Disclaimer: All characters and setting references to Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling.

The Last One There

Hermione looked around her new Hogwarts' quarters, and while they had only been hers for less than a day, she felt the excitement of her new 'home' and a peace that seemed to radiate from the sentient magic of the castle itself.

As she was the only new professor on staff, she had been the first, aside from the Headmistress, to arrive. It felt like a freshman orientation of sorts, though she already knew the layout and logistics of these hallowed halls. Minerva explained that the others would be arriving throughout the day tomorrow, but there would be yet another day before the staff convened officially.

While she unpacked and settled into the rooms she'd been given, Hermione heard the soft pecking of an owl outside the stained glass window of her sitting room. Though there was no visible latch on the window, yet it opened when she raised her hand toward the hovering owl.

There, tied with a blue, slightly frayed Merlin's Arcadium ribbon, was a letter that she knew came from Bill. Her heart started to flutter; in a relatively short amount of time, she'd come to look forward to his letters, anticipating the next one even as she was finishing her own replies.

Stretching out on the new plush sofa, she unfurled the letter and began to read.

To the lovely, yet misinformed Hermione,

First things first, I have to set the record straight about something: the stories about my alter-ego, Billy-Boy, are completely untrue. I can't believe mum would even tell you about that. Oh, wait, I bet Ginny was the one to start it all, even though she wouldn't have been old enough to really remember it. It's funny how she can cast the meanest glare at any of us who tells a story about her, yet she readily gives away our secrets.

Anyway, here's the real story . . . One summer, dad was tinkering with a muggle television set he'd found somewhere, and it actually started working. We all ended up watching some movie about an archaeologist that managed to find all sorts of treasure. It just so happens (and I'm cringing at admitting this in writing, you know) that I might have started spending that summer tracking the gnomes and looking for buried 'artifacts' all over the Burrow's grounds. And, no, the idea that you were probably given about me making Charlie come with me as my sidekick is untrue – he came willingly . . begging, really, to come on my adventure. I've said to much, haven't I? Your suspicions have been confirmed . . . .

Really, though, it's good to hear from you, even if I wanted to Obliviate myself and erase the images of 'that woman' when you described Elena. Ugh, if I ever see her again it'll be too soon. Hmm, I believe you owe me another, much pettier picture to replace that awful image. I'll let you decide how to do that.

Around camp, we've moved on to the next phase of our excavations this week. I'm proud to say that my assignments have been upgraded to Level 4 where they belong. There's even a metal clipboard with my name scrawled on it as proof.

The job is becoming more complex than we initially thought; the Egyptian ministry has made a political alliance with our Ministry of Magic. This is great for diplomacy, undoubtedly giving both Ministers the upper-hand in the upcoming elections; but we, the Gringotts staff that is, have to conform to their new regulations. Gringotts is now as popular here as it is in Britain. The government that trusted us only days ago watches our movements at camp, often requesting additional paperwork to prove that we aren't overstepping our legitimate business here to somehow give the goblins a perceived advantage. As the lead curse breaker for the North Site, I have to decide how to proceed: bring in more workers and finish the job quickly or keep the status-quo and try to avoid bringing any more attention to our project.

I'm sorry if I bore you with news of work here, it's just nice to be free to discuss these things; and, since you're no longer a ministry employee, your job isn't in danger for 'fraternizing' with one of us grunts at Gringotts.

Enough about the worries of work. I've made time to visit Oasis three times now. As much as I hate to admit it, the old restaurant is just not the same. The cooling charms are just as refreshing as I remember. The fish and chips still remind me of home. But, there was just something missing. It felt lonely where it had only ever been comforting before. I think that it must have due in part to the fact that I'm not the same guy, barely out of Hogwarts and on my own for the first time. As I looked around, I noticed the couples filling the booths. Surely they were there before, I just never noticed them. It wasn't until my visit yesterday that I figured out what was missing. You haven't even been here, but I kept thinking of how much we could enjoy Oasis. It might even rival Merlin's as our favorite date. So, how about it? Would you like to go on our official second date with me to Oasis?

As to your question of whether I'll come and visit you at Hogwarts, I'd love to. You can give me the tour of all of the secret 'Professor' hide-outs. Surely they needed time away from the students. I'm happy that you've found a job, no a career that will make you happy. I imagine it will take time for you to feel comfortable calling our former professors by their given names. Haha - I wish I could be there to see you call old Professor Snape 'Severus'. Please, tell me that story in all of its glory when you write again.

It seems that my mid-day break is over. We take two hours in the heat of the day to retreat to our tents before starting again in the afternoon. And, I agree that the summer seems to be flying by while almost standing still at the same time. If I come home before you begin your research, I'd love to accompany you and show you my Egypt, as you called it.

Hoping to hear from you again soon,

Bill

AKA

Billy-Boy