Disclaimer: If you're one of those people who are obsessed with having to see a disclaimer, go to chapter one.
"Table 3 needs more salt. That man needs at least 10 pounds worth of salt on his fries so they're edible," Lauren said in disgust.
Hermione smiled as she grabbed a few saltshakers, "He comes every Thursday and orders salt with a side dish of chicken fried steak and fries."
Lauren nodded in agreement and went off to get a straw for some lady who didn't want to touch the cup. The pair had been good friends ever since their manager gave them bathroom duty for a month.
A few hours later, Lauren and Hermione were cleaning up and getting ready to leave and lock up.
"Wanna go grab a smoothie or something?" Lauren asked, stacking chairs onto the tables.
"Sure, why not."
Hermione was sipping a strawberry-orange smoothie, sitting on a bench with Lauren in some park nearby. It was nice, but she kind of missed the horses that usually lived so near her. They had lapsed into a comfortable silence with only the occasional slurp breaking the silence, until a pale owl dropped from the sky between them.
"A letter!" Lauren cried out then noticing Hermione's shocked face, "I mean, er, a bird. Hope she isn't hurt."
"Now how would you know about owls and letters?" Hermione grinned, hoping her guess was right. It had been so long since she'd spoken to another one. She held out her hand, "Hermione Granger from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"Fine, you caught me!" she laughed and shook her hand, "Lauren Vadala, graduated from Mayflower Academy for Young Witches and Warlocks nice to meet you. Now let's see who your note's from."
Hermione chuckled as she stroked the ruffled feathers of the snowy owl that had just hopped onto her knee, "Hedwig?"
The owl gave a joyous hoot and stuck out her leg. Hermione untied the letter and recognized Harry's neat scrawl.
"Lauren, want to come over to my place? I need to get Hedwig some water and she's exhausted," Hermione motioned at the now napping owl on her leg.
"Of course, how else will I be able to chat with the only witch I know of in this hick town?" Lauren grinned as she told her friend she'd follow in her car.
They drove past rolling fields and horses grazing until they reached the rundown apartment complex where Hermione lived.
"Home sweet home," Hermione announced throwing open her door revealing the tattered room within. She placed Hedwig on the counter and put a bowl of water and some crackers next to her.
Lauren plopped down onto the couch, disregarding the mess. "So, where's Hogwarts?"
"England." A pained look came across Hermione's face as memories fought to submerge in her mind, but she pushed them back. She tossed the letter onto her bed and dropped down next to Lauren, "It's been 4 years…"
"I'm hungry, you want a cookie?" Lauren declared suddenly.
"I don't have any," Hermione started.
"Don't worry about that." Lauren pulled out a thin wooden stick Hermione recognized as a wand and flicked it. A steaming plate of chocolate chip cookies appeared out of thin air and settled itself upon the coffee table, "So, tell me about Hogwarts."
A/N- In the part where I call a town in Texas a 'hick town' I'm not insulting Texas or anything, for those of you fellow Texans who might've taken offence.
