Harry blew out a breath as he leaned over his desk in the Ministry of Magic. He had filled out from the scrawny teenager he had been and now his well defined figure stretched out the button up dress shirt across his back.

Eventually, he sat up with a huff. Had he known that becoming an Auror would involve so much paperwork might have become Quidditch player. He already felt like one the way the damned reporters kept sticking cameras in his face in the middle of his cases. Reaching for a stress ball he tossed it in the air and caught it easily then did it over and over again, a habit he had developed when he was thinking about something.

Alan had corned him at the Chambers party to tell him about the letters Hermione was receiving. Of course, Weasley wouldn't authorize anyone experienced to actually look into the case. That made sense, when it came to Hermione he had a stick up his ass but Harry wasn't sure what he could do to help either.

Now he had the files sitting on his desk and looking between the two letters, one the howler and the second that Hermione had received. They hit a new level of creepy, Harry would willingly admit to that. While both letters appeared to be from witches, when they were traced back to their addresses and names both witches were dead. Recently enough, both within the last 6 months but other than that they seemed to have no real connection. They were in different jobs, from different wizarding cities, they didn't even have the same race. The only clear thing was that they didn't send the letters from the grave. Harry spun around in his chair. He hated sitting still, always had, he wanted to be moving so he decided that sitting at his desk was just wasting time.

"Hey Alan, i'm heading out for coffee you want some?" he called over the edge of his industrial cubicle. It was really amazing that even the wizarding world had them.

"Coffee? Sweet Merlin yes, just don't tell my wife." came the responding answer. "Hey, you figure out anything more about those letters?"

"Not yet, but I will." then he paused "You think Hermione would actually answer me if I sent her a letter?" Harry looked at Alan. It was one of the few things he was actually insecure about. All the times he had considered sending her a letter he had pulled back afraid of the reception he would get. Now, though he was really worried. The older man looked up from his desk pulling off his reading glasses.

"You think she wouldn't?" he asked only to receive a shrug in response. "Well, I suppose there is only one sure way to answer that question." he looked back at his desk putting his glasses back on "Answer it after coffee." he instructed waving a hand to the antsy younger Auror and that made Harry chuckle as he grabbed his Jacket from the back of the chair.

When Hermione woke up the next morning the first thing she noticed was that the anti-anxiety combined with the dreamless sleep had actually given her a decent night's sleep. The second thing that she noticed was that it didn't feel as if there were ants crawling under her skin and down into her stomach from the levels of anxiety she had and she let out a deep breath she didn't know she had been holding. Part of her had been afraid that it wouldn't work and she would just be stuck with the feeling forever.

Crookshanks purred as he crawled onto the bed beside her nuzzling his mashed little face into her arms and she pet him gently in no hurry to get out of bed on a Saturday morning. She scratched his head and he gave her a kitty massage in return the din of the purr only increasing and for the first time in over a week Hermione felt like she was ready to face the world.

It was almost 9 before she came down to the great hall, but since breakfast wasn't served until 9 on the weekends in order to accommodate for the teenagers desire to spend hours in their beds that meant she was actually a little bit early. The only other person at the head table was none other than the other early riser on staff, Severus Snape. Stepping up to the table she took her head beside him and he folded the Daily Prophet to look at her. "How are you feeling?"

"Better, much, thank you." she answered actually starting to feel somewhat like her old self.

"Good," came the answer, "Because we have a little field trip today." Hermione blinked

"We have a what?" she wrinkled her brow in concentration her spoon halfway to her mouth. "I didn't read a memo about that from Minerva."

"No, just you and me." Severus answered. "Assuming you are willing to trust me." That question had Hermione pausing for a moment. What exactly was he planning, but she was surprised to find that she did trust him so she nodded her head.

"Good." answered the man before returning back to the Daily Prophet just as an Owl swooped into the Great Hall and came to land on the table beside Hermione. This one, unlike the last one she did recognize. It was Hedwig, Harry's owl.

"Hedwig?" she blinked and the snowy owl hooted in answer hopping forward to get a scratch from the girl she still remembered and clearly searching for her treats. "What are you doing here?" of course there could only be one reason, which was that she had a letter for Hermione and the scroll on her leg indicated it was true. When Hermione wasn't fast enough to remove it Hedwig hooted and hopped forward, she wanted her treat!

"I think the Owl wishes your attention Hermione." Severus drawled when his paper reading was interrupted for the second time by the bird. So Hermione reached for the letter on the birds leg.

At first she was afraid, perhaps something was desperately wrong with Harry or Ginny or the new baby. Then it occurred to her that she hadn't seen them in 3 years. It was unlikely at this point they would even write to her if something was wrong. She unrolled the note anyway just in case and furrowed her brow when it read.

Hermione,

Hey, it's Harry. I really miss you 'Moine. Can you write me back? I really want to talk to you.

Immediately she crumpled the note and tossed it into the nearest rubbish bin. Hedwig hooted for her treat again and Hermione handed her one. She extended her leg like a good bird for a return message but Hermione shook her head. "Not this time girl." and she gave her a wide eyed look that Hermione seemed to think asked "why?" before she took to the sky and flew away.

"Not going to send Mr. Potter a note back?" the smooth silky voice spoke beside her.

"How did you know that was from Harry?" she exclaimed turning to face him in exasperation.

"It was his owl was it not?" came the impatient response.

"Well, yes, but how did you….oh nevermind, No I'm not going to send him back a letter." that earned her only a hmm in response that she couldn't quiet sort out the meaning of before Seveurs stood from the table.

"Ah, well, it is certainly time for our outing then." and he waited for her to get up from the table. Checking his pocket watch. "Are you dressed to leave the castle grounds?" and when she nodded that she would be find in her jeans and jumper he stalked towards the door. "Exelcent, come along then Hermione. We do not wish to be late."