𝐌𝐎𝐂𝐇𝐀 | 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘦

one

"Let's have a going-away party."

Hermione Granger sat at her kitchen counter, leaning her head against her hand. Pansy Parkinson-Nott and Ginny Weasley sat across from her, arguing over her schedule for the next few days.

"I don't know, guys. It sounds a little ridiculous. Honestly, I'll be back before you know it," Hermione said. She was going away to Scotland for three weeks for one of her cases. The Ministry had decided that she was a necessary field agent, something that she wasn't so sure about, but she was thrilled nonetheless. She left in three days with her two partners, Harry and Abraxas, and Pansy and Ginny were insisting that she make the most of it.

"But still," Pansy said, tapping her fingers rapidly on the counter. "How could you say no to a party?"

"Sorry, have you met me?"

"Please," Ginny pleaded. "Come on. I'll even make those Muggle things you like- fodge? Fudge, isn't it?"

"Okay, fine," she relented. "Only if you make fudge."

"I promise I will," Ginny said, grinning.

"How does Draco feel about your little trip?" Pansy asked, crossing her legs. Hermione frowned. "I don't know. He seemed happy about it, but he changes the subject every time I bring it up."

Pansy tsked. "Typical Draco, avoiding his emotions. I'll bet he's crying to Blaise right now about how much he'll miss you."

"Do you reckon I should visit her while she's in Scotland? As a surprise."

"For the last time, no," Blaise said, rolling his eyes. "Honestly, mate. She's going on a mission, it's not like she's moving away. You have a cell phone, just call her."

Draco hummed, unconvinced. Blaise looked up at the ceiling and prayed for patience, then looked back at his friend and said, "Don't worry about it. She'll be back before you know it."

Draco sighed. "I know."

"Why don't you work on that proposal for that big company you were going on about? That'd surely get your mind off things."

"Oh, you're right," Draco said, brightening. He and Luna had been dreaming up an idea to take their flower shop to the next level, selling potions ingredients. It was a lucrative business, but not just anyone could profit. They first had to be approved by the Board, the Ministry, and St. Mungo's. Their products would have to be tested an infinite amount of times in every scenario. Needless to say, he and Luna had a long checklist ahead of them.

The perfect way to get his mind off of things. He grinned at Blaise again and said, "You're a genius, you know that?"

Blaise shrugged, looking pleased with himself. "I try."

"A small party, Gin. We are not inviting everyone I know."

"Oh, come on, Mione. It's only fifty people."

"Absolutely not! Only people that I talk to on a daily basis," Hermione insisted.

"Well, how am I supposed to know who you talk to every day?" Ginny said.

"Why don't you just do the guest list, Hermione?" Pansy said, pushing the pen and paper across the table to her. Hermione gratefully took it, scratching through twenty names immediately. She was left with the usual suspects: Draco, Blaise, Luna, Neville, Theo and Harry.

"Fine," Ginny grumbled when Hermione pushed the paper back to her. She tapped it twice with her wand, sending out invitations effortlessly.

"Bring a swimsuit, Mione," Pansy called from the bedroom, where she was evaluating Hermione's stack of things she was going to pack.

"It's a mission, Pans, not a vacation. I won't need one," Hermione responded, amused.
"You never know," Pansy observed. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"It's already seven!" Ginny exclaimed, jumping out of her chair. "I promised Blaise I'd meet him at six-thirty! Oh, Merlin."

Pansy snorted, and Hermione tried to suppress a smirk as Ginny said frantically, "See you guys!" and Disapparated.

"I guess I'll go too," Pansy said. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

"Alright," Hermione replied. Pansy Disapparated, leaving her alone in the house.

For about five seconds, for another pop behind her announced Draco's presence. "Hey, love," he said, hugging her. "How was your day?"

"Good," Hermione said. "Gin and Pansy came over. They want to throw me a going-away party."

Draco laughed slightly. "I'm not surprised."

"How was your day?" she asked him, leaning against the counter. He shrugged, hanging up his coat. "Busy. Luna and I worked a ton on our new stuff."

"That's good! You guys will be approved in no time."

"I certainly hope so."

Hermione smiled. She would miss this while she was abroad, the easy evenings and early mornings that she had with him, but it was only three weeks.

Only three weeks.