Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, it belongs to JKR and Warner Brother's. Also, I don't own Dua Lipa's song New Rules either or the rights to her material, I just loved her song. I own this plot.

A/N. I would like to thank my amazing cheerleaders and betas. Noppoh, for dancing with me and Trickster32 for asking for more. Love you my precious ones.

I want to add that I wanted to add this to the cauldron challenge fic I have but I was told to make it a one shot. You can thank Noppoh for that.

Warnings: This if is rated M. 18+ readers here. Lots of mature language and themes.

Anonymous Guest (malicious) reviewers, that think is alright to trash my work will be deleted in a second. You've been repeatedly warned, IF DON'T LIKE MY ENTRIES, MOVE AWAY, DON'T READ, END OF STORY. I AM NOT GOING TO SPEND A MOMENT ROLLING MY EYES. SO, IF YOU THINK YOU CAN DO BETTER? WRITE YOUR OWN STORY. BECAUSE, AFTER ALL, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY! I DECIDED TO SHARE, THAT'S IT!

To the rest of open-minded readers and reviewers. Please leave and review.

Hermione and the New Rules.

Prologue.

22 December 2002.

Ministry Ball Gala.

11:30 pm.

The hall was packed with the oldest magical families in attendance. V.I.P Muggle-borns. Personnel. War Heroes. Hermione J. Granger, Harry J. Potter, and Ron Weasley.

The rumor was that a wedding was going to take place next year and the groom and bride would make their union known as a surprise reveal.

Minister Shacklebolt cleared his throat and called the attention of the wizards and witches at the party.

At last, the suspense was going to be broken.

"I would like to thank you all for joining us here, at this party, and celebrate Yule with us. I know we started the tradition after the war, so it's only fair that we keep up with this new rule… It is my distinct pleasure to present the future Mrs. Draco Malfoy: the very blushing bride Ginevra Weasley and her fiancè Auror Malfoy."

Everybody started clapping and cheering the couple as a different couple of persons were rooted by the news.

Hermione Granger and Harry Potter. Like shadows facing dusk, the two decided to fade out off the horizon.

Once out of sight, and safe at home, Hermione brought her Pensieve out and took all the memories off her secret liaison to Draco.

"... I'm sorry Granger, I've should have looked where I was heading… oh, by the way, after work I'm heading to a muggle pub, want to join me?"

"...I'll let myself out, Granger. Work."

"...Oh, nice suit Granger… can I help you out of it?"

"Crap… mother owled, my father wants to have a word with me… see you around?"

"Oh Granger, I forgot to say… you were insatiable last night… want to go for round two?"

"Granger… you know I'm a former Death Eater… we could never work… the world is not ready for us being formal… look I have to go, see you at work?"

"Granger, come on, Hermione, open up I need to see you… yeah, I know I was an ass… but I love you… yeah, I had a drink after work."

"Granger… look, I don't think this is working."

"Granger, I'm sorry, no, don't ignore me… I've told my mother about us."

"Granger I have to go on this classified assignment… I want to talk to you after I get back?."

"Yeah Granger, I hate this cloak and dagger shit too… but you are too high profile, and I don't want to damage your reputation."

"Granger, I don't think is working… look I have to go, I'm sorry… but I need space and you are, well, larger than life… I know I'm a bastard… but you knew I was damaged from the start, right?… I'm sorry."

Hermione stepped out of the Pensieve and realized she was crying like a banshee. She fell for a two-timing Bafta performance. Both Ginny and Draco were already an item during her affair to the Malfoy heir. How could she have been so dense and blind? and concluded.

"Love was a lie."

-oo0oo-

New Rules.

January 5th, 2003.

Hermione was high, using calming droughts and glamours like a maniac, taking steps to keep herself focused on her job. At the end of the day, when she was stepping out of the stall, she heard the familiar voices of Parvati Patil and Susan Bones, talking.

"... why are you so surprised Pav?" Asked Bones.

"Because it was so sudden… I mean, Shacklebolt had an emergency meeting and tells us that Harry Potter, the hero of the wizarding war, decided to quit his position as an Auror and take a sabbatical year?" replied Patil.

"It's only natural… that backstabbing ginger cunt decided to date the Ferret in secret and get engaged at the Christmas party?... At least Harry was level-headed enough to quit after the glitz and pretense… Merlin! Have you seen Hermione?... That girl is a mess… I mean, she will literally die before she betrays her feelings… but her magic is so dark that it's crackling around… I think she might turn into in Obscurus?... and it hurts." declared Bones.

After a few moments, the restroom was empty, except for Hermione who was crying behind a Muffliato screen.

A bit later she said to herself: "Maybe I'll follow Harry's example? But I have to do it after I finish this project… I, I need to start searching for a new job."

-oo0oo-

Hermione ended up at Gringotts, since the goblins had a job placement agency for wizards and witches all over the globe, that the Ministry Of Magic could not control.

The goblins made several tests and Hermione found herself answering a questionnaire as long as her ride to the Lestrange vault.

The goblins came back with a list of possible jobs for her.

...Nanny to the Bulgarian Wizarding Royal family. Bulgaria.

...Activist for the Endangered magical species. Pro Bono! România.

...Charms tutor in Beauxbatons. France.

...Librarian for the Alhambra library. Spain.

Hermione realized she needed to think this over.

-oo0oo-

February 10, 2003.

Hermione felt like the wicked witch of the west. She hated Valentine's day, but this year was especially hard.

God, even Ron was now in a triad with Blaise Zabini and Luna Lovegood.

She was happy to realize that Ron had always been such a git because he was bisexual.

But she was happy, and she had a great time with rolling his eyes when she realized Molly and Ginny were ashamed of Ron.

Opposed to that, Charlie, Bill, and George were happy for Ron.

As it turns, Hermione now had two new best friends: Blaise and Luna. Ron then was proposed by both Luna and Blaise on that Valentine's day.

It was funny. Luna and Blaise dressed up as Greek cupids and proposed to Auror Weasley.

Yep, everybody was getting hitched, while the chances of Hermione remaining a spinster, created a poll.

-oo0oo-

Spring came and Hermione realized she was not sleeping well and woke up talking, crying and calling for the engaged Malfoy.

She needed to get her sanity back. So she wrote something on a piece of parchment and had it charmed to be plastified.

One: Do not answer his calls, conversations, owls. He is invisible and mute.

Two: Do not let him in your work cubicle and he is banned from your apartment. Hermione, you always have to kick him out. He is a Dementor.

Three: Do not be his friend, he will use it as an excuse and you will end up sleeping with him! He is an Incubus.

Fail at this and you will end up under his spell and will never get over him!

-oo0oo-

Hermione was satisfied. Just as she had calculated back in January, she was about to close her big project for the Ministry of Magic and deliver and just in time for the summer season.

She sighed and quietly sent her 15-day notice of resignation to the appropriate channels.

The Minister of Magic, in turn, sent her an owl asking for a quick chat.

On the 24th of June of 2003 the appointment day for the meeting with the big boss, Hermione noticed that it was also her last day at work. Fortunately, she had already cleared her desk and so she just walked to the office.

She walked to the Minister's office and, as she was seated, she noticed that Malfoy was present. He was awkwardly sitting across the room.

"Ah, Hermione, good you made it… I wanted to clear something that has been niggling my brain for some time..."

Hermione raised an eyebrow and decided to give a brilliant performance, pretending that Malfoy was a ferret desk ornament and Minister Shacklebolt was a 4-year-old with a stupid name and position. Still, she decided to carry through as if her life depended on it, and remembered the time she was faced with centaurs and the idiot ministry worker in pink put her foot in her mouth. And while she was on it, she also raised her Occlumency barriers, because obviously, Malfoy was a master Legilimens, not just a former Death Eater.

"Yes, Minister Shacklebolt?" she asked in a sweet tone.

Shacklebolt blinked and Malfoy raised his eyebrows. Both of the men fully aware of what that sweet tone of voice meant; it was the hybrid of Umbridge and Granger, a deadly mix.

"Yes, Miss Granger, I wanted to know the reasons for your departure, just before you get promoted to chief of the department?"

Hermione wanted to cry, literally wanted to wail in rage, but cleared her throat and instead answered as though she was comparing prices at the Pound Shop.

"You want to give me the Head of office position? Really? I'm honored, however, I already have a head of office position elsewhere and the pay raise is four times more than what I'm making here in Britain… so? I just had to grab the opportunity while it's hot, you can understand that, right?"

"Four times?" asked Malfoy.

Hermione breathed through her nose and turned her eyes to the desk ornament. Malfoy, the recipient, understood what a Basilisk stare was because he froze in fright by her magical aura flaring.

"Well, time is of the essence, Minister, thank you for this wonderful time working with you and to the rest, well, I'll just chalk it up to a science experiment, I'm sure you understand?... The goblins are waiting for me, and I have to keep that appointment, good day."

"Hermione, please, this is the reason why we are against relationships between colleagues. You are a fantastic asset, and just because Malfoy played with your heart…?"

The repercussions of hearing Shacklebolt question her love life, and in the company of Malfoy? blew her mind. It acted just like a bucket of cold water. She understood it was too much and started cackling in a perfect impersonation of Bellatrix Lestrange, which created the appropriate demeanor for the next words that came from her lips.

"I did fall in love, but not with Draco Malfoy… I'm leaving because I fell in love with Harry Potter and now I need to find him, heal myself and then, make him absolutely happy… All this time I was in denial, Potter is the reason I'm quitting… Before I could not say it out loud, I was a coward, and now I will go and correct that mistake… And, seriously Shack, Malfoy?… Come on, he was a well known Death Eater, damaged goods from the start… He admitted to that fact himself, why, why would I even considered loving the one person who called me Mudblood throughout Hogwarts, and even saw Bellatrix Lestrange, his aunt, brand my arm, at Malfoy Manor, during the war?"

Hermione ripped her blouse displaying the dark scar. Both men winced as she rose from her chair and in a trembling voice declare with much venom,

"Any other questions gentlemen?"

Shack and Malfoy were quite pasty. Numbly, the two in question denied, fearful for Magical backlash from Obscurus Hermione.

She walked out and was cleaning her tears as one by one, the office workers and personal just nodded in a quiet and respectful manner.

Susan Bones and Parvati Patil came close to her and in moral support added in a hushed tone.

"Chin up Granger, you bow to no one."

"Yeah, you're fucking Hermione J. Granger, wonder brain of the golden trio."

Hermione nodded and walked out of the Ministry of Magic, making her way to Gringotts and from there took her portkey to Granada, Spain, taking the job as consultant and librarian at the Alhambra center of studies and collection.

-oo0oo-

Hermione bought a small house in Granada and had the goblins hire a team of magical constructors to refurbish the old house.

The architecture, weather, language, food, and the very idea of rubbing shoulders with other scholars proved to be the perfect move for Hermione.

Soon her tan gave a golden hue to her skin. Her hair changed due to the beauty experts and her magic reduced its charge. She gradually shifted and became even more beautiful.

She was a revered war hero. She was a valuable scholar. She was a fantastic dancer and she loved arguments on the rights of magical species. The girl felt welcomed, truly welcomed, and cherished by the magic in the city.

Methodical, dedicated, and full of determination, Hermione's influence over her job raised the bar for libraries all over the continent.

On her days off, she drove to the beach and enjoyed the view.

Her job seemed to be like the time off she had been requesting from the start.

She got in therapy and met a wonderful squib therapist. Doctor P.

She became involved with shelters and volunteering her time helping refugees from the middle east wars.

Life had a way to getting back, leveling things and she became aware of how close she was to become lost to her bad habits.

Being as organized as she was, Miss Granger, as she playfully called herself, every time she got obsessed and ended up imitating Miss Umbridge, decided to double check her rules and added some more.

"Be patient, kind and practice common sense with yourself, Hermione."

"Learn how to dance, share yourself in a controlled manner, but laugh at yourself, cherish yourself."

"Forgive yourself and practice the golden rule in you!"

"No one is responsible for your moods but yourself, so love, live, and laugh… and fuck problems, other people's issues, you have enough on your plate… live and let live!"

"Don't forget to meditate, because if you don't, you become Obscurus Hermione."

"Practice makes perfect, Eat, Sleep and Breath it, Rehearse and Repeat it! "

Hermione carried the parchment in miniature in a locket around her neck Every time she felt like cracking because of the ups and downs in her therapy, routine and life-changing events, she went and got her parchment and smiled.

She was, at last, getting on with her life and over that toxic relationship.

-oo0oo-

Epilogue.

Summer Solstice Wedding 2005.

Hermione was back in Britain for the wedding of Ron to Luna and Blaise.

She walked into the ceremony wearing Gryffindor colors, after all, Luna told her that festive highlights on a wedding were proper.

So the golden dress and the red small blazer were well received.

It was a fairly large assembly. Again in the Weasley backyard. The reception tent was elevated and Xeno was crying buckets as he held his grandchildren. Twins, one copper skin boy Lysander with white blond hair, and a beautiful baby girl Selene, with blue eyes and red hair.

Yes, the newborns were the bonus.

Hermione doted on the babies and hugged Luna, Ron, and Blaise. The grooms and bride of the official triad were awed of how good Hermione looked. Later Parvati, Susan, and Shacklebolt commented that she had a healthy glow and was radiant.

The Malfoy's appeared and it took Ginny pinching Draco's arm for him to stop gaping at Hermione and return his attention to Scorpius and Rose, their children.

Hermione and Harry made their return.

Harry smiled with true joy, his best friend was alright. He went to her and embraced her fiercely.

Hermione noticed that Harry felt a tad more muscular, had a great aftershave, and his magic was pulsing through evenly, she added:

"Harry, what happened to you, you look amazing?"

"Change of weather, spirituality, and happiness."

Hermione's smile waned and looked around searching for Harry's mate. Harry smiled mischievously and added:

"Self-fulfillment Hermione… I went for a metaphysical experience and to practice a bit of gratitude where the world needed the most. I became a goodwill volunteer."

"That's, that's extraordinary! I'm speechless."

"The same thing happened to you, right?"

"Yeah, something like that… I'm living in Granada."

"Oh, sunny Spain and look at you with a tan, want to dance?"

"Yes!"

After a lovely celebration, in which Hermione and Harry were the hot topics of conversation, Hermione decided to take Harry to a more private setting.

"Harry… I want you to know that just before I moved out of Britain to take on the new job, I, I..."

Harry grinned and completed her thoughts. "... you told Shack and the bouncing ferret that you were in love with me and you were going to search for me and confess your feelings…?"

"Yes, but… oh crap… you must hate me."

"And why would I hate you? The one girl so out of my league that, over and over, saved my skinny ass while growing up?"

Harry got on his knees and embraced her hips and kissed her belly, while Hermione's eyes went round with shock as her jaw fell.

"Harry?" Asked Ginny and stopped in her tracks as upset as Hermione, the recipient of the hug.

Harry and Hermione turned to the newcomers since Draco materialized right behind his wife.

"What? I'm a little busy at the moment Mrs. Malfoy..."

Hermione again decided to play along, so she slowly smirked as she caressed his unruly black mop of hair and scratched his scalp gently.

Both husband and wife turned red with a blush at the intimate gesture exchange plus Miss Granger added:

"Harry dear, do get up."

Harry raised his eyes and Hermione felt as though she was staring at glittering, living emeralds. She gasped at his alien look of heat while he replied in a growl.

"As you wish Hermione, though I tell you, I'm kind of comfortable worshiping you from this angle."

"Are you?..."

"Yes, do you want me to start reciting the twelve uses of dragon blood in Parseltongue, again?"

"Oh, Merlin I can't resist you when you start… no, no, up or I will lose my self-control..."

"It's overrated, come on babe, let's blow this joint."

"Okay, but I didn't bring my beaded bag, like on the last Weasley wedding..."

"Oh, not to worry, it's on me..."

Someone cleared his throat and Harry and Hermione turned to the source to find Ron shaking his head in disbelief.

"Okay, both of you can stop… Ginny and Malfoy disappeared about two minutes ago, and seriously Harry, Hermione… can you two avoid hogging the spotlight on my wedding day, please?"

Both Harry and Hermione burst out laughing and Hermione asked:

"You knew she was following you, didn't you, you did this in order to get back at them?"

"They had it coming, but I commend you, Miss Granger, on a wonderful improvisation, I almost went limp when you started scratching my head... I really wanted to take you in front of the entire audience behind Ron."

Blaise, Luna, Susan, and Parvati stepped out and said:

"Sorry about that Harry but, you were brilliant," said Patil.

"Yeah, you almost had me convinced... " said Susan.

"The two are in denial, but they will come around… just a matter of time" said Luna.

"Ron, darling, let's get back at the party and tend to our guests, let the Potters do their thing," said Blaise.

"Okay, Luna has spoken, so it must be true… I'll leave you two to your shenanigans, see you around," replied Ron.

In the solitude of that summer night, Hermione decided to test the theory of their fated match and kissed Harry.

Harry, even though he was a fantastic actor, was still surprised at her blunt approach, but, just for a few seconds, because as soon as he got comfortable, he kissed her back with gusto.

Hermione was enchanted over how good it felt to be snogged by Harry, and they continued until fully satisfied.

The End.