"Bindy's been a right arse lately," Padma Patil sighed, taking a large sip of her tea.
"Bindy?" Hermione Granger replied, not quite remembering who 'Bindy' was or even what they were talking about.
"Honestly Hermione, sometimes you never listen," Padma admonished, "Stewart Bindy, my boss. He's been making me stay late for over a week. I bet it's because I'm a girl."
Hermione snorted as she stirred the pot of soup over the stove, "You know it's not. There are seven other girls in your station, so you know it's not sexism. Maybe you should come to terms with Bindy's love for you."
Padma started, "Hermione! Bindy's 58! That's so disgusting."
Hermione laughed again, sticking her tongue out at Padma. Things had been relatively quiet as of late. It was Christmas break, and instead of going back to London like she usually did, Hermione decided to stay in Edinburgh and work on her lesson plans for Arithmancy. Professor Vector had agreed to let Hermione teach the class instead of just observing it for a few months after Christmas holidays. Padma, not wanting to deal with her family's overexcitement for Christmas, also decided to stay in Edinburgh and keep Hermione company.
"Oh that's right, you love William," Hermione said lightly.
"Hermioneeeeeeee," Padma whined, "I hate it when you throw that at me so suddenly. You know Roldin hasn't talked to me in over a month, even though I see him everyday."
"Well darling, that's why you take the initiative and talk to him first," said Hermione.
"Well darling, we're not all gung-ho warrior-woman like you are. You're something fierce when it comes to love, scaring off any boy who likes you."
"Am I really so scary?" Hermione asked. "I can't help it if I'm straight-forward."
"Maybe we're both just horrible with love," Padma supplied, "Doesn't it make you wish we had Parvati's ease with the opposite sex?"
"I don't know if it's so much ease as it is easy if you get what I mean," Hermione said knowingly.
"She gets around a lot, just say it," Padma giggled. "She could give Ginny a run for her money, looks like."
"We'll find people if we're supposed to Pad, it'll happen," reassured Hermione, "In the meantime, you'd better be ready for the best soup you've ever had in your life. Pass me the salt?"
Padma muttered, "Locomotor salt shaker," with a flick of her wrist and a wand in hand, and the small metallic salt shaker lifted off the counter-top and drifted to Hermione on the other side of the kitchen. Hermione caught it in her hand and sprinkled the soup before setting it down beside her. She stood on her tip toes to grab two bowls from the top shelf of the cabinet, and proceeded to pour two generous amounts of soup into both bowls.
"Mmmmmm," Padma moaned, "It smells so good. I haven't eaten since breakfast this morning."
"Brace yourself, woman. I can make a mean soup, and you know it," Hermione smirked, making her way to the kitchen table with both bowls in her hands.
Hermione was in her bedroom later that night, pouring over Arithmancy textbooks when Hedwig, Harry's white snow owl, rapped on her window. Hermione was delighted to see Hedwig, as she hadn't gotten a letter from Harry in a while. She eagerly jumped off her bed and opened her window, allowing Hedwig to come inside. Hedwig shook her long wings of the snow, and made herself comfortable on the owl perch by the desk. She held out her left leg, and to it was attached a large white envelope.
"Hello Hedwig! How are you?" Hermione greeted, petting Hedwig, "Rowin is out hunting so it looks like it's just you and me tonight."
Hermione untied the envelope from Hedwig's leg, and Hedwig made her way to Rowin's cage, pecking at the seeds inside. Hermione opened the letter and read inside:
Dear Hermione,
It's been a while, hasn't it! I'm sorry I've not written in over two weeks, but Auror training has been kicking my arse, if you'll allow me to be so frank. Tonks is in Mungo's again (what else is new?) so I'm doing her rounds while she's out. She tripped over a stack of books and went flying into the wall, so she'll be out for a week or so. Don't worry though, she's doing just fine, the clumsy thing.
How've you been? How's Padma? I heard from Colin Creevey last weekend, he sounded like he was having a great time in the States. Have you talked to him recently?
Listen though, I know you were planning on staying in Edinburgh for Christmas, but Ginny's convinced me to have a Christmas Eve party at my place, and I was wondering if you could tear yourself away from work for a few days. I'd gladly pay for your train ticket if money's an issue and I'd love for Padma to come as well. Ron said he might make it, he's still not back from Bill's yet. You know Fleur's pregnant again! Lord, let's hope it's not twins again.
Well let me know soon, I haven't talked to you in so long.
Take care,
Harry.
Hermione read through the letter again and smiled. Harry was always concerned for her financial wellbeing, and was always offering to pay for her for everything. It was sweet, in an annoying sort of way. She opened her desk drawer and took out a sheet of fresh parchment, a quill, and an inkpot, and sat down to write a reply.
Harry Harry Harry,
My darling boy, how many times do I have to remind you that you needn't concern yourself about my financial life? If ever I'm completely broke, I will most certainly let you know, and also hit you up for money, most like.
Of course I'll come to your party. I was so surprised that you were having a party I had to re-read the letter. This is probably the first time in a LONG time you're having a party. I should have known Ginny would be behind it, that wild vixen. And speaking of that wild vixen, any news on the non-existent love front? Because you know, now that the war is over there's no danger in being with Ginny. It's been years, Harry, you know you still love her, and I know for a fact that even though she's gone through more boyfriends than ten girls combined, she's always held you in her heart.
But anyways, love advice aside; I'll definitely be there for Christmas, but only for a few days! Remember that, Potter! I'll ask Padma if she wants to come as well, but she's been working overtime so I'm not sure. Her boss is "a right arse" according to her. I'll be looking forward to seeing you and RON as well! Where has that boy been? I haven't talked to you in two weeks, but I haven't talk to him in two MONTHS, it seems. He's such an unreliable arse, he never writes to me. Oh, I thought we'd gotten over that part of our relationship, hah.
And yes! I got a letter from Fleur herself last week telling me the good news! And I agree, let's hope she doesn't have twins again. We all know there are enough Weasley twins to go around. And speaking of Weasley twins, how are Fred and George? Ginny says they're concocting a new line for women again. You know I have to say it, Fred and George really know about women. I wonder why, Fred's marriage should have stopped all the perversion, but George is still relatively single, so you never know.
Well Harry! I've got lesson plans to make; they don't make themselves, you know! And also don't forget to send something to your aunt and uncle for Christmas. I know you hate their guts, as do I, but they are your only family after all. It would be the right thing to do.
Lots of love,
Hermione.
Sealing the letter with her wax stamp, she beckoned Hedwig, who perched herself on Hermione's arm, and tied the new letter to her leg.
"Give this Harry, girl," Hermione whispered to her, "And keep him company, won't you? I worry about him so much."
She sent Hedwig out the window, into the black, chilly night and closed the window. Standing by the window looking out at the sky, she thought of Ron, and how he was. She hadn't heard from him in so long, and she wondered why she hadn't thought to write to him sooner. Sitting at her desk again, a small, simply letter is what she began to write.
Ron,
I miss you so much. Why don't you write me anymore? Surely you can take five minutes away from Quidditch to write to your favourite person in the world?
I'm looking forward to seeing you play in Edinburgh this March, but that's far too long from now. I hope you'll be at Harry's party this Christmas. How are Bill and Fleur and the twins? It's been ages since I saw them all.
Hope to hear from you soon,
Hermione.
Hermione folded the parchment and sealed the envelope, then set it aside until Rowin came backso she could send it to Ron.
She had to wonder sometimes whether her relationship with Ron really was platonic. She knew she was in love with him during school, but during the war she realized he was just a brother to her, a very close brother. But the war was so long ago, and she and Ronald had changed so much since then. Was it possible to fall back in love with him? After all, her relationship with Ron was very different than hers with Harry. With Harry she was really his best friend, and only a friend. She treated him and saw him as her brother. With Ron though, there were always those stray touches. They hugged more, and kissed more, and altogether touched more than friends did. It was possible, of course, that Hermione just wanted to have someone special in her life, and she was willing to look at Ron romantically to get it. When she thought about it seriously, she knew she had no future with Ron, and that ultimately neither of them would be happy if they were forced together. She needed someone new. What she needed, she realized, was raw passion.