A/N: Thank you for the kindness. Thank you for reading. :)

July 16th

I bought my tea and imagined it a powerful elixir, a destroyer of unwanted wants. It was, at least for a moment. You were not at the lecture today. A part of me was relieved. The other part, a larger part wanted you in my orbit like how it was before. Our paths had always crossed, nudged together during the tournament, the war, Weasley family dinners. Fighting, helping, crying, healing, eating. Close proximity was a default setting. And then you were gone.

Except you aren't gone anymore. You ordered a coffee. I watched you scan the room and see me. I smiled and hoped my eyes weren't as wide as they felt.

You came to my table. Hair pulled back. Skin, golden against a white v-neck. I could paint your collarbone for hours.

"Hello Hermione. Landt told me you'd be here."

Your voice was smooth like fresh gesso on canvas.

"Thanks for coming to say hi," I responded. I took a sip of my tea. How I wished it really was a potion that could ease my state.

"Of course," You said kindly.

Then your eyes held a question. They always held something for me. Only, I wouldn't let myself accept it before. Could I accept it now?

"How long have you and Ron been separated, Hermione?"

"I picked up the last of my things a few days ago. I'm living in my studio now." My whole body tightened with shame and regret. I took my things and left a broken heart in my wake. Like a wave that couldn't help how it moved. Only, I couldn't blame gravity or the moon.

I could pretend to blame art, but you were sitting across from me. I thought I had buried you in color and brush strokes. I thought I let you go.

"How are you, Hermione?"

I could hear your concern. You always spoke my name. Did you know I always wanted to hear you say it? Over and over.

"I'm trying. That's my promise to myself. To always try."

"Yes, I remember." You smiled. A smile that tugged at our past.

I wanted to change the subject because there was a familiar feeling creeping up on me. I needed to ignore it. "Fleur, you look like you've been on holiday. Tell me about it." I was actually proud of how light my voice sounded. A summer tone for a summer day.

"I've been spending my days on the coast of Spain reading and thinking, being quiet." You looked down, then back up at me. Your eyes flashed something. Hope? Potential? Want?

"And now I'm here with you, Hermione."

I coughed and accidentally knocked around my spoon a bit. "That sounds lovely. And it's… it's lovely that you're here." You were reaching out to me with your words and eyes. I just didn't know how to actually reach back. It's my habit to have action in all things but desire. I waited and pouted over Ron and then when I finally got him, I couldn't want him. I couldn't make it fit. I never had to wait for you. I accepted that you were impossible. But are you? You were sitting so close. I could even reach for your hand if I wanted. I knew it was time to give back, to show you I can see your effort.

"Would you like to see my studio sometime?"

"Yes, I would really like that." This time your smile was for the present, the now. It was for me.