Written for the Hogwarts's Pair the Character Challenge, the Alphabet Competition (Candlelight), the Climb to the Top Of Mount Potter Challenge (Wistful)

The first time Penelope Clearwater sees Hermione Granger, she's eleven and bushy haired, talking rapidly. The Ravenclaw table far from where the first years are being sorted, but even from there, Penelope can see the girl pointing at the enchanted ceiling.

She must be muggleborn then. Penelope understands the excitement of magic.

When the girl caught Penelope's eye, Penny nodded at her.

"Ravenclaw!"

The hat called and Penelope grinned. She patted the empty spot next to her and the girl slipped in.

"I'm Hermione Granger," The girl over-enunciated.

Penelope smiled fondly. "Penelope Clearwater. How did your sorting go?"

The girl hesitated. "Well, I asked for Gryffindor but the hat said Ravenclaw would help me achieve my goals."

Penelope's brow furrowed in curiosity. "And what goals do you have?"

"To create Muggleborn rights!" Hermione said excitedly. "I was reading and it shocked me how we are still considered second-class citizens!"

Penelope nodded. "I can help with that. I know how that kind of discrimination feels like."

"You're late," Percy Weasley informed her stonily as she ran into the library, hair dishelmed and papers stuffed messily in her hands.

"I'm sorry, Percy," Penelope said, panting. "Hermione and I were studying Magical Law and completely lost track of time."

Percy frowned, adjusting his tie. "Yes, well. Make sure you're on time."

Penelope rolled her eyes at her boyfriend but nodded anyways.

"This has been the worst day of my life," Penny sobbed. Hermione didn't say anything, just held on tighter, waiting for her best friend to speak.

Penelope's tears continued to fall but she spoke on. "Percy broke up with me when I didn't get the ministry position. He said he didn't need any distractions."

Hermione sighed, her eyes as tired and clever as always. No matter how much older she got, Penelope would always think of her as the first year complaining over injustices.

"One day, Penny," Hermione said after a long pause. "One day, we'll run the ministry."

Despite herself, Penelope smiled, wistful. That was the kind of future she wanted.

Penelope sat in Hermione's candlelight lit office, watching her best friend struggle over documents. The candlelight flickered off Hermione's face, illuminating her in soft shadows.

"Need some help, Hermione?" Penelope asked.

Hermione shook her head, biting at her quill in poorly-concealed frustration. "It's fine, I just wasn't expecting this much opposition."

Penelope rolled her eyes. "When does anything in this forsaken government get done without opposition?"

Both girls sighed at the same time.

"One day," Hermione whispered and Penelope echoed it softly.

When she is older, Penelope will sit at the edge of Hermione's minister desk and grin so hard it hurts her cheeks.

"We did it," Hermione said, barely believing her own ears.

Penny grinned. "Well, I did tell you we would."

Hermione wrapped her arms around her best friend, kissing her cheek. "I love you."

Penny grabbed Hermione closer, kissing her on the lips softly. "I love you too and I couldn't be any prouder."