Hermione arrived at The Robin Hood - a pub a few blocks from her flat - at five on the dot. She had agreed to meet Astoria and Malfoy here at around five before she headed to Harry's for his birthday dinner (he still didn't know about the party she was planning with Ginny for Friday). The witch had chosen a simple outfit; deep red, off the shoulder sweater and black jeans.
The young women glanced around the bar. Her companions were not there yet, so she chose a table in the corner and ordered a butterbeer. Though the bar was in a muggle area, it mainly served wizarding folk. The odd muggle stopped by, but usually they were brought or recommended by a witch or wizard.
The door chimed just as the server dropped off her drink. Glancing up, Hermione spotted ehr new friends. Astoria had taken her hair down from its ponytail earlier and was sporting a simple, pale pink, cashmere dress and white coat. Muggle clothes, so she could walk the streets of London. Malfoy had also chosen muggle attire. He looked surprisingly comfortable and well dressed. He was wearing a button-up, black polo that showed off his broad shoulders with a pair of navy pants. Dressy, but not over the top. Hermione was glad she had stopped by her flat and changed before she headed here.
She waved over the blonde "couple" and they hurried over. Astoria handed her a gold gift bag, overflowing with gold and white tissue-paper. "For you, Hermione."
"Oh, you shouldn't have! What's this even for?" Hermione tried to hide her blush as she accepted the gift.
"Oh, for being a good person. And the whole reason we're here; your promotion!"
"It's not that big a deal, really." The brunette flagged the waitress over.
"Of course it is. You've been working hard to get here," Malfoy said, his voice sincere and kind. Hermione glanced at him and held his stare. His gray eyes were softer than she expected, his smirk almost a smile. "Of course, our case probably helped."
"I mustn't take all the credit, of course," Hermione surprised herself by chuckling back.
The group ordered their drinks and an appetizer to share. They idly chatted until the food arrived. It was a platter of flavored nuts. Astoria immediately reached for the salt and vinegar pistachios, "mmmh. These are my favorite. This is the only place I've found actually decent ones."
"You come here often, then?" Hermione asked, surprised.
"Well, it's not too far from my sister's place so we'll come here for drinks sometimes," Astoria swallowed another mouthful. "Actually, you probably haven't heard, but she married Theodore Knott - he was a Slytherin in your year - a few months ago."
"Daphne Greengrass and Knott?" the brunette gasped. "I haven't heard much about them since I met with him for a foreign affairs deal back when I was working on House Elf rights. My god…"
"He and I were good friends. Still are. And since we might end up brothers," Malfoy smirked. "That'll be a time. He was quite the player back in school."
"All of you lot were," Hermione responded. "You, Knott, Zabini.. The Slytherin Players, Hannah Abbott used to call you."
Malfoy chuckled, his eyes lighting up a bit. "I'lll have to tell them that. Then there was you - goody two-shoes Hermione Granger married to her fellow war hero, Ron Weasley." The man shook his head. "Those were the days."
Hermione felt like she had been punched in the stomach. The war, Ron… She didn't want to think about that. While Malfoy appeared to miss their eighth year, Hermione sure did not. Between Ron, missing him and Harry, reliving the war in her dreams, studying for N.E.W.T.s, and trying to recover her shredded relationship with her parents, that year had been hell. Not that Hermione would take back any of it, she mused.
"Sorry to bring uo the war," Malfoy said, somehow sensing the route Hermione had gone down. "Crazy how far we've come, though."
"Truly," Astoria piped up. "I spent most of that year in the Infirmary." At Hermioen's gasp she quickly added, "I was interning for Madam Pomfrey, not injured. Thank the gods. My family was really lucky. The war didn't affect us too much."
"I don't remember seeing you or your family in the battle. Were you there?" Hermione wasn't sure why she even asked. She regretted it the moment she said the words, Astoria seeming to lose her laughter and shrinking back.
"My father hid us after the battle on the astronomy tower. We spent the year hiding in the USA. I don't regret that my family was safe, that we weren't involved. My parents never agreed with the Death Eaters. But I sometimes wish I could have been there treating the injured. Helping all the people who died, maybe have saved a few lives."
The group went silent/ A remorseful pause, some might have called it. All three fell back into memories of those dark days.
Hermione cleared her throat, deciding that avoiding such dark topics was probably a good idea. However, before she could think of a new topic, Malfoy said, "Astoria, tell us about your year in Maine."
"Oh my goodness! That was one of the best years of life. The worst, but I've never learned so much so quickly - even at Healing Training. In order to stay hidden, my father decided we would live as muggles under pseudonyms. We arrived at a small seaside town in Main in the early summer - traveling by muggle plane. I do not recommend them - and moved into a small cottage-type house. It was so pretty. My sister and I explored the town those first two days. There were quaint little bookstores and vintage stores. In fact, every store was small and cute-y.
"Because we were not registered with the MACUSA, we couldn't use any magic. AS a result, we all had to learn to drive cars, clean, cook, and generally function as muggles. Daphne and I both were taking Muggle Studies at Hogwarts, but that class really didn't prepare us at all. We spent that summer swimming, taking driving courses - since we were both over sixteen - and catching up with muggle schoolwork. In the fall we went to the highschool in our area. Our dad took up a job at a store - some sort of financial advisor. Mum was still a bit ill so she mostly stayed home. It was bizarre, going to an American muggle high school. Truly enlightening, and very fun. The school was less confusing layout wise than Hogwarts, without moving staircases and all, but it was giant. And the kids - wild, doing absolutely ridiculous things. Some kids skateboarded down the hall and were quite literally running people over. I have never! Anyway, it was quite the experience." Astoria told more stories from her year in Maine, about how after the war ended and news of it spread across the world, her father eventually got in contact with a wizard in a neighboring town and heard the news. She told how they flew back to London and returned to their country home in the UK until all their friends' sentences had been declared before contacting anyone.
They moved on to discussing what Malfoy was working on. His current research was on mental health potions. There was a great lack of them in the magical world and he was determined to eventually begin producing better ones. For now, he simply researched already approved ones and other related potions in the process of being tested. He explained how clinical trials worked at St. Mungo's, telling Hermione all about the wild reactions he'd seen people have. Once a child had been given a newer pain potion designed to soothe both mental anguish and physical discomfort. The child ended up covered in large, neon green welts the size of grapefruits and lots half their hair. Another person reacted to the same potion by vomiting some sort of yellow liquid and bleeding out their ears.
When six-fifteen came around, Hermione was quite sad to leave. She had actually enjoyed herself, and promised to meet up with the pair again soon. She proposed they came over to her flat for dinner - although she assured them that her cooking would never quite match that of Malfoy's.
The Potter household was abuzz by the time Hermione arrived. She walked through the already open door to find the living room full. James, as well as Bill's kids (Victoire and Dominique), Percy's daughter (Molly), and Teddy were all running rampant, screaming and playing games. Angelina and George (Now engaged) stood in the corner watching them all. Mr. Weaslry was chatting with Bill, and upon entering the kitchen, hermione found Harry, Ron, Fleur, Ginny, Mrs. Weasley, and Andromeda. "Hello all! Happy birthday, Harry."
" 'Mione," cried Ginny, wrapping her friend into a hug. "All the family showed up. Percy and Audrey are here somewhere.. When did you last see them? What have you been up to?"
Before the witch could respond, Harry grabbed her shoulder. "Did you decorate my desk? It looked amazing. Thanks! How are you? Also - is that my gift?" The raven-haired boy motioned to the gold bag Hermione was carrying.
"No, actually. That's mine. Yours is on the table in the dining room."
Mrs. Weasley approached, carrying a large dish warped in foil. "Hermione, dear. I haven't seen you in months. How are you? Did you say you got a gift? From who?"
Hermione hesitated, glancing at the multiple people now awaiting her answer. "Just a coworker." She found herself saying, unsure how the Weasleys would react to knowing the true gifters.
"For your promotion?" Harry asked. Then everyone was congratulating her, telling ehr to stop by the Burrow and their various homes.
The next few hours went by in a chaotic blur. Hermione caught up with each weasley and their assigned partner. She was told all about how Charlie was doing, although he was yet to return home. They sang to Harry more than once, and everyone cooed about James, currently the youngest in the family. Victoire showed off her ballet skills, Teddy bossessed the other kids around, and the adults joked and laughed till late. Hermione felt comforted, surrounded by ehr chosen family. However, the conversation wasn't as easy as it had once been. She felt a bit like an outsider asd they told stories and referenced moments that she had been absent from. A glance in Ron's direction confirmed that he felt the emptiness by his side as much as she did.
It was barely past nine, most of the children napping in various spots around the house, when Hermione excused herself.
"I must go, really. Tomorrow being my first day under Davis and all," She repeated over and over as she said her good-byes to the entire Weasley clan. Molly insisted that she join them for Sunday brunch at the Burrow soon. Hermione agreed before she could even think it through. Even Ron gave her a nod of acknowledgment - more than she'd gotten from him all evening.
Tumbling into her apartment felt like finally being on solid ground after months at sea. It wasn't that the witch didn't like being social - in fact, she was relieved to have people to talk to again. But it was turing, having to interact and be on her guard for hours on end. Hermione let her hair tumble down around her face, kicking off her shoes, and slumping on the couch. She glanced at the time; 9:45. It must have taken half an hour to say good-bye… she supposed she should get ready for bed, seeing as the next day would be important.
BRRRRRINGGGG! BRRRRING!
Hermione jumped awake at the sound of her alarm. She silenced the sound and pulled herself from her warm bed and stumbled into the shower. Then back to her bedroom, putting on the pencil skirt and blouse she had picked out the night before.
She walked into the kitchen, running through a mental list of things to do before she went into the office when she smelled bacon. She looks up to see Astoria sitting on her kitchen island sipping on orange juice, Malfoy at the stove making bacon and eggs.
"What-how?" The witch asked, annoyed at home dumbstruc she found herself.
"I got your address from Luna Lovegood - We used to be good friends." the blonde witch answered, as if that explained everything.
"But… You're in my apartment. At seven in the morning. Making breakfast." Hermione stumbled over her words, turning to the table which was set and had a large fruit platter and slices of toast on it.
"Very astute, Garn ger," Malfoy smirked. "Grab some food - you're going to need it today. I heard Davis is brutal."
Hermuone dipped her chin to hide her smile as she took a seat and was served an extravagant breakfast. Soon enough, her two companions joined her.
"I have to say," Malfoy drawled, "I really would've expected better security from you. A couple simple spells and we were in!"
Hermione looked up from her food glaring. "You only got in here because Luna told you where to find me."
"Luna.. Is she your Secret-Keeper?" Astoria asked, somehow putting the pieces together despite missing most of the information. When Hermione gaped, she explained, "I like researching obscure charms. When Luna insisted I burn the letter after I read it, I gathered that you usd the Fidelius Charm."
"Good work, Astoria. Yeah, I did - but Luna is most definitely not my Secret-Keeper. She just happens to have some slips written by them. She must have given you one." the witch was careful not to say who was her secret keeper, deciding that was between ehr and the person. Afterall, what good would her security be if she told every Tom, Dick, and Harry how to get past it?
Malpfy changed the topic. "Are you excited? Nervous?" He asked.
"Honestly, a bit of both. As you said, Davis is…" She trailed off, not sure she wanted to speak badly of her new boss. "He's a power not to be messed with. I want to prove to him I am a good worker. Especially since he isn't too fond of me as it is."
"Isn't too fond? Are you sure you don't mean he just isn't smitten like the rest of them?"
Malfoy teased (teased! What was happening to her life, Hermione wondered).
Twenty minutes later, Hermione was carrying a large satchel to her new office. It was moderately sized - larger than her old one, smaller than Christina's - and placed near her new boss. She had a large bookshelf, a wooden desk with plenty of drawers, a desk chair, and two armchairs for clients. The desk itself was simple, with minimal carvings and a box for memos. Nothing special, but it would work perfectly. She even had one of the magical windows.
Hermione began placing books on the shelf, putting parchment, i k, and quills into the drawers. She soon had the room organized and useful. Then she walked to the wall beside her desk and did the one thing he had been waiting to do for years; she hugs pictures. First she placed a picture of her and her parents the day she received her Hogwarts letter. She was grinning, Her parents smiling sadly down at her. It was a muggle picture McGonagall had taken when she had delivered the letter and explained that Hermione was a witch.
Next, she hung a photo from her graduation. Harry had his arm around ehr on one side, Ron doing the same on the other. She was waving her diploma at the camera, laughing with her two best friends, the Great Lake rippling in the background. Her hair was rumpled in the wind, her eyes glowing. Harry was glancing every now and again in the distance, probably at Ginny. Ron was looking at her with such pride it made her tear up.
Finally, she hung a photo from the one year anniversary of the war. The entire DA stood in a semicircle, Harry in the middle, with Hermione and Ron on either side. Everyone who had survived stood there, and they had each signed everyone else's copy. On the back they had written the names of each of the fallen, never to forget them. That day had been one of the saddest of Hermione's life, but also the happiest. The war was truly over, she was living again. She had married the man of her dreams, she was almost out of Hogwarts and was already receiving offers to work in all departments of the Ministry. Boththe Auror and Healer training programs had contacted her, letting her know that they welcomed her with open arms. Part of The Order could be seen in the background of the image, huddled together remembering those who weren't with them anymore. McGonogall had also taken this photo, and afterwards they gave a cheers to Colin Creevy, who had died in the final battle after capturing photographs of the war and fighting for the "right" side.
Hermioen was shaken out of her reverie by a knock on the door. Harry entered a moment later, looking thoroughly hungover but thrilled all the same.
"Hermione! Big day. Are you ready?" He asked, pride shining through his voice.
"As I'll ever be."
The raven-haired man walked to where she was standings dn examined the wall of landed on the last photo and tears filled his eyes. "I remember that day. That photo. It was… incredible, I suppose, that so many of us have pulled through. That so many of us are where we are today."
"It is. So much has changed since then, and yet so much is still the same." She responded, blinking away her own emotions.
"Why don't you have a picture of the Weasley's? Or any other of your important moments?" Harry asked. Hermione hated that he had noticed, hated that he was so tactless as to ask. She simply shook her head. Her best friend sighed. " 'Mione, I know your last name may not be Weasley anymore, but you're still one of them. Of us."
They remained silent and the moment eventually passed. Harry left, patting her on the back and wishing her luck. She promised to talk soon and headed to Davis' office to get briefed and given her new cases.
Today is just day one, She reminded herself. This is day one.