One: Pure Drudgery: Hermione
The modest high heels of Hermione Jean Weasley--Granger clicked along the polished black floors of the Ministry of Magic as she made her way to the Department For the Regulation And Control Of Magical Creatures.
She wore her modest brown pinstriped suit, a uniform of sorts, though no one actually informed her of a dress code when she took the job. Of course, being a war heroine of the second wizarding war, she had had her pick of jobs, but at the time, she had gravitated towards helping magical creatures. What she didn't count on was how rare it was to do real, actual field work.
The work mainly consisted of witches and wizards coming in and requesting forms to keep their pet hippogriff, or other magical creature alive. Hermione then took these case files, organized them for the upper workers, or the ones who actually went out and tried to bring the creatures into the creature wrangling area in the Ministry of Magic for possible trial.
Often, this necessitated the need for long hours of filing on Hermione's part, and the work was always piling up on her desk. Luckily, her assistant was Parvarti Patil, a good friend of hers from her Hogwarts days, and Parvarti always made the days fun.
She strolled in around ten, and wordlessly handed Hermione her latte. "Thanks, you're a lifesaver, Parv. I can't believe rich parents are still trying to buy their little girls pegasus ponies. I hate having to call up the uppers to come wrangle the poor beasts."
"Me neither, but that's the job. But forget that, you've got to take a look at this ad for a month long cruise to the whole Carribbean!" Parvart said excitedly.
Hermione laughed, and looked at Parvati's smartphone as a video played, advertising the many joys to be found on a luxury cruise for singles. All of July, which was in three weeks. The video ended and Hermione handed her friend's phone back to her.
"Parvarti, I'm married, I can't exactly just take time off work. Besides, Ron and I are trying to work things out," Hermione reasoned.
Parvarti pouted. "Oh, come on, Mione! You like, never take off work unless you're sick. Besides, I don't know why you're taking him back when you know he cheats with those Quidditch groupies who he can't help but bang."
How could Hermione make her best friend see? How could anyone understand how Ron was there for her when Bellatrix Lestrange tortured her, and would have killed her if it had not been for him? How many times he was kind and loving? True, he had long since grown tired of her intimately, but she had made a vow to be faithful to her husband no matter what. How could she jeopardize all of that to go on a luxury singles cruise of all things?
Hermione took a deep breath and said carefully, "Because he's my husband, Parvarti. I thought you of all people would understand that."
Parvarti sniffed. "Hey, just because I'm Indian doesn't mean my culture tolerates cheating, Mione.' I'm going to send you the site address to your phone. Just like, think about it, okay? I mean, even if you don't find someone, you can at least decide what your next step is, and relax in the process. Okay, girl? For me?"
"Okay, Parv. I will certainly think about it. Now, let's get back to work," Hermione said to get her friend off her back.
The two friends set to work and for once, made a real dent in their shared work load. But when Hermione got home that night is when her very world came crashing down around her...
