AN: Thanks again you guys, for your great feedback! We're glad that most of you seem to be enjoying the Alexa/RJ relationship and as far as Saffron goes, she will have love interests, but she won't be a 'dateaholic' like Frankie was.
And for those of you wanting more H/Hr, you got it ;) Please review!
Harry groaned in satisfaction. "You know you haven't lost your touch even after all these years?"
"Well of course I haven't," Hermione grinned. "After all, I get practise three or four times a week."
"I think we should start doing this every day." Harry said, his eyes closed.
Hermione laughed. "What does that give me?" she was giving her husband a massage, working her hands over his shoulders and neck.
"My undying gratitude," he answered.
"Don't I already have that?" Hermione asked, kissing under his ear.
"If you didn't before you certainly do now," he said. "I promise that next time you have a bad day, you can have one of these too."
"You don't give nearly as good as you get," Hermione said, working her thumbs over the back of his neck.
"You don't like what I do?" he asked.
"You need practise," Hermione said grinning.
"That's a challenge if I ever heard one," Harry said getting up. "Lie down Granger. I'll show you how it's really done."
"Will you now?" Hermione laughed, doing as her husband asked.
He smiled. "Yes I will." He started to work his hands over her shoulders just like she'd done to him. "You are good at what you do, but I think my skills speak for themselves."
"Perhaps," Hermione smiled lazily. "Why'd you call me Granger? I haven't been Granger for many, many years now."
Harry laughed. "I don't know. Maybe because you shamelessly played me just then so you could get the massage."
Hermione gasped. "Harry I did not do that!"
"Did," Harry said simply, working his hands down his wife's back.
"Harry James," Hermione laughed as he hit a ticklish spot.
"You knew what you were doing," he said. "I think I know you quite well by now."
"Says you," Hermione rolled onto her back and reached for him. "What am I thinking right now?" she asked.
"That you've got me right where you want me," he answered leaning over her.
"That's part of it," Hermione answered softly.
Harry brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. "What else?"
"Silly," Hermione smiled up at him. "I want you to kiss me."
"I knew that," he said smugly. "I just wanted you to say it."
Hermione poked him. "Well what are you waiting for?"
He grinned before leaning down and kissing her.
Hermione wound her arms around him. "You know, I really do miss having the kids around but having these nights alone with you are fantastic."
"I know what you mean," he said. "Saffy'll be back before we know it though. Easter hols are coming up soon."
"Did you hear she sent Ethan a Howler?" Hermione laughed.
"Yes," Harry said chuckling. "And she's sent me two owls telling me that we should do the same."
Hermione laughed harder. "They are too much."
"Ethan better watch his step is all I have to say," Harry said.
"She's definitely in a strop," Hermione answered as Harry ran his hand down her side. "Ethan probably shouldn't have said anything to R.J.."
"He's just lucky she's tucked away at Hogwarts for a few more weeks at least," Harry said. There was something he'd wanted to share with his wife, but they'd both been a little preoccupied the last couple of days that he hadn't had the opportunity. "Speaking of Hogwarts..."
"We don't have to go back and see that bugger Snape again do we?" Hermione asked, opening her eyes.
"God no," Harry said shaking his head. "It's not that. Dumbledore visited me a few days ago."
"He did?" Hermione asked. "What for?"
"To offer me the Defence Against the Dark Arts position," Harry replied. "Starting next September."
"What?" Hermione sat straight up. "He wants you to teach again?"
Harry nodded. "I turned him down like I always have, but I've been thinking about it these last couple of days."
"I didn't know you were interested in teaching," Hermione remarked.
"Neither did I," Harry said with a sigh. "He threw out all the stops of course. Told me how next to Lupin, I'm the only one he ever saw taking that position. And he pointed out that I'd be able to see Saffron every day."
"He was playing dirty," Hermione grinned.
"He knows what buttons to push," Harry said dryly. "That's for sure."
"So you're thinking about taking it?" she asked. "I don't know what we'd do about living arrangements but I'm sure we could work something out."
"I don't know," he said. "What do you think?"
"If you really want to," Hermione said. "Then I think you should go for it."
"We'd be apart," he said quietly. "I'm not too crazy about that."
"Me either," Hermione said, moving closer to him. "But if it makes you happy Harry, I want you to do it."
Harry smiled. "I love you so much."
"I love you too," Hermione kissed him again.
He was confused about Dumbledore's offer, but he certainly wasn't confused about his wife.
"Harry," she murmured. "Are you going to take me to bed anytime soon?"
"I thought you'd never ask," he said huskily.
Hermione laughed as he lifted her up and carried her to their bedroom. "Mmmm..." she said as they fell onto the bed.
"Still as light as a feather," he whispered against her skin.
"You're a fibber," Hermione said. "I love you for it though."
"It's the truth," he murmured against her neck. "All these years and you still get to me."
"Well that's my job," Hermione said, sitting up and stripping off her robes and shirt. "To turn you on and make you never think of another woman but me."
"You are quite good at what you do," he said taking off his t-shirt and unbuttoning his jeans.
"Mmmhmm..." Hermione reached over and finished taking off his trousers.
"We always end up here don't we?" he asked with a laugh.
"Well we are the rabbits," Hermione said as he slid her skirt down her legs. "We still have a reputation to uphold."
"That we do," Harry said. "That we do."
"So come on Potter," Hermione hissed.
"I love it when you get all forceful with me," Harry said before crashing his lips to Hermione's.
"So you're saying you like to be dominated?" Hermione asked in a kinky manner.
"I didn't say that," he said. "I'm just saying that I like it that you don't hold anything back with me."
Hermione laughed. "That's too bad. I had some interesting thoughts just now."
"Now I'm intrigued," he said looking down at his wife.
"You said you weren't interested," Hermione said airily.
"I didn't say that," he said. "Come on, tell me."
She leaned in and whispered something in his ear, making his eyebrows shoot up under his fringe.
He was speechless for a few moments letting what she'd said sink in. "Um, you want to do THAT?"
Hermione giggled. "What do you say?"
He pretended to think this over. "We've done a lot in our time, but we've never done something like THAT. I mean, I didn't even know you knew about THAT."
"And if I know you the way you say you know me, you're dying to try this out." she said, lowering her eyes seductively.
"I'm game if you are," he murmured.
"Harry I'm always game for a shag with you," Hermione said. "Evidenced by what we did in my office last week..."
"And in mine the week before," he said grinning at her.
"And in that little alcove right there in the lobby just four days ago..." Hermione said, his lips brushing over his.
"Oh yeah," he said. "I'd forgotten about that."
"Well maybe after we're done with this, I'll have to give you a refresher," Hermione said, running her tongue along his ear.
"Mmm," he said. "Well, I have a feeling once you're done with me here, I will be unable to move."
"Whatever will you tell them at work tomorrow?" Hermione asked, kissing down his chest.
"That I have the best wife in the world," he said with a groan.
"That's right big boy," Hermione cooed. "Keep them coming!"
*** *** ***
"I'm not changing your walls back," Frankie said to Ethan as she came out of her office. She'd made him wait for nearly thirty minutes while she'd finished up a meeting with the team owner. "And if you think you can change it, you're mistaken. I am the only one who knows the counterspell..."
"That's not why I'm here, but it's always a pleasure to see you too," Ethan said, biting back a more sarcastic response.
"Oh," Frankie said. "What is it? I thought you were working."
"This is my lunch break, of which I have exactly twenty five minutes left of," Ethan said, looking at his watch.
"I'm sorry," Frankie said leading him into her office. "I couldn't very well tell my boss that he had to wait because you hated your wall colour."
"It's all right," Ethan replied. "I have a huge favour to ask of you though, and it doesn't involve the flat."
"Okay," Frankie said sitting down in her desk chair. "Shoot."
"Well," he began. "You know how Saffy was in a strop with me because of what I told R.J.?"
"Was?" Frankie asked. "I thought that she was still in one with you."
"Just a bit," Ethan said. "Mum told me she's planning on sending me another Howler with a hex inside." he shook his head. "Knowing how she is... I'm a bit scared actually."
"You should be," Frankie said. "But I still don't understand what I have to do with it."
"I was hoping perhaps you could get me two tickets to that big game over the Easter hols," Ethan said.
Frankie frowned. "Ethan that game's sold out, you know that."
His shoulders slumped a bit. "Yeah I know. That's why I was hoping you might be able to help me out." he stood up. "Don't worry about it Frankie. It was a shot in the dark."
"Wait!" Frankie called out to him. "I think I know where I can get you and Saffy some tickets."
"You do?" he brightened.
"One of the blokes on the team owes me big," Frankie said. "Just between you and me I covered up an embarrassing incident between him and this witch who said...well, that's not important. The important thing is that the players are allotted a certain number of tickets. I'll just make sure he gives me two of his."
Ethan hugged her. "Frankie you are a lifesaver! Me and my arse that Saffy was going to fry owe you big time."
"You just keep your mouth shut about who your sister does and doesn't fancy," Frankie said with a laugh. "And it's the least I can do with how you helped me that night at the club."
"That doesn't even begin to cover this," Ethan said gratefully. "You know what a big Quidditch fanatic Saffy is. I'm hoping she'll never get mad at me again after this."
"I know it'll mean the world to her," Frankie said smiling at him.
"You are the best," Ethan grinned. "If you didn't have Will and I didn't have Maddie I might even kiss you right now." he teased.
"I just might let you," she said winking at him. At the look on his face, she giggled. "Only kidding, Ethan. We'd kill each other."
"You might redecorate more than just my flat," Ethan laughed.
"Exactly," Frankie said. "So when does Saffy get back?'
"She's coming home the weekend before the hols start." Ethan said. "Mads and I are going shopping for a birthday gift for her tomorrow."
"How do you think she'd like meeting some of the players?" Frankie asked.
"She'd probably go through the roof," Ethan replied. "Puddlemere IS her favourite team after all."
"I'll see if I can arrange something," Frankie promised.
"You are the best Frankie," Ethan kissed her cheek. "Remind me of that next time I give you a hard time about something?"
"I will," Frankie said. "I plan on holding this over your head for a long, long time."
"I look forward to it," Ethan joked.
The next day, Maddie and Ethan were shopping in Diagon Alley for a present for Saffron. They'd been in and out of two shops already and Ethan still had no idea what to buy his sister. Every option he decided on, Maddie shot down.
"Do you think I could just count the tickets as the present?" he asked.
"Not if you want to keep your head," Maddie replied, absently fingering some robes.
"Right," he said. "You know she's not really into clothes. I mean she is, but she's not like Aunt Lav into it, you know?"
Maddie smiled and shook her head. "We'll find something," she said. "It just has to be the right something."
"The right something," Ethan mumbled.
"Ethan don't lose faith," Maddie laughed. "The day is still young and we have loads of stores to go through!"
Ethan groaned. "Not helping my mood any Mads."
"I know something that will," she said, giving him a mischievous grin.
"We're going to go home?" he asked hopefully.
"No silly," she gave him a kiss. "We'll go get some ice cream and then we'll start shopping again."
"That's more like it," Ethan said happy to get out of this boutique. "Let's go."
"You sure are crabby when you shop," Maddie said, amused. "You weren't this crabby that one time we went Christmas shopping together."
"I'm not crabby," he said defensively. "Shopping's just not one of my favourite things in the world to do."
"But you get to spend time with me," Maddie smiled at him. "And I do know you like that."
"That goes without saying," he said squeezing her hand.
Maddie snuggled under his arm as they walked along. "I want chocolate chip ice cream," she said happily.
"And you'll end up wanting some of whatever I have," he teased. "Like usual."
"Is that such a bad thing?" Maddie over at him.
"No," he said shaking his head. "Not at all."
"Right," Maddie kissed him. "And I think it's very sweet that you got those tickets to the game for you and Saffy."
"I feel bad," he said. "The only letter I get from my sister for weeks is a howler. She used to owl me at least once a week."
"Well I thought you said you were going to send her a letter back apologising," Maddie commented as they went into Florean Fortescue's.
"I really did mean to," Ethan said. "You know that. I've just been busy."
"Would you like me to help you write a letter?" Maddie offered.
"No, that's okay," he replied as they joined the queue. "I told mum and dad I'd pick her up from King's Cross. I wanted to surprise her."
"She won't be able to hex you outside of school," Maddie teased as they ordered sundaes.
"One of the reasons I volunteered to pick her up," he said.
Maddie laughed. "You're really scared of your sister aren't you?"
"Just a little," Ethan admitted.
Maddie couldn't stop laughing. "If she only knew that..."
"Don't you go telling her that," Ethan said. "I'll never hear the end of it."
"Your secret is safe with me," Maddie said, digging into her ice cream.
"So I imagine your parents are looking forward to having R.J. home," Ethan said. "And I promise I won't say anything more to him about Saffy."
"Actually it's interesting you should say that," Maddie said, helping herself to a spoonful of Ethan's sundae. "He's dating Alexa- Saffy's best friend?"
Ethan laughed. "Alexa O'Leary? Are you sure?"
Maddie nodded. "He even wrote home to Mum and Dad about her."
"That scoundrel," Ethan said. "He chucks my sister to go out with her best friend."
"Ethan James," Maddie gave him a warning look.
"This is my baby sister we're talking about," Ethan pointed out. "And your baby brother. And...and I am going to keep my big mouth out of their business."
"That's good," Maddie smiled. "I don't think Saffy thinks of R.J. in a romantic way. They're just good friends is all. Besides, Alexa is a lovely girl."
"I know that," Ethan said. "It's just she seems quiet and shy. Not someone who you'd picture R.J. with."
"Well a lot of people wouldn't have pictured me with you," Maddie pointed out. "And look how happy we are."
"Exactly," Ethan said a smile playing on his face as he watched Maddie dip her spoon into his sundae. "Mads? You have exactly the same thing as me. Why are you eating mine?"
"Because it tastes better?" she gave him her best grin.
"Oh okay," he said laughing. "That makes sense."
"Well yours is bigger," Maddie said. "And you can spare a bit."
"You're not even done with yours!" Ethan pointed out.
"So?" Maddie grinned at him again.
"The logic of the Weasleys," Ethan said grinning back at her.
"Bet you wish you were one," Maddie said with a laugh.
"When you and I get married I will be one," he said.
It always thrilled her to hear that. "When we get married," she said dreamily. "I'll get to be a Potter."
"And my two sisters already like you better than me," he pointed out. "At least Saffy does."
"After you tell her where you're taking her, I think she'll forgive you," Maddie laughed as she finished her sundae and started going for his again.
Ethan was very happy that his younger sister couldn't use magic outside of school. He had a bad feeling that the moment she saw him, she might have been tempted to hex him or even worse.
"Madeline Molly Weasley, would you let me have some of this? For Merlin's sake, I've only had two bites."
"Oh come on Ethan," Maddie said. "This place makes the best sundaes!"
Ethan pulled his dish back from her. "Here's an idea, Maddie. You could just order another one."
"But yours tastes so much better," Maddie said again.
"You know when Justin takes Sarah out," Ethan said. "She hardly eats anything and he gets to eat her food as well as his own. When I take you out, you end up eating yours and then sampling on mine...."
Maddie grinned. "Don't you like a girl that eats?"
"I love a girl that eats," Ethan said laughing. "I'm just pointing out that you, my love are a very unique person and I love you for it, but please let me have this."
"All right, all right." Maddie took one more spoonful. "I'll stop."
"That's might generous of you," Ethan said smiling at her. "Considering I hardly have anything left."
"You have half left," Maddie pointed out.
"Go ahead and finish it," Ethan said handing her his spoon. "But when we get home I am going to make myself the biggest sandwich you have ever seen and you cannot have any of it."
"Not even a bite?" Maddie asked his spoon already poised above the dish.
"I know you and your bites," he said folding his arms. "You can sit and watch me eat it."
"Ethan James!" Maddie said.
"Since you are helping me find something for Saffy, I guess you could have one bite," Ethan said thoughtfully. "But just one."
Maddie grinned. "Open up," she said, heaping the spoon with ice cream.
"This is a first," he said doing as she'd asked.
She laughed. "What, me giving up ice cream?"
Ethan nodded.
"You say that like it's a bad thing," Maddie replied lightly.
"It's not," he said. "I'm just pleasantly surprised is all."
"Okay then," Maddie leaned in and kissed him.
"That's much better than a sundae," he said.
"I'm much sweeter," Maddie teased.
Ethan smiled. "Yes you are."
"All right," Maddie dropped the spoon in the empty dish. "Back to shopping."
Ethan groaned as he got up from his seat. He still had no idea what to get his sister. "We've shot down clothes and I don't want to get her jewellery, she'd just lose it. What about a dog?"
"She'd probably love that but I don't think your parents want to take care of it while she's away at school," Maddie said sensibly.
"True," Ethan said. "I hadn't thought about that. She already has an owl. I guess a pet of any sort is out of the question."
He followed Maddie out onto the sidewalk. "Maybe a book?"
"You can't go wrong with a book," Maddie said, biting her lower lip in thought. "But it's got to be a good book, not just any old thing."
"She has so many already," Ethan said remembering his sister's bedroom at home with it's three large bookshelves.
"Yes I know," Maddie giggled. "She's just like your mum."
"Pretty much," Ethan said with a laugh. "Except for the whole flying thing."
"Right," Maddie said. "Well... come to think of it- I was looking in the newspaper and they had an article about this new set of flying manuals coming out. We could check and see if those are in- I bet Saffy would love to have those."
Ethan beamed at his girlfriend. "Mads, you're a genius! Saffy would freak over those."
Maddie laughed. "See, shopping isn't all bad."
"Not with the right person," he said giving her a kiss.
*** *** ***
After checking in at the Ministry, Julie headed down the corridor to her father's office. She hoped he was in and not off on an assignment, as she wanted to talk to him about the teaching job at Hogwarts. His door was closed and she knocked hesitantly, hoping she wasn't interrupting anything.
"Come in," Harry said absently from behind his desk. He was writing up a report of the latest raid.
"Hi Dad," Julie peeked around the door.
Harry looked up from his paperwork and smiled. "Jules, what are you doing here sweetheart?"
"I wanted to talk to you," Julie said, closing the door behind her. "Oh, and give you these to take home." she handed him some Muggle portraits of Ashley and Katie that they'd recently had done.
Harry grinned as he looked at the portraits. "These two are going to break a lot of hearts when they get older."
"Yes they are," Julie agreed with a laugh. "Just don't say that to Nick. He doesn't want to think of his baby girls growing up and dating."
"Let's just hope he doesn't have to go through what poor Nev went through with Frankie," Harry joked. He set the portraits down on his desk, knowing Hermione would love to see them. "So what's this you have to talk to me about?"
"Well it's about what you said to Nick when you came by the other day," Julie said, sitting down. "About that teaching job at Hogwarts..."
"He told you about that did he?" Harry asked. "You know I've been thinking a lot about that too. More than I thought i would actually."
"So you're going to take it?" Julie was half relieved and half disappointed.
Harry leaned back in his chair. "I haven't really made up my mind yet to tell you the truth."
"Well I was thinking about it too," Julie confessed. "I mean, I don't know if they'd even want me or not."
Harry looked across the desk at his daughter. "I told Nick you'd be perfect for the job. Even better than me."
"You really think so?" Julie asked.
"Are you kidding me?" Harry asked. "Jules, you'd be perfect."
"But I don't know nearly as much about Dark Arts as you do," Julie said.
"Jules you got top marks in the course you're entire time at Hogwarts," he reminded her.
"Only because you owled me when I asked for help on my essays," Julie grinned.
Harry laughed. "That's true."
"Look Dad if you're thinking of taking the job I don't want to stand in your way. Like I said, they haven't even approached me to do it." Julie tucked her hair behind her ear.
"I haven't made a decision yet," Harry said honestly. "I love my job. I feel like I've made a real difference here, you know? And you know how it is when you've been somewhere for so long and you start to wonder what it would be like to try something new? To have a new challenge?"
Julie nodded. "I'd love to be able to use magic more often. I love teaching Muggle children but it'd be interesting to take on something different too."
"Do you want to know something?" he asked his daughter. "Dumbledore was the one who suggested you to me..."
"Really?" Julie asked incredulously.
Harry nodded. "He knows what a great teacher you are."
Julie flushed with pride. "I didn't realise he checked up on me."
"He has," Harry told her. "And he realises that the only detriment would be that you haven't had any experience teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts."
"Another thing is," Julie said. "I don't want to be away from Nick and the girls for the whole school year."
Harry nodded. "If you really wanted this, you could find some way to make it work."
Julie was quiet a moment. "Do you think I'd be able to work it out so I came home every night through the Floo network?"
"I think that's possible," Harry said. "Why don't you try and talk with Dumbledore about this? I could set something up for you if you wanted..."
"Let me talk it over with Nick tonight," Julie said slowly. "I would have to give notice at Kirkland that I won't be coming back next year if I did decide to do this."
"Okay," he said smiling at his daughter.
"Thanks Dad," Julie hugged him. "Listen we want to have you and mum over for dinner on Saturday night if possible."
"We'd love that," Harry said hugging her back. "Katie and Ashley still fighting up a storm?"
"Every day it's something new," Julie said with a laugh. "Greta says it's most likely just a phase."
"Hasn't she been saying that for quite some time?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Julie shook her head. "And what's this going on between Saffy and Ethan? She wrote to me asking if I knew any good hexes... what's so funny?"
It took Harry a few moments to regain his composure. "Your brother decided to tell R.J. that Saffron had a crush on him, which she didn't. To make a long story short, she sent him a howler threatening to make him pay for what he'd done and as far as I know, they're not speaking to each other."
Julie shook her head. "Aren't you glad I was mature enough to spare you all that?" she joked.
"More than you know," Harry said still laughing.
"I'll have to tell Ethan and Saffy to forgive and forget," Julie grinned. "Words from the wise older sister."
"They'll probably not listen to you," Harry said. "They're not listening to your mum or me about it."
"They'll get over it eventually," Julie said. "I've got to go Dad. Thanks for hearing me out."
"I'm glad you came by," he said giving her one last hug. "I'm really proud of you Jules."
"Thanks Dad," Julie said. "You make sure Mum sees those pictures. She's been owling me for a week about them."
"I will," Harry promised. "In fact, I could probably run them up to her now."
"I would do it myself but I really do have to go." Julie said. "We'll expect you by on Saturday then. The girls will be so excited. Ashley has new artwork for you both to see."
"Give them a big hug and kiss for me," he said walking his daughter out.
"I will," Julie promised. "Love you Dad."
"Love you too Jules," Harry said.
He went back into his office to retrieve the portraits and then headed off to the lifts. He wanted to show his wife the pictures, but he also wanted to let her know about Julie.
Hermione was busy writing up a speech she was to give at a convention in a few days when a knock interrupted her. "Come in," she said crossly; she hated to be interrupted when she had so much work to do.
As Harry opened the door, he saw his wife hunched over her desk furiously writing. She didn't even look up as he came inside.
"Minister Potter," he said lowering his voice. "Haven't you ever heard that all work and no play..."
Hermione jumped. "Harry James-" she started to scold.
"Yes, yes," he said dismissively. "Don't blame Sam for this, he told me to enter at my own risk."
She sat back and rubbed her eyes. "You'd think I wouldn't have to write my own speeches," she complained. "I hate writing them more than I hate giving them."
"You said you always loved doing that," he said walking behind his wife's desk. He set the portraits down and then began to massage her shoulders.
"Well I don't like it very much right now," Hermione tried to stay annoyed but Harry was making it quite impossible. "What brings you up here?"
"Julie stopped by," Harry explained. "Those pictures there are Katie and Ashley's portraits."
"Oh," Hermione pulled them over. "Oh Harry these are so sweet. Look how gorgeous Ashley's getting. And Katie's so pretty too!"
"They're growing up so fast," Harry said.
"I can't believe Ashley's eight now," Hermione mused.
"And Katie's six going on 30," Harry said.
"She wants to be treated older than Ash," Hermione laughed.
"Julie and Nick are going to have their hands full with Katie," Harry said only half joking.
"Katie's a good girl," Hermione said. "All kids are a handful at some point."
"I bet you weren't," Harry said smiling at her.
Hermione laid her head on the back of the chair and smiled up at him. "I was perfect," she joked. "Until I met you."
"Never broke a rule or put one toe over the line?" he asked.
Hermione shook her head. "Ask my dad." she said. "Lavender, after she moved in, gave them more grief than I ever did."
"But she never snuck out to go and shag her boyfriend, did she?" he asked.
Hermione turned red. "You were said boyfriend," she reminded him.
"I know," he said grinning at her. "For someone who had no experience breaking the rules, you certainly did a good job that summer. I was very impressed and not just with that either."
"What else did Julie come by for?" Hermione tossed her quill down and moved into her husband's arms.
Harry gave his wife a long, lingering kiss before telling her about Julie.
"She's thinking about interviewing for the job at Hogwarts," he said.
"She is?" Hermione asked in surprise. "I didn't think she was interested in teaching there."
"I think she's changing her mind," Harry said. "I think she misses using magic all the time."
"What's she going to do about living situation?" Hermione asked, resting her forehead against Harry's. "I mean, she's not going to want to live away from Nick and the girls."
"That's something she's have to talk to Dumbledore about," Harry replied. "It is possible she could teach during the day and floo home at night. Or they could move to Hogsmeade.."
"She'd get to see Saffy all the time," Hermione said as he rubbed her back through her robes. "And when Ashley and Katie get to Hogwarts she'd be with them all the time too."
"I know," Harry said. "I think she really wants to try this Hermione. You should have seen her face when she was talking about it."
"I think it'd be good for her," Hermione mused. "Everyone goes through some sort of career change at some point. Well except for you," she grinned. "You've always been an Auror and me, I'll always be Minister until I retire."
"When I came in here you looked like you would love to retire right now," he said. "You ever think of making a career change?"
Hermione shook her head. "This is what I've wanted to do since I found out I was a witch," she said. "And it's got it's ups and downs, just like any job."
"What about being Headmaster of Hogwarts?" he asked.
"I should think you would be well suited for that," Hermione replied.
"Me?" Harry asked shaking his head. "No thank you. I remember what a pain in the arse I was when Ron and I were in school. I don't think I'd want to deal with that on a regular basis."
"What brought that about?" Hermione asked. "Nothing's happened to Dumbledore right? I'm sure I'd have heard about it if--"
"He hasn't told anyone yet officially," Harry said. "But he's thinking he's going to step down after this year is out. He's been at it for quite some time."
Hermione's eyebrows raised. "This is interesting news," she mused.
"You can add finding a new headmaster to your priorities list," Harry told his wife.
"What about McGonagall?" Hermione named the woman Harry had often talked about who was head of Gryffindor house. "She's been there at least as long as he has, right?"
"Yes," Harry said. "But between you and me, I think she'll step down when he does."
"And Snape definitely would not have my support to become Headmaster," Hermione said. "I don't know how you put up with that insufferable man for seven years Harry."
"Neither do I," Harry said. "Can you imagine the look on his face if he knew my daughter was going to be a colleague of his? And not only that, for the job he himself has wanted for so long."
Hermione began to laugh. "I'd pay to have someone there with a camera. In fact, I may just send a reporter there to cover it specifically for that purpose."
Harry laughed too, but then he became serious again. "If Julie really wants this, I'm not going to stand in her way, Hermione. I'd take myself out of the running."
"You're sweet," Hermione said. "Especially since you seemed to be interested in taking the job yourself."
Harry rested his forehead on his wife's. "I did, but you want to know something?"
"Hmm?" Hermione closed her eyes.
"I really like being an Auror Hermione," he said. "But you know it never really meant that much to me until the day Ethan joined up. And with him just starting out, I want to be here to help him when I can. Does that make sense?"
"Of course it does," Hermione gave him a kiss. "Makes perfect sense to me."
"He's so good Hermione," Harry said proudly. "He still has a lot to learn, mind you..."
"He's like you Harry," Hermione says. "He buckles down and gets to whatever task he has to do."
Harry smiled. "I can't even begin to put into words how proud I am of him, Hermione."
"I am too," Hermione said. "I'm proud of all our kids."
"Me too," Harry said. "We lucked out."
"Yes we did," Hermione said. "I lucked out. I never thought my life would be this good. Minister, three amazing kids, and the Sexiest Wizard Alive for a husband..."
"You know Ron is demanding a recount on that last one," Harry said.
"He's just jealous," Hermione said dismissively. "You've had it in the bag for ten years and running now Harry."
Harry puffed out his chest. "Please remind him of that next time you see him."
"Oh I will," Hermione grinned.
"I was going to take a couple weeks off for Saffy's Easter hols," Harry said. "I wanted to work with her on her flying."
"She'll love that," Hermione sat back down at her desk.
"She really wants to make the house team," he said. "I promised I'd work with her during the summer too."
"She's really serious about wanting to play Quidditch professionally isn't she?" Hermione remarked.
"I know you're not that crazy about it," he said. "But she really loves it Hermione. And she's already so much better than I was at her age."
"As long as she takes all precautions and is safe," Hermione began scratching her quill over the parchment again.
Harry knew his wife was returning to work mode. He kissed the top of her head. "I'm making you dinner tonight Madam. And for dessert...."
"A replay of what we did the other night?" Hermione hid her smile.
"You read my mind," he said grinning at the memory of it.
"I'll be home as early as I can," she promised.
"Don't work too hard," he cautioned.
"Will you punish me later if I do?" Hermione asked coyly, looking up as he moved towards the door.
Harry just winked at his wife before letting himself out.