Harry Potter and the Final Solution

*The following is based on J. K. Rowlings characters, creations and world. I thank her for her graciousness in letting us, the fan fiction writers, use them. Nothing is my creation except the circumstances they play in.

Home at Last--Chapter 1

“Harry? Is that you?” yelled Hermione from the baby's room.

Hermione fastened the last snap on baby Harry's jumper. She listened carefully again and smiled. “We got him Harry. Daddy's home and we got him.” She held back a giggle.

Harry James Potter Senior jumped around cursing mildly at the pain in his ankle. He knew he was not hurt badly, his pride was hurt more than anything. He kicked at his son's toys on the floor in the master bedroom. “Dang it, Hermione.”

He was not really angry. He was upset that he had stuck to the same pattern four times in a row which made him predictable. Now she had figured out a way to even the score. He loved coming home to her. So much so, that a game of hide and seek had developed even he arrived. He always told her his approximate arrival time and she had to hide with baby Harry. She wasn't cheating. She had adapted, overcame and improvised. The toys simply made it impossible for him to arrive without detection.

“Hermione, you win,” he said trying to lure her out of hiding. “Darn it, she's not falling for that either,” he thought.

The game they played had actually started as a defense against intruders. Harry wanted Hermione to be able to hide long enough for him to come home if someone broke into the house. Now it was just a fun game of hided and seek pitting their magical skills against one another. The perimeter and inside the house were filled with charmed objects that would act as a sort of `howler' if an intruder got too close. “Okay, if that's the way you want it.” So, Harry had an advantage because Hermione could not count on those magical items to warn her.

Harry went to the closet and bent down to look in his trunk. He would have sworn that he left his invisibility cloak on top. He hung his head in dejection. His wife was as devious as he was. She was probably using it to hide from him. That was a bad sign. He had won three times in a row and it certainly looked like that streak would end. “Not without a fight, Hermione Jane Potter. You still have to keep a baby quiet.”

Harry took a moment to change into shorts and a tee shirt. Normally, the game was over by now. This one might take a while and he might as well get comfortable. He needed a plan.

Meanwhile, Hermione had a thing or two up her sleeve. “Harry, please. Be really good for Mommy, okay?” she whispered to her son as she put him in the playpen. Baby Harry was just ten months old, but brighter than Hermione or Harry could have ever hoped. He was normal by most standards, but it was obvious he was going to have special abilities. He could sense Harry Senior and others by simple sounds. He seemed to understand and obey his parents better than most children ever do by the time they were much older. He simply seemed able to understand language and facial expressions. Hermione still had not been able to make him be quiet when he heard his Daddy around the house. He smiled at Hermione and she shivered with delight.

She moved to the opposite side of the room from the baby and stood in the corner motionless under the invisibility cloak. Baby Harry was going to be her `howler' when Harry came to find her.

Five years at the Ministry and literally thousands of hours of practice and training had honed Harry's skills to an incredible level. He had become adept at moving silently and making himself invisible for a few seconds at a time. He could now stand perfectly still undetected for an hour or more, but movement took away from his concentration so he could only manage a few seconds. He had managed to perfect a combination of the Disillusionment Charm and the spell that charmed the invisibility cloak. Now he had to work on expanding his mind to keep both in-force while moving. He Disillusioned himself and moved silently forward. He would only use the complete invisibility spell to move across the open spaces in their rather spacious house.

He moved from room to room looking carefully for shoes or a lump in a wall that was out of place. Hermione could not do what he did yet, but she was learning. “Where can she be?” he thought. Then it dawned on him. She was hiding in the most obvious spot of all. He headed for the living room. He saw her plan almost instantly. He hated that the rules were changed for their game because it was unfair to make her have to hide and keep Harry quiet. He saw baby Harry in the playpen. Again, he was disappointed that she was using all the rules to her advantage. He would have to use the invisibility charm to get past his son who had the uncanny ability to detect him even when Disillusioned.

Hermione stood in the corner whispering, “Please Harry, help Mommy.” She knew she would not see her husband until the last possible second, so her only hope was to have something give him away. If anything would, baby Harry`s excitement at seeing his father would have to work this time.

Baby Harry stood up holding the rail on the edge of the playpen facing the windows. Harry knew Hermione was in the room somewhere. She would never leave Harry in full view from the road without being able to protect him. He just had to see her first and use a tickle charm on her to win.

As luck would have it, Harry's concentration on getting around baby Harry had distracted him just enough that he hit his knee on the end table. He winced in pain, but unlike with the toys, he did not say anything. Unfortunately for Harry Senior, baby Harry turned toward him slowly tottering around the edge of the playpen still holding the rail. “Dada, dada,” he said gleefully. Harry could not careless that he lost at that moment. He loved the sound of his son's voice when he said “Dada.” He prepared himself for the inevitable as his son through his toy at him playfully.

“Rictusempra,” cried Hermione as she pointed her wand at Harry and smiled in triumph.

Harry could not stop laughing. They had picked that charm because baby Harry seemed to laugh just as hard as they did whenever they laughed together. It was much better than scaring each other half to death. His ribs hurt from laughing after only thirty seconds or so. “You won, I give in. Make it stop,” he pleaded.

Hermione had picked up baby Harry and laughed with him as they pointed to the elder Harry standing almost invisible laughing his fool head off for no apparent reason. “Rictusempra,” she said removing the charm.

Harry touched his wand to his head, shivered at the feeling that charm evoked and smiled. “I knew I was in trouble when you booby trapped the bedroom,” he conceded.

“You liked that, did you?” she said with baby Harry on her hip. “Mommy's going to say hi to Daddy, Harry.” She put the baby back in the playpen and walked toward Harry with a sweet smile.

“I missed you. Please don't let them send you away for so long again,” she pleaded. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him.

“I missed you too,” said Harry. “I promise. It won't ever be that long again.” He had been gone for two months.

The trip had been brutal for both of them. Three years before, the Ministry had finally convinced British Prime Minister to join forces with it to combat the growing threat arising from the escape of several prominent Death Eaters. They were still in hiding throughout the western world. The major problem they had to address was that Severus Snape was still at-large. A year ago, the Ministry in conjunction with the British Prime Minister approached the American president with what they knew. They needed help because enormous amounts of resources were being spent investigating sightings around the United States. The time had come to partially rescind the Statue of Wizarding Secrecy with the official government in America and several other countries. There was still to be a great deal of secrecy involved to protect the general public from random magical acts. Harry was part of the international team making way for offices in America and around the world.

Harry kissed Hermione and made his way toward Harry Junior. “Hi, Harry. You know how much I missed you?” Harry took his wand and waved it silently toward the master bedroom. A moment later a shopping bag floated down the stairs and across the living room. It settled to the floor next to Harry.

“I brought something for you,” said Harry. His son wriggled with delight.

Harry pulled out a great yellow giraffe from the kids' store he visited in a mall outside Chicago. He had more, but that was the first thing his hand found. He beamed that his son loved anything his Daddy gave him. The little boy hugged it. “Dada, dada.”

Hermione knelt behind him rubbing his shoulders. “Your last owl said there was good news,” she said. “Just wondering why you sent an owl when we talked on the phone everyday.”

Harry smiled and turned back toward Hermione. “I sent an owl with that news, because it would be a constant reminder that good news was coming. If I simply said it and we moved on to a new subject, you might disregard it.”

“Hermione, I'm going to be made the Ministry Head of Station in the Chicago Office; there will be the British and an American equivalent. We won't have to put up with these ghastly trips anymore, once everything is set,” he said enthusiastically.

Hermione's face broke into a wide smile. “Wow, that is great news. Why couldn't you tell me on the phone?”

He kissed her and led her to the sofa. He sat down and patted his thigh for her to sit on his lap. “It seems that I was getting carried away on the phone. One of our American colleagues told the Minister that these Muggle devices were one of the biggest dangers to security. I got in a spot of trouble over it. So, I had to cool it.”

“I noticed that we only talked about Harry, Hogwarts and personal stuff recently.” She smiled and winked making a reference to their occasional sex talk to relieve the tension of their long separation.

“It was a really recent change, so it wasn't so bad,” he said smiling in recognition. “So, how's he been? He is so big. I'm surprised that he still remembers me.”

“Harry, you have to be kidding. I bring your picture out everyday and kiss it in front of him and talk to it. Besides him, you're my world. I can't forget about you, so he could never either,” she said with a crinkled smile and a tear running down her face.

He was so glad for Hermione. His world had changed drastically after Professor Dumbledore was murdered. He had to become the de facto leader of the Order of the Phoenix and Dumbledore's Army, even if other adults thought they were in charge. He had been forced to repress his feelings for Ginny. He had become a robot feeling nothing. If it did not involve finding and destroying Voldemort, he found no pleasure except with her. Through it all, she offered friendship and love. Eventually, they saw their feelings for what they really were.

His eyes fogged with emotion as only Hermione could do to him. He kissed her deeply feeling the warmth of the companionship that he so desperately craved the past two months. Their passion was interrupted by Harry's giggles.

“He does that on purpose, you know,” said Hermione. “If he sees me on the phone pursing my lips to send you a long distance kiss, he says `Dada' and giggles just like that.”

“Yeah,” said Harry incredulously. “Wow, that's one smart boy. I hope he doesn't start giggling when I ravage his mother tonight.” He turned to her raising his eyebrows up and down suggestively.

“No chance of that happening, Harry,” said Hermione teasing him. “Sorry.” She turned away holding back a giggle.

“No, don't tell me that my timing is that bad,” said Harry thinking her time of the month coincided with his return. “Rosey Palm and her five sisters are getting boring.” He said with a pained smile.

“Nope, Rosie might just have to make an appearance in the shower,” said Hermione as she got up and started walking toward the kitchen to keep from showing her true colors.

She couldn't hide it anymore. “I'm just kidding, honey. Mum said she would take him anytime on the day you returned home. So all I have to do is call her to make arrangements,” she said.

“Wow, I thought I was going to die,” he said with a smile. “You're such a tease.” He looked at Harry Junior. “Well, son. As of tonight, you are no longer the biggest reason Daddy`s palms grow hair. Are you ready for a brother or sister?”

Hermione laughed. “I swear, Harry, if I get pregnant again I will make your life miserable.”

“Wait on, now. You're the one who doesn't mind doing things spontaneously and refuse to let me take precautions” he retorted. “Why should I suffer?”

“Because if you do the crime, you have to do the time,” she smiled. “Besides, you know how I feel. I believe as long as we are married and can afford it, we do what we do and God does what he does. Harry`s a gift, you know.”

He couldn't argue with that logic. Harry picked up Harry Junior and started to walk outside. “I'm going to go outside with him for a bit, Hermione. I want to see something in the garden,” he said chuckling as Hermione banged around in the kitchen.

“Do you want some iced tea or something? I've made a pitcher,” she asked.

“Sure, if it's not a bother,” he said. He listened to Harry babble in his ear as he carried him to the walker on the patio. He put Harry in it. He had imagined being outside with him just like this since Hermione sent him the pictures of the garden and baby Harry in the walker.

He wondered why Hermione had not asked him more about his big news. She took it in stride as if she expected it. It dawned on him that maybe Tonks had let the cat out of the bag. He would ask.

He heard the screen door open as he looked at the flower beds. He turned and saw Hermione coming toward him holding a glass of iced tea. “There you go, sweetie,” she said kissing him lightly. “I can't believe you're really home.”

“It is weird, isn't it? I imagined sneaking up on you and winning. That didn't happen. When I expected you to jump for joy about the news, you didn't do that either,” he said quizzically.

“Harry, I'm sorry. I tried to be excited, but Tonks told me yesterday when I threatened to change her hair back to a normal color,” she said with a smile. “You know that was like holding a gun to a Muggle's head.”

They shared a laugh at Tonks expense. She was almost too funny with her constantly changing hair color and appearance.

“You looked so happy and then it was like, `Eh, no bid deal',” he explained.

“No, I'm excited. I think the anticipation of you coming home today made it hard to sleep a wink. Maybe I'm just too pooped to pop,” she said. Little Harry giggled when she said `pop'.

“That's okay,” he said taking her hand and walking around the perimeter of their backyard looking at the flowers. He let her hand go for just a second as he saw a wonderful red rose standing out from all the others. He reached down to get it. “Ouch,” he said as he pricked himself on one of the thorns. “Almost got away without hurting myself.” He had successfully picked the flower, but had blood running down his thumb to go with it. “This is what I came out here for…a flower for my girl.”

She blushed and smiled. “Thank you, Harry. You know that you should be more careful,” she said as Harry handed the rose to her.

“For my beautiful wife. Neither wind, nor rain nor dark of night nor thorns on rosebushes will keep me from my love….,” he said in a corny tone.

“Aw,” said Hermione taking the rose and putting Harry's thumb in her mouth. “I feel like a vampire.” She giggled. “Let me go get a band aid for that and put this in some water.”

Harry watched her run off toward the house and pull the screen door shut behind her. He admired her hips as they swayed. He felt a twinge of excitement at the thought of touching her naked bum. She was so cute and remarkably sexy. He never knew how difficult a two month separation could be. He had visualized her naked so many times when he first left and only last night realized how unclear that image had become. It was getting clearer again now and made him want her very badly. For the moment, he wanted nothing more than to spend time with his family. There was plenty of time for that later.

She emerged just a short time later with a band aid. “Here.” She stretched it over his thumb and kissed it. “I think I might take a nap at Mum's though. You and Daddy will probably talk football and Quidditch. Just so you know, he's following Manchester United this year. Mum loves to play with Harry, so I'll just sneak off for a bit. Is that okay?”

“Yeah, sure. Are we going to cook out over there then?” asked Harry.

“We can, I suppose. Let me call her.” Hermione went inside again. She came out just a moment later talking on her mobile.

“Yes, Mum. He looks good. Hopefully not from chasing any American girls,” she said with a wink. “No, Mum. I'm kidding. He's not like that and you know it.” She squinted and laughed silently pointing at the phone.

“Yes, we'll be over around three o'clock, maybe earlier. Daddy and Harry can cook the steaks around five. Is it okay if I take a nap while you watch Harry? I didn't sleep well.”

“Yes, I'm so relieved he's home. I love you too, Mum. Give my love to Daddy. I'll be home soon,” said Hermione. “Well that's that. We can pick up some steaks on the way. She has everything else we might need.”

Harry spent just a moment or so more looking at the garden. The late morning July sun kept things just right. The afternoon sun was much different. It was too hot to be out for long on the patio. Harry had once considered covering it, but with the move coming there would be no point.

“Harry, come sit with me,” said Hermione sitting in the chaise. She straddled it giving Harry room to slide up and lean back into her chest. He couldn't slide in too far, but it was still comfortable enough for both of them. “I really am excited. It's starting to hit me that we won't have to go through that kind of separation again. Tell me more.”

“Well, I picked Chicago only because it seemed most like here. Of course it's a completely different lifestyle, but I mean the rural areas are not that far away from work. I'll be able to Apparate from where we live to a secure place in the office. So we can build a new life in a little rural spot like this. How does that sound?” he asked.

“Sounds wonderful, Harry. You know I'll be happy as long as we can be a family and spend more time together. You thought about my studies too, I'll bet,” she said hopefully.

“Sure did. Chicago will be one of the biggest stations from a services standpoint. There will be a hospital and a small school for the kids. They will get a good education from both sides of it until they're ready for Hogwarts,” said Harry.

“Yeah, what about American witches and wizards working there?” asked Hermione.

“A few, but most of the Americans will be FBI and other undercover police. The British contingent will appear to be just a small international business, while the undercover agents and government officials will divert most of the attention from us. The Americans want to have the right to choose who stays and goes at first. They have promised to give us diplomatic status once they see how things work. That will open up other avenues. Those details are still in negotiation.”

“So when?” asked Hermione soon I hope.

“Not until next summer, but there should only be a couple more trips while we plan. If I have to go, you and Harry go with me from now on,” said Harry.

Hermione's face lit up again. “Wow! A trip to America. When?” she asked excitedly.

“Probably early fall. I think around September the first. The one after that will be in the spring to find a place to live,” Harry explained to Hermione's great pleasure. He made the mistake letting out an exasperated sigh a moment later.

“Okay, what now? I can tell there's more,” said Hermione.

“Well, the only drawback is that I still have to go alone if there is a Death Eater sighting in the Chicago jurisdiction. Believe me if anyone is spotted, they will disappear as quickly as they appeared. I will just have to go to do interviews and collect information. Then I come right back,” said Harry. “We don't want to begin a full-scale investigation and tip our hand too early. We need to have our team in place before we do that.”

He saw the dejection on her face. He pushed him forward a little and got up. She went over to baby Harry and played with him ignoring Harry. Harry knew there was nothing he could say. He closed his eyes and leaned back in the lounge chair trying to let the tension subside. He hated when Hermione went silent. He knew she was not angry with him, but she knew that nothing the Ministry promised ever worked out the wau they said it would. And, often, the people in charge knew it before they made the promise. She knew that meant that he really could not promise to be back quickly if anything happened.

“Who's that?” she said. Harry looked over and saw her holding a photo of him up to their son.

“Dada, dada,” said baby Harry.

“Just going back to what I know best,” she said sarcastically. “Harry, I can't take this anymore. The world isn't as dangerous as it was in `98 but it's still pretty dangerous. You don't know that Snape is on our side anymore than I do. You said it yourself that he saved Malfoy and his mother. We know Draco is one those causing all the trouble. I see the fear in your eyes every time you leave us alone.”

“Hermione, we have Tonks, Lupin, and countless others listening for any indication of danger. It would be nice if we could count on Ron, but he keeps things pretty professional now,” said Harry.

“He's still being a prat, isn't he?” asked Hermione. “He's being as bureaucratic as Percy used to be. I knew he would be upset when I left him, then I knew it was really over when he found out about us. Now I think he is a hypocritical bastard and it just kills me.” Harry understood her frustration. He felt it too sometimes.

Ron`s rejection of them as friends was understandable. Harry could never imagine how Ron could forget the image of Hermione naked with her legs over Harry's shoulders and Harry trying to tear her in two. They were not making love at that point, it was lust. It was one thing to find evidence that that he and Hermione were dating or even lovers, but to get over seeing that was unimaginable.

The only thing that made it bearable for Harry and Hermione was that they never so much as kissed or discussed dating while she was still with Ron. They had never cheated. She broke up with Ron a month before graduation and started seeing Harry at the graduation party. He supposed it was inevitable, because of the way they lived and where they lived. Harry lived alone in the Leaky Cauldron and Hermione had a flat near St. Mungo's where she had begun school the following September. So, Ron just happened by one day to see his best mate. He thought Harry was just having an afternoon delight with his some random girl or a new girlfriend. It had been Ron's fault that he saw anything. He heard the sounds and knew what was happening. He was just going to embarrass Harry and whoever he was with. He got more than he bargained for.

“Hermione, he's never going to forget what he saw. We have to just recognize that and move on. He did a lot of mean-spirited things and he paid for it,” he said with a smile. “You know we're cordial now because the Ministry says we have to be or we lose our jobs. I don`t think he is as angry as he wants you to believe.”

“How do guys get past their anger at the other guy, but still hold a grudge as though it was only her fault? I'll never figure that out.” Her expression changed and she laughed softly. “We really had a good go of it that day though, didn't we?” she giggled. “Sometimes I feel bad for Ron. Others days, I am glad he suffered a bit because of the way he's treated me. I loved him once and you know that. I never hid that from you. I just never felt the same about him once I allowed myself to admit my true feelings for you.”

“It only feels that way, Hermione. Don't think he's past it,” said Harry. “He looks at it as if I tasted a forbidden fruit that should have been his. If he could have one shot at me with no repercussions, he'd do it. I guarantee that. I`m not so sure that it wouldn`t be deadly under the right circumstances.”

They had gone over it a hundred times. He knew it was because she needed closure. She was vilified amongst the very people she had grown to love--the Weasley family. Harry was no longer welcome among them unless it was for Ministry business and then only for as long as it took to get the business done. No small talk and no acknowledgement passed between them. Ginny would rather spit on him than look at him, believing that Harry had cheated with Hermione too. Harry had become rather adept at changing the subject when it came to this topic. This time would be harder than most, because it meshed the past with the present.

“Well, back to the original discussion,” said Harry changing the subject. “You're right I do still worry, but you proved today that you can handle yourself. I don't worry as much now as I did when you were alone and Harry was a newborn. You've come along way.”

“I'm so tired of worrying, Harry. We should just go off to some distant island somewhere. We could go away and never worry again,” said Hermione.

She was only partially right. The world was vast enough that they could hide. The Death Eaters were hiding from thousands of eyes now that Muggles authorities had joined the chase. Even those extra eyes were not able to gather enough information fast enough to catch them. So it stood to reason that they could do it too. “I know we could in theory, Sweetheart. You know why we can't too. It would only take one stroke of luck on their part and we could be caught completely unawares. This way, we are protected by many more people than we would be otherwise.”

Harry looked at his watch. “By the way, when do we have to get ready? We need to go to the store on the way, right?”

“Yeah, I guess we should go. It'll take only a few minutes to get ready, but we could get there early. It means a longer nap for me and more time for Harry with Grandma and Grandpa,” she said. “Harry, I know it's not your fault that things still might be like this from time to time. I'm sorry for being so cranky. I'll probably be in better spirits after a nap.”

He realized how hard it had been for Hermione. He was sure that it had been as if she were a single mother and had a long distance boyfriend doing nothing but making demands that she keep their child safe and sending money for bills. She could only nap when the baby did and she still had to worry about bills, groceries, diapers and all the other motherly tasks. She also had the difficult task of making that all sound fun to him on the phone when he called her at one or two o'clock in the morning due to the time difference. He kissed her lovingly and tried to remember to let her vent. If anyone had a reason to be a little cranky, she did.

Later that evening, Harry was to find that she had been right. The nap made all the difference in the world. She slept from two-thirty to almost six o'clock when dinner was ready. It was already almost eight and she was her smiling, teasing self once more. There was one obstacle left that could make things a little rough. Harry Junior could rip Hermione's heart out when he cried as she left. They had made it outside without a scene.

“Harry, it's so hard hearing that. No mother likes to hear her baby cry like that,” she said sniffling on the way to the car.

He rubbed her back and said, “I know, Hermione. It's not easy for me either, because it affects two people I love--you and him. He's okay though. We love him and we'll be back for him by noon tomorrow.”

“Harry, you're just trying to make me feel better so Rosie gets a night off,” teased Hermione.

“Maybe,” he said. “And maybe I would rather that we lay a blanket out back and stargaze for awhile first. There's still a lot to discuss, a little light snogging, a bottle of wine, and whatever else we can think of. Then, I will make sure you don't walk right for a week.”

“Promises, promises,” she said as he got in the car.

That was exactly the way the evening went. Harry explained as much as he could about his trip. They kissed, got a little drunk and then made up for lost time in the bedroom. By three o'clock they lay side by side perspiring like they'd just finished an aerobics class.

“Wow, Harry. I thought you'd be out of practice or too quick for the first time in a while,” she giggled. “That was fun.”

He turned toward her and propped himself up on his elbow. “You bring out the beast…I mean best in me,” he said with a wink. “Are you okay with things though? I mean the move and what it will mean for you.”

“You mean that the wives need to take a more active role in the Ministry, right?” asked Hermione. “Of course, you know I would love to get more involved.”

“Okay, as long as you realize there will be a lot of babysitters at times. We will be socialites there. You're not just another agent's wife. They know my name and they know of you without you being my wife. You don't know it yet, but they might make you an offer to become one of the top researchers. It might be quite taxing at times,” said Harry.

“Harry, anything is better than not knowing when I'll see you,” said Hermione. She brushed his hair out of his eyes. “You now the scar is really starting to fade now.”

“Yeah, I noticed that too,” he said. “Roll over.”

“Ooh, I like the way you said that,” she teased as she rolled over.

Harry slapped her bum lightly and knelt over it and began massaging her back. “How's that?”

“Umm, that's nice,” she said breathlessly as he pressed harder to get deep into the muscles. “You know if you don't keep the pressure up, you'll put me to sleep with this.”

“Want to hear the truth?” asked Harry.

“Sure,” she giggled.

“I hope so. You need some rest and I love you. I just love touching you. I`m using it as an excuse to touch your bottom,” he said softening his touch little by little.

“You are a horny, bastard Harry, but thank you. We're going to be fine. I know you worry that I'll get scared one day and run of with Harry Junior and hide,” she said.

“How do you know I feel that way?” he said as his heart pounded.

“Because I know you realize I would protect Harry Junior, the way your Mum protected you. I wouldn't let you get trapped with us. You could survive if we could hide,” she said crying. “I love you so much, Harry.”

She turned over revealing her soft breasts and bare tummy. “Come here,” she said beckoning him for a kiss as she let the tears flow.

He kissed her and a moment later she said, “Put your ear to my chest.” He obeyed. “Do you remember our first kiss and snogging session?”

“Of course,” he said.

“I laid down on your chest just like you are now and fell asleep listening to your heartbeat. We weren't naked like this of course, but it soothed me. I wanted to stay there forever. I want you to hear mine. It's not broken anymore, Harry. You're home,” she said softly.

Harry could not speak. It would ruin the moment. He loved his wife and his son. He would die to protect them if necessary and it seemed ironic that nearly 23 years later little had changed except the names.

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The Announcement--Chapter 2

Harry felt Hermione's breath on his neck. It was a comforting feeling to have her there. Through the open window the sights and sounds of midmorning welcomed them both. The birds sang, light breezed cooled them, and the sun made that foggy look as it passed through the natural dust of the screen.

“Hi,” she said as she kissed his neck when his eyes opened.

“Hi,” he replied wanting to roll back time three seconds to feel that again.

He squinted and rolled his eyes to try to focus.

“Ah, let me get those for you,” she offered. She climbed across him to get his glasses. It was always nice to feel her weight on him. She sat on his stomach and put his glasses on the bridge of his nose very carefully while lightly guiding the bows behind his ears. “There. Is that better?” She smiled sweetly.

“Thanks,” he beamed. “So what's the plan today, o' keeper of the schedule,” said Harry.

“Are you making fun of me?” she quipped. “Because if you are you're in a real bad position.”

He chuckled. “Well, since you put it that way, no. I was just wondering about the timing to pick up Harry. After that, I don't know what you have planned.”

“Hmm, some exciting laundry after we pick up our clothes spread from here to the patio,” she said. Harry looked around. His tee shirt was on the lamp and her panties hung from the bedpost. “Wow, we did that?”

“Your jeans are in the kitchen and unfortunately I think my bra is hanging on one of the limbs of an evergreen,” she said.

“Yeah, who needs hangers and closets when you can just use the lamps and bedposts,” said Harry facetiously.

Suddenly, Hermione became very serious and pensive. She sighed. “You have to teach me, Harry.”

“Teach you what?” asked Harry.

“As much as you can about the Dark Arts, defense, everything…,” she said.

“Whoa, where did this come from?” asked Harry.

“I fell in love with you all over again last night, Harry. I went from being lonely and broken hearted because missed you so much to happy and excited again,” she said. “I love being little Harry's mum, but I want to be your partner when we make this move.”

Harry was stunned at first. He had no problem believing she was capable of doing what she asked, but they had a child to raise and protect. “I don't quite know what to say,” said Harry. “What is it that you want to do?”

“I don't want to simply hide, if someone comes. I want to shock the hell out of them and prove I can protect Harry,” said Hermione. “I know. You're looking at me like I'm crazy.”

Harry's expression was different and he knew it. “Hermione, you're not going to be a field agent like me if that's what you mean.”

“And why not?” asked Hermione. She was bound and determined to tell Harry what she wanted. She burst into one of her longwinded explanations.

“If I knew more and had the same practice and training you do,” she began, “I could have wiped you out yesterday instead of waiting for you to make a mistake. I'm not saying I want to go out looking for trouble and chasing dark wizards down alleyways. I just don't think that I'm good enough at anything but reciting potion mixtures and definitions from books to do save us in a crisis,” she said in a flood of words and emotions. “I can't be this helpless housewife that I've become.”

Finally, she said something that he could understand. “Hermione, you are not helpless. Short of taking the chance to blow us both to hell and back, I did everything at my disposal to find you and win. Yet you beat me. You did everything that an experienced Auror is supposed to do, Hermione. Yes granted, I would have won if it were life and death because I`d have destroyed the room and everything in it to get you, but you are not helpless.”

“What if that were an intruder, Harry?” she posed. “He's not going to give me rules that the baby doesn't count. Sure, maybe if it's a Muggle come to steal the TV, but not a wizard that has murder on his mind. We both know that we are targets of the Death Eaters, baby Harry too. Harry Junior is brilliant for a baby, but he would have given me away if I hid with him. I need to be able to do more before they can get us. That's what I want to be able to do. I don't want to be relegated to standing over baby Harry and let someone kill me like what happened to your Mum. The odds of him surviving like you did are one in a million and you know it.”

He brushed her hair from her face as she sat on him with a look of desperation. “Hermione, I hear you. I'm glad you feel alive again and that we've made our love stronger. I felt that too, but you have made a life for yourself at being brilliant as a caretaker--as a nurse. While you did that, I learned to fight better than I ever knew. I'm still learning. I don't know how to explain it, really.”

“I'm not saying I can be as good as you or even as good as Neville has become, but I feel pretty useless in a real battle now,” said Hermione.

Harry wanted to be careful about how much he said at this point. “Hermione, do you think I have taken even one chance with your life here? You know the protections on this house. There are very few places in all of England where you would be safer.”

“I know, but each time I've had a new dream about something happening to Harry and I, you have to add another protection to the house. Pretty soon, we'll be as well protected as Hogwarts and you will have to either Apparate to the edge of the property and walk in the house or drive because Apparation will be impossible,” said Hermione. “I heard about the kidnappings, Harry.”

Harry wanted to have any other conversation, but this one. He couldn't tell her specifics. The Ministry in England only began to suspect what was happening all over the US, when they got limited access to mysterious and unsolved crimes there. Unlike here, American wizards and witches were found in grammar, middle schools and high schools by happenstance. Muggle-borns like Hermione were found by magical means contained in the Department of Mysteries. Child disappearances in the US had gone up by less than one-half of one percent in the US, since 1998 and the fall of Voldemort, but they spiked to that level. It had not been a gradual increase. It began in the fall of 2000.

“Harry, the news here contained a feature on the two most prominent cases in England. In one case, it was a mother my age and her two and a half year old child that ended up missing. The news interviewed neighbors and it turns out they had noticed strange things going on in that family. I don`t need to tell you what it`s like having been born into that kind of situation. I just mentioned it in passing to Tonks one day and her face went pale. I knew then that it had something to do with the Ministry,” said Hermione.

For the moment, he could not tell her anything of a sensitive nature. It was definitely the work of a either a deranged wizard or witch or a Death Eater. The bodies of unmolested young mothers were found without their children in both cases. Civilian authorities found them with the same expressions that had been reported on the faces of the Riddle family more than fifty years before. The children were being kidnapped for reasons unknown, but it was believed that the mothers were killed to ensure that they had no more children like them. What had not yet been reported was the apparent suicides, accidents and occasionally murders involving the fathers of the children within weeks of the disappearance of the mother. Civilian authorities were baffled. The U.K. cases turned the heads of the Ministry because of the network of information between Scotland Yard and Harry's office.

“Harry, are you going to pretend you didn't hear me?” she said testily.

His problem was much more complicated than that. It made him question whether Tonks was trustworthy enough to become part of his staff. “Hermione, when you are happy and safe why would I share something so terrifying with you? What possible purpose would it serve to give you details of crimes that you could do nothing about?”

“I know I can`t do anything about them, but I`m not a child. Will you answer one question? Would your mother or I have been at risk? Are these families a mixed family of muggle-born and `pure' bloods or were they the rarest type like me?” asked Hermione.

“At the moment, they are all like your family. I can't say anymore,” said Harry.

“So, baby Harry is safe from that standpoint,” said Hermione. “That's all I wanted to know.”

Harry had to break this conversation up. It made him uneasy for a number of reasons. She had not begun to ask the questions that bothered Harry most. And, he would not let her do that this morning. “Okay, it's shower time. Want to join me?” he flirted.

She smiled. “Hmm, well that's one way we can make sure there is enough hot water,” she said sexily reaching for and stirring him again.

“Ah that's my girl,” he said rolling her off him in one quick move that left her beneath him. “The shower it is.”

That was the final ritual for them when they had the chance. It left them clean and satisfied. “Harry, what did you do that for…oops…never mind…” she giggled lustily.

Hours later, as the day wound to a close, there was the familiar sound of the Owl Post at the backdoor. “Hermione, can you get that bloody owl,” said Harry as he played with baby Harry in his crib.

“Sure, sweetheart,” said Hermione. “The envelope is addressed The Potter Family, Sunset Lane Oxfordshire.”

“Well, that's you, Hermione. Open it,” he said laughing. He appreciated the fact that even as inquisitive as she was, she would never open his mail or anything addressed to him without telling him first.

“There is another in here addressed only to you,” said Hermione. “I'll bring it up.”

Hermione was funny about where baby Harry slept. When she was alone in the house, she slept with him in his room on the first floor. It was the security of knowing she could get out without worrying about being trapped upstairs in a fire or any other life threatening situation. When Harry was home, baby Harry slept in a crib in their room. He knew someday she'd grow out of the paranoia, but it definitely meant that their love life required nights like the night before to stay healthy.

“Harry, did you expect the announcement of the Deployment Orientation so soon? They are asking for RSVPs by 20^th July for the gathering during final weekend of the month. It will be at Hogwarts,” said Hermione. “By the way, there is no mention of your promotion unless you look at … this,” she said excitedly.

The second and smaller envelope was addressed, “Mr. Harry Potter, Head of Station Chicago, Illinois USA.”

“Wow, that does look and sound cool, doesn't it?” he felt Hermione's excitement as she held his arm and looked over his shoulder.

They read it together. It was as he expected. It was the official announcement of his promotion and gave instructions for selecting his staff before the Deployment Orientation. All family members of the many Ministry people involved were going to attend. “I don't think this changes the time table,” said Harry. “These dates for the submission of staffers stretch into the spring of next year. They want us to pick ten now and then from those, we will select their actual job titles or release people based on how well they do in the training.”

“Ah, I see. I wondered how on one hand they could say everyone needed to be selected for this orientation, but another orientation would be held next year. So, they expect that they will have to replace people, right?” asked Hermione.

“Exactly,” acknowledged Harry. “They realized early on that some people might turn out to be ill-suited for the secrecy we will need to accomplish our mission…well, that and other factors as well.”

“What other factors?” asked Hermione.

“Well, some Aurors and administrative people may not have what it takes magically and only time will tell,” said Harry. “The Ministry is trying not to show bias, so they have made a list of everyone who is eligible for the move. I choose them from the list and then the next eight or nine months becomes a long process of elimination--a nine-month interview of sorts. Ten people is what they want, but they don't want us to take someone incapable or untrustworthy.”

“Ah, okay,” said Hermione. “Gotcha. Do you mean to tell me that the Ministry is doing something smart for a change?”

“Oh, don't get carried away. It took several of us to convince them to do this. We saw how difficult life would be with the trip we took four months ago. There is a lot more to it than sending people to classes to get Americanized and say, `Go to it', Hermione. You will get more training in defense because you will be going as both my wife and as a staffer. I told you that right,” he said nonchalantly.

She looked at him with gleaming eyes. “Harry, what are you talking about? You said they might offer me a job.”

“Well, they would be me, but I couldn't do that until it was official. You will be the Lead Research Analyst in my office, if you want the position,” said Harry.

“So eventually, you can't stonewall me on questions like I asked today,” said Hermione. “Of course, I do you rotten prat.” She teased him with a wide grin.

“Look, besides not scaring the very life out of you, there are other reasons not to tell you things. One is that I knew sometime in the near future, you would get access to all the information I have. Well, almost all of it anyway,” he said correcting himself. He was going to hold the position of Head of Station so that would require some secrecy even from his wife. “If I were tell you what we are only guessing at now, then I don't benefit from an unbiased analysis of the situation. That's why I want you to get raw interviews, evidence, background information and things like that. If someone else gives you their opinion without you asking for it, then it might change what you see. We are trying to do things professionally. We`re learning from our experiences with the Americans, even if they too are rather delusional at times.”

“It seems so cut and dried, Harry. Death Eaters are trying to start the terror again and keep mixed families from marrying or having babies outside of their race, if that's what it is, or culture,” said Hermione. “I get that from just what you said.”

“Fine, keep up the good work, but what if I told you there is a filing cabinet of other information right next to my desk at the Ministry that would make that seem like saying that is dark out because the sun went down,” said Harry.

Hermione was stunned at the realization that there was that much information for just those two cases. “How can you have that much information?” she asked.

“Yes, Hermione these cases were being investigated long before they made the news and there are reams of Muggle reports that give us a much larger picture,” said Harry. “It's so large that we can't spend the time reading them and doing what we do at the same time.”

“So, I'm like one of the most important people in an investigation then,” she said proudly.

“Yes, Sweetheart and you can continue your studies when possible because the more you learn about the medical side in the Muggle world, the better you will be at helping us understand their world and how they do business,” said Harry.

The only times Harry had seen her happier were at the wedding and the day she found out she was pregnant. He was glad to share it with her.

“So when do I start?” asked Hermione. “You can't bring that stuff home, I know.”

His face grew a little longer giving Hermione the bad news before he spoke. “This means I have to go to the office more often than I planned while I'm on holiday. I might as well face it. My holiday is more like a series of half-workdays than anything else. That will be one of the first things I work on though so that we can spend that time together too.”

“You're not worried that we'll get sick of one another with so much time together?” asked Hermione.

“I'm sure we'll find that interesting at some point, but only because it's being together that much is new. I think the work itself will take care of it though. I'll be absorbed in different things than you are. So even though we might see each other a lot more, go to lunch, or business meeting, we'll just be too busy. Baby Harry will be in daycare there too, so we`ll have that distraction too,” said Harry.

“You have all this sorted out already, that's nice,” she said kissing him on the forehead. “Oh well, I knew yesterday that it was too good to be true to think you'd be here for a week without any serious interruptions. We`ll see about that daycare thing though.”

“I knew you would have something to say about that,” said Harry. “You will be the judge as to whether you can deal with the workload and Harry at the same time. Don't forget that I have to do what's best for you and him as a family man and as the boss. You will have to trust me on that.”

“You'll have to trust me too, you know. This is an opportunity of a lifetime,” said Hermione. “I get to do what I do best--love my guys and use my brain for something other than figuring out how much soap goes into the washing machine.” She giggled.

“You know that's another thing, right? You need to go back to doing things with magic. I know you stopped mostly to keep from being bored with nothing to do, but you won't have time once we start,” explained Harry.

“I know I`ve been acting more and more like my parents every day,” acknowledged Hermione.

“I didn't mean it like it was a horrible thing,” said Harry.

“Oh, I know what you mean though,” said Hermione. “I'm doing things like a Muggle now that I would never have done without magic a year ago or so. I was just saying.”

“Well, the cooking is nice. I think that's why Mrs. Weasley did it all those years. Half the fun of it is smelling it on the stove,” said Harry. “She could have done it easier if she'd wanted.”

Harry knew there were a few more obstacles ahead, but they were in sight now. He hoped he had not given Hermione the idea that the transition to working in the Ministry was going to be very soon. “Hermione, I just realized you might be thinking all this is going to happen overnight. It will probably be a while before you're working with the Ministry.”

“Really? Well, as long as you don't leave me wondering, I'll be fine. Don't make me crazy having to ask you again, okay?” she requested.

Ha ha,” laughed Harry. “That's reasonable and I do owe you that.”

“Dada,” said baby Harry. Then a moment latter, he said, “Mama.” He opened and closed his little hands toward Hermione.

Hermione almost jumped through the ceiling. “Did you hear that Harry?” she beamed. She picked him up and hugged him.

“I'm sitting right here, Hermione,” he said playfully. “That's brilliant. Come on, Harry. Call Mama again.”

Neither of them was sure if he would do it again soon. Yet it was a fitting end to a wonderful weekend. He hugged Hermione and his son. Now he had seen Hermione at her happiest.

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