The conversation turns to Quidditch and Ron's upcoming training schedule with the Wimbourne Wasps. Obviously I can't go into detail here about strategies and tactics discussed, suffice to say that Harry made several pointed suggestion, Ron listened intently and the two discussed possible results while Hermione smiled and we reminisced about our Hogwarts years.
LB: Whatever happened with you and Victor Krum?
HG: (laughs) I should have known that Victor would come up. (Harry and Ron both look up at the mention of Krum's name and Hermione laughs again, they turn back to their conversation guiltily) Those two were so overprotective of me, but Victor and I are still friends, we owl each other every so often.
LB: Ah but you didn't answer my question Hermione.
HG: Well that was deliberate! Ok, well e met during the Tri-Wizard tournament and he was my date for the Yule Ball that year. I spent a few weeks with his family in Bulgaria over that summer. We dated for a while but it wasn't going to work out. We remained friends though.
LB: What is it about you that seems to attract the most famous wizards of out generation?
HG: (looks puzzled for a moment) Oh you mean, Victor and these two I suppose. Well I don't think of them as famous. Victor and Ron may be Quidditch Stars but I've seen them at their worst, I guess I just treat them same as I would treat anyone else instead of fawning over them as people do when they just look at the fame and not the person beneath it.
LB: You didn't mention Harry there. Everyone I've spoken to about Harry says you're the person he's closest to.
HG: (She looks at Harry sitting next to her and smiles) Yes we're close, he's my best friend. I completely forget he's famous most of the time, when we're sitting around talking.
LB: You must spend a lot of time together as your office is in his home?
(Harry interrupts and slings his arm casually around Hermione's shoulders)
HP: You could say that! How many days in the last four years have I not seen you `Mione?
HG: Um, I think it's five now.
LB: Seriously? There have only been five days in the last four years that you haven't seen each other?
HG: Yes. (Harry's now returned to discussing racing brooms with Ron) We work around each other.
LB: It's never been a problem with dating? How much time you spend at Harry's house?
HG: It would be a bit of problem if it were as I live there! (She chuckles)
LB: You live with Harry?
HG: Yes, I've lived there for about three years now. That place is definitely too big for one person.
LB: Do you argue?
HG: Not often, and when we do it tends to be over ridiculous things like who's turn it is to wash up after dinner, even though it just takes a flick of the wand. Though he once didn't speak to me for two days.
LB: Why was that?
HG: (She blushes) Well he interrupted me when I was working.
LB: Ah, he warned me never to do that. Which particular hex did you use?
HG: Well he usually doesn't mind too much when I hex him, if he wanted to he could block them all anyway, but I was up against a deadline and I was in a foul mood so I shouted at him for about five minutes solid and said I never wanted to see him again. He just stood there in silence, then handed me the drink he's brought me and left the room. The man knows how to work a guilt trip I can tell you. By the end of the two days I stooped so low as to attempt to cook him dinner in apology, if you'd ever seen me in a kitchen you'd know that's a big step. Cooking is one thing I've never mastered; maybe that's why we live together so I don't have to cook! (She grins cheekily. Harry leans over)
HP: I heard that.
HG: I know. You have freakishly good hearing Potter. (He grins and kisses the top of her head before returning to talking with Ron)
LB: I take it he forgave you for the incident then?
HG: Yes.
LB: I'm curious about your writing. You write Muggle Novels?
HG: Most of the time yes. I am working a novel that will be possibly be published in the Wizarding press, and if that's successful I might re-publish my other novels in the Wizarding World. I'm a bit wary of it all though; I can ignore my slight fame in the Muggle World, and I've managed to fade away from the spotlight in the Wizarding World in recent years, I'm not sure how ready I am to take a step back towards it, but I can't avoid it forever.
LB: I haven't heard of any of your work, yet I keep up to date with Muggle news.
HG: Ah, well I write under a pen name. I was incredible nervous about publishing my first novel, and after it was successful it wasn't practical to publish under my real name.
LB: Can you tell me you pen name?
HG: Well, there are several quotations from my second novel around the walls in here, and a copy of my first novel is actually in the table we're sitting at. I'd rather you didn't print it though.
I am more than a little surprised to recognise the pages of the book below my plate, as I own a copy, in fact I've read and enjoyed three of Hermione's books. They are critically acclaimed as becoming modern classics in the Muggle World and incredibly intelligent and well-written, but should we expect anything less from a woman who graduated with the second largest number of NEWTS ever awarded by Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The novels will undoubtedly be a success in the Wizarding World.
Harry and Ron wind up their Quidditch discussion as Ron prepares to head home. The Trio makes plans for dinner with the rest of the Weasley clan for Sunday and exchange hugs. Harry runs off to the kitchen just before Ron leaves and returns with a white box, which is revealed to contain one of his pumpkin pies for Ron and his girlfriend Megan Rest (Assistant Manager of the Wimbourne Wasps)
Harry, Hermione and I remain and eat delicious dessert. I can now personally vouch for the pumpkin pie, which is indeed better than even Hogwart's pie. We prepare to leave the restaurant, all decidedly full but happy.
HP: `Mione, I'm heading to Diagon Alley before I go food shopping, do you need anything?
HG: Ooh actually, I think that book I ordered should be in Flourish and Blotts now, and can you pick up a few quills?
HP: Sugar or writing?
HG: (She grins) A few of both?
HP: Sure. See you in a few hours. Any requests for dinner?
HG: Whatever you feel like making. I'm only going to work for a few hours this afternoon so I'll see you both in a bit.
Hermione hugs the both of us goodbye, but stops to talk quickly with the waitress who laughs and hugs her before she disappears through the doors. Harry watches her go with a smile.
LB: So we're off on a shopping excursion then?
HP: If you don't mind? But it's what I tend to do on a Friday.