small curls. It was bound by a gold clip, one that matched her other jewelry. Jewelry that included a huge diamond pendant on her necklace. When did Hermione start wearing diamond jewelry? She looked effortlessly beautiful, enough to make both girls jealous.

"You look nice," she remarked casually. "Is that a designer?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes. My wardrobe has improved considerably since I was sixteen."

A deep voice from behind her chuckled. "Your wardrobe among other things, Hermione Granger." Hermione turned, a slow smile spreading across her face.

"Well. If it isn't George Weasley." The tall, red headed prankster pulled Hermione into a hug. "Long time, no see."

George planted a kiss on Hermione's forehead. "I've missed you, Hermione. I can't believe it has been two years."

Hermione gave a weary half smile. "I know. Everyone has changed so much in two years."

George began to lead her through to crowd to the refreshment table. As soon as they were out of hearing range, George gave Hermione a crooked smile. "It looked like you needed to get away from those vapid girls."

Hermione gave him an appreciative smile. "I did. I hadn't realized that their IQ didn't increase with their breast size."

George let out a belly laugh, shocking those around him. "I hadn't realized Hermione Granger could say the word 'breast' without blushing."

Hermione laughed too. "After someone has taken photos of you in nothing but a skimpy bra and panty set, you can't blush about much. Or someone taking a picture of you kissing someone. Did you realize how many photo shoots require you to kiss someone fifty billion times?"

They laughed again, George getting Hermione a glass of wine. She took a look at the cup, and a dark look passed over her face. "No thanks, George. I don't drink."

George looked taken aback, but recovered with a smile. "No matter then. What do you want?"

Hermione frowned. "I haven't seen Ron yet. Where is he?"

George's face took on a shifty set. "Well, Hermione..."

Hermione sighed. "He didn't take me leaving too well did he?"

George shook his head. "Nope."

Hermione shook her head. "The nerve of that boy..." she muttered. "If you'll excuse me George, I need to go talk to someone."

George made an elaborate gesture with his arms. "Go right ahead, milady." Hermione laughed one more time, then left, weaving through the crowd.

She spotted the sulky red head in a chair by the wall. He was nursing a Firewhiskey, and looked like he was muttering grumpily to himself. Hermione sighed. She had seen that look before.

"Ron."

He glanced up, then looked away. "What do you want, Miss Rich and Famous?"

Hermione glared. "I want you to stop the pity party. Get your head out of your arse and stop shaming your family. It's been two years. I would have thought that would have grown up by now."

Ron glared back. "You didn't tell me you were going to leave."

Hermione nodded. "Yes. You would have told me not to go."

"Of course I would have! You belong here, not in America!" Ron protested, leaping to his feet.

Hermione shook her head sadly. "And that's the reason I didn't tell you. When you finish the rectal surgery, we can talk again."

Neville intercepted Hermione halfway to the buffet table. "Didn't George tell you to stay away from Ron?" he asked, eyes filled with amusement. He had heard her last comment.

Hermione gave her old friend a crooked grin, one that had been featured in many magazines in the States. "Since when do I listen to George?"

"Or anyone else for that matter," said Harry, throwing an arm around Hermione's shoulders. "Hermione Granger, brightest witch of the age. She can do no wrong!"

The three burst out laughing. Ginny walked up to the three, frowning slightly at the location of Harry's arm. "What's so funny?" she asked, stepping forward to give Hermione another hug and forcing Harry to remove his arm.

Hermione pouted, red lips filling and defined brown eyes widening. Ginny was shocked to see how beautiful Hermione looked, and was shocked when Harry groaned. "Harry's teasing me," she explained to the witch. "I've only been back for a few days and he already is making my life miserable."

Everyone laughed again, including Ginny this time. The lifting of Hermione's chest made the diamond adorning it sparkle, and Ginny gasped. "Hermione! Is that necklace real?"

Hermione looked confused for a moment, lifting the necklace up. "Of course," she said. "Why wouldn't it be?"

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Because that thing is bloody ginormous."

Hermione shrugged. "Jean-Baptiste gave it to me last year, for my birthday. Did the paper say anything about him? I caught that awful Skeeter woman talking with him once, but he wouldn't say anything about it. And then she mentioned him in my interview."

Ginny shook her head. "Only that he is rich and handsome." She had seen that picture of him, too. If she was Hermione, she would have stayed with him.

"And he takes you to dinner on the Eiffel Tower," Harry added. Inside, he was scowling. Stupid man and stupid French monument that made girls go gaga.

"And that he kisses you in the rain," Neville finished.

Hermione blushed. "That. How did they know?"

"There's a picture," Neville said, grinning evilly.

George walked up, still holding the wine. He looked at Hermione, and then at the people around her. "Okay," he said, eyes bright. "Who made her blush?"

The rest of the party was very fun for everyone, even if they were shocked to see the 'new' Hermione. She was the center of everyone's attention, both good and bad.

"You haven't been eating! We need to fatten you up, my dear." The Weasley matriarch was sure to try and stuff Hermione full of food the next time she was at the Burrow. Hermione made a mental note to stay away for a while.

Fleur was happy to see Hermione, having bonded with her in the weeks she had spent recovering at the Burrow before she and boys robbed Gringotts. The two chatted in French for almost fifteen minutes, while the rest of the room pretended they understood. Hermione cooed over the baby, and the women spent some time reminiscing over Paris.

Luna and Neville were happy to see her as well, Luna having received an apology from Hermione when she had actually seen a Crumple Horned Snornack in Sweden. After some misunderstandings were cleared up, the two girls had become fast friends.

The party went on long past midnight, with Hermione finally making her excuses and leaving at half past one. She and Harry Apparated to an alley near her flat, Harry walking her up to the door.

"Do you want to come in?" she asked, unlocking the door.

Harry smiled and nodded, before realizing he was behind her and she couldn't see him. "Sure."

They stepped into the flat, and Harry whistled. "Wow. Nice place, 'Mione."

She laughed. "You've been here before."

He nodded solemnly. "And it is still a nice place."

Hermione placed her bag on a small table, and took his cloak. "Do you want anything to drink?"

Harry stiffened for a moment, then shook his head. "No. I don't drink."

Hermione's forehead scrunched up, then understanding dawned on her face. "You were under the Cruciatus too."

Harry gave a bitter grin. "Right in one," he agreed. Then it was his turn to think. "How did you know about that?"

Hermione matched his expression. "I didn't spend the two days at Malfoy Manor painting Bella's nails and having Narcissa braiding my hair." Her expression softened, and she walked over to him, putting a hand on his arm. "I learned what to do. Do you know everything?"

Harry nodded. "I think I do. No alcohol, don't eat too much, don't get dehydrated, exercise when possible, and when the cramps start hit them really hard."

Hermione smiled gently. "Did you learn the hard way like I did?"

He nodded. "Yep. Least fun year of my life figuring out what would put me under for a day or two. I put some people on it. The leftovers only happen if under the Curse for more than an equivalent of two hours. The lucky ones go crazy, the god-damned deal with worsening affects the rest of their lives," he said quietly. "But then," his mouth turned into a cruel parody of a smile, "when have we been lucky?"

Hermione let out a bitter laugh. "Tea?"

"Yes, please." Harry watched as Hermione slid off her high heels, padding off the kitchen. "How do you not kill yourself in those things?" he called, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Not that hard," Hermione's replied. "Balance and experience."

When she returned with the tea set, she found Harry flipping through a heavy tome she had left on the coffee table. "Going through my stuff, Harry?"

Harry looked up, startled. "Of course not, Hermione. What is this?"

She glanced at the cover, and shrugged. "A little light reading," she admitted.

Harry gaped at her. "Hermione. This things weighs at least seven pounds. It is the size of a baby."

Hermione put her hands on her hips. "I happen to like reading books the size of babies." A slight shadow passed over her face at the last word, but Hermione shook it off.

However, Harry had not been her friend for almost ten years for nothing. "What's wrong?" he asked. "Did I say something..."

She nodded, not meeting his eyes. "Not really. I've gotten over it."

Harry's eyes narrowed. "Gotten over what?" What had he said that had made her sad? Books, pounds, babies! Could she be- no. Not Hermione. "Babies? Hermione are you-"

Hermione shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. "I think I may be infertile because of the Curse. I haven't gone to anyone to check, but all the research I've done suggests it."

Harry couldn't move, still frozen in shock. Hermione? Not be a mother? A sob ripped him from his thoughts and he crossed the room to the sofa where she had sunk down into to comfort her. "Oh, Hermione. It'll be okay, 'Mione. You don't know for sure."

Hermione looked up at him with watery eyes. "Did you know I used to play at being a mother when I was little? With dolls? And one day my baby doll start cooing and giggling. It was moving. That was my first accidental magic. After that my parents took away my dolls and only gave me books. I've always wanted to be a mother."

Harry pulled her into a hug. "We don't know for sure. I'll ask the people I have researching the effects of curse to check. I'm sure that isn't it."

Hermione nodded, but there was still fear in her eyes. "Yes. Of course. I'm sorry, Harry. I know it's stupid. That was one of the reasons I left, you know."

Harry looked at her surprised. "Really?"

She nodded. "Everyone was looking at Ron and me, hoping that we would get together, like they were doing for you and Ginny. And I had already done some research with Sirius' library, and I already suspected it. And I knew that Ron wanted a big family and a wife like his mother. And I couldn't be that. I didn't want that, or him. And-" Hermione stopped, and Harry stared.

"And what, Hermione?" he asked softly.

"And the man I wanted looked pretty involved with someone else. I knew he would probably never look at me as anything other than the bookworm. I couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't take all the people watching me. I couldn't take all the pain. All the memories," Hermione admitted. "I just wanted to get away from it all."

Harry grinned at her. "At least you didn't try turning to alcohol like I did. That was a painful morning."

Hermione raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think I didn't?"

Harry winced. "How bad was it?"

"Pretty bad. Worse than the time during the curse." Hermione had found that drinking all night lead to a very painful morning after. Alcohol irritated the injured nerves, causing the pain from the Cruciatus to return at full strength, taking twelve hours to fade away. As a result, Hermione never drank much.

She shook away to bad memories, focusing on the sensation of Harry holding her. She had been back to Europe in the dead of night a few times to visit him, and when he could he took missions to cities he knew she would be in. They had seen each other often in the two years she was away, and she was still the one he was closest too, and vice versa.

"Do you want to see an advance copy of the article that will be in tomorrow's Prophet?" she asked, looking for an excuse to do something. "I agreed to give them an interview because the alternative was having them follow me around for the rest of my life."

Nodding, Harry gestured to the hall. "Sure. Go get it."

Hermione put her hands on her hips and glared. "Harry James Potter."

Harry gulped, some part of his brain remembering that look on her face with painful tenderness. "Uh, yeah, never mind. I'll go get that interview now."

He got up, started walking, then realized he didn't know where the Prophet was. "Uh, Hermione? Where is it?"

She just laughed, waving at the chair to tell him to sit down. "I was teasing, silly. I'll get it." In a few moments she returned with the paper, a slight smile on her face.

"You know, I had forgotten that Rita Skeeter had no scruples what so ever. She portrays me as a glamorous star returning home, when six years ago I was a shameless hussy," she remarked casually. "It's surprising that the people here still believe what she writes." She gave the paper to Harry, moving the abandoned tissue box off the couch so she could read along with him.

Harry nodded. "Yeah. She's been writing that I'm engaged every week for a year now. As far as I know, that is yet to happen."

Hermione stiffened, and turned slowly, forcing herself to relax. "I didn't know you were seeing anyone, Harry," she said, hoping he wouldn't hear the pain in her voice. Why had he not confided in her?

Harry laughed, not noticing anything. "That's 'cause I'm not. Skeeter has me with a different girl every week." She let out a sigh of relief, laughing with him.

She snuggled up to his side, and he put an arm around her, just like old times. There was nothing in the gesture that told Hermione he wanted anything more than friendship, so she made an effort not to read into it. 'We are just friends,' she told herself, taking a moment to clear her head before examining the Daily Prophet.

The Daily Prophet
August 28, 2000

Lily Black or Hermione Granger? The Exclusive Interview!

When we were last with you, we promised an exclusive interview with Hermione Granger, also known as 'Lily Black.' We promised, and we delivered! Rita Skeeter interviews Hermione Granger, Heroine of the Second Rising, Order of Merlin First Class, and Mastermind of the Horcrux Hunt.

Ms. Granger and Ms. Skeeter met at The Three Broomsticks, were Ms. Granger was nursing a cup of coffee. As you can see in the picture, she is wearing a beautiful casual/formal cream blazer and skirt over a ruffled purple and gold top. She looks gorgous and put together- every hair in place, with tasteful makeup and jewelry. So different from the studious girl known at Hogwarts!

RS: So. Ms. Granger. How are you doing?

HG: Fine. It has been hectic settling back into life in London.

RS: Speaking of settling back, everyone is dying to know what made you return?

HG: Many things. I wanted to see my friends again, I wanted to get over some stuff. I was tired of running around the world, on plane for hours a week.

RS: Only you could make running around the world seem boring. What were you doing?

HG: (laughing) Work. I had originally planned to just work in a bookstore, just for a few months, then come home. A friend of mine roped me into helping her for a photo shoot, and the next day I was offered a job. From there, I went to New York, and made it big. Since then, it's been plane after plane, hotel after hotel. Sounds fun, but you miss the real life.

RS: And what about fun?

HG: (blushing) There was that too. I would go out drinking or partying with my co-workers. I met a few people through my job. Nothing special.

RS: And your beaus?

HG: (scrunches forehead in confusion) What beaus?

RS: Jon King? Jean-Baptiste Dumont? Ring any bells?

HG: Oh, dear. No, we were just friends. We dated for a while, but it didn't work out. (shrugs)

RS: Why not? Is there someone else we should be looking at?

HG: Maybe. (smiles) There was someone I was half in love with for years that I left here. He actually one of the reasons I left. But he was happy to see me and available, so...

RS: So what?

HG: Who knows? I sure don't.

RS: Now, tell me, Ms. Granger. What was the deal with the whole, "Lily Black" name?

HG: Well, when things hit it big, I still wanted to remain anonymous. So I ran to my best friend, freaking out. He calmed me down, and we sat down to figure out what to do. That boy is a life saver.

RS: Harry Potter? He isn't much a boy anymore.

HG: To me, he will always be the brave eleven year old who stuck his wand up a troll's nose for me.

RS: So he is just like a brother to you? You don't even see the delectable man that boy became?

HG: I wouldn't say that. Harry has grown into an amazing man. He's the most important person in the world to me.

RS: That's sweet. What about Ronald Weasley?

HG: (winces) Ron. I'm hoping he will get over his immature- Can we talk about something else?

RS: Okay. What was it like being a model?

HG: Stressful. You have to stay the same weight, shape, height... You have to remain unchanging. And there are apparently rules you are supposed to follow. Like, not ordering a steak, but a salad. Or even better, a bottle of water. Thankfully I could get away for a few minutes and actually eat sometimes. And at the beginning, it was insanely embarrassing.

RS: Embarrassing? Please elaborate, Ms. Granger.

HG: Have you ever realised how many photo shoots have people kissing in them? I've had to kiss more people than I would have ever wanted. That the gods for Scorgify. And then modeling in a swimsuit? I had to glamour the scars I had from the war, the ones that never fully went away. The photographers thought I had some kind of miracle makeup. I didn't say anything against it.

RS: Can you tell me how you feel about these pictures, or the stories behind them?

The first picture we asked Ms. Granger to speak about is the one below, right. It is the picture that made Hermione Granger famous.

HG: That picture. It was fun, but I was really shy. It was only the second shot we took, and they were shocked at how well it came out. The wind was blowing just right, and the sun was in just the right position. I was surprised at how fast this became popular. The advert was for the sundress, and suddenly all the companies wanted me to promote their items. From then on it was a constant thing.

RS: And this one?

This picture shows Hermione sitting on a fence, kissing a shirtless man. She is posing for an American brand, and wearing a cream camisole, a plaid flannel shirt, and jeans with boots. The man in the picture is only wearing jeans. It appears they are on a farm.

HG: That was strange. It was supposed to be on a bag for the company. The reason they wanted me was because they saw the first picture. That was the first time I had kissed someone I was not romantically involved with. They got mad at me at first for blushing, but when they looked at all the pictures, they decided they liked the ones with me blushing most. Then word got around that I was naive and would blush easy. I got flooded with offers.

The next picture is one of Ms. Granger's face and hair for a hair advertisement.

RS: One more. This one?

HG: Hair and makeup commercial. They loved my hair and skin tone. So they washed my hair with this stuff that made it super easy to manage and curly, not bushy. I got them to give me twenty bottles. That is my favorite shampoo. Better than Sleakeazy's.

RS: Well, thank you for your time Ms. Granger. One last question: what do you want to do know?

HG: I will be working, either at Hogwarts or at St. Mungo's. I've gotten offers for both, and I have not decided yet. There were some other offers for curse-breaking and such, but that would be too much travel. I want to stay by those I consider my family.

RS: No more modeling?

HG: No. I'm happy with what I've done. If someone wants me to model for them, it had better be good. I've announced that I am not modeling anymore. If they have an offer anyway, then can direct it to my manager. I want to be normal. It was never my intention to be famous. I want to be the little know-it-all again.

With that, the interview was concluded. Respecting her wishes, we will not be tracking Ms. Granger exclusively any more. However, if she does something news worthy, she is fair game! Purchase a subscription to keep up to date on today's news!

Because of her late start, Hermione finished at around the same time Harry did. "What did you think?" she asked, looking at the pictures in the Wizarding paper. Dear Lord, that one of her kissing Jason made her look different. What in the world would Harry think?

"Interesting. Everyone is going to see this in tomorrow's paper," he replied. "And I still can't believe that is your hair."

"Stop it," she ordered, smacking him. "And it's today's paper. It's almost three in the morning." She cast a quick, "Tempus" to check the time, and gave a tired yawn as the date and time showed.

Harry stood. "I guess it's time for me to go."

Hermione wanted to tell him to stay, but was reluctant after crying all over his shoulder. "I guess. Sleep well, dearling."

"Always, love," he responded with a rakish grin. "See you later."

He cast a quick Silencer, and Apparated after giving Hermione a quick hug. She sighed, and walked into her bedroom. What she would do without her Harry...

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