Accio Life

A/N: Hello again. It has been awhile since I have written any fanfic and I would be lying if I said I just wrote this one after Deathly Hallows. I wrote this after Half Blood Prince, while I was still forging my way through “Crescent Moon” (my first ever fanfic). I came across this story last night while cleaning out some folders on my computer and thought it’d be appropriate to post for all of us Hermione/Harry shippers. I altered some details to try and reflect what happened in Deathly Hallows (it may be helpful if you had read DH before reading this, though not necessary. I just don’t want to spoil anything for anyone) in reference to people who died, who lived, who married whom. A few details aren’t canon such as childrens names as I chose these before DH came out. I was going to post this as a one-shot but the first two “chapters” were about 5,000 words a piece, and I don’t have an ending written yet, so this may end up being a fanfic of only 5 chapters or so. I edited this myself, so any errors are mine and as usual, the HP-verse is all JK Rowling’s. I thank her for letting us play with her characters.

I just started a Myspace site where I’m posting some outtakes (such as this story) and some from my other stories: www.myspace.com/jazzygeorgie

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CHAPTER 1--Nudge

Harry sighed and ran a hand through his unruly hair, then buried his face in his arms, which were crossed and lying on top of Mrs.Weasley’s kitchen table.

He was so tired, a bone draining, ‘need toothpicks to keep your eyes open’ tired. He laid his forehead on the table and heard a clock somewhere strike two (in the morning) and wished Ginny was there. How much easier it would be to raise their 18 month old daughter with her next to him; how much easier it would be to get through the day to day challenges life brought.

How the hell was he supposed to know how to braid hair? The baby doll looked fine to him with the two little pony tails, but not to Janie…his little Janie had to have it her way, or no way. Then, her nightmares had kept him up from midnight until about 15 minutes ago. Harry swore she must remember the night Ginny died; Janie was only six months old, when it happened, but she still cried and would babble about big lights and scary people.

Harry felt a hand on his back and he lifted his head. He had been so deep in thought, so thoroughly wallowing in his sadness that he hadn’t heard anyone come down the stairs.

“You ok?” Hermione sat down next to him, her hand still on his back and a look of concern in her tired brown eyes. Harry nodded and saw the familiar set of her mouth when she knew he was lying, so he shrugged and laid his head back down.

“Just very tired; too tired to even sleep right now,” he mumbled. “I’m sorry if Janie kept you and Ben up; nightmares….”

He heard Hermione sigh, as she rubbed his back.

“I was already awake when I heard her cry. I was going to go get her, but you were there first.”

“I fell asleep with her,” Harry admitted. “What are you doing down here?”

Hermione stopped rubbing his back and sat back in her chair. “I just couldn’t sleep…last year was running over and over in my head.”

She looked down at Harry who had turned his head so his was looking up at her, still resting on his arms. He nodded for her to keep talking.

“I still keep wondering if there was anything I could have done differently to help….”

“Hermione, you saved our children’s lives by hiding them.” Harry sat up and looked her straight in the eye.

“I know, but what if I could have apparated them here faster, then come back? I could have been there in time to stop-,”

“’Mione, no. You know that wouldn’t have worked. You put up a shield around you and the babies that deflected everything the Death Eaters threw at you, which gave you time to apparate to safety.”

Hermione looked down at her hands; they had had this conversation before and it was always the same. She would feel guilty, he would tell her for once she had done what Ron told her to do and it saved her and Ben’s life. Then they would hug and she would ask him what Ron had said to him right before the trip to St. Mungo’s and he would reiterate to Hermione that when the right time came, he would tell her.

Tonight should be the right time, one year ago yesterday the Death Eaters that everyone thought had been defeated, with the death of Voldemort, paid a surprise visit to Hogsmeade, taking advantage of the beautiful Spring day and the amount of people out and about…they wanted Half-Bloods, Mudbloods…which was why Ron had practically forced Hermione into the alley and told her to stay and protect the babies.

She succeeded.

Ron and Ginny died…with Ron and Harry trying to protect Ginny and not being able to hold off the sheer number of them. They kept getting pushed around by wizards and witches fleeing the street. A spell had made its way past Harry and hit Ginny before she could retaliate. As he had turned around to look for her, they had hit Ron, who had jumped in front of Harry as he was checking on Ginny. Harry and a few other brave wizards, some former aurors among them, managed to drive the Death Eaters away and had placed a shield around him, Ron and Ginny.

They had only hung around another few minutes, killing nine other people until the aurors managed to kill every last one of them. Usually, Harry would have gone right after them, but his wife lay dead in the street and Ron was well on his way; he didn’t even know how Hermione, Janie or Ben were because he couldn’t see them with the rush of people all around.

“Harry—are you ever going to tell me what Ron said to you? “ Hermione asked quietly, looking up from her hands.

Harry was still for a moment, and then nodded. He stood up and told her to follow him out into the night air. It was early Spring, albeit a warm and rainy one that followed on the heels of a cold and dry week previously.

Harry led Hermione onto the wet grass and up towards the fence where there was the everlasting sign saying “THE BURROW”. He stopped and leaned against the fence then Hermione stopped and faced him. Harry began to talk, launching right into the story.

“Before you got to us, he pulled me down so I was nose to nose with him. He---,” Harry swallowed and blinked back the prickling in his eyes. He thought he was getting good at keeping his emotions in check, so he chalked this feeling of sadness up to tiredness.

He felt Hermione take a step towards him and he opened his eyes, reached out and grabbed her hands, feeling them shake a bit. He squeezed them and didn’t let go.

“He told me that I was to take care of you; to be a father figure to Ben and to promise him that I would watch over you and his son.”

Harry blinked back tears at remembering those words and the feeling of utter helplessness he had while cradling Ginny and listening to Ron. He heard Hermione let out a sob and he pulled her to him, hugging her tight. She felt so thin under her robe…they were barely in their twenties and yet felt so much older. Harry heard the sobs against his chest and realized this was only the second time he had seen her cry like this…the first being at the double funeral, so eerily mirroring the double wedding that had taken place on December 28^th, two years ago.

“I didn’t tell you before because I knew you be mad he said that and I knew it would upset you more at the time…,” Harry said feebly. She had quieted down and still had her head on his chest. He felt her reach into her pocket and then wipe her face with a tissue. She nodded against his chest.

“Is that why….is that why you haven’t gone back to work?” Hermione asked hoarsely.

“Yes, but please don’t be mad I didn’t tell you the real reason.”

Harry shut his eyes and waited for her to lash into him. After tracking down the remaining Horcruxes then finding Voldemort and finishing him off, Headmistress McGonagall had asked if he wanted to come and teach Defense Against the Dark Arts since he excelled at it, obviously. He was one of the youngest teachers at Hogwarts. But, like so many teachers before him, he didn’t even last two years.

That Spring when Ron and Ginny died, Harry had told Hermione that he didn’t feel like teaching and talking about the DADA anymore and that he needed to be here to raise his daughter. Mrs. Weasley (even Fleur) had offered to watch her while he taught, but he couldn’t be away from Janie; he had to protect her and had never felt that need to be so strong. Plus, he had made a promise to Ron and he needed to follow through on that no matter the cost.

Hermione and Ben had moved back in with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley right after Ron and Ginny died, but Harry and Janie stayed at number 12. Often, Mrs. Weasley would stay a night, letting Harry get caught up on lost sleep or to give advice about a six month old baby, but usually it was just him and Janie trying to make it together. Hermione would bring Ben over a few times a week, or Harry would pop over there, and the cousins would play happily while their parents watched, took pictures or just sat silently, each lost in their own thoughts.

Hermione pulled away and looked up at him. She reached up and touched his cheek and Harry leaned into her touch.

“You should know that I’m not mad!” Hermione said with emotion, “and I’m not surprised Ron would have said that, being as possessive as he was, but I am surprised at myself for not guessing sooner. I thought he might have told you something about the Order or something to say to his mum…,” Hermione wiped a tear away from the corner of Harry’s eye. He wasn’t wearing his glasses; they were still up on his dresser in the room that he and Janie were sharing for the night, and without the glasses to hide part of his eyes, he looked as tired as he was.

The moon reflected long shadows off his face and Hermione quietly took time to look at the one man in her life that she knew would be there for her. Ron had seen to it that she would be taken care of, not that Hermione needed to be coddled, but it was still nice to know that if Ron was watching, he would be happy. Their eyes met, held, and for a second Harry and Hermione forgot about the tears and the heartache and just gazed at each other openly, her thumb caressing his cheek and his arms around her waist.

It had been such a long time since Harry had felt the familiar warmth of Ginny curled up next to him on the sofa or Hermione feeling Ron’s arms around her as he spun her around the house to their favorite songs on the radio.

Harry cleared his throat quietly, “Do you think we should go in? The babies…,” but he didn’t let go, wanting to feel her soft robe under his hands a bit longer.

“We probably should…,” Hermione’s hand dropped to his shoulder as their eyes stayed locked, neither one moving. For a split second, Harry almost felt like he was about to have his first kiss; but that had happened years ago. Still, there was a slightly familiar tug in his stomach. Harry masked the feeling that she had probably read in his eyes by leaning down and giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. He laid his arm around her shoulders and they started back towards the house, going in and heading up the stairs as quietly as possible. Hermione gave his hand a squeeze as she left him off at Fred and George’s old bedroom, and she continued upstairs to Ron’s old room.

Harry entered the room quietly and set a silencio spell on the door to help Janie sleep better, and longer. He saw her curled up in her little camp bed, a lump under the covers with her doll, known as “Wendy” tucked under her arm. Harry knelt on the floor and lightly touched her dark curly hair, then backed up slowly until he hit the bed. Taking off his shoes, he climbed in and lay back, watching the moonlight dance off the ceiling.

He felt a bit better after FINALLY telling Hermione what Ron had asked; he wasn’t used to keeping secrets from her and that one he had been keeping until she could understand (and not blow up saying she could take care of herself) was now out. He turned towards the wall and thought of Hermione and how different things were from two years ago; he missed her and their talks. Something inside of him was telling him it was time to try and reconnect that bond they had always had; not the parent bond, or the bond of losing a spouse, but the one they had for most of their time at Hogwarts. He missed joking and laughing, talking about the latest plans to save the world over butterbeer…he didn’t get any further on that thought as he drifted off to sleep.

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When Harry awoke the next morning he experienced a moment of panic when he saw that Janie wasn’t in her bed. He stood up and reached for a piece of parchment that was on top of her bed.

“Harry,

Molly and I took Ben and Janie to town with us to get some food. You were so tired last night, I didn’t want to wake you. We should be back around noon.

Hermione”

Harry looked at the clock and was surprised to see it was 11:30. He never slept this late and he could already feel the difference that a full eight hours sleep made. He took his time relaxing in the shower and tidied up the room. Yesterday was a hard day with the family visiting the grave site of Ron and Ginny so he had spent the night, knowing how much Mrs. Weasley liked people around her. She missed the sounds of children running around her and Mr.Weasley’s home.

Harry made his way downstairs and heard squeals and laughter coming from the garden. Peering out the window he saw Ben and Janie running around chasing garden gnomes and Hermione and Molly walking up the walkway with bags in their hands. He hurried out to meet them taking two bags each from them.

“Daddy!” Janie shouted launching herself at his knees. Harry laughed as Ben joined her. He couldn’t move with his hands full and two children locked around his knees. He looked up as Hermione hurried back out of the house and relieved him of the bags by floating them back into the kitchen. Smiling his thanks he bent down and picked up the children, threw them over his shoulders and walked around, pretending to throw them in to piles of hay, or shove them in the chicken coop.

Screams of “Noooooo” coupled with happy squeals drifted towards the kitchen as the Weasley women put the food away. Molly gazed out the window then turned to Hermione who was cutting up carrots for the children’s lunch.

“When was the last time that you, or Harry, went out with adults and didn’t spend your evening playing hide ‘n seek?” Molly asked.

Hermione paused and thought.

“Not for over a year, Molly,” she answered quietly, going back to manually cutting carrots, something she always did the Muggle way. To her left was a knife, magically cutting up the sandwiches into small pieces.

“Well, I think it’s time you two go out. Go get something to eat, go walk somewhere and try not to talk about the kids.”

“That’s so much easier said than done, we’ve been around them for a year non-stop.”

“There are other things going on in the world. I’d like to watch the kids tonight and you two should go out, even if it’s for a butterbeer.” Molly said firmly and shushed Hermione when she made a noise to protest. Molly waved her wand in the general direction of the refrigerator. The door opened and a pitcher of juice came out and proceed to fill up the children’s cups with the lids fastening themselves to the top.

Just then Harry came through the door with Janie hanging onto his back and Ben clinging to his front.

“I have two children here who just decided to attack me!” Harry winked at Molly and Hermione who started laughing. “Anyone want them or should I just throw them away?”

“NOOOOOOOOOO,” Janie and Ben shouted scrambling to get down. Hermione reached over and pulled Ben off of Harry’s chest. She gave him a hug and ruffled his strawberry blond hair before letting him down to follow Janie to their toys.

“Ben is a very fast runner, Hermione. You need to let me teach him how to fly when he gets older so I can keep up with him.” Harry sat down, smoothing out his hair and graciously accepted the sandwich and carrots Molly held out to him.

“He is. Maybe when he’s older and I’m blind then you can take him up.” Hermione set the kids sandwiches onto a plate and called them over for lunch. Harry and Hermione lifted them into the booster seat which automatically buckled around them and slid the tray onto the seat.

“BOOK!” demanded Ben who was mashing bread between his fists. Hermione had discovered a few months ago that Ben would actually sit quietly and eat if she read him a book at lunch time. Otherwise he would babble incessantly and watch food drop to the floor, laughing as Hermione would magically clean it up. Harry reached into the basket on the table and handed Hermione a book, one of her Muggle favorites which Harry had to admit was fun to read and then mess up on purpose, just to see if Janie would catch the mistakes.

The whole kitchen was quiet as Hermione The Cat in the Hat until Molly mumbled about how a mother leaving her children alone in the house should be locked up in Azkaban.

As Harry watched Hermione read he realized how quickly life’s plans can change.

Five years ago he never thought he would be sitting here watching his daughter and Hermione’s son eat lunch in the Weasley house.

Three years ago he never thought that he would live to get married, fulfilling the promise he had made to Ginny. He never thought he would have a double wedding with his best friend, then again he never thought he would see his best friend and wife die on the same day.

Now, here he was without both of them, but with reminders of them right in front of his eyes. Ben was the spitting image of Ron, except his shade of red was a little lighter, and Janie had his own unruly hair, but Ginny’s hazel eyes, mouth and freckles.

He felt a wave of happiness seep through him as he realized that his friends didn’t die without leaving anything behind.

But, more recently, he could see Hermione was getting antsy. After Ron and Ginny had been killed, Hermione had quit her job as a healer to stay home, but Harry knew she thought that she would soon have to go back to work to make ends meet, unless she stayed here (or with her own parents) forever. Harry was fortunate enough to have enough money that he didn’t have to work. To help out Molly, Arthur and Hermione (without handing them money he knew they wouldn’t take) he would always visit with his arms loaded up with food, or other things that he felt they needed.

“Harry—,” Hermione kicked him under the table and he blinked, bringing himself up out of his memories.

“What?”

“I was saying,” Molly cast an amused glance at Harry, “that I am watching the little ones tonight and you two are going out. Do something as adults and try to have some fun.”

“Great!” Harry agreed, shocking Molly and Hermione. “I had the same thought last night that I couldn’t remember the last time I had gone out without a toddler.” He stood up and grabbed a towel to wipe Janie’s hands. She was done and if he didn’t act quick, then she would throw the whole plate on the floor. He cleaned her up and held her to him for a moment, then set her down. He caught Hermione’s eyes as he put his daughter on the ground and for a moment his breathing stuttered until she quickly looked at Ben who had hurled his fork to the floor.

“Hermione, let me deal with them and you go take a nap.” Harry began cleaning up Ben as she grabbed his plate. “You let me sleep in.”

He picked up Ben who immediately squirmed to get down and join Janie with her toys.

“Thanks Harry, I think I will.” Hermione smiled at him then went to change Ben quickly before her nap.

The hours after lunch passed quickly as Harry played with the kids and managed to get them both down for naps, in the same bed, but still they fell asleep; he didn’t care where they slept as long as they did.

He and Molly played a few card games and received a quick visit from George who was now married to Katie Bell and running a very successful second business renamed in honor of his twin “Fred’s Fantastic Fireworks”.

Around five, Hermione came down, showered and dressed up a bit more than usual. Ben and Janie were playing with Uncle George on the floor.

“Hermione! You look great…going out?” George asked before Ben jumped on his uncle’s head.

“Your mum is watching those two terrors,” Hermione laughed as Janie sat on George’s back and bounced up and down, “While Harry and I go out without children.”

George glanced up at Harry and winked at him.

“Have fun you two, don’t worry ab---,” George was cut off by two children attacking him, quickly Harry and Hermione headed outside.

“Those kids are so loved,” Hermione stated as they stopped outside the gate.

“Very.” Harry agreed. “So, where do you want to go?”

“I have no idea…you?”

Harry gave a genuine smile.

“We can’t keep going back and forth or else this will be where we stay the whole night. Do you want to walk through Diagon Alley for a bit?” Harry suggested and Hermione agreed.

A moment later, they apparated into a small alleyway and stepped into the busy street. Harry laid his hand on Hermione’s back and guided her through the crowd. They stopped at many of the stores along the way, talking a lot about the past and remembering when they shopped there with their friends. Hermione spent most of her time going through some books and discovered a few she didn’t own. As the evening wore on, hunger got the best of them and they decided to try and see if they could go and find a place to eat.

As they walked further up Diagon Alley, more memories flowed through both of them. Harry felt Hermione’s hand slip through his as they walked up the street, passing Olivander’s and taking in the sites in front of them.

“It’s hard, Harry.” Hermione said softly, leaning her head on his arm.

“It sure is.” He bent down and laid his cheek on her hair for a moment, each caught up in their own personal memories.

“I know they would want us to be happy and move on, but…,” Hermione sighed, stopped and gazed into a store window.

She felt Harry’s hand leave hers and go around her waist. He didn’t say anything, knowing that she understood that he felt the exact same way. For a moment they held each other then continued walking towards one of the many restaurants, and entered Florean Fortesques. They both received waves and some people would glance at Harry and automatically glance at his scar. After a few minutes, they were seated at a table in the corner of the room and began to examine the menu.

As the evening wore on and dinner was served, their conversation became easier and much freer. Of course, they still talked about the kids, but that led into other people they knew were married (Luna and Neville; George and Katie; Bill and Fleur and their second daughter about to be born) and then to the years at Hogwarts.

Harry and Hermione couldn’t remember the last time they laughed, without the feeling of guilt. It was almost like being 15 again and it was exactly what they needed to get over that hump in their lives of feeling guilty every time one of them had fun and their spouse wasn’t there to share.

It was late when they finally decided to leave and see if Honeyduke’s was still open so they could grab some candy for their children. Walking hand and hand up the street, they saw that it was closed.

“Two eighteen month olds don’t need anymore candy,” Harry laughed. “What were we thinking?”

“We weren’t! And,” she glanced at her watch, “it’s almost midnight!” Hermione laughed with him. She spun around on her heels as her hair streamed out behind her. She usually had to keep it up with Ben’s sticky fingers, but for the first time in a long time Harry saw the old Hermione. It was very quiet in the street and it seemed very peaceful. They both stood there with their backs to the candy store, gazing up at George’s second store, also closed. He felt Hermione nudge up against him.

“We should probably head back.”

“One more walk down the street?” Harry offered and she accepted by tucking her hand through his arm and walking silently next to him. They walked slowly, as if they didn’t want to hurry home. Getting to the end of the street, they turned around and started back the way they came, Hermione’s hand leaving his arm and clasping his hand. Harry loved the feel of someone else walking next to him, one that was taller than his knees and one that could hold an intelligent conversation and it didn’t hurt that she was female. He realized that he had missed this closeness and as he thought more about it he was glad it was Hermione. It felt right…like he was still looking after her. Hermione turned into the alley that they had apparated in hours before and stopped. She turned and looked up at him, her hand still holding his.

“This was so much fun, I am really happy Molly kicked us out.” Hermione smiled and looked down as he took her other hand in his.

“Me too. I get so wrapped up in myself and Janie, it’s hard to think ‘outside of the box’ so to speak.” Harry held her hands, wondering where this conversation was going.

“Harry, you really think more about other people than you give yourself credit for. We both have been through so much that it’s hard to shift gears and move ahead.”

“Merlin, you’re good Hermione,” Harry said admirably and she just shrugged.

“I think you feel the same way I do so I just said it out loud.” She looked at him and her eyes searched his face. He began wondering how much he should read into that last sentence. Harry could feel that familiar rush of blood roar in his ears, much like he felt when he first realized he loved Ginny. Though, at this moment he was with his best friend, the one who helped him survive through just about everything, and now he felt the urge to kiss her. Gently he pulled her closer until they were touching and Hermione had to tilt her neck back to look at him. He removed his hand from hers and placed it against her cheek, brushing hair away from her eyes as he did so. He felt torn between possibly pushing their friendship too far and wanting to just kiss her.

“Harry, what are you thinking?” whispered Hermione, holding his one hand tighter.

“Honestly?”

Hermione nodded slightly.

“I am struggling with the emotion of wanting to kiss you, but then possibly ruining the one thing that has kept me going the past year.” He slid his hand down her arm and caught her hand again.

Hermione was quiet for a moment.

“Now, you just said what I was thinking.”

She took a step closer and was pressed up against him and heard Harry take a deep breath in and let it out slowly.

“So, we could just do what we feel for once and see what happens…,” she trailed off and gave a slight shiver as she felt his hand move around to the small of her back. She didn’t remember who made the move first, but she did remember how sweet it was to feel his lips on hers. It was a soft, tender kiss and one that Hermione hadn’t experienced in a long time. When neither one pulled away, they deepened it, tongues touching while the sense of just being with someone; someone they deeply cared about totally overwhelmed the need for rational thought. As Hermione’s hand went around to the back of Harry’s head to pull herself closer, it wasn’t a rational thought that broke them apart; it was the sound of a cat knocking over the garbage can. They jumped apart, each trying to calm themselves by looking for the source of the noise. When nothing else moved or crashed, they turned back to each other, and without speaking they apparated back to The Burrow.

CHAPTER TWO---Guilt

As they appeared in front of the house they were quiet for a moment until Harry glanced down and saw Hermione’s eyes were glistening with tears.

“Are you upset?” Harry asked softly, not removing his hand from her bare arm. He KNEW he shouldn’t have kissed her…damn; he should have listened to his instincts.

“No!” she said a bit vehemently then softened her voice.

“Harry, no, I’m not mad. It’s just…back there, I felt something I never thought I would feel again and it happened so fast, I didn’t know what to do. I don’t even know if what I am feeling is real or something like a rebound emotion.” She wiped at the tears falling down her face and Harry dropped his hand. He had felt like that too. Merlin, he felt like he was 16 again!

“I understand. I don’t know what I’m feeling either but I want…kissing you to be for the RIGHT reasons,” he tried to explain. She seemed to be listening so he forged ahead.

“Not just because we both have a hole to fill or that we happened to be in the right place at the right time…then again, I don’t want to waste time like I did at school with Ginny. We had maybe two months together before I…I mean you, me and Ron… left on the hunt and if I had been smarter or more in tune I could’ve had months or years of togetherness with her at Hogwarts.” Harry stopped suddenly, aware that he had said something to Hermione that he hadn’t told anyone but Ginny. He saw Hermione’s face register surprise as she wiped the last of her tears away.

“You-you never said that before, Harry.”

She was at a loss as to what else to say. All she really wanted to do was hug him and hold him and try to help him pick up the pieces in his life.

“It was something I told Ginny after Dumbledore’s funeral,” Harry mumbled, running his hands through his hair then he felt her launch herself at him and she was hugging him, hard. He wrapped his arms around her and held on just as tight, burying his face in her hair.

He felt so warm and whole when he was holding her that and for the time being, he didn’t care if this was just something passing or something real. Meanwhile, Hermione was just holding onto Harry, feeling him all around her and she knew that she didn’t want to step away. For the first time in a year, she was thinking of herself; not Ben or Janie or Molly and Arthur, just her with Harry.

She had no idea how long they stood like that, until a familiar “hoot” sounded from the apple orchard.

Both Harry and Hermione sighed as they pulled apart and walked into the house, where one light was on welcoming them back. The clock showed it was almost 1am and Harry really didn’t want to go to bed. His brain was so full of thoughts, that he thought a pensieve would be very useful at the moment. He shut and locked the door and saw Hermione walk into the living room which was dark except for the moon’s rays glinting on the wooden floor. Harry grabbed two bottles of juice out of the refrigerator and they both sat down idly sipping.

“I had a great time and thank you for dinner,” Hermione said breaking the silence.

“Me too and I was happy to do it.”

Harry wondered if she wanted to be alone, he had just sat down thinking he was welcome in her private space without even asking. As if sensing his thoughts Hermione said just one word, “Stay.”

Harry finished his pumpkin juice and set the bottle down on the table in front of them and turned towards her.

“Do you want to talk?” Harry asked wishing she would say something. He smiled a bit as a comment popped into his mind, “Or do you just fancy a snog?”

Hermione laughed and clapped her hand over her mouth.

It was the pick up line that George had used on Katie. Harry remembered him and Hermione laughing for the first time since Ginny and Ron had been buried when he heard that story…a mere two months after they were killed.

“You know Harry,” Hermione smiled and turned towards him, “I think I fancy the snog since you gave me a choice.”

Harry stared at her; probably with the same expression that George had had years ago when Katie had answered, “Snog” and launched herself at him.

“Seriously?” he asked softly and she nodded.

Harry didn’t hesitate, he leaned over and pressed his lips to hers, enjoying the small shock waves that were radiating from his mouth down to his arms and all over his body. Their bodies met in the middle of the sofa, arms wrapping around each other as they explored each other’s mouths for the second time. Hands moved over shirts and tugged them out of waistbands; then shyly moved to the buttons on their shirts; as their hands met each other’s flesh they stopped and pulled apart.

“Are you sure?” Harry asked, his voice cracking from the emotion he was feeling. Hermione nodded.

“Not here though,” she whispered, catching her breath.

“Maybe we should wait,” Harry said thinking it was the right thing to say, but his body telling him it was the wrong thing to say.

“For what?” Hermione whispered brushing her lips against his cheek. “We have already crossed that line…,” she trailed off at the end as Harry kissed her neck gently then pulled away.

“This was not in the plans for this evening, Hermione. I never thought that you and I…,” his voice trailed off not knowing the exact words that he wanted to say. His hand involuntarily wound a piece of her hair around his finger, curling and uncurling her hair, not really gazing at Hermione, but at a point right above her shoulder. Hermione placed her hands lightly on his shoulders.

“I believe that maybe you and I are just trying to struggle to the surface and breathe again, and I think that on some deep level we know what will help each other.” Hermione too kept her eyes averted, slowly buttoning the two buttons she had undone on his shirt.

Harry’s fingers stopped twirling and he glanced at her, moving his body back a few inches so he could see her. Hermione took this to mean he needed his space so she repositioned herself against the arm of the sofa as his hand fell to his side.

“You have pretty much been able to read me like a book, but I don’t even know what I need. For a year I’ve been right under the surface, part of me hoping Ginny and Ron would walk through that door and yell SURPRISE. It hasn’t happened yet…,” he ended in a whisper.

“You know it won’t. I would love for that to happen but it won’t. I think tonight helped us to edge towards that surface and break through our grief. Remember when George said he wished that he could just say “Accio Fred’s Life” and he’d be back smiling and laughing?”

Harry nodded somberly as she continued.

“I wish it was that easy. But, what we saw and experienced was awful. And as much as we don’t really like it, or think it’s fair, the world does go on and finally, I’ve come to realize that, if just for a few moments maybe WE can have fun and laugh and smile AND not feel guilty about it. Don’t you think that?” she leaned forward, her arm around the back of the sofa. She couldn’t see his face because the room was full of shadows and his face happened to be in one--much like it had been all year up until tonight. She saw him nod.

“Of course, now that we talk about not feeling guilty when we were eating and having a nice time, I feel guilty now.” Harry mused, not in a sorrowful voice but almost a contemplative one.

“Maybe we’re thinking too much,” Hermione added and saw a flash of white as Harry smiled.

“You have a tendency to do that. I always just followed your lead!”

“Well, I followed you into battle with Voldemort, so I wasn’t always the leader!” Hermione said defensively, crossing her arms and huffing, pretending to be very mad. She was enjoying the banter.

Harry laughed, a sound she always loved to hear because it was so rare. Even at Hogwarts he was always so serious about having to watch out for himself, that he rarely let his guard down.

“So, we are good then?” he asked, his arm reaching across the back of the sofa to meet hers. His hand settled on her elbow and he gave a light squeeze.

“We are. Always, Harry.”

Hermione turned her hand that was on the sofa and settled her palm against his arm and squeezed back. The urge to be held by him was so strong; she was pretty sure, 99% sure anyway, that he felt the same. There was electricity in the air and they could both feel it, but didn’t want to acknowledge that it existed. They were both quiet in their own thoughts; Hermione trying to figure out when she had first noticed this unexpected feeling of wanting (or was it needing?) Harry.

On the other side of the sofa Harry felt the energy too. He saw Hermione lick her lips and tilt her chin down, away from his lingering gaze. Unknowingly, he gripped her elbow tighter and she responded in turn.

“Harry,” Hermione whispered trying to call up that “Gryffindor Courage” so many people ranted on about. “Do you think we can not think for a bit?”

Harry was genuinely confused. “What do you mean?”

“Just…not…think. Just…do what we feel?” she lowered her voice and he had to lean forward to hear her. He scooted closer to her until his hand was settled on her shoulder.

“I think we could try,” he agreed and at the same time they stood up and hand in hand they quietly crept upstairs, checking on Ben and Janie on their way.

He followed her to Ron’s room and felt a momentary pang of unease. Ron’s bedroom didn’t look anything like it had before graduation. It was very adult and very Hermione at the moment. She got to the door first and opened it, leaving it open for him to follow. He quietly shut and locked the door behind him, having dropped her hand to do so. Hermione silently cast a silencio charm on the door and turned towards Harry, who reached for her hands, pulled her closer to him and lowered his head down to hers, not thinking about whom he was kissing and holding, just FEELING.

He kissed her deeply…letting everything he had ever felt for her during their years as friends transfer itself through his kiss. She responded, pressing herself against him in an unspoken message that he could understand. Their hands continued their paths along each other’s shirts, unbuttoning buttons and sliding the sleeves down each other’s arms. Harry felt her pull away as she stared at his chest for a moment; he looked down at her and was startled to see her without her shirt; it was very strange and very pleasant at the same time. Hermione ran her hands over his chest and looked up at him; her eyes unreadable as she stared hard into his.

He gazed back at her, feeling his heart beat quicker and wondered what she was trying to see in him---was she comparing him with Ron or having second thoughts? He knew he was pretty much beyond thought at this point and was just feeling very emotional. He saw her reach up and then felt her lips bear down on his…he grabbed her and in one swift move he unhooked her bra and it fell to the floor, joining their shirts. Hands moved quickly, both practiced in this area and in a matter of a minute their clothes pooled on the floor next to the bed.

He gently laid her back on the bed, his hands moving over places on Hermione he never thought of touching. Their lips remained connected, muffling sounds that neither one had ever heard from each other.

Before long, he felt himself joined with his best friend and he had the feeling of being on his broom, letting it take him where it may as he rushed towards something unknown. Any last coherent thoughts that he may have had went out the window, like Hedwig when she left his bedroom window at night. He was shocked at how fast he and Hermione reached that ultimate moment of complete happiness. He heard her gasp his name against his lips, her body curved into his. He moved his head to her neck and thought he might have said her name more than once. He felt her hands gripping his shoulders as he slowly spiraled down to earth and she relaxed beneath him. He lay there, relishing the soft warmth beneath him, feeling her breathe and her fingers trail up and down his back. The velvety quietness enveloped them and as he felt her shift beneath him, he rolled over onto his side and pulled the sheets up. Propping his head up on his hand he looked down at her. She gave a small smile as she held the sheet to her chest.

“Hi,” she whispered to Harry.

“Hi yourself,” he whispered back.

“This also wasn’t something I thought I would be doing tonight, I mean this morning.” Hermione stated, not meeting his eyes, but staring past him at the window.

“Me too. I have to say this was much better than the dessert that Fortesque’s offered us.” Harry smiled as she smiled and nodded.

“Harry,” Hermione turned onto her side and he lowered his head to the pillow and looked at her. “Please tell me this won’t change…us.”

Harry was quiet for a moment, thinking it already had but it was really just another branch out of their friendship that was waiting to be explored or to be left alone. Plus, it was the second time she had asked him and that usually meant she was nervous that her fears would come true.

“It won’t,” he told her firmly. Then a panicky thought hit him. “Mione? Did you cast a charm?” He had totally forgotten about it, having not used it ever with Ginny. Relief flooded him as she nodded.

“When I was looking at you, while we were standing I did. I don’t need another Ben right now.” She smiled and lightly touched his arm. She enjoyed the way he had held her, so carefully and lovingly. She couldn’t help making comparisons to Ron. Ron had been very tall and very well built—she had barely come up to his shoulder. Harry was leaner, skinnier and was only a few inches taller, rather than a foot. Ron was also very much the aggressor in bed…and with Hermione liking to be in control in general it led to some interesting scenes where she sometimes would get up and walk away until he backed off a bit. Ron always relented to her and she would come back and they would pick up where they had left off.

Harry seemed so much calmer, like he was taking in every piece of information about her and what they were doing while filing it away for use later.

Later?

Her thoughts were interrupted when he reached over her for his glasses. Instinctively she placed a quick, light feathery kiss on his shoulder as his hand connected with his glasses and he froze for a moment. He pulled his arm back slowly, glasses dangling from his finger tips. He stared down at her, barely making out the color of her eyes in the darkness…he wanted to kiss her again but feared if he did, he would be pushing, what was already teetering, over the edge. Instead he playfully set his glasses on her face. She giggled and made a comment about how blurry he was, turned around and set them on his face, pushing them gently up his nose.

“I think I better go back to my room…we don’t need to be found like this by our children or anyone else.” Harry sat up and swung his legs over the bed. Hermione made a noise in agreement, but regretted the warmth he took with him. She watched his dark form picking up his clothes and quickly putting them on. Then he came over and sat next to her on the side of the bed. She raised herself up on both elbows, still clutching the sheet to her chest.

“I’m not quite sure what I am supposed to say here.” Harry reached out and twisted a piece of her hair around his finger as he talked, “I don’t think a “bye” or “thanks” is appropriate.”

Hermione took a deep breath and let it out through her nose, thinking. He was right. “I love you” wasn’t something to be said at this moment either.

“How about “see you in the morning?”” she suggested and Harry nodded and hesitated a moment before getting up from the bed. He leaned down and brushed his lips across her forehead whispering goodnight. She laid herself back down on the pillows, her dark hair spread out behind her and Harry stood up, placing a hand on one of the posters of the bed. He was finding it hard to leave. One more time he reached out to her, trying to make sure all this was real and not some bizarre dream so he touched her shoulder in a silent gesture. She reached up and squeezed his fingers before he pulled away. He slowly turned away and headed toward the door, letting in a sliver of light as he slipped out quietly.

Chapter 3---Dreams

The next few days went past in a blur to Harry. He and Janie had gone back to his house and done some visiting to friends and Professor/Headmistress McGonagall. He thought about Hermione at least a dozen times a day and was determined that what happened was a one time thing. Ever since he came down the stairs that following morning with Hermione already at the table, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had been giving them strange looks. He didn't think he was acting any differently towards Hermione or Ben, but maybe there was some type of nonverbal communication going on he couldn't control. After packing up his and Janie's items he hugged his in-laws goodbye, gave Ben a “big bear hug” and what he thought was a good, platonic hug to Hermione and had headed back to his house.

While visiting Neville and dropping off some baby clothes for them that Janie had outgrown (Neville and Luna were two months away from their first son) they had asked how he and Hermione were. He had told them that they were doing well and had even gone out to dinner. Luna had adopted her dreamy look at that moment and made the comment, “You are two peas in a pod and pretty soon the shell will open and you will see the light.” Harry was used to such crazy comments but Neville still shook his head at her, which got him pushed off the sofa in the process. He hadn't quite grasped the #1 rule of “WHAT TO DO IF YOUR WIFE IS PREGNANT” which was to agree and/or nod your head at everything she says or asks. Harry had just laughed and helped Neville up off the floor. Luna had thoroughly enjoyed playing with Janie and trying to explain that the baby in her stomach was not a doll named Wendy.

That evening, the fourth one since he had last seen Hermione (but who was counting?) and the second one since had heard from her--about a recent fall Ben had taken that had given him a nice bruise, Janie asked a question he thought he would never hear from an 18 month old. She was very verbal as most of the Weasley children were at this age.

“Daddy, me want baby brother.” She was sitting on his lap, getting a story for bedtime and Harry just froze.

“Ummm…why?” he asked so he could stall for the perfect answer to drop from the sky into his head.

“Me and Ben can play with.” Well, that was something else he wasn't sure he was ready to hear.

`Me and Ben? Does she think he's her brother?' Harry wondered to himself.

Even though they called him “cousin” many times, she never had said that word.

“Well, maybe someday far down the road, but you won't be getting a baby brother anytime soon, Jane.” Harry picked up the book and made a move to start reading again.

“Why?” she cocked her head and looked up at him.

`Dammit!' Harry thought, his brain working wildly. `We are into the WHY stage now. Ginny I could really use you now!' he thought to himself and as if his prayers were answered, a response popped into his mind.

“You need to be older,” Harry said, mildly surprised at the words that came out of his mouth. Janie scrunched up her nose, in a very Hermione-esque way, which meant she was thinking.

“Okay,” her little voice sounded doubtful but for the moment she seemed satisfied. A small miracle.

“Now, daddy…book!” she settled back against him and he mentally thanked Ginny because that would have been the sort of thing she would have said to detour the line of questioning.

------

Harry looked down after he finished the book and saw Janie had fallen asleep with her head against his chest. Carefully, he laid it down next to the chair and stood up with his daughter cradled in his arms. For a moment he just gazed at her beautiful sleeping face. He felt the pressure of tears behind his eyes, feeling the fierceness of his love for her.

He finally understood what his parents must've felt moments before their death and it never failed to make his breath catch in his throat as he blinked back tears. Her dark lashes lay softly upon her fair skin and her hair was getting so long, it was starting to curl at her shoulders. Sometimes, he had to remind himself she was only 18 months, not three years old. He brushed a kiss across her forehead and laid her in her bed quietly putting up the bed rail. He cracked the door to her room and tiptoed down the stairs to watch some TV. He was still in the habit of watching the news every night--which started years ago when he would lay outside the window at the Dursley's and listen to the news through the open window.

Harry settled into his chair and with a wave of his hand, he went directly to the channel he knew would have the local news in a half hour and proceeded to watch some sitcom, that wasn't funny, without really seeing it. His thoughts drifted towards Ginny, amazed how he could finally think of her without feeling like he was going to break down into tears. He was able to talk to Janie about her a bit this afternoon after she found their wedding picture and asked about it. Janie seem enraptured with the story of Harry marrying Ginny…Janie would wave back at the photo as the happy couple waved.

Then Janie asked who “that boy was with `Aunt Mi-o-ne”. She called him “Old Ben” because he and his son closely resembled each other. This naturally turned Harry's thoughts to Hermione.

The other night had been fantastic…even if you took the unexpected shag out of the picture. He hadn't had that much fun since, well, dating Ginny and the more he looked at Hermione that night, the more convinced he became that somehow his feelings had broken free of the cage he kept them in since Ginny's death. They seemed to have a mind of their own, flying in his head, producing images of Hermione in her sleeveless blouse and knee length skirt, her hair streaming down her shoulders. These memories created feelings he hadn't felt in a long time and thought he would never feel for anyone else…ever. During his last year at school, during the engagement and wedding of him and his best friends, he and Hermione's relationship had never changed. They could read each other's slightest facial expression, could sense the other's mood just by the way they picked at the food on their plate, or even from the nonverbal way they would hold their heads when listening to someone.

Harry realized he never had that with Ginny. Every day she would surprise him with a story about school he didn't know, or when he thought something was wrong or that she was upset, she would insist it was nothing; she was just tired from dealing with a baby that wouldn't nap. He could never peg Ginny down and always joked that he learned something new everyday about her. They had many good times like playing Quidditch together, taking walks and talking about the latest news in the Muggle or Magical World. The relationship between him and Ginny versus him and Hermione was vastly different he was realizing.

Harry started drifting off to sleep, tired from the all the playing he and Janie did at the local park. The last thought to cross his mind was that he should really visit the Burrow in the morning.

Ron stared straight into Harry's eyes, reached up with a shaking hand and pulled him down until their noses were almost touching. “Take care of them, Harry. Please.” He whispered as Harry tried every spell he could think off to stop the bleeding that was coming from Ron's side. Harry was holding Ginny's head in his lap, tears streaming down his face. “Ron, you'll be ok…” Harry had choked out.

“No…I am ready to go on the next great adventure, mate. Just promise-,” Ron closed his eyes then forced them open again, his breathing very shallow, “Protect and watch Ben and Hermione…I love them.” His eyes then flicked to his sister. “Ginny?” and with his only sister's name on his lips, he had closed his eyes for the last time and took his last breath, seconds before healers from St. Mungos apparated next to him.

This is normally where Harry's dream would stop and he would bolt upright in bed, tears streaming down his face. However, tonight was different; he didn't wake up but stayed asleep with the TV droning on in the background.

Harry heard Ginny mumbling and he turned his head to find her sitting next to him at St.Mungo's in one of the waiting rooms. He just stared at her, not believing that just a few minutes ago he had said goodbye to her and Ron and yet, here she was.

“How are you, Harry?” she asked like nothing happened. He just stared at her, blinking rapidly and reaching out to touch her, but he couldn't feel the red hair that his fingers sought. “I figured you would be speechless,” she gave him a small smile and turned her head to look at a Nurse walking down the corridor while speaking.

“I want you to know I love you and Janie; I want you to do whatever is necessary to give her the best life possible and do whatever you need to do to be happy.” She blew him a kiss, something she and Harry had done every day before he would leave for work. Harry blinked and she was gone. He now noticed the noise of the hospital all around him and he turned his head, swearing he just felt someone touch his cheek, but he was alone…

Harry started in his chair and pushed the footrest down, feeling very unsettled.

`At least my scar isn't hurting,' he thought wryly.

He had never had a dream so real, one that affected him so greatly so that he felt nauseous. He needed to talk to Hermione. Taking a few deep breaths, he got up and walked to the fireplace, getting ready to talk to the Weasley house by floo…he couldn't just up and leave Janie by herself. He could cast charms or spells so he could hear her from wherever he was but the Muggle part of him felt guilty doing that.

After talking to Mrs. Weasley, who said Hermione was putting Ben down and that she would relay the message, Harry stood back up and turned to the TV which was just starting the 10pm newscast. He decided he couldn't sit with all the nervous energy so he went into the kitchen, found some biscuits, made two cups of tea and minutes later when he came back out he saw Hermione sitting in his chair.

“You ok?” she immediately asked, accepting the tea he handed to her. Harry sat down in the identical recliner that was a few feet away from her, then got up and started pacing…something he rarely did.

“I fell asleep and had that dream again, but there was more...,” he paused and took a sip of the almost scalding liquid, then resumed his pacing.

“It didn't stop when the healers arrived?” Hermione asked softly, never taking her eyes off of him. He shook his head, then stopped and grabbed a biscuit finally sitting down on the sofa, the end nearest to Hermione's chair. He chewed on the biscuit, trying to arrange his thoughts, calm his stomach, then decided to tell her the series of events as it was in his dream. He set his cup down and leaned forward not looking at her, but at his hands clasped between his knees and reiterated what he had just dreamt.

Hermione was silent for a moment and Harry turned towards her, for the first time noticing she was wearing pajamas and that she had the customary “bed time” braids. He had interrupted her and Ben's bedtime—immediately he felt embarrassed. Hermione looked at him for a moment then said something he didn't think he would have heard her say.

“I had one like it too, with Ginny talking to me but in my dream it was at the Burrow.” She furrowed her eyebrows together as she took a sip, trying to connect everything she had read about dreams to what she and Harry were talking about.

“Ginny said to me, and I remember it because it was something I never thought she would say to ME, she said, `I want you to be happy and make sure that Harry finds his too. Tell Janie about our conversations when she gets old enough',” Hermione smiled at Harry and explained that meant about boys in general, “then she stood up and looked at their clock like she was checking to see where everyone was. Then she just disappeared.” Hermione wrapped her hands around her warm teacup and sat in silence with Harry for a few minutes. She stood up and walked around to the sofa and sat down while putting a hand on his back and rubbing it in small circles, like she had done so many times before. With a loud sigh he sat back against the sofa, forcing Hermione to remove her hand.

“I'm sorry I called you away from your bedtime to tell you a stupid dream. You obviously handled yours better than I just did.” He gave her an apologetic smile and patted her knee. She grabbed his hand and laced her fingers through his.

“Harry—I just had that dream tonight. I fell asleep with Ben and was probably out for 20 minutes or so.” They stared at each other, trying to sort through the events. Harry laid his head back finally and shut his eyes, feeling her hand squeeze a bit tighter on his as she laid her head back also, copying his posture.

Harry turned his head towards Hermione to find her staring at him, faces inches apart.

“I wonder what I am supposed to be thinking about this whole dream…thing.” Harry asked softly, his eyes roaming over her face. She gave a small shrug and raised her eyebrows.

“I guess we should probably just let it roll around in our heads tonight. Maybe hit the library tomorrow and see if we can find anything on dreams.”

“The library always has the answers,” Harry joked, which earned him a jab in the leg with his hand still connected to Hermione's.

“Don't hit…didn't they teach you that at your primary school?” Harry joked, earning him a punch in the arm from her free right hand, but Harry being the Seeker that he was, caught it before she could pull away. Hermione was about to say something smart back to him, but he leaned forward and kissed her, pushing her words back in her throat. His mouth leisurely moved over hers enjoying the surprised little moan which encouraged Harry to pull her closer making their kiss become deeper and more intimate. As he could feel himself wanting more, he called up in every ounce of willpower he had and slowly pulled away adjusting his glasses and taking in Hermione's flushed face. They looked at each other intently, catching their breath, hands still entwined.

“Well,” Hermione started to say and Harry shook his head slightly, which she knew to mean “don't say anything”. He helped her up from the couch and gave her a big hug, feeling her lean into him.

“Thanks for coming over.” Harry said softly and Herimone nodded.

“You'll be ok here?” she asked pulling away from him and this time he nodded. “Come by tomorrow.”

“Sure will.” Harry answered and let his fingers trail along hers as she walked towards the fireplace. After she grabbed some floo powder she looked back, smiled and then she was gone.

The next morning, after Bill came and collected Janie for a play date (with her five year old cousin, Victoire) Harry was just about to step into the fireplace, his hand already full of floo powder when an owl soared up to his window. Carefully placing the powder back into the canister, he opened the window and took the letter from the tawny colored owl. Immediately it turned around and was soon a small dot in the graying sky.

Elegant handwriting that he didn't recognize graced the front of the letter. Flipping it over he saw the Ministry of Magic Seal carefully applied on the back. He flopped down into his chair and slit open the back, unfolded the short letter and read through carefully. Twice.

Pocketing the letter, he resumed his movements from earlier and was soon ducking out of the Weasley fireplace into a very quiet, calm house. He guessed Mrs. Weasley was out visiting Mr. Lovegood, who recently had tried to start cooking gourmet meals and had requisitioned Mrs. Weasley to help him. Mr. Weasley was still at work, but he had expected to hear Ben laughing or Hermione reading him a book.

“Hermione?” Harry called wandering into the kitchen. Hermione held a finger to her lips and a cell phone to her ear.

“I know mom. No, Ben doesn't need a second helping of pudding. Just one is fine. No matter how much he begs.”

Harry smiled and quietly sat down at the kitchen table folding out the letter in front of him.

“Okay. Yes, he'll go down soon after lunch. Alright, cheers!” Hermione placed her phone back in her purse and rolled her eyes at Harry.

“My mum gets so paranoid when it comes to Ben. You think she'd remember how to feed a baby. She had me!”

“Is he there all day?”

“Yeah, she wants to take him to my father's work and show him off. Hopefully, he won't make anything fly if he has a temper tantrum. Not sure how you'd explain that in a dentist's office.” Her eyes fell to the cream colored sheet with the red border that was laid out in front of Harry.

“You got a letter from the Ministry?”

“More of a job offer. Here,” he slid it across the table and she intently read the few paragraphs.

“Wow, they want to offer you a job in reorganizing the Auror department? What do you think?”

Harry shrugged and folded the letter back up.

“I'm not sure. I was toying with the idea of talking to McGonagall about the DADA position, but the Ministry has onsite day care…,” he looked up and could tell by the look on her face that she wanted him to take it. They had often talked about the breakdown in communication that had to have happened for a rouge group of death-eaters to come out of nowhere and kill numerous people.

“That's a plus, or I'm sure there are people here that would watch her.”

“I know but I don't want to make them feel like they HAVE to watch her, just because I may choose to go back to work. I'm not sure I'd know how to go about reorganizing a department…but, what about you?” Harry changed the subject leaning back and assessing Hermione. “Are you going to go back to healing?”

“Honestly? No. I don't want to do that anymore. It was the hardest thing ever to lose Ron and Ginny; I can't imagine being a healer and having…someone else I love come in and I can't save them. Did you see how devastated Hannah Abbott was when she couldn't do anything for Ron?”

Harry nodded soberly, remembering that Hannah had been crying as much as the two of them that evening.

“I always thought I'd be strong enough to handle it. I was proved wrong I guess.”

“You tried, Hermione. I read somewhere in a Muggle magazine that the average person changes jobs eight times in their lives. This will just be the second time for you,” Harry smiled encouragingly. He saw her mouth the word “eight” like she couldn't imagine having that many jobs throughout her life.

“So, what DO you want to do?” he asked, shifting in his chair to stretch out his legs. He felt the letter crinkle in his jeans pocket and suddenly had an idea. “Hermione, I'm sure there has to be more than on position they need filled in the Auror Department! And, if this letter is right and they are offering me the top spot, I know I'll need help. You could work there if you wanted.”

“I don't know…,” she frowned and played with a fingernail. “I don't want Harry Potter getting me a job because you're a famous friend.”

“There are ways around that. But listen,” Harry leaned forward and laid his hand firmly over hers. “You've always said how you wanted to change things. You and I both. I know they had offered us jobs right after graduation but we were so…pissed at them we told them to blow it out their arse. But now? Here is our chance to not let this happen---again!”

He could see he had her attention. Her hands at stilled under his but her eyes were locked steady onto him. “Who's to say that there isn't some little kid like…well, like Malfoy…having fun in the Dark Arts and in a few years time getting friends together to try another uprising? We could help integrate new rules, establish contacts in various areas that could be our ears when we aren't there.”

Hermione interrupted him with a smile.

“It sounds as if you already have made up your mind.”

He thought for a moment and leaned back, dragging his fingers off of hers, but at the last minute she grabbed then and held on tight.

“Have you?” she questioned.

“I—Well, I'd have to talk to this Auror Clogkey and see what this entails. And, I want ask how many people they think they need, if they are going to advertise or select people privately. Is it up to me? To her? I could give you a heads up or, I bet if need be, Mr. Weasley could.”

“No. I would have to do this myself Harry. Not with other people's help. Plus, I'd have to see what the pay is and what daycare cost would be. Because I, like you, don't want to take advantage of the hospitality I'm already receiving.” She gripped his hand tightly as she got up and walked over to the chair next to him continuing her thoughts.

“Are you sure you want to leave teaching?”

“I think so. I've been out for over a year and Hogwarts seems to have found someone that can last longer than anyone else in that post.”

“Well, then maybe this is the job for you.”

“Why don't we head over to the Ministry, say hello to Mr. Weasley and check out their employment board? I'm sure there has to be something there for you too.”

Hermione was quiet, her thumb running absentminded circles on the top of his wrist making his insides squirm in a very pleasant way.

“What's wrong?” Harry asked trying not to think of the thumb caressing his wrist. He concentrated on watching her study the floor intently. It wasn't until he cleared his throat that her thumb stopped but she didn't look up. Hesitantly, he reached over and tilted her chin up so he could see her eyes. “You're conflicted aren't you?”

“I am,” Hermione whispered as the full weight of her going back to work settled upon her shoulders. They both knew her funds were low. She didn't want her parents to know or they'd send money and she didn't want charity from them. She knew she'd have to return to work within a month if she was going to continue putting food in Ben's mouth and saving for a house of her own.

“You'll be fine. So will Ben. They'd be in the same daycare and have each other and with Lavender Brown heading that area up, you know she'd be giving him extra attention.”

“Like he needs that,” she gave him a small smile, thanking him for trying to allay her fears of leaving Ben.

“We all need a little extra attention. Babies just…more so… sometimes,” Harry said his eyes widening as, again, thoughts came unbidden and just seemed to pour out of his mouth without crossing over his brain.

“Wow…that was deep, for you I mean,” Hermione squeezed his hand and let her eyes flicker to his mouth. “No offense.”

“None taken,” Harry whispered feeling quite undone at the moment. He wasn't even really aware of leaning in until his lips touched hers. His brain seemed to shut down for a moment and it was only when Hermione was straddling him in the chair, their hands tangled in each others hair did he realize what they were doing. He must've hesitated, just for a moment, because Hermione suddenly pulled away her hand falling to her shoulders.

“Merlin…I,” Harry started. And just as easily as the words came to him earlier, they had abandoned him now.

“That was…well, that was some great extra attention,” Hermione said weakly, her forehead pressed against his. “I don't know what is happening, Harry.”

“Me either.” His hand slid to her hips, relieved that she hadn't moved any closer to his chest, because he'd definitely be quite undone by now.

“I think we should get our lives straightened out first before we launch into something that could potentially be…complicated,” Hermione continued slowly disengaging herself.

“I'm sorry, it just happened,” Harry blurted out, finding his glasses on the table and wondering when they had come off.

`That sounded so…trite!' he though busying himself with wiping off the fingerprints on his lenses.

“It takes two Harry,” Hermione stood up, her hand resting for a moment on his shoulder. “And, I think we both kind of started it.”

“Well,” he cleared his throat again nervously, wondering what they were going to do now to fill this awkward moment.

“Why don't we head to the Ministry? Arthur just happened to forget his lunch…again,” Hermione hinted, pulling a brown bag out of the refrigerator.

“Well, we don't want a Weasley to starve now do we?” Harry stood up and saw his shirt was untucked and noticed Hermione blushing as she turned away.

`Damn, she's got quick hands. When did she do that?' he thought as he quickly tucked it in and followed her out to the living room so they could floo to the Ministry of Magic.

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A/N: Ok, this story went in an entirely different direction than I had originally intended. I have a feeling it's going to be more than a ficlet….enjoy!

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Chapter 4---Janie's Power

Harry woke up slowly, not quite sure what the noise was in his room. He grunted something and heard Janie's voice by his bedside.

“Daddy,” she whined and Harry sat up, reaching for his glasses and at the same time wrapping and arm around her and pulling her up into bed. She was clammy, warm and shivering all at once.

“Janie, do you feel sick?”

She nodded against his chest and promptly threw up in his lap making Harry jump up, set Janie down and curse softly all at once. She began crying and he tried to talk reassuringly to her as he cleaned up the mess, using magic on his bed, her and himself.

“Daddy,” she moaned clutching her stomach, curled up in a little ball and all Harry could do was hold her, trying to remember if he even owned a muggle thermometer. She had never been sick. He and Ginny never had anything more than colds and coughs throughout the winter. He felt uneasy, something wasn't right with his daughter but he didn't have enough knowledge in the medical field to think beyond a stomach virus and fever.

He glanced at the clock simultaneously casting a cooling charm on Janie who was still shaking in his arms.

3:30am. He fought the urge to wake up Hermione. They still had, after all this time, the DA coins she had made eight years ago and they used them only in emergencies. When Ron and Ginny went down in the Alley, Hermione had used her coin to warn George who was the first Weasley member to make it to Harry's side before they had apparated to St. Mungo's.

But was this an emergency? Couldn't Janie have caught something from one of the children at the park the other day and just be sick like a normal child?

“Hurts,” Janie whispered clutching Harry's hand.

“What does, Janie?” Harry set his wand down next to him and felt her head. She was still so hot.

“All of me,” she let out half a sob and vomited all over him again, refusing a drink of water after he finished cleaning them up. He had enough knowledge to know she could get dehydrated and that combined with the nagging concern that this wasn't any childhood illness led him to dig his coin out of his nightstand drawer and contact Hermione. She had charmed it years ago so it would now make a soft chiming sound in case the person didn't have it in a pocket where they could feel the coin.

Somehow he managed to pull on a pair of pajama pants and t-shirt while holding Janie and made his way downstairs in time to see Hermione walking across his living room clad in sweatpants and a long sleep shirt.

“What's wrong with Janie?” she asked as way of greeting, her voice thick with sleep. Janie turned slightly towards Hermione as he laid her on the couch, her face pale against Harry's black t-shirt. Harry quickly ran down Janie's symptoms and watched as Hermione pulled out a few instruments from her bag. She talked quietly to Janie while managing to check her temperature, get her weight and made a few notes.

“Her fever is 104 so we need to get her to the hospital,” Hermione jumped a bit as Janie dry heaved in her direction. She picked Janie up, grabbed Harry's arm and in one swift movement apparated them into the children's ward at St. Mungo's.

-----

“Well, Mr. Potter, it seems as if she just has a stomach bug.”

“She's never been sick. Neither had her mother nor I,” Harry responded curtly, not quite liking this older gentleman standing next to his daughter's bedside.

“Well, we see a bit of everything in here. Since she isn't pureblood, she still has a bit of Muggle in her which does make her susceptible to just about any kind of Muggle illness out there.”

“So does Ben Weasley and I've never seen him get sick in the 19 months he's been alive,” Harry responded cutting his eyes over to Hermione who wisely stayed quiet, her hand stroking Janie's hair from her forehead.

“Everyone is different. I don't need to tell you that though. I'll be back to check on her. For now, we'll hydrate her and let the medicine help calm her stomach. Her fever should begin to recede in an hour or so.”

And with that the man whose name Harry couldn't remember left the room, shutting the door behind him.

“He's wrong.” Harry paced the small room's perimeter. “I know this isn't some typical childhood illness. I just know it!”

“Well, she's safe here and for now all we can do is treat it as such until we know exactly what else it could be,” Hermione said carefully seeing how agitated he was. “Did she seem okay last night?”

“Just cranky. She had a temper tantrum about going to bed and blew a mirror to pieces. I hadn't seen her that angry before.”

“Well, she's little and probably doesn't have the full vocabulary to tell you exactly what was bothering her.”

“Maybe,” Harry agreed resignedly. He sat down taking Janie's hand, feeling how warm she still was.

He and Hermione spent the next hour sitting silently at his daughter's bedside, each hoping some color would return to her cheeks, each starting as she would jerk quickly and cry out. Finally, after the third time of Janie screaming Harry hit the call button above the bed and a different healer appeared.

“She's not getting better and keeps screaming. You need to run more tests.”

“We did, Mr. Potter, and they came back normal.” The woman obviously knew Hermione because she turned to her while speaking. “We analyzed her blood and there isn't any infection. Her blood pressure is slightly elevated but that is normal as you know if she's stressed.”

Hermione just gave a slight nod and quickly glanced at Harry who seemed to be shooting daggers at this healer who wasn't addressing him--the father of the patient.

“I think he'd like to get another opinion,” Hermione told the healer. “Do you happen to know if Charles is working today?”

“He comes in at 5am. But, he's still in research.”

“Send him in here, please. Tell him I'm requesting his opinion on this little girl,” Hermione held the healers gaze for a moment and Harry could see the doubtful look pass over the other woman's face.

“I'll tell him, then.” She made a few adjustments to the liquid slowly dripping onto a patch on Janie's skin, which was meant to hydrate her, then left with a nod to Harry.

“She's intimidated by you.”

“Who is Charles?” Harry asked not so politely, ignoring Hermione's comment.

“He's a young doctor, healer, probably a year younger than us that specializes in children's illnesses in the magical world. He's been researching on whether or not there is some genetic disposition that brings out illness in some magical children but not in others.”

She paused and glanced down a Janie, a small frown at the corners of her mouth. “I have Muggle parents and haven't been sick. Janie here has a pure blood as one parent…and…you as the other. I have to believe that this isn't some normal childhood illness.”

“What do you think it is?” Harry asked, finally tearing his eyes off Janie's sleeping form and meeting Hermione's. Hopelessness was welling up inside him and was threatening to spill over. He wasn't sure if he wanted to cry or throw something out the window.

“I don't know. But we'll find out. I promise, Harry.” Hermione gently put Janie's hand down and walked around the bed and stood next to Harry's chair. They didn't touch each other although Harry desperately wanted to reach out, wrap his arms around Hermione and be comforted, only for a moment. This was completely unfamiliar territory for him and he felt unanchored, weightless in space without any specific destination set for him.

“Harry,” Hermione whispered bringing Harry up out of his thoughts. He looked up at her and was about to reach for her hand when at that moment Janie jerked on the bed, arched her back and proceeded to scare the hell out of Harry by having a seizure; something he had never seen before.

As Hermione calmed Harry, saying all he could do was make sure she didn't hit her head on the bed rail, she hit the call button and yelled that Charles needed to get in here and if he wasn't available she needed his assistant.

“Now!” she barked into the speaker just as the door behind her opened. Janie finally relaxed, her breathing heavy and Harry relaxed his hold on her shoulders looking over his own to see who walked in.

“Jane Lily Potter?” the tall blond man asked striding over to her bedside, immediately broadcasting an air of authority.

“Yes,” Harry answered shakily meeting the man's look and feeling some sense of ease fall over him. He trusted this man, Charles, from what Hermione has just said in the way of greeting.

“One minute and I'll try to answer any questions you have. Then it'll be my turn to ask, okay?” Charles asked in an accent Harry didn't recognize but he nodded while stepping back and relinquishing control to this man. Hermione stood next to Charles, intently watching the complicated wand movements, watching him make notes with a quick quill. Charles bent down and opened one of Janie's eyes and peered into them much like Harry's old Muggle doctor did with him. He straightened up and turned back to Harry looking straight at him.

“Is she okay?” Harry asked not hesitating in getting his questions answered.

“Yes and no. She's not going to die, but we need to talk about what I think is wrong.”

“What is that?” Harry felt a hand guide him into a chair his eyes never leaving Charles' face.

“Did Hermione explain to you what I do? What I research?”

“A bit. Does she have some serious illness?” Harry asked his legs shaking so badly he had to grip his knees tightly, hardly aware of a hand rubbing circles over his back.

“No. Not an illness, in my opinion.” Charles glanced back at Janie then over to Hermione obviously collecting his thoughts.

“What does she have then?” Harry asked his eyes flicking to Hermione. He was under the impression she may know something of what Charles was thinking. Charles ran a hand though his hair, trying to put his thoughts into words.

“I've had an idea for the past few years that I've been researching, trying to prove.”

“Remember how I said he was researching genetics in magical children?” Hermione's hand squeezed Harry's shoulder and this time he reached up and took it, grasping for strength wherever he could find it. He had a horrible feeling that something was going to be very wrong with Janie, who finally looked a bit peaceful as she continue to lay two feet away from Harry.

“She's correct, I am doing that. But not for illnesses.” Charles lowered his voice a bit, conjured up a chair with a flick of his wand and sat down facing Harry.

“For what then? Is something wrong with her genes? Did I do this to her because Voldemort possessed me?” Harry demanded, noticing that Charles didn't flinch as many people still did when the former Dark Lord's name was mentioned. Harry's worst dreams felt like they were almost coming true.

He had never told anyone, not even Ginny, that he thought whenever he had a child that something would be wrong with it. That somehow Voldemort may have managed to mess up something in him on the cellular and genetic level.

“No. This has nothing to do with Voldemort possessing you,” Charles said firmly and Harry felt the darkness begin to recede a bit; the feeling that he was going to pass out not so prevalent anymore. “I'm not going to make an assumption right now, so I need to ask you questions. But I assure you, Jane isn't going to die. She will grow up to be a healthy, happy woman and give you many grandchildren. We just need to sort out a few things. Her mother,” Charles looked down at the chart in his hand then back up, “Was Ginevra Weasley? They're a pureblood family.”

Harry nodded slowly, wondering what he was going to ask that wasn't on the chart. The first few questions were the same ones that the healer's asked. Harry got the feeling that Charles was double checking his answers.

No, Janie had never been sick.

No, as far as he knew, she hadn't been around anyone that was sick.

No, she wasn't allergic to anything, though there were many foods she wouldn't eat.

“And her godparents are?” Charles asked, momentarily stunning Harry. They had never officially chose any godparents and he looked at Hermione helplessly for a moment.

“Let me rephrase that. Is she around anyone else outside your immediately family?”

“Just Hermione and Ben. Sometimes Neville Longbottom and his wife. I don't…associate with my side of the family anymore,” Harry felt Hermione's hand twitch slightly at the mention of his family. He knew how she felt about them and squeezed her hand softly. He had no problem talking about them and knew exactly where they were, the same house, and that his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon now had a grandson who lived right down the street with Dudley and whoever decided to marry him.

“Do you watch her a lot, Hermione?” Charles looked up at Hermione and Harry immediately jumped up, anger simmering inside him.

“What are you insinuating?” Harry demanded, feeling Hermione tug his arm making him sit back down. Charles held up his hand and shook his head.

“Nothing. I'm trying to get a rough idea of how many magical people your daughter is close too. That's all. I know Hermione wouldn't hurt a fly.”

`How would he know that?' Harry thought irrationally for a moment.

“She and Ben play together quite a bit so I'm around her then. I don't often baby-sit her, per se.”

“Has she shown any outward signs of magic? Besides the temper tantrums that children have?”

Harry took a deep breath trying to calm himself and get his thoughts straight in his head.

“Think hard for me, please. It's important. Anything besides the usual breaking of a cup or toy if she's angry.”

“Well,” Harry rubbed his eyes under his glasses. “She broke a mirror last night because she didn't want to go to bed.”

“A handheld one?”

“No. The large kind over our bathroom sink.”

“Where was she in relation to the bathroom mirror?”

Harry vividly remembered picking up a kicking Janie and setting her in her bed, then hearing a violent crash from below them, startling her into silence for the first time that evening.

“It was two floors down, in the opposite corner of the house.”

Harry heard the sound of a quill scratching across some paper.

“What about the time we were at the playground a few months ago?” Hermione spoke quietly to Harry.

“What?” he dropped his hand and glanced at her, letting his eyes lock with hers.

“Remember when that big dog came up and she got scared?”

“Oh yeah,” Harry's eyes widened at the memory. “Yeah, she doesn't like dogs for some reason and was only a few feet away from me. The dog was friendly and just wanted to be petted but she screamed and was pointing to the dog and for a moment the dog seemed to freeze. Really freeze…almost like the petrificus totalus curse but it was only for a few seconds. He turned and ran the other way.”

Harry turned to Charles now who was keeping his face very impassive.

“Anything else?”

“No.” Harry glanced at Hermione who echoed him. “So, what does that have to do with anything?”

“Well,” Charles sighed and sat back, his hands folded on his clipboard. “She's a very powerful little girl. Genetically look at who her parents are. Think of everything you and Ginny had ever done, take in the pure blood on the Weasley side, the abilities you have. Take a look at the environment she's growing up in too. She's with Hermione quite a bit, who is also a very powerful witch. I know Professor Dumbledore and have talked with his portrait many times. When he found out that I knew Hermione he made sure to mention she was the smartest witch of her age.”

“Right,” Harry hedged wondering where this was going. He glanced over at Janie who mumbled something in her sleep then settled down again. “What does this have to do with your research?”

“She was born in September, on a Sunday which was the seventh, at 7:07 pm, correct?”

“Yes. Ginny had made a comment about all those sevens…,” Harry preempted him.

“Right. That wouldn't go unnoticed. Ginny was the seventh child, also. If you remember any Astrology you know the significance of the number seven. I've found when a child is born with the number seven or any of its multiples, they have... well, they can incur a bit more magic than the average magical baby born on the 5^th day of the 3^rd month. If I could describe Jane, I would say she's probably very observant, careful in her actions, rarely gets upset but when she does it's explosive.” Charles looked at Harry for confirmation.

Harry was dumbfounded. How did he know this about Janie? Hermione hadn't worked with him as far as he knew; she hadn't talked to him about Janie that Harry was aware of. He never even knew this man existed until a half hour ago. So, he just nodded.

“Okay. That sways me more towards what I was originally thinking.”

“Just tell me what is wrong with her!” Harry demanded pulling his hand out of Hermione's grasp. He pointed to his daughter on the bed.

“She's sick. She had a seizure. Nothing seems to be working to make her better. Tell me what it is so I can start dealing with it!”

“Mr. Potter, Jane is a very powerful little girl. Given just the genetics that she has from you and Ginny she was already predisposed to being just that. She's demonstrated that by being able to make a rather large mirror explode many feet away from where she was. She managed to conjure up a very minor version of the petrificus totatlus curse when she felt she was in danger. Now, as we have learned in school each person has their own magical signature. If you believe in what the Muggles call bio rhythms, then you can carry that over to the Wizarding World. Being the observant little girl who is constantly studying her surroundings and being around Hermione here, a very powerful witch in her own right, it's my belief that Jane is absorbing some of those rhythms, and the more she takes in the more powerful her own magic becomes. However, since she is so young she doesn't know what this feeling is, or how to release it. Probably because, as you were told to when you first become parents, you are to teach them respect the laws the ministry sets down. But, sometimes they can't help it.” Charles paused for a moment and took a sip of water from a cup that magically appeared to his side.

“But…but…what about Ben? Look who his parents are!” Harry sputtered.

“Does he have temper tantrums and break things?”

“Yes,” Hermione smiled a bit.

“He's letting out some of that magic. Jane just isn't the kind of little girl to do that. So, what is happening is it's basically finding another outlet to get out of her so she doesn't feel like she's going to explode. It's making her ill, manifesting itself as vomiting, a fever, shakes, seizures.”

“What do we do? I can't make her have a temper tantrum,” Harry whispered floored by the fact that his daughter's illness was caused by too much magic living inside her.

“Well, in my research I've only come across two other children like this, over in Canada where I lived until last year and they were twins. What worked for them is a two part program. One is not really acceptable by the Ministry, but you must find her a wand and teach her some harmless, easy spells that she can use. Levitate a toy, squirt water out of her wand, accio something simple. Let her do them as she feels the need but guide her in the direction that this is to be used only in the presence of adults and work with her on perfecting just a few spells.”

“So, I'm supposed to go against the use of underage magic and teach her some spells. There isn't another way?” Harry lowered his face into his hands not quite believing what he was hearing.

“She'll just keep getting sick. And, as she gets older and bigger it'll happen more because she won't know how to release that magic.”

“You said this was a two step process?” Hermione reminded Charles.

“Right. Well, the second step is that this needs to be taught in as relatively non magic environment. Until Jane can get to the point where she can use the spells you teach her in a safe manner, you can't be around anyone magical.”

“What? I can't have Hermione or...or…Molly Weasley help me with this?” Harry's head lifted up in shock. He didn't want to leave Hermione or anyone else for that matter.

“I'm afraid not. Especially Hermione here. Jane would just absorb too much of her magical rhythms and you'd be back to square one. I suggest that once Jane is better, you take a long vacation, just you and her.”

Harry turned and stared at Hermione who looked just as surprised as he felt.

“He has to do this himself? And, how long will this take?” she asked reaching for his hand again.

“Depends on the child. A month? One of the twins in Canada took a year.”

“So, Harry needs to take Jane somewhere into the Muggle world, teach her to use a few spells that will help her release that magic building up inside of her and it could take a year? I…we…won't be able to see him or Jane for upwards of a year?” Hermione questioned carefully. Harry could hear the note of unhappiness in her voice. It couldn't compare to what he was feeling at the moment.

“It may not take that long. But, yes. You and Harry can't be together. Not even without children because Harry could take some of your magical signature back with him and Jane will pick up on that. She needs to learn the spells. Once Harry feels she is safe with them, then he can introduce her back into the magical world. Slowly though, so she can get used to the feeling of having magic build up inside her again. When you return, Mr. Potter, I'd introduce her to someone who isn't as powerful as Hermione first. See how Jane reacts, then go from there.”

Harry shook his head, not liking this plan but not knowing what else he could do. It made an odd sort of sense to him but he didn't want to leave Hermione. Not after what could be starting between them.

“And, I'd start as soon as possible,” Charles prompted gently. He stood up and said he had another patient to check on and that he'd be back within the hour. Harry numbly thanked him, shook his hand and sat on Jane's bed, noticing she had a bit more color in her cheeks.

Hermione was quiet. Too quiet and he turned around to find her looking out the window.

“I think I'll go ahead and make my way back to Molly and Arthur's. Ben will be getting up soon. It's almost six.”

“Hermione,” Harry reached her side quickly. “I don't….”

“There isn't any other way, Harry,” she interrupted. “Not that I can think of anyway. Janie is your first priority. You need to get her well again.” She hugged her arms to herself and watched the cars slip silently by under the window.

She was right. His daughter was his first priority, but so was Hermione and the conflict that arose in his chest caught him off guard.

“I don't want to leave you,” Harry voiced quietly, turning her towards him.

“Me either,” Hermione whispered finally wrapping her arms around his shoulders. She held him tightly. “But, we have to do this. I'll explain to everyone. Just write me and let me know where you'll be. We'll have the post. We can write.”

“Yeah, write.” Harry echoed, not hiding the sadness that tinged his words. “I guess I can't accept that position in the Auror Department now. Please tell me you'll look into a job there. You could run it better than the majority of wizards and witches out there.”

“I'll keep my eye out. We'll take things day by day, Harry.” Hermione lifted her head off his shoulder and looked at him, their noses almost touching. “We can do this. We've suffered through harder experiences.”

No response came to Harry so he did what his gut told him to do. He kissed her, long and hard and this time he made sure he remembered exactly how she felt under his hands, in his arms and against his mouth.

Because it could be a year before he saw her again.

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Chapter 5--Lessons

“I'm sorry you never got to talk to Auror Clogkey.”

“Stop saying that because I'll just respond the same way I have every other time: `Maybe it was for the best as I couldn't take the job immediately anyway. So, have you been looking?'”

“Yes, Harry,” Hermione laughed. “I'll stop feeling guilty, or at least try.”

“Good.”

“I went over today with Ben and I actually ran into Clogkey. She knew who I was…did you say anything to her?”

“No, I honestly didn't. Maybe Arthur did.”

“Well, she asked after you and I said you had promised your daughter a vacation and that was your priority. We ended up chatting and turns out she wants to talk to me about the position.”

“Good, go for it Hermione.”

“But, you were asked first--.”

“No, none of that teenagery stuff about being asked first. I have something else I need to worry about now. You'll do a wonderful job. Go meet with her and let me know how the interview turns out.”

“You know I will. How's Janie doing? I miss her and so does Ben.”

“She seems perfectly normal, although she asks me where Ben is a lot.”

“Is…is Ron's wand working for her?”

Ron's wand hadn't been broken in two like Ginny's had the night they died. Although Harry kept hers, it wasn't usable. The day Harry and Janie had left, Hermione had presented them with Ron's wand, wanting Janie to use it until she was old enough to get her own. One day, Ben would be using his father's wand, and without any tape holding it together.

“It seems to be. We're working on the Wingardium Leviosa Spell. It's the pronunciation that she's messing up.”

“What other ones are you trying?”

“Accio and Alohamora. She seems to have the Accio one down; probably because it's easier to say. How is everyone there?”

“Good. Molly says it feels like two months rather than two weeks since you have been gone.”

“It feels that way for me too,” Harry admitted. His words were filled with more meaning than all of the English words together. He missed her immensely and had realized upon their second day apart, that they had never gone a day without seeing each other since they had each taken their respective honeymoon. And now here he was in Rome playing tourist and renting a furnished flat month to month; very far away from the ones he called family.

“I'm meeting Charles tonight to go over the notes he had taken on Janie. You don't mind that he is using her in his study do you?”

Harry felt a wave of jealousy wash over him, tinged with envy that Charles, the good looking younger doctor got to see Hermione when he wasn't able to.

He realized she was waiting for a response so he pushed those feeling to the side, concentrating on Janie's treatment regime.

“I don't mind. If it helps them to not diagnose every magical child, who acts like this, with a Muggle illness, then let him at it. By the way, what's his last name again? I can't remember.”

“Meyer. I found out he was adopted by a family in Canada when he was born. He was actually born here in London a year before us.”

“Wonderful,” Harry muttered into the phone his finger tracing an invisible pattern on the kitchen table.

“We aren't dating.”

“What? Who isn't dating?” For a brief panicky moment, Harry thought that she was talking about them.

“I know what you are thinking and we aren't dating. This is just a meeting about Janie since I know her second best to you and all your history, along with Ginny's. It just seemed natural for me to talk to him.”

“Of course,” Harry sighed relieved. He handed Janie a slice of his apple as she asked for a snack. “By the way, thanks for sending me the cell phone. You didn't have too, you know.”

“I know, but I wanted to be able to hear you… and my dad insisted on buying a new one. It just seemed natural for me to send it to you.”

“Thank your father for me,” Harry answered and saw that Janie had come back for another apple. It was time to slice more. “I should go. It's snack time then nap time. I'll talk to you later. Good luck in the interview.”

“Thanks, Harry.”

They paused for a moment. The time of uncomfortable silence had popped its ugly head; neither one wanted to hang up, but each knew that “Good bye” was a very platonic way to end their phone call.

“Give Janie a kiss for me.”

“Do the same for Ben, for me.” Harry lifted Janie into her booster seat as his heart waited to hear the words his whole body was feeling at the moment.

“I miss you, Harry.” It came out as a whisper as if she didn't want anyone in the background to hear her say it.

He smiled into the mouthpiece, those four words lifting his tired spirits. “Yeah, I miss you too.”

-----

“Window vasa.”

“Nice try but, no, Jane. Let's try it in sections.” Harry held her hand around her Uncle's wand and slowly repeated the correct pronunciation while guiding her hand.

“Win…gard…umvasa!” Janie shook her wand vigorously and Harry couldn't help but to laugh.

“Wow, you are just like your Uncle Ron with that wand movement. Let's take a break from that. Can you Accio something to us?”

Janie scrunched up her nose and looked around the small apartment. Her eyes settled on her bedroom doorway.

“Accio Wendy!”

Her doll floated right into her lap. Janie squealed, threw down the wand and hugged Wendy.

“Done daddy!” and with that pronouncement she stood up and walked into her bedroom, talking to Wendy about the correct way to hold a wand. Harry had already found a twig on one of their walks and made it into a type of doll-sized wand which Janie insisted be stuck to Wendy's hand. He wasn't sure how he'd explain that in public if anyone asked about it but so far no one had, at least in English.

He wandered into the kitchen and munched on the cookies Molly had sent them yesterday. It was mid April and Harry had missed the birthday party for George. He had to admit he wasn't too upset as Molly always ended up crying, Arthur a bit tipsy and George depressed. They all missed Fred, Ron and Ginny. Birthdays and holiday's just reinforced how much.

The one happy piece of news was that Katie was pregnant and due in November, a long seven months away. George already announced if it was a boy, it was going to be Frederick Ronald, a girl: Ginny Kathryn. Katie didn't seem to mind but Harry wasn't sure how he felt having a future niece with the same first name as his wife. He almost hoped that the baby would be a boy.

His thoughts turned to Ben, the little redheaded terror with Hermione's brown eyes. Harry wondered how he was doing and if Uncle George had managed to convince Hermione that her son could start riding a broom. Harry wished he could've brought his with him, but he didn't want to attract unwanted attention. Sighing, he put down the book he was reading, not really remembering anything his eyes had stared at over the last twenty minutes.

Bored was one thing he felt often on this vacation. He had taken to napping when Janie did and now he settled down on the sofa. There was only so much you could do with an almost 19 month old daughter in a foreign city. She didn't really care about the historic landmarks. She wanted to go pet all the cats she saw when the visited ruins, or get a gelati when she saw a store that sold them. Their stilted conversations revolved around animals, family and ice cream. What he wouldn't give to have a sitter and to go out and interact with just adults. Just for a few hours…

Harry drifted off to sleep wondering what flavor gelati he'd get this evening after they went for their walk along the tree lined road that was just outside their flat.

The doorbell rang and he bolted upright, making haste to open the door before it woke Janie. Without bothering to check who was on the other side, he yanked it open and it only registered after he was being hugged that it was Hermione.

“What're you doing here?” he gasped surprised to be pressed up against her.

“I was in the area,” she said her voice thick with tears.

“Where's Ben? Is something wrong?”

“No. He's giving Uncle George a hard time at the shop. Katie insisted he start learning how to be a father and Ben seemed the natural test subject.”

“Are you sure it's best that you're-,” Harry started but was quieted as her mouth found his, startling him for a moment. It had been awhile since he had kissed Hermione, more than month since they had ended up in her bed. Her hands grasped his shirt and tugged, silently telling him she wanted it off. With a wave of his hand, he shut Janie's door and pulled Hermione down on the sofa with him. He could feel her heart thunder against his hands as he pushed her shirt off, enjoying the goose bumps rising up under his finger tips. She was here, with him, seeking him and he knew he wouldn't be able to resist her. Her hands tugged at his jeans; her finger tips brushed against his stomach making him push into her making him clamp down on her mouth so he wouldn't groan aloud.

In one swift movement she slid off of him, her face inches from his as she knelt on the floor next to him. He could see her black pupils obscuring her dark brown eyes. Her lips parted, begging to be kissed again. He reached up to pull her back down but was met with empty air.

He sat up blinking and looked around. Janie's door was still open; Hermione wasn't anywhere to be seen. It was all a dream.

Cursing, he threw himself back down on the sofa, willing himself to think of thoughts that would calm his body down. He had only been asleep for twenty minutes and was amazed at how real this dream was. Sleep wouldn't come back to him now. He could hear the rain against the windows and realized that he hadn't had a shower all day. The rain had been keeping them inside…why shower when you weren't going to see anyone except your own child?

He took a deep breath trying to slow down his pulse.

He needed a shower now; a cold shower.

---

All the next week he worked with Janie. She had Accio down to the point where she ended up punished when she stole a fourth cookie after dinner one night.

She had Alohamora down quite well and frequently used it to wake him up in the morning, enjoying the resounding crash of his door against the wall that she could do with a quick flick of her little wrist from her bedroom.

Janie was a quick and eager learner; he had to give her credit for that. She'd get frustrated, go away crying then come back hours later and beg him to teach her the “Leviosa” spell. She finally had the second word down although she stumbled over the first word time and time again. Harry thought of changing the spell and teaching her something else, but it had taken four weeks for her to perfect the other two spells and the thought of staying for another month to learn a new spell didn't sit well with him. (Though, the rational side of his brain told him that it COULD take weeks for her to get this last one, also.)

April gave way into May and every day Harry talked to Hermione on the phone. She had been offered the job as Manager of the Auror Department and was currently undergoing training…both physical and intellectual. She was happy, though exhausted each evening when he talked to her. Ben had taken to the day care fairly well though he didn't seem to want to play with the other children that were there.

Six weeks with Janie as his only company not counting floo visits and phone calls from Hermione and the Weasley's. A little girl and her family were renting the flat next door for the month. They were from America and played outside in the courtyard every evening. Harry got his work-out running after them, kicking balls around, swinging them up high, racing the little girls around the sandbox. He played like he hadn't when he was a child and while he enjoyed it, he missed adult company. His dreams of Hermione were growing more and more vivid and he was feeling almost like a teenager, wondering what they'd say, what would they do when they saw each other again. Would that one unplanned night happen again? Was she even interested in having a relationship?

He sat down at the kitchen table having put Janie down to bed, promising her that in just a few more days she'd “get” the spell. As if on cue, his cell phone rang and his heart leapt a bit in his chest at the thought of talking to Hermione. Glancing at caller ID, he saw it was a number he didn't recognize. Thinking it was the wrong number he answered it anyway.

It was Charles.

“I wanted to see how Jane was doing?”

“Very well!” Harry gave him a detailed account of how they had been learning the spells, what she had accomplished and how she was half-way to learning a third spell.

“Don't you think two are enough?” Harry's question finished his update on Janie.

“Well, I was going to see if I could come visit her. Just for a bit. If I can see what she does, how she can handle being around two of us with magic, then two may be sufficient for her.”

“You're the doctor. Feel free to come over at anytime. She's napping right now…usually does for about two hours in the afternoon.”

“Very good. Let's say…four this afternoon? I can have your fireplace connected to the floo network and travel that way.”

“Jane will be excited to get a visitor. I think she's getting a little sick of seeing me everyday.”

Charles laughed and Harry felt something click in his brain. He had heard that laugh before, or at least he thought he did. He wasn't sure where or when though.

“Well, I won't stay long, thought I'm sure it'll be nice to see another face,” Charles responded and they hung up, Harry racking his brain trying to figure out if he had ever met Charles Meyer.

---

“Janie, this is Healer Meyer. He was with you when you were at the hospital. Do you remember him?” Harry held Janie in his lap as she assessed the stranger before her. She shook her head slightly.

“That's okay,” Charles said cheerfully. “You were asleep most of the time. Your daddy here says you can do two new spells.”

Janie nodded and shyly held up her wand for him to see.

“That's great. Do you think you can show me? Pick your favorite one first.”

Janie turned and looked up at Harry, her hazel eyes searching his making sure it was permissible for her to show this person. Harry had been telling her they could only do these practice spells in private.

“Go ahead. He's a friend so it's okay.”

She turned back to Charles who was perched on the edge of the coffee table and proceeded to Accio the book she had been reading from her bed in the next room.

“Wonderful! Do you think you could Accio…oh, I don't know…your toothbrush?”

Janie laughed bringing a grin to Harry's face. She had Ginny's throaty laugh and it never failed to cheer him up when he heard it.

She pointed her wand down the hall and uttered the command. A pink toothbrush sat in her hands seconds later.

A half hour of her performing spells for Charles passed by quickly. They never touched on Wingardium Leviosa, not wanting to frustrate her. Reaching her limit of her attention span, Janie put down her wand, stuck her thumb in her mouth and curled up next to Harry, eyes never leaving Charles.

“I think I am done here. She looks great, taller and tanner than when I last saw her.”

“Yeah, we've been outside a lot since the weather is so nice.”

“Good to hear. Janie is doing wonderful, Harry. She can Accio something small, rooms away. That's a huge accomplishment for someone so little. Let's see how she does over the next day after being around me. If she whines more than usual, develops a fever or anything out of the ordinary please let me know.” Charles stood up and stowed his wand in a small black case. His brown eyes swept over Janie one more time who gave him a small wave as he waggled his fingers at her.

“Hermione has given me a very good idea on what your daughter is like. I bet she can be quite a handful.” Harry nodded as he untangled himself from Janie and walked Charles to the fireplace.

“Yeah. As much as I love her, I'm ready to have her spend the night at her grandparents for a night, or three.”

“That may happen soon. We'll see how she does with this visit. My motto is slow and steady because it is the best way to see where she is in her treatment. I know you're going stir crazy, with it being just you and all so, maybe next time, I can bring a visitor for a bit,” Charles gave Harry a small smile and right away he knew that meant Hermione. He struggled to keep a smile from breaking out across his face.

“That'd be lovely to see friends again.”

All that night Harry kept a close eye on Janie. He didn't alter their schedule at all and he played like he always did with her and Ellen, the little girl next door. He even chatted to Ellen's parents for awhile, elaborating on the fabrication that he was a teacher at a private school and enjoying an extended vacation with his daughter. He could see the questions in their eyes about Janie's mom, but he never answered them. Hermione had asked him over past phone conversations what he told people when they did ask, but no one ever had. Not yet.

Ellen's parent's had offered to watch Janie while he went out but he always politely refused. He didn't know these people and was very uncomfortable with someone watching her since they didn't know she was a witch. He could only imagine what she'd do if she got angry, and what the response would be from Ellen's parents.

So he just watched and waited over the next day to see if Janie seemed upset or overwhelmed from being exposed to more than just Harry's magic. He had called Hermione the day after Charles left, but had received her voice mail, so he left a quick message about the healers visit.

The next day went by quickly since he promised Jane he'd buy her a bike because she had been doing so well in their practice. She zoomed up and down the park playground on her new tricycle and didn't seem any worse for wear at having seen Charles. Harry sent a message via Owl (he had made sure to find the Magical Post Office his first day in Rome) saying she was normal, happy and not the least bit sick.

What was concerning him is that he hadn't heard from Hermione in two days. The latest at night she'd ever call was nine. She hadn't responded back to his voicemail and the Weasley's were on vacation so he couldn't ask them. He was pretty sure Neville and Luna wouldn't know so it was with an anxious kind of stress that he waited one more day to contact George. Surely he'd know; Katie had a knack for knowing everything that went on with everyone.

The day that marked week eight dawned bright and cheerful. After Janie ate breakfast and was watching the allotted half hour of morning television, Harry wrote a quick letter to George, asking if he had seen Hermione. He was now trying to make it through a third day of no word from her.

Where could she be and why hadn't she at least told him she'd be out of touch for a few days?

George's letter arrived at lunch time and with anxious hands, Harry pried back the “W” seal and began reading.

-->

Chapter 6--Answers

Harry paced up and down the small flat. George's note wasn't really helpful. He said he hadn't seen or heard from Hermione since she stopped in last week to pay him and Katie a visit.

“Usually everything I hear is through my parents and since they are visiting Charlie and his fiancée in Romania, I haven't heard squat. Although, I did hear my niece is doing very well at magic. Taught her to fly on a broomstick yet?” That was all George had to say about Hermione and had launched into how Katie was feeling and how they were thinking of opening a store overseas near the Salem School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Now, it was time to call her parents and Harry was struggling with that move. Would he worry them unnecessarily? Or, was he being a bit overbearing with his actions? Maybe, for some unknown reason, Hermione didn't feel like calling and talking to him right now.

`But', his inner voice questioned, `we have talked every night for almost eight weeks, so why stop now?'

He first placed a call to Charles, and left a message saying that he was thinking of taking Janie home to Grimmauld Place, where he could work with her on the third spell if need be.

Next, he left another message for Hermione on her cell, saying he was going to call her parents because he was worried. She had to know he cared for her and worrying was part of caring, so he didn't feel like he was unnecessarily crowding her.

He gave her an hour to call him back; to tell him that she was fine and her cell was lost or something. The call he waited for never happened so he made sure Janie was occupied with a special treat…TV in the afternoon and he retired to his bedroom, shutting the door. With a deep breath he dialed the Granger's home number. As soon as Mrs. Granger heard it was Harry she asked after Janie, obviously informed of what had happened. They made small talk and finally the opportunity was there for Harry to slip in the question he was dying to ask.

“How's Hermione doing? I haven't heard from her in awhile.”

“Oh…you mean she didn't tell you? I thought you'd be the first person she would've called, Harry.” Mrs. Granger's tone took on a confused note and Harry wondered what Hermione hadn't told him.

“No. I talked to her last week and she didn't say anything about…anything,” Harry stammered at the end hearing Ben's laughter in the background. His heart leapt at hearing the little laugh wondering if Hermione was there right now.

“She's gone on some `drill', she called it, for work. All I was told was that she had an hour to find care for Ben, pack, get her group in gear and go somewhere for a drill that would take about two weeks.”

Harry was speechless and a little angry. He had to agree with Hermione's mother that he really thought a phone call from her would've been appropriate and appreciated on his end.

“So, she left and didn't say where and now you have Ben for two weeks? Have you tried to find out where she is?”

“I asked her and she said she couldn't tell me anymore than that. And, yes we have Ben. I have to tell you, Harry, that I'm not sure if this is the best job for her. Her father and I had plans to tour Ireland next week for four days and we'll have to cancel or take him with us. I couldn't tell Hermione that because who else would be around to take care of Ben? What if this happens again and we aren't around? Who'll watch him then?”

Harry paced his bedroom, running his free hand through his hair with short frustrated movements as answers ran through his brain. He didn't like this, not at all. Every ounce of his body said he needed to come home and figure out what was going on.

“Mrs. Granger, I'm actually going to be coming home tomorrow. Why don't I stop by the Ministry and see what I can find out? Then I'll come collect Ben so you and Dr. Granger can go on your trip. It's no trouble at all and I know Janie would love to see him.” Harry began pulling out his trunk and packing as soon as the words came out of his mouth. He no longer felt disconnected from his loved ones. He had a mission and was going home.

`To hell with Charles and what he said,' Harry thought to himself after he got off the phone and began packing Janie's room. `I know she's fine and I know her better than anyone.'

He called out to Janie and asked her to come help him pack. He explained that they were going home to watch Ben because Aunt Hermione was on a trip for work. Janie squealed and moved about her room like a tornado throwing and accioing toys from every corner of the room.

Within six hours Harry had said his goodbye's to Janie's friend, Ellen, and her parents. He wrote a note to the landlord, paying up through the end of May, saying they were leaving early because of a family situation.

And so it was around dinner time that night that Harry quietly apparated him and Janie back into their own living room at Grimmauld Place. She was tired from all the excitement and unpacking that after a quick dinner of pizza she didn't argue about going to bed a bit early. Her new owl, Fish, (a name she insisted was the correct one for him) seemed happy to see them and perched on her dresser until she fell asleep. Harry then called upon the young almost-black owl to deliver a letter to Auror Clogkey. He wrote the Auror a short note informing her that he was back in London and wanted to talk to her about where Hermione was located. He doubted that she would tell him, so he set some time aside for tomorrow to stop by and ask her face to face. Maybe she'd give him some clue. Maybe he could take a look at Hermione's office, but all of this had to be done without Janie. He managed to floo Bill who seemed happy to watch her for a bit while Harry got his life back in order as he was also interested in why Hermione would just up and leave, without telling anyone what was going on.

And it was with those unsettling thoughts that occupied Harry that evening.

Sleep didn't come easily to him that night.

---

After a brief rundown about Janie's ability to do magic, Harry left Bill's house and floo'd into the ministry. He had been correct that Auror Clogkey wouldn't tell him where she was, but invited him in to talk about “future employment”. He could feel anger beginning to simmer in his stomach. Some of it was directed to Hermione. He realized, if she was indeed on a drill it wasn't very fair to be angry, but she could've called and talked to him for a minute, just to give him a heads up. He was also angry at Clogkey. Here was someone that had offered him this position and now he couldn't get any answers out of her.

And he wasn't any closer a half hour later when they were still in her office.

“Look, Mr. Potter, all I can say is that this: She will be back in about ten days and at that point if she wishes to tell you who, what, where, when, why and how, then she may. Until then, I can't say anything else about it.” Her demeanor reminded Harry of Professor McGonagall and he felt as if he was being reprimanded for breaking a rule. He could feel the former student in himself want to rebel but he kept his composure. Mostly.

“Fine,” Harry responded shortly, effectively changing the subject and accepting a list of jobs that were only offered to qualified individuals and only at the manager's discretion. He guessed that would be Hermione now since Auror Clogkey seemed to have handed the reins over to her.

“Could you direct me to her office then? She left one of Ben's favorite stuffed animals there and he's been having problems falling asleep without it.” He was only telling half the truth; Ben did indeed have a stuffed animal in his mother's office but had been sleeping quite well according to Mrs. Granger.

Clogkey fixed her dark eyes on Harry as if trying to see what his real intentions were. He managed to keep his face neutral and finally she gave a small nod.

“Alright. Just take a right out of here then your second left. She'll be at the end of the hall I'm not sure what her password is to get into her office, so I can't help you there.”

“Right. Thank you for the list,” Harry replied, somewhat relieved that he was able to get into Hermione's office. He knew the password since Hermione had told him her first day there how hard it was to think of one that no one would guess off the bat.

He walked down the quiet hallway towards offices that he had never seen before. All eight of the offices (he counted) were dark. Hermione's was at the very end of the hallway as Clogkey promised. This first door was open and he could see a dark hallway leading back to an office where artificial light was pouring through the “window”. It eerily lit up a desk and some other large pieces of furniture he couldn't readily identify. Flicking his wand towards the hallway he muttered “Lumos” and lights immediately snapped on above him.

“If it isn't the famous Harry Potter!” a familiar voice piped up behind him. Harry's hand was poised on the doorknob to Hermione's private office when he heard the low voice. His heart leapt up into his throat and he spun around slamming back into Hermione's glass office door.

Hanging directly in front of him were two portraits.

A black framed portrait with a painted background of green grass and a blue sky.

Another one, with a similar frame, held Ron who was seated at a chessboard, casually leaning back in his chair looking quite smug with himself.

“Ron!” was all Harry could gasp feeling the room tilt under his feet. His hands went to his knees and he bent over struggling for breath. Images came racing through his head…Hermione running with the babies and ducking around the corner…Ginny's red hair laying around her head on the pavement, her eyes vacant…Ron's side bleeding, his eyes pleading with Harry to take care of his loved ones…healers' voices echoing, `there's nothing we could do. We're so sorry, Mr. Potter.'

“Deep breaths mate, you'll be okay. Hermione screamed bloody murder when she saw me the first time. Then she threw a book at me…thankfully she missed and it just messed up the chess pieces and not me.”

Harry nodded slowly as he began feeling the blood slowly begin to pump through his body once again. Gradually, he straightened up and faced his best friend for the first time in a year.

“You still look as pale as Peeves.”

“Well, you took me by surprise,” Harry said cautiously his eyes roaming over his friend's picture. No one else seemed to be in it for the moment and an errant thought popped into his head as to how Ron played Chess by himself. “No one told me you were here.”

“Really? Been here two weeks I'd guess. I thought Hermione would've told you?” Ron looked a bit quizzical and all Harry could do was shake his head, feeling a bit hurt that she'd keep something like this from him.

“I just came to get…,” Harry stopped, realizing he hadn't said Ben's name to Ron in such a long time it felt uncomfortable to even think about talking to Ron about his son.

“Ben's stuffed animal. I know. There are ears all over this place. I knew you were here the moment you walked in. I was hoping you'd stop by.”

Harry just nodded and continued to stare at Ron who gave him a lazy grin.

“You want to know where Hermione is, don't you.”

“Yeah, I do. Do you know?” Harry took a tentative step forward, leaving his support behind and found he could stand solidly although he still felt a bit unnerved.

“Honestly I don't. I'm sure it's some kind of drill for Auror's but all that kind of stuff is pretty secretive. Portraits aren't allowed in offices, so we only hear what's going on in hallways and such.”

“I see.”

“At least they don't place us in the loo,” Ron made a face and Harry wanted to laugh, but he hadn't worked his way up to that point yet.

“I see…yeah.”

“She didn't tell you because she truly didn't have time, mate. I reminded her and she told me to sod off.” Ron grinned happily. “It was great to hear her say that but really, Harry, she seemed rushed. She called her parents, took Ben there which took about a half hour 'til she had settled him in. Then she had to pack thing from home, set up the portkey, make sure she had the team she needed, and leave. It's all like a well oiled machine actually.”

“I see.”

“You keep saying that,” Ron kidded and Harry shook his head a bit clearing his thoughts.

“I'm still trying to grasp the fact that I am standing here talking to you. I never thought you'd be in a portrait.”

“Yeah, well you should see who is next to me!” Ron inclined his head to his left.

“Not Snape?”

“No way! I think because of his word he'd protect you, he managed to get a portrait at Hogwarts. At least, that's the rumor I hear.” Ron explained and sat back down looking behind him at something only he could see. “Be right back…hang here for a bit.”

And with that Ron stood up and walked to the very back of his picture frame and faded out of sight.

Not sure what to do besides stare at two blank picture frames he let himself into Hermione's office and looked around. He had often wondered how she would set up such a small private space. Besides the usual furniture there was a recent picture of Ben on her file cabinet, one of Janie and Harry that was taken on Easter on her desk and one of her, Ron and baby Ben right next to it. Multi-colored folders were neatly stacked on one side of her desk while an unfinished bottled water sat on the other side. A bookcase was shelved with books about every kind of magic that Harry had ever heard of and a map of the world was up on the wall. That was it. Pretty unremarkable if he had time to really stop and think about it. He walked behind her desk and gently took the teddy bear that was sitting on top of the folders. He saw a notepad next to her stash of pens and saw she had scribbled a list to herself:

“Charles--2pm on the 2^nd

Tell Harry about Luna's baby”

Hair--9:15 on the 3^rd”

The meeting with Charles had him curious as it was two days before she left. The day after Charles had left his rented flat in Rome.

And Neville and Luna had the baby? How could someone had forgotten to tell him this piece of news? He hoped he'd find some kind of announcement in the mail when he got around to rifling through the stack at his house.

And what did the last item mean? He turned another circle looking at every wall in her office but felt just as lost as when he walked in. He didn't see any clues as to where she had gone with the rest of the Auror's, so he headed back out to the hall hearing Ron's voice singing “Weasley is Our King” but not being able to see him in his portrait yet. Harry pulled her door shut, made sure it was locked securely and place the stuffed teddy bear into his bag.

He leaned against the wall, closed his eyes and tried to gather his thoughts.

Ron had a portrait. Hermione never told him.

Luna and Neville had their baby and no one told him.

Hermione was gone and no one knew where.

And where the hell was Charles? He was supposed to be researching Janie's condition and was her doctor. Shouldn't he be checking his cell phone regularly? He had left two messages for Charles and hadn't heard back from him. He hoped with all his heart that Charles wasn't with Hermione in some capacity. This unfamiliar flame of jealousy was getting very annoying and he tried to think of other reasons Charles wasn't calling him back. None of them sounded good enough in his mind, though.

`Maybe he's with a group of wizards and witches,' Harry justified. No one but Charles' patients, that were similar to Janie, knew he had a cell phone. What would the healing community think if they found out he talked regularly on a cell phone?

His thoughts then shifted to Janie and he wondered how she would be after he picked her up tonight. Bill was the only one home as Fleur was helping with wedding preparations for her younger sister. He hoped Janie would be able to handle the sudden influx of magic and he felt guilty for just dumping her but he was compelled to figure out what had happened to Hermione. After two months of just being with his daughter, he knew she'd be fine at her Uncle's house and that she wouldn't really miss him. After all, she had jumped out of his arms and ran to Victoire, not even bothering to say goodbye to him.

Right now, he felt very disconnected from his life. He was gone for two months and now he was back and floating around, trying to grab onto a bit of his former life and those pieces kept slipping out of his hands.

“Hey, Harry?” he heard Ron's disembodied voice from the painting.

“Yeah?” Harry couldn't see anything moving in Ron's painting and waited for him to appear.

“I have someone with me.” He could hear footsteps now and saw two red haired figures moving blurrily in Ron's painting.

He wondered if it was Fred. Maybe he had been visiting George and Ron went to get him. He smiled thinking of how much he missed the twins banter. It made total sense to him that Fred would have two portraits. He never liked to be on the outside looking in, so he'd have a portrait in the Ministry to satisfy his natural curiosity about what was happening in the world. And across town, he'd have a second one at his brother's store. The best of both worlds, so to speak.

“You there?” Ron asked only a tiny moving dot in the very back of his painting.

“I'm still here,” Harry answered, squinting to see who was with him. He saw the second figure duck off to the side and heard rustling in the empty painting next to Ron's. Ron appeared at the forefront again and winked at Harry.

“Had to go to George's for a moment. Maybe you better lean back against that wall. You still look pale.”

“I'm fine. Did you get Fred?” Harry swung his eyes from Ron to the empty frame and suddenly saw a very familiar figure appear up on the hill and begin walking down the slope taking careful steps.

Harry took Ron's advice and leaned back against the wall, his breathing suddenly ceasing as he recognized that walk instantly.

“No, not Fred,” Ron answered quietly, leaving his painting once again.

The body in the other portrait came into focus and he recognized the dark green button down shirt then the jeans that flared over hips he had held many times. The face was next and suddenly his eyes were locked in a very familiar pair of hazel ones.

Just like Janie's eyes.

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Chapter 7--Bruises

“Harry.”

That one word was all it took for the tears to trickle down behind his glasses. On shaky legs he took one step, then another until they were face to face.

“Ginny.” Harry raised a finger and touched the canvas half hoping he could feel the warmth of her skin. She raised her hand to his, tears glistening in her eyes but not spilling over as his did.

“Apparently,” she began quietly, “if a family member requests it you can have a portrait of your loved ones made for a small sum. I believe this was George's doing. Hermione didn't tell you, did she?”

Harry shook his head as he wiped his eyes on his t-shirt, taking the moment to collect his thoughts.

“I don't even know what to say,” he finally whispered looking up and finding her sitting down, cross-legged on the grass, her Quidditch broom next to her.

“Tell me about Janie and what's going on with her. I'd love to see her sometime.” Ginny's wistful tone reminded Harry that he was going to have to pick up their daughter soon enough. He began with when she learned to crawl, a mere month after Ginny and Ron were killed. His story began haltingly but as he talked more and saw the smile on Ginny's face his voice became stronger, describing Janie to her with every detail he could remember.

As his voice died off with, “…and I'll have to go get her from Bill's soon,” he felt a tremendous, cathartic release take place deep inside a place he never knew existed until this moment. He always knew he missed Ginny--the female companionship, the fact she was a mother-- but what he missed most was talking about Janie to her. He always felt that Ginny, as a mother, was cheated as she only spent six months with her daughter.

“Do you think you can bring her by sometime? Will she recognize me?”

By now Ron had rejoined his portrait, Fred in tow. Harry smiled at Fred who saluted him then sat down quietly with Ron and began a game of Chess.

“She will and I will definitely bring her by. Absolutely. So, have your parents seen you all yet?”

Ginny nodded saying they had three frames in her parent's room for them to flit in and out of at their hearts content.

“You should go get Janie now, Harry.” Ginny smiled and Harry was unsure what to say. Was he supposed to wave or blow her a kiss? It had been a year, and she was just a moving picture--his brain knew that and that strange-place-deep-inside understood that too. She wasn't back as his wife, just a picture that had limited communication abilities. So he decided to just bid all three Weasley's goodbye turn slowly and head up the hall. His head was still buzzing and his brain not quite comprehending what had just happened.

----

The next few days moved in alternating speeds of slow and fast. When he visited Neville and Luna to see their new daughter Alison (named after Neville's mother) the day flew by and before he knew it, Janie and Ben had fallen asleep for their afternoon nap on the Longbottom's floor.

The days he stayed home were spent supervising the children, cleaning house, going through mail and finally answering a call from Charles on the seventh day that Harry was home.

“I'm so sorry I never got back to you. My father called me back to Canada because my mother took a turn for the worst with her cancer.”

“I'm sorry, Charles,” was Harry's reply. He believed him just by the tired, sorrowful tone in his voice.

“They're Muggle so there isn't much I can do.”

“Do you have any siblings to help out?”

“I have four older sisters, all adopted like me from various countries. We all were there, but seeing a loved on in pain…,” Charles' voice trailed off and Harry didn't need to be told what that felt like. He knew first hand but still wasn't sure where to take the conversation from there. Harry did ask if he Charles seen Hermione before she left but he hadn't even known she had left.

As their conversation turned to Janie, Charles did sound a bit brighter after talking about their meetings--thanking Harry for letting him have full access to Janie and Ginny's history. He explained at length that he felt he was making headway in his theory on some children having issues with absorbing magic. While he was in Canada for the week he had heard of another child in Australia that had the same symptoms but was almost three years old.

“So, after I go through some work items here, I'm off to the southern hemisphere. How is Jane doing being around her family?”

“Wonderful! She was with her Uncle and cousin the first day we were back and seemed fine. Yesterday we visited some friends that had a baby and after her nap she used her wand a bit, but nothing out of the ordinary happened.”

“That's wonderful Harry. I shouldn't be down in Australia very long and I'd love to talk to her again when I get back. Do you think that would be possible?”

“Sure. Just contact me when you return,” Harry answered lightly. He was feeling a bit less stressed about what Hermione was doing. He couldn't help by think that maybe he had been with her; that he had a secret life as an auror or something.

Arthur and Molly returned from their vacation relaxed and excited to see their granddaughter again. Molly commanded that Harry, Ben and Janie would spend the weekend with her. Knowing Hermione was out of town and what a handful Ben could be had worked its way into the conversation. They also had no idea where she had gone and Arthur had said that what they did was always kept secret lest the `bad guys' get any information on where they might be next.

It was after dinner when Ben pitched his first fit about not having his mother put him to bed. Harry had watched him for eight of the eleven days Hermione had been gone and his anger at being left in the dark was simmering right under his skin and Ben seemed to be feeling the same way. Harry was frustrated at not being able to do anything about Hermione's absence. The resources weren't available to him to go banging on doors demanding to know where she was. Especially since this was her job and was part of the territory she had taken on; she had to have known what the job demanded before accepting.

“Ben, it's bedtime!” Harry wearily tried to settle him down with a book, but Ben knocked it out of his hands, crying and hiccupping that he wanted his “mummy” and not “Uncle Harry.” Although Harry tried to hand him off to Molly and even Arthur, Ben clung to Harry and it was only after a half hour of rocking him did Ben finally fall into an exhausted slumber…three hours after Janie had fallen asleep. Molly had set up the beds in Hermione's room for the babies and Harry had just laid back on her bed after he set Ben down, knowing that it was much easier to stay where they were then try to quietly move everyone back to their rooms down the hall.

He was barely aware that he laid his glasses on the nightstand and tossed his shirt on the floor all before he fell into an exhausted sleep. His last thought being that he hadn't been in this bed since March, which now seemed years ago.

Abruptly Harry awoke to a sudden weight on his chest, knocking the breath out of him and what he thought were a pair of knees on his shoulders. He struggled to sit up, shoving at the extra pair of legs in bed with him and was met with a wand tip aimed at his forehead.

“Get off,” Harry grunted the immediately felt air return to his lungs as the weight rolled off him.

“Harry!” a very familiar voice gasped causing Harry to awake immediately. A dim lumos glow filled the room and Harry pushed himself into a sitting position, barely able to make out Hermione's face without his classes.

“Well, you return. Where the hell were you?” Harry asked sharply but quietly. He heard Ben snore in his sleep then settle down.

“What're you doing in my room? And I'm exhausted, so can I explain everything in the morning?” Hermione asked slipping off the bed taking the light with her.

“Fine. What's one more day,” Harry grumbled rolling off the bed while shoving his glasses onto his face. Hermione must've heard the annoyed tone and called out his name softly. He just shook his head, bending down to pick up Janie and settling her against his chest.

“Sweet dreams,” Harry muttered before he shut the door behind him, effectively cutting off Hermione's reply.

He was acting like a teenager but he didn't fully care at the moment. With everything that had happened over the past two months he needed an outlet and even though he was angry with Hermione, it wasn't fair to use her as one. He knew that much and realized if he confronted her in the morning, he was likely to use her as one. Right after Janie awoke on Sunday morning he said his goodbye's to his in-laws and took Janie back home. After a quick breakfast she became engrossed in playing with her dolls, giving Harry time to tackle his office. He hadn't touched it since he stopped working and needed something to keep him moving and busy. He concentrated on making piles of things to keep, a pile to send back to Hogwarts and things he could throw away.

If he knew Hermione, she wasn't going to let him just walk away. She was going to show up at some point and it was towards the end of his cleaning spree when he heard Janie's quick footsteps running down the hall.

“Aunt `Mione is here with Ben! We're gonna plaaaaay!” she yelled into his office. He pushed himself up off the floor in time to see a red head streak by his office door right behind Janie and then a second later heard her door slam shut.

“Keep your door open Jane Lily Potter!” Harry yelled, turning so his back was to the office door trying to quell the excitement at finally seeing Hermione. It was mixed with resentment and he knew he'd be quick to anger if he wasn't careful.

“We need to talk Harry,” Hermione's voice followed the quick click of his office door.

“I don't have anything to say Hermione. I've been in Italy for two months, then came home over a week ago.” Harry dumped a pile of papers into the trashcan then grabbed another pile waiting for the trashcan to open back up.

“Would you please turn and look at me? It's been over two months.” She never usually pleaded and he knew that he couldn't resist that tone. Buying himself time he unhurriedly dumped the pile of papers into the trash. Empty handed, he had no more excuses so he shoved his hands into his pockets and slowly turned around ready to ask her again where she had been.

However, those words died on his lips and before he could stop himself he blurted out, “What did you do with your hair?” He stared openly at her and noticed her self-conscious gesture of her hand touching her hair. It was considerably shorter, barely touching her shoulders and instead of the dark brown color it was when he left it was blond, light brown and auburn all mixed together somehow…and he really liked it.

“I got it cut,” she said quietly dropping her hand and Harry's eyes followed. He struggled to keep his expression neutral as his eyes swept down her frame. She had a bruise on her cheek and a few on her arms, which he noticed actually seemed to have very defined muscles. And it was only a second later that his hand was wrapped around her arm protectively asking her who gave her the bruises.

She laughed, a bit nervously and told him it was part of the job.

“What exactly is your job Hermione?” Harry asked tightly, resisting the temptation to touch the bruise on her cheek.

“Auror, Harry. You know that. I called for a drill…practice really. We went to a secluded area and went through spells, charms, hexes, physical moves that we felt would be helpful against any death eater that we may come across in the future. After we perfected those, we got together with a group out of Ireland and went through mock drills, no holds barred except the killing curse. I wanted to tell you Harry but I couldn't!” Hermione looked at him and he noticed the dark circles under her eyes. He dropped his hand and nodded for her to keep talking. Clearing her throat and tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, which for some reason Harry found highly alluring, she continued. “How fair would it have been for me to call you when my team barely had time to get themselves situated?”

“You had to have known you were going to be gone before you told your team. You could've given me the heads up.”

“I couldn't Harry. It's all very secretive and I wasn't even sure when we'd leave until I found that all my team was in working and I realized that it felt right to call the drill that day…right then and there. I didn't do this to make you angry; it's part of my job. My own parents didn't even know.”

“Yeah, I know. I had Ben the last week Hermione because your parents had a trip planned to Ireland,” Harry shot back and instantly he regretted the barb. Her sun burnt face seemed to have lost all color. She leaned back against the desk and lowered her eyes to the floor, unable to speak so Harry filled the silence.

“So…yeah. I'm thinking it would've been easier on everyone if you had said something to me and maybe even brought Ben to me in Italy. Then I wouldn't have been worried beyond belief trying to figure out where you went and your parent's trip would've gone off seamlessly.”

“I didn't know they were leaving. I would've asked someone else,” she whispered hoarsely now rubbing her temples.

“Who? Ron?” Harry asked sharply and her head snapped up. “That's right. I kind of ran into my dead brother in law a.k.a. best friend and my dead wife while going to your office for that teddy bear of Ben's. Ron said he had been there two weeks. Why didn't you tell me that or the fact that Neville became a father five days before you left? Why all these secrets, Hermione?” he demanded not very politely.

Harry saw her shoulders sag and head drop in defeat and instantaneously he felt like the worst person in the world. He placed his hands on her shoulders but she wouldn't look up at him, eerily quiet.

“I'm sorry. I'm taking my feelings out on you and it's not fair. I can see you're tired and sore,” he lamely apologized.

“No, Harry. You're right. All this is my fault. I tried to run everything myself, take care of Ben, look for a place to live, keep Charles up to date, figure out how to act around Ron and Ginny and talk to you. I had too many balls in the air and I let the most important one drop,” she shrugged under his hands and he saw her fingertips swipe under her eyes.

“Yourself, Hermione? One person can't do all that.”

“No, you Harry. I had a list of things to tell you and I couldn't remember where I put it. When we talked at night I wanted to hear about your progress with Janie, not tell you every detail about my job, which apparently I can't even do!” she laughed harshly and he felt her take a deep breath then let it out slowly. He was glad for the moment she took to collect herself because her verbal admission that he was truly important to her was still ricocheting inside his head.

“Maybe”, he began slowly, rubbing her shoulders gently feeling hard knots of muscle bunched up under his hands, “You should talk about your work more. Or get a pensieve,” he half joked. Reluctantly she lifted her face and looked at him.

“I should. It's not fair that you were blindsided with Ron and Ginny. I'm truly sorry for how that must've made you feel! George had them placed there to surprise me and that they did. Then, I realized they could help out with being another set of ears so we set up blank frames for them at George's store and a few around Knockturn Alley, disguised as hideous warlocks. I was struggling with telling you over the phone, or in person or if it should be a surprise that I could show you when you got back. Then, this drill was becoming imminent and I was so focused on getting every detail right I just forgot to tell you. I hardly ever forget anything Harry and here I am barely keeping my head above water.” Her hands lifted up as if weighing the air then settled on his elbows. “I'm so sorry Harry. I'm sorry if you cut short Janie's treatment because of me.”

“NO,” Harry shook his head feeling her fingers tighten on his arm. “I chose to end it, well we're still working on it, but I felt she was ready to come back. I was more than ready also.” His eyes kept wandering to the bruise on her cheek and this time he did reach up and touch it.

“Does it hurt much?” he ran his fingers along the outer edge staying away from the swollen part near her jawbone. He noticed her eyelashes flutter for a minute as she shook her head slowly. She was strangely still--barely breathing-- and in that moment Harry realized that she wasn't certain what he was going to do and if the pull between them wasn't recognizable on her part he wasn't sure if he should even act on it. She already had way too much on her mind already.

“That's a nice sized bruise. If Janie had one, I'd kiss it; she says that makes it feel better,” he joked and was rewarded with a small smile--which made his heart drop to his stomach then beat double time.

“You could always try that. It would be cheaper than the balm I have.” Her eyes shifted across his face as he bent down to do just that. It was ironic that as soon as he leaned in to brush his lips across her right cheek he noticed she had a nice scratch on her forehead, right where his scar happened to be, but hers was a crescent shape.

Brushing his lips across her cheek flooded him with memories of what it was like before he left. She smelled the same; her skin was still soft by her ear and when his lips touched her she took that same short, sharp breath as if surprised at his touch. He wrapped his arms around her gathering her to him and, as he did with Janie when she was feeling sad, he cradled Hermione's head against his shoulder.

“I'm sorry I was angry. I felt like you were keeping things from me…and then Charles was gone at the same time-,” he murmured trying to concentrate on his train of thought, but feeling her hands press against his back pulling him to her even tighter made him lapse into silence.

“We're just friends, Harry. He's too much like me that I wouldn't ever be able to date him. Plus, I don't even have time to do any of that with this auror position.”

“Then let me help you with it,” Harry offered running his hands down her back, feeling her relax a bit.

“Maybe. I just need to decompress and regroup my thoughts,” Hermione sighed, her lips moving softly against his neck as she spoke. “I'm so sorry to have stressed you out, made you angry.”

“I know,” Harry whispered closing his eyes and relishing in the feel of her against him. He let his hands slip to her waist and managed to continue his thought. “I just didn't like being out of communication with you that long. It felt…unnatural…to me.”

`Did she just kiss me on my neck?' Harry thought trying to figure out if she was nodding in agreement or nuzzling his neck. It didn't matter because his body liked either thought. He distantly heard Ben and Jamie laugh, but the sound stayed in the vicinity of her room so he turned his attention back to Hermione who was pulling away, sliding her hands up to his cheeks. Quite forcefully she kept his face turned to hers.

“We need to go out. Just the two of us.” Her eyes searched his and he wasn't quite sure what she was looking for in them.

“Are you asking me out on a date?” he asked enjoying the embarrassed look that flitted across her face.

“Well, maybe. But I have a proposition for you.”

“Really?” Harry grinned and felt his cheek get pinched. “Ow!”

“Behave! Seriously Harry. I need to talk to you about my job at the ministry. Do you think you can find a sitter for Janie tonight?”

He stared at her for a moment trying to figure out who he could ask. Before he could answer he felt her move his head in the nodding motion. Not being able to help himself he laughed, then reached up and removed her hands from his face.

“I'm sure I can find someone to watch her. But, do you really want to leave Ben so soon though?”

“We'll go after I put him to bed. This is important.” She squeezed his hands, her eyes never leaving his and he could see whatever it was she needed to talk about needed to be done sooner rather than later.

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Chapter 8--Protection

“I want you to work with me,” Hermione blurted out moments after they sat down at the restaurant they had chosen.

“I don't know if that'd be a great idea, Hermione. Truthfully, I have trouble taking orders from anyone and if they were from you, I think I may have issues with that,” Harry responded slowly wondering if her way of asking for his help was the only way he could help her.

“I didn't mean for me to be your boss and you one of my team. I was talking about splitting my job. After two months of trying to everything myself, I realized I can't. I NEED help and you are the only other person I trust out there that could hold up the other end.”

Harry stared at her, his water glass halfway to his mouth knowing how hard it was for her to admit she was failing at something. Slowly, he set the glass back down trying to make sure if she was serious. Her face was unreadable, which was unusual…but so had the last two weeks.

“Hermione…,” he began in a measured tone.

“I'm serious, Harry. I can see you aren't sure whether to believe me or not, but every since I've had Ben I've realized that I can't do everything,” she smiled as Harry rolled his eyes, having told her that numerous times over the past thirteen years. Reaching over she laid her hand on his. “I am asking for your help. But if you don't want to, there are no hard feelings. I can go through the applications and begin interviewing.”

Giving Harry a bit of extra time to think the waiter appeared and began telling them about the specials for that evening.

They had decided on a Muggle restaurant in downtown London, not far from Grimmauld. Fleur was over watching both children, which was easy since they had gone to bed before Harry and Hermione had left. Fleur had seemed very happy that they were going out, even though Harry felt slightly uncomfortable that he was going on a date with someone who was still viewed as his sister-in-law. He knew that he should've felt this way months ago when they had ended up in her bed, but things happened so quickly the thought never entered his head. Now, they were broadcasting that they were going out, and Hermione had used the word “date”. Fleur had just kissed their cheeks and told them to have a wonderful time.

“Basically I need someone to help me train the other aurors. Everyday we get new people and they need to be tested both physical and on written exams. We meet every morning to go over the various reports of any activity someone may have heard about. We have everyone read newspapers from all over the world to see if any Muggle news is really something for us to be concerned about. Once a quarter we will go on a drill and practice what we've learned, learn our physical limits, practice rotating watches, work with other groups that are dedicated as our section of the Ministry is. Does that sound like something you'd like to think about doing?” Hermione had talked to fast she didn't leave him any chance to jump in and question her so he sat back and made sure she was done her explanation. He took her biting into a warm roll as a `yes'; the ball was now in his court.

“It does, but I'd like to make sure Janie is able to handle herself in the ministry's day care facility. Would it be a problem to give it a few days? Charles is supposed to contact me when he returns from Australia and I'd like to observe Janie for a bit longer.” He made his answer sound very formal when in reality he could feel his heart accelerate in excitement. This is what he had wanted to do and had briefly forgotten about it due to his daughter's needs.

“I totally understand, Harry. Take the time you need. The next few weeks will be the least busy for all of us aurors …unless something happens. Our next drill isn't until September and we'll begin working on the logistics of that at the beginning of June.” She stopped abruptly as the waiter brought them their French Onion Soup.

“Now,” Hermione looked away from the waiter's retreating back and at Harry, her grin reaching her eyes for the first time that day, “Shall we leave work behind us and just enjoy eating without any children?”

Their dinner passed by pleasantly and not once did they talk of Ron or Ginny. He didn't want their evening to end but when he looked at his watch and found it was almost 10:30, he reluctantly brought up the fact that it was time to relieve Fleur of her babysitting obligation.

“It's that late already?” Hermione gasped pushing back her sleeve and looking at her own watch. “I'm sorry…I guess I just lost track of time. Takes two glasses of wine for me to do that I guess,” she laughed and Harry smiled amusedly. Rarely Hermione drank but when she did it was good wine, only two glasses, which was enough to get her tongue even more loosened and for her to become unusually touchy-feely.

As they walked down the block, only a half mile to Harry's house, she took his hand and held it between both of hers.

“Do you feel weird knowing that Ginny, and Ron too, are available for you to talk to at any time now?” she asked quietly leaning her head against his arm.

“A bit, but I could tell just in the few minutes I did talk to them it's not really THEM. Does that make sense?” Harry tugged Hermione back from the curb as a taxi sped around a turn ignoring pedestrians in the crosswalk. She stumbled back and he wrapped an arm around her waist, not knowing if her sense of balance was off from the wine or the way she wasn't really paying attention to her surroundings. They crossed the one way street and entered the residential area slowing down mutually, knowing that the stress of children would settle upon their shoulders once they approached Harry's house a few blocks away.

Hermione let go of his hand and slid her arm around his waist falling into step beside him.

“I was highly uncomfortable at first, thinking he was watching my every move, thinking he'd be talking constantly, but I found that wasn't the case. He asked about Ben, you, Janie, Neville…everyone I thought he'd ask after but I agree…they just seem…flat.”

“Well, they are a painting on canvas you know,” Harry joked feeling Hermione's silent laughter under his arm.

“Yeah,” she sighed smiling, “that is true. But I wonder…I wonder what he'd say if he knew we went out on a date tonight.” She stumbled over a break in the sidewalk and Harry steadied her then stopped in mid-stride hearing Ron's last words ringing in his ears. Her arm still around him she turned and looked at him, questioning with a raise of her eyebrow why they had stopped.

“He told me, as you know, to take care of you and Ben,” Harry started feeling an anxious heaviness settle in his chest, one that he had felt moments after Janie was placed in his arms.

He recognized it as a fierce protectiveness that had now encapsulated Hermione and Ben; as much as she said she didn't need it, he could tell that she did whether she realized it or not. The old Hermione could've handled the new job without a hitch, but the one standing against him who had her legs pulled out from under her quite suddenly was a newer, more cautious, more family oriented Hermione. He was fairly sure by the way he felt holding her on the street that he was experiencing more than friendly feelings for her which made him want to keep her safe at any cost.

“And,” he pulled her closer, cupping her face in his free hand locking his eyes with her. “I hope I have made him proud…and I want him to know I'll never stop trying to keep you two safe.”

A realization dawned on him so quickly he froze not hearing Hermione ask him what was wrong.

“Nothing. I just realized that the root of my anger with you leaving was because I couldn't keep you safe.” His eyes widened as sense began trickling into his brain and he continued talking while looking at a point over her shoulder. “It wasn't you specifically, Hermione. I was never mad at you, I don't think I ever could be…but it was the fact that I didn't know where you were so if harm came to you I couldn't be there. That's one of the reasons I took Ben from your parents, I truly wanted them to go on that trip but if he was in my care I could watch him.”

“Harry,” Hermione tried to interject but he just shook his head knowing that he would have to accept that Auror position and tell her, now. He felt Janie was doing well and given that she'd only be around little kids there wouldn't be that much magic for her to absorb.

“Hermione, I accept your job offer. It's something I truly want to do and it'll calm my fears of not being there for you when you do need me.” He realized how selfish it sounded, but he wasn't about to lose anymore of his loved ones; and this way he would be able to help keep the rest of society safe at the same time.

The hug he received from Hermione was an indication that she didn't think he was selfish at all.

---

After checking on the children, Harry joined Hermione on the sofa and gratefully took the small firewhiskey she offered him. They relaxed in a comfortable silence and even though Harry couldn't tell what Hermione was thinking he figured it couldn't be too serious. She had her legs stretched out on the coffee table, her head rested against the back of the sofa and while her eyes were closed she was smiling just a bit. The thoughts that ran through his head had to do with bedtime. Was she going to move Ben or leave him in the other twin bed in Janie's room? If so, where was she going to sleep?

“You're quiet Harry, what're you thinking about?” she asked while keeping her eyes closed. Quickly, Harry thought of an appropriate response.

“That next time, I'm paying.”

“Ah, well. I asked you so it was only fair that I paid for dinner this time around.”

“Still…,” Harry murmured trying hard to tear his eyes from her restful face but the moment she reached up and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear he realized there was no hope of that happening.

“You can pay me back another way,” Hermione said slyly leaving Harry unsure as to whether there was a double entendre there or if she was just tipsy. His small glass of firewhiskey was settling warmly in his veins, loosening him up enough to take the road that was very well less traveled.

Carefully setting his almost empty glass on the table he moved closer and without touching her anywhere else, he leaned in and kissed her slowly. The coil of indecisiveness began unraveling as her free hand slid up his back then using him as leverage she pulled herself up, managing to place her drink on the table without so much as breaking their kiss. Taking each moment as it came but paying close attention to her body language ready to pull away when she gave any type of signal he drew her close, curling his hand in her hair.

In unison they fell back on the couch, limbs tangled, movements becoming more sensuous, more meaningful. As her lips traced the contour of his ear he arched against her, the involuntary movement startling him as much as it did Hermione who pushed right back against him.

“Hermione, I don't want…I don't want you to think…,” Harry faltered trying to tell her his thoughts but failing miserably. His hands had settled on her hips, relishing in the feel of her pressed against him and the way her lips skimmed across his jaw.

“Shhh, Harry.” Her lips moved against his. “What are you worried about?”

“Us,” Harry admitted reaching up and pulling her head back a bit so he could look at her. His hands framed her face and he felt her hands gently mimic the position on him.

“Why?” Her eyes searched his carefully and now that he was this close to her with a light on he was amazed to see a bit of dark green glinting in her eyes. Or was that his reflection?

“I care for you and I think I want to make sure we are doing this because…well…so we…dammit,” Harry sighed exasperated and let his hands fall to her shoulders. It was never this difficult with Ginny because he knew they had the same feelings from the moment they first kissed.

“Look at me.”

Harry opened his eyes and focused on her eyes realizing that his glasses had somehow come off during their little session on the couch.

“I'm just as unsure as you, Harry. But I do enjoy and always have enjoyed, being with you and I'd like to think that since we are here obviously enjoying this moment, that we are a bit beyond just plain friendship. I think of you a lot, Harry…you don't know how much your face crosses my mind every day when I'm not with you.”

Harry raised his hand to her cheek, staring in wonderment. She whispered something as she kept her eyes locked to his and suddenly, he felt himself rocketing into thoughts that weren't his:

Being proposed to by Ron at a Quidditch game on Hermione's 20^th birthday.

Himself giving Hermione a huge hug after seeing her ring.

The guests at the double wedding with Viktor among them; he was standing next to Viktor talking about the latest Quidditch trades.

Seeing Hermione hold Ben seconds after he was born.

It was at that moment he collected himself enough to know that these were private memories she was sharing with him. He hadn't made it to the hospital until hours after Ben was born since he was home with Janie, who was only a month old at the time, and a tired, cranky Ginny. He wondered if this invasion on her private thoughts was a mistake and was about to retreat and pull out until he caught sight of Hermione walking into her office, sitting down and dialing his cell number.

He saw her place the picture of him and Janie on the desk and watched her turn towards the hall where Ron had called her name from his portrait.

His voice sounded distant but he could make out every word.

“You miss him don't you?”

Harry could feel the conflicting emotions in Hermione and was shocked at how powerfully she felt them. He was actually feeling them for himself, through her. (He briefly had an independent thought thinking Ron was right back in their 5^th year; a girl couldn't feel all this or she would explode!) Harry could see the guilty look cross her face for thinking “Yes” immediately. He could tell she was unhappy that she wasn't able to be in Rome and help Harry plus she was also a bit mad at George for blindsiding her with the portraits and, finally, excited that Harry called her back after not answering his cell the first time she called.

He saw a moment of them in bed together and felt a thrill run through his body.

He saw her stressing out at her parents house hurriedly giving instructions about Ben.

Suddenly, he was taken to a very hilly area with numerous people he didn't know and saw Hermione go flying backwards after being hit by a spell. She clamored to her feet, smiled and pointed at someone congratulating him on a job well done. He heard a voice out of the field of her vision laughing at Hermione.

“I bet Harry Potter couldn't knock you off your feet like that!”

Hermione turned and Harry could see a small smile on her face, barely being able to decipher her response, “He already has.”

Switching memories, he know saw her in a large training facility doing what looked like karate. Moments later he watched her take a rest, flip open her cell and glance down at a picture Harry had sent of him and Janie standing near a pile of historic ruins in Rome.

He saw her sitting at a table in a conference room somewhere in the Ministry talking to Charles who was nodding and listening intently, finger tapping his chin as he took in her verbal history of Harry, Ginny and Janie.

Feeling dizzy from all the memory switching he was abruptly dropped into her office where she was sitting at her desk, door half closed, head in her hands and a letter open next to her which was in her handwriting. He caught a glimpse of it as she turned it towards her: Harry, I know you are angry, as I would be if you had just up and left without telling me. I'm so sorry, but my work demands…

Harry heard Ginny's voice telling Hermione that Harry would be angrier to get that in a letter rather than her talking to him in person. It was then that Harry realized how scared she had been of confronting him in person to apologize.

An image of her holding an infant that looked like Baby Alison flitted across his vision before he pulled out blinking rapidly to bring her face into focus.

“Hermione you never have to be scared of me. I was angry but would never hurt you, you have to know that!” he said fervently leaning up and pressing his lips to hers.

“I know, but I wasn't sure if you'd even talk to me. I know now everything is fine,” she said meekly, sounding exhausted with what she had just shared with him. Harry felt the tide shift giving him the strength to discuss his feelings with her as she rested her head on his shoulder. Not being able to see her face he wasn't sure if she was truly tired or just a bit embarrassed for sharing all her personal thoughts.

“I can not imagine anything you could ever do where I would never talk to you again,” he ran his hand down her back, smoothing her shirt with the palm of his hand. “I've told you that many times.”

“Yes, you have and you know I feel the same,” she mumbled into his shoulder. He couldn't think of any response to her but none was needed as she twisted off of him, laid her head on his shoulder and promptly fell asleep.

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Chapter 9—Moving On

Harry stirred sleepily, wondering if his eyes were open or closed. Experimentally he blinked and found that at some point he had half carried, half dragged a sleepy Hermione up to his room where they both collapsed onto his bed. A steady drumming noise penetrated the silence hitting his roof with an energy he hadn't heard from rain in a long time. He now realized that it was this noise that woke him up. Not wanting Ben and Janie to be woken up at such an early hour, he reached for his wand, pointed it in the direction of his daughter's room and cast a Muffliato charm so they wouldn't hear the pounding drops of rain.

“Awake?” he heard Hermione mumble sleepily as she turned over, her leg bumping his.

“Yeah. The rain.” Harry placed his wand back on his nightstand feeling the mattress move as Hermione stood up and somehow managed to make her way to the loo without turning on any lights.

It was at that moment that his body caught up with the notion that here he was, in pitch black darkness with Hermione who had been sleeping next to him.

Closing his eyes he took a few deep breaths, trying to quell the feeling of desire running through his body. He wondered what she'd do, after she returned, if he just reached over and kissed her…and not stop at that. Something told him that she'd be just as willing to see where the kisses led. And with that realization every nerve stood up on alert. He could hear her soft footsteps back to his room, vaguely heard her mutter something about `being happy there was an extra toothbrush in there' before he turned onto his side holding the sheet up for her. She settled in under the sheet so Harry slid his hand across her hip, up her arm, finding her neck and finally cupping her cheek. Not so gently, he pulled her towards him and found her lips on the first try, waiting for her to be hesitant or pull back from him. When she didn't do anything to detour him he slid on top of her, feeling her gasp against his lips as he not-so-shyly told her what he wanted without any words. Her hips lifted greedily against his as her hands pushed him down from behind. The thought of taking this moment slowly, trying to make it so different from last time, left as hormones and overflowing emotions took over.

Somehow, he managed to grab both of her wrists, hold them above her head and balanced himself on his knees. He found the button of her pants and deftly flicked it open. (He wouldn't remember until later that morning while he was in the shower the conversation he had with her about how she didn't like to be dominated in the bedroom by Ron.) He only knew now that her soft moans and twists underneath him were positive and made him only want her more.

Not being able to get as close as he needed while holding her hands he let go and they immediately slid down his arms, found the zipper on his jeans and tugged. Alternately they undressed each other, kisses becoming fiercer, bruising, teeth scraping, hands making sure movements until there was nothing left between them. Harry only took a moment to slow down and savor the skin beneath his hands. Her stomach was as soft as Janie's back and as he slid his hand lower, Hermione spoke for the first time only uttering his name and punctuating it with a thrust of her hips into his hand.

He rolled on top of her groping for her hands and threaded his fingers through hers pinning them above her shoulders. He felt her lips move under his but couldn't hear her over the rain. He recognized the movement though and could hear the Infertility Charm spoken in her voice but in his head. Figuring that was all that was left to be done before doing what he so desperately wanted, he pushed into her quickly both moaning in unison with the wind that now rattled the windows. She struggled to remove her hands from his and he let her, feeling the warmth of her arms wrap around his back. She had more movement now and with each thrust of his that she met he could feel the pressure build between them. Trying to slow down, trying to savor this moment was not going to happen. He couldn't control himself, not with Hermione's hands where they were, her legs wrapped around his hips and with her encouraging him with sounds that sounded so soft compared to Mother Nature outside.

The sudden realization happened in only a few seconds. Together they pressed and pushed together and for a moment he froze above her…aware of only her, blocking out all other sounds, feeling his soul intertwine with hers and a rush of love flood his heart as he collapsed on top of her, pressing his lips to her neck feeling the remnants of their lovemaking shudder through both of them.

Her body slackened under his, but her hands ran lightly up and down his back giving him some time to recover. One leg remained possessively looped around his hip and as he rolled to the side, he remained inside her. Her hands found his shoulders and pushed him flat against the mattress and, when he thought he couldn't move from the weight of her hands and body, she flicked her hips backwards, bringing out a sharp gasp and arching of his back.

This was new, barely stopping before starting up again. He never thought this would happen and, before it was over much too quickly, his hands grasped her hips stilling her movements. She got the message and froze, statue like, as he pushed himself up slowly into a sitting position. His lips grazed her breast as they coordinated their movements in such a way that made Harry wonder if she knew exactly what he was thinking. On her knees she pressed against him, pulling his head to her breast, roping her fingers through his hair as he let her move her own way. Gently he pulled her hair, arching her neck towards his lips as they moved upwards.

He could feel the pleasant vibrations in her throat, noise lost to the wind and rain…the digging of her nails into his shoulders gave him a moments notice and he held her tightly as he timed his release with hers. He felt weightless, lightheaded for seconds afterwards and together they fell back onto the bed, her leg falling from his hip, her forehead pressed against his as they held each other, but not seeing one another. He didn't want to let go of her warmth, her strength so he cradled her head against his shoulder, lightly kissing her ear.

“Hermione?” he whispered wondering if she could hear him. He felt rather than heard the, “Hmm?”

He paused a moment, not quite sure if he should be so forward but the voice inside him insisted on it being said. He had to say it, had to let her know before it consumed him and he blurted it out in public embarrassing them both.

“I love you,” his whisper quavered waiting for her response. Her head tilted back against his hand and her hands moved his head until her lips were pressed against his ear.

“I love you, too,” she answered, then buried her head between his pillow and his neck. He felt her hot tears drip onto his shoulder, but knew that they weren't unhappy tears. Just like the ones pricking the back of his eyes, these were tears of happiness, of letting go of the past. Her arms tightened around him and he held her close until the rain subsided, each anxious to begin this new part of their lives together.

---

As they were both parents, what ever romantic notions they had of waking up the next morning and continuing what had barely started in the middle of the night were thrown out the window. Blessedly, they had remembered to pull back on most of their clothes before sleep overtook them because Janie, followed by Ben, woke them up by climbing into bed with them. Knees, elbows and hands pushed and pulled until the toddlers managed to sandwich themselves between Harry and Hermione. In the dim morning light, Harry caught Hermione's eye over Janie's head who was giggling in excitement at having all three of her favorite people in bed with her. Hermione smiled shyly, then leaned down and planted a kiss on top of Ben's head.

Right then, Harry knew that the hole that Ginny had left was now healed over. It was still there, whenever he thought of her he'd feel a slight ache, but the sight of Hermione, Ben, and Janie, snuggled up in his bed, a softer rain falling on the roof lulling them all back to sleep made him feel fulfilled. The last thought he had before he dozed off again was whether or not they'd drive each other crazy if they worked all day together, and then came home to spend their evening and nights together.

That was an adventure he couldn't wait to start.

***

A/N: This is not the end…just a transition chapter into the last part of this story!

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Chapter 10—Accio Life

Harry was quite sure that he had dreamt the “morning after”. After finally waking up, feeding the kids, listening to Ben throw a temper tantrum because there weren't any more of his favorite biscuits, reprimanding Janie for accioing biscuits from the house next-door (thankfully, those neighbors had left for work) and nodding when Hermione asked him to come by later that afternoon for an interview, he took a step back and looked around his now clean kitchen.

Janie was finally happy and playing with blocks, showing her owl, who was sleeping in her cage in the corner, how she could stack them up to her own height. Hermione had left for Molly's to shower, change and answer questions about why she didn't sleep there last night and Harry now had a chance to breathe. He hadn't even said two words to Hermione that morning. Except for the shared smile when the kids were in bed with them, he would've thought nothing had happened last night. Except his feelings and memories betrayed him. As he moved around his house, answered mail, played with his daughter Hermione was on the edge of consciousness always. He touched Janie's back as he bathed her and was reminded of Hermione's soft skin. He heard Janie washing her hands in the sink, water turned on full blast and he remembered the rain against the roof and what he had done under said roof.

She was still on his mind as he walked down the hall to Hermione's office where she, Auror Clogkey and the Minister himself would be interviewing him. His heart raced from a mix of nervousness at the interview and leaving Janie at the Ministry Day Care, anxiousness for walking by Ron and Ginny and happiness at finally seeing Hermione after being separated for five hours that day already.

Thankfully, both portraits were empty and when he knocked on the door Hermione answered and waved him inside. Her office was empty except for the two of them.

“Where is everyone?”

“Coming in a half hour.”

“Am I too early?” Harry looked at the small clock on her desk fairly certain she had said one, not one thirty.

“No. I asked you to come early,” Hermione smiled at him and gestured for him to sit.

“Oh. Why?” Harry sat down and folded his hands in front of him, leaning forward on her desk.

“So I could relax you before the interview.” She shuffled some papers and then settled them into a neat pile in front of her. She caught the mischievous look in his eyes and laughed.

“No, not that way!” she lowered her voice, still smiling. “Twice wasn't enough?”

This time Harry had the grace to blush and mumbled he was just kidding.

“I know, I know,” Hermione waved her hand dismissively. “Anyway. How did Janie take to being dropped off?”

“Better than I thought. I only had to sit with her for five minutes until Ben and Oliver Woods' son came up and dragged her into some mess involving sand.”

“Yes, that is a messy station, but fun from what I see when I pick up Ben. Jasper is a good kid. He's five, I think? Loves little kids and, from what I hear, is already a terror on a broom.”

“I wouldn't put it past Oliver to have a kid like that.”

“Do you think Alison will be able to get on a broom? You saw how awful Neville is at flying and how Luna avoids it,” Hermione asked folding her hands and leaning forward towards Harry, intent on directing the conversation into a territory that would relax him.

“I don't know. I can't really tell since she's only three weeks old,” Harry shrugged. “Maybe Oliver should open up a school that teaches lessons.”

“Not a bad idea. Doesn't Malfoy have something like that?”

“Yeah, but his is “selective” and it's a very competitive type of school. The amount of money he has poured into that school brings in people from all over. Guess we'll find out in a few years if any of them can play Quidditch.”

“Speaking of kids,” Hermione reached down and rummaged through her bag, finding what she needed the sliding it across the table. “A picture I was asked to give you of Alison Francis Longbottom.”

Harry picked it up and in a flash remembered Janie being that little. Her hair had been a dark red but within months had fallen out to be replaced by his darker color. Alison had Luna's blonde hair, except it was only fuzz and her eyes were a bright blue, just like her mother's.

“I thought she had dark hair? I saw that in your memory the other day--of you holding her?” Harry pocketed the picture and saw her shake her head. He couldn't remember what color her hair had been when he and Janie had visited. She had a hat on and he never thought to look under it or even ask.

“No, that wasn't Alison,” was all she had time to say before a knock sounded at the door. Harry frowned briefly wondering if he had forgotten anyone else who had a baby.

Auror Clogkey walked in authoritatively and conjured up a chair. Before Harry could think past saying “Hello” and shaking her hand, she launched into some questions that had to be asked before the Minister was to interview him.

---

Two hours later Harry sat with Janie only pretending to pay attention as she finished putting a puzzle together at the Ministry Day Care. His head was spinning from the interview and he had to admit that some of the hardest questions came from Hermione. Many were about multi-tasking, how he'd handle numerous reports of different potential sightings of Death Eaters followed by a physical exam one of the healer's gave him. He thought he was in good physical condition until he looked in at a self-defense training session. He saw a girl, that couldn't have been more than 20, flip a fellow male auror-to-be onto his back, where he laid stunned for a moment. He knew he couldn't do that, and wondered if Hermione was that strong. Janie interrupted his musing by showing him her finished puzzle and announcing she was done. Harry talked with Lavender a bit, waved to Ben who was engrossed in drawing something on the blackboard then bent to retrieve his bag. It wasn't next to him and he realized that he must've forgotten it back in Hermione's office.

“C'mon Janie. I forgot my bag in Aunt Hermione's office.”

“Is she there? Can I see?” Janie bounced next to him until she spotted the elevator then raced ahead to push the button. As they patiently waited and Harry answered her question, he realized he was getting many strange looks from the employees as they passed by.

It was as he stepped onto the elevator and was greeted by someone he knew by sight, but not name, he realized that he had never brought Janie to the Ministry before and this was the first time people were seeing the daughter of Harry and Ginny Potter. He held Janie's hand as they stepped out onto Hermione's floor. To distract Janie from staring back at the people watching her he pointed out portraits on the walls, hoping that Ginny would be in hers and explained the one's he knew about.

Slowing down as he approached Hermione's office, he could see Ginny in her frame flying around on her broom. Picking up Janie he pointed out the portrait and saw Ginny stop in midair, then hurriedly land and walk to the front of the painting.

“Hi Ginny,” Harry greeted a bit nervously then fell silent as he watched Ginny's eyes move over Janie. Their daughter tucked her head under Harry's neck and put her thumb in her mouth, her eyes never leaving Ginny's picture.

“Remember me, Janie?” Ginny asked softly, her smile reaching from ear to ear. Their daughter nodded then mumbled something around her thumb.

“What'd she say?” Ginny's eyes flicked to Harry who shifted Janie to his other hip.

“She said, “mum”, so she remembers you. She has a picture of you in her room,” Harry explained. He saw Ron move into his sister's picture who openly gazed at Janie.

“Not counting the eyes, she's a little Harry. Help us all!” Ron laughed and this time Harry smiled.

“Well, Ben is a little Ron, so I guess it's only fair.”

“Yeah, I saw him the other day. Quite scary to see an almost-two year old me,” Ron waved to Janie who took her thumb out of her mouth long enough to wave back. “How'd your interview go?”

“Long,” Harry replied and didn't get a chance to say anything else before he felt a hand on his back.

“Your bag you forgot,” Hermione held it out to him then let her hand fall away realizing for the first time in over a year all of them were together again. For a moment they all fell quiet until a memo flew right at Hermione getting itself tangled in her hair. Ron fell to the ground laughing as he watched her struggle to free it, which set Janie off into fits of giggles. Laughing broke the tension in Janie seeing her mother and Uncle for the first time since they died so she squirmed to get down. Harry reminded her to stay in the hall and not go into anyone's office.

“It's for you, actually,” Hermione told Harry handing him the note and giving Ron a dark look who was still laughing. Janie was now staring freely up at Ginny's portrait as her mother knelt and was asking her about her day at the Day Care.

The memo had the St. Mungo's symbol at the top and was written in very neat handwriting. Scanning to the end of the short note, Harry discovered it was from Charles who said he'd be back in two days. Would they be able to meet then? That was a Saturday; Harry wasn't slated to start his new job until that Monday. As far as he remembered, he was free.

“How do I answer this?” Harry asked Hermione who turned from Ron's portrait where they had been talking about George becoming a father.

“Here's a quill. Just answer below and send it back. It'll go to the Mail Center then get sorted out into the St. Mungo's mail.” Harry thanked her and scribbled that he'd see Charles in two days time, then folded the note back along the lines and watched it sail down the hall. Janie began racing after it then stopped short as Harry called her name sharply.

“Would you mind getting Ben, Harry? I have another hour here and that means I'll have to pay over time to Day Care,” Hermione asked quietly as both Ron and Ginny had Janie engaged in a conversation about her doll, Wendy, which had been a gift from Ron and Hermione when she was born.

“No problem. I'll see you back at my place,” Harry glanced down at her feeling the back of her hand brush his. Not knowing how to become comfortable in this situation, constantly wondering if it was written on his face how he felt about her, he just gave her a small smile then told Janie that it was time to leave. After bidding her portrait mother and Uncle goodbye, Janie ran ahead of her father insisting she remembered the way back to the elevator.

---

“How did Charles know to send that memo to me at the Ministry?” Harry asked Hermione that evening as the children were finally playing quietly with Janie's little kitchen set in the living room.

“Everyone knew you were coming in, so he probably just sent his note to the hospital and they knew where to find you.” Hermione sent their dinner dishes to the sink and they began washing themselves as they sat across from each other sipping tea.

“I noticed everyone looking at me and Janie. She noticed too.”

“How'd she seem this evening to you after being around everyone? And, you'll have to get used to it for awhile. Everyone is excited to see you out and about again, and not to mention seeing what your daughter looks like. No one has seen her since her birth picture was in the paper.”

“For this very reason,” Harry picked up the end of her conversation, “because of the staring. That's why I haven't taken her there. And, she seems very good to me. Not cranky or anything, though I did notice her using Alohamora to open the door to her room. Not sure if she's showing off for Ben on that one, though.”

“True,” Hermione mused wrapping her hands around her warm cup and for the first time, she met Harry's gaze for more than just a fleeting moment. Now that his deepest feelings had been verbalized, he wasn't quite sure how to act upon them and, it seemed, neither did she. He took a sip of his tea to give himself a bit more time to think of how to ask about last night.

“So, what did Molly say about you not being there last night?” he lifted his eyes back up to hers and saw her smile as her cheeks turned red. He could barely make out the bruise on her jaw when she blushed.

“Well, I told her Ben fell asleep and I didn't want to move him, and that after a few glasses of wine I fell asleep too. I'm not sure she entirely believed that story since Fleur told Bill, who told his parents that we were going out. Truly though? I think she's happy…she's always loved you and thought of you like a son, and as I'm her daughter in law, I think the fact that I'm not out dating someone she doesn't know, and that Ben doesn't know, sits very well with her. Does that make sense?”

The word “date” didn't escape Harry's attention and he found it didn't sit well with him. He nodded in response to her question as he mulled over the word in his mind. He knew Hermione like a book, and she knew him better than anyone else on this earth. So, how could their relationship be called “Dating”? Isn't that where you go to know one another to see if you were compatible?

He truly thought that they had moved way beyond that point. Not just because they had spent the night together, but all that dating stuff was out of the way…the first kiss, the getting-to-know-you questions and conversations; getting to know the family (although he had only seen her parents a handful of times and her grandfather once at her wedding) and the awkward feeling of “when are you supposed to sleep together”?

He remembered being very nervous with Ginny with the sex part. They finally had gotten back together after he killed Voldemort and it had taken him that whole summer to finally relax, heal and figure out what he wanted to do with his life. Then, Ginny's birthday was in August and after they had gone to dinner and a Weird Sister's concert they had come back here, one thing led to another and they had gone further than they had on his birthday (they had stopped because he couldn't remember the infertility spell and wanted to make sure they knew the right way to say it).

He also truly thought Ginny may want to wait until she was done school but that hadn't been the case. A new level had been reached in their relationship on her birthday and by Easter of the following year he passed an exam given by McGonagall to teach, and knowing that he had steady income he had gone out and bought a ring for Ginny that night and waited until her graduation to ask her to marry him, planning with Ron on the best place to ask…should he ask in front of her parents? When they were alone? All in all, she had been surprised, deliriously happy and had gone running to her parents first thing.

“HARRY!” Hermione called and knocked on the table in front of him. Harry blinked and moved his eyes up from his cup which had been staring unseeingly at the empty bottom.

“I was just saying that Janie had been abducted by alien's then I realized, when you didn't answer that, maybe they took your mind. Are you alright?”

“Ummm, yeah, I was just thinking about something you said,” Harry leaned forward settling his elbows on the table while keeping eye contact and desperately trying to not be nervous. This was a whole new territory he was walking on with Hermione and he didn't want to upset the fragile balance they were beginning to achieve. “You mentioned dating and I was thinking that…well, perhaps that we were already beyond that. To me, it means getting to know someone kind of like Cho and I back in school. And you and I…we already know each other so well.”

She looked at him thoughtfully for so long that he became uncomfortable, thinking he had indeed said the wrong thing. He disguised his agitation by taking their empty cups and placing them in the sink. He heard Ben laughing at something in the living room and peeked around the corner to see them laying on the floor watching a cartoon. Fifteen more minutes of quiet, then bedtime for the kids. `Where would Hermione be tonight?' he wondered before turning back around.

Hermione was suddenly standing in front of him and before he could register her movements, she was kissing him with such an intensity that he swore his heart stopped beating for a moment before picking up again, twice as fast. Wrapping his arms around her, letting himself fall deeper into her embrace and warmth he responded in kind until two loud giggles punctuated the charged silence. He felt Hermione fall back to her heels but she kept her arms around his neck.

“You're right. Dating is not the right term for you and I right now.” He could see her lick her lips and take a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.

Harry let his thumb run over the crescent shaped scar above her eyebrow feeling the new skin that had formed over the deep scratch. “What is the right word then? Or, do we really need one?”

Hermione's eyes narrowed a bit in a look that meant she was thinking about his question. Harry answered for her, feeling the words sear through his mind then pour out of his mouth, making him wonder again what force was pouring the words into his head.

“Actually, I don't think we need one Hermione. I love you, Ben, Janie and you love us, isn't that enough to build off of?” He ran his hand over her almost invisible bruise, enjoying how she leaned into the soft touch.

“It is, Harry.” Her voice was thick with emotion and he could see her eyes shining with unshed tears. Bending down he kissed her on the forehead then gathered her close.

“What should we do about tonight?”

“What do you mean?” she mumbled into his shoulder, turning her head to nuzzle his neck.

“Are you going back to Molly's?”

“Oh.”

They were quiet for a moment as the unsaid question and unspoken answer hung in the air between them. Another big, unavoidable step was lurking in front of him and he found that this felt like the right moment to ask. He had never thought about them living together before, until this moment. Not used to such spontaneous events he tried to just move with the flow of the last two days.

“Would you consider living here? If you were more comfortable you could have your own room, there are six bedrooms you know.” His hands were shaking so he ran them through her hair trying to disguise how scared he was asking such an emotional question.

Hermione took a deep breath and nodded against his shoulder.

“Yes.” She answered, then elaborated. “I don't even need to consider it Harry. I want to be with you and Janie.” Pulling back she looked up into his face seeing his lips form into a relived but happy smile. “I guess tonight would be as good of a place to begin as any wouldn't you say?”

“I agree, though Molly and your parents should know.”

“If you don't mind getting Ben ready for bed, I can go over there and tell Molly now. We can tell my parents together over the weekend. However, we'll have to be ready for tomorrow afternoon. As soon as I change my address on the Ministry recoreds, the rest of the wizarding world will know we're an item.”

“That's fine with me.” Harry answered his heart leaping for joy and they shared a slow, passionate kiss that lasted until two small children wiggled their way between them demanding a bedtime snack.

Harry was beginning to feel as if a bit of his life was coming back and moving forward…and as he and Hermione peeled apples for their children, he remembered what George had said about “accioing Fred's life back to this world”…and he felt that saying applied very well to the journey that he and Hermione were embarking on together.

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A/N: As you can tell, Chapter 10 wasn't the last chapter. I thought about the way it sounded after I posted, (and didn't want to go through the hassle of pulling it down and posting an Author's Note) but if you've read my stories, you'd know for sure if it was the end. I'm an Epilogue “Queen” and I promise I will end my story with “The End” just so you know & are certain there will be no more “Accio Life”! Hope you enjoy this chapter; it was fun to write.

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Chapter 11—Adjustments

“Is it true you're dating Hermione Granger-Weasley?”

“How long have you been keeping this relationship secret?”

“How do you plan on telling your deceased wife and brother-in-law when you see their portraits?”

“Does your daughter understand what's going on?”

“Is it true your daughter was in the hospital months ago?”

That last statement made Harry stop in his tracks. He gave Hermione a little push meaning for her to head on in with the children and stood watching her disappear into the heavily guarded entrance. Once they were safely inside he then spun around, anger blazing in his eyes, to face the different wizarding press reporters gathered in front of the Ministry. The throng of reporters stopped talking as if a silencio spell had been cast.

“I think I've had my life analyzed enough for several lifetimes. I will not answer any questions and I will not talk about my daughter to anyone who doesn't have a vested interest in her. I don't appreciate your lot whinging about my house either and if you don't start showing some respect for me, my family and my friends I won't show any respect for you. I have only interviewed with one reporter, one time, and intend on relaying any pertinent information through that same reporter.”

With that being said, Harry spun around in a manner that would've made Snape proud and headed into the Ministry. His only job today was to fill out mounds of paperwork to establish his security clearance and officially tap him as an employee of the Ministry.

He walked into the Day Care facility and with a sense of relief found Janie absorbed in a story that Lavender was reading to the fifteen children that were there that Friday morning. Still fuming slightly he walked briskly to Hermione's office, taking notice that the portraits were once again empty. He stopped short as he entered the office and wondered if there was anything magic couldn't do.

His eyes took in a room twice the size as it had been the day before. The walls were now paneled in a dark cherry and behind Hermione's desk was an entire wall of bookshelves. Their desks were pushed together so they could face one another and each had their own space behind them. Harry had a smaller bookshelf that took up a quarter of the wall, an area to hang pictures and a large bulletin board. All the furniture was new, made out of a solid, warm wood that leant a slightly cedar smell to the air. His chair was leather and when he sat down in it, he found it was one of the most comfortable chairs he had ever sat down in. He wondered if that made productivity go down the tubes since he figured he could certainly take a nap with his feet on his desk.

“Well?” Hermione appeared in the doorway with a pile of papers in front of her which flew slowly over to Harry's desk.

“Wow!” Harry breathed taking another look around the new office.

“I meant outside,” Hermione laughed and perched herself on the corner of her desk. “But I'm glad you like it. I actually had input from Ron and Ginny on this.”

“Ah, I see. I do remember complaining to Ginny about how uncomfortable Hogwarts chairs were as you got older.”

“Yep, this chair was her idea. Ron's idea was leaving a space for pictures you may want to hang one day. Mine of course was the bookshelf and bulletin board. So, what did you say outside to everyone? I can't believe they found out so fast. I just got the paperwork to change my address as I walked in. I wonder who leaked it?”

“Well, seeing as the only reporter I talk to is Lee Jordan, which is what I said outside along with, “Leave me and my family alone,” I'm sure that Ron knew, who told Fred, who told George who told Katie who told everyone else, and I'm sure Lee knows too, since his office is right down the street. So, definitely not long until people heard. I am happy I didn't see Lee in that melee outside. He sure has kept his promise to not bother me.” Harry spun around in his chair once, quite thrilled with his office and momentarily forgetting his anger he felt five minutes ago.

“A sign of a true friend,” Hermione philosophized nudging the paperwork in his direction then laying a bright yellow Quill on top. “Here's a Repeating Quill. It'll remember the answers to all the routine questions such as address, name, next of kin and automatically fill it in for you. Makes paperwork go much quicker.”

“Thanks,” he smiled at her and saw a flicker of movement over her shoulder. Ron's portrait was visible from his desk and he wasn't sure if he liked that or not. “What do you think should be done about-,” and he inclined his head towards the two portraits out there.

“Well, I reckon they already know what is going on, but we should really talk to them ourselves, don't you think?” Hermione slid off his desk and quietly closed the door, giving them a bit more privacy. “Molly took it well, but I'm sure she said something to Ginny's portrait in her room. She couldn't let a piece of gossip like this go unsaid.”

“I wonder if portraits feel jealously and such? I'm already nervous trying to figure out what to say to them,” Harry told her as he took the first set of paperwork off the pile and placed it in front of him.

“I can go talk to them if you want?” Hermione offered settling herself across from him. Harry smiled but shook his head.

“I can do it. You already told their parent's and that was hard enough. I appreciate you doing that.”

“We can do it together, Harry.” Hermione offered and he looked up meeting her serious look.

“Okay, together it is. After I finish this,” he reached out and she met his hand halfway. Linking their fingers together for a moment he squeezed her hand in thanks. She understood how nerve-wracking it was going to be telling Ginny and gave him a reassuring squeeze back, reluctantly letting go of his hand so they could finish their paperwork.

---

Harry was done within an hour and together he and Hermione went out to the hall to talk with Ron and Ginny. Seeing how they both knew already made it a bit easier for Harry although it was still a bit awkward and embarrassing to tell his deceased wife he was now hooked up with his sister-in-law. Both Weasley's wanted what would make their loved ones happy and after twenty minutes of talking with them, Harry truly believed they were sincere. Another weight he didn't know he had was lifted off his shoulders, but still not comfortable with public display's of affection he bid Hermione goodbye with a smile, who was still putting in a full day. In order to get Janie used to a full day in the Day Care, Harry decided to keep her there until he would normally be done, four o'clock. That meant he had six hours to himself and he was entirely unsure what to do.

He stopped at the front doors, seeing a crowd still gathered and then made the snap decision to floo to Diagon Ally. It was time to pay George a visit and see how his shop was doing.

Once he got going, he found there was quite a bit to keep him busy. George wasn't in but Harry did see Fred's portrait and chatted with him awhile. Then he ran into Seamus who was shopping for new dress robes for a wedding he was in and they had a quick lunch together, rehashing pleasant memories while Harry shared his pictures of Janie. Talking with Seamus made him think of Hogwarts so he paid a surprise visit to McGonagall who was working hard in the Headmaster's office getting OWLs and NEWTS ready, which were to be taken in three weeks.

He chatted with her for an hour, telling her about Janie's hospital visit and the reason behind it and everything that led up to him being there. It was rather like a therapy session having an avid listener just listen and not offer any advice on how to run his life. If anyone could do just that, it would be his former head of house. He made a promise to come back to teaching if being an Auror didn't work out to his expectations.

Not wanting to face the same reporters again he received permission to floo into the Ministry to pick up Janie, who was with the other children in the napping room. Lavender gave Harry a detailed report about Janie's day, which he appreciated and was happy to hear. She had done tremendously well to the adjustment of being home with daddy and now being around other children. He even met Lavender's assistant which was her younger sister, Autumn, barely 19 years old. She stammered hello to him then made excuses to go get snack ready, blushing the whole way. Harry figured he was going to have to get used to that after hearing Lavender tell him that he was now a whole section in “Defense Against the Dark Arts” and has even earned a chapter in “Hogwarts, a History”…the newest edition which Harry was fairly certain Hermione didn't have yet.

He waited until Janie woke up, let her have snack with everyone then left via floo for the post office where he posted an owl to order the newest “Hogwarts, A History” straight from the magical publisher. As he and Janie sorted through the cooling cabinet looking for something to make for dinner he thought about how this book he ordered was the first gift he'd ever bought Hermione outside of her birthday, her and Ron's wedding and Christmas. The book had just come out today, June 1^st, and with her being so busy and it not being available for pre-order he was fairly sure Hermione hadn't ordered it. A warm, settled feeling came over him knowing that he could give her something she could use and it was a “thinking of you gift”, not a day she expected to receive something.

He listened to Janie jabber about her day, understanding only half of what she said. When she got excited she had a tendency to talk faster and interrupt herself to tell him about another thought. Her interest in watching him magically cut up vegetables for a salad lasted only minutes and soon she was upstairs playing house with her doll Wendy. A watery sounding “pop” came from the entrance downstairs and he soon heard Ben's footsteps running up and into the kitchen.

“Snack? Please?” Ben asked seeing Harry near a bowl of carrots.

“You just had one. I saw you!” Harry laughed at him remembering Ron's voracious appetite.

“Hungry!” Ben demanded, stamping his foot then seeing Harry stare steadily at him he mumbled “Please?”

“Can he have something else?” Harry asked looking up as Hermione walked into the kitchen.

“Something small, Ben. Here's an applesauce,” she lifted him into his booster seat and took a small dish out of the cabinet. In seconds Ben wolfed it down, squirmed off the chair and was making his way upstairs.

As if someone was outside watching and waiting for Hermione and Ben to come home, a delivery owl swooped in the open window that Harry had left open just for this reason. The owl dropped a brown wrapped package on the table then took off again, not having time for a snack.

“What's this?” Hermione asked tiredly, settling herself down with a cup of tea.

“For you,” Harry said simply, turning back to his salad and dumping the cut up carrots and cucumber into a bowl with the lettuce.

“Harry! You didn't have to do this! How did you even know it was out?” Hermione jumped up excitedly immediately flipping through the book.

“I can't tell you. It's a secret…can I see it for a second?” he took it from her outstretched hand, very curious as to what it said about him. He found his name in the index and just smiled at Hermione who asked what he was looking for.

On Page 479 he found a chapter entitled: “The Defeat of the Dark Lord: The story of how Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley tracked down the most feared person in Magical History and how Harry Potter destroyed him.”

“We're in here?” Hermione stood at his elbow and looked down at the book. “I want to go relax in the bath, do you mind if I take it with me and read it?”

“Be my guest, I'll read it tonight,” Harry folded down the page, got reprimanded for it, and received a quick kiss at the same time before she ran upstairs, with him watching fondly until she moved out of sight. Their first full day of living together had started off rocky enough but seemed to be finishing rather smoothly.

---

The children had been in bed for two hours by the time Harry made his way upstairs. Hermione had gone up there before him saying she wasn't feeling well and waved off his worry with a roll of her eyes. He watched a bit of television and read the five pages dedicated to his defeat of the Dark Lord. It was fairly accurate, unemotional and factually correct, but it still dredged up mostly unpleasant memories for him. He wasn't sure how he felt about being a subject in the classroom but as he entered his bedroom and saw Hermione curled up under his covers, in his bed he immediately realized everything they had all gone through was worth it.

He had married his first true love because he defeated Voldemort.

He had a wonderful daughter with that woman, because of what he and his friends had managed to do.

And now he had someone akin to a soul mate that had gone through life's worst moments with him and celebrated some of life's better ones, all because Voldemort was no more.

Slowly, he rubbed his hand across his scar, taking enjoyment in the fact that it never hurt anymore. Quietly he shed his clothes, turned out the small light over his dresser and climbed into bed reminding himself that he couldn't sleep in the middle anymore.

Hermione's sleepy voice interrupted his musings about the past few days.

“Good night to you, too. Are you feeling any better?” Harry asked concernedly as he rolled to his side touching her shoulder gently. He felt her turn over and heard the pause in her voice. Was this something he should be concerned about?

“I guess since we live together now you should know this. I get very tired, crampy and a bit nauseous right before I start my period. That's why I don't feel well,” she said with an embarrassed note in her voice. Harry couldn't see her face in the very dim light, and even if he could she more than likely would be blurry. He remembered Ginny and how moody she got and how much she complained about cramps…having a girlfriend, then getting married had quickly made him come to terms with that part of a female and that there really wasn't anything that could be done to make her feel better, except something they had discovered quiet by accident.

“Well, I don't own a Muggle heating pad but Ginny had this same problem…kinda…and we found something that made her feel better. I can show you, if you'd like,” Harry began hesitantly not sure on the protocol on talking about his dead wife to his quite new, quite current girlfriend/sister in law.

“This doesn't involve some sort of torture does it? Because I feel bad enough now.”

“No, not at all,” Harry laughed at her comment. “Ginny's cramps were mostly in her back for some reason…are yours?” he asked feeling embarrassed but knowing he was going to have to learn this part of Hermione if he was to be living with her.

“No, mine are in the front,” he could hear the guarded note in her voice as he sat up and crossed his legs.

“Okay, well lift up your shirt just a bit. Like past your belly button.”

He realized at this moment he still hoped he could do this. He hadn't tried this trick since Janie was five months old; he had never had a reason to until now.

“Okaaay.” He felt her shift then settle down. Reaching out his hand found her side and he pressed his palm against her skin, moving towards the center of her body.

“Here? I can't really see,” Harry asked quietly feeling her belly button under his ring finger.

“Lower,” Hermione pushed his hand down a bit, then set her hand on top of his as if telling him that was far enough.

Harry conjured up the spell he and Ginny had made up then whispered it softly, “Calefacio minima”. He felt a tingling at the base of his fingertips that slowly crept up to his wrist then stopped.

“Bloody hell,” Hermione whispered her hand tightening around his. “Where did you learn that?”

“No idea,” Harry murmured, “Ginny jokingly said one day…she wondered if there was a spell that could mimic a Muggle heating pad. We started pulling out words at random and this one worked. Is it too hot?”

“No. It's perfectly warm! And relaxing too.”

They were quiet for a moment as Harry moved his hand in small, slow circles around her abdomen.

“I don't think I can even do a wandless spell. This is pretty amazing.”

“Leave it to you to analyze it.”

“I was just saying--.”

“I know, I know. Besides turning on and off the lights without a wand, this is about it, I'm afraid. Nothing else exciting to discover about me.”

“Oh, I bet there are plenty, Harry,” Hermione's hand wrapped around his as she moved it a bit higher then let her fingers rest lightly on the back. He could feel her flinch as his hand skimmed closely to her side and he wondered if she was ticklish. No, this wasn't the time to be thinking about doing anything other than what he was doing, his sensible side scolded. However, he couldn't help the grin that came to his face as he felt her nudge his hand higher.

“You can't possibly have cramps up here,” he said amusedly as his fingers brushed the base of her sternum.

“Many women get very sore chests,” Hermione said a bit haltingly as her hand fell away from his.

“I thought that was just with nursing,” Harry mentioned, remembering Ginny doing that with Janie for the first two months of her newborn life.

“And for a few days around that time of the month,” she reached up and pushed his hand to the side where his hand skimmed over her breast. He froze, not quite sure what she wanted him to do.

“Don't stop,” Hermione twitched under him as he pulled his hand across to the other side of her chest and began rubbing in slow circles. It slowly filtered into his brain, which was busily trying to calm his body down, that she was enjoying this and had found out another use for this warming spell.

“How're your cramps?” Harry asked, letting his fingers drag slowly back to the other side. She shuddered under him and let out a soft breath with the word “fine” trailing on the end of it. Her hands finally came up to his arm, tracing the contours up to his shoulders where she tugged gently. Carefully, Harry moved over her, not resting all his weight on her chest, but having to move his hands in order to do so.

“Hermione, I didn't mean--,” he began then stopped abruptly as she leaned up and brushed her lips with his.

“Shh, I know.”

“I mean, this time of the month-,” Harry started not quite sure how to say that having sex wasn't something he wanted to do, during her time, without offending her.

“Won't start until tomorrow…always been like this,” Hermione whispered, her hands mapping the dips and curves of his back. “Won't start until tomorrow night…promise.”

Harry smiled against her lips, taking his time in kissing her, whispering, at her request, the warming spell for the other hand. He found as his hands touched and caressed her body, they were much more sensitive, and according to her soft sighs and movements, so was she.

Wanting the first time they had sex--the first time with her officially living under his roof (for last night he had fallen asleep before she returned from Molly and Arthur's) -- to be special and momentous, Harry moved slowly. Also, taking into effect she wasn't feeling a hundred percent made him move slower, more gently, taking his cues from her on how to move.

“I'm so warm,” Hermione moaned as she bucked beneath him and instantly Harry said “nox” in his head, his hands cooling down immediately. The result they withdrew out of Hermione was one he'd never forget. He slid his hands under her back, tilting her hips up to meet his. The contact of his cool fingers against her warm skin and the deep thrust that went with it made her cry out so loudly he dipped his head and fastened his mouth over hers. He never thought to cast a spell around their room and now wasn't the time for any child to walk in. Her thighs gripped his sides and she went still, hands digging into his backside and holding him to her. Harry didn't mean to collapse on her but that he did, finally tearing his mouth away from hers to draw in a ragged breath.

“My God,” Hermione panted (and Harry mentally agreed), suddenly going limp under him. “Don't move for a moment.”

He listened and followed her demand, letting his mind come back to the present and feeling his heart return to a normal rhythm.

“You should patent that.” She finally breathed in his ear, shifting slightly under him. Understanding her movements already he rolled off of her, gently pulling down her nightgown which had gathered around her chest.

“Patent what? The hand warming spell?”

“No, silly. I mean, yes, but that combined with…everything you just did.”

“Oh.” Harry grinned uncontrollably feeling his ego soar. “Well, if I did that, it may end up in “Hogwarts: A History” and it's already embarrassing enough now being in there.”

Hermione laughed and snuggled up against him. Protectively, he wrapped an arm under her shoulders and pulled her closer.

“Alright. Just our secret. You'll have to show me how you do that hand-warming thing. I think you'll enjoy it, being on the other end,” she murmured sleepily.

“Yeah, I bet I would,” Harry replied feeling her fall into a state of blissful sleep. He soon followed her into the dream world only to be rudely awoken before dawn by a dark haired girl wiggling her way, sleepily, between her father and Hermione.

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Chapter 12--Hermione

“So, you told Charles to come over around one.” Hermione rubbed her hands over her face as Harry nodded warily.

“Yeah, because I didn't know we were invited to your parents for lunch. I thought we were going over later in the day. Do you want me to cancel?”

“No. His schedule is filling up fast at the hospital and I'm sure he values his time off. I can move my parents to tomorrow.”

“I don't think we should. We should tell them where you are living before they find out from someone else. Maybe…maybe we could have them here at noon, and then they won't be here for long. We'll just tell them that we are still working out the kinks of living together and meshing two schedules. I don't want you to have to tell your parents yourself and I'd also like for you to be there when Charles examines Janie,” Harry explained, trying to figure out a way to make both of them happy.

Their first conflict as a couple had arisen. Harry had received an owl from Charles yesterday confirming one in the afternoon as the time to meet at Grimmauld. Unbeknownst to Harry, Hermione had accepted an invitation to have lunch in London with her parents, with the kids.

“Yeah, I can run that by them I guess. That may work. Mum is always bugging me to have more friends than you and the few people I had at work…maybe they can meet Charles and that'll keep her quiet for a bit.”

Harry wiped Janie's hands followed by Ben's then lifted them down, promising that they'd leave for the park in 15 minutes. It was only ten in the morning and they were bouncing off the walls. Hoping that they'd nap that afternoon so he could help Hermione unpack her items that were sitting in boxes in almost every room, he figured he'd run them around outside.

“Why don't you ask while I take the kids to the park down the street? If it doesn't work, we'll figure something out.”

Hermione nodded and sipped on her coffee, having just woken up a half hour earlier. Harry had been up, showered and dressed by seven, even before Janie had woken up to his movements in the bedroom. He relished the half hour he had of peace and quiet before she came down that morning followed by Ben.

“Okay. Thanks,” Hermione yawned as Harry forced the kids into light jackets and took them outside and down the street.

Hermione finished her coffee in silence idly reading the Daily Prophet, skipping over the piece about Harry getting a job at the Ministry. She wasn't used to having a morning to herself or even used to waking up in Harry's bed. Everything was happening so fast and a bit out of control that she felt she needed this time to sit down, take a deep breath and reassess her life.

Accioing a quill and paper to her from a desk in the next room she wrote down a list of things that were going to happen and that needed to be done. She made a schedule to help her figure out how she was going to unpack, meet with her parents and Charles, take Ben shopping for clothes since he wouldn't stop growing, and come up with a schedule for her and Harry to follow at work. Once the list was made, she felt much better. What needed to be down was now in ink, and she could refer back to it and show Harry if need be.

But even the best laid plans go awry. Hermione managed to get a shower and when she made her way back downstairs, hearing that Harry and the kids were back, she saw a message propped up on the window sill.

“Fish just dropped it off,” Harry explained as he lay pinned to the floor by two hyper active children. Hermione made an offhanded comment for Ben to get off Uncle Harry then saw that Harry seemed to be enjoying it as much as the kids so she left them at it, wondering if she was going to have to repair his glasses yet again. The note was from Hannah Abbott, who was asking to meet with Hermione about a case they had worked on five years ago, when they were first year healers. She was seeking to do a research paper on the Wizarding Flu to move up in the Healing ranks and knew Hermione had some hard-to-find medical books.

“What do you think, Harry? One more for lunch?” Hermione explained the note and Harry did his best to shrug as he crawled around on all fours with Janie and Ben on his back.

“You're going to hurt yourself before you even begin the program,” Hermione laughed as he twisted to catch Ben before he fell.

“This can't hurt as bad as being flung to the floor,” Harry responded managing to sit upright, pretending to push his daughter away as she came running at him. “Why not invite Hannah over? Maybe you can set her up with Charles or something.”

“I have enough on my plate then to try and play that game,” Hermione sighed, then raised her voice over the excited squeals of the children. “I'm off to call my parents and tell them about the extra guests we're having.” After owling Hannah to come over for lunch, she trudged upstairs to find her cell phone, the only way her parents felt comfortable communicating with the wizarding world.

Her parents weren't home so she left a message explaining the change in location, the reason and that there would be two extra bodies for lunch, and told them just to come over at one with everyone else. As Harry kept Ben occupied, Hermione scrounged around for a few extra chairs and a nicer tablecloth than the faded yellow one on the table.

An hour later a disheveled Harry found her in the kitchen setting up the table for lunch, moving the children's booster seats to an area near where she and Harry would sit.

“I would've helped,” Harry kissed her quickly then hesitated feeling how perfunctory her kiss back was. Hermione knew he could tell she was stressed and was trying not to show it so much. It wasn't fair to upset his easy going attitude with her worries and stresses. But as he questioned her, while they put together a fruit salad, she found herself wearing down and becoming more detailed in her reasons why she was stressed.

“I mean, in addition to getting you and I settled here, I'm just wondering how we'll be able to mesh two lives together so quickly. Ben has fit right in, Janie doesn't seem upset but I'm not sure what to tell my parents about visiting, or if we should put up something on the floo so George just doesn't pop up in the middle of us…doing something,” Hermione explained.

“Look, we've pretty much meshed our lives together from the moment Ron and Ginny died and now we just happen to be in one house together. I think and hope people will respect the privacy and announce a visit before they come and your parents are more than welcome anytime.” Harry stirred some pears into the salad as Hermione slid the last of the cut up apples into the bowl.

“I agree. It seems Katie has calmed George down a bit, maybe I'm worrying about this too much.”

“No, you're just trying to make everything fit and I don't know if it'll happen right away, but it'll happen,” Harry responded, placing the bowl to the side. He turned and pulled Hermione against him, rubbing her shoulders to try and loosen up some of the muscles he could feel were tight.

“Another thing, while I'm on a roll…is…well…what're we going to do about us, when we…well…the charm?” Hermione stammered concentrating more on his hand movements than her thoughts as she let her head fall forward and rest on his shoulder.

“What charm?”

`Men!' Hermione thought fondly. `Harry really can be clueless sometimes!'

“Me not getting pregnant is what I mean. Last night we kind of forgot to say it,” she felt his hands still suddenly and she tilted her head up to look at him. A strange look crossed his face---one of disbelief and terror. “Don't worry, I started this morning so I'm not pregnant, but there are longer lasting, more semi-permanent charms out there that a qualified healer can do. I'm thinking I should look into that.”

“Oh,” relief filled Harry's face and for a moment Hermione wondered if that was the first time Harry had ever thought he could be a father again.

“Did you even know there were other things besides just saying the charm each time?”

Harry let his hands dropped and shoved them in his pockets, silently shaking his head.

“Ginny never told you?”

“Well, no. We came to the decision that we weren't going to use anything. She's stop playing Quidditch when she became pregnant, then start back up a few months later.”

Hermione's brain crunched some numbers quickly and the results surprised her.

“I don't mean to be nosy, but…it took you and Ginny a year and a half to get pregnant with Janie?” Hermione laid her hand on Harry's arm seeing that he was struggling with keeping a personal situation to himself. She was sure he was thinking something along the lines of: `Is this still something I need to keep to myself since it really didn't matter anymore?'

“Janie was Ginny's second pregnancy, Hermione. Ginny didn't want anyone to know she lost a baby, only six weeks along, about four months before she got pregnant with Janie,” Harry's voice was quiet, reflective and his eyes blinked slowly as if he was recalling the images. Abruptly, he gave a small shrug. “The doctors just said it was hard for her to get pregnant. Everything was functioning normally for her and I. Maybe we knew on some level right after we got married which is why we didn't try to avoid pregnancy.”

“Harry-,” Hermione whispered feeling her throat close at this very personal piece of information and knowing how much it must have bothered him and Ginny at the time.

“I told Ginny to talk to you about it, after all, you'd understand from a medical point. But, I think she felt ashamed that her body betrayed her because when she got pregnant with Janie she made us wait for three months before telling everyone, which you knew…but maybe not the reason why she waited to tell.”

“I thought…I thought it was so she didn't steal Ron's thunder. He was so proud when we got pregnant that he told everyone before we were out of the hospital with the positive test in our hands.”

“Yeah, Ginny was about three weeks along then.”

A reflective mood settled over them and Hermione felt the need to hug Harry.

“I know now why you were so quiet that Fall. I'm sorry I kept bothering you about why you weren't very talkative,” Hermione squeezed him tight feeling his arms slide around her waist. She vividly remembered him going through the motions of practicing with Ginny for Quidditch, occasionally refusing lunch dates with her and Ron and in general being a bit to laid back. Ginny, however, had kept up a good front because Hermione hadn't noticed anything wrong with her. “Just tell me to mind my own business if I bother you about something you don't want to talk about.” She felt him place a kiss on top of her head.

“I don't have any secrets from you. I truly didn't think to tell you this because it was never on my mind until just now. If you want to know something, just ask.”

And Hermione did want to know something…something that had been moving around in the back of her mind for the past few months. She never felt she had the right to ask Harry given that it had just been a year when Ginny died when she first began thinking about him and Janie.

Now seemed like an appropriate time, given what they had just talked about and her heart thudded painfully as she began speaking. Harry knew her well enough to know she usually had a reason for asking her questions.

“I do have a question, following on the heels of what you just told me. Are you happy with just Janie, or do you see yourself wanting more children in the future?” She held her breath as Harry did what she predicted he would. His hands stilled on her hips and she could hear the thump of his heart beat a tad bit quicker under her ear.

“I—I don't know,” he began slowly. “A few minutes ago it shocked me that we forgot the charm and an image of me being a father again did come to my mind, but I had never thought of having anyone but Janie as my child.”

Hermione nodded knowing that the realization that he could be a father (probably any female out there would be willing to have his child) was going to take a bit of time to settle. She switched the subject slightly.

“After work next week, I'll go see a healer about getting a more permanent charm.”

There was a knock at the door and Hermione pulled back from Harry, leaned up and kissed him quickly.

“Wait,” Harry said quietly and Hermione stopped halfway across the kitchen on her way to get the door.

“What's wrong?”

“I meant wait before you do anything…with the healer. I'd like to know what else is out there.” His look pierced through her in a way she had never felt before--making her speechless as an ache moved through her chest. There was something etched in his face she couldn't read but it took her breath away so she just nodded and made her way to the door to let her parents inside.

---

“So, Charles, you worked with Hermione before Ben was born?” Mrs. Granger asked among the chatter at the table.

“Not really with her. Whenever she was researching something, I happened to be in the medical library doing my own research…we met that way.”

Already, Hermione could see that her parents liked Charles, and if she hadn't told them why she was now living with Harry, her mother would probably be inviting him over for dinner right away. Her father was uncharacteristically quiet but every time she glanced over at him he'd smile and wink. Hannah had arrived on the heels of Charles and after stammering out a hello pulled Hermione to the side wanting to know why he was there. Apparently, not known to Hermione, she had an interest in him but had been to shy to say much more than the pleasantries required by working near him in the hospital.

As luck would have it, Hannah was seated right next to Charles and Hermione could hear him ask Hannah questions about how work was going and how she had come to know Hermione and Harry. Cutting up another piece of ham for Ben, Hermione pretended to not listen in but was secretly hoping something would happen between the two of them. Hannah was shy, very sweet and at the age of 25 could probably use a night or two out on the town.

Suddenly, Charles laughed at something Hannah said about Hogwarts and Hermione felt her father freeze next to her. Turning from Ben she laid a hand on her father's arm.

“Dad?”

“I'm fine,” he breathed looking at Charles curiously. Hermione's eyes flicked to Harry who was also gazing at Charles with interest. Her mother asked Harry a question so he turned before she could register what seemed to catch his attention.

“What?” Hermione pushed, whispering as not to disturb her mom and Harry's conversation.

“What did you say Charles' last name was?” her father glanced at her, then took a bite of his sandwich, trying to appear nonchalant.

“Meyer. Why? Do you know him?”

He shook his head at first then shrugged, swallowed and then answered her question.

“He reminds me of someone, that's all.”

“Who?”

“A mix of two people actually.”

“He was adopted, does that help?” Hermione picked Ben's fork up and put it in his hand, trying to get him to use it correctly.

“Really? Do you think…would it be wrong to ask him what his middle name is?”

“I already know it, dad. It's on the records at work. It's a very haughty-taughty sounding name and he said he had no idea where it came from when I asked.”

“What is it?” Her father whispered, then declared he was full and pushed himself back from the table, getting read to stand and clean up his plate the Muggle way.

“It's Brentwood,” Hermione said offhandedly as she put the fork in Ben's hand again. She then jumped as her father grabbed her arm, hard. Turning around she saw his face go white and in the natural silence that fell across the table she heard his ragged breathing.

“Dad?”

Responding to Hermione's panicky tone, everyone turned to Mr. Granger who was staring at Charles and muttering something to himself.

“Honey, are you okay?” Mrs. Granger stood up and grabbed her husband's shoulders.

“I think I know why,” Hermione's father began, taking a deep breath to steady himself, “why Charles is so familiar to me.”

-----

A/N: I know you all are thinking it…and NO, Hermione's father didn't have an affair and give Hermione a half brother. I'm not that clichéd (well, most of the time) but, you'll have to wait to find out how he knows Charles. Hehehe.

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Chapter 13--Family

“Head between your knees,” Hannah commanded Hermione's father. She had quickly moved around to the other side of the table and gently pushed his head down. Ben and Janie were quiet, both knowing something unusual was going on, however, it didn't last long though as everyone began talking at once. Hermione gently lifted Janie out of her booster seat as she began crying, murmuring comforting words to calm her down. At the same time, Ben cried to get down distracting Janie for a moment. Gently, she herded them to the stairs and asked them to go to their rooms as Grandpa wasn't feeling well. A bit scared to ignore his mother's request, Ben took Janie's hand and together they climbed the stairs…the patter of running feet could be heard over head until they reached Ben's room.

Hermione turned back to her father and sat back down. “Dad? Why do you think you know Charles?”

“He knows me?” Charles asked looking up from Mr. Granger's side. Worried, he had come around to the other side of the table with Hannah.

“I think so. Just…give me a minute.” Mr. Granger took a deep breath and let it out slowly, running his hands through his salt and pepper hair at the same time.

“Surely, you aren't thinking…,” Mrs. Granger began hesitantly then stopped as she shook her head seemingly answering her own question.

“Precisely what I was doing…,” Mr. Granger responded as he sat back in his chair slowly. Just as slowly Charles and Hannah walked to the other side and sat down in their chairs next to Harry.

Charles eyed Hermione's father with interest. “Why do you think you know me? I don't believe we've met before.”

“We have I believe, although you were just an infant so you wouldn't remember,” Mr. Granger started then paused to take a sip of water.

“You're not a pediatric dentist, why would you see an infant?” Hermione observed, frowning a bit at how pale her father was still.

“No, not in the professional capacity; that's not how I think I know him.”

“Do you really think…?” Mrs. Granger muttered to her husband privately but it didn't escape Hermione's ears.

“Think what?” Hermione demanded her eyes roaming between Charles, Harry and her father.

Mr. Granger's eyes shifted over his wife's face as he addressed her instead of his daughter.

“His middle name is Brentwood, Lynn! Brent---wood. How common of a middle name is that?” Hermione's mother looked at Charles a bit more closely, her lips pursed together as if she refused to acknowledge what her husband thoughts were.

“Mr. Granger, can you tell us what you're thinking?” Harry finally asked, eyes resting on Hermione for a moment. She wasn't paying any attention to him; he could see her assessing her father's health while also bursting at the seams wanting to yell at him to get on with his story.

“Well, to make a long story short, I think he may be Hermione's cousin.”

Silence rang through the kitchen until Charles cleared his throat.

“I think I'd like the long story on that one,” he said quietly. Hermione pushed her full glass of water towards her father and waited for him to take another sip, watching the color return to his cheeks.

“Well, Hermione had only one uncle as Lynn is an only child. Her Uncle Brent was my younger brother. He died four months before Hermione was born, in a drunk driving accident. It was his fault and he was only 19 at the time.” He stopped and looked down at the fork he was fiddling with as if gathering his thoughts.

“Valerie…,” Mrs. Granger prompted. This name meant nothing to Hermione who gazed quizzically hat her parents.

“Valerie was Brent's girlfriend of six months when he got her pregnant. My parents were furious saying that he was too young to be a father and refused to support him seeing Brent was in between jobs. He had trouble holding them down because he'd get bored and not want to do the work. However, Valerie's parents were very rich and well to do and thought that all this was Brent's fault. Valerie was only 18, had just graduated from some boarding school so they forced her to give the child up for adoption. Lynn was only two months pregnant with Hermione at this point. We were married, finishing Dental School and both of us were 22 and we barely had enough money to live on. We couldn't help Brent and tried not to interfere. The pregnancy went well; Valerie went into the hospital on March 16, 1979 and gave birth to a boy the following day.” At this point everyone was looking at Charles who was now sitting back in his chair, looking just as pale as Hermione's father.

“Is that your birthday?” Hannah asked quietly and Charles nodded slightly.

His nod didn't go unnoticed by Mr. Granger who forged ahead.

“Before Valerie gave him to the people who were going to adopt him she told us that she asked them have his middle name be “Brentwood” after my brother and her last name at the time. Lynn, myself, Brent and Valerie only saw their son for a few hours. Brent and Valerie broke up due to the pressure of her parents and soon Brent started drinking. Nothing we said stopped him from drinking well into the night, until he got into the car one evening and drove off the road into the Thames.”

He stopped abruptly and Hermione just stared at him, feeling sick to her stomach. She knew her Uncle had died in a drunk driving accident but knew nothing of the cousin that was born in March only six months before she was born.

“Well,” Harry started calmly, breaking the silence, “that explains why I kept thinking I knew him and heard his laugh somewhere. He sounds like you, Mr. Granger, when he laughs.”

Mr. Granger nodded soberly. His eyes, the same shade as Hermione's (and now, as everyone could see, the same shade as Charles') were still fixed on Charles.

“I'd bet my eye teeth you are Brent's son. You have the same facial features, yet Valerie's blond hair.”

“I need a moment,” was all Charles said and he stood up and walked from the kitchen. Hannah glanced at Hermione who tilted her head in the direction Charles left. Soon, it was just four of them left.

“I wish you would've told me that I had a cousin, even if it's not him.”

“It's him.”

“You need to be sure, dad. A blood test should tell us that, especially from Grandpa as it's his grandchild.”

“I don't know if I could tell him this. He's almost 80…this might give him a heart attack.”

“Before we go announcing to anyone that Hermione may have a cousin in this house, I think she's right. It needs to be proved and it can be done the Muggle way with a blood test or you can go into St. Mungo's, along with Charles, and get your blood and genes analyzed there in a matter of a few hours.” Harry took over the conversation, now walking around to where Hermione was still sitting still as stone. She wasn't sure if her legs would even support her at this point so she stayed seated. She was thankful Harry had enough reasoning left to say what she should have.

“Hannah can do it…discreetly,” Hermione suddenly said, holding Harry's hand tightly between her own. “I can ask Molly to take you two to the hospital sometime next week. Charles is working there every day.”

“Shouldn't we ask him first?” Mrs. Granger asked quietly. “Shouldn't you, John?”

Her husband nodded silently as his gaze stayed fixed on the fruit bowl in the center of the table. Lynn's hand covered her husbands and a moment of silence descended over the table. A thump from one of the children brought everyone back to the present, with Lynn speaking first.

“Well, Hermione! All sorts of surprises for us today. We find out you're living and going out with Harry and then we find out you've bee friends with your own cousin. How're you doing with all this?” her mother reached out and patted Hermione knee.

“I think I'm going to go put the kids down for nap. I'll be down in a few,” Hermione suddenly said feeling the need to escape the confines of the kitchen.

“You okay?” Harry whispered holding her hands tightly for a moment. She nodded, not trusting her voice and headed upstairs to settle the kids down for naptime.

---

“Hermione?”

“Yes.”

“You okay?”

Hermione sighed and rolled over to face Harry in bed. It had been a long afternoon and one that wasn't very relaxing. Obviously, Charles was too distracted to check-up on Janie and instead had talked with John and Lynn Granger about their potential relationship. Hannah, to Hermione's intense relief, had stayed and played with Ben and Janie, who refused to nap giving everyone else some time to talk. Hannah had left with some books from Hermione's personal library with promises to keep and eye on Charles at work.

Ben and Janie had both fallen asleep at the dinner table, pizza all over their face. Harry and Hermione hadn't even bothered to change them into pajamas and had just taken them up to their beds after a quick wipe down.

Even though it was early, both Hermione and Harry were worn out, but awake, as they lay in Harry's bed staring at the ceiling, hands clasped between them.

“I think so.”

“I can throw another wrench into things if you want.”

“Why the hell not?” Hermione half laughed.

“What if he's Oliver Wood's cousin, too?”

“I had that same thought actually. After mum and dad left I was thinking through all the information. Valerie could've had an older brother who was married and had a child at the time. Charles being the only wizard in his adoptive family would help in that theory. He said his older sisters are all Muggles, as are his parents. And my father said that Valerie went to “a boarding school”; she could've been a witch.”

“You know how easy it would be to ask Oliver if he has an Aunt Valerie, find out where she is and boom, Charles could meet his birth mother.”

“If she IS Charles' mother.”

“Oh, come on Hermione,” Harry glanced at her. “I may wear glasses, but from day one I knew he was familiar. I recognized his laugh as being one I had heard before, plus you two think the same way, have a love of books, and now that I can look for familial similarities, you have the same eyes. He can even be a bit bossy sometimes,” Harry joked lightening the mood just a bit.

“Yeah, I can see that too,” Hermione gave him a tired smile. “I can't think anymore, I need to sleep.” She yawned and Harry watched her shut her eyes and immediately relax, falling into a sleep that took him a bit longer to get too.

He wasn't sure how long he had been asleep when he heard the crying. He struggled up from the depths of his Quidditch playing dream while hearing the distant cries of “Mummy” echoing through the house.

“What?” Hermione mumbled turning over, then became fully alert as she heard Ben start crying down the hall.

“Janie,” Harry mumbled swinging his legs over the side of the bed and was soon running down the hall to her room. There was nothing that caused Harry more anguish than not being able to calm his daughter. She was sitting up in bed, crying and screaming for her mother. Her eyes were wide and she looked right at him as if she was terrified, pushing him away when he bent to pick her up.

“NO! MUMMY! I WANT MUMMY!” Janie screamed then jumped as one of her toys fell off the shelf in response to her outrage at not being listened to.

“Janie, shush…it's me, daddy!” Harry sat down on the edge of her bed and she retreated up against the head board shaking her head and asking for her mother again. Harry hadn't heard her cry like this in about three months and was at a loss of what he could do. She obviously didn't want him touching and trying to console her.

“What's wrong?” Hermione's sleepy voice cut through the Janie's cries. Harry looked over his shoulder feeling frustration mount inside him and found Ben cradled in Hermione's arms, sniffing back tears.

“She wants her mother…what am I supposed say? She won't even let me touch her!”

“Here, take Ben…I can try,” Hermione shifted Ben from her to Harry. He switched places with Hermione, feeling Ben's arms go around his neck. He was much heavier and taller than Janie so Harry had to shift him around a bit to find a comfortable position. Janie seemed to be listening to Hermione's soft voice who was telling her she was fine, safe at home with her, daddy and Ben. Harry could feel Ben's tears against his neck and realized he was upset seeing Janie so out of sorts.

“Are you okay here? I think he's scared so I'm going to take him to my…our…room,” Harry saw Hermione nod and he reluctantly left Janie in Hermione's care. It was strange to have someone else there to calm her, but also a relief too, seeing as Janie responded better to Hermione than him at the moment.

Harry stretched out on his bed, holding Ben against his chest who buried his face in Harry's neck.

“It's okay, Ben. Janie just had a bad dream. You can stay here with me until you fall asleep,” Harry explained calmly, rubbing his hand over the small back, feeling him relax, begin to breathe evenly and finally felt those tell-tale muscle flickers of someone who was truly asleep. He could faintly hear Hermione talking to Janie, and heard his daughter's voice respond. Closing his eyes, he mentally thanked a higher being for having Hermione with him…he was sure it would be another long night if she wasn't there to calm Janie.

A noise startled Harry who quickly snapped awake, realizing that Ben was still asleep curled up on his chest. Hermione was stretched out next to him, Janie tucked up against her; both of them fast asleep. He couldn't help but stare in wonderment at how natural it looked to see Janie's head resting on Hermione's chest, her face totally relaxed and her small mouth loosely wrapped around her thumb. Ben usually wasn't a child that wanted to be hugged, cuddled and loved too much. He was always running around, bringing Hermione things to look at, books to read, or clutching her hand to drag her to his latest building made of blocks. He wasn't like Janie who sometimes just wanted to be held.

Another realization struck him when he noticed that Janie looked more like Hermione in coloring than her own mother. Janie's hair was a few shades lighter than her father's and matched Hermione's natural color perfectly. Ginny had freckles while Janie's skin was still flawless. His eyes moved from the small form of his daughter to Hermione's face and he watched her slowly come awake, stirring slightly then stopping as she remembered she wasn't alone. When her eyes finally opened all the way, he was the first thing she saw and for a moment their gazes locked as if melded together.

Tightening his hand on Ben's back, as he turned his head against Harry's chest still deeply asleep, Harry decided to try something new. For the first time, he let himself probe Hermione's thoughts watching her eyes widen as he let her know of his presence in her thoughts. Ginny had never mastered the art of Occlumency or Legilimens, while Hermione had worked hard in private during the battle to find Voldemort and in the month's after, only to refine her skills when she became an Auror.

Together, their thoughts mingled around each others, seeing what this scene looked liked from the other's perspective. It was a dance unlike Harry had ever danced as Hermione's sleepy thoughts poured over his, only to be swept up and mingled with his own.

This is how it's supposed to be, isn't it? What is? All Janie wanted was her mother, and I couldn't even give her that. She's okay now, it was that magic build-up again but we worked it out…I taught her to squirt water from her wand, just to warn you. That'll be useful when Ben starts a fire with something down the road. (Harry saw a hint of a smile touch her eyes). I wonder how Charles is doing? Not sure, you could owl him and ask. I should probably talk to my parents too… Ben must be heavy for you. We're both very comfortable, as you seem with Janie. I'm not used to a child so loving, it's rather nice. I didn't know I've wanted this...This, what? A family that isn't fragmented or haunted by the loss of a parent; you, us, more moments like these...these…

A loud yawn and a crack under his chin brought Harry back to the present as he blinked against the pain of Ben's head hitting him.

“Hungry!” Ben announced deftly sliding off of Harry and sitting between the adults.

“Just like his father always was,” Harry murmured as rubbed his chin then stretched bringing feeling back into his upper torso while trying to put his thoughts back in order. Having such an intimate moment with Hermione and her feelings left him with a sense of longing…a longing for something he couldn't name, yet.

Hermione's response came a beat later, she seemed a bit incoherent like Harry for a few seconds.. “Yes, I guess some things will never change.”

Harry made sure that he and Janie worked with Uncle Ron's wand that morning. She demonstrated she could fill up the sink with the spell Hermione showed her and had fun accioing Ben's stuffed animals to him then covering him up much to his delight.

She still couldn't get the Wingardium Leviosa spell down so Harry decided to stop trying. Hermione seemed to have found one that worked for her and he was grateful to have her support. Besides talking a bit about his first day of work tomorrow, their day was relaxing, with a lot of reflection on Charles and what he must be thinking about his new found (more than likely) family.

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Chapter 14—Blindsided

His head resonated like a bell as the ceiling swam in front of his eyes.

“Still alive?” a man's face peered down at Harry who lay flat on the floor in the training room at the Ministry.

“I believe so. You weren't trying to kill me were you?”

“No…you'll get this soon. Trust me,” the man extended his hand and gratefully Harry grabbed it and hauled his sore body off the floor.

This was his second day on the job and the physical training he did for four hours each day was almost harder than fighting Voldemort.

“One more time, Harry,” Vince said giving Harry a chance to catch his breath. “Remember, to shift your weight and balance to keep me off balance.”

“Yeah,” Harry muttered thinking that's what he was doing the last five times. Turning around he began walking down the padded room, pretending to mind his own business, when he felt the trainer's arms grab him from behind. Shifting his position slightly, he reached back, grabbed the trainer's arm and managed to flip him, somewhat sloppily, onto the ground. The trainer landed with a grunt, but was smiling nonetheless.

“Good! You got it. We're done now…it'll become second nature soon enough. Why don't you head to the showers and then go home and rest.”

Harry's muscles were screaming at him from every part of his body. Even his brain hurt. When he wasn't pouring over rules, procedures and other dull pieces of information that the Ministry insisted everyone know, he was physically training or he was worrying how Janie was doing in day care. Her first day hadn't gone well; she had cried for an hour according to Lavender when a toy was taken from her. Her nap wasn't as long as normal which led her to being very cranky that evening. And with Harry being so sore, his temper was short as well. Luckily, Hermione had seen that he was about to explode with Janie's stubbornness about going to bed and had somehow gently intervened and soon had Janie sitting in her lap, reading her a story.

Harry was asleep before Janie was that night. But, today, so far, he hadn't received any calls about Janie crying which he chalked up as a good thing.

He also had forgotten that Ginny was able to peek in on their daughter and as Harry was walking, freshly showered, back to the office she had called out to him and given him a brief update on how Janie slept for her full two hour nap.

“Don't you miss teaching?” Ginny had asked next while he stood in the hall for a few seconds. He thought for a moment then shook his head.

“No, not really. I liked it when I was there but these hours are much better…as is the pay,” Harry smiled slightly, surprised by the fact that it hurt to do that too.

“Like you need more money,” Ginny retorted smiling.

“Yeah, well, I'd like to buy a new place at some point and it's not cheap. I think Charlie and his fiancée are finally moving back to the area so I was thinking of offering Grimmauld to them,” Harry said quietly, not wanting Hermione to overhear as he hadn't even told her yet.

Ginny nodded solemnly. “I was wondering when you'd get tired of living in that place…and I know Charlie would love it, though you know he'll insist on paying you or something.”

“Yeah, I haven't thought that far ahead though,” Harry replied then, giving her a little wave, he opened the office door and slipped in to retrieve his bag and some paperwork he had to go over.

“Wow, you look beat,” Hermione laughed from where she was standing by her bookshelf. She had slipped her newest volume of Hogwarts: A History back into its slot next to Hags: Witches Gone Wrong and Illnesses Among the Magical, volume 45.

“I'm afraid if I sit, I'll never get up,” Harry sighed shutting the door behind him, and then looked longingly at his chair.

“You don't have to get Janie for another thirty minutes. Have a seat…I'll rub your shoulders for you.” Hermione walked around and pulled out his leather chair. Not having to be asked twice he collapsed into it and felt her hands massaging their way across his shoulders.

“You still need to teach me how to do that hand warming thing,” Hermione whispered, afraid that Ginny may hear it through the frosted glass door.

“I told you how…I just say the spell and it happens.”

“Not for me; not yet anyway.”

“Maybe it's my very own special trick. You know, like how I could channel Voldemort? Only, this one is much more enjoyable,” Harry teased then sighed as Hermione massaged her thumbs up his neck.

“Ha ha. Well, I guess I should go find my “own special trick” then,” she teased back, squeezing her way down his biceps. Harry let his head fall forward thinking that this was much better than a hot bath any day.

“I think this can be your special trick,” he let out a contented hum as she ran her hands back up his arms. Suddenly, he felt a pair of warm lips kiss the back of his neck as her hands stilled on his shoulders. For a moment, his breath hitched painfully in his chest wondering why she had just done that. They had talked about keeping things platonic at work as not to contribute to the gossip and out of respect for Ron and Ginny. Now, he fought to keep the rush of hormones down as the silence grew a bit longer and the tension mounted between them.

“I'm sorry,” Hermione finally whispered knowing that kissing him was something that they had said wasn't going to happen at work. She reluctantly let her hands fall away.

“Don't ever be sorry, Hermione,” Harry spun around and looked up at her. “I would've done the same if the roles were reversed.” He grinned, shattering the tension between them, “And I know you have a hard time keeping your hands off me.”

“I really don't feel any difference in your muscles than I did last week,” Hermione quipped and ducked as Harry tossed a rubber replica of a Quidditch snitch at her. Soon, he had his paperwork together and went to collect Janie, leaving Hermione to update some records that she insisted she'd do herself, since it was incredibly boring.

---

“So, what are you planning on doing?” Hermione asked Charles that night. The three of them were eating dinner at Harry's--the kids had eaten earlier and were playing in the hall with a tricycle.

“I don't know. I talked to my sisters and they all think I should find out for sure if Hermione is a relation or not. We've decided to not tell my parents. With my mother in poor health it would only upset her more and my father is truly absorbed in his effort to take care of her, so it's just between Carla, Sherry, Becky, Holly and me. And a handful of people here, too.” Charles paused to take a sip of wine. “I guess since everyone, including myself, can see that two plus two is on its way to equaling four, it'd be the easiest thing to do. How do you think it would affect your family, Hermione?”

She shrugged and swallowed her piece of chicken. “You and I both talked to my parents and my mother seems more excited right now than my father. I think he's still in shock that part of his brother is still walking this earth. Not in a bad way, but in a surprisingly good way for him. And,” Hermione paused moving her eyes down from his, then shyly continued, “It would be nice to have a cousin as I never had any before.”

Harry was about to laugh aloud, thinking of Dudley at that moment, but managed to stuff a piece of bread in his mouth to quiet himself.

Charles nodded slightly then addressed Harry, asking about his family. Shooting a glance at Hermione, Harry wondered how Charles didn't know about his family. Harry began asking what he knew; not wanting to repeat anything and found out that Charles only knew his parents had died saving him. So, Harry haltingly told Charles about his upbringing and how up until the age of 11, he hadn't known he was a wizard. That led into a discussion about Janie to which Charles was very complimentary.

“She's coming along marvelously! I think as she gets older, she'll really need to use magic less and less. My theory is by the age of six or so, she won't need that wand anymore.”

“I can just see her flaunting it in front of her friends as she goes through her first year of school,” Hermione smiled, standing up to clear the dishes. She waved for the men to sit and began to move around the kitchen. “The Ministry would certainly love that!”

“She hasn't shown off yet, but she did ask where Ben's was. Hermione just told her he wasn't ready for a wand yet.”

“Good answer. Does she use it a lot?” Charles asked, accepting coffee that was placed before him. For a moment he and Harry were quiet as they added milk and sugar to their drinks.

“She goes in spurts. The last meltdown was just because she was adjusting to day care and before that there was one late at night a few days ago. Hermione showed her how to squirt water from her wand and that calmed her down. Now, that's how she fills up the tub each night for her bath. Ever since she started doing that, things seem to be going well. I'm sure the terrible two's are around the corner.”

Hermione sat down next to Harry and patted his hand. “Ben will be ten times worse; you'll probably kick us out to the curb when he has one of his tantrums.”

“Never,” Harry squeezed her hand quickly then reached for a cookie, still not comfortable with displaying affection in front of others.

“Well, I must thank you for a delicious dinner. I'm going to be traveling quite a bit in the next few weeks, but I'd love it if you kept me updated on Janie.” Charles stretched then stood up, draining the last of his coffee.

“Definitely. Thanks again for taking a vested interest in her,” Harry replied, shaking his hand firmly.

“Not a problem. Who knows?” Charles smiled as the three of them walked to the door; he interrupted himself for a moment calling out his goodbyes to the children. “One day, I may be related, in a way, to her.” Before Harry could ask how, Charles continued seeing the confused look. “If these blood tests come back positive, I'll be Hermione's cousin. If you two ever marry, I guess Janie will be like second cousin to me.”

Hermione laughed quietly and Harry was quite sure she didn't see him grip the doorframe tightly as the notion slammed into him that people were already thinking of them marrying; the idea had never crossed his mind as he had never seen himself married to anyone other than Ginny.

Harry was wrong, however. That night after the kids had their bath and Harry tumbled gratefully into bed, nursing sore muscles Hermione called him on it, asking what he thought of Charles' comment and him being related to Janie.

Harry didn't answer for a moment, pretending to be busy pounding down his pillow and making himself comfortable. She didn't take his motions as he had hoped.

“Okay then. If you don't want to answer that one, maybe you can answer the next question. Why did you tell me to wait to go to a doctor to look into the birth control charms?”

With a wave of his hand, Harry doused the lights and for the first time closed himself off from her.

“I'm so sore Hermione, my brain hurts. Can we talk about this in a few days when I'm not beaten to a pulp?” He muttered it and knew she saw through his flimsy excuse. The truth was, he had no idea WHY he had told her that. It had just popped out when he thought of her not having children in the next year or so. And, admittedly, the whole idea of being related to Charles through Hermione and any potential children he and the woman lying next to him could have unnerved him.

Living with Hermione Granger-Weasley was one thing.

Living with Hermione Potter (`Or would it be Granger-Potter?' he wondered. `Or, even Granger-Weasley-Potter?' he had no idea how the hyphenated name worked when you remarried) who was his best friend, a new lover and girlfriend could, potentially, be the mother of his future children. That was definitely something he hadn't thought of in all the years he knew her. But now, he was expected to think about it; especially since he had pretty much promised that he would talk to her later.

He feigned sleep, feeling Hermione's slight anger simmering off her. Eventually, her breathing became even and deep and only then did Harry close his eyes and thankfully slept a dreamless sleep.

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Chapter 15—Resurrection

It was a long, quiet week at home for Harry. Not counting Janie's constant chatter, Ben's temper tantrums about not getting things that he thought he needed at that moment and the usual coming and going of owls, Hermione was very quiet and strangely cordial. Part of Harry denied that it had anything to do with him, although, deep down, he knew he had pissed her off. He tried to think of a way to fix things between them but whenever he'd get up the nerve to say something, it seemed to leave him just as fast.

Gryffindor courage? All out the window.

At work Harry was finally managing to keep up in the physical department of his job. He felt stronger, faster and was even amazed at how quickly he was able to now defend himself by hand. He had another week of learning secret, defensive spells that certain people, who remained nameless, had conjured up.

Hermione was always cordial to him at work. On any given day they were in the same office together for only four hours. Harry knew he was going to have to talk about why he had freaked out with the word “wedding” and come up with a reasonable explanation for why he had just blurted out “no” to her request for that magical birth control charms.

It was on Friday that inspiration came to him in the form of Ron, the last person he ever expected to be able to help in a situation like this. He had broken down and told Ron he thought Hermione was angry with him after he had asked how living with her was going.

“Harry, you're just going to have to talk to her. Remember, I was married to her. I learned the hard way. A piece of advice: when she's more polite to you than ever it's time to realize you did something wrong. What did you do anyway?” Ron asked as Harry leaned up against the wall, trying to rub his headache away after a long day. Harry thought carefully about his response, not quite sure what he should tell Ron. Thankfully, Ginny flew into her picture and chided Ron for being nosey.

“You're right Ron. I'm just going to have to talk to her. I've tried to talk but I lose my courage and even if I did manage to get out a question over the past four days we probably couldn't finish the conversation. We both have been working hard here, and then your son is having some kind of growth spurt making him the crankiest kid ever.” Harry looked up and saw Ron smiling.

“Yep, he's a Weasley. Keep feeding him, that'll make him happier,” Ron laughed. “I wonder how tall he'll be when he's my age?”

“Probably taller than me,” Harry answered his ears picking up Hermione's voice before he saw her turn the corner.

“Good luck, mate. Remember, listen to her and don't interrupt her when she talks. If she stops talking for more than a few seconds, that means she is waiting for you to respond,” Ron whispered hurriedly then ducked into Ginny's frame, grabbing his broom and a moment later they were both dots in her painted blue sky.

Hermione only glanced at him while she talked quietly to a quill that was taking down her every word as she dictated her weekly report to the Minister. Harry smiled at her and continued down the hall, seeking out Arthur's office to see if he and Molly could possibly watch the children. He knew the children wouldn't give them anytime before bed to chat, and over the past few nights, Hermione was in bed before he was; always asleep when he finally made his way to their room.

After a short chat with Arthur and a quick exchange of owls, it was decided that Arthur would take the children home with them and, if need be, they could sleep there since the next day was Saturday. It'd be a treat for the children to be spoiled, eat candy and run around the crooked stairs. Not wanting to upset Janie by appearing at Day Care then leaving without her, he quickly scribbled out a memo to be sent to Lavender explaining that the children's grandfather would be the one taking them home.

Now, to tell Hermione. He hoped she wouldn't be angry…

“Well, I could sure use a break from Ben's constant “no's” and screaming. It'll be nice to read in peace,” was her answer as she busied herself by straightening up her desk, which was already perfectly neat in Harry's eyes.

“I asked Arthur so we could have some peace and quiet to talk,” Harry explained softly seeing her hands still around a stack of folders. Her face was looking down at her desk but her saw her nod slightly and her eyes close for a few seconds. A look of exhaustion passed over her face which was quickly replaced with her neutral look that she had perfected of over the past few days.

“Fine. We can get take out.”

Harry wasn't going to argue with that comment and seeing his chance to hurry home and shower before she was done he grabbed his bag and stood up. Quickly he walked around the desk and planted a quick kiss on her cheek.

“I'm heading back to shower. I'll see you there,” Harry touched her hand and felt her fingers close around his for a second, giving him a great sense of relief that he hadn't messed up too badly. He had been scared to touch her the past few days, seeing how her reaction to him had become “impersonal”. He knew he should've talked that night, not avoided the marriage issue, given her some answer about that comment about the healer and the birth control charms. But, the truth was, he was still reeling from the fact that he had fallen for his best friend in a way he had never envisioned. And how it still amazed him that she stayed and was there every morning and every night.

As Harry showered and did his best to straighten up, knowing that Hermione would stress if she saw all the toys scattered about, he tried to understand where his relationship was taking him. Before he got very far in his reflections he heard Hermione walk in the front door.

“You didn't apparate?” Harry asked folding Ben's blanket and laying it on top of the toy chest in their living room. His house was way too big for the four of them and the idea was still rolling around in his head about finding something a little more like the house he and Hermione were used too. One that was similar to the Muggle one's they grew up in; where the cupboard under the stairs would be used for storage, not a jail for a child.

“I was afraid I'd step on a toy,” Hermione said glancing around as she set down her bag next to Harry's. “But I see you took care of that.”

“Yeah, It was bad,” he agreed taking the bag of Chinese food from her hands and nervously began setting the boxes out on the kitchen table. He knew Hermione's habits now as well as his own; she'd go upstairs and change into a comfortable pair of pants, a loose shirt, wipe off all makeup (if she wore any that day) then pour herself a glass of wine before she was ready to talk. He took care of the wine part, trying to put himself at ease as much as her. He knew most of his actions were because of the guilt he felt for shutting down on her when a very serious subject had arisen.

She appeared in the doorway, hair freshly brushed, the smell of lavender soap rolling gently across the space that stood between him and her. She smiled her thanks as she slipped into her chair and lifted the wine glass, taking a delicate sip. Harry tore his eyes away from her mouth trying to figure out how to start this conversation. Luckily, Hermione did it for him.

“Would you like to start or would you like me?”

“Probably be best if you went ahead,” Harry murmured and took a bite of his cashew chicken, barely tasting it.

“I guess I should start off by saying I'm surprised with everything we've been through, said and done that you would shut down with what I thought was a fair and simple question,” Hermione began then took another sip of wine. Harry busied himself with eating since he really wanted to yell out, `Simple? Says you!'

She was quiet for so long that he ventured a look up from his rice and saw she was watching him carefully. Remembering Ron's words he figured she wanted an answer, or some kind of response. Taking a deep breath he let it out quietly measuring the words that came to his head.

“Well, I think I was still shocked that Charles was already talking of us getting married. To be honest, I hadn't thought that far ahead. I haven't allowed myself to as it has only been a bit over a year since they died.” Harry lowered his eyes and shrugged slightly not knowing what else to say.

“Why couldn't you have said, days ago, exactly what you just told me now? It would've been much easier to just say, `I never thought that far ahead, Hermione.' And, honestly Harry, I hadn't really either until Charles mentioned it.”

“Probably…well, because…maybe I thought you had and would've been mad that I hadn't. You know if Charles thought that then other people have too.”

“Not especially. Charles may turn out to be related to my family and I believe he is trying to connect the dots around his potential new family. Has anyone else said anything to you?”

“No. I mean Luna makes her Luna-ish comments but nothing like what Charles said,” Harry pushed his food around in the small box and then looked up at her. He could see tired circles under her eyes and watched her pick through her vegetables, seeking out the broccoli.

“I'm sorry, Hermione. I shouldn't have ignored your question. And, about the other thing…I still don't know why I responded the way I did.” She looked up surprised that he was moving on in the conversation, and addressing the issues that had been bothering her.

“You hardly ever blurt out anything, Harry,” her eyes met his and he felt the familiar, happy swoop of his stomach when their eyes locked together. He could see she was relaxing a bit and wasn't as angry with him anymore. “What was the first thought that went through your head when I mentioned I was thinking of going to look into the charm?”

“I don't know,” he sighed. “It's your body Hermione. I have no right to tell you what to do with it.”

“No, you don't. Seeing as we are together it would be nice to have your input into such matters as these. I still want to know what your first thought was. Think hard for me. It may help you…us…understand some of what we are talking about.”

Harry dropped his gaze, trying to conjure up what he felt when she had brought up that idea.

He thought of how desperate Ginny had been to have a baby but felt like a failure when, month after month, she found out she wasn't pregnant. He remembered feeling helpless that he couldn't give her the one thing she truly wanted, then vividly remembered the moment the healer said she was pregnant and the joy that spread over Ginny's freckled face. And the relief that flooded through him at the same time.

“What're you thinking?”

Harry answered quietly, twisting his fork around in his hand.

“About Ginny and how hard it was to get pregnant.”

“That's completely understandable and I know that wasn't an easy time for you two. However, you know these charms are temporary? You mentioned Ginny didn't have any of them performed on her.”

“No, she didn't and I remember you telling me that. Do they know that for sure though? That they don't have any lasting effects?”

“I haven't heard anything to the contrary,” she replied, now reaching over and stilling his hand. She curved her fingers around his palm and held tight. “I'm trying to look at this from your view. What I come up with is this: someone who was your best friend for years moves into your home with her son. A relationship that is more than just friendly develops. At the same time, both of us are trying to get our minds around the portraits, the fact that they'll never come back and how they'll respond to us being together. Then someone comes up and says if we ever got married, they'd be related to our children.”

She squeezed his hand and he squeezed back, glancing up at her as pieces of a puzzle slowly trickled into their correct place, connecting with neurons in his brain.

She continued, seeing she was on the right path, enjoying that her powers of deduction hadn't failed her. “Having more children was something you hadn't thought of doing with anyone else but your wife and then I mention the charm which means we can't conceive a child for a specific length of time, then Charles mentions marriage and children. Unless I misread you, which I rarely do Harry, it forced you to open your eyes to the more future future.”

She was right, as usual. That's exactly what he was being forced to do; to think beyond today. Nodding, he tugged her hand towards him and covered it gently with his free one.

“Yeah, I really was only thinking of today and tomorrow and never really got any further. I'm guessing that the deaths of Ginny and Ron, then the two months in Rome settled me into that way of thinking. How could I envision a future with anyone else that wasn't the mother of my child? How could I know when Janie would be ready to go home?”

“So your response now, as an adult, to freaking out is shutting down,” Hermione asked joking and smiling a bit for the first time in days. Chuckling, Harry smiled back.

“Yeah, I guess so. No one to take my anger out on anymore since Voldemort is gone.”

“Yeah, well…about that,” Hermione gently pulled her hand out of his and sat back in her chair. She had effectively closed one subject and opened another in only a few words.

“What?” Harry asked sharply his senses on alert. He had a brief flashback to watching Voldemort fall to the ground stone dead and knew, rationally, that he was truly gone. But a part of him always wondered if he truly did die.

“Right before I left I received an interesting report. Clogkey is going over it right now but it looks as if a small group of people were trying to procure some Dark Art items and have been seen meeting in small groups. They are reported to be wearing black cloaks and covering their faces. Rumor is they may have one invisibility cloak also. Isabel and John have been watching them closely and managed to snag someone who was hovering about the area they were meeting in yesterday.”

“Really? Is this the group you told me about that is the biggest threat? About fifteen or so people that keep moving and buying things from different places?”

“Yes, we're dubbing them the Shadows because people see them one minute then they don't. It's like the light has to be just right and you can see them, then when we go in to try and find them they're gone.” Hermione sent their empty cartons to the trash and accio'd her bag to the table. She pulled out a few files and set them on the table, keeping her hand on top of them.

“I don't have to go over confidentiality and all those rules with you again. Once you see this person you may want to talk about it with Neville or whoever.”

“I understand the rules.” He tried to sound patient but his eyes were riveted to the folder in front of him.

“Right before I left the office, John sent me a picture of the person they apprehended. He is in custody and is on his way of being secretly transported back to the Ministry. He is claiming innocence.”

“Right. Don't they all?” Harry retorted rolling his eyes.

Hermione nodded and pushed the folder to him. “His picture is on top. I don't think you'll need to read any of the information I had to pull on him, as you probably know everything about him anyway.” She sat back and watched him open the folder.

Harry sucked in a lungful of air and stared down at the 8x10 picture.

Draco Malfoy's face stared defiantly back up at him.

A/N: I am currently taking a class which requires me to study quite a bit, so these chapters will be posted much more slowly. Thanks for sticking with the story! We are into the last 1/3 of it I believe!ermioHe

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Chapter 16 - True or False?

Harry slammed his hands on the table and forced himself to stand. Anger surged through him and there wasn't any outlet except to pace rapidly around the kitchen.

“Here,” Hermione pushed her wine glass towards him but he shook his head, knowing wine wasn't going to help him calm down. After everything that happened more than six years ago, how could Malfoy stoop this low? He had barely scraped out of killing Dumbledore and now it looked as if he was in on trying to assert some Dark power over the wizarding community.

`Quidditch school my arse,' Harry thought tersely pacing around the kitchen.

“He'll be in tomorrow so we can go and question him then. He's going to be given a physical when he arrives later tonight. I heard he's looking awful.”

“Yeah, well he looked like shit when he was plotting to kill Dumbledore,” Harry muttered now grabbing the back of his chair, feeling his hands grip the top with such force he thought he may pull it apart.

“Come on,” Hermione suddenly commanded standing up. “Follow me. You need to blow of steam.”

“I should go fly.”

“It's still to light outside,” Hermione beckoned him to follow her and lead him upstairs.

“I can't believe this, Hermione. I mean, what the hell?” he stomped up the stairs like a child. “Any Malfoy being THIS quiet I knew was bad news, but I really thought he may have learned his lesson.”

“He has a kid now too.”

“Shit.”

“His parents are watching him; I only hope he turns out a bit better than Malfoy did…does.”

“Who's the mother? I didn't even know he was married.”

“No idea and me either.”

Hermione opened the door to one of the three extra bedrooms, flicked her wand and suddenly the room was brightly lit with pads extending up three-quarters of the wall. The floor was hard but cushioned with light gray mats. She kicked the door shut while pulling her hair back into a pony tail then turned to face Harry who was looking at her like she had lost her mind.

“Come on. Spar.”

“What? No,” Harry took a step backward finally understanding what she wanted to do.

“What do you mean “no”? You're going to explode every piece of glass or mirror in this house in another few minutes. I can feel the anger and waves rippling off you; a simple “Accio” spell isn't going to cut it like it does with Janie.” Hermione bent her knees and found her center of gravity.

“I don't need to spar you, Hermione.” Harry shook his head and turned away from her.

“Chicken.”

“What?” he spun around and gawked at her.

“You're afraid a girl is going to beat you,” Hermione needled. “And you may be right, but you won't ever know til you try. You won't hurt me. Come on.”

“Hermione…,” Harry sighed, then felt her close in on him. Instinctively he turned but not fast enough; she had wrapped a strong arm around his chest and managed to knock him off balance, then followed it up with a well aimed kick to knock him over. Harry leapt back and knocked down her leg with his arm.

“Stop it!” Exasperation filled his voice. “Why do you want to do this?”

“Because your test next week is to fight me. Didn't anyone tell you?” Hermione's eyes stared into his intently. “Ah, well, maybe you didn't get the memo.”

“Memo my arse.” Harry now stood straight and tall but watched her wearily. She inched towards him and he made the mistake of backing into the wall.

“Number one rule, never back into anything immovable.”

“Yeah, well, I'm kinda distracted.”

“That's the point Harry! You need to channel that anger and be able to focus,” Hermione lunged at him and with a spin he sent her flying into the wall. She recovered quickly and gave him a small smile as she side stepped away from it. They soon found themselves in the middle of the room.

“Focus,” she whispered and a split second later she was down and had her leg out, sweeping his out from under him. Harry landed with a thud on his side, and before he even registered he was doing it, he reached out and grabbed her ankle. She stumbled and for his effort he received a sharp kick, releasing his grip before he jumped up.

“Why do you insist on doing this? You just recovered from all those bruises,” Harry pushed her arm away realizing how deceptive she had been in her strength.

“To save us time repairing a slew of broken items and to get that anger out of you.” Hermione answered, sending a blow to his left side and following it up with her right. Harry's arm shot out, grabbed her arm, twisted and sent her flying to the ground. Before he could even apologize she bounded back to her feet, taunting him by asking him where all his Gryffindor courage had gone.

He wasn't sure who he as mad at anymore: Hermione for forcing him to do this, or the thought that Malfoy almost did one over on him. Harry had let his guard down and Malfoy seemed to have slipped in under the radar…just like Hermione did when she swept his legs out from under him. Again.

“You have to watch out for those legs. Keep them spread apart,” Hermione told him and Harry laughed sharply as he pushed himself back up.

“Isn't that your job?” he quipped and taking advantage of the surprised look that crossed her face he brought his legs around in a well aimed arc and swept her legs out from under her. Soon their hands were flying and blocking each other's punches. She was fast and lighter on her feet, able to bounce back up if he sent her flying but he was heavier and stronger. He took her advice and kept his stance wider, and managed to spin around as she kicked at the side of his knee. As he spun he threw out his arm and caught her across the shoulders, body slamming her to the ground. For a moment she didn't move.

“Hermione?” Harry dropped to his knees, panic filling his chest. “Jesus,” Harry crawled over to where she lay staring at the ceiling.

“I'm fine,” she rasped as she flicked her eyes to his giving him a small smile.

“Yeah, but you aren't getting up.” He heard her gasping for breath as she tried to suck in some of the air that had been pushed out of her. Reaching out he smoothed out some strands of her hair that escaped her pony tail. “Let's stop. I don't like doing this with you; though you are much stronger than I ever thought.”

“Same to you,” Hermione pushed herself up to her elbows and lunged at him, knocking him flat on his back. He had no choice but to catch her as he fell back, taking her full weight against his chest and stomach. He grunted as most of the air poured out of his lungs. Finally able to expand his lungs, he gulped in a breath of warm, sweat smelling air.

“That's what that felt like. Man, that was fun,” Hermione looked down at Harry as he struggled to focus. Not only was he still lacking oxygen at the moment but her pressing down on him was seriously sidetracking him.

“Actually,” Harry gasped, his hands finding her back and resting lightly there. “This is much more fun.” Not too gently he pulled her lips down to his and then he was able to release his pent up anger in a much more pleasurable way.

---

“We have to go into work for a special meeting, Ben. I promise I'll take you to the park tomorrow. I'll even push you on the swing for a long time,” Hermione gently held Ben who was crying that she had to leave.

“You know what Benny? Grandpa and I need to degnome the garden…would you like to help?” Molly asked peeking around Hermione's shoulder to catch Ben's eye. Hermione felt him nod and the tears slowly stop.

“Count how many you throw and tell me when I come back, okay?” Hermione planted a kiss on his cheek and he nodded, sullenly following his grandmother out the back door.

“I hate this. I don't see him enough during the week and now we have to go in on a Saturday.”

“I know. Hopefully, we can get in, talk to Malfoy and be back by lunch,” Harry kissed Janie who ran after her cousin and grandmother, intent on helping on what her mother and Uncle Ron had hated doing all their lives.

“Let's figure out how we are going to approach him about all this.” Hermione tucked her arm into Harry's and a moment later they apparated into the entryway of the ministry.

“I think if you let him see your anger he's just going to clam up. You know how he liked to goad you.”

“Yeah. I think I can play it nice and sweet for a bit.”

“You?” Hermione laughed as they waited for the lift to take them to their floor. “Be nice to Malfoy?”

“You said he has a kid right? Well, who doesn't like to talk about their kid? Maybe we should do the good cop/bad cop thing those television shows do all the time.”

“And you want to be the good cop?” Hermione was still smiling as they moved into the lift and felt it begin to move towards their prisoner.

“You don't think I can be gracious to our wonderful prisoner, do you?” Harry glanced down at her as she squeezed his hand lightly then let it drop to her side. “Just wait and see. I may surprise you.”

“Like last night?” Hermione whispered giggling as Harry blushed, vividly remembering how turned on they both were after fighting each other that what they had done afterwards resulted in some very loud happy yells…and even a bite mark on his shoulder.

Hermione continued talking seeing Harry's embarrassment. “We still need to talk about me going to the healer you know.”

“Yes, I know. Though please don't think you have to go by what I say.”

“What do you say?” she asked quietly as they stepped out of the lift and began the confusing walk down to their office.

“We can talk about that tonight,” he whispered seeing their hallway off to the side. Ron and Ginny weren't in their portraits and as Hermione opened their office, Harry noticed how quiet it was on a weekend. A few aurors were working in the office, typing up their reports but other than that, it was calm.

“Okay, I have John and Isabel's report here. Let's read over it, check out his medical background and see what we have to work with,” Hermione quickly waved her wand over the folders, resulting in two identical sets and handed one to him. They settled down in their chairs and began to read.

Ten minutes later Harry was the first one to speak.

“So, to sum up...he was caught skulking around the building the Shadows were meeting in. Wouldn't explain what he was doing there, clamed up and when John threatened to take him into custody he just shrugged and held out his hand to be bound together? When did we ever know Malfoy to give up that easily?”

“We haven't ever seen that which makes me wonder why he was almost eager to be taken.” Hermione flipped back and forth through the folder.

“So, he's healthy, a bit underweight. Married to someone from the Durmstrang area, has a son names Scorpius?” Harry snorted and shook his head.

“Yeah, said he got married two years ago, so his kid probably isn't that old.” Hermione was distracted as she ran her finger down his chart, making notes on another sheet of parchment.

“His parents are traveling around the world and he inherited his parent's home. Still sticks with the story that he runs a Quidditch Training School and his wife, Priscilla, owns a high end clothing shop for kids. Doesn't it strike you as odd that John and Isabel couldn't find anyone who thought that the new Malfoy family was doing something sneaky or acting strangely?”

“A bit.” Hermione looked up and caught his gaze. “Well, maybe more than “a bit”. Ron and Ginny would see him with his son as they came into the joke shop occasionally, but that was only around a holiday. He doesn't seem to have many friends.”

“Never really did back in school either.”

“Well, one died.”

“Yeah, well…were they really friends?” Harry stood up and tucked the folder under his arm. “I get the impression that Slytherins are just in any situation, they think is beneficial, for themselves and as long as they get what they want, they'll stay there. I don't think Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle were like Ron and I were.”

Hermione agreed with him and together they walked down the hall to the safe room where Draco was currently being held, awaiting his interrogation.

---

Harry was the first one to speak when they entered the room.

“Malfoy, sorry we had to drag you in here on a weekend, but since you wouldn't answer the aurors questions when they found you….well, you know the drill probably.” Harry sat down at the table across from Draco who just looked at him neutrally. Hermione slid into the empty chair next to Harry and clasped her hands primly on top of the folder.

“So, why don't you just tell us what you were doing there and we'll see if we can't get you out of here so your weekend isn't shot. Don't you want to go play ball with your kid rather than sit here?” Harry asked evenly enjoying the slight reaction he got out of Draco. Fatherhood made you even more aware of your own mortality and no one knew that better than Harry, and possibly Draco.

“I already explained what I was doing there. Can't you read yet, Potter?”

“Certainly.” Harry tapped the folder in front of him. “I read it. As did Hermione. I believe we need more detailed information.”

“You don't expect me to tell you, do you?” Draco spat out leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms, obviously not willing to talk freely.

“Actually, we do,” Hermione started quietly, her voice like ice. “Or you can stay here for quite awhile and when your name hits the papers it won't be good. Your daddy won't be pleased and whatever careers you have established for yourself will most likely disapparate in front of your eyes.”

“I don't need a mud-,” Draco started before Harry interrupted with a simple “Ah!” He sounded like he was about to reprimand his daughter for doing something she shouldn't.

“No name calling here. We are trying to help you, believe it or not. For years you've been a good little Slytherin and now all of a sudden you turn up at the very building where a group is meeting that his very high on our radar. And, when questioned you clam up, then practically lead the way back here to your little holding cell. I'm wondering why you would do that, unless you felt afraid?”

“Afraid? Of what? You and…her?” Draco's eyes cut to Hermione who was flipping through her report.

“You should be afraid of her, not me,” Harry retorted, noticing Draco wisely stayed silent. A strained silence fell upon the room as Harry stared at Draco noticing that he had aged a bit in the last few years. Already his hairline was receding and he was definitely thinner than when they left school. His mouth seemed to be turned down in a perpetual frown and the gray circles under his eyes matched in color. Harry knew it wouldn't do any good to try and use Legilimens as Draco was probably better at it than he was.

“What?” Draco finally spat out, tired of Harry watching him. Harry shrugged, trying to make it look nonchalant, pushing down his anger but all the time keeping his eyes on the man across from him.

“You tell us. What were you doing there?”

“Or,” Hermione chimed in, still flipping through papers, “We can go to Priscilla and ask her. Obviously, you trust someone enough to marry, give her your family name and have a child with so I'm sure she knows what you-.”

“Leave my wife out of this!” Draco hissed leaning forward and pointing at her. An invisible rope pulled him back to his chair and he cursed.

“Then tell us what we want to know.”

“You wouldn't believe me if I did,” Draco folded his arms once again and tore his gaze away from Harry's, staring at a spot on the floor.

“Try me,” Harry answered sarcastically wondering what lie Draco was about to weave now.

“You don't want your wife and son to be put in any danger do you? Because they will if you stay in Azkaban for refusing to cooperate with the Ministry.” Hermione wasn't holding back any punches and they could see that Draco was beginning to weaken. He looked exhausted; lacking the energy to keep up the fight much longer.

“Leave my family out of this.”

“Then for the sake of your family, and for the chance to be a father to Scorpius tell us,” Harry coaxed, amazed at how calm he sounded. Draco sighed and finally looked up at him.

“I was trying to save your bloody arse, that's what.”

Hermione's foot touched Harry's under the table but they both remained quiet, waiting for him to go on. At the moment, Harry didn't believe what Draco was heading towards.

Draco looked around, as if trying to avoid the gazes of the people across from him.

“My family is still high up in the wizarding world and I hear things. Nothing that really needed to be dealt with until Christmas time when I hear from someone that there are people out there that hate you so badly, Potter, they want you dead.”

“That's not news to me,” Harry answered.

“Yeah, but this group has the means to do it. When I heard the rumor I figured it'd be interesting, to say the least, to figure out how they were going to pull this off.”

“How do we know you wouldn't want to take part in this?” Hermione asked and Draco shrugged nonchalantly.

“You don't. But, I'm not the stupid seventh year anymore. And besides, don't I have a wizarding debt or two that I unhappily owe to the boy who lived?” Draco sat back on two legs, and then felt his chair fall forward with a slam. He reached out to steady himself and continued.

“So, I start asking around about who may be thinking this would be a good idea and one day I see Potter and his daughter walking down the street past Priscilla's store. January it was…so I figured I'd follow him. I know if I was going to try and kill him I'd need to know where he shopped, what he liked to do, know his weaknesses.”

Harry couldn't help the shudder that ran up his spine at the thought of Draco following him. He tried to remember what he would've done in January with Janie but he went to Diagon Ally and Hogsmeade regularly so he wasn't sure what his purpose was for that visit.

“As you two go into Flourish and Blotts I notice this hooded person who suddenly veers away from the store and sits on a bench. But, then I also notice that person, John? the person who brought me in here is watching Harry and this hooded person. I figure that you all have it covered and head back to my wife.”

Draco stopped looking for a reaction but they continued to watch him levelly. Hermione knew all this happened before she came on board the department. Truth was, Harry always had people watching out for him and even though he hated to acknowledge it, he knew they were there. Sighing Draco forged ahead, now rubbing his head as if to keep a headache at bay.

“So, everything was fine until you left for…wherever you went with your daughter. A message was slipped under my door telling me that I could become quite powerful and to meet a group of people at this warehouse in London. Instead, I went to work as always, then using polyjuice to look like one of my students I left and headed towards that meeting place. I knew what the meeting was about just from the information I had heard and wasn't about to go make myself known as the one who killed Potter, so I hid myself well and listened in to their conversation. It wasn't easy to hear them, so that's when I pulled out your brother in laws invention, those ears, and snuck it under the door. To make a long story short, people thought you weren't needed anymore. You didn't deserve the recognition, the holiday that was given to you, the fame, books--all that crap and that it would be easier to do away with you. No one had a fool proof plan so they set a meeting time for a few months in the future…bringing us to yesterday.”

“So, people want me dead as usual. That's not new,” Harry interrupted, repeating what he had said earlier.

“You're correct there. Those people that want power hate those that do have it. And you do, though I doubt you realize how you could easily influence the weak minded out there. But, this group of people are descendants of the Death Eaters, followers of Voldemort and a few older people who have always believed that evil ways get you want you want.”

“And who are these people?” Hermione asked knowing he wouldn't answer. She was right, Draco let out a sharp laugh.

“Like I'm going to tell you and one day mysteriously end up dead in my bed? No way.”

“So, tell us about yesterday. I'm anxious to hear how I'm going to die.”

Draco twisted himself in his chair, a small smile playing at his lips.

“That's the genius of this plan. It's methodical and well thought out. They knew you two are living together and are already betting on you getting married and having a kid. A few months after that would happen, a party was to be held in your honor through some education fund they would set up at Hogwarts. Childcare was to be provided and they were going to make sure all your back up babysitters would be busy, invited to the event or out of the country. Everyone would bring their children, so yours wouldn't be the only one, and as you two are partying, they would take your daughter and whatever child you two would have. You'd not know until hours later when they weren't there to be picked up. The plant would be pretending to be upset, declaring they didn't know where the baby went; probably this person would be under the Imperious Curse. Then, as you head out most likely by yourself as you always did, they would just use the killing curse on you. Now, they have your daughter…a very powerful child of THE Harry Potter and THE Ginny Weasley and also the child of the Boy Who Lived and the Smartest Witch of her age…and they would be able to cultivate those children into thinking their way and teach those children their dark magic. Years later we would be watching something akin to what Voldemort did.” Draco sat back and went quiet a satisfied smirk on his face.

Harry could feel the blood drain from his face and knew Hermione was feeling the same way. He didn't dare look at her, afraid that he'd be tempted to break down and tell her it was a lie. It had to be, except it was something he had never thought of and he wasn't too sure that Draco was one hundred percent lying.

“Speechless, Granger? A first,” Draco drawled taking delight in stunning them.

“No, not really. I'm trying to figure out how long you had to think up that story,” she began slowly. “Our Aurors would've heard about such a plot.”

“Ah, see…there's the thing. You guys could never find them. They are somehow able to split the one invisibility cloak they have between them and are able to move about unseen and meet in places where your aurors aren't.”

“For you to get a note as to where they are to meet, must mean one of them knows you; knew you from when your father was a supporter and thought you must want to be like him.” Hermione reasoned and Harry nodded, thanking her mentally for bringing that up. “Like Goyle perhaps?”

“I thought he died?” Harry inquired sneaking a glance at Hermione.

“No, that was Crabbe.”

“Oh, well they all looked alike,” Harry sighed then looked back at Draco who was back to looking neutral again. He didn't answer when Hermione asked if it was Goyle so they dropped that subject for the moment. Quiet descended again, leaving Draco to break the silence.

“So, what now?” he finally asked Harry and Hermione.

“Well, based on what you've told us I have a list of questions for you to answer. Then you need to sign at the bottom swearing it's all true or you'll end up standing before the Wizengamot, accused of false statements, get the Vertiserum treatment and because of your past will probably end up in Azkaban,” Hermione waved her wand over a blank sheet of paper and Harry saw a slew up questions appear. He also noticed Draco seemed to slouch a bit at the mention of the prison that was rebuilt to be used in a fairer manner, but just the same it still held the sense of foreboding as it had when the Dementors were in charge of it.

“I hear it's nice this time of year,” Harry quipped, then pushed the papers towards Draco.

“Just answer them. All of them! Truthfully. We are going to go get lunch and when we come back I want to see them answered. We'll leave instructions with the guards to give you food. You look like you could use some.” Harry stood up and for a moment saw Draco's gaze falter a bit. He was exhausted, pale, thin and looked as if he hadn't had a proper nights sleep in weeks. Harry nodded slightly to Draco and then motioned for the guards to come back into the room. Giving instructions for him to have free movement around the room, and a healthy lunch, he led Hermione out into the hall. As they walked quietly towards their office, each lost in their own thoughts, Harry wondered if Draco was indeed telling the truth. Would he go to such an effort to cast aside the Malfoy vanity of looks in order to make up an elaborate lie?

Only time would tell.

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Chapter 17—Pulling Teeth

“He has to be lying.”

“Maybe. Maybe not.”

“I mean, who would wait that long for us to maybe, possibly marry and to maybe have a child?”

“I think he's making a lot of it up; that he heard something and filled in the holes, Hermione. I don't think he just decided to make up a story.”

“So, you think that maybe someone was out to get Janie?”

“Possibly. It's always on my mind that if I let my guard down she'll be gone.”

There was a long pause and Harry felt Hermione's gaze on him as he stirred the soup around in his bowl.

“Oh, Harry…I'm so sorry you have to think that every day!” her hand reached out and touched his free one. He curled his fingers around hers and squeezed it reassuringly.

“It's alright. Part of being Harry Potter.”

“It's not alright. No one should have to live with that. No one.” She tightened her grip emphasizing her point.

“Maybe something like that is happening to Malfoy,” Harry started slowly looking up and over Hermione's head. She had a map of England posted behind her and he let his gaze run around the familiar shape.

“Someone is threatening his family?”

“Maybe. Maybe he is involved, against his will because of threats on his family? Either way, maybe he thought luring me out into the public, where someone could get me or Janie, would make it seem like he's the `good guy'…so he made up that story. I mean, come on! What group would wait for us to marry and have a kid?” Harry glanced at her and saw a slight flush rise to her face and suddenly something clicked.

“You know, that sounds like it--,” Hermione started taking her hand from his and avoiding his gaze. Harry interrupted her and pushed his soup away.

“You lied to me Hermione.”

“I—what?” she looked at him in confusion.

“You said you hadn't really thought about marriage…with you and me.”

“I haven't really.”

“Then who was that baby I saw you holding in your memories? Remember when you let me see how much you thought of Janie and me?” he pressed.

“You weren't supposed to see that,” Hermione murmured, covering her face with her hands.

“What? Was that another child I could have?”

She remained quiet and let her hands drop to the table. Harry knew exactly what she was thinking but remained patiently quiet wanting her to say it. He took another sip of his soup and watched her fiddle with her sandwich.

“Fine. You are going to think I'm jumping the gun or…getting all emotional but it was what I thought our baby would look like. It was just a random thought I had one day while playing with Janie, before you left for Italy. I honestly have never pictured me walking down some aisle with you or what dress I would wear. It was just a…thought.” Hermione shifted in her chair and quickly shifted the conversation to Draco, finishing her thought from earlier—taking advantage of Harry's stunned silence.

“So, as you were saying…about Malfoy. I think you may be onto something. A few of the questions I put on that parchment were along the lines of: “What did you do between Christmas time when you heard of this plot and the time you received your first note? And, how many notes have there been? Was there any other contact?” So, we may find something out from that. He could be afraid to say things aloud, that's why I have him writing. You and I know the ministry is a safe place to talk, but you know he won't trust it further than he can throw it.”

“Smart move,” Harry responded, still trying to wrap his mind around him and Hermione possibly having a child. “Well, once we are done here we'll see how he's doing on those questions. Then we can quiz him a bit more on that nice story he told us.”

She nodded her mouth full and a slightly uncomfortable silence fell over the office. For the first time, they were forced to think about their long term relationship. And with their loved ones hanging in a portrait out in the hall, it was a very unsettling feeling for both of them.

---

“Malfoy!” Harry said for the second time and Draco jerked upright, not apologizing for falling asleep in his chair. He sat back and blinked at Harry, his eyes bloodshot. The guards had given Hermione the paperwork and she was already flipping through the questions, making exasperated noises as she did so.

“Is any of this true?” Hermione looked up at Draco and Harry sat back tiredly. They had only been in the Ministry for three and a half hours and it felt like a full days work already. Taking off his glasses he rubbed his eyes, distractedly wondering if it was time to do away with them. They were an annoyance when sparring and lately his daughter had taken to trying to try them on herself, resulting in a few `reparo' spells.

“Is it the same story?” Harry asked Hermione stifling a yawn.

“With a few discrepancies. Malfoy…you're lying. I really don't want to go through the paperwork to request the use of Vertiserum. It would look much better if you cooperated.” Hermione snapped her quill against the parchment and looked at him angrily. “Don't pull this sneaky Slytherin stunt, because it's not going to work. Our patience is short and if you don't come clean, I'll go start the paperwork for the potion. The Minister won't be happy if I have to deliver a special Owl to him on a Saturday.”

“Not to mention, he'd have to come in and be a witness when we gave it to you and I think he has tickets to the Canons Quidditch match this evening.”

“They'll lose anyway,” Draco yawned widely and met Harry's gaze tiredly. “Look, I'm telling you what I need to tell you. I have a lot at stake here and right now my family is more important than you, but yet even I know the importance of a wizard debt. I did what I needed to by `pretending' to get caught watching this group and then telling you a bit about their plan. Now you know their cause, where they last met, how many there are…,” he leaned over a bit and pointed at the parchment under Hermione's hands. “If I told you the full, exact story then they'll know it's me and my life would be at stake. As would my wife and son's…and maybe my parents.”

“How would they know it's you and not someone within the group?” Harry asked sliding his glasses back on and stretching out in his chair.

“They all made an oath and something will happen to them if one tells…similar to what happened to that Edgecomb girl back with your little Dumbledore's Army group. I am the only outsider that has been contacted about the group and I made it known I wasn't interested.”

“How do you know they believe you and don't have you being tailed?” Harry questioned.

“They don't. I know someone in that group, but I don't associate with them anymore. I'd know and Priscilla, well…she has a sixth sense about things and I trust her. If you can't trust the cousin of Viktor Krum who can you trust?”

Harry let out a bark of laughter.

“Figures you'd marry into that family. Anyway, so back to this little plot. We need to know. Now. I'm tired, you're tired and we'd all like to get back to our families. You tell us, we can provide you with protection…yeah, you shake your head but you don't know what can be done for you and your family. There are places we can send you, people that will protect you when we tell them too. Believe it or not, you are quite safe. That's the main reason she and I took this job, Malfoy. To make sure Aurors are doing their job right and to improve upon what had been started before…everything.” Harry saw Draco close his eyes for a moment, and he hoped he was considering defeat. He felt Hermione nudge his knee and he glanced down, seeing a small piece of paper with the words “wizarding debt?” and immediately knew what to tell him next.

“You owe me two debts Malfoy, well two that I'll collect on anyway. One is you coming here and letting us know that, apparently, I'm in trouble. I'll consider the second on you coming clean, telling us everything you know and in return we'll keep you, Priscilla and Scorpius safe. How old is he anyway?”

“A year last week,” Draco sighed running his hands through his hair.

“Wonderful. He, Ben and Janie will all be in the same class, if he indeed goes to Hogwarts,” Hermione chimed in seeing that Draco was actually responding to questions.

“He'll be there…and how do you propose to keep my family safe? Make us disappear to Siberia or something?”

“No, Malfoy. We have houses around England that even you don't know exist. We can send out stories about a long trip you are taking with your family and even put your picture right there, next to some famous monument, without you leaving England.” Harry crossed his fingers under the table seeing themselves inch closer to pulling the truth out of Malfoy.

“You tell us and the information doesn't go past my department. There's no way it can with the charms placed upon each of our team members. It doesn't get in the paper, you get out of here within the hour, once we verify it's true, and all we do is keep track of you if you choose to go back into the regular world. We ask that you notify us of any trips you take or if anything disturbs you. However, if you don't feel secure we can arrange for you to go somewhere with your family. No one will know what our plan is, including you, or how long it'll take to implement except: Harry, myself, the former Supervisor who still has a hand in things, Auror Clogkey, and our team as I said.” Hermione pulled out a few fresh sheets of parchment as she explained everything and was ready to write down his statement.

Harry could tell the hesitancy Draco was experiencing was due to the conflict he was feeling about the debt and the pride he had as a Malfoy and Slytherin. The chapter in Hogwarts: A History dedicated to the defeat of Voldemort slid into Harry's head and gave him one last idea to try on Draco Malfoy.

Leaning forward, Harry lowered his voice and noticed he had Draco's attention.

“After this is all said and done, it will then make the papers. Papers all over the world will pick up the feed that there was a plot to kill me, to take my daughter or whatever the case may be. It will then be asked how we found out and your name will come up as someone who knew enough between right and wrong to come forward and do his duty to keep the wizarding community safe. Hell, Hermione and I will have to publicly thank you for putting your life, your family's safety on the line because of what you have done. I can only imagine what Headmistress McGonagall will think of all that! It would probably give her more gray hair!”

Hermione let out what Harry knew to be a soft snort of laughter, but she quickly covered it up with a cough.

Draco uttered a few expletives and laid his forehead on the table finally admitting defeat. Harry wasn't sure if it was because the thought of becoming famous; maybe more famous than Harry himself (for a short while) was the cause of Draco's revealing story, or the fact that making him a family man had shown him down the moral path of right versus wrong.

And two hours later Draco headed back to his home thinking he was safe enough for the time being to stay at his mansion, while Harry and Hermione wrote up their reports commenting on the best way to handle their emergency team meeting that evening.

After a few hours at Molly and Arthur's with the children, they left after the kids went to sleep and apparated back into the Ministry.

John, Isabel, and the other aurors were waiting in the conference room, excited to be doing what their training had been preparing them for.

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A/N: Sorry for the delay! Class is difficult but is wrapping up, finally. Come mid- December, I will be homework free for awhile. Thanks for bearing with me, everyone!

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Chapter 18--Juggling

A hand skimmed over his hip slowly, provocatively, and Harry laid still enjoying the silence the permeated the house and the warm body behind him.

“Time to get up.”

Her hand lingered on his thigh and he reflexively pushed back into Hermione's hips.

“No.” Harry sighed, reaching for her hand and bringing it to his lips. They hadn't any downtime all of Sunday, which was full of meetings, plans and talks with the Auror group. And now Monday morning hit and he was due to fight Hermione in their training class, something he didn't want to do for fear of hurting her. Or, only under admission of Veritaserum, fear of her hurting him.

“Yes, I'm afraid it is. We'll get up, get everyone ready, go to work, do what we need to, trust John, Isabel and Franco to have everything under control then we're going to come home, play with our children, put them to bed then have some “us” time,” Hermione snuggled against his back and pressed a kiss to the back of his neck.

“Does this “us” time include talking?” Harry asked sleepily, but smiled against the back of her hand.

“Yes, we still need to talk. But, I'm sure we can fit a few other things in there,” Hermione teased kissing his neck one last time then pulling away leaving him cool under the covers.

As if on cue, Ben came bounding into the room throwing himself in Hermione's arms for his good morning hug and kiss. Seconds later, she set him on the bed and Harry prepared himself for a few moments of rough housing.

“Harry!” Ben demanded tapping Harry's face, not to lightly.

“Ben. Have a good sleep?”

“Yes!” he bounced up and down on Harry's stomach then dissolved into fits of laughter as Harry tickled him.

Their morning went as Hermione planned and by 9am, they were settled into their office ignoring the portraits outside in the hall.

“So, they left already?” Harry asked after putting up a silencing charm around their office.

“Yes. The first four left. Isabel fits in as a 7^th year transfer student. John is a substitute professor in Charms. Franco and Belinda are stationed downtown as we planned. The others are scattered throughout the country in those hot spots we talked about. If anyone is going to kidnap McGonagall and manages to get her OUT of the castle, every spot that Malfoy thought they'd go is covered. We even have an Auror watching Grimmauld.”

“What about the portraits?” Harry glanced at the closed office door.

“Well keep on acting normal like nothing has happened. They don't know we had that meeting since they were at the shop all weekend checking out the new toys George made.”

“You really think George is okay with us telling him to stay at the shop?”

“I think you found the right way to control him a bit, by reminding him of his impending fatherhood. I also think he feels he owes us one since he wasn't too vigilant in looking into who made those portraits.”

Harry nodded, sadness tingeing the edges of his heart.

After their meeting with Malfoy Harry and Hermione found out that the grand plan was something they had never dreamed could happen.

The person George had asked to paint the portraits was someone who had moved in across the street from “Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes” and offered him a discount on paintings if he could get a few things “at cost” from George. Being frugal, he took the man on his word and had Ginny and Ron painted. Unbeknownst to George, the man was part of this Shadow group and had charmed the people in the paintings to come back to him at the end of the day and report what was going at the Ministry (and anywhere else they could get in). Luckily, they weren't able to visit Hogwarts, which was a small blessing since Harry and Hermione needed to post Aurors there to protect McGonagall.

After they had digested that piece of surprising and upsetting news, Malfoy went on to say the plan was to kidnap McGonagall, knowing Harry couldn't just hide in the shadows and let that happen. Once Harry was out in the open, they'd lead him on a chase around Great Britain and hope to capture him as well. Knowing Hermione would most likely follow Harry, the group planned on killing all three, then staking Draco as the head Auror.

Years down the road, when Janie Potter enrolled into Hogwarts (probably being brought up by a Weasley), she would be watched closely and if she was deemed as powerful as her father and mother, she would be taken and trained in the ways of the Dark Arts.

“I actually had no desire to take over the department and told this person those same words. They didn't like that answer so I kept my mouth shut after threats were made against my son,” Draco had admitted tiredly at the end of their talk on Saturday. “What was I to do? I didn't agree to anything after that, but I didn't disagree either. I seriously doubt they could pull all this off, but you never know with this group.”

“I wonder if Malfoy is at work like normal this morning?” Hermione wondered aloud as she gathered up her bag in preparation for their training-fight.

“I'm sure we would've heard if something went wrong,” Harry answered, stepping out into the hall with her both flinching slightly as they saw familiar red heads in the frames. They managed a bit of idle chit chat with Ron and Ginny, telling them about their training against each other. It was uncomfortable for Harry, knowing that these two were betraying them but not being able to distinguish between right and wrong. He had to make sure he acted normally or Ginny may pick up on his briskness and report back to the Painting Shop about his change in demeanor.

“This is going to be hard,” Hermione whispered as they stood shoulder to shoulder in the elevator.

“You're going to kick my arse.”

“Not that, Harry; keeping up the front with Ron and Ginny. And, you're right. I will kick your arse.”

---

Harry had never sweat so much in his life; and had never been so turned on by Hermione wearing a very sweaty white t-shirt and tight gray sweatpants. It took every ounce of energy he had to concentrate on their last ten minutes of stalking each other, jumping away from a leg or arm that reached out, only to connect a second later in a move that would send one of them sprawling---only to jump right back up and continue moving around. Constantly moving was the only way Harry could figure to keep certain parts of his body under control.

`Keep moving. Don't take your eyes off her face,' was the mantra he repeated to himself over and over.

Ten minutes after they had finished and Harry officially passed, though not sure if he had beaten Hermione or not, he found himself trying to cool down in the shower. The cool water helped just enough so he could settle into his jeans but the image of Hermione and her very clingy shirt kept entering his mind.

Grabbing a sandwich on the way back to the office he decided to work through lunch, hoping Hermione was actually sitting somewhere else so he could cool down. For some reason, her touch had burned through him like it never had before. Even a kick or punch to his arm felt more erotic than painful. Her eyes had a fire in them as they sparred back and forth; he tried to follow her advice of concentrating on the “enemy” even though she definitely wasn't one. He wondered if her tight shirt and pants were tactics she used consistently; to try and get the males distracted enough to make a mistake.

Hermione had the same idea he had and was sitting down at her desk with a salad. Despite being female, she took the quickest showers of anyone Harry had ever known or heard about. Ginny had often marveled at how Hermione could be in and out in five minutes, where she would take three times that long.

“Nice job, Harry,” Hermione looked up and smiled at him prompting him to slide quite quickly into his chair. Thoughts of what he'd like to do that night ran through his head, overshadowing the more serious issue at hand…Malfoy.

Hermione said something unintelligible to his ears. He wasn't sure if he had heard her since he had been thinking about something entirely different from work, or if she had truly said something important. He caught the last word and took a chance on responding.

“He thinks he's being followed, but not by one of us?” Harry had to ask her to repeat the question, trying to direct his mind and thoughts to the task at hand.

“Yes, Harry. I said that already. I think I should go take a stroll around Diagon Alley and see what is going on.”

“No, I'll go. They may be more likely to come out of the shadows if they see me.” Harry quickly inhaled his sandwich, grateful for something that would get him up and moving keeping his mind off Hermione for the moment.

“That's true,” she agreed slowly, looking slightly peeved that she wasn't going to be the one wandering around time. “Well, you may as well look like you are really doing some errands, so here's a list of some things we need back home.” Hermione handed him the parchment and his fingers brushed hers for a moment. Her head snapped up from her salad and she stared at him, bringing her fingers to her cheek.

“What?”

“Nothing,” she said quickly and dipped her head back to her salad.

“Okay, if you say so,” Harry glanced at the list and saw a few human food items, some quills, papers, a book and treats/food for Fish, Janie's owl.

“Maybe you can see if they have something Ben would like. It may be time he has a pet,” Hermione murmured not looking up from her lunch.

“I can do that. I'll be back,” Harry smiled and slipped out of the office making his way to the fireplace where he could floo over to Diagon Alley.

Harry figured he better get what was on the list first before he “window shopped” and checked on Draco, who had an office along the sidewalk of the main thoroughfare of the Alley. It only took him twenty minutes to finish getting the items Hermione had laid out for him and he narrowed down a pet for Ben to an owl or a cat. He felt strange buying something so important for Ben without having his mother give her input so Harry figured they could come down tomorrow with everyone.

He walked out of the pet shop and made his way slowly down the street keeping a sharp eye out for anything that looked strange. Walking right by Draco's office, he could see him sitting at his desk writing something on a large piece of parchment. Draco and Harry's eyes only met for a split second; the only acknowledgement they could give each other. If either one of them was being followed it would be noticed if they paid any attention at all to each other.

Harry ambled slowly down the sidewalk, deep in thought about what he was going to say to Hermione regarding the healer. He swept his eyes back and forth across the street only seeing the regular lunch time crowds. But, unavoidably, the wheels turned in the back of his head about the situation Draco had brought to light.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw a flash of light, coming from a store, making him stop in mid-stride. About shoulder height was a small window with a display of jewelry that beckoned him to move closer. In the upper right corner he saw what had caught his attention among the display of gaudy necklaces on down to delicate rings.

He had no idea how long he stood there staring at the silver colored, diamond ring in the back row and was only jerked out of his trance when a familiar voice called his name. Harry jumped, feeling guilty for not paying attention to his surroundings.

“Charles! You're back. How're you?” Harry shook Charles's hand and was rewarded with a smile.

“Suffering jet lag I think. I just got in last night, earlier than expected, and was on my way to meet Hannah for lunch. How're you?” Charles asked this question as his eyes flickered to the window of jewelry and a small smile touched his lips.

“Buying something for Hermione?”

“Umm, no idea. I just stopped to look,” Harry mumbled switching his bag of items from one hand to another.

“I have a lot of sisters and if there is one piece of advice I can give you on jewelry is to remember what they usually wear. Don't buy them something that you have never seen them in because they probably won't wear it. Unless, you are thinking of a certain kind of ring…,” Charles cocked an eyebrow and Harry looked away, idly watching a group of wizards cross the street but wondering if Charles had known which piece of jewelry he had been admiring for Hermione. He hadn't planned this stop at all and as he has stared at the ring it seemed to call out to him and beg to be put on Hermione's finger.

“I bought my sister a necklace from here and she loved it. He's a great jeweler--in case you were wondering.”

“Thanks. So, did you find out if you're related to Hermione yet?” Harry asked changing the subject quickly. Charles nodded, leaning against the other side of the window where Harry was in the same pose.

“I just sent Hermione an owl which she probably has by now. Her parents are going to call her, they said, but it looks as if I am her cousin. We were talking about having a dinner together and figuring out who we should tell. Is there a weekend that works for you?”

“Umm, well…let me ask Hermione. We are really busy and may have to work one or two weekends. I'll have her owl you back.” Harry moved and saw the ring flash at him again. Charles glanced down at his Muggle watch then pushed himself off the store wall.

“Well, I better go meet Hannah.” He shook Harry's hand then lowered his voice and leaned in a bit.

“Get the ring Harry. Doesn't mean you have to give it to her now, but I can see it's on your mind.”

Harry had no idea what he said as a goodbye over the roar of blood in his ears. His heart was beating double time at the thought of making such a huge purchase with no more than a few minutes of staring. Harry turned and walked a few steps intent on getting something to drink but found that the simple silver ring was still on his mind. Sighing he turned around and walked right into the shop, still planning on only looking.

A half hour later after performing a simple memory charm on the clerk, Harry walked out with the ring in his pocket.

“Hope she likes the necklace Mr. Potter. Your secret is safe with me!” the old man called out as Harry let the door swing shut.

In the midst of everything…his life being threatened, protecting Draco, starting a new job, dealing with the almost terrible twos of Janie and Ben…he had just bought an engagement ring for Hermione. He had just spent more money on that piece of jewelry than on anything he owned. Considering he had inherited Grimmauld and his godfather's items he hadn't had to buy much. His broom may just well be the next most expensive item he owned.

But, as he walked back to the fireplace, in the store up the street, he felt the uncertainty diffuse to a warm glow, settling within his heart. He had made a decision, an unusually hasty one, but one that felt totally right.

Now, would his purchase be talked about, or even shown, when Hermione wanted to talk that night?

Nerves replaced the warm feeling right away at the thought of marrying someone else and suddenly have another child that was fully in his care. He took a few deep breaths, feeling his thoughts getting ahead of the situation he was currently in, and forced himself to slow down his pace a bit as he approached Draco's office.

Glancing to his right, Harry could see Draco was talking to a man and woman who were sitting next to a child. Somehow, Draco was managing to move on with his Quidditch School and seemed safe for the moment. Harry hadn't noticed anything out of the ordinary or any suspect characters milling around, so he was able to return to the Ministry and write Hermione (who was “out”, according to the secretary) a very boring note about his day.

Twenty minutes was as long as Harry lasted sitting at his desk, not liking the idea of having an expensive piece of jewelry sitting at work, he signed a few papers that had to go out to the team and then floo'd home to hide his gift and drop off the items on Hermione's list.

He wasn't prepared to run into Hermione at home, who had just sent an owl back to Charles. The moment she turned around from releasing Fish out the window, Harry knew what he was going to say when they had their talk that evening. The look of unguarded surprise, then the happy smile that she gave him when he walked into the kitchen cemented the fact that he was truly, unequivocally in love with her.

Managing to hide the small box inside his clock pocket he carefully set down the bag of items, placed his cloak over the chair then walked the few steps to where Hermione was standing, holding out Charles' letter for him to read.

He took it, set it down on the table and pulled Hermione into his arms, and kissed her like he had wanted to early that morning.

(to be continued…hehe)

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A/N: This is short, but I wanted to post something since you all have been so patient. My class is over on the 12^th! I will definitely have more time to write after that. Thanks!

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Chapter 19—Up Against a Wall

“Harry,” Hermione gasped feeling his warm hand slide around to her back. “What's gotten into you?”

“Let's just say,” Harry murmured as he tugged her shirt out of the waistband of her pants, “This is what is going to happen if we have to spar anymore.” He kissed her neck feeling her hands working at the buttons of his shirt.

“So, it wasn't just me?” she whispered, arching against him urgently. Her hands moved to his pants and fumbled with the snap.

“Uh-uh,” was his intelligent reply as he pushed her up against the wall in the kitchen, trying to help her with his pants. She wouldn't give him the room he needed to pull down his zipper so he pulled back, feeling her warmth dissipate for a moment. In those few seconds, where only their mouths were touching, they managed to shed their pants leading to a frenzied adjustment of hands and arms as neither of them had ever done anything so intimate against a wall before. His hand settled on her neck, kissing her in a way that took all the breath from Hermione's body. Her hands grasped his shoulders as she stood on her toes, trying to direct him where to go, that she needed him now.

In a single motion (that showed the workouts he had been taking were beneficial) he pulled her feet off the floor and she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist, crying out as he pushed into her, unfamiliar sensations ripping through her as they explored this new position.

“Harry.” His name was interspersed between their pants and she clutched his shoulders, burying her face in his shoulder feeling the familiar knot forming deep inside a place only he could touch. He responded to his whispered name by kissing her neck simultaneously pushing his hips against hers and grasped her tighter, pressing her up against the cool wall. He could feel a warmth begin to surge through his thighs making him bury himself deeper in her, adjusting her leg as he did so.

Suddenly Hermione's head fell backwards, softly hitting the wall as she strained against him, crying out something he couldn't hear over the pounding his heart. Trying to steady themselves he held her with one arm and placed the other against the wall, not prepared for how powerful her reaction was to him. He could feel the heat of her against--around him--and for a moment everything froze. He was fairly sure he yelled her name, both of them declaring their love for each other until they were conscious of the cool air swirling around their naked lower halves and the shaking of Harry's legs.

“Oh God, Harry,” Hermione panted as she collapsed against him. After a moment, he gently lowered her to the ground, their bodies between the kitchen and dining area. “That wasn't on the list I gave you.”

In that brief second where it was acceptable to think about what she had just said, he knew he had to answer her comment; Harry knew what needed to be done. He reached above them to his cloak distracting his movement by kissing her softly. His fingers wrapped around the box and when he pulled away he looked deeply into her dark eyes.

“Neither was this,” he pressed the black box into her hand and she glanced down, a small frown at the corners of her mouth as she tried to figure out what it was.

Figuring that maybe they should have pants on for this moment, Harry quickly preformed a few charms in the amount of time it took Hermione to pull off the bow. Surprised to feel herself cleansed and clothed she looked at him.

“What did you buy? There's nothing that I-,” she glanced down as she flipped it open, her comment cut short. Nestled in the box was the platinum engagement ring he had fallen in love with. The one carat diamond sparkled as a ray of sunlight falling in the kitchen window touched and bent through the perfectly cut diamond.

Harry had not prepared himself for this moment at all. His mind was still in a fog from what just happened and he found words tumbling from his mouth that were definitely not rehearsed.

“I—Hermione—I wasn't sure what I wanted and for some reason it all hit me as I was sparring with you. I want to be there, to take care of you, and Ben, whenever needed. And when I walked past this ring it was just calling out to me. I couldn't get it out of my head and thinking…that…well,” he paused trying not to get ahead of his thoughts, “…before I saw the ring actually, I kept thinking of what I'd do if those pre-death eaters were to hurt you. How my life wouldn't be happy and that the only thing worth living for would be our kids. And, I realized, I guess, that I just wanted to fit this final puzzle piece into my life.” Harry sat back on his heels watching her as she stared wordlessly at the ring. He forced himself to be quiet for a moment, not quite sure if she was happy or angry; her hair had come out of her bun and was hiding her face.

“Yes,” she finally whispered hoarsely, still not looking up at him.

“Yes what?” Harry asked confused, not aware he asked a question. This time she lifted her face and smiled, tears running down her cheeks.

“I think what you just said was a proposal so I'm saying yes, silly,” Hermione choked out and Harry grinned, feeling a weight lift of his chest. Leaning over he kissed her and both of them fumbled the ring onto her finger where it magically sized itself down to fit her.

“You know,” Harry's voice bent towards laughter as he pushed the stray hair back behind Hermione's ear, “I didn't think our life was complicated enough with children, Janie's magic issues, Charles, Malfoy, those people trying to form another group---so, why not add something else like planning for a wedding?” Harry smiled and caught her as she launched herself into his arms, hugging him fiercely. “Besides, maybe it'll draw them out faster and we can get this whole ordeal locked up and throw away the key; move on with our lives.”

“Let's not plan anything until we can capture them,” she nuzzled his neck and Harry shivered, amazed at how her touch could elicit such a response from him. He savored that moment and nuzzled her neck in response while thinking aloud.

“I hate to say this but we are supposed to be back at work.”

“I think they may understand if we're a bit late,” Harry replied, running a hand through her hair.

“Probably.” Hermione sighed pulling back and kissing him solidly on the lips. “I love you.”

The words rushed straight to his heart and the smile that lit up his face was one that Hermione would never forget. Leaning forward he kissed her tenderly, cupping her face between his hands and whispered it back to her.

“You know, this doesn't get us out of talking tonight,” Hermione whispered against his lips, feeling them curve into a smile.

“AH, well, it was worth a try was it not?” Harry winked at her and she laughed happily.

“You just gave us more to talk about now, Harry.”

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The next two hours were very strange as far as Harry Potter was concerned. The first person to notice the ring was Ron who congratulated them and it took a lot of restraint on Harry's part to not be upset that, soon enough, his best friend would be relaying this information to the very group trying to kill him. Harry and Hermione had to act as if they knew nothing and once the group of Aurors (those who were still in the office) dragged them away for an impromptu celebration, he had managed to push Ron and Ginny's happy reaction to the back of his mind.

It wasn't long before Arthur heard about it and within the hour Molly, George and the remaining Weasley's floo'd into the ministry and congratulated the newly engaged couple. After having a round of firewhiskey's at George's insistence, Harry found himself back in his office, the door locked, kissing Hermione like they had never been together that early afternoon.

“Whaaat?” Hermione groaned as a knock sounded at the door.

“We have a visitor,” a female voice said and right away Hermione and Harry stepped back, knowing that Malfoy was in the building.

“He'd better be congratulating us,” Harry mumbled, running a hand through his hair, trying to make it look a bit tidier. Hermione had thoroughly messed it up only minutes before.

“I doubt it,” Hermione sighed and looked at Harry apologetically. “Our happy moment is over. Time to get down to business.”

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Chapter 20—Moving In

“Congratulations,” Draco Malfoy drawled as his eyes flitted to Hermione's ring finger. “Are you hoping that this announcement will get the death eater wannabe's up and running faster?”

“That wasn't my main reason, no,” Harry answered coldly, fuming inside at the situation he and Hermione found themselves in.

“Baby!” Janie pointed to Scorpio who was sitting happily at Draco's feet eating a biscuit.

Quicker than any 19 month old should, she then brandished her Uncle's wand and practically yelled, “Accio Baby!” and to Draco's surprise his son scooted across the floor a few feet and settled at Janie's chair who laughed with glee. Scorpio, nonplussed, pushed himself into standing position and carefully made his way back to Draco, turning around to stare at Janie as if to ask why he didn't have a wand since she did.

“Why does she have a wand?” Priscilla asked quietly from her spot next to Draco.

“Long story. Doctor's orders basically,” Harry answered then quickly turned to Janie and reprimanded her for using the wand on Scorpio. She pouted then quickly recovered and began showing her new friend toy after toy that Ben brought her from the living room.

“Why don't we get you set in your rooms?” Hermione stood up, pushed her chair away from the table and Harry could tell by her body language that she was just as thrilled as he was to have three house guests drop in on the night they got engaged; especially since no one knew for how long the Potter-Weasley-Malfoy roommate situation would last.

“Thank you again,” Priscilla's soft voice barely carried across the kitchen table as she waved her wand, sending tea cups to the sink. Harry nodded and saw Hermione's shoulders relax slightly. It was hard not to like Priscilla who looked nothing like her cousin, Viktor. Her bright blue eyes rivaled Luna's in their roundness and her dark blond hair hung straight down to the middle of her back. She looked almost perfect in every way except for a small scar that ran down the side of her cheek, almost covered up with makeup.

“We need to keep you safe and right now, this was the fastest place to get you too. Admittedly, we didn't think that there would be any problems this soon into the investigation,” Hermione relented, tiredness ringing through her words.

It was four hours after the Malfoys had arrived at the ministry with Draco in a state of panic that Harry had never seen come from a Malfoy. Someone had apparently tried to get Scorpio out of his mother's home while he and Priscilla worked that day. Aurors that were watching the Malfoy Mansion caught the person, who was refusing to say who sent him. Draco took that threat seriously and minutes later had rounded up his family and called upon Harry and Hermione's promise to protect his young family.

Harry waited until the Malfoys followed Hermione upstairs before he rounded up his daughter and stepson-to-be for their bedtime.

“Baby!” Janie chortled happily and Ben echoed her as they climbed up the stairs with Harry coaching them from behind.

“Yes, his name is Scorpio.”

“Scor-pee-oo!” Ben yelled and Janie tried to imitate him but only managed, “Cori-o!” as Harry shushed them, bending over to help them up the last step. He followed them into Janie's room where she liked to get dressed first, then to Ben's, finally onto the bathroom to try and brush their teeth.

“No more using magic on Scorpio, or Ben, Janie. You know that, okay?” Harry narrowed his eyes slightly and Janie looked down, knowing that she had broken a rule.

“Magic!” Ben repeated loudly. Harry shushed him again and briefly wondered if he was going to be able to handle two children so young and not lose his mind.

“Cori-o!” Janie pointed as the littlest Malfoy walked down to the other bathroom with Draco. Scorpio stopped and fixed his round blue eyes on Janie; and for a moment Harry felt Janie go absolutely still. They stared at each other for a moment then Scorpio grinned, his smile happy and oblivious to the problems his parents were facing. Janie looked up at Harry and held up her arms, indicating she wanted to be held. Puzzled over the sudden quietness that came over Janie he held her against his chest and passed Ben off to Hermione.

Janie acted like her usual self by the time Harry tucked her into bed, but he was still wondering what had happened between the toddlers. He tried to ask Janie what she thought of him, but she just shrugged and stuck her thumb in her mouth.

“Well, good night. I love you,” Harry kissed her forehead and he smiled as he heard her repeat the words around her thumb. As he cracked her door he heard his whispered name.

“Daddy?”

“What?” Harry turned around and saw her little form under her blanket.

“He's funny.”

“Who?”

“Baby.”

“How is he funny?” Harry asked, hoping that this may lead him to an answer.

She shrugged again and gave him a smile. “Cori-o is.”

“It's Scorpio.”

“I said that, daddy.”

“Sure, okay,” Harry sighed and said good night for the second time.

Minutes later Hermione joined him in their bedroom and flopped onto the bed next to him. Together they stared up at the white ceiling, trying to decompress after a rollercoaster of a day.

“Well. We take an extra long lunch, we have sex on the kitchen floor, we get engaged, we end up having the Malfoys as house guests. Now what?” Hermione sighed reaching for Harry's hand. He wound his fingers around hers, absentmindedly running his thumb around the diamond on her finger.

“Well, for one thing, how are we going to keep the kids quiet about who is staying at our house? Lavender doesn't even know and you know Janie will say something about Scorpio.” He told Hermione about the moment that passed between Scorpio and she didn't have any idea as to what it was either.

“Maybe he just hasn't been around other children as much and suddenly realized that they are like him, just a few months older. Anyway, you have a good point about the kids. Maybe we can get a family member to watch them. We can trust Molly or even my parents to not say anything. We'll just have to think of an excuse we can use on Lavender.”

“There's a new strain of wizarding flu that is making its rounds already, even though it's only June. Maybe we can pretend to be the overprotective parents?”

“They would definitely believe that form me,” Hermione laughed.

“And I'll just do what you say, like I always do,” Harry smiled feeling her hand squeeze his. “Anyway back to child care…I think your parents would worry too much. Also, they have a lot on their plate with finding out about Charles and this situation may push them over the edge.”

Harry new that the short moment of silence that followed meant he had made a point she couldn't argue. A rarity so he let himself smile a bit at having thought of something Hermione hadn't.

“True,” Hermione sighed then pushed herself off the bed and began pacing, chewing her bottom lip as she did so.

“Don't beat yourself up over this, Hermione. The Auror's did what they were supposed to do and protected Malfoy's kid.”

“I know that. I just wish I knew what their next move was. I was hoping that Draco could be more help but looks as if that isn't going to work.” She paused and looked out the window where rain was tapping against the glass.

Harry rolled to his side and looked past Hermione out into the dreary night.

“Me too. It still sounds to me as if they don't have much of a plan, and that will help us because you know that this shadow group is making up some of this as they go.”

Seeing her sigh, he got up and stood next to her, wrapping an arm around her waist and feeling her left hand cover his. The cold metal of her ring reminded him that he was now standing with his future wife and the thought that any harm could come to her seared through his soul. He stiffened slightly but Hermione didn't seem to notice.

“I don't think that they hastily thought up the kidnapping plot of McGonagall then Janie. Based on some intercepted coded notes that John got, it sounds as if that was their plan all along.”

“Do you think that maybe we should get her involved and see if we can help them along in this plan? We can try to beat them at their own game?”

“I don't know, Harry. I wish I knew who everyone in this group was then I could figure out how intelligent they are. Some people could see that trap a mile away; some would think that we are falling right where they want us to. I don't want us to get trapped in our game and have one of us get hurt…or worse.”

“I won't let that happen. Not again,” Harry promised fiercely. He heard her intake of breath as she got ready to respond and he shook his head, cutting off her statement. “I'm not just saying that, Hermione. I mean it with all my heart. I'm not going to let anything bad happen especially after what we have been through.” Hermione moved away, ready to contradict his words so Harry quickly changed the subject.

“Right now, we are both so tired we need to go to bed and think straight in the morning.” Harry steered her away from the window, closing the blinds as he did so.

“Harry-,” Hermione began and rolled her eyes as he placed a hand over her mouth.

“No, don't tell me that I can't promise what I want to promise.” He removed his hand and saw her watching him intently, making him push forward. “I'm sorry if it sounds selfish of me, but after everything that I have done and have been through, I just want to settle down and relax. I was just beginning to feel that way with Ginny and then she and Ron were taken from us. I'm sorry if I'm a bit pissed that these Shadow guys have, for lack of a better term, cast a shadow over us, but I can't help what I feel, or what I want.” Harry turned away quickly, pushing his hands through his hair and trying to pull in his anger. He could feel the last few days stress beginning to overwhelm his usual calm demeanor.

“What do you want, Harry?” it was a whisper from right behind him but he didn't turn around.

“What do I want? I want for us to move on together; to merge our family together and add to it; I don't want to have issues hanging over my head and threats being made on my loved ones lives.” Rubbing his hands over his face, he stopped to massage his temples then felt a small pair of hands rubbing his shoulders followed by the still-slightly-strange, (yet familiar and thrilling at the same time) body press up against him, hugging him from behind.

“Me too. I rarely ever hear you ask for something, Harry and when you do I want to be able to give that to you. We will catch this group…all of them! Then, I can give you what you want.” She rested her head against his back and Harry didn't have to turn around to hear the tremor of tears in her voice.

“Hermione…,” Harry began but this time she silenced him with a slight squeeze of her hands on his arms.

“Look at what you gave us, Harry. The entire wizarding world is safer because of what you did at the age of 18, hell, not even 18 at the time. I want to be with you and help you with everything you could want. And if we first need to capture this group in order to get that peace of mind, then we will do it. You promise me that neither of us, nor our family, will get hurt and I promise you we will have a happily ever after.”

The breath Harry didn't realized he had been holding was the only sound in the room as he exhaled, stunned by the turn of the conversation and how much he loved her at that moment. Not being able to say anything, knowing that if she heard the thickness in his voice her tears would start up again, so he could only nod in agreement.

That was all she needed. Silently, she slipped away from him, murmuring it was time for bed.

Indeed by eleven that night everyone was asleep gearing up for the next step in capturing the group that insisted on disrupting Harry Potter's life.

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A/N: So, Merry Christmas everyone. I had an idea slam into me as I waited to meet some friends for dinner and typed this out in an hour. Then I thought, hmm, it doesn't give much away but gives you a glimpse as to what situation the foursome will have to face. So, I thought it wouldn't hurt to insert this in between chapters to give you a taste of what is to come! My present to you, my faithful readers! Also, this chapter was written to Muse's “Map of the Problematique”, “Take A Bow” & “Assassin”—which I played over and over on my IPOD as it fit this scene so well! (Listen to “Assassin” and tell me if that music doesn't make you think of the two of them running and dodging things in this chapter!)

A/N to the A/N: This is why your comments are valued. I thought I explained it well enough above, but obviously I didn't. I'm so sorry! This is a chapter that will happen towards the end of the story, not the next chapter in the series. I was putting this up to offer a tantalizing tidbit of what WILL come for the four of them. They still have a ways to go to go from just having Malfoy and family move in to running from bad people together. So, this is just a glimpse of the future…it just didn't work out as well as I hoped. Anyway, I hope that clears up any confusion I may have caused!

Beginning of the End

There was a great rumbling and Harry dove towards Priscilla, pushing her to the ground as the platform at the top of the stairs gave way under their legs. Scrambling to their feet he grabbed her hand and pulled her behind him, quick to move away from the crumbling walls.

“Which way?” she cried keeping up with Harry's quick turns and leaps. A piece of smoking timber crashed next to them spraying them with sparks as they zig zagged their way down the long hallway.

“No idea. Away from the center of this floor!” Harry skidded to a stop and almost fell forward into a deep gaping hole as Priscilla slammed into the back of him. He teetered forward, heart leaping to his throat as the stone floor twenty feet below him seemed to beckon to him. Harry then felt her hands grab his arms as she steadied and pulled him back.

“Shit! Thanks! We have to turn back. Go to that hallway to the left,” Harry gave her a push and they ran back towards where the walls were crumbling. Thankfully, the entrance to the hallway wasn't blocked and they ducked in it, noticing a door at the end.

“Wait!” Harry pulled her back as she went to open it. He had to yell over the sound of falling timber, rocks and who knows what else that were falling through the roof of the old house. “It could be a trap!”

Harry whipped out his wand and waved the tip over the doorframe, urging the spell to read the area on the other side of the door faster. After what seemed like ages, a green light issued from the tip and soon he and Priscilla were on the other side, the door falling off the hinges as another piece of roof struck the top of the open door. They stood facing a series of windows of what used to be a sun room.

“Now what?” Priscilla yelled stumbling against him as the floor rocked under their feet. A large piece of roof fell to ground, knocking them into the wall. Harry stumbled and fell to his knees. Priscilla yanked his arm and glanced up, pointing. There was a ladder leading to a ledge and a few windows had the glass blown out of them.

“There's a tree branch on that side. Let's go!” she tugged him towards the ladder and with a quickness that was similar to Viktor on a broom she climbed the ladder and paused to help him off the top. Harry kicked his foot free of the last rung only to see the ladder crumble to the floor as the section of the floor it was on gave way.

“We'll have to jump a bit!” she screamed and Harry shook his head, muttering a spell and pointing his wand to the direction of the large oak branch that dangled just out of reach. Ropes coiled out of his wand and wrapped themselves securely around the branch. The house shook and Harry quickly made a circle around the two of them with his wand, feeling ropes secure around their bodies like a harness. The only problem was Priscilla was now pressed up tight against him, as Harry didn't think far enough ahead to give them two separate harnesses. Their movements were now definitely limited.

Someone screamed as the floor gave way and they flew to the floor then stopped with a jerk a few inches short of the windowsill. Priscilla's shoulder slammed against the wall and he heard her scream again, not fear but in pain this time.

“We need to pull ourselves up before the wall gives!” Harry placed his feet on either side of her and motioned for her to do the same and with agonizing slowness they climbed up the wall like careful rock climbers. The smell of smoke stung Harry's nostrils now and Priscilla was coughing as she reached up with her good arm and wrapped it around the windowsill, helping Harry to lift them up and over. It was hard to stand up being tied together but harder as the house began swaying violently. Without any warning, Priscilla leaned forward and they both careened out of the window as the wood gave way, creating a monstrous dust cloud that gathered around them as this time their backs slammed into the trunk, only barely cushioned as Priscilla yelled a softening charm at the last minute.

For a moment they hung there, Harry's back stinging from the impact. They saw the wooden house fall to the ground and flames leaping out of the pile of rubble on the other side.

Hooded figured began rummaging though the end that wasn't burning as Harry nudged Priscilla with his leg to get them turned towards the tree. Again, they began walking up the tree foot by foot, hand over hand on the rope until Priscilla was forced to turn to the side, moving slowly as she and Harry were still connected. She placed a knee on the sturdy branch, then felt Harry place his next to hers.

“Don't move for a second,” Harry hissed in her ear and suddenly the ropes disappeared and, breathing a large sigh of relief, they maneuvered themselves into a sitting position, the green leaves hiding them for the moment.

“I need a second,” Priscilla gasped her hand gripping her right shoulder. Harry nodded and looked around them, trying to figure out what direction Draco and Hermione had run once the floor between them had given way.

“You okay?” he asked a second later realized that she was in a lot of pain.

“I'll live. I'll need someone to pop my shoulder back in though,” Priscilla said quietly, her voice tense with pain and at the situation they were in.

“I'm going to summon my broom. We need to get away from here,” Harry reached up and pulled a twig out of the neck of his shirt and felt a flat spot against his chest. He had put his glasses there, and now they were gone. For a moment he felt panic set in. He was used to not needing them anymore, but they had been on his nose the last month so the shadows wouldn't know that he was slowly taking every advantage he could to fight for his life. Not having to worry about shattered glass in his eye was reassuring but he wondered where they had fallen out.

He summoned his broom at the same time he heard a shout from below.

“What?” Harry leaned forward and looked over Priscilla's shoulder. She held up a pair of muggle binoculars that had been charmed to fit into her jean's pocket.

“It looks…well, I think they found your glasses and, if I'm not mistaken, they look happy.”

“Maybe they'll think I'm dead.” Harry held up his hand hearing the slight woosh of his broom getting closer to him.

“Not sure. They'll need more proof than that,” she charmed the binoculars and placed them in her pocket, taking Harry's help in getting in front of him on the broom.

Carefully, Harry turned away moving within the branches of the tree until he was on the opposite side of it, away from them hooded figures. He heard an explosion and a yell of pain but didn't turn around to see what happened, instead he used the distraction to gain speed and push up through the low lying clouds. Priscilla turned her head towards him and asked where they were going.

“I'm going to circle around. Use those binoculars and see if you can find Hermione and your husband!” Harry turned slowly, not used to extra weight on his broom. She shifted naturally as he circled once, twice, three times going a tad bit lower each time. Finally Priscilla shook her head, and let them hang around her neck, not bothering to shrink them. Harry began to feel a sense of worry settle in his heart; he was hoping to see some sign of them on the ground.

A shudder ran through his broom and suddenly Harry was losing altitude.

“We hit some kind of invisible wall!” Priscilla grasped the broom with her one good hand and Harry wrapped an arm around her waist, not wanting to think what would happen if he let Priscilla die or get hurt. They spun downward and Harry forced the end of the broom up, hoping that that their feet would touch first and they could kind of run into the landing. He shouted his thoughts to her and suddenly the grass rose up to meet them. They managed to run a few steps before the end of the broom hit the grass and both of them went flying head over heels with Priscilla landing on top of Harry, pushing all the breath out of him.

“Someone's coming!” she hissed and reaching into his front jeans pocket she pulled the invisibility cloak out and threw it over them, making sure to pull the broom under them. They laid still, Harry trying not to make noise as he gulped in air and reached up to push Priscilla's hair out of his mouth.

“I saw them go down here!” a familiar voice whispered and in a flash Harry pushed up and rolled Priscilla off of him. The cloak fell away, revealing the back of Hermione and Draco.

“Hey,” Harry called weakly. The two spun around and for a moment all Harry could do was gasp for breath again as this time a familiar body was pressed into his. Only for a moment though as Draco pulled her back. Harry sprang to his feet angry at Malfoy touching her and saw Draco had Priscilla tucked against his side. Hermione grabbed Harry's hand and motioned for him to touch the hubcap Draco held out. A familiar sensation tugged at Harry's navel and a moment later he made a not so graceful landing on his own living room rug.

“What the hell!” Harry sprang to his feet, wondering why Draco had a portkey, bringing them back to the last place the hooded figures would be.

“Listen, Potter,” Draco ordered, carefully setting a banged up Priscilla down on the couch. Hermione rushed over and soon began tending to her shoulder. “They think you are dead for the moment. We saw them find your glasses.”

“They won't find my body, because it's here. Alive, sans glasses only.”

“Right, obviously,” Draco replied wryly. “Your wife managed to get a message to John and Isabel saying they needed something that would pass as human bones, burned, to pass as you. We had to get you out of there before they saw you obviously alive.” Draco looked at him levelly, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. Sense slowly trickled into Harry's sore head. Sighing he rubbed his hand across his messy hair.

“I see. Let them think I am dead and get them at the celebration.”

“You catch on quickly.”

“Don't be an arse Malfoy. I could've let your wife here fall down through the floor you know,” Harry retorted quickly. An expression flitted across Draco's face that Harry had never seen before as he watched him glance in Priscilla's direction.

“Thanks for not doing that,” he said still looking away from Harry who just nodded, knowing that those words were the closest he was going to get to a heartfelt thank you.

“So, what direction did you guys go in?” Harry asked after Hermione stood up and declared Priscilla's shoulder to be as good as new.

“The way we came into that house, but the front door was blocked by rocks that fell from the chimney so we had to crawl up the back stairs and out the porch roof and jump to the ground.”

“Sounds so easy,” Priscilla sighed. “We had to dodge falling stairs, falling timber that were on fire, glass from broken windows, then climb a ladder and tie ropes around ourselves only to jump out of a disintegrating window straight into the trunk of a tree. Then we took a nice spill off his broom. Is it always harder with you than her?” she asked leveling her blue eyes at Harry. Hermione answered for him, nodding her head and letting a small smile grace her lips.

“Now what?” Priscilla asked gratefully taking the glass of water Draco conjured up for her.

“We wait here until I get the signal that John and Isabel set out to accomplish what they wanted to do. Then, when that happens Harry gets to help me write his obituary. How about them apples, Harry?” Hermione touched his cheek, her eyes locking onto his. “You get to play dead twice in your life.”

“Wonderful.” Harry rolled his eyes but hugged her close. He'd much rather play dead a million times over than to lose her or his life.

“I need a shower. Let's all go clean up then get something to eat.” Harry nodded to Draco and led Hermione upstairs fully intending on washing every ounce of soot, dirt and grime off himself and his fiancée.

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A/N: So, I realized I made a mistake. Draco's son's name, according to JK, is Scorpius not Scorpio. So, I will use Scorpius from now on. Once this story is finished, I will pull down chapters that mention him and fix his name.

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Chapter 21—Wheels in Motion

It was close to five in the morning and Harry was the only one awake, strengthening the wards around his house and blocking everyone, sans himself and Hermione, from entering his house via floo. He had thought of the excuse for these actions before making his way downstairs; Ben and Janie were getting dangerously close to figuring out exactly how to use the floo powder and with them both being climbers, they were able to reach the small jar that sat on the mantle. That excuse would definitely work with Molly after the incident Fred and George had when they were two and ended up in someone's fireplace thirty miles away. A noise behind him caused him to spin around, wand pointed straight at Draco's chest.

“Jumpy?”

“No one else in this house gets up at five in the morning and given the circumstances…,” Harry trailed off, pocketing his wand and wondering what the hell he was going to do with the Malfoy family living under his roof. Malfoy was standing there, relaxed, in sweatpants and a t-shirt glancing around the dimly lit living room as if seeing it for the first time.

“Not too bad, Potter,” Malfoy drawled and Harry glared at him.

“Sorry it's not Chateau de Malfoy, but it'll have to do for you now.”

“It was a compliment.”

“Sure.” Harry turned and walked towards the kitchen, feeling the coffee calling out to him and at this early hour, dealing with a Malfoy, he thought that he may need a shot of fire whiskey along with it.

Luckily, Draco wasn't very conversational this early in the morning. They sat at the kitchen table, reading the Daily Prophet and sipping coffee for an hour until Priscilla came down with a wide awake Scorpius. She paused near Draco, resting her hand on his shoulder, but addressed Harry across the table.

“Good morning. Do you mind if I feed him down here?”

“Of course not. Feel free to use anything in the kitchen. Kids cups and silverware are right here,” Harry answered, standing up and opening up a cupboard. Priscilla waved for him to sit down, attempting to balance Scorpius on her hip as she prepared something for him to eat.

“So, what do you have planned, Potter?” Draco asked idly, accepting his son from Priscilla and getting him buckled into the booster seat.

After realizing it was strange to see Draco as a father, Harry forced himself past that and thought for a moment. Much of what was going on was out of his hands and he told Draco that.

“I think it would look suspicious for me to suddenly be more or less accessible than before, so Hermione and I will go about our daily business. We have an interview with Dean Thomas to talk about our engagement but that was to be expected.''

“Sure. Everyone wants to know why the Boy Who Lived is getting married again. That is big news.” Draco's voice took on a sarcastic edge.

“He's right, Draco. It is big news,” Priscilla chimed in and Harry inwardly cringed as she challenged Draco openly. “If it was covered up and got out to the media, then those shadow people would wonder why it was covered up.”

Draco stayed quiet but busied himself with putting a top on a cup for his son's juice.

It was then that Harry realized that Draco had found someone who grounded him but at the same time was opposite of him. Priscilla had been nothing but grateful, quiet and overall a seemingly kind person. Before he could compare the couple even more, he heard Hermione's familiar steps coming down the stairs and as their eyes met he could see her assessing the situation in front of her as quick as her mind could kick into gear.

“What's the next step? Potter seems to think laying low is the answer,” Draco asked Hermione who poured herself a cup of coffee.

“That is part of it. Also, we have aurors stationed in places we know they frequent, including a few at Hogwarts. I really think if their plan is what you said, once they read about our engagement, they will bump things up a notch.”

“They'll feel they are closer to their goal,” Priscilla said knowledgeable, shushing her son as he screeched when Draco attempted to take a bite of his toast.

“Exactly,” Hermione murmured, looking a bit bothered by that fact. All other talk was quelled as Janie came down rubbing sleep out of her eyes. Walking directly to Harry she climbed up and curled into his lap, resting her dark head against his chest. Absently, Harry ran a hand down her hair, flipping through the last of the paper. He suddenly had the sensation that he was being watched and when he glanced up his eyes locked with Draco's. For a moment, Harry felt what Draco was feeling. They both had families now; and both would do anything to protect them.

At this point, dealing with the shadow group was a waiting game.

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The next two days were uneventful. Dean was delayed in returning from a story (he was following a few towns away) and it wasn't until Saturday morning that he was able to sit down with his two friends and get details about their engagement.

Having talked a bit about the future, Harry and Hermione decided to tell Dean they hadn't set a date yet (true) for the wedding; that the engagement was a mutual decision between the two of them (false, but told to Dean mainly so Ron and Ginny wouldn't get suspicious) and that them getting engaged didn't have to do with the fact that the Shadow people were making themselves known (true).

On that Friday, someone managed to break into some small dark arts stores. Alarm charms went off before anything was taken and Hermione spent Saturday evening and Harry spent his Sunday visiting each one to try and see what they had in common. What were these people after? Neither one could find anything that was common except for the fact they were both dark arts related stores. Everyone went to bed that Sunday night feeling uneasy; checking the wards around Grimmauld multiple times helped set everyone's mind at ease…just a bit.

Monday morning Harry found himself reading the article on their engagement as he waited at a healer's office to talk about his glasses. Hermione had tentatively brought up the subject of him doing away with them, in secret. He could easily have his eyesight turned back to 20/20 so he wouldn't have to worry about fighting with them on and risk being injured.

Harry was somewhat torn over this decision. His glasses had been with him since he was nine and had become a permanent fixture in his life. On the plus side, he could see how it would benefit him job wise and it was Draco who casually brought up the subject that if they were in a confrontation with the Shadows, Harry could use his glasses a decoy and still sneak himself away from whatever negative situation he was in. Maybe.

Talking the night before with Hermione about his eye appointment, she admitted to him that she had been surprised that this Slytherin was thinking along the same wavelength at them. Being a Malfoy and not liking to sit and wait, they had chalked it up to the research he was doing. Anyone could tell that Draco was upset at being able to do nothing and was constantly reading, researching and talking about ideas on how to catch the Shadow people. More often than not, over the past three nights Harry and Hermione could hear him and Priscilla quietly talking in the living room as they would head up to bed.

So, it was two hours later when Harry stared at Big Ben across the street, his non-prescription glasses lifted off his face, with a clarity he never remembered before his glasses. Hermione had thanked him quite nicely for going through with the procedure and as they pulled apart breathless behind their closed office door, he realized it was definitely worth it.

Their private moment was interrupted when a memo skidded under the door, announcing that Charles was waiting to see Hermione. For the past few chaotic days Harry had forgotten about him and realized that he probably just found out about the engagement. Drs. Granger were insisting on having a family dinner the following Saturday to celebrate, and since Charles was now family they were sure he was included.

“You know, he hasn't met them yet,” Harry mentioned as they walked down to the waiting room.

“True. But, do you think it's wise? What if they go and mention him to someone?” Hermione spoke almost in code, not wanting anyone to overhear what Ginny and Ron were charmed to do; to tell the dark arts painter what was going on in the Auror office.

“He probably doesn't need to see them yet. Although, eventually, he is going to realize that being a Granger isn't an easy thing.” Harry gave a slight smile as she playfully smacked him in the arm and then paused outside the room where Charles was waiting.

“What if he asks to see my office? We'll have to walk by the portraits; he knows that they are there.”

Harry put his hand on the doorknob before he addressed Hermione. “I don't think the Shadows are going to do anything to him. Ultimately, it's me and my daughter they want. No one has to know you and Charles are related, Hermione. He has a different last name and Ron knows you worked with many people at St. Mungo's. The less information we give the better.”

Hermione nodded, fixed a smile on her face and walked past Harry to greet her cousin. They made small talk in the waiting room, Charles asking after Janie, enthusiastic about her recovery, but warned Harry that she may become a bit stressed and revert back to having episodes once Hermione became a permanent fixture in her life. Talking with Charles was a pleasant diversion from their stressful lives; they had found out the Ministry had hired him to perform physicals on incoming workers and he was familiarizing himself with the magical underground facility.

He never asked to see their office, having to leave and tend to his first appointment of that afternoon. An hour later Harry and Hermione found themselves back in their office pouring over reports which were coming in fast and furious about sightings of possible Shadows.

It looked, based on their movements, that they were making slow progress towards Hogwarts. It was the beginning of June and Harry was determined to try and hold them off for the next month, not wanting them to get near students at the school.

He remembered last time what happened when a war broke out at Hogwarts and he wasn't prepared to lose any more friends or loved ones.

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A/N: SO sorry about the time between updates. Have you ever just not wanted to type anything? Between classes, household duties, cleaning out my house, that's where I was. I apologize! But, my mind is fresher now and there won't be months between updates from now on <crosses heart>. Now, onto the next chapter, which will pull us into the final chapters of the story!

The Plan

“Since she'll be adjusting to a different environment, don't be shocked if her magic goes a little…awry,” Charles explained to Molly who was meeting him for the first time. Molly let out a belly laugh and her eyes twinkled.

“It can't be worse than when Fred and George were young!” Molly's laughter stopped short as she remembered her son, feeling Hermione slide an arm around her shoulders while she talked quietly.

“It's okay, Molly. Just think, George is going to be a father at the end of the year and I'm sure his child will be just like him and Fred.”

“I know,” Molly sighed sadly, giving Charles an apologetic smile, “my life has altered so much. Sometimes I don't know which way is up anymore.” She turned towards Hermione, a new thought showing in her eyes.

“However, I do know the perfect place to have your and Harry's wedding, Hermione!” Molly pulled Hermione to the side and began going through her list of magical places that would offer their services to the future Mrs. Harry Potter.

“Is she always so…motherly?” Charles asked as he popped another biscuit in his mouth.

“Always.” Harry smiled thinking of all the times he was fattened up when he'd come and stay over the summer. That led him to think of Hogwarts and for some reason that led to Draco, who was still hiding out at Grimmauld. He and Hermione had tried to give the small family some privacy but Draco was getting antsy, wanting to leave, but knew it wasn't the safest plan to do so.

“Harry? Are you ready?” Hermione managed to disentangle herself from Molly and hurried to Harry's side.

“Stay!” Ben demanded barreling into the room and grabbing Hermione's legs.

“Please?” Janie begged, taking a more emotional approach and beseeching with her eyes at her father.

“They can spend the weekend here if they want to. We can talk about what we are going to do when they stay during the day while you work,” Molly bent down and picked up Janie, being the lighter of the two. “Do you want to stay?”

“YES!”

Within seconds it was decided the children would stay. After bidding Charles good bye Hermione and Harry floo'd back to his house, finding Draco and Priscilla lounging on the sofa watching the television.

“I never pegged you for watching the telly,” Harry told Draco noticing that Scorpius was asleep in his mother's lap.

“Some of the Muggle shows aren't too bad,” was the only response he received. After bidding them goodnight, Harry and Hermione headed upstairs.

“Are you ready for tomorrow?” Hermione asked quietly, slipping between the sheets next to Harry.

“As ready as I'll ever be,” Harry tucked his hands under his head and stared at the ceiling. “You really think the Shadow's haven't a clue that we know where they are hiding out?”

“Who would think the Shrieking Shack, Harry? Really?” Hermione turned towards him and tucked her hands up between her cheek and pillow. “I didn't even believe John when he said that they were hiding there. Right under our noses!”

“Good thing we have enough aurors to spread out among the countryside so they don't suspect,” Harry murmured, jerking when he felt Hermione's hand rest on his chest.

“Don't worry. We have all precautions in place.”

“Draco wants to come you know. I heard him telling Priscilla.”

“I know, but we can't let him. His emotions will get in the way,” Hermione reached up and turned Harry's face towards her.

“He's good with a wand though and I think we may need all the help we can get.” Harry searched her eyes mentally conveying that wanted her to stay back and not take a chance on losing her life. With a narrowing of her eyes, she made it clear that his desire wasn't an option this time.

“We're getting our plan together, Harry, in the next few days. It's going to be fool proof. By this time next week, they'll be gone.”

“Definitely, especially since I have something to say about it,” Harry leaned over and kissed her, grunting as she slid on top of him and pushed the air out of his lungs.

“Let's not think about them for a bit, hmm?” Hermione whispered in his ear, her hands moving towards his hips. Smiling in agreement, Harry let Hermione occupy him until both lay gasping on the bed, trying to pull some coherent thoughts together.

“I can not wait until that's all we have to worry about,” Hermione sighed, her head tucked against his shoulder.

“What?” Harry's hand drew lazy circles around her bare shoulder, his mind pleasantly numbed.

“You and I. Doing that. Raising the kids. Having a wedding. Possibly more children.”

“Well,” Harry turned towards her slightly. “If all goes according to plan, this time next week we can talk and plan all that.”

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“Malfoy, you can't go with us,” Hermione answered early Monday morning as she and Harry got their bags together for work.

“I'm dying here,” he practically whined, then checked himself knowing he sounded like a child.

“If you want to do something productive then watch the news. See if anything out of the ordinary has happened in the last few days. Send a confidential note to your mother and let her know you're still alive and kicking,” Harry offered, zipping up his bag and hefting it onto his shoulder.

“Let's do that, Draco. And, I can work on our glamour charms and maybe we can take Scorpius out to the park.”

“I don't want you messing with my looks,” Draco told Priscilla briskly walking past her into the living room. Giving a slight eye roll to Hermione, she followed her husband while waving goodbye to them over her shoulder.

“Kids are settled at Molly's. Let's get to work. We have a meeting in five minutes.” Harry glanced at his watch, took Hermione's hand and they disapparated into the Ministry of Magic.

By nine in the morning Harry was going over some self defense moves with the two new aurors they had hired. Upstairs, Hermione started handing out assignments on who was covering what part of the Shrieking Shack property and how long they were to stay on their shift.

“Hermione, I can handle more than six hours staking the place out,” John said evenly, pushing back his long blond hair and securing it with a rubber band.

“I need you and Isabella fresh. I need everyone on their toes, alert…you know that. Six hours a shift. Harry and I will be taking a shift too. We have more than enough people to handle that, John.”

“Still,” he mumbled but backed off as his girlfriend laid a hand on his arm.

“We volunteer to go first,” Isabella stated as she moved a bit closer to John.

“Okay. I'll give you that.” Hermione made a few notes on her parchment and continued assigning everyone times until they had the next two days of surveillance on the Shrieking Shack covered.

She dismissed everyone, but John hung back, nodding to Isabella to continue without him which Hermione took notice of. She waited until everyone filed out of the room, intent on getting down to business.

“Something wrong, John?”

“No. I just had a thought I wanted to run by you. Please hear me out before you say no?”

Cocking an eyebrow, Hermione gestured to the seat next to her, closing the door with a wave of her wand.

“I'll try.”

John smiled slightly then launched into his theory, without Hermione interrupting once.

Silence ensued as John finished talking and he fidgeted, waiting to hear his boss's reaction to his idea.

“Well, you know I hold you in the highest regard, as I do Harry with this job. Everyone one of you has earned that from me, but you two are the hardest workers if only by the barest amounts.” Turning to face him she prepared to admit that he was correct. “So, since you and Harry have come up with the same idea, and I'm sure it wasn't planned to gang up on me because I would've known about that, I think that maybe we can use Draco Malfoy to help us in this effort.”

John bit back a smile but his eyes lit up excitedly as he realized Hermione was about to use his idea.

“After Harry is done his lesson and has assigned the two aurors to their jobs, I will talk with him about it. We also need to talk with Malfoy too. Though, I don't doubt he'd be in from the get go.”

“Great. Just let me know if you want him to hang with me. I assume you know where he is?” John stood up, knowing it was time to head off to his and Isabella's shift.

“We do. And when the plan falls in place on what exactly Malfoy will be doing, Harry or I will let you know. Good luck today, John. Stay safe.”

Hermione stood up with him and they shook hands warmly. She headed back to her office to jot down some ideas on what role Draco would be able to play in capturing the very group that threatened his family's life.

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