Hermione was bored and tired of being cooped up in her office. She wanted something too do but there was little work to be done since she had finished the paperwork on Nappy the house elf's case days ago. Elf cases were sparse even with the new laws meant to help them. She knew she should have done something dealing with centaurs or goblins but those were whole other fights to be fought. And aside from daily reports on the process of ongoing cases, there simply was not much work to do, so she decided to head over to the Auror department and see if Ron and Harry were busy. She met Ron just as he was stepping out of his and Harry's office with his arms full of paperwork.

"Hermione, hey, fancy seeing you down in the Auror department. what can i do for you?"

"Oh I was just coming to visit you and Harry, see what you're up to. Things are nearly to a halt ever since they hired the new receptionist down there. She is so slow about work and to add to that we haven't been seeing much in the way of elves fighting for their freedoms, so I thought it would be okay if I came and visited my friends."

Ron smiled at her. "Sure it's alright, but i was just about to head out, I've got to check in on a few erm things. Harry is here though you could go in and talk with him, if you like."

Hermione smiled back at Ron, "Okay. How about lunch? It's been a while since we just sat down and talked, so what do you say? Noonish?"

Ron kissed her forehead as he did nearly every day ever since the end of the war. It was understood that they were together but it had been almost three years and he still hadn't done much else in the way of their relationship and Hermione was wearing thin on patience. They did couply things- go out, kiss, spend time together, etc- but she wanted something more. She was going to propose to him if he didn't propose to her soon enough. The waiting was just almost unbearable.

"Meet me at the Leaky Cauldron. We'll go to a muggle restaurant, you're choice." He kissed her forehead once more and walked off towrds the elevators.

Sighing Hermione turned to Ron's and Harry's office and knocked on the door. A muffled reply was all she heard but it sounded like "Come in," so she went in. Harry was sitting at his desk sorting through files with one hand and waving his wand making things come and go with the other. "Hello Hermione," he said wihtout even looking up.

Hermione surpressed a giggle. "Harry, what on earth are you doing?"

Again without looking up Harry answered, "Ron and I have a little bet to see who can finish their work faster and this way I get mine done nearly twice as fast. Loser does the other's paperwork for a week." Harry nearly dropped a file that would have went everywhere but herione caught it. "Don't tell Ron, outside help isn't allowed."

"I suppose that's why he didn't ask me when we were in the corridor. And all I did was catch a folder, no big deal. " Hermione looked around. "So aside from putting paperwork off until the last minute, what have you two been up to lately? I hardly ever get to see you guys lately."

Harry looked at her for about a second maybe less. "We're all busy or at least two of us are."

Hermione sat down in Ron's chair. "Ha! You two are only busy because you would rather catch a quidditch match or play wizards chess than do your work first thing."

There was a moment of silence then Harry chimed in, "We work better when there's a bit of heat under us. Besides you know we're not as good of workers as you."

All Hermione could do was sigh. "Well it would be nice to have lunch with you two at least once a week."

Harry continued waving his wand and shuffling through the files. "Ginny wants to go look at wedding rings today. You and Ron are welcome to join us."

Hermione sat back in the chair and crossed her legs. "She probably mean tfor it to be just the two of you, besides Ron and I made plans for lunch before I came in here." Seeing that Harry was almost completely imerseed in his work and responses were few and far between Hermio0ne decided to head back to her office. "I'll see you later Harry, tell Ginny I said Hello and good luck."

Again Harry didn't bother to look up from his desk. "Hmmm, Oh yes thank you Hermione, yeah see later." And with that Hermione stood up and quietly walked out of the office. She was on her way back to her office when she remembered she forgot to feed Crookshanks this morning. She told the recptionist she would be right back and if any one needed her to take a note. She went to the Floo Grates and went home.

Upon entering her flat she saw Crookshanks sitting on the couch with his bowl in front of him. "Sorry, Crookshanks, give just a minute and I'll have your food." She went into the kitchen and opened the cupboard. "Do you think Ron loves me enough to marry me, Crookshanks?"

The furry orange cat sta there and stared and then gave a small "Meow."

"Then why won't he do anything about it. We've been together for the better part of three years. Harry and Ginny are getting married in a few weeks. Ron and I should be married, right?"

Another "Meow."

"At least you agree with me," She said as she set his bowl of food in front of him. "Of course, I have never heard of anyone taking love advice from a cat. Maybe I should just let Ron do what he thinks is right."

Crookshanks looked up from his food. And gave yet another "Meow."

Hermione took that as a 'whatever' and decided to get back to work. "We'll see you when i get off work." And she stepped into the fireplace.