Thank you to all of those who are now following the story, also for all of the wonderful reviews. I appreciate it, they help me stay motivated. Sorry this update took so long,

Charlie and Hermione decided to use the Floo in the flat above the shop to go their separate ways. Hermione had told Charlie that Amanda could owl her anytime, they could get together and hang out if she wanted to. Entering the flat she is thinking about everything that has changed in such a short time. Even with her parents' death, she is feeling very content. George has always been a wonderful friend and he is proving himself time and time again about how much he does care for her, loves her even. Smiling at the memory of him telling her how he felt. She had really only taken the position at the Ministry to have access to the tracking on her parents and maybe have access if anything came to light about reversing a memory charm. Looking forward to teach at Hogwarts had really always been her dream job. She had some of her best memories there and to top it off DADA was her favorite subject. She would have to talk to Remus and see if he would be able to help her through the first year jitters. Entering the kitchen, she notices a letter on the table, recognizing Sirius' beautiful handwriting, ripping open the envelope.

H-

Of course dinner is on for tonight, please come. Teddy misses you…. We all do… Come early if you want, bring George too.

Love,

S

Smiling to her, George still has a few hours at work deciding first she needs to go to work and discuss her resignation with her boss. Putting on a jumper over her t-shirt not changing her jeans, it will be a quick visit anyways. Before stepping into the Floo she remembers that she needs to leave George a note where she is going to.

George-

Went to talk with my boss about my resignation and then over to Sirius' for dinner. Come over with you are done with work.

Love,

Meenie

Entering the Floo and getting out at the Ministry walking through the corridors and nodding at those she recognizes as she is passing them. Entering her office, Mr. Bell is not there, starting to pack her belongings, she is caught up in her own thoughts and does not hear him come in.

"I was wondering when this time would come."

"Mr. Bell, I didn't hear you coming," Blushing under his scrutiny, "I wanted to talk to you. Please don't be upset with me."

"Hermione dear, I know you weren't satisfied with here and that you would only be here until you got a better offer. So who is luring you away?" Taking a seat and motioning for her to do the same, "I couldn't be mad at you for getting a job you enjoy and that challenges you."

"Hogwarts," smiling at the kind man, "Defense against the dark arts, it was my favorite subject."

"Professor Granger, that has a ring to it."

"Professor Weasley, actually."

"Ah marrying one of Arthur's boys, which one?"

"George, he is part owner of the joke shop with his twin and plays for Puddlemore."

"That's nice, they are good people." Sighing and leaning forward, "So how are you doing since your parents' death?"

"One day at a time but doing well."

"That's good. So I will cut to the chase, it has slowed down around here. I think you can be done today, if you want to be. We will pay out all of your sick and vacation time but you wouldn't have to come back."

"Are you sure? I don't want to leave you in a lurch?"

"My dear, you are always so organized and always ahead on all of your projects. So I think anyone will be able to pick up after you and be fine. Plus you will only be an owl away if completely necessary."

"I guess that makes sense, this is just a lot easier than I expected. Do I need to sign anything?"

"I will send you the proper paper work for your signatures. Also if you want to box up your belongings, I can have them delivered to your flat as well." Standing up and holding his hand out to her, "It has been a pleasure Hermione. May you enjoy your new life and be happy."

Shaking his hand, "Thank you Mr. Bell, I appreciate it, you have been great to work for." Watching him leave her office she finishes packing and places a note on the boxes as to where they need to be sent. Looking around one last time at the office and pulling the door close behind her. She is smiling as she walks down the hall to the public Floo once inside announcing her destination. Tripping over the step of Floo as she exits and landing in a heap on the floor, saying to her, "Still not very graceful are we."

"Not really but we still love you regardless," coming from behind her Sirius' smooth baritone voice is laughing at her. Extending his hand to help her up, "Come on pet, up you get. Now give me a hug." Wrapping his long arms around her, enveloping her in a bone crushing hug and picking her up off the floor slightly.

"Anyone else here? I have news tonight."

"Remus and Tonks are in the kitchen with Teddy but before we find them, I have something for you. Wait right here," exiting the cozy sitting room, she can hear him taking the stairs two at a time up to his master bedroom. Looking around the quiet room, she and Sirius have spent many of a night here, keeping each other company. Becoming like a family to each other. At times of her life she was never so happy to have a row with Ron as the night that ended her up in Sirius' kitchen. Knowing then what she knew now about him, she would have set straight away to him to talk. He is so much more than the playboy aristocrat that everyone pegged him for. Her heart will always have a place for him. Settling in on the couch, she picks up the book that Sirius has been reading. Through the looking Glass. For a pureblood wizard, he embraces the Muggle way of life in many ways, looking up as he is entering the room. Sitting down next to her, removing the book from her hands and replacing it with a small silver box with a silver bow. "Since I intend to give you away as a member of my family, if only in our hearts" winking at her "I wanted to give you a gift. I would have loved to give you a family heirloom but unfortunately most of them have curses put on them so that only purebloods may hold them." Shaking his head at the idea of blood status, "So I had this made for you."

Looking at the box in her hands, "Sirius you didn't have to."

"No I didn't but I wanted to. You are family Hermione. You and Harry mean the world to me. Now open it."

Slowly pulling the loose end of the bow, watching it unravel prying the box open. Gasping at the piece of jewelry in front of her, "Sirius it is beautiful, I can't accept this. It is too much." On a soft satin pillow is a delicate platinum bracelet with sapphires and emeralds, she fingers the edge of piece. Slowly closing the box and trying to hand it back to Sirius.

"No, it is yours" Shaking his head, "Many wizards receive a watch as a coming of age gift. In the Black family a witch would receive a bracelet, normally it would be made with her and her betrothed's birthstones but since I couldn't it good faith completely comply with tradition, I just went with what I thought would look beautiful on you," opening the box and removing the bracelet and wrapping it around her wrist. Closing her hand and holding it between both of his, bringing her hand to his mouth and kissing her knuckles, "See pet, beautiful, and now tell me about this ring." Looking at it closer as she blushes and smiles.

"George bought it for me; he wanted me to have an engagement ring." Looking at both pieces together, they look like they were made for each other, the color of the sapphires match perfectly, both pieces are exquisite. Her eyes are filling up with tears; his honesty about her being family and that he will be giving her away is almost too much for her to bear. She is thinking of her parents, how they are truly gone and never coming back. Spilling over and down her cheeks, wiping them away roughly.

"Hey, hey, no tears, it is going to be a happy day. I thought you were happy with George." Pulling her into a hug, "What is the matter? I didn't mean to upset you."

"My parents are gone," sobbing into his chest, "They were killed in a car accident just a few days ago. I can't believe they are actually gone and never coming back. I had hoped that I would figure out something to reverse the spell. Now they are gone and it is all my fault. It all stems from me messing with their memories," letting the young girl sob into his chest he can hear Remus coming up the steps both of them with the extra acute hearing. Remus most likely heard her sobs in the kitchen and came to find out what was wrong. Motioning for Remus to come in and join them on the couch, Tonks and Teddy are not too far behind him. "I just wish I could take it all back." Wrapping his arms around Hermione and Sirius, Remus is also trying to comfort the small witch, who is so important to all of them.

"Auntie Mi? Don't cry." Laying his head in her lap and wrapping his little arms around her legs. "I love you."

Sniffing, "Oh Teddy, I love you too. Come here," pulling him up into her lap now sitting in between Remus and Sirius and getting kisses from the adorable toddler, whose mum is sitting on the floor with him, looking at Hermione with sympathy. "Thank you sweetheart, I needed that." Looking at the two men sitting on the couch with her, "I am sorry; it has been an emotional couple of weeks for me." Looking at the fireplace, "Before you say it, I know that it isn't my fault. I just can't help but feel that way sometimes." Blowing her nose and wiping her eyes. "My emotions have been all over the bloody place."

"We are sorry about everything Hermione," saying as she is enclosing her hands around the young woman's hand in front of her, "Anything we can do to help you with anything. You let us know, okay? We will be here for you as well."

"Thank you, all of you." Smothering Teddy with more kisses and tickling him to make him laugh, breaking the last of the tension in the room. "So, now that I have broken down and you all know the worst news, anyone want to hear my good news?"

"Of course we do," Sirius is standing and offering his hand out, "But let's move this to the kitchen, where we can get some tea and I think I have chocolate chip cookies and considering there are two chocoholics in the room."

"Sounds good to me, how about you Teddy?" The little boy is nodding his head and smiling. Walking down the stairs as a group and settling in as Remus starts the kettle and Sirius pulls out the cookies. "I have resigned my position at the Ministry." All three heads whipping around to look at her with a look of surprise on their faces. "I already have a new job and I think that it will suit me well."

"You had us going there for a minute, pet," Setting a plate of cookies in front of her.

"You are looking at the new Defense Against the Darks Arts professor for Hogwarts." Smiling as she is watching the faces in front of her go from surprise to happy from Tonks and ecstatic from Sirius and Remus.

"That's wonderful!" Remus exclaims grabbing her and crushing her with a hug, "I will help you in any way I can."

"I was hoping you would say that, I am terrified about the prospect but at the same time I can't wait for it. The best part is Charlie and George had also been offered a position. Minerva asked them to be on the staff as well."

"Wow, Professor Granger or Weasley, whatever you are going to go by, you will be wonderful."

"That could get confusing with 3 Professor Weasley's there," a voice from the doorway interrupts, "I don't know if I can stand being called Professor, maybe I will just be George." Kissing Hermione on the cheek as he sets down next to her, "She on the other hand, will be amazing at it. Basically taught Ron and Harry everything they know. Hi Sirius, Remus, Tonks" looking at the toddler in Hermione's lap who has buried his face in her shirt, "Teddy are you trying to steal Auntie Mi?"

Nodding his head, "She is my Auntie MI."

"He loves her, you may have some competition for her affection from him," smiling Tonks comes to the side of the table and holds her hands out to Teddy, who willingly goes to his mother.

"Sorry George, my heart belongs to a 3 year old," putting her hands in his, "I hope you can forgive me."

"I guess, I will try to move on," hanging his head and pouting. Noticing the bracelet on her wrist, fingering the detail, "Where did this come from? You didn't have it on earlier?"

"It is a present from Sirius." Looking at the older man across the room, "I asked him to give me away and he wanted to give me a little something."

"Very nice. It matches your ring wonderfully, I guess we pranksters we on the same wavelength." Kissing her cheek and whispering in her ear, "I hate to ask but did you tell them about your parents?"

Seeing both men watching the interaction, most likely having heard George ask her. Nodding her head and looking back around the kitchen, "So what's for dinner? Can I do anything?"

"Nope," shaking her head Tonks replies, "I have it covered. We are having chicken parmesan and salad tonight." Pulling out a bottle of wine and smirking at the young witch, "Plus we are celebrating you. Your new job and adventure well at least that is what I would call being married to George."

"Hey, I like to think I am a catch." Straightening up and pretending to pout, "I am smart, talented, loving and quite good looking."

"You sounded just like Percy doing that." Hiding her smiling behind her hand, "Just like when he reminded you his was head boy and could give you detention if he wanted to."

"Oi witch! That is going to cost you." Tickling her as she slides away from him, right into Remus who grabs her and with a glint in his eye holds on to her, "Why thank you Remus, see you are not getting away from me. Come here Teddy, you want to tickle Auntie Mi?"

Laughing and running to the side of the table where Hermione is laughing and shaking her head, "Stop, stop" wiggling on the bench and trying to get away but George grabs her ankles to stop her.

"There you go Teddy, get her."

"Auntie Mi," laughing and tickling her with his little fingers, "I got you." The apparent glee in his face is making everyone else laugh as well. Remus is laughing so hard he loosens his grip just enough that Hermione topples off the bench into a heap on the floor.

"Ow! Gee thanks Remus!" Lying on the floor with her head back, grabbing her stomach from laughing so hard, "Now my bum hurts too."

"Auntie Mi!" Teddy is hugging on to her neck and snuggling in, "I sorry, I will make you feel better."

"Thank you Teddy, let me up please." Getting up, Teddy is taking Remus out of the room to go play. Tonks is finishing up dinner and setting the table.

Settling back on to the bench next to George, "So how was the rest of your day at the shop?" Hoping that he had some time to think about the job offer at Hogwarts, it would be wonderful if it wanted to be there but she would understand if he didn't.

"Mostly ok, it was nice to see you and Charlie." He is nodding his head, thanking Sirius for the bottle of Butterbeer he handed him. "I had an unexpected visitor though, not really someone I ever wanted to see."

"Who?"

"Alicia, stopped by, I guess some people are not as lucky in the match they were given." Kissing Hermione on the cheek, "She was paired with Marcus Flint. He was a few years older than you in Slytherin."

"Ex girl-friend of yours George?" Sirius is sitting at the table with them, wanting to get to know George a little more than just his pranking ability.

"Sort of, she was in my year, we played Quidditch together," looking at Hermione as he said this, "She and slept together once and she got a little possessive. She was pretty pissed when I didn't want to do it again." Sirius was smirking at him, "What Sirius?"

"What teenage boy turns down sex?"

"I did," blushing at the scrutiny of one of his idols, "I mean, I liked it, don't get me wrong but I just decided I wanted to wait til I was older to do it again and well she tried to hex me. So I thought, she is a whole lot of crazy that I didn't want to deal with."

"So what did she want?" Hermione is crossing her arms and glaring at him.

"Um, love, well she is asking anyone and everyone she can think of to try and help her get out of it."

"So what does that have to do with you?"

Flashback to earlier at the shop

"Watch out George! Crazy is coming in the shop, make yourself scarce." Lee calls from the front.

"Ah shite, ok will be in the back." Trying to get away from the display he was working on in the corner. Tripping up over the box of trick wands he had at his feet and landing unceremoniously in a heap just inside the front door as she walked in.

"Ah, just the man I wanted to see." Purring at George and looking around at Lee and Fred watching from the other side of the shop, "Georgie, can we talk? Somewhere more private maybe?"

"Sure Alicia, why don't we go this way," Guiding her towards the office, looking back at the boys, mouthing Help Me. Walking into the small room and leaving the door open, "What do you want?"

"Now is that anyway to talk to an old friend?" Gliding towards him and trying to put her arms around his waist.

"Hey, none of that, I am engaged," pushing her away and taking a step.

"I heard, to that goody two shoes know it all Granger." Crossing her arms and spitting out "Why do you care? I want you to drop her and petition for me." Coming closer to him again and her voice softening "We always had fun together, think of all the fun we can have now."

"I asked for Hermione, I am happy, I got the girl I wanted." Not realizing how close he was to his desk, his legs make contact with the object, knowing that he is in a precarious position as she stalks closer.

"You mean, you petitioned for that little…"

"I would be very careful as to how you address her. I can't be held responsible for my actions if you insult her."

"You can't expect me to believe that you want a prude for a wife? I mean, Merlin, she never even dated in Hogwarts. Why the hell would you want her?"

"Alicia, why do you care so much, we barely went out in school. Yes, we slept together but that is in the past now and I don't care to relive it."

"Oh but you forget what you are missing," crossing the distance between them and pulling George into a kiss.

Pushing her away, "You are a crazy woman, you know that? Coming in here, insulting my fiancée! Trying to convince me to dump her for you!" His voice steadily raising to the point that Fred runs in to see what is the matter. "Then you kiss me? God you are nuttier than you were in school. You need to leave, now." Pointing towards the door and pacing "Fred can you show her out?"

"You will come around, sooner or later. You know you would rather be with me than her. Hopefully you figure it out before it's too late."

Grabbing her by the elbow and taking her towards the door Fred can be heard telling her "Don't come back, you mess with George or Hermione and you mess with us all. You had your chance a long time ago." Hearing the bell on the door chime and his brother walking back towards the office, "You ok George? Merlin's pants she has a lost it. She really wanted you to drop Hermione and try to get her? The Ministry is not changing the pairs regardless of who they are. She needs to just deal with it."

"Yeah, I guess she is matched to Marcus Flint. Not sure I would wish that on anyone but I haven't talked to her in years, what made her think I would even consider it?"

Back in the kitchen

"She kissed you!" Screeching and flinging her arms "I am going to have to have a talk with that… that… slag! How dare she!" Pacing back and forth in the kitchen you can hear the magic crackle off of Hermione, Sirius and George look back and forth at each other, "She better watch out. If I get a hold of her…." Mumbling as she is walking to and fro, walking up behind her, George is taking hold of her.

"Hey, don't worry, you are the only one I want and the only one I care about."

"I know that and I trust you but I don't trust her. I never did in school because of how she bounced around from guy to guy but this is low for anyone. No wonder she was matched up with a Slytherin, she deserves it."

Rubbing his hands up and down her arms, "Calm down love, I told you because I didn't want to hide from you but I also don't want you pissed off about it." Kissing her soundly on the lips before she can say anything else about it, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close and feeling her relax.

Clearing his throat behind them and breaking them apart, "You know that tells you a lot about him pet. That he was honest and told you. I think you should listen to him and let it go."

"Fine, as long as she stays clear, if I see her near you or the shop I will not be persuaded so easily."

"Never seen you quite like that Hermione," speaking up from across the room Tonks is putting plates on the table, "You normally don't let people get you going like that."

"Only ones who provoked her like that were Harry and Ron in school, you should have seen some of the dress downs they got in the common room. Both of them would sit there on the couch, slouching as low as they could get without actually being under the couch. She would pace and yell and point, it was always quite entertaining."

"Hey, you and Fred got a couple too. Although I had a hard time yelling at you sometimes," Shaking her head, "I try not to let people get under my skin. There are a few things that absolutely get me going and going after someone's significant other is one of them. I have no tolerance for cheating."

"Well, you don't have to worry about that with me. I am a one witch wizard."

"Good to hear George, now let's all sit down, dinner is done." Tonks is placing the last dish on the table as Remus and Teddy are returning to the kitchen.

Eating and talking with the Lupins and Sirius until it was time for Teddy to go to bed. Excusing themselves Remus and Tonks take the sleeping toddler home. Spending a few more hours in the kitchen with George and Sirius, her family, Hermione realizes there is nothing she can't do. She will get through all of this, whatever life throws at her.

I hope to have another update up soon, as long as life doesn't get in the way again. Thank you to all of the followers and reviewers. I can't thank you enough for the support.