Only one more to go till 100 ;) We hope you guys enjoy this one- it's got H/Hr and a flashback to some pre Hillsdale nights times. As always, don't forget to review!
Hermione was deeply absorbed in some new paperwork depicting new laws for the House Elves that she and Samuel had come up with when a knock on her door made her jump. "Come in," she called, expecting to see her assistant.
"Minister Potter," Harry said grinning at her.
"Well hello Head Auror Potter," Hermione grinned back. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"This," Harry said handing her his folded copy of today's newspaper.
Hermione scanned it. "Flock of Doxies scare ghosts out of home?" she asked, amused.
Harry rolled his eyes. "The listings under it, love."
Hermione laughed. "What about them?" she asked when a familiar address caught her eye.
"It's on the market," Harry said.
"The cottage," Hermione said wistfully. "Oh Harry..."
"I know," he said smiling at her. "I thought you'd want to see it."
"I wish we could just go through it again," Hermione said, tracing over the address with her finger.
"We can," Harry said. "The estate agent said we were welcome to by and take a look anytime we wanted."
"Harry did you tell her you wanted to buy it?" Hermione asked. "We shouldn't be telling false stories--"
"It's not what you think," Harry interjected. "I was....I was thinking it might make a nice wedding present for Ethan and Maddie."
Hermione stared at him with wide eyes. "You want to give them the cottage as a wedding gift?"
Harry nodded. "It is where they first met each other. Maddie was just a baby, but...."
"That's a lovely idea Harry," Hermione said. "And we can certainly afford it... but a whole house?"
"We'd run it past them of course," Harry said. "They may want to stay in Ethan's flat. But, we lost the cottage once before, Hermione. I don't want to let that happen again."
"I don't either," Hermione said. "I mean, I can see us retiring there Harry."
"You want to keep it for us then?" Harry asked.
Hermione thought for a moment. "I think... perhaps... if Ethan and Maddie would like it, let's give it to them. It would be a perfect first home for them, as it was for us. And then when they start having a family, we can buy it off them. That way, they'll have money for a bigger home as well as their savings."
"Our first home," Harry said coming behind her desk and putting his arms around her.
***
"Mum when are the Weasley's going to get here?" Julie asked eager to see their new baby Madeline.
"They'll be here soon," Hermione said. "You know they always run a little late."
Harry and Ethan were in the sitting room playing an impromptu game of catch. The three-year old boy was looking more and more like his father every single day.
"Ethan I bet you're excited to have Josh and Jon come over," Julie said, sitting down on the sofa.
Ethan nodded and laughed as Harry missed the ball.
"Daddy missed," Ethan said chuckling.
"You little..." Harry said, chortling.
"Face it Dad," Julie teased. "You're getting old. The reflexes just aren't the same anymore..."
"Daddy old," Ethan laughed.
"Ethan, let's not ever say that again, okay?" Harry asked throwing the ball back to his son. "Daddy is not getting old. Daddy is never getting old."
Ethan tossed the ball back. "Daddy very old."
Julie snickered. "Ethan, you are priceless!"
"Priceless my arse." Harry grumbled.
"Professor Dumbledore says that you're only as old as you feel," Julie said. "And he's ancient, Dad."
"That's true," Harry said. "Come on Ethan. Let's get you a biscuit."
"Mum?" Julie asked. "Will you go over my essay later on? It's not due until after the holidays, but I wanted to get a head start and I'd really like it if you'd go over it for me."
"I'd be happy to love," Hermione said, coming in the room with some butterbeer and soda on a little tray.
"Thanks," Julie said leaning back on the sofa. "I love being home."
"We love having you home," Hermione smiled at her.
"Free babysitting," Julie said giggling.
"You mean you don't like spending time with your baby brother?" Hermione teased.
"I love spending time with him," Julie said still laughing. "Sometimes, I wish we were closer in age...I'm sorry, Mum. I didn't mean it like that...."
"I know you didn't," Hermione patted her shoulder. "I'm so glad the two of you get along."
"I love Ethan," Julie said. "Especially when he and I gang up against Dad."
Outside on the front steps, Ron was carrying Maddie in her carrier and trying to protect her from the cold and wind.
"You better not say anything to embarrass me, Jon," Josh hissed to his twin.
"Who me?" Jon wore an angelic expression.
"Yes you," Josh said glaring at him.
"Mummy, ring the doorbell, it's freezing out here!" Darla said cosying up to her mother for warmth.
"I'm trying sweetheart," Luna said with a laugh. "You'll have to let go of me."
"Okay," Darla said giggling. Luna rang the doorbell.
"I mean it, Jon," Josh said looking at him. "If you do or say anything, I swear that if you ever fancy some girl, I'll make your life a living hell!"
"Shut up," Jon rolled his eyes. "I won't tell her." he crossed his fingers behind his back.
Julie swung open the door. "Where is she?"
"Right here," Ron said holding up the carrier. "Wide awake too. Take advantage of it while you can."
Julie squealed as she pulled the carrier away from Ron. "She's so gorgeous!" she gushed. "Hello little Maddie!"
"You can take her out of there if you want," Luna said smiling at Julie's enthusiasm.
"Hi Jules," Josh said nervously, but the girl was so caught up in Maddie that she hadn't heard.
"Mum, Dad!" Julie called as Ron shut the door. "Everyone's here." she carefully pulled back the blanket and lifted Maddie out of the carrier. "Hello," she cooed.
"Jon!" Ethan called out running toward the older boy.
"Hiya Ethan," Jon said giving the boy a high five.
"I have new toys," Ethan said.
"Like what?" Jon asked.
"Can we see too?" Drew chimed in.
"Trucks," Ethan said.
"Let's go see then," Jon said and he and his sisters followed Ethan to his bedroom.
"You're not going with them?" Luna asked Josh.
"I'll stick around here," Josh replied, looking over at Julie.
Luna smiled and patted her son on the shoulder.
Hermione hurried into the room. "Luna, she's adorable!"
"I love her blonde hair," Julie said, not taking her eyes off the baby in her arms. "And she has the most gorgeous blue eyes."
"I like girls with brown hair and green eyes myself," Josh said then realising what he'd said turned beet red.
"What?" Julie asked. "I didn't catch that?"
"Nothing," Josh replied, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
"Luna's dad says she's the spitting image of Luna when she was born," Ron said gazing adoringly at his daughter.
"And she's already got Ron wrapped around her little finger," Luna teased.
"Can you blame me?" Ron kissed his baby daughter. "Where's that lazy bum Potter?"
"Right behind you, big mouth Weasley," Harry said dryly.
"Hey mate," Ron grinned widely.
"So here is number five," Harry said. "And are there any plans for number six?"
"Bite your tongue," Luna said. "I think I've done my duty. We're out."
"Don't forget my mum had seven," Ron replied.
"Oh are you planning on having the next one then?" Luna asked him folding her arms. "I'd like to see you give birth to two sets of twins and then another daughter and you tell me how ready you are to go through it again, Ronald."
Ron grinned. "I got to eat the leftovers of all her cravings," he said, making them all laugh.
"We're done," Luna said firmly.
"You never know," Ron said winking at her. "My boys sure can swim..."
"Ewww! Uncle Ron!" Julie said her face scrunching up in disgust.
"Aye," Harry looked ill. "That's way too much information Ron."
"You're one to talk," Ron scoffed. "How many times have I listened to you go on and on about sha--"
Luna stuffed a breadstick into Ron's mouth. "What's for dinner?" she asked, changing the subject.
"I made lasagne," Hermione said proudly.
"It's all Ethan wants to eat now," Julie said with a laugh.
"Where is he at?" Luna asked.
"I think he dragged Jon and the girls off to see his toys," Harry said as Julie finally gave Maddie up to Hermione.
"Grandpa bought him all these Muggle trucks," Julie explained. "And a track to go with it."
"I think your Grandpa was excited about it as Ethan," Harry said.
"It was cute watching them put it together," Hermione grinned at the baby in her arms.
"You okay Josh?" Julie asked when she caught him staring at her.
"Yeah," he shook his head. "Sorry, I'm just sort of tired."
"You shouldn't be tired," she teased playfully hitting his arm. "We're on hols. You should be sleeping in and being lazy."
"That's not easy when your twin brother sleeps five feet away and snores like a roaring lion," Josh said dryly.
"Better than Joshie," Jon replied, coming into the kitchen. "All he does is moan in his sleep. And call out... certain names." he grinned wickedly.
"Josh," Julie said smiling at him. "Where is that little boy who told me just last year that he hated girls and would never ever fancy one?"
"Jon's just kidding around," Josh's face was bright red as he gave his twin a murderous look.
Josh and Jon were now in their second year at Hogwarts and Josh had kept to himself most of the time. It had been Julie who had encouraged him to sit with her and Chiaki in the Great Hall and she'd been a really good friend to him.
"I can't wait until you get to go to Hogsmeade," Julie said grinning at him. "You'll have a blast, Josh. Really."
"You'll have to show me all the sights," Josh said.
"I'll be your tour guide," Julie said winking at him.
"Julie, can you help me with something in the kitchen?" Hermione asked. Julie nodded and followed her mother out of the room.
"You think she likes 12 year old blokes?" Jon asked thoughtfully to his brother. "Joshie, give it up."
"Shut up," Josh said through clenched teeth. "She's my friend."
"Don't say I didn't warn you," Jon said helping himself to a breadstick.
"Ethan?" Harry asked his son. "You want to meet Maddie?"
"Who's that?" Ethan asked.
Harry sat down with Maddie cradled in his arms. "This is Maddie. Remember? She's Uncle Ron and Aunt Luna's new baby."
"Oh," Ethan climbed onto the sofa next to his father and stared down with wide eyes. "She's small Daddy."
"You were little like this too," Harry said smiling at him. "Not too long ago, little man."
"I was?" Ethan's eyes were round as Maddie's blue eyed gaze fastened on him. "Daddy she likes me," he grinned as the baby smiled toothlessly.
"I think she does," Harry said grinning down at the baby. "Maybe someday you and Maddie will be mates."
"Mates?" Ethan asked curiously. "What is mates?"
"Friends," Harry replied.
"Oh," Ethan nodded. "Okay."
Maddie was still looking up at Ethan and he looked quizzically at his father. "Can she play?"
"Not yet little man," Harry chuckled. "Give it a few years."
"It's so great that our kids can be friends like this," Luna said softly. "Julie, Chiaki and Josh and Jon at Hogwarts now. And little Allie just started."
"I know," Hermione replied with a grin. "It's amazing how it started as a group of us and now there's so many."
"Mostly from Ron and Luna," Harry joked.
"What can I say?" Ron asked cheekily. "I'm a Weasley."
Luna nudged him. "You're getting as bad as Harry."
"Hey!" Harry said with mock indignation.
"Don't compare me to him," Ron finished, laughing.
"Because you pale in comparison," Harry said smugly.
"Do not," Ron said, helping himself to another breadstick.
"Do too," Harry retorted.
"My hair is brighter than yours," Ron pointed out. "And you're paler than me Potter."
"And he is taller than you Uncle Harry," Jon chimed in.
Ron gave him a smug grin.
"Not that much," Harry said defensively.
"And he is older than you," Josh said.
"He plays chess better," Drew contributed, making Hermione laugh.
"Daddy's best," Ethan said loyally.
"That's right," Harry said as he handed Maddie to Ron and scooped his son up. "Ethan want to show everyone how you fly?"
Ethan nodded eagerly. "Watch this!"
Harry held him up over his head and proceeded to spin him around. "Ethan's flying!" he laughed.
Julie and Hermione came back into the sitting room to watch. The look of pure joy on Ethan's face made Hermione smile.
"He loves it when you do that, Dad," Julie said laughing.
"He loves to fly," Harry said with a grin, enjoying his son's laughter.
"I used to get scared even when you did that to me," Julie said. "I guess some of us weren't meant to fly."
"You're like me," Hermione replied. "I've never been fond of it."
"I love flying with Ronald," Luna said dreamily.
"I'm damn good at it," Ron said, putting his free arm around his wife.
"You know," Josh said shuffling his feet and looking down at the carpet. "Jules, you might like flying if you flew with the right person, you know...."
"I don't know," Julie said with a grin. "If my dad couldn't even get me to enjoy it, I don't know how any other bloke will."
"Told you so," Jon whispered in his brother's ear.
Josh elbowed his twin's side. "Maybe I can show you a few tricks sometime," he offered. "I'm pretty good at flying."
"Maybe," Julie said. "But I'm really hopeless at it, Josh. I'd probably grab on to your waist and cut off your breathing or something."
"It's okay," he muttered shyly. "I don't mind."
"Maybe we could work something out when we get back to school," Julie said.
"Okay," Josh shot a triumphant look at Jon. "Let's plan on it Jules."
"Perhaps you could even get Allie to come with you," Luna suggested. "I do hope that you are making an effort to include her since this is her first year."
"Sure Mum," Jon said. "She IS my wife after all. Like Paddington was Josh's."
"Shut up, Jon," Josh said glaring at him.
"That was the cutest thing ever," Luna said. "The three of you out on the deck with Paddy! I think we still have those pictures somewhere."
"Let's keep them hidden," Jon said hastily. "I was only joking."
"Okay," Luna said mussing his hair.
"Daddy, when are we going to eat?" Drew asked tugging on her father's arm. "I'm hungry."
"I'm hungry too," Ron said, looking at Harry. "Mate, where's the chow?"
"It's ready," Hermione said. "Julie and I were just coming out to let you know."
"All right!" Ron said happily. "Hermione I must admit, you make the best lasagne I've ever had."
Hermione grinned. "Thank you, Ron. I'm quite proud of it myself."
"Sometimes I even close my eyes and dream about it," Ron said seriously. "It's that damn good."
"You dream about food?" Harry asked him.
"He talks in his sleep," Luna said, setting Maddie into her carrier. "Talks about pasta, and Chocolate Frogs... butterbeer... his mum's biscuits..."
"You are a very strange man," Harry said shaking his head.
"And your best mate," Ron grinned at him. "So what does that make you?"
"Crazy," Harry said dryly.
"And I'm Loony," Luna interjected. "Let's have a nice meal now." she said, getting up to help Hermione.
Josh quickly manoeuvred it so he could sit down beside Julie.
"Are you hungry?" Julie asked him. "I made the garlic bread and the salad."
"I'm starving," Josh admitted grinning at her. "And I love garlic bread and salad. Those are my two favourite things actually and I'm sure you did a great job, Julie. You always do actually with everything..."
"Thanks Josh," she smiled at him. "Didn't you want me to help you out with that Charms assignment you got? We can go over it before we get back to school if you want."
Josh beamed at her. "Thanks, Julie. That'd be great."
"Maybe we can get together day after tomorrow," Julie said. "I'll Floo over to your house and we can work on it."
Josh beamed at this. "Sounds great!" he replied happily.
"How are things at the shoppe, Ron?" Harry asked.
"Great," Ron replied, helping himself to six pieces of bread. "Actually, Fred and George were talking to me just today about possibly being in charge of all the shops they have in Ireland."
Drew giggled. "Daddy! We don't live in Ireland!"
"We might if this works out," Ron said. "I'd be making a lot more money."
"Move?" Darla asked. "But it's so far away!"
"It's not that far away baby," Luna reassured her. "And we can floo over to see our friends and family anytime we want."
"That's right," Hermione smiled at her. "Ireland is still very close by."
"I don't want to go," Drew said folding her arms. "I'll live with Nana and Grandpa."
"You can't!" Darla squealed. "You're supposed to be with us!"
"Nothing's definite yet," Ron told his daughters. "So don't you both worry those little red heads of yours."
Drew let out a sigh of relief. "You should always be with your family, Daddy."
"Yes," Ron nodded. "Family is very important."
"Yes it is," Hermione agreed.
"And I read in the Daily Prophet about you being one of the movers and shakers in the Ministry," Ron said. "You still planning on complete and utter domination? Are you going to throw your hat in the ring to be the next Minister for Magic?"
"I definitely am," Hermione said with a grin. "I'm working closely with Minister Draven in bringing some rights to the House Elves."
"I happen to know one house elf that would be happy to hear that," Harry said.
"Not that mad Dobby!" Ron said shaking his head.
"Dobby was a great House Elf," Harry protested. "He helped me out many a time."
"He was stark raving mad," Ron said.
"I like him," Hermione said. "I've knitted now a dozen hats."
Luna giggled. "He always liked to wear socks."
"He's always nice to me," Julie said. "He calls me Miss Julie Potter. I think it's sweet."
"He's very respectful," Harry said. "Dobby's a good elf."
"Mum wants to make sure they all get wages," Julie said proudly.
"Some of them aren't going to like that," Ron commented.
"Dobby will be happy to help out I'm sure," Luna smiled. "He always enjoyed the fact that Dumbledore paid him."
"Yes he did," Harry said nodding. "And I think it's great that Hermione wants to do this."
"I've always had a special place in my heart for them," Hermione confessed. "At Beauxbatons, I started this club S.P.E.W. and we...."
"Hang on," Ron said staring at her. "Spew?"
"S.P.E.W." Hermione corrected, giving him a dirty look. "Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare."
Ron chuckled. "That's priceless! Hermione, that spells out spew. You must have been the laughing stock of your school!"
Luna kicked Ron's shin under the table.
"Ow!" Ron yelped.
"Did you have any members, Aunt Hermione?" Drew asked.
"Well no," Hermione admitted. "Well, there was Lavender...."
"I think it sounds like a lovely idea," Luna replied. "Not many people care about House Elf rights and I think it will make a wonderful platform for you when you start to campaign for Minister someday."
"Well, I certainly wouldn't tell the media about spew if I were you," Ron said with his mouth full. "They'd eat that up, Hermione."
"Ronald it's S.P.E.W.," Hermione glared at him. "And if you want to keep your mouth so you can have it filled with food every time you turn around, I'd keep it closed at the moment."
"Good one, Mum," Julie said admiringly.
Ron swallowed and looked sheepishly at his plate.
"Yay, Mummy!" Ethan said clapping his little hands.
Hermione beamed at her son and daughter. "Thank you loves."
"How are things at headquarters, Uncle Harry?" Jon asked. "I think it's so cool that you're an Auror."
"Things are good," Harry grinned at him. "Pretty busy lately- Neville and I just cracked a pretty big case."
"What was it about?" Jon asked eagerly. Ethan, too, seemed to hang on his father's every word.
Harry chuckled. "I'm afraid I can't really talk too much about it. A lot of things that happen in Auror Headquarters have to be kept a secret."
"Did you send someone to Azkaban?" Jon asked. "You can tell us that, right?"
"Yes, we sent three people actually," Harry told him.
"What's Acerban?" Ethan stumbled over the word. "What is it Daddy?"
"Az-ka-ban," Harry corrected. "And it's the place where we send the bad people, Ethan."
"Bad?" Ethan asked.
"People who do bad things," Harry explained.
"Oh," Ethan said, digging back into his lasagne.
"It's amazing how much he looks like you," Luna said. "All he's missing is the glasses and the scar."
"And he's got Hermione's eyes," Harry said with a grin. "Other than that, he's my boy."
"Tells me he's going to be just like his Daddy," Hermione said smiling at her son.
Ethan looked up. "Just like Daddy," he nodded.
"What about you two?" Ron asked looking at his own sons. "You going to be just like me when you grow up?"
"Yeah right," Jon snorted, grinning at his father.
"Josh is going to be one of the Wizarding World's top barristers," Julie said grinning at her friend. "Aren't you, Josh?"
Josh turned red. "I'm going to try," he mumbled.
"You'll be brilliant," Julie reassured him.
Jon smirked at his brother. "You're flattering him too much Jules."
"Julie is the brilliant one," Josh said shyly, ignoring Jon.
"Not as brilliant as you are," Julie smiled at him. "If I ever need help with something involving law, I know you'll be there."
Luna leaned over and whispered in Ron's ear. "I think someone has a little crush."
"Who?" Ron whispered back.
Luna rolled her eyes. "I think Josh fancies Julie a little bit." she said in his ear so no one else could listen in.
"Really?" Ron asked looking at her in surprise. He turned to look at his son who was hanging onto Julie's every word.
Luna nudged him. "Don't call any attention to it."
"I wasn't going to," Ron replied.
Luna noticed Jon gearing up to tease his brother and she decided to head it off before he could get started.
"Jon, why don't you tell your Uncle Harry about that last match of yours. Twelve years old and already on the house team!"
"You don't say!" Harry replied. "What position do you play Jon?"
"Keeper," Jon replied. "We lost our first match to Hufflepuff, though."
"I was a seeker," Harry replied. "But my old team captain, Oliver Wood, told me a few tricks for his position as Keeper. I'll have to teach them to you sometime."
"That'd be great," Jon said gratefully. "I'd appreciate that, Uncle Harry."
"Oliver Wood," Luna said dreamily.
"You know, he is rather good looking," Hermione said. "Even I have to admit it."
"Tell me about it," Julie replied. "I used to keep posters of him in my bedroom."
"I could just listen to him talk for hours," Luna said in that same dreamy tone. "That accent!"
Harry and Ron looked at each other and rolled their eyes. "His accent is almost the same as ours," Harry pointed out.
"There's just something sexy about the way he says things," Luna said.
"Mum!" Josh said in disgust.
"That's really gross," Jon agreed.
"And besides that he's not that great," Ron said. "He's not the best Quidditch player in the world by any stretch of the imagination."
"He is too," Drew said. "Daddy you said just the other day that he was the best Puddlemere ever had."
"Yes, well they keep him around just because of his looks," Ron argued. "And Quidditch isn't about how good someone looks. It's about the game. Pure and simple and people like Oliver Wood are tarnishing the game."
Luna gazed at her husband in amusement. "You sound jealous Ronald."
"I'm not jealous," Ron said grumpily. "But I don't see you telling me that I have a sexy accent. You never told me that you could listen to me talk for hours..."
"I do listen to you talk for hours," Luna said. "I also watch you eat for hours, and sleep for hours and--"
"...for some strange reason you still love me?" Ron finished for her; a question in his voice.
"Of course I do," Luna gave him a kiss, much to the chagrin of their children, minus Maddie who was completely oblivious.
"Now that we're scarred for life," Jon joked.
"Like you haven't seen your parents kiss before," Ron said to him.
"We have way too much," Darla said giggling.
"At least you don't see your parents full on snogging every time you turn around," Julie teased, laughing at her parents.
"Ewww gross!" Drew exclaimed.
"Wait until you get older," Hermione smiled at her. "You'll be the same way with another bloke."
"Not me," Drew said shaking her head.
"I like that," Ron nodded in approval.
"You're going to meet someone some day when you get older," Luna told her daughter. "And you'll fall in love and you'll change your mind, Drew. I can guarantee that."
"Boys are gross," Darla said. "They have cooties."
"We don't have cooties," Josh said. "We're your brothers and we are boys."
"Yeah but you're our brothers so you don't count," Drew replied.
"Gee thanks," Jon said sarcastically.
"Your sisters will change their tune in another few years," Hermione laughed.
"Not if I have anything to say about it," Ron grunted.
"I'm still not crazy about Jules dating," Harry said sympathetically.
"Dating?" Josh gulped.
"Talk about us like we're not here," Julie rolled her eyes but she grinned.
"W-who are you dating?" Josh asked trying to sound nonchalant, but failing miserably.
"No one in particular," Julie replied. "I've just gone out with Chiaki and Tosh and one of our friends from Hogwarts on a double date."
"Any of those younger blokes?" Jon asked cheekily.
Josh shot his brother a nasty glare.
"I went out with a guy a year behind me," Julie replied nonplussed.
Jon dramatically pressed his hands over his chest as if he was in pain. "Jules you'll never look at me," he whined comically, obviously imitating Josh.
"Word on the street is that you have your eye on someone else," Julie teased Jon, oblivious to the death glare Josh was giving Jon.
"Oh yeah?" Jon asked. "Who are they saying?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Julie asked cheekily.
Jon was about to retort when Ethan suddenly laughed. "Look at the baby," he said, pointing. Little Maddie's eyes were following Ron's fork from the plate to his mouth.
"Well it's obvious she's a Weasley," Harry smirked.
"She's going to be just like her Daddy," Ron said proudly.
***
"Wasn't she though," Hermione remembered that evening fondly. "She's so much like Ron yet she has so much of Luna in her as well."
Harry nodded. "She's the perfect blend of the two of them."
"Like Saffy is of us," Hermione said, pushing the paper aside.
"She's more like you I'd say," Harry said grinning at his wife. "She's smart, beautiful, and loyal to a fault."
"But she's also quick and sweet- when she wants to be," Hermione's eyes sparkled teasingly. "And she definitely has your temper."
"She's not THAT bad, is she?" Harry asked.
"Why don't we ask RJ," Hermione suggested, laughing.
"Quite true," he said chuckling. "So, you want to visit the old place soon?"
"Yes," Hermione nodded. "As soon as possible."
"I'll see if I can set something up," Harry said. "But for now...."
"What?" Hermione asked, looking up.
"Are you busy?" he asked leaning in. "Or do you think you might be able to fit me in?"
"Fit you in?" Hermione asked. "Is that a double entendre, Mr. Potter?"
"What do you think?" Harry asked before giving her a kiss.
"I think yes," she murmured, pushing aside her paperwork and sitting on the desk, bringing Harry against her. "Lock the door," she hissed.
Harry turned around and with a wave of his hand the door locked.
"Your wandless magic really turns me on you know," Hermione said in a kittenish voice.
"It does," he said huskily. "I'll need to remember to do that in front of you more often then."
"Mmmhmm..." Hermione wrapped her arms around him. "But for now I just want you to kiss me."
"Like this?" Harry asked doing just that.
"Yes," she breathed before his lips came crashing down on hers again.
"It never gets old," he said a few moments later as he slid her robes up.
"Not with you," she answered, pushing away at his shirt.
"I love you," he said softly.
"I love you too," Hermione smiled at him, caressing his face gently.
"And you know I honestly didn't come up here to se you thinking we'd end up like this," he said resting his forehead on hers. "But we always send to end up right here like this."
She laughed. "Guess it's in our bones. I'm used to it by now."
"We just can't help ourselves," he said nuzzling her neck.
"I know I certainly can't," she said.
"You know that I never can turn you down," Harry teased.
"I know that too," she returned, hiking up her skirt.
Harry made quick work of pulling his trousers and boxer shorts down. "You going to take advantage of me then?"
"Haven't I already?" Hermione gave him a seductive gaze.
Harry kissed her again as he pulled down her knickers.
Hermione gave a soft moan of pleasure as Harry slid into her. She gripped onto him with one hand and kept her balance on her desk with the other. "Harry," she murmured.
"Hmm?" he asked grinning down at her.
"You're always so amazing," she said, her voice low and husky.
"So are you," Harry said softly before kissing her. "I always have loved taking you here in this office."
She laughed. "I think it's your new favourite place next to my library at home."
"I like the idea that I can distract you," he said against her skin.
"You're a terrible distraction," Hermione said, clutching onto his hair.
"Terrible?" Harry asked pressing further into her.
"Well maybe not terrible," Hermione gasped out. "More like amazing... wonderful... best ever distraction..."
"Better," he said smiling at her. "You're the same for me. Can't think of anything else but you and being with you just...like...this."
With a muffled groan, both of them fell back onto her desk, breathing heavily.
"If they only knew what goes on behind those closed doors," Harry said turning to look at his wife.
"We could brew up another scandal," Hermione laughed.
"That's just what we need," Harry said leaning over to give her a kiss.
"You always say that," she giggled, winding her arms around his neck and kissing him back.
There was a knock on the door. "Minister?"
"Duty calls," Harry groaned reluctantly letting go of his wife.
"Just um... just a moment please," Hermione called back, scrambling for her clothes. "How do I look?" she asked, straightening her hair and robes.
"Like you just shagged your husband to within an inch of his life," Harry answered teasingly. At the look on his wife's face, he laughed. "Only joking. You look beautiful, Hermione. Very official."
"All right," Hermione gave him one last kiss before unlocking the door.
"You asked me to let you know when Garcia and Cramer from Experimental Charms arrived," Samuel said. "Hello, Harry."
"Hi Sam," Harry grinned at him. "How're you?"
"Good," Samuel said warmly. He turned his attention back to Hermione. "They're waiting for you in the conference room. They thought that would be the best place to show you their experiments."
"Good thinking," Hermione nodded. "I'll be right in. Thank you Samuel."
Samuel excused himself.
"I better get back downstairs to my office," Harry said giving her a kiss.
"I'll see you at home," Hermione replied. "You'll arrange for us to go see the cottage then?"
Harry nodded. "It will be nice to see the old place again, won't it?"
"That it will," Hermione nodded. "I already can't wait."