Author's Note: This has been a long time coming. I apologise. A couple of years ago I even invested the NaNoWriMo period into redoing this story; this brings us to these new chapters: two prologues, and a revision of Chapter 1. I am aware this is far from perfect - but I wanted to get something out. Please let me know your thoughts, then good and bad :)

Chapter One: Prologue - Hermione's Story

'Hey,' Ronald Weasley in up, 'We have to tell the elves.'

Halting, Hermione and Harry turned back towards him.

Ron continued, 'Someone has to warn them to get out of the castle.'

As the Boy-who-lived stared on at his ginger-haired friend, the clatter of Basilisk fangs hitting the stones beneath their feet came from behind him. The brains of the golden trio had let the fangs fall from her grasp, and finding herself in a moment of elation, Hermione Granger closed the steps between them. Within moments, Ron found his arms filled with the brown-haired witch. Her lips locked to his.

Some say that war brings out the worst in people, yet at this moment Hermione disagreed, quite wholeheartedly. As she saw it, the war was bringing out the best in Ronald Bilius Weasley. And it was definitely having a positive effect on her. The kiss was clumsy at best but without hesitation. Ron was taken aback, and if Hermione was to admit it, so was she.

When she pulled herself away from him, his gaze found hers. The blues of his eyes looked a little glassy, and he wore a goofy self-satisfied grin wide on his face.

'Hate to ruin the moment, guys,' Hesitation evident in Harry's tone, 'But, the evil incarnate is still after my head.'

'Uhh, sorry mate.' ' Sorry, Harry'

The offending two of the trio dropped to the ground, retrieving the items that had fallen from their arms moments earlier - the Basilisk fangs and the Hufflepuff cup. As the two carried on down the hallway following Harry, the creeping blush rising up from their necks, colouring their cheeks was all very evident.

#

Sitting at the sole table in the Great Hall, Hermione quietly nibbled on the ham and cheese sandwich Dobby had brought for her. After the war, the Great Hall had been one of the first areas of the school to be restored. Much of this was due to Minerva McGonagall.

Only a few hours after the last had fallen, Minerva had escaped from the watchful gaze of the Hogwarts' resident Mediwitch and attended to the rubble. Much of the repair, Minerva had tended to by herself. It was not until several hours later in the late evening, or rather the early hours of the morning, that Arthur and Fred Weasley, in their grief, found the regal witch. Without a word, the two men joined the Transfiguration Mistress in returning the grand room to its former glory.

Since the Battle of Hogwarts, many had found refuge within the castle. Minerva's oversight had ensured that space and comfort were available when they came knocking. Many of those who now found residence at the school were those out of a home or those who simply wished to be among friends. Those who were able spent the better part of the day mending the damage that had been wrought on the old school.

In the kitchens, which had survived much of the destruction, the house elves along with Molly Weasley, took charge of providing the food and drink for all those in residence. Even on the night of the final battle, the limping, staggering heroes found warm bowls filled to the brim with pumpkin soup. The meals were hardly as lavish as the days of past, though more importantly not a mealtime went by without food in all their bellies and fulfilled grins on their faces.

Like many, the entire Weasley clan had found accommodations at Hogwarts. Finding home in the Gryffindor tower, the men were sharing rooms with Neville Longbottom and Harry Potter, whilst Molly and Ginny with Hermione had a room to themselves in the girls quarters.

The Weasley's divided their time between Hogwarts and the Burrow. Some days they could be found on the grounds of the castle labouring away on this and that, and on others, they would spend time at the site of the Burrow in a rebuilding effort.

Whilst many came and went, dividing their time as the Weasley's did, Hermione was yet to leave the grounds of the school. Having seen the battle from start to finish, she now remained within the grounds helping with the infirmary and the rebuild. Hermione Granger was not ready to admit to herself why she remained.

Once the corridors had been clear - five days of effort for three witches and four wizards - Hermione volunteered herself for the library effort. And this even before Miss Pince had the opportunity to jump in. Hermione was glad to be left, mostly, on her own. Whilst the library had suffered little physical damage, books were askew, and the tables and chairs had suffered a little.

The books posed to be the most problematic. Some lay discarded and motionless, others cowered in dark corners, whilst a few more dangerous editions retaliated against her intrusion violently. Thercaryn Galdomain's The Charm of Manticores threw indistinguishable hexes towards her upon her approach, and Matilda Sapphiredge's Nasty Fire Crabs and the Pitiful Skrewt had chased Hermione through three rows before she was able to stun it. Who knew books were skilled at dodging stunners.

Now in the Great Hall, biting into her third slice, Hermione smiled to herself remembering the day. It had been that very afternoon she had found Luna Lovegood hunched over a copy of Hogwarts: a History in the fifth aisle on the east side of the second floor, pouring over photographs of the corridors.

'I just need to locate whether this third celestial stone was in the sixth row or the fifteenth,' she had said in explanation.

Standing, with the book floating in front of her, Luna had quite literally counted the placement of the stones to ensure correct arrangement. Hermione had huffed and puffed her disagreement but was forced to sallow her pride when the two had finally finished. Hermione had never noticed that the wall next to the Astronomy section if one looked closely, resembled the galaxy and all of its movings parts.

'…In real time,' Luna had chimed in.

The gentle squeeze at her right shoulder brought Hermione out of her thoughts. Looking up, her eyes met the blues belonging to Ron. And out of the corner of her eye she caught the approach of Harry.

Smiling at both in greeting, Hermione inquired about their progress as they sat along with her - Ron to her right and Harry across the table from her.

'Neville and I managed to get the corridor outside Dumbledore's office cleared up. The gargoyle was a mission. McGonnall is dealing with it now. Seems the thing needs more than a Stucko-plasta spell.'

'I've been with dad all 'morning,' explained Ron before biting into a tuna sandwich.

With mouth partially full he continued, 'Been down with Hagrid on the grounds-'

'Ron, food.'

He looked at her, brow raised.

'Eat first, talk after. Or talk first, eat after. Not both at once.'

'Not an attractive sight, mate,' Harry added.

Swallowing as his cheeks stained a light pink, Ron offered a simple apology.

Luna Lovegood smiled brightly at the trio as she approached the table. Eyeing the trays of sandwiches, the first words to be spoken by Luna were: 'Oh no. There aren't any cucumber and jam?'

Making a face, followed by a throaty noise which was meant to portray disgust, Ron spoke first, 'Cucumber and jam? You mad, Luna?'

'Ron, that's not a nice thing to say!' Hermione scolded, giving Luna a small smile and then moving the books off the seat to make room for the blonde.

'Don't knock it, 'til you've tried it, Ronald.'

Holding the triangular slice of cucumber sandwich with both hands, Luna took the barest of bites.

'Not too bad.' Another itty bitty bite. 'Definitely missing the raspberry though.'

#

At that time of day, only a few people had been in the Great Hall clearing up after the lunch rush. It had been Draco Malfoy who had jumped first. It was more of a gruff and humph than a squeal, Periwinkle the house elf later said. That Sunday after lunch, Draco as he often did was directing scrub cloths and mops across the room when out of the corner of his eye he noticed George approaching. George Weasley and Draco Malfoy had formed a tentative friendship, and it was not uncommon to find the two young men working together, or in the company of one another. A stunner had followed on instinct alone, just missing the tails of George's shirt that Fred was in the slow process of levitating behind him.

The Malfoy family, like many others, had found home within the confines of Hogwarts. It was Hagrid who brought the family in. The tipping point he explained had been the sight of Narcissa Malfoy tending to an injured unicorn under the watchful gaze of Firenze and his herd. The witch had been naturally talented in her medicinal magicks. And not long after their appearance at the castle, Narcissa had offered to assist Madam Pomfrey in the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey had been quick to take the blonde witch under her wing, and acclimatise the witch to the necessary potions and spell work.

On most days, both the Lucius and Draco Malfoy could be spotted in the dungeons. The two had taken it upon themselves to restore first the house and dorms of Slytherin. Whether the dungeons had suffered as an act of war or whether it was in the hatred of the aftermath was impossible to judge. Either way, the two Malfoy men had their work cut out for them.

Hermione reflected on the Draco Malfoy she knew as the right brat, and the man she saw now. The man who had found humility and modesty. He was one of the few to hang back after each meal to help the house elves with the cleanup, in both the Great Hall and the kitchens, at least do as much as they would let him.

As for the Weasleys, as each day wore on, the red-haired clan looked brighter. Fred's return, whether corporeally or not, and the near-completion of the Burrow accompanied the growing sense of light delight that followed. Each red head shone as a beacon of bright joy - contagious, bright joy.

#

'You are telling us that our daughter erased our memories?'

'Why would you do that, darling?'

When Jane Granger spoke directly to her daughter, both her husband, Adam, and she looked at Hermione. The young woman, hung her head low, sitting on the blue armchair that had sat in this place by the window for thirteen odd years. In her hands she twisted the cotton sheet that had previously acted as dust protectors for the eggshell white settee her parents now sat on.

'Mr Granger, Mrs Granger, I do believe that Hermione acted on her best intentions.'

' - to protect you from harm that may have befallen you as leverage for the War,' Filius squeaked up.

Standing next to the now Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Filius Flitwick looked miniature. Minerva's stature was one that spoke of not only her strength and proficiency as a witch but also of her status in society. Dressed in her green teaching robes only helped to reaffirm this. Filius, on the other hand, wore bright coloured robes that drew attention to his presence in Minerva's shadow. He waddled over to the armchair, and lightly patted Hermione's arm.

'She did the best for you,' he said.

Looking up at the young woman in an attempt to catch her gaze, with sincerity in his voice he continued, 'You did nothing wrong, child. You protected them.'

Rising her head to gaze at the part-goblin, Hermione found four sets of eyes staring back at her.

'I am sorry. I didn't know -' Her voice choked, 'I didn't know how else to keep you safe.'

By this time Jane Granger had moved from her place next to her husband and was now crouching just in front of the armchair, her hands reaching for Hermione's.

'Oh, darling,' she started.

'We're not upset with you, ' her father continued.

Jane Granger gazed over her shoulder at Adam, before returning her gaze to Hermione, 'We really, aren't. Just concerned. For you.'

'Oh, mum!' In a split second, Jane Granger found her knees supporting not only her weight but also that of the bushy-haired witch she now had wrapped up in her arms.

Hermione clung clumsily to her mother, like a child rather than the woman who had fought so valiantly in the Second Wizarding War. Her tears staining Jane's blush blouse. For a few moments, all that could be heard was the soft sobbing of Hermione Granger, and all eyes were focused on her, taking in the heaving shoulders of the young heroine.

#

Potions and Herbology for the Budding Wizard in You, Spell Casters Guidebook for Advanced Mediwitches and Dragons, Unicorns and other Resources for Rare Amulets sat atop the three piles of books surrounding her. She had been occupied with the Black library for a little over a week, but then who was counting. She was. At first, Hermione Granger had been ecstatic about surrounding herself with the books in the library at Number 12 Grimmauld Place. She knew some of the editions here would be rare, with some being the only existing copy in all of the British Wizarding World.

What had started as an exciting adventure to the foray of knowledge, had now become tedious. To a keen observer with an imaginative streak, it may seem as if the books were getting their revenge on the muggle-born witch; She sat as their captive, her mane of hair a muss and face sallow from extended periods of starting at the mess she had made.

'Tea in the Library? Do you want the wrath of Hermi-. Hermione, didn't see ya' there. How's it going?'

'How's it going?!' She looked raged, 'Your library is unfathomable.' She looked between Harry and Ginny, who after having floated a tray of tea and biscuits in the room were now setting the small table in the middle of the room for tea.

Ginny looked briefly at Hermione, a one-sided grin on her face, 'Unfathomable, you say?' She grinned broadly. 'You think you could ditch them for a spot of tea with your good friends -'

'And, her heart's desire!' Ron's voice vibrated from the doorway.

Harry Potter had the aid of his friends in the clean up of Number 12 Grimmauld Place. Ron, Ginny, and George, along with the frequent visits from Fred, were staying with him. The same invitation had been extended to Hermione, Luna, and Neville, however, the three were all commuting into London on almost a daily basis. Neville and Luna were spending time at Hogwarts, continuing to help with lingering issues in the rebuild - it turned out the castle was not completely amenable to all of the changes. And Hermione was spending much needed time with her parents.

'Do I smell Jasmine tea?' Came the voice from the bench at the window as the blonde-haired witch lifted the curtains to reveal her hiding spot.

'Mhmm.' Ginny stirred in a cube of sugar before passing the cup to Harry. 'Allsorts. Earl Grey, Lady Grey, English Breakfast, Green -'

'Picked up the variety pack down at Smiths.' Harry explained.

'The whole farmhouse.' Ron chimed in.

Having come into the library Ron first stopped at Hermione. He had chuckled at her small predicament, and reached out for her hand. Having it, he helped her up. Hermione and Ron had been an official bonafide couple for the last several months, practically from the moment Hermione had launched herself at him in the corridors of Hogwarts during the final battle.

So many months later, here they all were. Healed, physically and getting right on their way emotionally - the group was moving on. The castle had been repaired, mostly, and the remaining sections and loose ends were being dealt with by the staff and a few other stragglers.

#

Yet again she was waiting for him to arrive. The brightest witch of her age and she was sitting here, glass in hand, waiting for the dunderhead. Placing the glass of cheap red muggle wine on the coffee table, she leaned forward to lightly tug off her shoes.

She had spent the last seven hours stuck in a boardroom with ministry officials, visiting diplomats and other higher-ups. For the most part, the day had been spent debating the implications of the proposed amendments, and whether or not these community leaders and officials actually cared about the effect this would have for the Wizarding society at large.

Hermione Granger had been working in the Department for the Care and Regulation of Magical Creatures since finishing up her final year at the Hogwarts. Unlike Harry and Ron, Hermione, along with Luna and Neville, had returned to the magical school to complete her education which had run off the tracks as a consequence of the Second Wizarding War.

She hardly ever noticed it, but more often than not during idle thought, the fingers of her right hand had developed the tendency to trace around the now naked ring finger on her other hand. It was mindless, and very rarely did she ever catch her body betraying her as such. Today she did notice.

This thing between her and Ron had been going on for about two months. It had all started when she had returned from her consignment away in Bulgaria. It had been by choice - after their engagement had fallen apart she had needed, craved, the escape. And at the first opportunity, Hermione had volunteered for the placement.

The two had not spoken whilst she had been away. Even Harry had steered clear of the topic in his missives to her. Instead, they had talked of other things that were not Ronald Weasley. But when she had run into him outside the Ministry, there was a spark. A spark that had quickly become a secret affair. Neither Ron nor Hermione were willing to talk about what it was they were doing, but they were both very aware that the moment they let their family and friends in on it, it would become real.

Hermione knew that was not something she wanted with Ron. Not anymore.

#