Epilogue: 18 Months Later

"Minister!"

"Minister Granger! Can you speak on—"

"Is it true that your ex-husband is engaged? And so shortly after your divorce is finalised?"

"We've heard you have yourself a new beau. Any details?"

"Minister! Minister!"

With every clack of her heels towards the Portkey Office, newly re-elected Minsiter for Magic Hermione Granger could feel her ire inching up her throat, ready to spew venom on the next person who spoke.

"Reports say that you've taken a lover! There have been photos leaked of you with man in Italy and Greece. What can you say to that?"

From the corner of her eye, Teddy grinned and coughed into his fist before steeling his features and parting the crowds for her. It had been him in the photos, of course, but he'd changed his hair and worn sunglasses, so when they sat at the little patio table eating pizza in Florence, no one had really known it was him. No one except her kids, who found out two months ago, and Ron—well, and of course Harry.

They had successfully tracked down and killed Fenrir Greyback in Oregon, returning as heroes. Even after coming home, Hermione and Teddy's secret relationship had continued. Overtime, Hermione had fallen completely in love with her young partner and accepted the strange Bond that had mated them, per Teddy's werewolf lineage, the first night they were together in Arthur's toolshed. Teddy's support had given Hermione the confidence to run for a second, nonconsecutive term as Minister for Magic – and also to divorce Ron. Her now ex-husband had taken it better than she had expected – though sad and regretful, he had not necessarily been surprised about it. Rose and Hugo were another story, but they were coming around.

"MINISTER! Are you going to give answers to your constituents about—"

At that she reeled, turning on the same mousy little brown-haired girl from all those months ago. "About what, Miss Waters? About my personal life? Why on earth would you feel that you are privy to who I'm spending my time with outside of my office? Does it in some way affect the way I conduct myself while in these walls or on Ministry business? Absolutely not. You're just nosy, the lot of you." Her lip curled in a harsh scowl.

Huffing to herself, she faced the rest of the crowd. It'd been a long year of secrets and hiding the parts of her that made her feel most alive. With a quick glance over her shoulder, she let her shoulders sag and turned back on the press.

"And you know what? I am seeing somebody. I've wanted to keep it secret because of my family, and it's a little scandalous and... he's younger than I am but, you know what, who gives a shite. If you don't want to reelect me next term because of who I'm dating, then that's fine. You'll be losing yourself a damn good Minister for Magic."

"MINISTER! WHO IS THIS MYSTERY—"

Before the question had completed, Hermoine's hands were curling around the back of Teddy's thick neck and dragging him down to her, crushing her lips against his teeth as he grinned widely. After a moment, his arms wrapped around her waist and lifted her off her toes to the symphony of a dozen camera clicks. When they parted, teeth knocking from smiling too broadly, the crowd of reporters roared to life again.

"Minister, are you trying to say—"

"Teddy Lupin, would you remind us how old you are?"

"What does your family have to say about this sordid affair? I can't imagine the infamous Molly Weasley being too thrilled…"

At that name, Hermione's face twisted in panic. Bollocks. "Forgot to tell Molly, didn't I…"

"Yep." Teddy's lips popped. "Oh well, I'm sure she'll handle it well."

"That her ex-daughter-in-law is dating her granddaughter's ex-boyfriend? Fat chance."

"Oh well." He shrugged, teeth cutting into the bow of his bottom lip. "Good thing you've got the best security detail. I'll keep that adorable bum safe."

"From Molly?" She snorted. "Good luck…"

"Minister!"