Rolanda Hooch shuffled herself into the staff room, closing the door with a snap and collapsing into the nearest armchair with a loud tired sigh.
Not even looking up from her bandage-making, Madam Pomfrey asked, "Rough batch of first years again, Rolanda?"
"You have no idea," Rolanda replied rubbing her temples, "Each year they get rowdier and rowdier."
Madam Pince sniffed disapprovingly, "They're all Quidditch crazy, the lot of them!"
"Well, who can blame them Irma? It's Quidditch!" Rolanda smiled as she spoke, "The great wizarding pastime! They're so happy to finally learn to fly! I complain, but if they're weren't so exited I'd be worried."
"That's very well for you, Rolanda, but I can't tell you how many kids come into the hospital wing because of some accident out there," Poppy shook her head, "All the potions and transfiguring accidents are enough to keep me in a job; Quidditch just makes too much."
Irma and Poppy continued to rave about how Quidditch was ruining the bodies and minds of young students everywhere, how removing it from the school would eliminate any and all problems, and how they'd be able to convince Dumbledore to really listen to them this time. Rolanda just sighed and kept out of it until they ran out of steam. She liked Poppy and Irma well enough, but they never took time to have any fun.
Minerva must be rubbing off on them she chuckled to herself.
Finally the two squabblers paused to take a breath when Rolanda decided to change the tracks of the conversation.
"What do you two do during the summer with nothing to complain about?" she said with a wry grin.
"There's no need to be so sardonic, Rolanda," Irma replied huffily, "If you have problem with us, the door is right there." Poppy only frowned in return.
Can't take a joke "I didn't mean any offense," Rolanda said hastily, "I just worry."
Poppy frown grew deeper. "Worry? Rolanda, what do you mean? There's nothing to worry about."
"I worry about you two. You never take time to relax or enjoy yourselves," the flying instructor spoke carefully, "I just care about your happiness."
"I am perfectly happy where I am, Rolanda," Irma said with feeling, "All I need is a quiet library and I'm content. Getting it quiet is the only barrier," now with a touch of annoyance.
"And you, Poppy?"
"I am happy! I love my job…though I suppose it would be nice to have a day or two go by without an emergency."
"See there? You're both so stressed," Rolanda got an idea, "All you two need is a nice holiday. Somewhere far away and relaxing to take your minds off work."
"It has been a while since I've been abroad," Poppy said thoughtfully.
"I haven't traveled since I went to Madrid in 1985," Irma said warming to the idea, "And it rained the whole time!"
"I'd love to see Greece in summer," Poppy gushed, "I hear the sea is lovely then."
"As long as I have a place to lay down and read, I don't care where we go," Irma said resolutely.
"Why not Greece then?" Rolanda suggested, "You go off to Greece for the summer, do some reading, some swimming, you'll come back whole new women."
"You mean, we'll come back new women," Irma said.
Rolanda looked confused.
"Rolanda, you can't expect us to fly off to Greece without you," Poppy said officially, "This was all your idea and you could use a holiday as much as we could. Your eyes are so baggy these days and you're developing a slouch. It'll be good for all of us."
Rolanda smiled stiffly. A vacation with Irma and Poppy. Her mind raced for an excuse, but gave up at the excited looks on her co-workers' faces.
"Sure, sounds great. Greece in July," she said, swallowing hard. Poppy smiled approvingly and started recommending sunscreen and other preventatives while Irma immediately began planning days one through five.
It'll all be worth it. It'll all be worth it. Rolanda thought desperately, keeping her mouth shut once again until they talked themselves out.