This Journey With You

Happy New Years, Miss Granger

       The streets bustled with activity beneath the falling snow of the December sky. The lights were starting to come on as night began to creep at the darkening clouds. A slender witch with bushy hair tried to not let herself be trampled as she tried to sneak in peeks of the sky.

        But, what could Hermione expect? It's the holiday season. Even after Christmas was over, she knew there would be personal risk to strutting about the streets with witches and wizards frantically fogging up the shop windows in search of post Christmas discounts. If she wasn't mindful, she'd probably be run over.

        Despite the bodies crushing against her, she felt detached from the traffic. They say as you grow older, you're supposed to become wiser. Hermione thought that meant she would have a better handle on life after living through the most traumatic events of the war. But, it seems growing up still had its pains that not even she could outsmart.

        Up ahead she saw the sign for Fortescue's ice cream parlour and felt a rumble in her stomach. She hadn't eaten yet today, and the more she thought about her empty stomach, the harder it was to concentrate on getting last minute gifts for a few of her friends for the New Years party she would be attending.

       Letting hunger rule, she slipped between the crowd and gracefully stepped inside to be embraced by warmth in the shop. There wasn't a long que- which was logical considering it was freezing out and ice cream wouldn't warm a person- so she didn't have long to wait.

      "Hermione!" A sweet voice called from behind her.

       A smile played at her lips and she turned to see a familiar face. "Hello, Luna."

       The blonde haired girl with eyes in a dream like state looked over the dark haired witch and gave her a hug. "It's good to see you. How long has it been?" She pulled back, still smiling. "It feels like it's been ages since we've last talked."

         "I know! I'm so sorry about that. I got back from the states only a few weeks ago. I think the last time I saw you was when we went to Neville and Hannah's wedding."

        "Oh! That's right. Wow, that may have been a few summers ago now.. I forgot you had been over seas. You'll have to tell me all about that!"

        The man at the counter called for the next customer and Hermione offered to buy her friend a treat. "It's no trouble, really."

       "You are too kind, but I'll have to decline. I only came in when I spotted you! I have to go back to the news studio to prepare for my show tonight and dairy products aren't best for the voice."

        Hermione shook her head, smiling. She remembered the commentary Luna had done in a quidditch match once when they were at Hogwarts. She was pleased when Harry had told her in a letter that Luna was offered to host on wizard radio. It had to be entertaining to listen to.

      "Well, allow me the pleasure of buying you a tea then."

      She quickly asked for a raspberry ice cream and a hot tea to go. The two women stepped to the side as they waited on the order.

          "So what has you back in England?" Pale hands flashed as Luna took off her gloves. "Are you only here for the holidays?"

           "I'm not sure how long I'll be back for," Hermione admitted. "My parents and I spent Christmas together and then tonight I'm heading to the Weasleys for New Years. We are having a combination of celebrating the year to come and Christmas. It is sure to be fun," she smiled.

         "Are you and Ron still a couple?"

        Hermione was caught off guard by the question. She and Ron hadn't been together for two years. Did people still believe they were an item? It still felt funny that they were no longer together since she had waited so long to be with him only to find out they weren't happy. Not that she missed being his girlfriend, but she hadn't really fancied anyone besides him.