A/N: I am so sorry it has been this long since my last update! Life got extremely busy and hectic. BUT I am finished with my internship, and have a lot of free time now. Thank you so much for your reviews and kind messages. Enjoy!

Chapter 11: Moving Forward

Shyla left Professor Malfoy's office with a skip to her step. Eva and Keelee were waiting in the hall for her.

"So?" Keelee and Eva exclaimed together.

Shyla smirked, "He'll get me a try out."

Keelee squealed, and Eva smirked back.

"Good. Otherwise I would have had to blackmail my own father or something." Eva admitted.

"Now, let's go back to the common room. We have to figure out options of who your father is." Keelee announced, taking Shyla by the arm. Shyla really didn't understand why Keelee was so obsessed with the idea of a secret father, but she played along. It was nice to be smiling.

In the common room, the girls took over a small square table in a corner. Eva removed a quill and sheet of parchment from her satchel, setting it on the table. "Now," She started, "Name everyone that your mum has dated."

Shyla laughed lightly, "Dated? Ha! I don't know if she ever dated anyone..."

Eva rolled her eyes, "Think, Granger. You didn't just appear out of nowhere, your mum obviously got close to someone."

"Oh! I know!" Shyla gasped, portraying innocence. "Your dad!"

"What in Merlin's name are you talking about, Shyla?" Eva demanded.

Shyla smirked, "Think about it. Our parents were secret friends."

Eva stared at the girl next to her. "Says who?"

"I heard my mum talking about it, and Professor Malfoy confirmed it." Shyla replied, pulling her hair up into a messy ponytail. "You could be my long lost sister." Shyla teased.

Keelee giggled, "I can see the resemblance now!" She flipped Eva's hair playfully.

Eva glared at Keelee, before turning her attention to Shyla, "We, you and me, we are not sisters. I am the only heir to the Malfoy name. You're just trying to get some pure-blood status."

Shyla rolled her eyes this time, "That's about as good of a guess I have about who my father is. It could be anyone. For all I know, it's Harry Potter."

Keelee clapped her hands with excitement, "I have an idea!"

"As long as it doesn't risk getting any more detentions, I'm in." Shyla shrugged, giving in.

"Oh, it just requires you getting a spot on the Quidditch team. No big deal, right?" Keelee said innocently.

"Trust me, I have this." Shyla smirked.

Hermione had finally been getting used to an empty apartment when she got home from working at the Ministry. Even after a mere week, she found herself standing in the doorway to Shyla's bedroom on more than one occasion, always feeling silly afterward. Hermione had been attempting to find new things to do, and people to see.

Just earlier that day, she had been going to the cafeteria at the Ministry. Katie Weasley was meeting her for lunch, just to enjoy each others company, and not have to worry about family drama.

"Hey, Katie." Hermione smiled, hugging her sort-of sister-in-law. "How have you been?"

Katie smiled, returning the hug. "Good, Hermione, thank you. How are you holding up?"

Hermione laughed and shrugged, "Well, I got word that Shyla has already had detention this week. First week, that must be a record."

"It's Friday, and Monday will be a fresh start." Katie replied optimistically. "Besides, my daughter was right there with yours."

As they continued their way through the Ministry halls, a tall man with dark hair approached Hermione and grasped her hand in his. "Hermy-own-ninny?" He asked with excitement.

Hermione smiled broadly. As soon as she heard the pronunciation of her name, there was no mistaking who this was. "Viktor." She replied gently. "What are you doing here?"

Viktor Krum smiled and kissed her hand, "Vou look... vonderful."

Hermione blushed and smiled back at him. It had been a long time since she had seen Viktor outside of a magazine or newspaper. "Thank you. You look great too." She shook her head, getting rid of the school girl thoughts that filled her mind. He was handsome. The pictures in the tabloids did him no justice. His shoulders had broadened slightly, and his face sported a beard, that suit him well. "Seriously, what are you doing at the Ministry?" She asked again.

Viktor nodded, "Right. I vas here, vor an interview vith the Daily Prophet." He looked at his watch with disappointment and sighed. "Invact, I must go. Hermy-own-ninny? Say vou vill meet me vor dinner."

Hermione knew it was meant as a question, but it still came out as more of an obvious request. None-the-less, she nodded. "Yes, where?"

He grinned, "I vill owl vou." He bowed to Hermione and nodded politely to Katie as he took his leave.

As Viktor walked away, Katie gushed, "Hermione! That was Viktor Krum!"

Hermione blushed and smiled, "Oh, I know. It's been so long since I saw him last."

The two walked to the dining hall together, Katie smiling at the encounter with the famous seeker, and Hermione just glad that she didn't draw a lot of attention to herself.

The women sat at a small table across from each other, with their food in front of them. Katie smiled softly at Hermione, "I am really glad you are going out with Viktor. Now that Shyla is in Hogwarts, you really should date occasionally."

Hermione nodded, "I was thinking the same thing. But I really can't get my hopes up about Viktor. He's a wonderful man, but I can honestly say it's been about twelve years since I last saw him."

Katie understood, "Bill and Fleur's wedding, right? I remember seeing a picture of him there. He looked so handsome."

Suddenly, Hermione laughed. "Ron was completely jealous! I danced with Viktor that night, and I honestly thought Ron was going to pummel him."

Katie laughed too, "That sounds like Ron." She smiled sweetly, "What are you going to wear?"

Hermione's face flushed, "I have no idea."

It would have been a lie for Hermione to not say she was excited. It had been a long time since she had been on a date. In fact, her last date had been set up by Bill and Charlie. Four years before, they had set Hermione up with their friend Alex. He was a nice, handsome American wizard. Bill worked with him at Gringotts, and they quickly bonded. While Hermione was extremely flattered, and enjoyed Alex's company, he was only in London temporarily. She never introduced him to Shyla, in fear that Shy would become attached, just to have Alex leave the country. Even if they were wizards, and could easily apparate, it just didn't seem right.

Hermione flattened the front of her dress for what seemed to be the hundredth time. It was a knee length red dress with an overlay of black lace. She had put her hair into delicate ringlets, and wore neutral makeup. She smiled, once again looking into the full length mirror in her bedroom. Her stomach suddenly filled with butterflies. It felt good to be nervous. Swallowing quickly, she walked to her fireplace, and took a handful of floo powder. Closing her eyes, she stepped into the oversized fireplace and through down the powder, shouting her parent's address. From there, she would take a Muggle cab.

"Hermione, honestly!" Her dear mother shrieked.

"Sorry, Mum. I forgot to phone." Hermione apologized, kissing her mother's cheek.

"You look beautiful, 'Mione." Her father noticed. "Special occasion tonight?"

Hermione smiled softly and nodded. "I... have a date." She laughed, it sounded so strange.

Martha grinned and hugged her daughter, "Oh, that is wonderful! Do we know him?"

"You've seen pictures of him... If you remember Viktor Krum." She smiled, checking the time. "I went to the Yule Ball with him in my fourth year."

John hugged Hermione. "That's great. It's about time you started dating again." He enjoyed teasing her.

"Dad!" Hermione protested, blushing. "I wish I could stay longer, but we are meeting at a restaurant about fifteen minutes away."

"Do you need a ride?" Martha insisted, reaching for her hand bag.

She shook her head, "Thank you, but no. I will take a cab. I already called one."

"John, dear, get her some money for the cab. Hermione, if you need, you can stay in your old room. I know it's only a fireplace away, but it would be nice to have breakfast with you in the morning."

Hermione smiled at her mum, accepting the money from her father. "That sounds nice, Mum. If I wouldn't be intruding?" It was hard to say no to her mum when she looked so hopeful. Besides, it was only one night.

"Nonsense! You're our daughter!" John laughed, "Now, go catch your cab. I will leave the back door unlocked for you."

Hermione kissed her parents and bid them goodbye. Outside the home she grew up in, a taxi cab was waiting patiently. She gave the man the address and name of the restaurant as she climbed in.

She was only five minutes early when she arrived at the small Chinese restaurant. It was a small upscale place, with authentic Chinese food. Hermione was surprised that Viktor had known about it in the first place.

Hermione was pleased to see that Viktor was already there, waiting for her. "Hello." She said politely, smiling as he kissed her hand. Always a gentleman.

"I am glad vou found it." He said, flashing a smile.

Hermione nodded as she sat in the chair that Viktor presented to her. "Yes, it is actually fairly close to my parents' house." She adjusted her dress, smoothing it on her lap and smiled at the man in front of her. "I am curious though, how did you know about this place?"

He smiled back as the waiter poured Hermione a glass of white wine. "I like to come here. It is very nice to visit a place vhere vou are not the center of attention."

Hermione understood. After all, she had been one of Harry Potter's best friends. He hated that he was always being watched and judged. They ordered their meals, and began to nibble on an appetizer of Spring Rolls.

"I visited China once." Hermione said casually, striking up conversation. Viktor watched her as if she was the only thing that would ever interest him. "It was for work, a Hungarian Horntail was spotted wandering the countryside. I went along to be sure no muggles had encountered it."

"Which department do vou work in again?" He asked.

"Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures ." She took another bite of her spring roll and a sip of her wine.

"Vat is a mouth-vul." Viktor teased. He reached across the table for Hermione's hand. It was then that a flash of light encompassed the two.

Hermione's head snapped to see an aging woman dressed in green whispering maniacally. "You!" She shouted.

"Skeeter! Vhat var vou doing here?" Viktor demanded.

Rita Skeeter cackled. She had aged since Hermione had last seen her, but she was still as vial as ever. "The reacquainted love birds were holding hands while they nibbled on appetizers. Miss Hermione Granger, as you will remember was once the lover of the late Harry Potter."

That was all it took. Hermione stormed towards Skeeter. "You vile witch! After 15 years, one would think you learned your lesson! Or do I need to remind you of what it feels like to live in a jar?"

Skeeter gave a sound of pure joy. "It proves that Miss Granger, who never married, still has her trademark temper." She turned and gave a sly smile to Viktor, "The ever so popular quidditch star, Viktor Krum, appears to be smitten by Granger, but only the heavens know why."

"Vou vill leave this place at vonce!" Viktor demanded.

Hermione took a deep breath, and placed her hand on his arm, "Let's go." She wasn't willing to stick around, even if Viktor decided he was going to.

As the two began to leave the restaurant, placing enough money to cover the appetizers and wine on the table, Skeeter called after them, "Oh, Krum! You really should learn to cover your tracks better! You make it far to easy to follow you!" She laughed again, her wrinkling hands fanning her face.

Hermione sat at the kitchen table in her parents' home, eating ice cream directly from the carton. She didn't want to disturb her parents, seeing as they were not expecting her back for a couple hours at the least. She felt like such a child again.

"Hermione?" She heard her father call, "Is that you?"

She allowed the ice cream in her mouth to melt, and then replied, "Yeah, Dad. I'm in the kitchen."

He flipped on the light, and sighed, "Why are you sitting in the dark?"

"I didn't want to disturb you or Mum..." She stated, taking another spoonful from the carton.

He grabbed a spoon from the door and sat down next to his daughter. "What happened with your date?"

Hermione handed him the ice cream, allowing her dad to take a spoonful. "It was a disaster!" She surprised herself when she started to laugh. "Oh, Dad... Viktor was wonderful, he always is. But that horrid Skeeter woman showed up, and ruined everything."

"Mmm... I love mint chocolate chip..." He finally said. "But, in all honesty dear, I don't know a lot about the Wizarding World. Is she the one that gave you trouble while in school?"

She nodded back. "You have no idea! I had my reasons for slowly allowing the world to know about Shyla." She shuddered. "This woman twists EVERYTHING... She is truly horrid."

John laughed lightly, "If this guy is as great as you say he is, he'll take you out again."

She stood from the table and kissed her father on the cheek. "Thanks, Dad. I think I'm going to go talk to Mum, and then watch some television." That was one Muggle-esque thing she enjoyed doing after a rough day, watching television. Even being surrounded by a world full of magic, and new things to learn every time, sometimes it was best to return to ones roots.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed! I was a little iffy on this chapter, so I really hope everyone liked it! I'll update soon! I PROMISE! XD

~PurplePygmypuff