Ethereal

The vibrant sun was shining through the large panel windows behind Hermione's desk. It was a rare sight, most of the days she just lets the room grow dark till one of her coworkers come in and switch the lights on for her.

She stared at the pile of papers in front of her with a crinkling forehead and a growling stomach.

"Feels like I haven't done shit since the morning," she whispers to herself. 

It's been less than a year since she has taken up the seat, been named the Ministress of Magic. It's a high honour and a very necessary step to make the changes she has always dreamt of. Yes, the job burns her out sometimes and yes, she rarely has any free time at hand. But she can't help the sense of pride that comes along each time she wears her robe in the morning, when her colleagues call her by her title.

Her hand reaches out to grab another document, try to make a dent on what seems like a never ending pile of work.

"Hermione!" A voice sings right outside her office and it doesn't take a second for her to recognise the person who doesn't give a thought to any formalities.

"Yes Ron?"

"Why am I hearing that you haven't left your office since yesterday?"

Ron tried crossing his arms, tried establishing authority and Hermione chuckled.

The brunette looked at her desk and shook her head. There was a gentle smile forming at her best friend's worries.

"Sometimes I worry if there was a spell to split yourself, you'd be handling the entire ministry on your own."

Hermione looked up in thought. A spell like that, well it doesn't sound bad. Maybe she should researc-

"Oh no. No. I take it back. Stop thinking," the redhead resigned and sat on a chair on the opposite side on the desk.

"I know you have a lot to do, but I need you to stop spreading yourself so thin like this. There are many people here, and they all do their jobs. Rely on others a little more Mione."

"I do trust people in this office Ron. There are just some things I have to do by myself. There are still reports to sign, plans to make for the conference with the American ministry and -"

Ron cut her off.

"I don't care. You're coming for lunch with me right now."

The redhead emphasised his point by grabbing her wrist and pulling her.

"I still have work to do though."

"Well work will just have to wait then." Ron replied with such a caring smile that Hermione felt all her protests drain out of her. 

____________________________

They enjoyed their meal at a quaint restaurant that Ron spent their journey hyping up. Hermione is admittedly glad that Ron decided to stop by or she might have ended up missing her third lunch of the week.

"Mione, I know you are the Ministress and the work load is huge but, we worry about you a lot."

At that, Hermione's eyes shot up.

"We?" She questioned.

"Yes. Harry and I. He might not show up as often but I know he worries about you."

Hermione stayed silent.

Harry had changed a little since the war. But who hadn't? For Ron it had been a year of intense grieving before he dedicated himself to being an auror. For Hermione it had been working relentlessly till she became the ministress. And for Harry, it was life threatening missions to save as many people as he could.

Harry had never really been very good at looking at the positives.

So, instead of thinking about all the lives he saved during that war, throughout his entire life, he chooses to thinks about all the ones he couldn't.

It was really easy for his to let the guilt of his parent's death, Sirius, and Remus, and Ted's lack of parents flow through. Since then, he's used it as a fuel. Harry lets himself go on one mission after another. Apprehend multiple criminals and protect the people on the street.

His capabilities and determination had him rising through the ranks at a pace never seen before. 

In reality, the raven is just an acceptance away from becoming the head of aurors. He was offered the position half a year back. However, that would result in less field work and way more formalities so the raven denied it.

Because of him being constantly out of town, and her being restricted in the office, Hermione doesn't see him much. She only sees Harry when he comes to report the highly ranked missions to her.

They would sit in her office, have a few drinks, a good old conversation and the next day she would hear that the raven has accepted another long term mission.

But it's okay, they are both playing their part in shaping a better world. So that maybe, nobody else will have to go through what they did. 

"You look like shit," Ron said, while chewing his food and snapping her out of her thoughts.

"Wow, thank you Ron. How incredibly kind of you."

Ron snorts, but the concern hasn't left his face.

"Seriously, how fast are you ageing? Those wrinkles are showing."

Deep down Hermione knows that it's unhealthy to work the hours she works but there are things she simply needs to get done. A ministry she has to guarantee is functioning perfectly. After all, she has to make sure that the wizarding world stays peaceful... that their home becomes welcoming. Maybe welcoming enough for him to finally stay. 

"You know it seems as though you're trying to make sure you stay busy," Ron says, fixing his gaze on Hermione.

Too uncomfortable to hold the stare, Mione looks down once again. So what if she's trying to make sure she stays busy? It's good to be productive. It's not a distraction. It's not because drowning in work is the only thing that keeps her from constantly wondering when Harry will come back from his months-long missions.

Ron sensed her discomfort and changed the topic. 

"Sooo," he drawled on, "did I tell you about this girl I met?" 

The rest of the time was spent with the Weasley talking about a girl he met during a mission. She works at an apothecary, which had been robbed. Ron was assigned to question her, and ended up asking her out. 

Hermione smiled, happy for her friend when her phone buzzed. 

She suddenly got up. 

"Is there something wrong?" Ron asked. 

"Yes, umm it's an emergency," Hermione lies and reaches into her pants pocket. "I'm sorry, I have to go back to work. Here's some..."

"No it's okay. I got it. Just happy to get some food into you."

She smiled, and waved. 

She can thank Ron properly later. Right now, she has someone to meet.