He woke the next morning while the witch next him was still deep in sleep, sleeping as deep as he had ever seen. She must have been exhausted! He quietly left the bedroom, cast a charm to shield the bedroom from all outside noise, and took a shower. After a quick breakfast of coffee and toast, he sat on the couch and was studying his quidditch play book when photograph albums on the living room shelf caught his eye. He took what appeared to be the oldest one off the shelf and opened it.

The first pages were mainly that of Hermione and her parents. The first picture was of Hermione and her dad, he in an Army uniform with a caption that said, "Hermione, 4, Daddy's last day in the Army." The book was of her as a child before Hogwarts, full of unmoving photos, with nothing that would indicate that she was a magical child. Age seven perhaps, she was waving from the swimming pool. There were pictures of her playing tennis, some with trophies.

There were many Christmas pictures, and pictures taken at locations while on holiday. He put the album down and looked at another. These were more recent, her teenaged years, the first of many pictures with Harry and Ron. He paused when he came to he and Hermione's Yule Ball picture. At fifteen, her beauty had truly started blooming. There were few pictures of her sixth year, for good reason from what she told him, and not one with Ron, again for good reason. He shook his head. Weasley, you were a blind fool not to see what was right in front of you. Your loss, my gain. When the book came to an end, he picked up a third album.

The very first picture was of Harry being awarded his Order of Merlin and some accompanying newspaper clippings. The next was Ron being awarded his, then a Weasley family picture at the awards ceremony. He turned a page, then a few more curiously. Where was a picture of her ceremony? Better question, where was the medal? Most people displayed it; then again, Hermione wasn't most people. He would have to ask her.

He came to the final pages and what he saw made his lip curl. Who was this? Hermione briefly mentioned someone she had dated the previous summer, so this pretty boy must be him. The two of them playing tennis, her feeding him, he shooting her with a water pistol, she nibbling on his earlobe. The final picture was of her, standing with her legs apart, hands in the air, with white cliffs in the background. He was startled from his reverie when Zoya gave a bark and he heard the bathroom door close. Minutes later, Hermione came into the living room and sat on the sofa with a sleepy smile.

"I slept half the day away."

"You needed it."

She nodded toward the photo albums on the table. "See anything interesting?"

"You were a cute girl."

She snorted. "I was a skinny, bushy-haired, buck-toothed girl, no cute involved."

"You don't see what everyone else sees."

She rolled her eyes. "Dad says the same."

"Where is your medal?"

"I put it away."

He quirked an eyebrow.

"In my sock drawer."

Both his eyebrows rose. "You put your Order of Merlin in sock drawer?"

She nodded.

"No one took picture?"

"Harry has one on the mantle at Grimmauld Place."

"Why do you have no picture for all to see?"

She shrugged.

"You know you can tell me anything, pretty one."

She sighed and spoke. "I can't tell you exactly why, because I don't exactly know why myself. I just don't think I'm this hero everyone says I am. Why did I survive the war when so many good people didn't? Do I deserve to be alive any more than them? And what about the evil ones who are still alive?" she asked. "Now you see why I get so down sometimes."

"Are you still talking to the mind healer at school?"

She nodded.

"It is help to you?"

"I guess so."

"Remember what your father said about pictures? You don't see what everyone else sees? That is true. You are hero as much as Potter. You did more than most would have dared. Potter didn't ask, you just set your mind to it and did it, not knowing what would happen. You did it because you are a friend to him, and he is in your heart."

He placed his hand over her heart. "I am happy to know this heart, it is brave and loving. You are a hero because of this heart."

#

Two days before school resumed, Hermione received a letter from Minerva.

Hermione-

On Tuesday January 5th, representatives from The Mage Guild will arrive at Hogwarts to escort you to their primary site, at which time you will be given a preliminary interview. This process will give the organization a better idea of your interest and suitability to apprentice for The Mage Guild.

Personally, I cannot begin to describe my pride and excitement at your achievement. What you will be able to accomplish as a member, if you choose, of such a distinguished organization cannot be measured. Have your finest robe available, enjoy the remainder of your holiday.

Headmistress McGonagall

The Hogwarts teaching staff started their breakfasts and awaited the arrival of the students. Two guests joined them at the Head Table; James Crowder and a witch from The Mage Guild.

"It's the first day back after a long holiday, it'll take a good breakfast to get them going," Minerva said.

Students trickled into the Great Hall, chatting about their holidays. A shriek was heard from the corridor and the head table as a whole rose. Ginny walked a sopping wet, crying, first year Hufflepuff to the Head Table.

"Professor, it's Peeves again. Hermione's got him in the corridor."

"The resident poltergeist?" James asked.

"What does she mean, Hermione's got him?" the other witch asked.

"Pomona, Filius, we'd better get there quick, she can't hold the specter by herself that much longer," Minerva said and then spoke to the guests. "If you'd like to see a sample of the caliber of the young witch you're thinking of taking on, follow me."

Master Crowder and the other witch followed. In the corridor, the guests were surprised to see a petite, brunette witch straining to hold a containment spell on Peeves. With her own wand and Ginny's, her arms and shoulders trembled as the poltergeist cursed and writhed against the magical bonds. Master Crowder was impressed. Not many people could do that.

"Morning professors," Hermione said casually, her brow furrowed as she held the spell.

"Hermione, we've got him, you can go to breakfast now," Minerva said.

Pomona and Flitwick cast containment charms and Hermione let go. She let out a breath, rolled her neck and took a handkerchief from her robe pocket to wipe the perspiration from her face.

"Hermione, allow me to introduce Master James Crowder and his associate, Patricia Fleming, from The Mage Guild."

"Master Crowder, from the quidditch match! It's good to see you again!" Hermione exclaimed and shook his hand. "Madame, an honor," she said to Mrs. Fleming.

"Impressive work, Miss Granger, a spirit containment by yourself," Mrs. Fleming said.

Hermione shrugged. "Thanks, it unfortunately happens from time to time. The headmistress will banish him for a month, he'll be good for a few days then…" she said, gesturing the air around them. "I need to eat and return Ginny's wand. What time will we be leaving?"

"When you're finished with breakfast," Master Crowder said.

An hour later, Mrs. Fleming and Hermione were deep in conversation about little-used eighteenth-century charms as they walked along the high street of Diagon Alley. They strolled past Gringotts and stopped in front of a large complex of flats.

"Miss Granger, we've arrived," he said.

"Really?" she asked and looked around. "All these years, I thought this was just a bunch of flats."

"Then our Charms and Transfiguration departments have done a fine job," Mrs. Fleming said.

Master Crowder cast a series of intricate wand movements, murmured magicae, and tapped the wall before them. A pair of wide double oak doors appeared and opened.

"Welcome to The Mage Guild, Miss Granger."

#

Viktor was in Moscow competing in Russian quidditch tournament when he received an ecstatic letter from Hermione.

Viktor,

I hope this letter finds you doing well and having fun. I had such a good holiday, and it was hard to get going at school the first day back. Today was my interview with The Mage Guild, and I can report that it was amazing! The labs consisted of entire wings for all magical disciplines. As for the library, it's beyond description, which really says something if I can't find the words to describe it.

I had to sit an interview with each master to give them an idea of what I've learned, my real-life experiences with the practical use of magic, and my philosophies on certain theories. I'll receive the results of my interview in a couple of weeks. For the most part, I think NEWTs are a formality, but I will still do the very best I can.

I received a letter from your parents requesting that I pay them a visit this weekend. I accepted, so if you can drop by on your way back, I'll make it worth your while.

All my love,

Hermione

March 19

Hermione was not a happy witch. Tomorrow, Viktor would be leaving for two weeks for a series of exhibition matches in America. Quidditch was played in America, but there were no American teams in the international league to compete for the Quidditch World Cup. American team owners finally showed interested in fielding American teams for international competition, so three teams from Britain, two from France, and one each from Italy, Australia, and Greece were invited to play a series of exhibition matches.

The Machester Mages, Appleby Arrows and Montrose Magpies were chosen to represent England. Viktor was excited at the chance to see America, and Hermione was glad to see him excited, but two weeks? She knew that Viktor would have stretches of time he would be gone, but that didn't mean she'd have to like it. I'm going to be a quidditch wife! She snorted at the thought. It's a good thing I love him so bloody much!

"What's so funny?" Ginny asked.

"Hermione, I've never seen someone think so much as you do. I can practically see you having a conversation with yourself," Dean teased.

"I have a lot on my mind."

"Anymore thoughts about your wedding, perhaps?" Ginny asked.

"As a matter of fact, yes. We decided when and where to have the ceremony," Hermione said casually and took a sip of tea.

The witches at the table fell silent. Lunch was forgotten. Ten seconds passed with no comment from Hermione.

"Well?" Ginny, Parvarti, and Nicole Macdonald chorused.

Hermione set her tea down. "Well what?"

"Hermione Granger, you can't just say that and then leave it!" Parvarti stated. "Tell us!"

Hermione chuckled. "All right, calm down, it's going to be in Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, June 21."

They all looked puzzled. Unless you were a Londoner who was familiar with the area, it was hard to picture, much less know about.

"You'll get the chance to see it, I want you in the wedding after all," Hermione said and helped herself to a slice of cherry pie, smothering it with whipped cream.

"We are?" Ginny asked. "Well, what I mean is… we thought you were having some sort of private ceremony or that maybe you would elope."

"Where did you get that idea?" Hermione looked at her as if lobsters were springing from her ears. "Would you like to tell my mum that I eloping? Good heavens, she's been planning my wedding since I was a baby. Of course you're in the wedding, Gin, as my maid of honor if you accept. I'm also asking for Parvarti, Nikky, Susan, and Diane to stand with me, if they accept."

She braced her ears for the impending squeals of excitement.