A New Beginning

Hermione looked down at her list as she strolled from the archway of the Leaky Cauldron into Diagon Alley, and reviewed all the items she would need for the following year. The list was meticulously organized and sorted into specific categories, detailing what shops she needed to visit, and what items she needed to get from each store. Her first stop, right at the top of her list, was Gringotts; she needed to pick up money from her vault. Oh how Hermione hated stopping at Gringotts; it brought back many unpleasant memories from all those years ago during the war. After more than seventeen years, you'd think that the past would be a distant memory. But for Hermione, the events of her youth were permanent scars, both physically, with the evidence of Bellatrix's torture forever on her skin, and mentally, reminding her of all she had lost. They would never leave her, for they had become a part of her.

With gloomy thoughts abound in her mind, Hermione tried to shake it off and focus on the task ahead. Despite the dark shadows it occasionally conjured in her mind, Diagon Alley would always be a place of joy for Hermione. It held some of her best memories, those of the transition from her once simple, Muggle existence to the wonders and adventures of the Wizarding World; she wouldn't trade those memories or her life as a witch for anything. This time of year is always her favorite, seeing all the bright smiling faces running around, excited for their first foray into the magic of Hogwarts. As she walked through the crowds to reach Gringotts, Hermione took in all the giggling and smiling children dragging their parents from shop to shop, squealing over new, top-of-the-line broomsticks and other goodies abound in Diagon Alley. How ironic that Hermione be among those beginning a new stage in their lives, when she too will be starting a new journey. Not as a student, but a Professor of Hogwarts.

Oh how lovely that sounded to her: Professor Granger. She only wished that she had known sooner what she wanted in life. Here she is, almost thirty-five years old and finally figuring things out. Hermione suspects that her indecision was, and is, entirely her own fault. All she had ever wanted in life was to make a difference and be a hard-working, independent woman, and her relationship with Ron had never been very fulfilling in that aspect. He never supported her in the things that mattered; she should have known that from the many times Ron succumbed to selfishness and jealously during their beginning years. Harry had always been the better friend and partner.

Boom!

Hermione is dragged from her maudlin thoughts once again, as two twin boys giggle madly at each other, running around and setting off fireworks inside Gambol and Japes.

Well, thought Hermione, I guess the legacy of Fred and George will continue. Keeping hold of those two might be a little difficult. Let's hope they are NOT sorted into Gryffindor... It will definitely be just brilliant if they end up sorted into Slytherin! Hermione giggled quietly. Severus's reaction will be quite amusing! I always thought Fred and George were better suited to Slytherin anyway. I don't doubt the Sorting Hat put them in Gryffindor due entirely to their family name. Remembering the two troublemakers of her youth, Hermione thought of another young boy soon to enter her everyday life. Either way, as both Transfiguration Professor and Gryffindor Head of House, I am going to have to deal with Harry's oldest, and first to go to Hogwarts, James Sirius. That boy is quite the troublemaker himself, and is no doubt a Gryffindor through and through. Like father like son. Severus will rejoice in my pain.

As Hermione reflected on James Potter II and the Twin Troublemakers, she felt both happiness and sadness, and wished once again that she could see Fred and George troublemaking together, just like the two boys she had seen at the joke shop. However, Hermione could no longer dwell on the past. She was grateful for her continued friendship and familial relationship with the remaining Weasleys. Especially after the war, and the end of her relationship with Ron only six years ago. While Harry would never stop being her friend, she had not been very sure about the rest of the Weasley clan. She had never been more relieved to be wrong. I shouldn't have doubted myself as I am usually not wrong. Though Severus would disagree. The bugger.