**I do not own Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings, if I did... Well I don't.

This is my first attempt at Fan Fiction in MANY years. I'd appreciate any feedback, as well as a Beta! I do make my husband read through my chapters, and he gives me plenty of advice, but he also has to be nice ;)

I hope you enjoy my story

Prologue: The Assignment

"Ms. Granger, do you even live in your flat, or do you rent it simply to throw away your war earnings?" The young witch looked up to see Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minister for Magic leaning in the doorway of her office, his brightly colored robes contrasting against the oak frame. It was early morning, well before the rest of the Ministries employees would be arriving.

"Minister, you know that I'm devoted to my work, and yes, I have been home… recently." Hermione Granger's eyes twinkled in amusement as the Minister's rolled at the comment. "Did you need me for something, or is this just a visit? Would you like any tea?" She smiled, reaching for her wand as she cast a warming charm on her abandoned cup beside her.

"No, thank you, Hermione. As much as I wish this was just to catch up with a good friend, I am here with an assignment for you." The Minister stepped into the office, sitting on the small bench beneath her window, plucking a small candy from a dish on its ledge. "We've received word from our counterparts in Norway and apparently some Muggle Archaeologists have discovered some Runes at an excavation site and they are at a loss. None of their Muggle experts seem to be able to identify them, let alone translate them. Their Prime Minister reached out to their Magical Minister who has, in turn, requested the help of the Brightest Witch of her Age, who happens to be an expert in Runes."

"And the muggles? Any adverse effects from the group which discovered them?" Hermione's interest was piqued and the papers that were in her hand had been set aside.

"No, luckily for them one of their research assistants is a Squib and immediately warned them that they needed to call in experts to preserve the site, and to not touch any of the markings." Kingsley smiled. "Quick thinking on his part."

She nodded in agreement, moving to sit beside him on the bench, though she refrained from the sweets. "Well, when would you like me to leave?"

The Minister let out a deep guttural laugh. "Why am I not surprised you are so eager?" When she simply shrugged in response he continued. "I've already arranged a portkey for you this afternoon. I've already informed Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley that you'll be out of the country on assignment, I'm sure they'll be here any second, they've probably already received their owls."

"I'm surprised Harry isn't here already. You know he's very protective of Ginny and I ever since the war ended." Hermione smiled fondly. Since the downfall of Voldemort Harry's priorities had changed, especially when it came to family. The Weasleys became the most important people in the world to him, aside from little Teddy Lupin. Hermione became his sister, with all the trials they had faced together their bond was stronger than ever, and he was extremely protective of her-especially when it came to any assignments.

Despite her working with Ancient Runes, Harry still lived as though they'd be facing mortal peril at every turn. An attribute gained from spending his youth fighting a war that he had no choice but to fight. Most assignments of hers usually included an Auror tagging along as security, which Hermione loathed.

"I've already informed Mr. Potter that you would be going alone and that the Norwegian Ministry has security teams in place." The Minister winked.

"Thank you, Kingsley, I work much better when Harry hasn't threatened my security team." She chuckled.

"Ms. Granger?" She looked up to see Dennis Creevey, her research assistant, standing at the doorway. "Mr. Potter is here, Mr. Weasley, too."

She smiled, turning to the Minister. "Speak of the Devils…"

"And they shall appear." He finished, standing. "I'll leave you to it. An owl will be by shortly with your travel arrangements. Thank you, Hermione. I only send the best, you know."

"I won't let you down, sir." She led him from her office to see Harry and Ron standing next to Dennis' desk.

"Sirs." Kingsley nodded at the young men before him, turning to leave down the hallway.

"Well?" Hermione moved aside to let her two best friends into her office. "Go ahead, ask away."

They weren't even over the threshold of the door before the barrage of questions began.

"Where are you going?"

"Is this going to be dangerous?"

"I could have Thomas go with you."

"When will you be back?"

"You can tell Kingsley no, you know."

"Will you tell him you don't want to go?"

"Alright! Slow down or you'll be leaving and I'll answer by owl." She scolded them well enough to make Molly Weasley proud before resuming her seat on the bench. "You don't even know what my assignment is or where I'm going. Why do you always assume it'll be dangerous?"

"Because we're The Golden Trio which translates to Danger." Ron sighed, using elaborate quoting hand gestures.

"We're just worried, Hermione." Harry explained. "You know how protective we can be of you."

"I do know, and I hope you know that it's getting tiresome." She readjusted herself, wandlessly bringing her tea to her hands. The warmth brought comfort. "I'm simply going to Norway to examine some Runes at the request of the Norwegian Magical Ministry. That's all."

Ron and Harry shared a look of uncertainty.

"I mean it, guys. This is actually just business, not some undercover mission." She smiled. "I know, that as Aurors, that might be hard to believe, but I promise. This is bookworm stuff."

"I still think I should send Thomas with you." Harry said pointedly. "He's my best auror and I –"

"You will do no such thing!" She snapped. "If you take Padma's husband away now, when she is due to have their baby any day now I will personally hex you every day until that child turns 11 and then I will teach them to hex you on sight."

He paled at the threat.

"Don't even think I won't do it. You leave Dean out of this, and if you haven't put him on paternity leave I suggest you send an owl to Kingsley immediately before I do."

Nodding dumbly he walked over to her desk, grabbing a spare quill and piece of parchment, writing the request.

"Hermione, are you sure you want to go all the way to Norway?" Ron asked, sitting across from her on the edge of her research table, much to her annoyance. "It's far away. I could go with you?"

"Honestly, Ron you and Luna are getting married in a month, you have so much to plan. And Norway is not far away." She sighed, looking between the two men she had seen grow up so much, that she had spent her life with. She understood their concern. "I appreciate it, I mean it. How both of you look out for me, it means a lot. But I don't always need to be protected."

"Doesn't mean we won't always try." Harry quipped, not looking up from his writing.

"I wouldn't expect any less." Hermione smiled.