THC. Hufflepuff, Year 2, Short. Prompt: "I miss moments like this more than anything."
Word count: 540
Betas: Aya!
Harry watched as Hermione rolled her eyes before collecting a book from a shelf in her office. She dropped it down on the table with a thud before flicking through the pages.
"I remember it being a village," Hermione started. A crinkle appeared between her eyebrows for a split second - showing that she was thinking intently. "Ah. Here we go."
Ron leant in closer, trying to read the words upside-down.
"Douaumont was one of the villages destroyed during World War 1," Hermione explained.
"I thought it was a muggle village we were investigating?" Ron questioned with a hint of confusion laced on his voice.
Harry looked at him, it was still surprising how he lacked knowledge about the muggle world. He thought being married to Hermione for five years would have educated him a little.
"It is," was Hermione's response. "It's in France."
That's what Harry suspected. There was no way the current attacks were from anybody in the UK, not with the targets. "What region?"
Hermione's eyes flicked over the page. "Grand Est."
Harry droned out Hermione when she had to start explaining regions to Ron. It was best to wait for him to understand roughly where they would be heading at some point to find more clues. Though, the village having been destroyed around a hundred years ago posed a lot more questions. It was a question that couldn't be answered instantly. He was sure Hermione would have some theories regardless. Even though they didn't work in the same department, when they did collaborate on ideas, it always brought a smile to Harry's face. He never intentionally sought out Hermione when he needed help, it just seemed to happen - at least, that's what he tried to make others believe. In honesty, he loves it when the trio are back together.
As he realised Hermione was finishing up her explanation, he cut in, wanting to catch her before she dismissed them. Yes… they have been dismissed in the past. She's a very busy woman now.
"I miss moments like this more than anything."
Ron looked at him like he was crazy. "Moments like this? Hermione was just telling me something I didn't know. Nothing to miss there."
Harry let himself laugh at that. "Exactly. The three of us crowding around a book to figure something out."
"More like Hermione telling us what she read."
"I miss it, too," Hermione joined in. "Even though we were fighting to stay alive most of the time. Hogwarts was my favourite adventure. It's weird not seeing both of you every day anymore."
Ron made a sound of indignance. "You do see me every day," he reminded her.
"It's different. It's just you and me - that's a whole different dynamic."
"Then… Harry should come over more," Ron decided.
Hermione nodded in agreement.
"Okay. When?"
"Tonight. Dinner's at seven," Hermione declared, no option to compromise before she put the book away. "See you both later."
Ron stepped towards Hermione and dropped her a quick kiss - something Harry still finds weird - before walking out.
Harry, deciding it would be pointless to argue with the dinner plans, said a quick goodbye before following Ron with a huge smile on his face. He had missed being ordered around by her.