Hermione groaned inwardly as she opened her office door. She came to work early knowing she would have a pile of work waiting for her, and she was correct. There were at least twenty folders on her desk as well as around fifty inter departmental office memos, some which were still fluttering around her office. Hermione walked over to her desk and decided to go through the memos first before tackling the folders. It was a little past six in the morning and she hoped that she would get a few uninterrupted hours of work before her co-workers arrived.
Hours later, her eyes had started to feel strained and a headache was starting to throb.
She decided it was time take a break to use the loo and grab some coffee before going back to work. She realized the Ministry was full of people now and hoped that she wouldn't get stopped along the way by someone who wanted to talk about her wedding or marriage to Draco. She lucked out and was able to get back to her office and to the confines of her work, where she buried herself once more.
It wasn't until mid-afternoon when there was a knock on her door and she mumbled "Come in," without stopping filling out a form.
"Well, if it isn't Mrs. Malfoy. How was the honeymoon?" said a familiar voice.
Hermione chuckled and looked up at Harry, who was wiggling his eyebrows at her. "Shut up. You know it wasn't like that."
He sat in the empty seat across from her desk, "I know, but at least now you're not scowling at the paperwork on your desk."
Shaking her head, Hermione set down the quill and rubbed her eyes, "I've been working on paperwork for hours."
"Come to lunch with us then. Ron and I are going to the Leaky Cauldron and meeting up Neville. Said he had some news."
Hermione didn't hesitate at the offer to escape her desk for an hour, "Alright, sounds good. I could use some food and fresh air."
"Well, I wouldn't necessarily call the atmosphere at the Leaky Cauldron 'fresh'..." Harry said teasing her again.
Hermione smacked his arm playfully as they left her office.
Ten minutes later, she, Ron, and Harry entered the wizarding pub and found Neville already there waiting for them. He stood up and made his way to Hermione and gave her a hug, "It's good to see you Hermione. I hear you're a married woman now?"
Hermione nodded, "Yes, we got married a little over a week ago. I'm sorry I didn't invite you, we only had a handful of people there." She sat down in of the seats and scooted in, "But enough about me, how are you? How's it feel to work at Hogwarts, Professor?"
Neville blushed, "It's going well. I never thought that when Professor Sprout took me under wing that she was actually planning her retirement and giving me her job. It's fun work though."
"So what's this news you wanted to tell us?" asked Ron, just has Hannah Abbot came by with a tray butterbeer and sandwiches with crisps for all of them. She smiled at Neville and kissed the top of his head.
Neville wound his arm around Hannah's waist and smiled wide as he said, "Hannah and I got married the other day. We eloped."
Three stunned faces looked at the couple before a round of congratulations spread throughout.
"Ha! I called it, Pay up, Harry!" said Ron triumphantly.
Harry grumbled and put a galleon in Ron's outstretched hand.
Hannah put a hand on her hip, "You guys bet if his news was that we were married or not?"
"Well, I guessed you got married," said Ron smugly, "Harry guessed you two got engaged. I mean, you two have been dating for, what? A year now?"
"Two," they both said together and smiled at one another.
"We'll have you lot over for dinner one of these nights, to celebrate," said Hannah.
Neville nodded in agreement, "Once, we're all settled. We moved into the apartment upstairs that used to belong to Tom."
Hermione looked at them curiously, "Why's that? Where did Tom go?"
"Retired. Made my Hannah here the new Landlady of the place too," Neville said proudly.
"That's fantastic!" said Hermione and Harry while Ron asked, "Does this mean we get free butterbeer? Since we're mates with the husband of the Landlady?"
Harry smacked Ron upside the head and he winced, mumbling something about 'just kidding.'
Hannah shook her head and smiled, "I better get back to work. See you tonight, love?" With a nod from Neville, she gave him a quick kiss before going to another table to take orders.
Harry, Hermione, and Neville continued talking and it wasn't until they were about to leave when Hermione noticed that Ron was slouched in his chair, scowling.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
Ron just shrugged, "Nothing. Are we done here yet?"
Harry frowned, "Not until you tell us what's got your knickers in a twist."
Ron sighed, "Fine." He pointed to Harry, "Married." Then to Hermione, "Married." Then to Neville, "Married." Then to himself, "Not married."
Hermione gave him a sympathetic look, "You'll find someone, Ron."
"I doubt it. I only have a few more months until my six months is up. I… I'm thinking I'm going