Granger-Reinpol Restaurant Hospitality and Service Consultancy
Chapter One, or A Loud Day At The Office

"Hermione, we have to talk."

"If this is about what I think it's about, drop it."

"No! I am done with this! I don't care about sharing names or recognition or 'two halves' or – or whatever else you're always going on about. This isn't how it's supposed to be."

"You knew what you were getting into!"

"Being your partner is enough, Hermione! I don't need any –"

"I'm not changing my mind about –"

"It's just one detail and you're so stubborn –"

"It's the principle of the matter! You –"

"Do you know who I am?! I'm the Chief Field Analyst of Granger-Reinpol Restaurant Hospitality and Service Consultancy!"

Both glared at each other, panting slightly. After a pregnant pause, Hermione sat back down behind her desk in what she hoped was a dismissive manner. They had gone through this argument many times before, though this was definitely one of their more heated moments. Hermione could still feel eyes on her while she shuffled her papers unnecessarily. Finally, she spoke.

"It's descriptive."

"IT'S RIDICULOUS!"

ooo

The Granger-Reinpol Restaurant Hospitality and Service Consultancy (GRRHoSeC for short) had been established by Hermione Granger and one of her closest friends, Medora Reinpol, when both were 25.

What had started as a hobby and distraction from wizarding world responsibilities resulted in Hermione holding a prestigious degree in hospitality management. During her studies she met Medora – a tiny, sarcastic, wannabe-food-connoisseur who had been torn between theatre studies and hospitality – and they became fast friends, graduating alongside each other.

While both were undeniably good at what they did, the success of GRRHoSeC was definitely partly due to new Ministry of Magic policies. In particular, a policy that had been in debate since the start of the war and finally passed a year before their graduation. It decreed that certain muggles such as relatives or significant others (or in Hermione's case, a business partner) were allowed to witness acts of magic after receiving clearance from the Ministry.

They were by no means welcomed into the Wizarding community, but could learn of the existence of magic, with the hopes that it would forge better understanding between the two worlds in the future. It was much like how the Ministry dealt with muggle parents with magical children, but the conditions were still very vague (such as not being allowed to enter strictly wizarding areas like Diagon Alley). Given the incredibly uncertain nature of the policy, it was very difficult to get an individual approved by the Ministry since they were using extreme caution.

Hermione, on the other hand, managed to apply and receive approval for Medora in less than a year by pulling some of the many strings she had (she wasn't proud of it, but deemed it necessary). This meant that not only did GRRHoSec have two large markets to tap into, but they were able to carry out extensive field 'investigations' (which consisted of going down to restaurants and analysing their service) thanks to the wonders of Polyjuice and Glamour charms.

Medora had asked countless questions, eternally curious about the wizarding world and the use of magic, which made the Ministry understandably uncomfortable about her status as an 'Aware' Muggle. She had only ceased her pursuit of knowledge when Hermione explained to her the conditions of her status. Still, Hermione bent the rules as much as possible when it came to what she could tell her friend, and Medora eventually understood and appreciated that.

ooo

Now, after four years as Chief Field Analyst of Granger-Reinpol Restaurant Hospitality and Service Consultancy, Medora was fed up.

"Our name cards are twice the size of ordinary ones," she pointed out.

"We just don't conform to society's expectations!" Hermione huffed.

"With the amount of money we spend on the extra space for leaflets, name cards, and signs, we could even make a nice website!"

Hermione looked aghast. "Don't joke about the website, Meds. You know we've both tried our best."

"I reckon we could make it better with that money," Medora replied, a deliberately challenging expression on her face. She knew Hermione could not stand the notion of not having something at its best.

"You haven't got a clue what you're talking about," she huffed, "We're not discussing this any longer. You're being ridiculous."

Medora sighed. "Remove my surname, or just make it Granger-Reinpol Restaurant Consultancy," she pleaded.

"But… but Meds… what if people get confused!"

"Confused with what?! There are hardly any other wizarding and-slash-or muggle restaurant consultancies, are there!"

"All right, all right, I'll think about it."

"Anyway. What I actually wanted to talk to you about is a treat. For you."

Hermione's eyebrow raised, always the sceptic. "For me? Wait, then why did you come screaming into my office?"

"Fun, it's a bit of a slow day, isn't it?" she grinned, while Hermione groaned in frustration. "But yes, just for you. I figure that you ought to have a bit of a break, every now and then. The last time you and I had fun was a month ago."

"And we both know how that turned out," muttered Hermione.

"Hey, I didn't force you to drink that whisky. No! Don't distract me. There's a cute little place in Germany –"

"Meds, we're going there on business, we can't be unprofessional!"

"This will be business. I've already handled all of the paperwork, and I'll also write the report after we're done. I'm going to do the whole project – it's just for you to enjoy the food." Medora shot her a million-watt smile that raised Hermione's suspicions by a million levels.

"What sort of food?"

"Italian."

"Your favourite."

"We-ell…"

"Are the waiters good-looking?"

"We-ell…"

"Meds!"

"Fine, fine! One of them is! Honestly though, I am not trying to set you up. It just so happened that he is. The chef is, too. But but but! It won't make a difference, we'll need to go in disguise –"

"Which means I will have to do some work."

"Come on Hermione, the reviews are absolutely fantastic! It's a tiny place, it won't be a big affair, I'm just really keen to try it. Pleaseee?"

"… all right."

"Brilliant! Our reservation is on the second evening, at six." With that, Medora did a small victory dance, and left Hermione's office.

Wait a second… she's already made a reservation… which means she already had this whole thing planned before she came to me…

"ME-DO-RA REIN-POL WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT NOT ABUSING OUR INVESTIGATIONS!"

That had been a loud day in the office indeed.