The Missing Link

Husband and Wife

"Princess," I haven't seen you eat a proper meal in weeks," Regina said worriedly after seeing that Hermione had barely touched her dinner again that evening. "Is anything the matter?"

"Don't worry about me, I'm fine," Hermione replied. She herself didn't understand why she wasn't in any way compelled to eat. The chefs had cooked her favorite dishes from home. They'd tried serving her favorite dishes from home. They'd tried serving her comfort food. No success.

They'd rejoiced at simple victories, like an apple or a banana missing from the fruit bowl. This made them resort to putting random bowls of fruit all over the castle, which she hadn't missed.

"Listen," Hermione said. "I learned something. Would you please sit down?" Regina hesitated. Hermione rolled her eyes and pulled out a packet of crackers. "Look, I'm eating. Now can you please listen?"

"Are you about to tell me what's bothering you?"

"Something like that," Hermione replied. It was not yet the time to tell Regina that she thinks she just misses Draco. "Today, I learned how to become like you. You had to do a lot of training...pass a lot of exams... I also learned that you can't just leave the castle to visit your family."

"Yes, that is correct," Regina replied. Upon seeing the look of confusion on Hermione's face, she said, "My lady, I am familiar with your work from your younger years. S.P.E.W. was it? I assure you, I know my rights and make sure that they are protected."

"How did you know about that?"

Regina chuckled. "The Prince talked to me after I got this position. He said you'll try this at some point."

She smiled a half-smile. It was kind of thoughtful in a weird way, thoughtful nonetheless. "I still don't understand why you'd choose to be here. You can't go home, you can't have your own family, and you're bound to the loyalty and service of a single person. It's one clothing choice away from being a nun! Well, not that being a nun is at all negative, it's just that... how can you give all of that up?"

"I do not serve only you, I serve the entire Royal family," Regina began patiently. "And by serving you and the family, I serve the entire Wizarding World. There is no greater honor."

Hermione smiled. "Thank you. For your... choice. And for humoring me."

"I hope you return the favor by drinking this elixir I made you."

"Fine, then," Hermione sighed. "Maybe you can put it in some tea."

Regina smiled. "Of course, Your Highness."

Two days passed and finally it was time to go home. Draco was getting tired of the attention, for once, to be honest. Plus he had a wife to go home to.

It was odd how excited he was for that.

"Welcome back, Your Highness," the palace guards greeted as he passed through the grate. He stepped out to let Edison bring in their luggage.

"Where is Regina?"

"Right here, sir," she answered promptly, arriving just in time.

"Where is the Princess?"

"Resting," she replied. "She's been... er sick, for a while now."

The news worried Draco, especially since he left her upset. He peeked into her room and was relieved to see her awake and reading. She looked exhausted, but she still looked fine.

"I see you've arrived," she said, glancing up from her book.

"I see you haven't beaten me up to a pulp."

"Why, would you like me to?"

"From what I've heard, you couldn't," he said, taking a bit of a tone. "I heard you were sick."

"So?"

"What did you do?"

Hermione scoffed. "I'm sorry, I wasn't aware I had the power to control my own immune system."

"I was under the impression you could," Draco teased. Hermione rolled her eyes. "You know, I still am your husband. A 'welcome home' would have been nice."

Hermione stood up, and rolled her eyes again, but obliged, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Welcome home, darling," she said in a very sarcastic tone. To her surprise, he hugged her back tighter, and she realized how much she missed him.

"We'll go together next time, okay?" Draco said, feeling uncharacteristically guilty of what he had done abroad.

"Okay," she breathed.