Disclaimer: Not mine.
AN: I apologize for taking so long to post this chapter! However, be prepared for tension, lots of tension.
Chapter 3: The Sneak
Yesterday had started out just like any other day. I wasn't particularly anxious about anything; all of my cases with my department had ended and-at least for the moment-I was free to come and go as I pleased. Naturally, this meant that I had to arrive on time as always.
After dropping off Rose and Hugo with a very flustered apron-wearing Ginny, I apparated with a pop into the Ministry of Magic, still juggling my morning cup of tea and the large stack of paperwork I had taken home for some light reading.
Acknowledging the bustling witches and wizards around me with a mild frown, I made my way to the elevators while pushing the crowd out of the way with my elbows. I didn't reserve much patience for the dense population of Ministry employees that chose to linger in the Atrium; it was better that I got to my office before my temper exploded.
But my office wasn't the refuge I had hoped for. After Harry had helped Ron patch up our roof last weekend, I had been aching for the chance to see him again. Some part of me insisted that my vague longing was inappropriate, but I was convinced that I simply missed talking to him. After all, we hadn't done very much of that lately, especially with our families always in tow.
I don't remember when I made the decision to illegally breach the Auror department, but sometime around the lunch hour I found myself creeping down their hallway poorly concealed by a Disillusionment charm I had performed on myself.
It was unnecessary, really. But I wanted to talk to Harry without worrying about anyone running off to tell Ron about it. He still had his jealous moments, poor man. But I felt guilty as I tried to convince myself that his jealously was completely irrational. Some part of me knew it wasn't.
I found Harry sitting alone at his desk, fiddling with his quill as he stared glumly at a pile of paperwork. His inbox must have been a foot high. And the outbox? Empty. So very Harry.
I crept up behind him without him noticing anything, but when I reached my hands out and covered his eyes, my plan fell apart. "Hermione," he whispered, a smile in his voice as he turned around to face me. "Still the brightest witch of your age if you got past my wards."
I released the spell, appearing before him and grinning broadly. "I'd only ever be so motivated to visit you, Potter," I laughed, reaching forward and wrapping him in a tight hug. "I've missed you."
His arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer to him. I could feel his cool breath against my cheek and his lips at my ear. "You've been a stranger lately," he whispered, pulling me closer still as I tried not to shiver under his touch.
I pulled back in his arms and shrugged. "We've been busy with the kids. Hugo has started refusing to bathe and Rose won't stop trying to hex him every time he comes near her."
His laugh was genuine. "Oh, what's a godfather to do?" he exclaimed, hugging me once more. "For what it's worth, Gin and I have had our hands full with James and Lily."
"And the baby," I added, nodding against his shoulder in sympathy. Ginny was already several months pregnant with their next child.
He sighed in agreement. "And the baby. If only I could get a minute's rest between it all!"
I laughed, nestling myself deeper into his embrace. His fuzzy Weasley sweater tickled my nose. He smelled wonderful. I had forgotten how comforting his hugs were.
"Hermione?" he queried after a moment, looking down at me.
"Mmm?"
And then his hand was resting on my stomach, rubbing it gently. I looked down at it, then up at him, a thousand questions in my eyes.
"Sometimes I wish…" he trailed off. A minute of silence passed before he sighed and took a step away, stretching and looking up at the clock in his office. "I guess I wish I'd see more of you and Ron around our house. Maybe dinner this week, yeah?"
Maybe I had imagined the whole thing. Maybe he hadn't been about to-
"Yeah, sure, Harry. That sounds great."
"I'll let Ginny know," he smiled. Were his eyes duller than usual? I couldn't tell. "Listen," he said suddenly. "I've got to get going. We've set up an apparition window and I've got a team heading out in a couple of minutes. I really need to be with them."
Something was off. He was avoiding looking at me. "Wait-before you go, tell me something."
"What's that?"
"How did you know it was me in your office?" I asked, truly curious.
He looked down at his quill again, picking it up and twirling it awkwardly. I almost thought he hadn't heard me, but then his eyes met mine, burning with an emotion I didn't want to place. He smiled sadly, slowly. "Who else smells like vanilla and Hogwarts?" he breathed before disappearing with a pop.
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