"I hate it here."
The words startled Hermione. It was strange enough to be starting university without the friends she had known for years. Most people were friendly, pleasant, and vague when she began speaking with them, but this one was different.
"Well, why don't you like it here?" she questioned, hoping that the other girl was just having a bad day.
"It's just-" she stops and sighs. "Everything's so different here. I mean, even the chips are too thin. I just wish I was back at home."
"Er, I'm sorry to hear that. I've really liked being here, but I guess I am more used to Britain. Where is home for you?"
"France. Well, my parents are both British. I've never lived here before though. You probably can't tell- my parents gave me their accent. It's just-" she stopped and turned to the customer. "What can I get for you?"
The lack of even a fake smile surprised Hermione. Both she and the other girl had recently taken up shifts at the local deli to earn money while at university. Hermione found that a smile would ease the customer as they made their orders, but Pansy seemed fairly unconcerned with the customers' sentiments. Pansy did her job and nothing more. Hermione had been trying very hard to make friends and had been talking to everyone she met.
After the customer had their egg salad on dark rye with Muenster, tomatoes, and lettuce, the deli began to fill up with college students coming in for a late snack. It was a popular hang out. Hermione was forced to return to her station and Pansy to making sandwiches.
Finally, after gruelling hours of work, their shifts were over. As they hung up their aprons and caps, Hermione asked Pansy where she lived, and after discovering that they lived in nearby dormitories, they decided to walk back together.
After some idle chat, Hermione turned to Pansy and asked, "Hey, do you want to get lunch sometime?"
She wasn't sure why she wanted to have lunch with this depressed girl, but maybe she could convince her that Britain was worth being in. Maybe she could make a new friend. Despite the question, she was slightly shocked when Pansy smiled and said, "I'd love to."
"A-alright," Hermione stuttered, "My email is hgranger. Just send me a line when you are free, and we'll do lunch." The image of Pansy's smile branded into her mind, but she doubted that the girl would ever get in touch with her.
She was started again, when the very next day she had an email from Pansy asking if she was free the day after. She quickly responded with a yes and suggested that they meet in the dining hall in between their residences. She pencilled the appointment into her planning book.
The next day, as promised, Pansy was there. In fact, Pansy was there every Monday as they met up for lunch. Hermione strayed away from all topics pertaining to Britain on the whole and mostly spoke about classes. As it turned out, both adored history though neither had explored the curious place housing those classes. It was rumoured that the building had many secrets, including hidden bedrooms and full bathrooms. Everyone claimed that they had to be found on one's own and were unwilling to share any knowledge they may have about their locations.
After several weeks of lunching and working together, Hermione and Pansy made arrangements to explore the history building one Friday night. Lunches had been much more pleasant than Hermione would have imagined; Pansy seemed like the type unsatisfied with everything, but her dissatisfaction seemed limited to the country and people other than Hermione. Somehow, the tenuous relationship seemed easy and well worth the effort. Eventually, Pansy seemed like one of Hermione's greatest friends.
That week, Friday came sooner than Hermione would have thought. Carefully preparing herself for reasons she was unsure of, Hermione looked prettier than she had in a while when she met Pansy at the academic building.
Pansy looked her over slowly from where she sat at the steps leading into the deserted building. It seemed as though no one would want to come to the building on a Friday night, but perhaps that was some of the appeal to the two girls.
They began on the first floor, opening every door that wasn't locked at first. Eventually, they tired of seeing rows of desks upon desks and began to doodle on the chalkboards.
"Are those ducks?"
"What?! Are you kidding?" Hermione questioned uncertainly.
"No," Pansy giggled, "I'm serious. Are those du- or wait, no, I see it now. Those are acorns!"
Hermione burst out with a loud guffaw. "No, Pansy, those are supposed to be pansies!" she exclaimed between laughs. "See- these are the petals, and those are the stems."
"Oh," Pansy sobered. "I think I see them now."
"No, you don't, you liar," Hermione elbowed her. "It's alright. Chalk illustrations are not my forte."
Pansy's face crinkled into a smile and she burst out with another laugh. "What are your strengths, then, my friend?" she inquired.
"Ah, well, that's simple. I'm quite intelligent. It's just a fact, really," she pauses to think. "I am also amazing at walking, as you have seen."
"Walking, eh?" Pansy raised her eyebrow. "How do you figure?"
"Well, I very rarely fall. I take millions of steps very accurately every day," she managed to get out before falling over with laughter. She wasn't very funny, but Pansy and she were mightily amused. One girl's laugh would start the other's; it was a never-ending cycle.
"Oh, my stomach- it's cramping!" Hermione cried out. "Stop laughing! You're ruining me."
Hermione clamped one hand on Pansy's shoulder, though the other remained clutching her stomach.
"Why don't we find somewhere to sit?" Pansy asked between laughs.
"Excellent proposition. Do let's," Hermione congratulated Pansy with an arm around her shoulder. Her arm remained there even after they had found a couch and settled down there.
After regaining their composure, they chatted about their courses, professors they liked and disliked, and other academic topics. Eventually, they sat with their feet up on the couch, knees touching, staring face to face, and engaged in somewhat meaningless conversation. Hermione began animatedly speaking with her hands about the injustices of the grading system and professorial wage differences between departments, when Pansy cut her off.
"Hermione?"
"Yes?"
"I just wanted to thank you."
"For what, Pansy?"
"For being my… friend. This year has been bearable because I met you."
"I- thanks, Pansy. I was just happy you accepted my invitation to lunch." Hermione's knees fell down, and she turned to face outward.
"How could I not? You're like sunshine on a cloudy day."
"What?" Hermione's face turned toward Pansy in surprise.
"I- I've had a hard time adjusting to being here. I was absolutely miserable and perfectly content to stay that way. You pulled me out of it, and I was happy to go along for the ride. Monday lunches with you have been the highlight of- well, at least my year so far. You're my personal sunshine."
"You're not so bad yourself," Hermione joked, trying to diffuse the suddenly serious blanket that has fallen over them. "Although, I will agree that I am basically amazing."
Pansy laughed and laid her head on Hermione's shoulder. "I'm so glad I met you," she whispered.
"Me too," Hermione whispered back. Hermione laid her head over the other girl's. "Me too," she whispered again.