A/N: I do not own any character references by JK Rowling in the Harry Potter series. This story is a product of my pure imagination.
Lights flash, and we'll run for the fences.
Let them say what they want. We won't hear it.
Loose lips sink ships all the damn time.
Not this time
Just grab my hand, and don't ever drop it.
My love
They are the hunters. We are the foxes.
And we run
Baby, I know places we won't be found, and
They'll be chasing their tails, trying to track us down.
'Cause I, I know places we can hide
I know places
~ I Know Places by Taylor Swift
*~*~* July 7, 2000 *~*~*
"How has this month gone for you?"
Hermione sighed as she sat on the bed in the hotel room she and Harry stayed in for the next few days. Pulling one of her legs up under her, the bed squeaked, "Well, I'm currently hiding in a hotel room in London because the press drove Harry and me out of my house and our godson's house."
"That's troubling," Maria said, "How do you feel about it?"
Hermione sighed as she ran her hand over the bedspread under her, "I hate it. This was the whole reason Harry went overseas to escape this, and we come back thinking it will have died down a little, and instead, it is worse. They even followed me to class this week."
"Have you thought of filing charges for harassment or stalking?" Maria asked, concerned.
"There is no protection against it unless there is bodily harm in the magical world here," Hermione told her sadly as she lay down and sighed, "So Harry and I have been staying with my ex-boyfriend's family, but we felt that we overstayed our welcome so we came here."
"That has to make you feel things," Maria stated.
"Of course it does. I wish we were in New York again. It has become a safe space. I got my exams administered early, so I finished them. Not as good as they would be if I didn't have to do them all within two days, but Harry and I have a Portkey tomorrow to go back to the US," Hermione informed her.
"What are your plans when you are back here?" Maria asked.
"We are going to travel on the ME to some of the magical cities," Hermione informed her, "Just do something fun and educational without the pressure of the press."
"What does Harry think of all this?" Maria asked.
"He hates it as much as I do. To make matters worse, the press caught word that Ron had proposed to me, and now we have this story going wild in the paper that we are in a love triangle. Ginny had this pre-match party for the Quarterfinals tonight, and Harry attended it. He hopes that if the press accepts that he and Ginny are together, they will back off me. I feel like he is sacrificing himself all over again," Hermione admitted.
"Do you have a feeling he does that a lot?" Maria asked.
"Harry has a saving people thing, and he always has, more than likely because no one saved him. So he tries to save everyone else," Hermione sighed as she picked at a loose string on the comforter.
"Do you try to save him?" Maria asked.
Her words from the battle echoed in her head, "I'll go with you." she sighed, "I always try to save him. He is the most important person in my life."
"More than your parents?" Maria asked.
Hermione frowned, "It's different with Harry."
*~*~* July 8, 2000 *~*~*
The midday sun was beating through Flourish and Blotts' windows as Hermione gathered her purchases and bid the owner a good day. Exiting the store, Hermione's heart sank into her stomach as she caught sight of a group of reporters loitering near the entrance of the Leaky Cauldron where she had entered the Alley. Turning towards W3, she hoped to avoid them. Quickening her pace, she was determined to reach the safety of George's shop when a flash blinded her. Suddenly, four reporters jumped out, screaming questions, and they were quickly joined by more.
Their presence was becoming suffocating when she felt someone grip her arm and pull her into a doorway, shutting it behind them.
Hermione gasped when she saw who it was, his grey eyes scanning the area out the door, "Malfoy?"
"How stupid can you be, Granger? Here in Diagon Alley on your own? It's not safe for you right now," Draco told her, his tone serious.
Hermione looked at him in confusion as a reporter saw them through the glass. Draco pulled her up a set of stairs to a flat above one of the stores. "What do you mean it isn't safe?" Hermione asked, confused, "The press, while annoying, won't hurt me."
Draco opened the door to a flat and looked at her, "The press isn't the only thing you need to worry about right now. That Pureblood Alliance? They have eyes on you, Granger. They won't hesitate to strike close to Potter."
Hermione's heart skipped a beat as the gravity of the situation sunk in, "Thank you, Malfoy, for saving me downstairs." Hermione said softly.
Draco nodded as he grabbed a handful of floo powder and threw it into his fireplace, "Go, I'll make sure they don't follow you."
Hermione stepped into the fireplace and yelled, "The Burrow!" with a nod and felt herself swept away.
Arthur Weasley jumped as she appeared in the fireplace, "Hermione? Are you okay? Everyone is at the game."
Hermione dusted herself off, "I was chased in Diagon Alley."
Arthur approached her and held her arms, "Are you okay? They didn't hurt you, did they?"
"No," Hermione shook her head as she bit her lip, "Draco Malfoy saved me from them, Mr. Weasley. Do you know anything about the Pureblood Alliance?"
Mr. Weasley sighed as he walked over to the couch and patted the cushion beside him, "Sit. Did Malfoy tell you about them?"
"No, Harry and I ran into a group at Hogwarts last year," Hermione said as she sat down next to him, "Draco warned me that I am being watched by them to get to Harry."
Mr. Weasley sighed as he ran his hand over his face, "The Pureblood Alliance is what remains of the pro-pureblood wizards of the sacred twenty-eight and their supporters. Most are ignorant and too stupid to do anything since inbreeding over the last centuries between families has caused more issues than not. A few wizards are doing underhanded things to get their point across."
"Sacred twenty-eight? You mean the truly pureblood families from the 30s?" Hermione asked, confused.
Arthur looked at her, "None of us are truly pureblood. Well, most magical families have married, at the very least, a half-blood just for survival. There was a rise in Squibs in the late 1800s because too many purebloods were marrying each other."
"Who are the sacred twenty-eight?" Hermione asked.
Arthur got up and went to a shelf to pull out a dusty book, "The Weasleys are technically amongst the sacred twenty-eight. Molly was a Pureblood, a Prewett when I married her." He walked back over to her and blew dust off the book. Opening it, he ran his finger down the list, "The Abbotts, no longer sacred, Avery Senior is in Azkaban, Sirius was the last of the Black line, Bulstrode has two brothers, and one is in the Alliance, the other is married to a Muggleborn. Burkes and Carrows are both captured, the Crouch line is now ended through the males, and Fawleys are few but still around for the light. If I recall, Harry is a descendant of that line. Flint toes the line, and Gaunts are all gone. The Greengrass family is in the Alliance, but they go back and forth depending on what benefits them. Lestrange family is all gone. Longbottoms, of course, and the MacMillians are on the light. Then there are the Malfoys, the Notts, Parkinsons, Rosiers, and Rowies, all serving time. Ollivander is still an active family. Shacklebolts and Slughorns are too. Molly's brothers were the last of the Prewetts. The rest of the sacred twenty-eight are either gone or in the Alliance."
Hermione bit her lip, "I don't understand why they are fighting against change so hard."
"Because they are scared of what they don't know and don't wish to learn about. I'm biased; I love Muggles, and they brought us you," Arthur told her with a smile.
*~*~* July 29, 2000 *~*~*
Stepping out of her hotel room in Williamsburg, VA, she smiled at the person walking down the hallway and walked down the stairs. Once in the lobby, she sat in a comfortable armchair and folded her legs underneath her after kicking her shoes off. Pulling her mobile from her pocket, she opened her contacts and called her mother.
"Hello darling, how are you today?" Juliet asked as she answered the phone.
Hermione sighed as she looked out the main doors, "Feeling a bit homesick, honestly."
"Where are you both today?" Juliet asked as Hermione heard shuffling in the background.
"Williamsburg, VA, was part of the first settlement here in America. There is a large community here. The first settlers were half my kind," Hermione said quietly as someone walked by, "Before there was a separation."
"Are there better relations between the two there?" Juliet asked.
"It's better than England but not as good as Australia," Hermione replied, taking in the people coming and going.
"You sound sad, darling. What is wrong?" Juliet asked.
Hermione bit her lip, "I don't know. I just feel so off. I enjoyed Massachusetts and was glad to experience Ilvermorny last week when we were there. Salem's institute was interesting as well. We explored Baltimore in Maryland this week, and to see their house elves here free was amazing. I found this historian and spoke with him about how laws were changed here at the turn of the last century to give them their freedoms. They have schools here, Mum, for the younglings. All I can think of is Harmony."
"She wasn't yours, but your hormones didn't think that," Juliet explained, "It was a completely barbaric project, but it showed you what motherhood feels like. I know you aren't ready, but I cannot wait until you are. It's a feeling I can't wait for you to experience, Hermione."
Hermione sighed, "I have to find a man first."
"You will find him when the time is right. Talking about men, how is Harry? Isn't his birthday this week?" Juliet asked.
"It's on Monday. Ginny showed up a couple hours ago to spend this weekend with us. She leaves Monday morning, and we leave for River Bend, NC. It has one of the largest magical communities on the East coast of America," Hermione told her as she glanced up the stairs to see Harry in a polo shirt and his nicest pair of jean trousers, "After that, we are heading to South Carolina to stay with Harry's roommate, Josh and his family for two weeks."
"Josh, right?" Juliet asked.
"Yes, Josh," Hermione said as Harry threw himself onto the armchair beside her.
"You are talking to Josh?" Harry asked.
"No, Mum," Hermione told him.
"Hi, Juliet!" Harry said a bit louder.
"Is that Harry?" Juliet asked.
Hermione smiled as she looked around to see no one else in the lobby. She turned the speakerphone function on and said, "Mum, you are on speakerphone."
"Hi Harry, how are you doing?"
Harry moved closer to Hermione, "Not bad. It has been some interesting days exploring America for a bit the last couple of weeks. How are things there?"
"Sales continue to be the best we have ever had. Word of mouth has been spreading. It helps that we have used some of the treats you brought from the Alley. We have made our own versions, and they are our most popular because everyone loves them," Juliet informed them, "In fact, we are doing so well we are leaning more seriously into the shoppe back home if it keeps up."
Hermione looked at Harry in disbelief, "Seriously? You both would come home?"
"We haven't decided, but we… are keeping our options open," Juliet told her, "Again, the space your Dad looked at isn't going to be available to even look into starting until next year when the lease is up for the current tenants."
"I'll be cautiously optimistic," Hermione said with a smile.
"I hope it works out and you both can come home," Harry told her.
"We will see, I will enjoy seeing you both more often. Harry, when Hermione comes down for the Spring holiday, you should come with her," Juliet stated.
Harry glanced up as Ginny walked down the stairs wearing a nice dress, "I'll have to see what I can do. I'll call you and Dan later? Ginny is ready, and we are going out to dinner."
"Have fun!" Juliet said as Hermione watched Harry take Ginny's hand and walk out the main doors.
Hermione turned off the speakerphone setting, "They are going to a club. Ginny has gone to a few with the Harpies."
Hermione could almost hear her mother's frown through the phone, "That doesn't sound like something that Harry would enjoy."
Hermione watched Harry open the door for Ginny, then climbed into the taxi after her, "Maybe I don't know everything about my best friend after all."
*~*~* July 31, 2000 *~*~*
After leaving Ginny and Harry at the hotel, Hermione decided to walk a short way from their hotel to visit the magical area of the city. The large building called the Governor's Palace was once home to the largest magical family in colonial America, and the magical district was nearby. Two wands crossed led to the gate that separated the no-maj world from the magical in this town. Walking through them, the bustle of the early morning crowds moved around her. Pulling her bag closer, she walked towards the bookstore she had seen when they arrived on the Magical Express.
The bell on top of the door jingled as she entered, and she smiled at the cashier who greeted her. Walking over to the fiction section, she searched through the books for something that would interest her. She had finished her last book in only three days, and when starting the trip, Harry had only let her bring five books, so she had to find another soon, or she would get bored at night.
She grabbed one off the shelf and read the synopsis on the back cover when she heard a witch sigh, "Oh, to have that much money. Think he is looking for an American witch to make into a princess?"
Hermione glanced up, expecting an article about Princes Harry or William, but was surprised to see a familiar face. Setting her book down, she was surprised to find a copy of the Daily Prophet on the display rack. The edition was from three days before, but she picked it up and saw Draco Malfoy on the front page with an article by Rita Skeeter surrounding his picture.
EXCLUSIVE: Draco Malfoy was spotted in France amid romantic intrigue!
By Rita Skeeter
In a whirlwind of intrigue and scandal that only the Malfoy family can do, former Death Eater Draco Malfoy has once again ignited controversy. The Daily Prophet's sources have found his presence in none other than the luxurious coasts of the French Riviera. Whispers of affairs and romantic entanglements swirl around him.
With his unmistakable platinum blonde hair and aristocratic features, Draco Malfoy has lately been a figure of fascination and discernment in the wizarding world. After the hero, the man that conquered, vouched for him and his crimes during the war, Mr. Malfoy received a much lesser sentence, of two years of house arrest with one served at Hogwarts, than his father, who received ten years in Azkaban for his more serious crimes under Voldemort. With only one month removed from his house arrest, what brings him to the shores of France, far from the cobbled streets of Diagon Alley? The wizarding community remains divided on his past. Some argue that his current associations might indicate a return to a darker direction.
My sources reveal that Malfoy, spotted aboard a lavish yacht with women interested from the shore, had a dark-haired enchantress on board. Her identity was shrouded in mystery. Could this dark-haired witch be the future Mrs. Malfoy? The pair was photographed cruising the waves on the sleek yacht.
Whispers say that one of Britain's most eligible wizards and heir to a vast fortune, if returned by the ministry, looks to rewrite his family's wizarding history. Draco Malfoy is honing his skills as he attempts to achieve a potions mastery. Only time will tell the true fate of Draco Malfoy and the mysterious witch that has captured his attention. Stay tuned to the Daily Prophet for all the latest updates on your favorite witches and wizards.
Hermione shook her head as she glanced through the rest of the paper and saw nothing substantial besides an article mentioning Neville's Grandmother challenging the Wizengamot. After setting the paper back on the rack and purchasing her two books, she pulled her phone out of her purse. She searched for the phone number Ginny said she and Luna had recently acquired for Neville.
"Hello?"
"Neville, it's Hermione," She informed him as she sat on a bench, "Happy Birthday!"
"Hermione, it is good to hear from you," Neville told her, "Ron said that Ginny went there to spend time with the two of you and that you are taking some train across the country there."
Hermione pulled her feet up on the bench, watching the people around her and enjoying the peace of anonymity here. "We are in the first magical settlement in America, Williamsburg, Virginia. So far, so good here. No one knows who we are. I have explored a large area of this city, and no one knows who I am other than a few that honestly don't care."
"Sounds wonderful. I know Harry was trying his best to escape it," Neville stated.
"Yes, he and Ginny have gone on two dates this week. No one bothered them," Hermione told him.
"How are you?" Neville asked her, "I know you had just ended classes."
"Enjoying a bit of a break. How are things there?" Hermione asked.
"Same, actually…I can tell you, but I am considering quitting the Auror department," Neville admitted, "Don't tell Ron because I haven't decided."
Hermione frowned, "Did something happen?"
"No, nothing bad. I recently realized that, as Luna said, I am a lover, not a fighter. I don't want to be doing this for the rest of my life," Neville told her.
"What will you do?" Hermione asked.
"I have found a Herbologist that I want to do some research under to work towards mastery," Neville told her, making her smile.
"Honestly, Neville, I wondered why you went to become an Auror anyways," Hermione told him as her phone lit up with another call, and she saw Harry was calling her.
"I thought it was the right direction at the time," Neville told her as she got off the bench and started walking back to the hotel.
*~*~* August 2, 2000 *~*~*
"Next stop, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is five minutes away."
Hermione finished her page, put her bookmark in her book, and then glanced over at Harry, whose eyes were closed against the window, "Are you awake?"
Harry glanced over at her, "Yeah."
Hermione glanced down the aisle and then back at Harry, "I'm sorry that Ginny had to head back."
Harry sat up and stretched, "It just gets a bit harder each time."
Hermione swallowed hard, "If you want to go back-"
Harry shook his head and ran his hands over his face, "Merlin, no. I have no interest in staying back home full-time right now. Ginny and I have this long-distance thing settled. It works for us. She has her thing, and I have mine."
Hermione took his hand, "I'm glad you two have each other that understand that about each other and don't try to force each other into something else."
The Magical Express started slowing, and they looked outside the windows to see a station coming in the distance. Hermione grabbed her bag as it slowly stopped at the station. Josh was visible out the window as they followed the crowd out of the train.
"Hermione! Over here!" Josh yelled when he spotted them.
"What am I? Chopped liver?" Harry asked as Josh laughed, hugging Hermione.
"Harry, my love! So glad to see you!" Josh said, kissing his cheek and then laughing at Harry's face with Hermione.
Hermione laced her arm in Josh's, "So, is Dane going to be with us this week?"
As Harry followed with their bags, Josh leaned over, "He is in the car."
Hermione squealed delightfully, "I cannot wait to meet him."
Josh led them to a large truck, and a man wearing a flannel shirt, jean trousers, and boots jumped out of the truck, "Harry, Hermione, meet Dane."
The man stepped forward, shook Harry's hand, and hugged Hermione, "I feel like I already know ya'll. Welcome to South Carolina."
"Thanks for having us," Hermione said as they all climbed into the truck, "This is a really busy area."
"It is one of the biggest vacation spots in the United States," Josh told them, turning around as Dane pulled out onto the main street, "Where we live is nothing like this."
"I don't know about that, Josh. We have an airport, and the race track is nearby," Dane told him.
"We also have five churches within a mile of my parents' house. Between being a wizard and being gay, you'd think they would have burned me at the stake," Josh commented as he looked at Harry and Hermione, "Dane and his Dad own one of the top farms in the area."
Hermione looked at Dane, surprised, "You have a farm?"
"Mostly, we have a little bit of everything, some pigs, mostly dairy. Some horses and chickens. Our crops are all corn," Dane informed her, "I'll show you them before we head to Josh's house."
Harry glanced at Hermione later that night as they lay in bed at Josh's parents' house. Her eyes were closed with her hands folded under her face as she lay on her pillow in the small double bed, "Are you awake?"
Hermione opened her eyes and looked at him. "Can't sleep?"
Harry shook his head, taking in her slightly blurred features at this distance without his glasses, "It's too quiet here."
Hermione nodded into her pillow, "I thought so, too. I can hear my thoughts easily. I don't like it. I'm keeping myself from falling asleep."
Harry reached out to her and put his arm around her, "I could just imagine what is going through that brain at all hours of the day."
Hermione quietly scoffed as her heart raced slightly at their close proximity, "You'd be shocked."
Harry laughed, and she could feel the vibrations of his laugh through her body, causing her already sensitive nerves to heighten, "I'm not surprised. Tell me something I don't know about you?"
Hermione bit her lip as she contemplated the request, "My grandfather Granger died before I was born. My grandmother was best friends with this lady in her card-playing group who believed she could see the future. Probably my family's first brush with magic, honestly. Anyways, she told my Grandmum that Grandpapa was sick, that he would not be alive to see his last grandchild. All my cousins were so much older, and my Aunts were all done having children. So, my favorite blanket on my bed? It's from him. He left it to me. Sewn into it is a note in permanent marker."
Harry ran his fingers over her arm, making her nerves sing, "What does it say?"
"I never will know you on this Earth, but I know you, and I love you already," Hermione said as a tear rolled down her cheek onto the pillow. Harry pulled her closer to him, "Did you ever meet your Mum's parents?"
"They died coming to see Dudley at the hospital when he was born. I would think they knew I was coming. Dudley was born a month before I was," Harry told her, "Aunt Petunia never talked much about them."
Hermione sighed as she moved closer to the warmth that seemed to seep from Harry. Between the sound of his heartbeat and his presence, she felt her body quickly pulled into the depths of sleep.
"I wish I knew more about both sides of my family. I have Aunt Petunia and Dudley, but feeling like I am the only one left is like… a ship lost at sea searching for a lighthouse," Harry commented.
Hermione sighed, "I'll be it."
"Hm? My lighthouse?" Harry asked, looking down at her to see her long lashes resting on her pale cheeks. He pulled her closer when she did not reply, "You already are my lighthouse."
*~*~* August 11, 2000 *~*~*
"How are things going for you, Hermione?" Maria asked on the other side of the phone.
Hermione sat in cutoff shorts and a tank top on a tree stump, watching Josh and Dane attempting to teach Harry how to milk cows. The attempt was more on Harry's part than Josh's and Dane's, "I'm sitting in South Carolina with a huge smile on my face, feeling better than I have in a long time."
"I am so glad to hear that. Have you gone to exciting locations?" Maria asked.
"No, we have been at Josh's house for nine days. It has been nice just being. I can walk to town and have already gotten to know the bookshop owner. Josh has been trying to teach me to drive an American car. The chickens aren't a fan of me while I've tried to learn, but I can drive on the roads now if I want to." Hermione smiled as she watched Harry eye the cow in front of him.
"You've got this, Harry!" Hermione yelled as he sat down on the stool and tried to follow Dane's hand movements on the cow in front of him.
Harry jumped back, his feet flying up in the air as the stool tipped backward. Milk flew through the air from the utter, causing Hermione to giggle.
"I am so glad you are enjoying yourself, Hermione," Maria told her.
"Sorry, Harry is learning how to milk a cow," Hermione told her as he walked over to her with his bucket, "Dare I ask how it's going?"
Harry shot her a sheepish grin, "Let's just say I won't be winning any of Dane's blue ribbons from him anytime soon," Harry told her as he sat down next to her, "Who are you on the phone with?"
"Give me five minutes," Hermione told him as his leg touched hers, "Sorry Maria."
"No, we can finish this session up quickly. Are you still journaling?" Maria asked.
"Yes, every night before bed," Hermione told her as a chicken walked before them.
"Good. Enjoy your time with Harry. Will I see you in person next month?" Maria asked.
"It will be a pleasure to see you again," Hermione said with a smile as she looked at Harry, who was staring at her.
"You as well. Enjoy the rest of your time, and I will see you then," Maria told her.
"Bye," Hermione said as she hung up, "Sorry, I was just finishing up my therapy appointment."
Harry looked at her, surprised, "You see a therapist? Since when?"
"Since Valentine's Day, actually. I was feeling pretty down and lonely at that point. So, Josh recommended his therapist to me. It has helped with the nightmares and dealing with Ron, too," Hermione told him.
Harry stared out at the cows as Josh and Dane joked with each other working, "Would you mind if I go to them too?"
"Not at all if you feel like you need to talk to someone," Hermione told him, "She is magical, so she knows a bit about us, but not enough to be completely informed. Well, I have talked about it a fair bit with her. Others are in her office if you are uncomfortable with her."
"What have you told her? I mean, it's private. You don't have to tell me," Harry backpedaled.
"She knows about our adventures at Hogwarts," Hermione told him as she folded her knees onto the stump, "Other than that, mostly just things about me. Most of our monthly meetings deal with how I feel about what happened throughout the week. I have a journal I write in every night, if you haven't noticed. It helps us work through things that happened between my appointments."
"Only once a month? That's not too bad," Harry said, picking at a small rip in his jeans.
Hermione swatted at his hand, "You will make it bigger. You can schedule more appointments or less. She gives me an hour's block. There have been more difficult days where I ended up in the office with her for two hours, and then there are days I'm only there for 30 minutes. It depends on me."
Harry ran his hand through his hair, "It would be nice to have a mind healer that I could talk to here, too. Do you think…" Harry trailed off.
"What?" Hermione asked.
"Could she prescribe potions like the mind healers back home?" Harry asked.
"Do you need any?" Hermione asked.
Harry sighed, "When we return home, my mind healer gives me dreamless sleep potions."
Hermione frowned, "Harry, those are highly addictive."
"I know," Harry closed his eyes, "I don't use them much, but sometimes when the nightmares are too much… it's the only thing that gets me sleep."
Hermione laid her head on his shoulder, "I wish none of this would have happened to us."
"Then we wouldn't be here," Harry told her; as he took her hand, Josh laughed at something Dane said, "I quite like it here."
"Me too," Hermione said, "Isn't this place just perfect?"
"Absolutely," Harry agreed, "It's been too long since we've had a break like this, if ever. It's so nice not being noticed."
Hermione bit her lip, "I talked to Julia last night after dinner. She is going into public relations and communications. She had an idea, and while it isn't going to work right now because we aren't there consistently, she suggested saturation."
Harry pulled back and looked at her, "What does that mean?"
"It means give them what they want. Eventually, we will be old news. We are making them scramble for every moment they can photograph us. Instead, we be visible," Hermione suggested, "So we go to the home next time, we don't hide from the cameras, and we quit hiding. She even suggested letting people know we are here. Maybe the press here will take a photo or two of us here."
Harry scoffed, "Harry Potter, bussing tables… so boring," Harry said as he looked at her, "It may work."
"Exactly," Hermione smiled as she pulled him off the stump, "Let's go for a drive. I'll even let you drive this time."
Harry stumbled as she smiled at him, "Do you want us to crash?"
"Couldn't be as bad as Ron crashing into the Whomping Willow," Hermione told him with a smirk as she walked backward toward the car that Josh said they could use.
*~*~* August 16, 2000 *~*~*
Hermione smiled at the people she and Harry passed as they walked through their new resident hall hallway.
"What room are we in again?" Harry asked, carrying the large box he had enlarged.
"Up here, 503," Hermione informed him as she took her key out, and they reached the door to their home for the semester.
Unlocking the door, she opened it. Upon first glance, there was a small kitchen and a two-seat table against the wall. Harry set the box in his hands down as Hermione walked over to the first door to see a small bathroom. The next door was a sitting area with a couch, coffee table, and side table. Glancing at Harry, Hermione shrugged, "When Ginny comes to visit, I can easily turn this into a bed."
Harry looked inside, "Good, but with her on the starters now, I don't think she will visit much." Harry opened the other door to see a double bed, a small dresser and closet, and a desk, "It's tight, but it will work."
"There is a closet in that room too. I'll take that one. You can have the closet in this room," Hermione suggested.
"Neither of us has many clothes, Hermione," Harry told her as he looked over the closet, "I think both our clothes can fit in here. We can always put jumpers in the other closet, and when it gets cooler, we can switch."
"Good idea," Hermione said as Josh appeared at the door with a box, "Thanks, Josh."
"No problem. There are two more boxes in the truck," Josh told her.
Hermione walked over to the front door of their room and yelped in surprise as something caught her hair.
"Are you alright, Hermione?" Harry asked, coming out of the bedroom.
Hermione backed up, embarrassed, trying to figure out what her hair was caught on, "I seem to have gotten my hair caught."
Harry chuckled, "Let me help you with that." Walking over to her, he gently pulled her hair up and over the hook it was stuck on. Gently, he removed the few stuck strands, and they broke, "Look, you are already leaving your mark on this place," Harry joked.
"Thank you, Harry," She murmured, rubbing her head.
Harry stepped back, "Anytime. I'm always there to save the day."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "You and your saving people thing."
Later that night, Hermione walked into their dorm room after meeting with her advisor about this semester's classes, "I'm back, and I brought pizza!" Hermione yelled as she shut the door behind her.
Harry walked out of their bedroom, "Thank goodness I'm star… what the fuck, Hermione?" He asked as he froze, staring at her.
Hermione frowned, "Is it that bad?"
Harry walked over to her as she set the box on the kitchen table and ran his fingers through her shoulder-length hair, "What did you do to your hair?"
Hermione shrugged, "It's just hair. After catching my hair earlier, I walked past a hair salon, leaving my advisor's office. They were able to get me in. I am afraid it will be a short, curly mess when it dries. It will take time out of straightening it."
Harry stared at her, "I … I've never seen it this short."
"Because I always kept it long to keep it heavy to weigh down my curls," Hermione told him, "Is it that bad?"
"No," Harry said, shaking his head, "No, it's not bad at all."
Hermione smiled, "Good, thanks. Let's eat."
*~*~* September 23, 2000 *~*~*
Hermione led Harry into the bowling alley in London, "I can't believe everyone agreed to this."
"Dumbledore said something about ten pins once. I think that is probably the wizard equivalent," Harry told her as they walked up to the desk, "How many of us are coming tonight?"
"You, me, Ginny, Ron, Luna, Seamus, Dean, Neville, George, plus Katie and Angelina responded saying they were interested in coming," Hermione told him.
Harry looked at the attendant, "Could we have two lanes side-by-side, please?"
"Lanes 3 and 4, do you need shoes?"
After getting their shoes, Harry and Hermione walked over to the lanes, and Hermione set her bag under the seat as she started taking her shoes off.
"What time did you tell everyone to meet us?" Harry asked her, looking around.
"You know Ron isn't punctual, so he will be late. I said at 6," Hermione told him as she laced her shoes.
Harry spotted Neville, Seamus, and Dean and waved to get their attention, "Hey guys, good to see you."
"How is school?" Dean asked beside Hermione, "I like your hair."
"My work is cut out this semester but is going well. How is the store going?" Hermione asked him.
"I'm just glad we are out of the Hogwarts rush," Dean told her as Ron, Luna, and Ginny came in.
Ron walked over when he saw Harry, "This place is interesting. Who is… what the hell Hermione did you do to your hair?"
Hermione sighed, "I cut it, Ron. It's just hair. I just got tired of styling it."
"Well, I love it," Luna told her as she sat on Hermione's other side.
"Thank you, Luna," Hermione said as she hugged the other girl, and Ginny greeted Harry. "You guys have to go to that area over there and get shoes. They run a little big, so keep that in mind. After that, you find a ball."
Hermione walked over to the selection of balls and tried to find the right weight for her.
"Granger, I love this place," George told her as he approached her.
Hermione hugged him, "George, have you grown more?"
George laughed as he picked her up, making her back crack, "Or you just get shorter."
Hermione looked behind him as he set her down. "Hello, Angelina and Katie. It's nice to see you both. We are over at lanes three and four. Go get your shoes and then find a ball."
After finding the appropriate ball, Hermione returned to their lanes to see Harry and Dean had set up the lanes. Ginny, Harry, Hermione, Luna, Neville, and Ron were on one lane, while Angelina, Dean, George, Katie, and Seamus were on the other.
After everyone was settled, Hermione looked at their friends, "For those who haven't played before, there are two lanes, but etiquette states you wait until the other lane goes. The point of the game-"
"Hermione, we have this game too," George told her, "You knock the pins down and try to get them all down. We got it."
Hermione huffed, "Fine, and no tricks."
George frowned, "Why are you looking at me when you say that?"
Hermione threw herself next to Harry as Ginny and Angelina went up to start the game.
Harry elbowed her, "Ready to show them how it's done?" He asked, his eyes twinkling in the lights.
Hermione returned the smile, "Absolutely. You saw I am good at this when we went out with Josh and his friends."
"Figure skater and bowling extraordinaire, I never knew you until after Hogwarts," Harry told her.
Hermione winked at him as Ginny finished her first frame with 5, and he had to get up for his turn.
Ron sat next to her, "So Herms, how are you?"
Hermione stared at him, "Don't call me that. I am fine. How are you, Ron?"
"I'm okay. I have to retake the last training course. I failed the exam," Ron told her with a shrug, "It was potions and poisons. Not honestly surprised."
Hermione got up after Harry finished his frame and stood lane by lane with George.
"Scared Granger?" George asked.
"Scared? No," Hermione said as she threw her ball and turned around, grinning at him.
"Well shit," George said as Ron and Luna cheered when every pin on their side fell.
Seamus looked over at her, "Granger, are you a ringer? You are a fucking ringer, aren't you?"
Hermione just winked at him, blowing him a kiss as Luna went up with Katie in the other lane. Hermione giggled as she sat beside Harry, who was drinking a beer. "You've already found the bar?"
Harry pointed to the table, "That's your wine."
Hermione smiled, "Thank you, how are you, Ginny?"
"Pretty good. Did you know that the pureblood and cultured people have balls every month?" Ginny asked her.
Hermione frowned, "Obviously not, like a dance every month?"
"They call them galas. Coach has me going to some of them for positive press for the team with some of the girls. Last week was the Wizarding Arts and Culture Soiree, held to raise money for arts and cultural preservation. A fancy way to kiss up to each other and compare their jewels," Ginny told her as Ron went up as Seamus finished his frame.
Ron prepared to roll his ball, but the ball remained in his hand. He looked at it, confused as he tried to get it off.
Laughter rang through their group as Ron tried to free himself.
"George!" Ron glared at his brother, "I'll get you for that!"
George grinned as he shrugged, "Just adding some fun."
Hermione got up after they finished the first game, "I'm going to the loo and getting another glass of wine. Anyone else want anything?"
"I'm good, thank you," Luna told her as she told Ron and Neville about her latest travels.
Hermione walked towards the lavatories and stopped backing up as she saw Harry with Ginny pinned against the wall in front of them next to the lavatories. Harry ran a finger over Ginny's face as her fiery red hair glowed in the soft light above them.
"I love moments like this, Harry. Just being together. I wish we had more of these moments," Ginny told him sadly.
Harry took her hand as he put the other behind her head and softly kissed her lips, "Me too, Gin. It's just I can't be myself here. Hermione and one of our friends back home had an idea. Soon, maybe we will try it and see if it starts helping."
Ginny looked up at him sadly, "Back home?"
"I mean back in New York," Harry corrected.
Ginny laid her head on his chest, "It feels like home now, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, it does. But I always come back," Harry assured her.
Hermione sighed as she waited a moment, then walked around the corner, "Hey guys, I'm just going to slip past you."
"I think I'm going to go get something to eat before we start the next round," Harry told her and Ginny.
"I'll come with," Ginny said as she let him lead her.
"Hermione, did I tell you about me visiting Loch Ness?" Luna's wide eyes gleamed with excitement in the neon lights that had been turned on shortly before their third game started.
"No, tell me. Did you see Nessie?" Hermione asked.
"No, but I saw the most extraordinary creature beneath the waters. It isn't a monster. It is a kelpie mutated to have a long neck like a muggle giraffe," Luna told her.
"So there is actually something there? It's just a special Kelpie?" Hermione asked, surprised.
Luna nodded, "Indeed, Hermione. I went in with my research group with the bubble head charm, and Kelpies enjoy potatoes, you see. We brought some to them, and we could see the mutated colony. There are five in total, with two more on the way. Slowly, they are growing their numbers," Luna informed her.
George got a strike at that moment and yelled out in celebration. He ran over and kissed Angelina, "Did you see that?"
Angelina blushed as she looked at their friends.
"About damn time you two go public," Katie said as she went to take her turn.
Ron frowned, "Why were you guys hiding it?"
Angelina looked at them, "We thought everyone would think it was weird since I was with Fred before."
Ginny smiled as she laid her hand on Angelina's, "I'm sure Fred would be happy for the two of you. I always thought that the two of them would share a wife at some point anyway, so I'm honestly not surprised that you ended up with both of them."
Angelina smiled, "Thank you."
*~*~* September 24, 2000 *~*~*
Hermione smiled as she watched Harry run around the back garden of Grimmauld Place with Teddy on his shoulders.
"You two seem to be doing well," Andromeda said with a smile as she sipped her drink.
Hermione looked at her with a smile, "We are. It was a lovely summer."
"I saw the Prophet. He is still with Ginny," Andromeda commented.
Hermione sighed, "I will not do anything to separate them, Andromeda. She makes him happy. I'm happy that he is happy at this point."
Teddy squealed as Harry flipped him upside down.
Hermione swallowed hard, "But it is hard seeing them."
"I could just imagine. How long will you sacrifice your own happiness, Hermione? Months? Years? What if he proposes?" Andromeda said as Hermione quickly looked at her.
"Has he said anything?" Hermione asked, shocked.
"No, no, but that time will come, and what will you do?" Andromeda asked.
Hermione swallowed hard, "I don't know. I don't know what I'll do if it comes to that point."
Harry set Teddy down and took his hand, leading him to the back porch where Andromeda sat with Hermione. "I hope us men didn't interrupt your girl talk."
"Not at all," Andromeda said as Teddy climbed up on Hermione's lap and put his thumb in his mouth, "I think Uncle Harry tired our little monster out."
Hermione rubbed Teddy's back, "Want me to read your story, Teddy Bear?"
Teddy nodded as he put his arms around her neck, and she stood up, "I will be back."
"So, how are you and Ginny?" Andromeda asked Harry as Hermione slid the door open to walk back into the house.
Hermione carried him upstairs to the third floor. Opening the door to the former master bedroom, she smiled at the quidditch-themed room that Harry and Dean had worked on so tirelessly to make perfect for Teddy. In the middle of the room laid his crib, and Hermione gently set him inside it. Walking over to the large bookshelf, she smiled as she selected a Golden Book of Winnie the Pooh, "I think I will read you Winnie the Pooh. My mum called me her little piglet when I was growing up. I think you remind me mostly of Tigger," Hermione said as she sat in the rocking chair.
She started reading Teddy the tale of Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree. After just a few minutes, Teddy was already lightly snoring. Hermione set the book on the side table with a small lamp and watched Teddy sleep.
"Hermione?"
Hermione blinked her eyes open, "Harry? Did I fall asleep?"
Harry smiled as he walked into the nursery, "Yes, you did. You've been doing too much again."
Hermione sighed, "There is just so much to do and not enough time to do it in."
Harry knelt beside her and kissed her enlarged belly, "Sweetheart, I am fully capable of doing things too."
Hermione touched his face, "You are so busy, too. They just made you lead Auror."
Harry placed his hand over hers and kissed her palm, "Let me worry about that and worry about you both."
"Hermione," A gentle shake made her open her eyes to find herself in a different nursery, this one Teddy's, "You fell asleep," Harry told her, "Why don't we head home? You are doing too much, and you need rest before we head back. Take a nap before our portkey. I'm afraid you'd pass out on the trip back."
Hermione stretched, causing her bones to crack. She yawned, "Actually, that sounds good."
Harry held his hand out, and she got up, almost expecting extra weight around her middle. Running her hand over her flat stomach, Harry looked at her, "Upset stomach?"
"No, I am a bit hungry, though," Hermione told him.
Harry put his arm around her shoulders, "We can stop and get something before we head back too."
*~*~* November 8, 2000 *~*~*
After leaving her Magical Creatures Law 201 class, Hermione walked from the Hall of Magic to her and Harry's dorm. She was near the residence hall when her mobile rang. Shifting her bag, she pulled her phone out of her purse and answered, "Hello?"
"Hermione? Can you hear me?"
Hermione stopped on the sidewalk in surprise and nearly was run into from behind, "Ron? Are you borrowing Ginny's phone?"
"Ginny got a plan and gave me this. Whatever that means," Ron said, confused, talking very loud.
"Ron, you don't have to yell. I can hear you perfectly fine," Hermione explained with a smile as she opened the door to the residence hall, "Are you alright?"
"I figured this was easier than sending my bird with the message to you and Harry. Is he there?" Ron asked.
"No, his Criminology class is an evening class. I'm heading back to the dorm to freshen up before work tonight," Hermione said as she walked over to the lift, "I may lose you in the elevator. I've never taken a call inside it."
"Elevator? Oh lift, you two are becoming American," Ron joked.
"Just picking up some of their phrases. What did you want to tell me?" Hermione asked, getting into the lift.
"I quit the Aurors today. Neville quit last week, and we went out drinking. He was right. I don't want to do this," Ron admitted as he started breaking up.
Hermione bit her lip, "What will you do? You didn't go back for your NEWTs, Ron." Walking down the hallway, she waved at the couple she and Harry had gotten to know that lived next door to them.
Ron sighed on the other end of the line, "I have to think about it for a while. I could work in George's store until I get it figured out. Dad could help me get a job."
Hermione opened the door to their dorm, "Are you hurting for money? You are still living at the Burrow again, right?"
"Yeah, Mum doesn't want me to leave, honestly. With Ginny touring so much, she doesn't want the last of us to leave," Ron told her as she put her phone on speaker and started changing.
"Just take your time again. Talk to your parents, George, too. See what happens," Hermione said as she got her hair caught in a button, "Shit."
"What was that?" Ron asked with a chuckle, "Did Hermione Granger swear?"
"Shut it. I got my hair stuck in my button, changing my shirt," Hermione explained, finding a hoodie to put on for the cooler library.
"Oh, Hermione, can't help but undress for me even over the phone," Ron said.
Hermione glared at the phone, "I'm hanging up now."
"Miss you!" Ron yelled as she hung up.
Later that night, Hermione returned to their dorm after work, hung her purse on the hook, and kicked her shoes off to see Harry sitting on the couch watching TV. He looked up, "I saved you some spaghetti."
"That sounds wonderful. Did you make-" "Breadsticks are in the foil on top of the microwave," Harry told her as he got up.
Hermione put a napkin on her bowl and placed it in the microwave as Harry put the kettle on the stove, "So I got a call today from Ron."
Harry looked at her, surprised, "Ron called you?"
"I'm surprised he didn't call you," Hermione told him as she took a bite of breadstick and moaned, "I love garlic."
"At least you aren't part vampire," Harry joked, "What did Ron have to say?"
Hermione swallowed, "He quit the Auror program. Neville, too."
Harry frowned, "Seriously, I was hoping once I got there, they'd be aurors, and I'd be training under them or something."
Hermione looked at him sheepishly, "Neville told me he was considering quitting in July. He talked to Sprout, and she is thinking of retiring."
Harry leaned against the counter, "Not surprised, so he's going to be a professor?"
"Guess so if he quit," Hermione told him as she took her bowl out of the microwave and stirred it, "Ron isn't sure what he will do, though. Quit before he had a plan."
Harry glanced at the clock on the wall, "It's three in the morning back home. Too late to call him," Harry looked at her, "Can I have his number?"
She pulled her phone out of her purse as Harry approached her. "This is his number," she told him, showing him the number on the screen.
"Fuck, he called me, but I didn't recognize the number," Harry said as he saved it under Ron's name, then chuckled, "The Purebloods are finally breaking out of their comfort zones."
"Luna has one, too," Hermione commented as she put her phone on its charger and sat at their kitchen table.
Harry grinned, "We will muggleize them yet."
Hermione grinned as she swallowed her mouthful of pasta, "If I could do an evil laugh, I'd do one."
"Alright, Mr. Jekyll," Harry said, leaning his chair back.
"Hyde was the evil one, and you are going to… fall," Hermione said as his chair slid out from under him, and he caught himself before falling, causing her to laugh.
*~*~* November 22, 2000 *~*~*
Hermione put her hand to her face as she looked at Josh, "I think I am pissed, Josh."
Josh laughed, "You pissed yourself?"
Hermione looked at him and blinked, "Pissed means drink, drunk."
Josh nodded, "Probably shouldn't have brought out the moonshine."
Harry came over from where he was talking to Josh's new roommate, Ali, "Talking about Moonshine. Did we ever tell you that my Dad's best mate and our professor was a werewolf?"
Josh looked at them, surprised, "Seriously?"
"Yepppp," Hermione giggled, "He was so nice… attractive too, even with the scars."
Harry frowned, "You had a crush on Remus?! Better than Lockhart, I guess."
Hermione poked him, "Hey! Not nice."
"I think you should take her home, Harry," Josh laughed.
Hermione stood up, "We should go. We have an early portkey."
After saying goodbye to Josh, John left with them to return to his dorm. The lift was down, so they had to take the stairs. Hermione giggled as she teetered, nearly missing a stair as she was slightly unsteady.
"Careful, Hermione," Harry said as he put his hand on her arm, steadying her, "Wouldn't want you falling, would we?"
Hermione felt more giggles take her over, "I'm perfectly fine, Harry," She said as she nearly fell again. Harry caught her, and she swayed into his chest.
"Harry, dude. When are you finally going to kiss her?" John asked.
Hermione gasped as she saw Harry's cheeks flush at the question, "Quit it, Josh… John." Hermione yelped as they reached the ground floor, and Harry knelt before her.
"Get on," Harry told her.
Hermione put her arms around Harry's neck, and he stood up. They said goodbye to John as he walked off. She rested her head on his and sighed, "You are so warm."
"You are so adorable, do you know that?" Harry said as he adjusted her, "I want to never put you down."
"I think we are both drunk," Hermione admitted, "I'm seeing everything twice, Harry!"
By some miracle, they returned to their dorm room and collapsed on their bed, fully clothed. Hermione rolled onto her side, "I think that stuff… was worse than firewhitty."
Harry snorted, "I am so hot."
"Yes, you are," Hermione giggled, then got up, "I gotta… oooh."
"What?" Harry asked, looking at her.
Hermione put her hand to her face and ran to their bathroom, running into the wall on the way, barely making it before she threw up into the toilet.
Harry came in and pulled her hair back. Hermione sat back against their tub, "Ugh, throwing up sucks," She told him as she looked up at him, "Don't tell sober me that I told you I love you for being so good to me. It's a seeecret."
"I wo…" Harry froze as he stood up, threw up in the sink, and groaned, "That's awful. Never drinking moons again."
"They are too bright, moons," Hermione swallowed as Harry sat down on the floor next to her, "It must be all the light trying to get out, making us sick," Harry nodded as her eyes started getting heavy, "Let's go to bed."
*~*~* December 8, 2000 *~*~*
Hermione closed her eyes and then opened them as Maria said her name, "Sorry, what was that?"
Maria smiled, "I said you were falling asleep. I know it has only been 20 minutes, but we can cut it short."
"No, I'm okay," Hermione said as she yawned, "Alright, maybe I'm a bit tired. I've been working the later shifts this week."
"What are your plans for Winter break?" Maria asked.
"We were going to go home. This is probably the first Christmas that would be interesting for Teddy, but we went home for Thanksgiving, which was awful. We ended up staying with Ron and Ginny for the last day. The press found us at my parents' house again after we left our favorite restaurant to meet our friends," Hermione told her as she yawned again, "We might just stay here. How young do you think is too young for a child to travel via portkey?"
"I don't think there is an age limit, but international travel would probably be difficult," Maria told her, "We don't talk about him much. How do you feel about Teddy?"
Hermione smiled, "I love him so much. I never thought I would be so invested in his life. His parents and I were a bit close, but I never thought after Harry that I would be his godmother. I never wanted to have children, or at least not very soon. I don't know if I ever mentioned that."
"You have not. Have your opinions changed?" Maria asked.
"Yes, we raised a house elf for a couple of months and with Teddy, not anytime in the future, but I can see myself being a Mum," Hermione told her.
After leaving her session, Hermione walked through the MEWS alley. She smiled when she saw COMING SOON WEASLEYS' WIZARD WHEEZES on the future storefront window. Next door to it was a storefront she had never noticed. A magical travel agency. Walking over to the door, she opened it. She took notice of the various pamphlets advertising magical areas of the United States.
"Hello, how can I help you?" The witch behind the counter asked.
"I didn't know this place existed. I'm looking for somewhere to go during winter break," Hermione said, walking past all the pamphlets.
"Foreigner, alright," The witch said as she got up and walked over to Hermione, "Ever been to Disney World?"
"In Paris, yes," Hermione commented.
"In Florida, a whole magical area is only accessible to us within Magic Kingdom, so aptly named. It was Walt Disney's way of advertising without breaking the secrecy clause," The witch told her, handing Hermione a pamphlet, "The drive down is not too bad. You could rent a car and drive down the coast."
Hermione bit her lip, "You don't recommend the Magical Express?"
"Going to Disney? No. It's nearly the same amount of time with stops as it would be to drive there," She explained.
Hermione looked at Harry at dinner that night, "Instead of going home for Christmas, what do you think about going to Walt Disney World?"
Harry set his fork down, "Like Cinderella and Snow White?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, there is a theme park in Florida. I could rent a car and drive us down there," Hermione told him as she grinned at him, "I'd even let you drive some."
"Why can't we take the Magical Express? Does it not go there?" Harry asked.
"It does, but with all the stops along the way, it would be just as long," Hermione told him, "This way, we can also stop at the ocean or wherever we want to."
"So spend Christmas at Disney World?" Harry stated.
"Yeah, what do you think?" Hermione asked, grinning.
*~*~* December 29, 2000 *~*~*
Hermione sat on a bench, waiting for Harry to finish on the enchanted broomstick ride she had no interest in. She sipped on a new version of Butterbeer that was somehow even better than back home. It also had hints of chocolate and a dash of cinnamon. Her parents would be so disappointed to know that her favorite was cotton candy that sparkled and changed favors by how you felt.
She could not believe how amazing this place was. When they called it the most magical place on Earth, it lived up to its name. Smiling as she saw Harry exiting the ride, he approached her windswept hair and sat beside her, "Enjoy yourself?" Hermione asked him.
"That was a blast," Harry said as he took her last bite of cotton candy.
"Hey!" Hermione pouted, "Mum and Dad would be so mad, but that was so good."
Harry moaned, "Was that lemon, no… strawberry?"
"It was multi-favor," Hermione said as she started licking her fingers to remove the stickiness.
Harry grabbed her hand and put one of her fingers in his mouth, "That tastes more like gum."
Hermione felt her brain shut down as his tongue swept over her finger, and their eyes met.
"I just stuck your finger in my mouth, I'm so sorry," Harry said wide-eyed.
Once her brain finally caught up to the situation, she giggled, "I can't believe you did that."
Harry ran his hand over his face, "I don't know what I was thinking. I'm so sorry. Really."
"Most action I've gotten in over a year. Wait, no," Hermione said as she bit her lip.
Harry stared at her, shocked, "Who?"
"Ron," Hermione sighed, "Just a moment of weakness that will never happen again."
Harry started to say something as Hermione's phone rang. Pulling it out of her pocket, she looked at it and frowned when she saw it was Ron. "It's Ron. Hey Ron," Hermione answered.
"Hermione, you and Harry need to come home. Andromeda is in St. Mungos," Ron told her.
Hermione gasped as she looked at Harry.
a/n: Don't forget to check our the new short that is tied to this story, Bad Blood that I posted last week along with last week's chapter. It is about the fight between Harry and Ron after the breakup. Thank you to everyone read that story! Things are going to start moving a little faster in the timeline as well. We are steadily getting closer and closer to 2007! I'm excited for you all to find out who the father is and how it brings Harry and Hermione together at last.
Thank you to the new followers this week. Sadly I am not getting alerts about reviews and follows any longer. FFN's system is saying my email is refusing their emails but there is nothing in my spam and bot ffn is on my approved list. Still it says their system will not. I still appreciate you all.
Preview of Chapter 19- Girl at Home
"But you don't have to take him with you over there. What will you two do? Switch days off on who cares for him?" Ginny asked.
Harry stared at her, "Hermione and I live together, Ginny. Teddy will stay in her room."
Ginny sat back, eyes wide, "What do you mean you and Hermione live together? She has her own dorm."
"Not this semester. I have one room, and she has another in our dorm. I don't live with Josh in that dorm anymore. Last summer, we had to pack that one up," Harry told her.
"Why didn't you tell me that?" Ginny hissed.