Disclaimer: I own nothing of this canon set up by JK Rowling or any affiliates connected to the books, movies, video games, or any other media that the series has moved to at this time. I'm just having fun on their playground. Harmless fun.

Author's note: In writing A Brave New World this popped into my head and wouldn't leave. So I started writing it, but it just kept growing so I finished it in one go for your pleasure.

Now there will be mentions of intimate happenings and a slightly described scene between two of our love-birds, but it will go about as far as a movie does before cutting to black. There is also a homosexual couple in the story, so if you have a problem with that then that is exactly what it is: your problem so don't bother me with it.

The first part of the story is mainly in flashback. In present times Hermione is in Grimmauld Places' Library remembering the past five years. You will know when the story becomes all present times by the break.

Present times noted as such at beginning of section: Grimmauld Place Library Day, Date, 2003

Past indicated by: Season(Spring,Summer,Fall,Winter) Year(1999-2003)

Matchmaking Granger: Hermione's Ruminations

Introduction

Hermione Granger was an odd young woman. Growing up it was plain to see that although she had her father's ears and sense of justice everything else was quite clearly her mother. Much like her mother she was born with an overabundance of curiosity. From a young age she was regularly seen with a look of determination in trying to figure out some problem that was far beyond the skill of anyone else her age. In these moments of intense concentration her hair, much like her mothers, would take on a life of its own by defying gravity. Completing the near genetic copy was her lightly freckled, button nose, warm brown eyes, and her elegant yet understated facial features. Yes, there were a great many moments in the young girl's life who would comment on the amazing similarities between mother and daughter.

But beyond the looks and natural academic instincts Hermione inherited one more trait from her mother. It was a simple and undeniable need for those she held closest to her to be unequivocally happy. In the years after the war Hermione had found the easiest way for her friends to find happiness was in the arms of someone they could see themselves spending the rest of their lives with, and so began the subtle suggestions or outright proclamations when needed to show people why they should give each other a shot at "becoming more".

The one rub about the plan was that Hermione Granger had forgotten herself in this equation. The young woman for all her brains and good intentions had simply passed over thoughts of her own happiness with little regard.

Though with rumination of her achievements, a surprise return, pestering loved ones, and a bit of wine she will learn that happiness, despite what some may say, finds those who simply ask for it.

On to the story

Grimmauld Place Library: Friday December 5, 2003

At the age of 24 Hermione Granger had found that life was very enjoyable for her. She had an amazing job in the Department of Magical law. She had graduated Hogwarts with highest honors, surpassing even Lily Potter nee Evans in scores. She had even been instrumental in the downfall of the worst threat to the wizarding world since Gellert Grindlewald. But at this moment she found herself curled up in her favorite chair in the library of Grimmauld Place with a glass of wine fretting over her best friend, Harry Potter.

Once again Harry was on an adventure, but this time he had walked on alone.

It was just three months ago when he had found her in her small office and proceeded to tell her he had just quit the Auror Corp. After her initial shock had worn off the questions had started, but Harry answered none. He had sat there with an almost Luna-like serene expression. He had finally broken through her tirade and simply stated that he was tired of everything he felt he had to do, and that he would rather do what he felt like from that point forward. She had then asked as calmly as possible what he felt like doing, and his reply was that he didn't have a clue.

In her silence he began to explain how he had gotten to this point. Tired from the constant push of paperwork and spellfire Harry over the course of two years began to formulate a plan. He would see his work through until he felt the Auror Corp was back to full capacity and Gawain Robards (his mentor) was promoted to head of the department. Sure enough it was a week past the promotion when Harry had walked into Director Robards office and turned in his robes and pocket-watch. He then went on to tell her how he would be going on a trip for a few months back to Australia. He reminded her about the man they had met in a dingy little pub just outside of Brisbane who told them about the cultural tradition of a walkabout. Harry's eyes lit with excitement as he explained how he would start in Brisbane and then see where his feet took him.

From that point Harry had dragged her away from work early to Grimmauld to explain how he needed this and how he just wanted to see "more" as he termed it.

He left soon after, just three days, most everyone took it surprisingly well. Molly had been in a tizzy after he told her, but it didn't last long after he pulled her into a hug and whispered something in her ear. Andromeda had just smiled and kissed his cheek, while Teddy had pouted until Harry promised many gifts for the boy from the travels. Hermione's own mother, Helen, had fretted over the situation until her father, Richard, had calmed her and pulled Harry into a hug. Ron had simply clapped Harry on the back and warned him not to go and 'nearly get killed without us there' before going off in search of his girlfriend.

Of everyone Hermione knew that she was taking his absence the worst...well except for Crookshanks. Indeed after she and Crookshanks had moved over into the refurbished Grimmauld Place with Harry, Andromeda, and Teddy the cat had become use to Harry giving him constant petting whenever he desired. The part-kneazle was only consoled by the fact that he had Teddy to keep him company.

Hermione on the other hand had been spending these past few months living off of the few letters Harry had sent. From the birds that delivered them she could tell he had moved around a bit. The letters themselves were sparse in detail mostly just saying that he was okay and that things were going well on the trip.

What had her worried is the fact that for the past two weeks no letter had come in, and up until that point Harry had always sent one letter per week. What worried her even more was the state of the muggle world. A war was happening in the Middle East, there was talk of more insurrections in Africa, there was some new strain of flu sweeping through Asia and on top of that she had no idea where Harry was at that moment.

~pop~

"Would yous like Winky to get yous another glass Miss Hermy" Hermione didn't give her usual flinch at Winky's way of referring to her.

"No thank you Winky," she replied to the elf, "but maybe you could bring me a slice of that delicious pumpkin pie you made for desert tonight?"

Nodding her head the elf disappeared and reappeared in a flash with the pie slice and a fork.

"Winky's be having to watch to make sure Kreachers not be trying to sneaks more pieces to young Mister Teddy. Missus Andi keep telling Kreacher that Mister Teddy not to be having so many sweets befores his bedtime, but Kreachers keep falling for Young Mister's pout." Winky said.

Hermione gave a small laugh and nodded her head.

"Yes it seems even without Harry here Teddy still found someone to dote on him." Hermione said giving a sad look to Winky.

"You need not to be worrying Miss Hermy. Mister Harry will be finding his way home soon...Winky can tell." the little elf said with a self-satisfied nod before popping out of the room.

"I hope so." Hermione whispered back before placing her long forgotten book on the small table next to her chair and began to enjoy her late night snack.

As she ate her thought kept being pulled towards her best friend and worry began to rise in her stomach. On autopilot her mind began to focus in on more fruitful trains of thought in particular her accomplishments outside of academia and the ministry. Namely in an area that, like her looks, she inherited from her mother. Back before Hermione was born and for the first few years of her life she clearly remembers the way her mother would leave trails for two people to find each other. At times she would be subtle and allow people to work out their feelings themselves, and other times she would simply sit them down and force them to face the truth.

After the war, especially after going to retrieve her parents, Hermione began to see the merit in helping people to find their happiness with one another.

In truth her matchmaking career started on that trip to Australia with Harry and Ron. It was also the end of her relationship with Ron. It had been hard to face her parents, but Harry and Ron had stood next to her. Her mother had looked at her with nothing less than discontent and she had never heard her father's voice with that amount of anger in it, but in the end it wasn't her that was able to calm them. She had stood stock still after removing the spell and allowed them to throw all their anger at her. A few minutes in was when Harry left her side and quietly asked them for a moment of their time. Ron had stopped her from following them into the kitchen. To this day they have sworn that they will not tell her what Harry said to them, but after ten minutes in the kitchen with him they came out calm with only a little rigidity to their shoulders.

From that point on their time in Australia had been one of bittersweet healing for them all. Ron had extra time to deal with the loss of Fred in his own way, and the way the world had turned out. Her parents had time to deal with the little café they had bought, a lifelong dream, and time to really get to know their daughter. Hermione had time to deal with the past year, and make peace with some of the atrocities that had come to pass. And Harry. Harry went through his obligatory state of brooding, but surprisingly her father, Richard, took to spending time with Harry. With her father taking the time to talk with him, Harry went through a transformation in a matter of two weeks. Their last week there Harry was smiling, truly smiling, and in turn they were all smiling.

She and Ronald had tried to make things work in the beautiful paradise they found themselves in, but things just didn't work. They fought as was their usual means of communication, but it would be followed by a heated snogging session. In the last few days though that had stopped. On the third to last night it was Ron who broached the subject, and in a surprisingly quiet conversation they ended their brief romance.

During their time in the southern land though Hermione did pay attention to one particular subject: her parents. It could be said that they were affectionate people before the memory charm, but in Australia they were worse than teenagers. Always making eyes at one another, not-so-subtle hand placements, and always with the kissing. It was enough to drive Hermione batty, and gave Harry and Ron both honest laughter and uncomfortable moments with her parents.

Richard and Helen Granger were acting just like her Grandmother and Aunt said they had when they first met. Without the burden of their surgery looming over them or the hordes of invites to speak at some university with a dentistry program on their techniques and papers, the two were free and happy. It was in this that Hermione cut her teeth on helping her loved ones find happiness.

The next three years were so amazing with her parents. They had sold the little café and moved back to England, but decided against reopening their practice. With the money they had saved over the years early retirement was possible and they planned on spending as much time with their daughter as they could. The café as it turned out was bought by an anonymous buyer (Harry) who bought their small home in Brisbane as well and left their names on the deed (Richard and Helen would make great use of this during the summers with the aid of international portkeys). His defense of the action was quite simple (I did it because I wanted to, and you can't change it) and he wouldn't budge on his position. The poor boy nearly passed out from lack of oxygen when Hermione and Helen found out and bombarded him with a dual hug (this particular trait was learned from her mother as well). As soon as they were back Hermione moved back in with her parents and spent the year finishing her schooling at the still rebuilding Hogwarts. Her daily Floo into the new Headmistress McGonagall's office was something she would cherish for the rest of her life, with her mother and father always there to see her off with a smile. Though her time at home taught her the importance of the variety of privacy charms one can learn when one lives with...amorous parents. Ron was busy at WWW and Harry still going through training, so her time with the boys was limited. But it was at this time that she began the workings of her first foray into matchmaking, and her target was Ronald.

Ronald and Lavender (Spring 1999)

In all honesty the Ron who came out of the war was the Ron Hermione could have seen herself with if she hadn't already tried. He was much more subdued in his emotions and actually became a hard worker with the help of George, Lee, and Percy. The scars of the war and his need for approval began to wash away with so many people helping him become Ron, and not just another Weasley or Harry's best friend. This Ron stood taller and was a bit, a bit, more soft-spoken.

Lavender Brown had survived her wounds from Greyback just barely. She had just become able to move around when they left for Australia. When they got back they had visited and seen the once bubbly, lively Lavender missing. In her place was a quiet and withdrawn girl. Bill Weasley had been coming to see her and helping her deal with the extent of her attack. Lavender like Bill did not have lycanthropy, but she would have to deal with burst of anger and certain hungers, urges, and odd ticks associated with her affliction.

Hermione spent her time in the small classes she took with Lavender always at her side, along with Parvati, and took the time to bring out the girl. At first Lavender was constantly covered in thick sweaters and high necklines. The only scarring visible was below her left ear where it wrapped around to her cheek.

It took a while before the girl became more open to everyone. One of the major tipping points was the day Hermione herself showed the scar left by Bellatrix to Lavender. Both had broken down and cried while clinging to each other. Harry and Ron had found them many hours later at The Hogs Head, both proudly showing their still red skin and thoroughly sloshed. The two girls had lamented on their own loss to the boys, and then expressed the relief they had both felt when the offenders had met their end. Bellatrix by way of Molly Weasley no longer cackled her way into anyone's life, and Greyback had been killed quite swiftly by Professor Flitwick after trying to escape right after the battle. This revelry had led to another round being ordered and Abeforth regaling them in the might of the tiny professor's spellfire that killed the crazed werewolf.

It was after that particular night that the machinations of Hermione's matchmaking started.

At first it was simply making sure to stop by WWW with Lavender every time she and the other girl happened to be walking down Diagon Alley together. The next stage was arranging Ron and Lavender time together when the group of them would meet at a pub to catch up. She always made sure there was a corner booth and plenty of space from the rest of the crowd for them. She made sure Lavender was at every Weasley family dinner on Sunday nights, and to her surprise Molly had smiled at her every time. Molly had not taken the breakup of Ron and Hermione well, she had tried to "sort-out" their problems but was stopped by the two and made to understand. According to Ginny, Molly had cottoned on early to Hermione's plan and thoroughly approved of the pair.

It took until they graduated before anything substantial happened, but the day they had received their NEWT scores Ron walked up to Lavender and asked if she would allow him to escort her to the celebration dinner at the Three Broomsticks.

From that point on the two were stuck together at the hip. They spent the following three years in a quite affectionate relationship, though not as bad as their first. The nicknames were used once again, but this time it was always with a bit on mirth with its tone.

In the past year Ron had taken up the newly opened slot for announcer of the Chudley Cannons games along with Lee Jordan and had been moving up the ranks to possibly take over covering all the organized games for England over the Wireless given his popularity as a war hero and quidditch enthusiast. Something that he had told Harry and Hermione in private before Harry left was that he had already bought a ring and was planning on proposing to Lavender at Christmas, only three weeks away. His only stipulation for agreeing to Harry's departure was that he had to be back for that moment.

Rolling off her victory of her first matchmaking success she and her mother sat down and gave her the rundown of her next targets…eh couple.

George and Angelina (Summer 1999), Percy and…Lee? (Fall and Winter 1999/2000)

George and Angelina were easy to handle considering their long history, but the problem lay in the fact that George had been slow-going into returning into his former self. Angelina had taken up residence in the flat above WWW along with George and Lee, and spent all her time working with the Weasley's and the other Gryffindor Qudditch alumnus rebuilding the Wheezes to its former glory.

The breakthrough for this success came three months after the first anniversary of the battle, and incidentally Harry's nineteenth birthday.

Hermione had spent quite a lot of time in Diagon Alley during that summer. She had taken a quiet little job at Flourish and Blotts to help pass the time and surprisingly enough it helped quite a bit in pushing George into opening back up.

Unknowingly Ron, Percy, and Lee had played major roles in the plan as well particularly in the way they handled George. She knew that between them, his other brothers, and Oliver Wood they could kick-start his old self easily if a prank was involved. Unfortunately for Harry a target was needed and he fit the bill.

Her groundwork was easily laid with a subtle mention of a birthday prank to Charlie, who was as much a gossip as his mother, who then spread the idea through the grapevine. Not long after the plan was formed for a very special slice of birthday treacle tart for Harry. Hermione's conscience had weighed heavily on her over allowing Harry to be pranked on his birthday, but her reasoning was that it was harmless fun.

When the night came she was as surprised as anyone else when after his first bite of his slice of treacle tart Harry transformed into what appeared to be a rhesus macaque. It took several minutes of him climbing over furniture squawking before a very relieved Harry transformed back leaving in his wake six howling-with-laughter Weasley siblings, two trying-to-hide their own laughing Weasley parents, two perplexed house elves, one giggling Andromeda, one laugh/gurgling Teddy, two surprised Granger parents, and the rest of the room on the floor holding their sides. Angelina, though, was smiling slightly and only looking at George.

She watched the two every moment she could for the rest of the night. It wasn't until a few minutes before midnight before Angelina pulled George off to the small Garden that Winky had put outside. She quietly followed and peered out to see how the situation would go. To her surprise very few words were spoken. George began to speak and before he could get out a full sentence Angelina had pulled him down to a full snog.

Hermione was more than happy with how the situation out at that point. She remembers turning to leave but stopping when she finally noticed Harry looking over her shoulder.

"Well at least I didn't turn into a monkey for nothing." he had said, "Next time you come up with one of your plans though, can it not be anything with a tail. It's bloody hard to figure out the balance with those things." he had finished with a wink before pulling her back to the sitting room.

"I didn't know what they were going to do only that George was to be the mastermind." she had replied with a smile. Harry simply shook his head before scooping up is godson and moving to talk to her parents. That was when her second plan came into motion.

Over her time "helping" George and Angelina, Hermione had noticed some oddities about the way Percy behaved around a certain laid back, dreadlocks styled boy. It had taken her quite a while to realize why the smiles, looks, and light blushes really meant. She had never questioned the views on alternate lifestyles in the wizarding world, but in her research after her realization she learned that the wizarding world was much more open in that area. As a smaller community it had always fostered the idea of open love (as long as it was committed love after a certain age), but she found out that the concept was never really spoken of to the young people of the community. It was accepted, but not explicitly talked about in open forum.

She had begun the plan of opening up Percy and Lee to the idea two weeks before the birthday party when she suggested they split the cost of a gift, a subtle way of pairing them up outside of work. It had worked like a charm as they showed up together, and as luck would have it they spent most of the party within speaking distance of one another.

Her mother had warned her after the party about trying to push too much, as even though the wizarding community may have open values the two young men would still face difficulties if they were to enter a relationship.

At this warning Hermione had contemplated for several days before organizing a very small get together consisting of Fleur, Ginny, Katie, Alicia, and Angelina. She had added Andromeda and Winky to the discussion as soon as she had kicked Harry out of his kitchen at Grimmauld and sealed the door for their discussion. Angelina had been the most outspoken on the subject as she two had noticed the looks and given her whole-hearted approval on the idea. Fleur, Katie, and Alicia had likewise given the idea a thumbs-up. Ginny and Andromeda had taken more time to contemplate. Andromeda had said that even though the wizarding world was more open to the interpretation of love there would still be some who would cause trouble, but then stated that it was no reason not to help the boys along if everyone believed they would be a good match. Ginny had smiled and stated that it would take a lot of work to get Percy to be open to the idea as he and Penelope Clearwater had only kissed twice in the two years they dated. She had then amended that statement by saying that the reason why made more sense at that moment. Winky had simply said that the two pretty men would make a nice couple, which caused the room to dissolve into laughter. (sidenote: Molly Weasley found out about this secret meeting three years later, and only forgave the women involved when they agreed to allow her to participate in the next one.)

Over the next five months Hermione laid slight hints, left suggestions, and gave small pushes to them to acknowledge the other in some way all the while beginning her first days in the Law Offices of the Ministry. On her birthday in the slightly frosty September air she found them talking on the bank of the pond close to Fred. Lee had his arm around the slightly smaller Percy. On Halloween that year Percy looked to be ready to speak more intimately with Lee, but pulled away at the last minute when the party got too loud. Percy had come to talk to her after that, he had asked questions about the muggle world and how it handled situations dealing with homosexuals. His wording had been vague, but she could see the wheels turning in his head. Her explanations left him confused and a bit downtrodden, but upon her description of what she believed he perked up at the idea of happiness with love no matter the person's sex. She found out later that Lee had approached the three former Gryffindor chasers and Oliver to discuss the topic.

Her big break in this matchmaking pair up had come on a frigid November day during her daily lunch with Harry at a small café just off Diagon Alley. A shivering Percy had approached them as soon as they had sat down with their orders and shyly asked if they could talk. He had explained his feelings and how he had gone to a muggle book store to research the subject of homosexuality. His nervous glances at Harry were appeased when the other young man had simply smiled at Percy and urged him to continue. Over the lunch Percy divulged all of his worries and fears to the two. In return he had been encouraged to approach the subject with Lee and see how the other man felt.

To her immense happiness that Christmas the two men had walked into the Burrow holding hands and were met with nothing but well-wishers, an ecstatic Arthur & Molly Weasley, and quite a few ribald jokes from the other Weasley Brothers (which were soon quieted by the looks given from the women).

The one thing Hermione had noticed at that party was the lack of usual intimacy between the new parents Bill and Fleur (Victoire).

Bill and Fleur (Spring 2000)

It wasn't until that spring (2000) that Hermione really noticed the lackluster between the two new parents. She of course understood the stresses of a newborn and how the sex-drive of the mother in particular would take a back seat to the new responsibilities of her body, but the entire situation bothered her because according to her mother and Molly that phase should have passed by that point.

This particular couple took her two months to crack. She had relied heavily on the advice from Molly, Andromeda, and her mother in this time. But the clue that caused her to understand the problem surprisingly came from a very uncomfortable talk with Arthur Weasley.

The Weasley Patriarch had pulled her into his study after overhearing one of her talks with Molly and explained that it was more than likely not just Fleur with the lackluster. He went on to explain how when Bill was born he had gone through something similar. "Constantly working and worrying over a new life can douse a man's sexual desire very quickly," he had said. Then he had said that maybe if Fleur were to broach the subject in a bold way that may just be what Bill would need to snap out of his intimate lethargy. He had then begun to describe how Molly had snapped him out of his own haze back when they had Bill, but had been quickly stopped by an extremely red-faced Hermione.

She had taken his advice to heart, though, and requested Fleur's company on a trip to Muggle London. On that trip she had brought Fleur to a muggle lingerie shop and stated blatantly that something with strings may distract Bill from his current frazzled state.

Two nights after that she had been asked to babysit Victoire for the night, and when the French witch arrived in the morning she had worn a very lazy smile and rumpled hair. The look on her father's face that morning had been priceless, a sexed-up veela apparently gave off even more of an allure than they do at their normal state. Her mother had not been amused at his goofy smile.

The next weekend Hermione received a large box of Honeyduke's chocolate from Bill with a note thoroughly expressing how much he was in her debt.

Grimmauld Place Library: Friday December 5, 2003

~pop~

The sound of Kreacher apparating in startled Hermione as she was pulled from her revelry.

"Kreacher is sorry he surprised you Miss Hermione."

"No its fine Kreacher, I was just deep in thought."

"Would you like Kreacher to be taking you plate and fork Miss?"

Hermione stared at the elf for a minute before making up her mind.

"Actually Kreacher if you wouldn't mind. I'll have another piece of tart and the rest of that bottle of wine on the counter in the kitchen." She replied with a smile. "Tomorrow is Saturday so I'm going to relax in front of this fire with a comfortable blanket and enjoy my thoughts."

"Yes Miss," he said as he popped away with her plate, before reappearing a moment later with a tray holding her tart, the bottle, and the glass for the wine. "Kreacher hopes you enjoy your night Miss. Mistress Andromeda and Mister Teddy have already long been asleep." He said as he waved his other hand at the tray and its contents nestled themselves on the table next to her.

"Thank you Kreacher. You have a good night as well." She said before he vanished.

"Now where was I?" She asked herself while pouring the wine. "Oh right 2000. Molly and Arthur."

Molly and Arthur (Fall 2000)

The use of her skills on Molly and Arthur were something she always questioned. She had been informed by her mother that Molly had broached the subject of sex during the two women's weekly tea. Molly had noticed the way her parents were around each other (much to Hermione's discomfort) and asked if it was just because of their recent vacation to their summer home in Brisbane or if there was something else to it.

In the long discussion that followed Hermione learned more about Molly and Arthur's sex life, Her parents sex life, and sex-lives in general than she would ever want to learn given the source. But it had been educational in context of Molly and Arthur, who now with no children in the home were at a sort-of loss about how to act around one another. Molly had expressed her want of a more adventurous sex-life, like that of Hermione's parents (Hermione had wretched a bit at this). Arthur hadn't been perceptive of his wife's wants and had apparently not noticed the subtle hints his wife had started giving him.

With this in mind Hermione formulated a quick plan to help the woman she considered a surrogate-mother or second aunt. She had apparated to Shell Cottage and asked Bill to take care of Victoire while she and Fleur took care of a special project. The look on the man's face when he received the answer to the question of what they were doing told her that he had learned his lesson on being nosy. True to the answer she gave Molly's oldest son, she and Fleur pulled the Weasley Matriarch into the same lingerie shop that she brought Fleur too. The older woman balked at the material she was shown, but after some prodding she picked out a modest nightgown suitable for her age and figure. The two women then brought her to Hermione's parents' home where Helen and the other two gave her a few books on the subject of re-igniting a marriage and offered moral support. As they left Hermione followed Molly to the Burrow and gave the woman a book she had bought when she was much younger and curious about sex. She had explained to the woman that she had for the moment given up on her own love life to start a career and enjoy her family. Molly had begun to reprimand Hermione on not giving up, but was quickly told that Hermione was not giving up just finding other things to fill her time. Hermione then told the woman to let her know if she needed another trip to shop, but this time she would let Helen bring her. The two laughed as they parted ways.

The fruit of Hermione's labor presented itself in a most unfortunate form for herself, Luna, and Ginny. The three had met up at the Wheezes and decided to enjoy their Saturday by walking in the apple orchard at the Burrow. It had turned out to not be a wise decision. As they entered the door to the kitchen they were met with the sight of a very naked Molly and Arthur on the dining table. In the seconds that had followed their entrance Ginny and Hermione had caught their senses and promptly rushed back out the door. Luna had just smiled and said, "Good Morning Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Lovely day out isn't it?" She had been yanked out by the two other girls quickly after.

From that day on the Weasley children knew to owl or knock before entering the Burrow, and to discreetly make sure to scourgify the table before every meal.

Unfortunately soon after this incident there were a slew of former death-eaters that had escaped from Azkaban. The worst of which was Antonin Dolohov. He had tried to reach France in his race across the country, but was caught right before he reached the apparition spot that would take him across the channel. Harry had caught him. She had processed the paperwork for his second trial. He now resided in the lowest level of Azkaban with one of "Fluffy's" litter mates guarding his and all the other escapes cells. The problem with the escape was that it caused the judicial system at the ministry to receive a much needed overhaul. It was a very good thing, but it meant that she and the other new workers (Terry Boot and Susan Bones) were buried under paperwork for the well past the New Year.

Grimmauld Place Library: Saturday December 6, 2003 (very, very, very early morning)

Hermione paused in her remembrance again to look at the mantle above the fireplace. On she observed the pictures of the all the people she had come to care deeply for. All the faces were smiling as they moved around in the frames. The brightest smiles were those of Harry and Teddy as they played in one of the boxes that held her books from the day she moved into Grimmauld. The smiles on her face, her mothers, and Andromeda's were quite large in the background as well. That was a good day. The days that came before and after that day only sweetened the memory of that moment. Though that's not to say that there hadn't been a rough spot with a certain female Weasley in those days.

Ginny and Terry, Neville and Hannah (Spring 2001)

It was early spring that year when she had begun to think about moving out of her childhood home. Hertfordshire was an amazing place, but the commute to London (even through the Floo) was taxing on her. On top of that she knew she and her parents would really start needing their own space soon.

It was also during this time that one Terry Boot had begun trying to get her attention, she noticed very early on because much like Harry the man had no tact in his approach. She had agreed to one date after a few weeks of his not-so-subtle attentions. The date itself had been big news amongst their friends and family, as Hermione had not dated or shown interest in anyone since Ronald. This had led to many of her male friends sniffing around Terry in the days leading to their date. Harry on the other hand had been very amicable during the situation, he had been very kind in helping her finish up her paperwork on one of his cases and pushed her out the door when it looked like she might run late.

The date was a disaster. The dinner and conversation were wonderful; Terry had been as fun to talk to as he was at work. But the two had figured out early into the night that friendship and thoughtful conversation was where their relationship had its end. Terry had been understanding when they skipped going out for coffee after dinner, and simply stated, "That he knew it wouldn't have been anything more, but had to try." before leaving her at the doorstep of Grimmauld place.

Harry had met her as she walked into the sitting room to make her way to the Floo and offered a glass of wine. The conversation that followed was wrought with honesty and laughter.

At first it had started with how her date had gone, and much to her surprise Harry had guessed the outcome of the date. His explanation was that he had figured she and Terry, while friends, did not have chemistry. Her scoff at the statement led him to explain that as he had noticed from her "matchmaking projects" all of the people had an undeniable amount of "something" in between them, and she and Terry just did not have that. She had consented to his observations once she had considered them thoughtfully.

The next topic was their overall love-lives. Harry and Ginny had never rekindled their brief romance after the battle. The two had spoken at the Burrow once they had returned from Australia, and simply come to terms with the fact that they had both changed to much over their time apart. It had done wonders for the friendship between the two as they now approached one another on a more familial level. Mrs. Weasley had thrown a little tantrum when she had been informed of the development, but was quickly appeased when Harry had hugged her.

They quickly moved to the lack of any romantic relationships that either had been in since their respective Weasley break-ups. Both touted the same reasoning. Neither feeling particularly ready for something of that scope given their careers and personal problems. Harry was busy helping to raise Teddy, and constantly in the middle of a case. Hermione had been rebuilding the relationship with her parents, helping others find their happiness, busy with cases in the ministry, trying to help with Teddy and Victoire, and finally her recent search for a new place to live. Add to this the fact that both of them had to fend off reporters when no other stories were big enough and neither of them felt like exposing someone else to the limelight.

Hermione had then begun her usual joking of maybe trying to set Harry up with his most enthusiastic admirer: one Gabrielle Delacour. The young girl's devotion to Harry had become famous among their friends and family. She had been a constant sight at any get together that Fleur went to in hopes of speaking to Harry. The most humorous instance had been the Christmas party at the Burrow when Lee and Percy had shown up. The young woman had spent the entire evening in a daze of joy as she had taken the seat on the other side of Harry.

It had been around midnight when Hermione had decided she should head home. As they made their way back to the fireplace Harry made the comment that if she wanted to there would always be a room at Grimmauld for her. She had smiled and said she would consider it over the weekend. Right before she left through the Floo Harry made one more comment. He expressed his belief that maybe two of the people that had talked about tonight would be good for each other before pointing to the picture of the reunited DA at the second anniversary of the battle. It was then she noticed the way Ginny had been smiling giving quick glances to Terry.

Her plan had begun formulation that Sunday and by Tuesday she had already given Harry the answer to moving into Grimmauld; a resounding yes.

Her first objective for this new couple had been to have them assist in the redecoration of her new room. Terry being a genius in charms and transfiguration in application, and Ginny having the keen eye on decorating would serve to give her a brilliant new room and allow her to see how their chemistry really was when together.

Harry had sniggered at the blatant set up, and was promptly forced by Andromeda to spend the day working under Winky for the move-in party that had been later that night. Hermione had been quite pleased in the outcome of her machinations as her room had become a perfect place for her with the help of Ginny and Terry. She had also noticed the overwhelming since of attraction her two friends had for each other. Terry as noted on many occasions was not good at approaching women, but around Ginny he was much more relaxed and calm. Ginny on the other hand had always exhibited a gracefulness when approaching men (other than her star-struck faze with Harry), but on that day she had been blushing constantly and took on an almost Tonks-like clumsiness.

That night at the party the two had continued to dance around each other. It had almost driven Hermione mad when after an almost relaxed dance with one another, Ginny and Terry went right back to denying their attraction. In her revising of her plan she noticed Harry had been talking to Neville, and the other boy had taken to glancing off to the right every couple of seconds. When she had followed his eye-line she had found Susan bones and Hannah Abbot giggling and red-faced in the corner, no doubt the two girls had gotten into Seamus' "Special Punch". She knew that it would not have been Susan that Neville was looking at as the buxom red-head had been dating Seamus for a few months at that point. This meant that he had been looking at Hannah, she had decided that while she was working on Terry and Ginny she could possibly help the other two as well. (side note: Everyone was quite surprised when Seamus showed up to a get-together with Susan on his arm. "She saw me at the pub the other night, just grabbed me and said 'we're dancing'. To be honest I've never been so scared in m'life. It's great!")

Over her next few weeks at work Hermione had begun to slowly draw up a schedule to help with her plans. Her first problem was learning if Hannah was at all interested in Neville. She received a quick and quiet answer from Susan. It turned out that Hannah had always taken a fancy to the Herbology prodigy, as he had helped her in the early years at Hogwarts when she had struggled with the subject. She had then been told if she needed help that Susan was more than willing set things up for the two. It turned out that her co-worker was quite the observant person and had been watching all of Hermione's projects from the side.

With Susan's help she was able to get her potential couples in the same room quite often from that point onward. They had worked tirelessly in breaking down the shyness of Neville and Hannah when they were around each other. In her free time Hermione had tried to work as a go-between for Terry and Ginny. She never revealed what the other said, but did her best to encourage the two to open up to one another. Everything had come to a head one night when the four along Ron, Lavender, Harry, and Hermione were out on one of her date set-ups.

Ginny had become agitated at a suggestion from Hermione that Terry dance with Ginny. The young red-head had almost given everyone whiplash at the speed her temper flared. She had over the course of a few minutes exposed all of the machinations that Hermione had been the mastermind of, and then berated the fact that Hermione meddled with everyone's lives. Harry had stood to defend Hermione, but her arm stopped him as she used him as leverage to propel herself away from the table in a quick run to the bathroom.

Much like her first year at Hogwart's it had been Harry who sought her out (This time sans Ron) and comforted her. He held her as he whispered how much she had been helping everyone and that Ginny was just a defensive person. She had questioned if she was actually that manipulative towards the people she cared for, and if they would hate her for her "meddling" as Ginny termed it early. Harry had apparated her out of the restroom when someone had started to open the door. He had led her to her room at Grimmauld and told her to wait for him to come back.

She had been told later that between the might of Ron, Lavender, and Harry's chastising Ginny had herself broken down. In a surprising turn of events though Terry had moved past all the awkwardness of the situation and comforted the young girl saying, "You might think what Hermione's doing is meddling, but I really don't mind. She's not hurting anyone. In fact from the look of everyone she's doing right by them. And she's trying to do right by us, so how about I take you out for some coffee and we actually talk?" He had then led a shocked Ginny out of the pub to the amusement of the others. The next day Ginny showed up to Grimmauld with a large amount of Sugar Quills and Honeyduke's brick chocolate in order to apologize and dish about her first date in ages. Similarly Neville and Hannah had appeared two days later at Hermione's office holding hands and informed Hermione (and Susan) that they would be treated to a nice lunch at the Leaky Cauldron where Hannah had personally cooked for them.

She had spent rest of that year and a quarter of the next happily enjoying her friends happiness. While playing with Teddy or Victoire she would relate her successes, much to the amusement of those witnessing the event, or would simply enjoy tea with Andromeda, her mother, and Molly while listening to them gossip. All of the couples were strong together, that's not to say there weren't down-times with each. Ginny and Fleur were notoriously strong-willed women with tempers, but Terry and Bill had interesting ways of calming their respective women when most needed. Ron and Lavender would go through spats with one another every few months, but would always forgive each other in a sickeningly sweet display of affection. Lee and Percy were interestingly quiet in their disputes, and would always work out their problems in private even though the tension would always be apparent to everyone. Her parents and the Weasley's parents had their own ways of dealing with disputes perfected over time, and always seemed to resolve their problems the quickest.

During this time Hermione had briefly considered trying to find someone for Harry, but interestingly enough Harry had always seem to know when that thought would cross her mind. He would simply stare at her with his right eyebrow quirked up before pushing his new glasses up the bridge of his nose, and it would quell any notion of trying to pull one over on him. The few times she had relayed this to the older women they would all develop small smiles before quickly changing the subject.

It wasn't until the summer of 2002 that the bug bit her again when she noticed a slightly melancholic Charlie, the only unattached Weasley brother, as he gave a sad sigh while watching a few of the couples dance at the anniversary dinner of Molly and Arthur. In that instant she made a mental list and double checked it before smiling.

Charlie and Daphne (Summer 2002)

With everything she knew about the unattached females, ones that might be interested in Charlie, and Charlie's own personality she devised a series of plans.

Charlie Weasley despite his appearance as a rough and tumble man was actually a burly teddy bear. The shortest of the Weasley men and a notorious gossip amongst his family, Charlie just had not fit into any mold. After the war he had spent a year in Romania before returning home and joining the Dept. of Magical Creatures where he assisted in a reformation of the entire office. From there the man had systematically called for changes in regulation for the entire ministry with the help of his father, Harry, the fully elected Kingsley, and Hermione herself. Despite all of his fire about work, change, and family Charlie had one major flaw. The man had been more nervous around women than Neville or Harry ever were. After considering the problem it had made sense, as the man had spent quite a long time with nothing but other men and dragons as company. She had known one of the other reasons for his introverted nature around people was the trouble he had learning when he was younger. She had noticed from a few of his memos that his spelling would be off on certain words, and when they would meet for an action he was trying to push through to the Wizengamot that he had to take longer than normal to read through sections of articles. From there she had deduced that Charlie might have a form of what muggle doctors called dyslexia. It had taken a good bit of convincing but she had finally taken him to her aunt who specialized in learning disorders. He had left the meeting with materials to help him manage his condition and a relieved air as he had made a promise to make sure Molly would send her a large box of fudge in return for her help. He had even slightly stuttered around Andromeda even though he had known Tonks in school.

She had immediately dismissed the idea of Katie Bell or Alicia Spinnet. Those two both knew Charlie from when he was the Star Seeker and Captain of Gryffindor, and were both to big in personality for him. She also dismissed Padma, because the girl had shown her interest had been firmly in a young French wizard in the International Liaison Office. Her sister, Parvarti, had taken to dating and breaking up with Dean Thomas on a monthly interval so she would not do. No, Hermione had quite a hard time trying to find a woman for Charlie until her lunch break one day where she ran into a familiar and surprisingly familiar face.

In her head the only female that she knew that there was only one who might have the patience to wait for the Charlie everyone else knew to show himself. Daphne Greengrass.

After the war had ended most of their Slytherin classmates had dissolved into obscurity. Pansy Parkinson had taken up as Madame Malkin's assistant after being given a slap on the hand by the ministry, and had been seen being courted by Justin Finch-Fletchy(a muggleborn). Goyle had come through the war with his head down and regret apparent in every action. He had shown up at Hogwarts the day after his trial and began working on the castle. It had taken six months before Hagrid had pulled the young man to his cabin and offered him an apprenticeship as a Gamekeeper. Tracey Davis, whose family had been decidedly neutral, had shown up at the ministry gala commemorating the war victims as an assistant to the head of the Goblin Liaison office. Blaise Zabini, Millicent Bullstrode, and Theodore Nott had all moved to France and the only words spoken about them were that they had taken up with a few un-reputable sources. Draco Malfoy had spent two years under house arrest with his mother only leaving to visit his father in Azkaban, but had disappeared after his probation was done. Many had questioned where the boy had gone and if he was planning something, but Hermione had learned by way of Harry that Draco's movement were carefully watched by the international Auror community. Daphne Greengrass, much like Tracey Davis, had no stock in the war other than to keep her family and herself safe. She had been touted, along with Tracey, as being the only students from Slytherin who had actually helped in the Battle of Hogwarts. Once they had taken all of the younger years to safety, they had taken up with the rest of the reinforcements from Hogsmeade and fought their way into the castle. She, her younger sister Astoria, and Tracey had walked proudly back into Hogwarts the next year to take the few necessary classes. Astoria as it turned out had quite the thing for brave little Gryffindor's and promptly declared her love for Dennis Creevey (the poor boy had passed out at the proclamation, but was quite happy with the results if Minerva was to be believed). Daphne had skyrocketed through the ranks of the Committee on Experimental Charms, and had been instrumental in the development of a charm to detect use of the unforgivable more quickly. On top of this Daphne had proven herself a friend to Hermione after a quiet lunch in the cafeteria of the ministry.

And the great thing about the gorgeous, blonde Slytherin was her views on relationships. Much like Hermione, Daphne took a quality-more than-quantity approach. She explained that much like her mother she was fine waiting for the right man to come along. There was no reason for her to flit about and date men when she was so young and enjoying the time with her family and friends. She had amended her statement with if she did meet the right man she wouldn't let him go; it was just more of a waiting/watching tactic.

Hermione had known that if Daphne would just meet Charlie there could be something. She ran through her list of Daphne's likes in men: opinionated, intelligent, honest, family-orientated, and kind. She knew Charlie fit the bill, and she knew that Charlie had a thing for blondes as they were the ones he was the most nervous around. She had just hoped that inviting Daphne to the usual Sunday Roast at the Burrow would turn out as she hoped.

It had gone swimmingly as Daphne was welcomed with smiles and far less snake jokes that she had originally thought. At dinner Daphne had be sat next to Hermione across from Charlie, and had spent the main portion of the meal speaking amicably to the others while stealing glances at the very fit man who found his mashed potatoes very interesting. The moment Hermione had started to worry was when Daphne had brought up the new bill on Dragon breeding in Wales, the bill on which Charlie had spent four months working. She had commented that the bill did not have the clout nor enough reasoning to be pushed through. At that comment the table had still as Charlie looked up for the first time since sitting. From there a heated debate began between the two which left Hermione horrified at the blunder she had made in her matchmaking. After a very tense desert Hermione had hid away on the front porch of the Burrow as everyone watched Charlie and Daphne eye each other from across the room. Little Teddy and Victoire were her only reprieve as he sat watching them play in the waning light. Harry had come out with a smile as he sat next to her and told her that the night was not over yet. His prediction had been right as Charlie had followed Daphne out ten minutes later and before he could get in a word the blonde turned around handing him a small piece of paper telling him that if he should want to debate more he should at least to it over another meal. She had winked before waving to Harry, Hermione, and the two children before walking down the drive to the apparition point leaving a stunned and smiling Charlie in her wake.

Hermione had been wrong about Daphne having any patience in waiting for Charlie. She did however see a man she had instant attraction for and went about the best way to get him: instigation. Looking back on it Hermione had not taken into account that Daphne was in fact a true Slytherin with all the cunning her house boasts.

The two had since been notorious for their lively debates and quick exits when their passionate speeches were at their height.

Grimmauld Place Library: Saturday December 6, 2003 (very, very early morning)

"Hermione, what are you still doing up?" Andromeda asked as she walked into the library.

"Oh, Andi. I'm just thinking." Hermione said with a smile, "I thought you had gone to bed."

"I did, but after that dinner," She began with a roll of her eyes, "dealing with Teddy, watching one of your recent matchmakings take off, and of course being one of your targets means for a restless night." She finished with a smirk.

"Oh, I don't know what you mean." Hermione lied as she took a long sip from her wine glass. "Auror Robards was just…"

"He was just what Hermione?" Andromeda interrupted with a smile, "A handsome, widower. Who happens to be charming and quite easy to get along with," Andromeda laughed at the innocent look on Hermione's face. "Yes I agreed for him to call on me when he asked…and I will admit that the man looks spectacular when walking away." Andromeda added causing Hermione to nearly spit her wine in laughter.

"Andi," the younger girl admonished.

"What, was that not the desired effect of having him over tonight?" The woman asked as she conjured and poured herself a glass of wine. "Well, how do think it will go between Viktor and Luna? They looked very…intrigued with one another at dinner."

"For your information that was not my doing. I don't think anyone could set Luna up…she's just so…Luna about everything." Hermione paused for another sip, "She actually came to me and said she would be around tonight. Surprised me by saying that she would be interested in meeting Viktor and she knew he would be here hoping to see me and Harry."

"Yes, well she always had seemed a bit too much like her mother in that sense I guess. That's how Evanna apparently met Xenophilius you know? Just showed up at a dinner he was attending and introduced herself." Andi said smiling.

The two laughed and talked for a while before Andi brought up something for Hermione to think on.

"You know Hermione dear. It's fine if you're worried about everyone, but if you're starting in on more matchmaking because you're fretting over…no don't interrupt." She chastised the girl who looked to start speaking. "It would be okay if you took some time off from it Hermione. Maybe start worrying about your own love-life. I know Helen, Molly and I have brought this up time and again, but really. There is nothing wrong in dating a bit. One date in five years since an ill-begotten romance with Ronald Weasley. Darling I would be climbing up the walls if I were your age and didn't have any physical release other than my own hand. Oh don't go blushing on me." She added as the young girl tilted her glass up to hide her flaming cheeks. "Sweetheart. You are a young, beautiful, and vibrant woman. You deserve to enjoy that while it last. Be happy, Hermione." At that Andi finished her wine and banished the glass before walking to the door. As she opened the door she turned to look at Hermione and said, "There's a certain young man; dark hair, vivid eyes, and an intense love for you. When he returns I think you'd find he's much better than any image you could come up with late at night, if you just took the chance that is." She glided out the door leaving Hermione gaping like a fish.

Soon after Hermione had finished her bottle of wine and nestled deeper into the warm chair, pulling the blanket over her, and allowing Crookshanks to curl up on the other end she fell into a deep sleep letting her wine-addled brain dream things she had long ago deemed inappropriate about her best friend.

Grimmauld Place Library Saturday December 6, 2003 (late morning)

Hermione's slow pull back into consciousness started with the sound of a happily purring Crookshanks and the quiet whispers of a slightly deep voice. Then she felt something moving hair from her face. Finally she saw a face, one that she had been hoping to see again since two months and twenty-seven days ago, a face that she had dreamed of all night long.

"Harry!" she managed to shriek through the sleep and cottonmouth that plagued her system, as she launched herself and him onto the floor.

Her only concern as she began to cry into his chest was that she could feel and hear the rumble emanating from her new pillow as he chuckled lightly.

"It's okay, I'm back Hermione." Harry said.

From the Author: Hope you have enjoyed the first part in this two part fanfiction of mine. The second part should be up real soon (as soon as I finish editing it so maybe tomorrow or the next day), and then I'm off to continue A Brave New World.

Sincerely,

~A Vagrant Boy~