By the time Hermione left Harry's place, it was late. Even though she saw Ron almost daily at headquarters, and Harry stopped in almost every other day, they'd learned that proper catching up never really happened unless they sat down and carved out time. It made her feel good. Like some things really wouldn't change. After the adolescence that they had, Hermione know that all three of them were secretly thrilled about their hum drum lives, complain as they might.

They were going to grow old together. That thought made Hermione warm inside. They'd helped each other through so much healing and coping after the war, and now it's just staying on top of the changes in love lives and idle gossip about Weasley siblings getting married and having children and Neville and Luna's incredibly successful lives… If this was what nearing middle age felt like, Hermione was into it.

Hermione could've apparated home in a second, but something about tonight felt like a long walk kind of night. The air was crisp, and the walk from Harry's to her place was relatively safe and quiet. Hermione started humming as she walked, without even noticing it.

Was Ron right? Was she growing out of her frivolous lifestyle? If even Ron was apparently getting serious with Vix, maybe it's time she figured stuff out. Harry would be ok. Something about Harry always struck her independent. Maybe he could get a cat. Hermione still missed Crookshanks all the time, and he was a fantastic companion for most of her adult life. He had been thinking about adopting Teddy formally, but didn't want to step on Andromeda's toes for as long as she was able to take care of him. But he didn't seem like he really needed a serious relationship. He seemed happy and fulfilled with friendship, and hadn't outgrown his love of long private brooding. Everyone bears their scars differently, and Hermione had a feeling Harry would never quite find his match in the world, or really feel that distinctive draw of romantic love. But that was ok.

Ginny was still going strong with the partying and casual relationships life. She had really found her place in the LGBT community of London and navigated that world and the unconventional relationships of a young, attractive bisexual woman. As for Hermione, she just wasn't sure. Sometimes she felt the draw of something more conventional. Sometimes she just couldn't picture working her life around a single person and wanting them beside her for all of life's adventures. Sure, occasional companionship and romance has historically always been enjoyable. But something about it didn't quite sit right with her.

She finally reached her front steps. Puffing air and fumbling for her keys with icy fingers, she finally walked into her warm townhome.

There was an owl waiting for her with a letter inside.

"Oh! Poor dear. I guess you were instructed to wait for a reply."

She fed the bird an owl treat and untied the note from its leg.

Going barmy. Tomorrow night still open?