After a year's absence, the first full week of Hermione being back at the Ministry of Magic was threatening to do her completely in. By the time she exited the fireplace in her kitchen at the end of the day on Friday, she was exhausted. More than just physically, she was exhausted in every other way it was possible to be exhausted. Not only had she forgotten how tiresome playing the political game could be, but she found herself wondering how it was possible that she even enjoyed it to begin with. Nothing could be said or done within those walls without another analyzing it to the minutest detail for some sort of hint or clue of deception or deviousness.