Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Hi all, I'm back with a new story. It's something that came to me a while back. The story is close to my heart and pretty much a reality. I hope you enjoy it. I've taken the criticism I've received in my previous stories and I'll try my best not to repeat the mistakes. I'll try and update atleast once a week, no promises. This isn't like any of the other stories which were already completed before posting. Please R & R. F & F.

"Are we there yet?" Emma asked feeling restless after spending 3 hours in the back seat of her youngest daughters SUV.

"Luv, we should be arriving any moment now, isn't that right Minny?" he asked looking at his 28 year old daughter and she smiled.

"Yeah, just up the street from here" said.

Emma nodded and looked out the window and frowned, "I still don't understand why we had to leave Oxford, I mean we could have always corresponded from our offices there" she fussed and Dan threw Hermione a knowing look.

"Oh come on mom, you'll love it here. It's a beautiful neighbourhood, besides you've always wanted to be a part of the Wizarding world." she explained pulling into their street.

Dan smiled as he saw their new home in the distance, "look luv, there's the disillusioned garden she was talking about" he said pointing to the small hedged fence concealing the Eden behind its walls.

"Well at least there's something recreational here" she mumbled.

"Oh for heaven's sake mom, this place is amazing, you're just sullen by the fact you left your friends back at Ox" she scolded and Emma sighed.

"Aren't you atleast happy that you'll be closer to Portia, Alex and Jaden?" she smiled thinking of her adorable nephew and Emma nodded, "I guess that's another pro about living here" and they all laughed.

"Well I don't know about you lot but I'm relieved to be away from all the drama back at Ox and the Wizarding World, atleast here have that privacy I so crave, with a fresh start" Hermione said as she pulled up to into the driveway and her parents looked at her dejectedly.

The house was a modern four bedroom house, with a modest front yard surrounded by a white picket fence; the backyard housed a small greenhouse that she would use to grow herbs for her potions, which wasn't much since she was no longer a fulltime Healer at St Mungo's. There was a patio leading to a beautiful pool and barbeque area, something that her father loved. The picket fence surrounded the backyard and at the edge of the fence was a gate that led to the magical park. Since the neighbourhood was magical and in the heart of London, it was protected by spells to prevent Muggle's from seeing it, to them it would be a boring empty piece of land.

"This place is amazing Minny, wait until I tell the ladies back in Ox, they are going to be so jealous" Emma squealed and ran inside the house as the father and daughter laughed at her antics.

Dan looked at her and sighed, "Hermione, you know, your mother and I are extremely proud of you. I know that Trent hurt you but that doesn't mean that it's the end of the road for you" he said as he watched the pained expression wash over her face.

"Dad, there was a reason he did what he did and I don't think I can move on from that" she sighed forlornly.

"You can't punish yourself for the rest of your life, you can't hide from the world Minny" he said and she looked up at him,

"Dad, I'm barren, who would want to be with me, face it I'm destined to be alone" she sobbed,

"Minny you're 29, successful, you have your whole life ahead of you. I mean who can stand up and say, that I went to a magical school in France, studied to be a Healer and then quit to study Dentistry and passed with the highest grades, and has joined the family business and now one youngest most respectable Dentist in the country!" he said dramatically causing her to choke out a giggle as he continued, "Minny, don't let something like this get you down. It's not the end of the world you know. And when you do meet your knight in shining armour, he will love you unconditionally regardless of your problems. Then you'll say I was right!" he smiled as he pulled her for a hug as the silent tears spilled from her eyes.

"Do you really think that's what's going to happen dad?" she asked hesitantly and he smiled, "A father knows these things" he said and she nodded.

"You're young and full of life, don't waste it by dwelling on this any longer" he said he said and then left her to ponder his words.

She looked at her reflection in the water and remembered the ridicules she endured at St Mungo's when she had found out that she was barren, the whispers, the stares and worse of the all, the insults.

7 years ago

"Healer Granger, I'm afraid your results are conclusive, you are infertile. I'm sorry" Healer Thompson said and left a distraught Hermione in the arms of Trent, who tried to console her best he could.

"It's going to be fine Hermione, we'll be okay" he whispered trying to console her but more over trying to convince himself.

"You promise?" she sobbed and he nodded.

Later that week, she visited her parents and told them about what had happened and they comforted her. Her parents felt their daughter's anguish and tried the best they could to ease her despair.

Trent was at his parents explaining why Hermione had collapsed at their engagement party, "mother I love Hermione and I will marry her!" he yelled but she wasn't having it.

"You are the only son of House Welling's, you have to have an heir!" she yelled and Trent was furious.

"We have been lenient with you and allowed this Muggle-born in our home, but this is the last straw! You have to end this façade and marry your chosen bride, which your father had arranged when you were born" she demanded and he slammed his hand down on the table.

"I will not leave Hermione!" he spat and she smirked.

"Do you know the punishment for breeching a marriage contract against the family responsibility?" she asked and he was flabbergasted.

"Mother, you wouldn't!" he pleaded and she walked up to him, "tell me son, would you be truly happy not having the family you've always wanted?" she asked and Trent closed his eyes and sighed, "See what I mean, put the girl out of her misery and end it now and prevent her from hurt later on" she urged and he turned away.

"This is going to kill her, mother. I can't. I love her" he said but she wasn't having it.

"If you want I could have a chat with her and explain to her" she started.

"NO! You will do no such thing!" he said and turned to walk away.

"We shall see about that!" she smirked and disapparated.

Hermione was sitting in front of the telly, flipping through the channels and was interrupted when the doorbell rang. She got up and walked up to the door but was beaten by her father who answered the door.

"Trent, son, come in" Dan welcomed him.

"Mr Granger is Hermione here?" he asked nervously and Dan eyed him suspiciously.

"Yes, she's in the lounge" he replied and walked into the kitchen.

"Than.." he started but stopped when he noticed Dan walk away.

He walked into the lounge and saw her curled up on the couch, "Hey" he smiled though he's smile not reaching his eyes.

"Hey, yourself" she smiled sadly a sight that broke his heart.

"You've been absent quite a bit. For a moment I thought you ran away the first chance you got" she chuckled sadly.

"You know I would never intentionally hurt you and I'm sorry I wasn't around much but I had to speak to mother. And" he explained and she interrupted

"Does she know?" she asked and he nodded and the tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Hermione, I don't know what to do anymore. I mean I love you so much that it hurts me to see you like this and then on the other hand my family is pressurising me to produce an heir" he whispered.

"What are you saying Trent?" she sobbed.

"I can't be with you Hermione, my family…" he cracked and she shook her head furiously.

"You promised!" she yelled frantically and her parents came rushing in.

"Hermione, love, I have no choice. Please you have to believe me" he pleaded but she couldn't fathom his words.

Just then they heard a crack and in walked Mrs Welling's, "Ms Granger, I'm sure my son has explained the reason for breaking up your relationship" she started and Trent spoke.

"Mother what you are doing here?" She looked at him and smiled

"I thought you might need some help convincing Ms Granger that this is the best to part ways, I mean, we need an heir and unfortunately, she can't provide one, unless she's welling to be a co-wife or a Mistress then perhaps" she shrugged and the entire room was silent.

"Please leave" Dan spoke and Trent looked flabbergasted.

"Mr Granger, please" he begged.

"I said get out" he said deathly calm and looked at his hysterical daughter as she pulled off her ring and pushed it into his chest and she ran up to her bedroom.

"I hope you're happy now mother" he growled and disapparated.

The news of Trent and Hermione's separation spread like wild fire, everywhere that she went she subjected to finger pointing, insults and rarely sympathy. Mrs Welling's had made it her mission to inform the elite society of Hermione's condition, claiming that she was a gold digger and that she would do anything to sink her claws into any wealthy man, and how lucky Trent was that they had found out prior to their wedding.

Hermione's life went from perfect to a nightmare in a matter of days, at St Mungo's, some patients would refuse treatment from her, claiming that they would inherit her curse if they were treated by her.

She was one of the most promising Healers they had ever had but unfortunately for her, working there became unbearable. Yes she was a fighter, but sometimes she knew, it was best to walk away before it was too late and with that, she resigned.

She moved in with her parents for a few weeks during which time, her father had persuaded her to enrol at Oxford, they he would pull a few strings so that she could do a correspondent degree with Queen Mary Uni in London. At first she was reluctant but after much taught she agreed and became the first person to complete a Dental degree in less than 5 years.

She did her residency at her parents practice, opening new doors for her. She later helped sponsor and setup free clinics for the underprivileged in France, England and in Africa. She travelled to these clinics at least once a year to oversee the facility. The gossip never died down completely though, Hermione would still hear whispers when she came home and it became overbearing so she convinced her parents to open a clinic in London.

"Hermione dear, are you going to stand out here the entire day or are you going to come inside?" her father asked bringing her out of her musing.

"I'm coming dad" she smiled and walked into the house, unbeknown to her that her life was about to be turned on its axis.

After settling in, she was in her study when her mother walked into the room, and saw her daughter staring at a framed picture of the family at a picnic from years back, she sighed heavily knowing that Trent was in the picture and her baby girl had never truly gotten over her him.

"Darling, you know it's not healthy to keep torturing yourself like this. You need to move on love" she said softly as Hermione looked forlornly at her mother.

"I know mum, it's just so unbearable, he was the love of my life" she said teary eyed and Emma moved over to embrace her daughter.

"Love is still out there, you just have to be willing to look" she whispered as Hermione held her.

"It's not just that mum, even if I do meet someone, I can't become a mother ever, no one can ignore this, it's just taboo. Trent and I were in love, you said we were made for each other and that nothing could separate us; not even Blood prejudice, but he couldn't accept this. How can I expect this from someone else? He's moved on mum, married, has a son. I can live my life alone, I need to, marriage isn't necessary. So please mum just let me be" she almost pleaded and Emma sobbed for her daughter.

The next morning, Hermione shot up from the bed like a lightning bolt,

"Oh my gawd, my first day in London and I'm late" she panicked as she jumped into the bathroom and after a quick shower she ran downstairs.

"Morning mum, dad" she greeted as she grabbed her keys and an apple from the counter. Her parents greeted her and smiled as they watched her whiz around the kitchen like a banshee.

"Here" Emma said handing her a cup of coffee in a to-go cup, "Hmmmm mum you're a lifesaver" she squealed as she grabbed the cup and ran out the door.

In her haste she jumped into the car and reversed out the drive way without placing the cup in the cup holder causing the steaming coffee to spill on her thighs, and as a reflex she stepped on the accelerator causing the car to speed up and then BANG. She rammed into a car in the middle of the road. She froze and immediately jumped out and ran to the other car to see if the driver was hurt.

"Oh I'm so sorry, the coffee spilled and I accidently … Are you okay?" she asked after she realised she was rambling. The driver, she noticed was a beautiful, redhead woman, around her mother's age, with dazzling emerald eyes, though they were as wide as saucers at this point.

After a few moments the woman nodded and looked at the distraught girl and gave her a rather shaky smile, "I'm fine dear, just a little shaken" she said and then got out of the car.

Hermione quickly pulled out her card from her purse handing it to her, "My insurance should cover the damages and any medical bills you have" she said as the woman took the card.

"You're the new neighbour" The redheaded woman said as she looked up from the card.

"Yes, I'm Hermione Granger. My parents and I moved in yesterday" she smiled and pointed at her parents who were running towards them.

"I'm Lily Potter, I'm your new neighbour" she smiled and Hermione returned it warmly.

"You're a witch I suppose?' Lily asked and Hermione looked at her feet and nodded which didn't go unnoticed by Lily.

"Muggle born" Hermione said looking up at the woman, who smiled warmly at her.

"So am I" she added and Hermione was surprised as she did look like a pureblood aristocrat.

Lily pulled out her wand and glanced around and then flicked her wrist and immediately the cars were repaired.

Emma and Dan ran up and was surprised to see Lily had magically repaired the damaged vehicles.

"That's the upside of being in a magical residency. I'm Lily Potter, I'm your new neighbour" she introduced herself offering handshakes to both Emma and Dan.

"I'm Emma and this is my husband Daniel. We moved in from Oxford, since Hermione decided to extend the family practice to London" she said smiling at her daughter. Lily frowned for a moment.

"Practice?"

"Yes, we're Dentists" Hermione answered and Lily was really confused. It's very uncommon for witches or wizards to have Muggle jobs, nevertheless, she smiled.

"You should come by for dinner tomorrow, my husband will be back from a business trip to Newcastle" she offered and Emma gladly accepted then left the two to continue their conversation.

"It was a pleasure meeting you Mrs Potter, considering the circumstances, but I really am behind schedule and I'm already running late. If ever you need any compensation, please feel free to ask" Hermione said about to get into her car.

"Don't worry about Hermione, accidents happen. Besides, no harm done" Lily smiled warmly as Hermione nodded and opened the door.

"Hermione, what about your clothes?" Lily asked and Hermione looked down at her coffee stained clothes and grumbled,.

"I'll just change at work" she motioned and Lily stopped her.

With a quick flick of her wand, Hermione's clothes were cleaned, "there, good as new" she smiled.

"Thanks Mrs Potter" she said and then drove off.

Lily looked at the car speed off in the distance and thought of the strange young witch. "She doesn't carry a wand, works as a Muggle. What a strange young witch" she mused and then moved to parked her car in the driveway.