The trouble with being an insufferable know-it-all (or an ex-insufferable know-it-all) was that habits died hard and that included preaching advice. At this point she didn't even care if Eponine acknowledged it. Hermione had started to learn how to pick up when the girl was listening and when she was just blowing her off. It was half of the reason she never seriously gave up on trying. Naturally it frustrated her to no end, but it was just another project of hers.

No, not a project. But not quite something she'd call a friendship either. Maybe it didn't need a label.

She can't help but grin slightly at the name, trying not to let it grow too wide lest Eponine misinterpret it. "I suppose that actually did take a large amount of effort on your part. How badly did it backfire on you?"