Hermione had been living in her parent’s home. It was the house she grew up in. Since her parents were off in Australia, living their dream lives. Completely oblivious to the fact that they had a daughter. Ignorant to the wizarding world. She had kept the house for them to come back to. Since that was not going to happen, she decided to live in it. She couldn't part with this aspect of her life, at least not yet. She had lost too much, and needed to have something of her parents. Some proof that she had had a family. Even if they had always been afraid of her abilities and of the world she was to grow up in.

She went into the kitchen and put the kettle on for a cup of tea. Today had been nothing like she had imagined when she woke up. All she had wanted to do was talk to McGonagall about the position in the library. Have lunch with Harry, which almost happened. Then her day was derailed. The announcement from the Ministry about the repopulation program had upset her and going to see Kingsley didn’t help her mood.

She realized she never made it to the store. All she had to eat was some canned soup she bought at the muggle store last week. That and a green apple. Well she could always order take away, but that would take too long and she was very hungry. She realized she hadn’t actually eaten anything today, too surprised and upset by the announcement.

She put a pan on the stove and emptied the can of creamy vegetable rice soup into it. Lit a fire under the pan and stirred the soup. Yes, she could have put the soup in a bowl and used her wand to heat it with a charm, but somehow that seemed wrong to do in her mother’s kitchen. Most of the time she did things the muggle way when she was at home.

After she had eaten the soup and apple, she washed the dishes and went upstairs. Since she was the only person living in the house she thought about getting a familiar. Times like these she truly missed Crookshanks.

She tried not to think about the last time she had seen her familiar, it was also the last time she had seen her father and mother. The memories still cut through her soul like a hot knife. Sometimes she wished she hadn’t sent them away. Snape had told the order that they were being hunted so she did what she thought was right.

Unlike her parents, Crookshanks did remember her. After the war, when she went to Australia to see if their memories could be restored, her beloved kneazle saw her. He rushed right up to her. Then she heard her mother’s voice, “I’m so sorry. He doesn’t normally go near strangers. He stays at our side, like he is protecting us. It’s very unusual that he allowed you to pet him.”

Even with a lump in her throat preventing her from speaking, Hermione smiled. When she had left them with their altered memories, she had asked Crookshanks to look after them. Her chest tighten at the reality that her beloved kneazle was in fact protecting them. Recalling that she had just stared at her mother, at a complete loss for words. At one point during the war, while she was being tortured by Bellatrix, she was fairly certain she would never hear her mother’s voice again. Now here she was just staring at the woman who gave her life.

Remembering she had to actually close her mouth and think of something to say. “Well, I have always had a way with animals. I had a cat just like him when I was younger.”

“He certainly seems to like you. My name is Jane and,” she turned to a man behind her, “this is my husband David. We’re the Millers.”

Just then, her father turned and looked at her. It was all she could do not to throw her arms around him and hug him. His eyes were so kind. The same shade of brown as hers. With tiny gold flecks in them.

Hermione had blinked the tears back. She extended her hand and introduced herself. “I am Hermione Granger, it is a pleasure to meet you.”
“Oh, you are also English. Wonderful to meet you.” David extended his hand.

“David and I moved down here three years ago. We bought out a dental practice from one of David's old friends who had decided to move to America. I’m sure I don’t know why, but it gave us the opportunity to move here. Are you on holiday?”

Hermione was crushed that her name didn’t spark any recognition in her parents. She knew the magic she used on them was strong, and bordered on dark, but she still hoped that they would have a tiny recollection of her. “I am here on holiday and was hoping to see family. Sadly, I did not expect them to be away. So I will probably go back to England early. I was hoping to stay a week or so but now I may leave in a couple days.”

David said, “Well we are sorry you were unable to spend time with your family, but maybe you could join Jane and I for dinner. I know we are not your family but we would love to have dinner with you and get caught up on the news from home.”

Hermione felt a smile cross her face. “That would be lovely. I would love to join you for dinner.”

Forcing herself to put the memory to the back of her mind. Hermione had walked through her bedroom, into the loo and relieved herself. Showered and used a charm to dry her hair. After she put her joggers on and an old Gryffindor t-shirt, she walked into her parent's old room, which she converted into a mini library, and grabbed a book to settle in for the evening.

Not looking forward to what tomorrow would bring. She will find out what pureblood she would be assigned to for the repopulation program. Sweet Merlin please do not let it be Ronald Weasley or actually any of the Weasley’s. She dearly loved George and Charlie but they were like brothers to her. Bill was married with two children and another on the way. She was sure that the Ministry would count him and Fluer as doing their part to repopulate the wizarding world. Percy would not be in the program, he had been in St. Mungo's Janus Thickey Ward for three years now, since Fred’s death. He could not accept that his little brother was killed saving his life.

Hermione went to bed that night knowing that she would be assigned to procreate with one maybe even two wizards. She was scared and angry on so many levels. First and foremost was her concern that this wizard or wizards would be strangers. Or would it be worse if she knew them.