A/N: I've been so motivated to get this story going! I'm also very grateful for the reviews and all of the follows this story has gotten so far! Puts pressure on me to not suck, haha.

Years From Now

Chapter 2

August 13, 2008

Harry Apparated in the back of the building for Granger and Granger Dentistry on Wednesday afternoon as planned, extremely grateful to see that no one was around to witness the sudden appearance of a man from thin air.

Jean and Robert Granger had been delighted when Harry called them on Monday to ask them to lunch and agreed right away; when he mentioned it would just be him as he wanted their opinion on a surprise for Hermione, marked interest melded with their happiness to see him. Hermione's parents were extremely fond of Harry, especially Jean. They had heard about him from their daughter since age 12, and the mentions of him only grew in number with each passing year (as did the concern while they had been at Hogwarts). Jean had been a bit surprised when Hermione had informed them at age 19 that she was dating Ron and not Harry, if only due to the fact that, between the two boys, Harry's name was the one to pass from her child's lips more frequently. Consequently, while Mrs. Granger liked the red head and had vocally supported Hermione's decision to date him, she predicted internally that the romantic relationship would not last due to too many differences in persona. Jean had been right, of course, when Hermione and Ron broke up about a year after getting together but she did not express her thoughts.

Accordingly, when Hermione came to her parents at (nearly) age 23 and informed them she was dating Harry, Jean had been notably pleased. She knew her daughter cared for her dark haired friend in such an unconditional way that it was hard to put into words the real depth of their relationship, but Mrs. Granger knew it would bode very well for a lasting romantic relationship. And while the two friends had had a definite period of discord and estrangement during their time together, it was six years later and they were going as strong as ever as a couple. What was more, Harry obviously made Hermione happy and treated her like she was his entire world, which is all a parent could really ask for in a child's partner.

The Auror looked around dutifully before moving quickly out of the well kept alley and heading to the front, putting his hands in his pockets. (Once again, he was dressed in his Auror uniform clothes, which included a white dress shirt, black vest, black slacks, and boots, but had left his robes in his office). Robert's and Jean's practice was 30 minutes outside of London and was, in fact, a newer practice- or at least it was in a new location. They had been in a different setting before Hermione erased their memories, and, when they had regained all of the information about their former lives during a process that had taken eight weeks to successfully perform, they had been rather invigorated by the idea of restarting their dentistry.

There were a couple of steps leading up to the glass door of Granger and Granger Dentistry and Harry took them two at a time, removing his right hand from his pocket to grab the handle as he peered inside. A mother and her adolescent son were the only people in the waiting room but neither was paying attention to the daytime talk show that showed on the television that was perched above their heads. Harry approached the reception desk and smiled when the woman behind it looked up to see the office's new arrival. Her smile, in turn, widened considerably.

"Harry! Hi!" the worker greeted merrily.

"Hello Amber," he replied amicably.

"Haven't seen you round here in a while!"

"Yes, it's been some time."

"How are you? How've you been?" Amber posited, still beaming at him.

"I'm good, I've been good. Never a dull moment with work," Harry responded, "How about you?"

"I'm great! I'm going on holiday in two weeks to visit family in Pakistan, and I had a showcase at a gallery a couple nights ago. It went well, I think."

"Both sound great. And a showcase is a big deal!"

"It's my second," the young woman nodded, preening from his remark.

"You should let Rob and Jean know about your next one and Hermione and I will try to make it," the wizard mentioned. Amber's face lit up even more and she leaned forward unconsciously.

"That'd be wicked!"

Amber was 23 and worked in the dental office by day and, by night and on weekends, she was an artist who had started to pick up traction. She was also under the impression that Harry and Hermione worked for the government in important but enigmatic positions, and she had a fairly evident crush on The Boy Who Lived.

"You're good. You deserve support." Harry said, gesturing to a piece of hers that hung on a wall to their left. Amber's grin looked like it was in danger of splitting her face in half.

"Would you like me to call doctors Granger?" she asked a bit breathlessly.

"If you'd be so kind."

"Of course!"

She picked up her phone and paged Hermione's parents to reveal that he was present, smiling at him all the while. The mother in the waiting room had not looked up from her magazine but the teenaged boy was looking at Harry in interest, or it may have been distaste as he had been watching Amber in a hopeful manner before Harry had arrived.

Robert and Jean came from the back quickly and both wore smiles as they walked into their lobby and spotted their daughter's boyfriend.

"Harry!" Mrs. Granger uttered, reaching out for him.

"Mrs. Granger," he noted, going to give her a small hug, "Jean."

"How are you, Harry?"

"Rob. I'm really good!" He shook Mr. Granger's offered hand after releasing Jean.

"You look well." Jean attested.

"Thank you." Harry said.

"How long do you have to eat?" Robert wondered.

"About an hour and half."

"Then we'll have you out in an hour! I know of a place right nearby; it's a cafe."

"Oh, yes! You'll love it," his wife added.

"Great," the Auror nodded, allowing Mr. Granger to lead the way.

"Bye Harry! See you next time!" Amber bid as the trio walked out. This earned a wave from the wizard and the receptionist sighed wistfully once all three had exited the building.

Harry pondered when he should reveal that he was planning to ask Hermione to marry him as he sipped the freshly squeezed strawberry-lemon juice that Jean had ordered for the three of them. She was currently talking about a trip she and her husband had taken to Hermione's grandmother's house over the weekend and he did not want to interrupt her or change topics so abruptly as they were still catching up with one another. Right after the waiter had taken their food orders (and Harry requested another juice because of how refreshing it was), the focus of conversation turned to him and an opening for the proposal introduced itself.

"So, Harry, what's new with you?" Robert inquired.

"Er, not too much!," Harry began, sitting a tad straighter, "Still being a godfather, still playing the role of a good Auror… things I enjoy but nothing new and different."

"Magic is a part of your life every day- somehow, I find it hard to believe nothing new and different happens for you!"

"The dark haired wizard grinned humbly.

"And how is our daughter treating you?" Jean posited, smiling. He looked at her with a happy expression before answering:

"Wonderful, as always."

Harry's heart started to beat faster and the shrunken ring box that was nestled in his left boot suddenly seemed quite heavy. Was now the time? So soon into their lunch?

"She seems to be eager over her new position." Robert stated.

"Yes, definitely. But so eager that I have to remind her to stop working at times," mentioned Harry.

"Oooh, that woman!" Mrs. Granger chided.

"I'm glad you're there to make sure her brilliance doesn't carry her away, Harry," her husband added. The Auror nodded, heart speeding up further.

"I'll always be there," he remarked. Jean looked fondly at him before redirecting the gaze to her partner.

"And, actually, that's the main reason why I asked you two to lunch today- about me being there for Hermione." Harry continued. The witch's parents looked puzzled as the wizard bent down to retrieve the box from his boot, using nonverbal magic to restore it to its original size under the privacy of the table. He resurfaced and peered at them and they gazed right back.

"What do you mean?" Jean wondered, rightfully still confused.

"Well, the surprise I mentioned, the one I want your opinion for..." Harry commenced. He then placed the box in the middle of the table without another word, continuing to watch them.

Surprise blossomed on both of their faces and Mrs. Granger reached out to pick it up and open it after a few, long moments. She gasped when she did so and saw the ring inside.

"Goodness, it's beautiful!" she noted, staring at it.

"Is it for her birthday?" Robert inquired, watching it in captivation just like his wife was.

"No." Harry negated. The older couple immediately looked up at him and they all stared at each other for a stint (Harry, with bated breath) before the wizard spoke once more.

"I always want to be there for Hermione. I want to marry her... and I want to know what you think."

Jean dropped the box as both hands went to her mouth and she let out an "eep!" while Robert's eyes widened and his mouth fell open.

"Marry?" Mr. Granger repeated in an awed voice.

"Yeah. That's the surprise." Harry attested, giving a shy grin. There was only a couple of seconds of silence following this before the Grangers exploded with noise.

"Oh my! Harry! Oh!," Jean uttered, tears springing in her eyes and beginning to gesture frantically with her hands, "Oh, of course! A surprise! This is your surprise! It's fantastic! Yes! Yes, we are completely for this!"

"Yes. Indisputably. Yes!" Robert supplemented, a huge grin breaking out on his face.

"We think this is wonderful! You want to marry our Hermione! Oh my goodness!"

"Yes, yes I do," Harry confirmed, his grin losing its shy quality, "And I'm so glad you approve!"

"Of course we do! She loves you! We love you!" Robert replied. (The Auror felt his heart expand at this statement).

"Ugh, look at this ring!," Jean declared, sniffing as she rapidly picked up the box and brought it to eye level again, "It's perfect! Just perfect, Harry!"

"I bought it on Monday but spotted it a few weeks ago. Ron also likes it." Harry reported. He laughed once and ran a hand through his hair.

"She'll adore it. And she'll say yes- no question."

"Ron also said that!"

"When do you plan to propose?" Robert asked. He put an arm around his wife's shoulders and looked at his potential, future son-in-law with immense pride.

"I'm not entirely sure when. I need to plan the proposal first!... and I was hoping I could get your thoughts about that as well? Er, I'm not necessarily the best when it comes to creative, personal plans," the wizard relayed.

"Of course!"

"What were you thinking?" Jean pondered.

"I wasn't! At least not successfully," Harry revealed, earning another smile from Mr. Granger and a laugh from Mrs. Granger, "I want it to be special, though, naturally. Maybe… maybe capture some of who she is."

"Hmm, who she is…"

The three were quiet for an extended period as they considered unique possibilities for a marriage proposal.

"You know, there was something I wanted to do for her- for a birthday- since she was 12, when she first went to Hogwarts! It never worked out because all her subsequent birthdays were spent at the school, and by the time we were reunited and she finished Hogwarts, the idea seemed a little too late because of how much older she was." Robert shared. He had the interest of the other two right away.

"What was the idea, sweetheart?" his wife prompted.

"A scavenger hunt. It's interactive, would require her to use that lovely brain of hers-"

"And she loves figuring things out." Harry interjected carefully, feeling a reaction collect in his stomach.

"Very much! The clues could lead her to the ring, or they could lead her to you, or could lead her to you holding the ring…" Mr. Granger remarked. Jean inhaled.

"Rob, it's wonderful!" she complimented.

"It's great. It's a great idea! I love it!" The wizard was smiling widely and nodding, his reaction having unfolded into stark contentment. It truly was a splendid idea and he knew he would adopt it.

"Good! Any way I can be of help for this, I'm willing!" Robert noted.

"I just can't believe this!," beamed Jean, shaking her head, "I'd always hoped and believed you'd eventually want to marry her, as I had a gut feeling it would be no one but you- I mean, really, Harry, who could possibly compare to you in her eyes?- but now it's happening!" Harry wondered if his face was going to permanently stick from smiling so frequently, especially as he knew there were many more smiles to come in relation to this particular topic.

"You'll keep us in the know more about your plans?" Mr. Granger posited.

"Merlin, of course! How could I not?," the Auror attested, "Thank you both."

"Thank you, Harry, for loving our daughter so fully."

"She started it; I just followed her lead."

Robert squeezed the other man's hand firmly and shook it a bit while Jean watched, the tears back in her eyes.

"My! A promotion, a proposal, and a birthday! Hermione is never going to forget this summer!" Mrs. Granger exclaimed.

The rest of their lunch date had been exceedingly enjoyable and Harry returned to the Ministry on time with his girlfriend none the wiser of his meeting with her parents. Consequently, Saturday found him attending another luncheon, or more accurately brunch-in, and this time Hermione accompanied him. Harry had reached out to Ginny the day before seeing the Grangers and informed her he needed to convene with her to discuss something significant. Ginny agreed and suggested he come to the Burrow that weekend and kill three birds with one stone: have the discussion, visit with Molly (as he had not done so for a few weeks), and eat Mrs. Weasley's exceptional food; Ginny also directed that he bring Hermione. The dark haired wizard had acquiesced to her proposition and recognized he would merely have to get Ginny alone at a certain point so he could talk to her about his plan to marry their brunette friend.

Hermione stayed the night at Harry's on Friday, arriving an hour later than the originally stated time due to work hold ups, and they Apparated to the Weasley home together late into the next morning. The couple had enjoyed their night together as Harry's cheeky demeanor made Hermione forget all about work demands, and they were still in a playful mood when they appeared at the edge of the small yard at the front of the house.

"Okay. We're here now. Compose yourself," she directed, turning to face him and struggling to stop a noticeable grin from showing. He had started to attempt to grab at her but drew his head back at her words.

"Compose myself? You do know we're at the Burrow and not on trial for the Wizengamot, right?" Harry asked, smirking.

"Either way! Let's get inside and greet everyone."

"Yes ma'am."

She reached for and took his hand, walking them toward the the front door. He followed obediently but only a few seconds had passed before his smirk became broader and he was grabbing at her again. He lurched forward and managed to trap her hand underneath his, pulling her back right against him and locking an arm around her middle.

"Harry!" Hermione uttered, staggering once.

"Yes?" the Auror said, grinning into her hair.

"I can't walk properly!"

"Ah, so I was a little rougher on you last night than I intended!" he muttered in her ear before biting it.

She gasped and knew her face had colored. Doing her best to not smile so obviously, she wrenched out of his hold after intense wriggling and tried to rush away from him. However, Harry still held onto her hand and followed, and when Hermione turned to face him, trying to look serious, he dashed toward her and grabbed her in his arms again, propelling them forward until her back made contact with the exterior of the house. An unwanted, amused squeak escaped her throat.

"Harry, stop it," the witch demanded, looking into his face. His stupid, smiling, stupidly handsome face. Her own smile was difficult to force away.

"What am I doing?" he pondered, a hand dropping below their waists.

"Behaving like a five year old! Is this how a senior Auror acts?"

"You smeared Nutella all over my cheek early this morning! Is that how the head of a Ministry department acts?"

Hermione failed at containing her snort and continued to fight the smile from commandeering her countenance.

"You deserved it," she asserted.

"Oh, I did, did I?," Harry replied, "Well then you deserve this!" The hand that had fallen below the beltline had craftily found its way underneath her sundress, and the brunette let out a loud yelp when she felt him heartily smack the left side of her butt.

She began to say his name in earnest protest again but he did not allow her the chance. Hermione had only gotten the first syllable out before he covered her mouth with his and pressed her further into the building, leading them into a passionate kiss straightaway with no pretense. She quickly forgot about admonishing him and moaned helplessly into the kiss as he continued to grope her backside, his right hand going above her head to brace them. They both closed their eyes and she distantly thought covering his face in cocoa spread may have been a genius move on her part.

She clearly forgot where they were while Harry had apparently never cared because the differences in their reactions to being interrupted were drastic.

"Oh! Er... well! I can see you two are in the middle of something!," a very familiar voice announced, "Nip back out in a minute, shall I?"

Hermione speedily pulled away from Harry's lips and shoved his hand from under her dress, inhaling audibly as she reddened without delay. He swiftly pulled back before turning to his right to where the person stood, but none of the embarrassment that had jolted her seemed to affect him because he smiled amicably in the next moment.

"Mr. Weasley!" the Auror hailed. He raised a hand (the one that had been fondling his girlfriend) in greeting and took two steps away from her.

"Harry! Great to see you!," the Weasley patriarch said, nodding, "Hermione! Hello."

"Arthur," the witch peeped, still rooted from her embarrassment. Arthur smiled knowingly.

"Sorry about that! We were just, er, getting it all out before we stepped inside." Harry revealed. He received a sharp slap to his upper arm and the older man laughed.

"Why didn't you come round back? I only figured you two were at the front because I saw your names at 'home' on the clock but, when I checked the back garden, I didn't see you," he relayed. They both opened their mouths to speak but Arthur was continuing on.

"Ah, no matter! Come, come inside!," Mr. Weasley directed, motioning for them, "Molly's nearly finished with the food!" Hermione finally moved and took Harry's hand again, following the older red head and striving to look dignified as though she had not just been caught by a father figure making out like a fifth year.

Mrs. Weasley gave the pair her usual, motherly, slightly smothering greeting when they walked into the kitchen. She fussed over them succinctly yet efficiently before Ginny walked in and welcomed the couple with hugs. Molly gave them dishes to take outside to table in the back garden and Ginny let them know, as they marched outside, that only Percy and his family would be joining them. Sure enough, fifteen minutes after Harry and Hermione arrived, the third eldest Weasley child, his wife, and two daughters had made their entrance and all nine people present sat down for an enjoyable brunch.

It was pleasant catching up with Percy since he was the Weasley child Hermione and Harry saw the least, even though he was the only one whom worked with them at the Ministry. Hermione was the focus of attention for some time due to her recent promotion, and this served Harry nicely as he plotted an opportunity to sneak away and speak to Ginny in private about his proposal. The chance came when Audrey sat speaking with her parents-in-law, the young witches were screeching and playing catch with one another, and Percy and Hermione were having an ardent conversation about being Heads (Percy as the Head of the Department of Magical Transportation).

"Fancy a chat? In the house?" Harry questioned, leaning in toward her. Ginny nodded, looking intrigued, and they both grabbed an empty dish to take inside in order to look less suspicious.

"All right, what's going on Harrison?" the witch asked when they stood in the kitchen (and he had cast Muffliato).

"When are you going to stop calling me that?" he wondered, smiling in disbelief. The nickname she had given him nine years previously, during the time they had been together, was still going strong.

"When we both die."

The Auror laughed, shaking his head.

"Well, get on with it! You were vague in your letter regarding what you need to talk about but I know it's about Hermione and I know it's big." Ginny urged, sounding fairly eager, "If it weren't, you would've brought it up in front of everyone."

"Yes to all of it." Harry confirmed, showing a half smile as he reached into his right pocket. Once again, the ring box was shrunken and on his person; he had been doing this every day since he bought it and still had not come across a place he deemed suitable enough to store it. Perhaps he would simply do this until he popped the question….

Casting a cautious glance to the room's entrance, he used his wand to reinstate the box to its natural size and held it out to her. Ginny reared her head back in surprise but took it and opened it. Her eyes widened when she saw the ring inside and her breath stuck in her throat, a hand going to her neck. It took her awhile to tear her gaze away from the piece of jewelry and peer at him, but he was looking at her steadfastly when she did.

"I'm going to ask her to marry me, Gin," stated Harry.

The red head felt a large wave of emotion wash over her as she stared at him. When she felt the telltale sign of water forming in her eyes, she looked back down at the ring. It was stunning, unassuming and stunning. Ginny felt the corner of her lips lift up as she touched the sapphire with her index finger. It appeared as though it was made for Hermione and of course Harry would recognize this, and choose it for that reason. She continued stroking it but did not fully notice her smile may have looked sad to anyone looking at her. The memory of a younger Ginny, one who had existed for years, rushed its way to the forefront of her mind while she admired the ring.

Unconsciously and silently, she lamented for this younger Ginny. The Ginny who had felt deeply for the man standing in front of her, the one who had been in young love. The Ginny who had believed Harry would never want any woman but her and found comfort in that belief. That Ginny had dreamed that Harry would present her with a ring one day and want to be her loving husband. And that Ginny had been devastated for a month following the break up from Harry, confused as to how they had gotten to a point where everything she had hoped for had been crushed.

But younger Ginny had turned to permanent dust in the wind when she learned, much later, that Hermione and Harry had started dating. And that Ginny seemed to disappear instantaneously when she discovered her best friends were a couple, perhaps because it seemed so right between them that it was baffling no one had suggested they date before. They seemed so right. They were so right- together. And so younger Ginny was no longer a factor to current Ginny, but as the youngest Weasley child inspected the ring that Harry had offered, it also seemed unfair to not acknowledge that younger Ginny had existed, and for so long.

Emotions were funny things.

"Good," the witch murmured. She cleared her throat and tried again, gazing up at him, "Good, Harry." The smile she flashed him was radiant. He grinned in return, accepting the box back.

"If she were a piece of jewelry, she would be that ring," she added. The wizard laughed.

"I want her to be as in love with it as everyone else has been so far." Harry attested.

"Who've you told?"

"Ron, her parents, and now you. I imagine I'll tell Neville but that's it, since Ron surely told Luna. I don't want too many people knowing before I propose; it's much easier to have it spoiled that way."

"Understandable. Although, my parents will be hurt beyond all reason if they're kept in the dark about this, especially mum! You two are their other children so they'll take it as a personal offense." Ginny relayed. He made a tsk-ing sound, knowing she was completely right. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had to know as they were surrogate parents to him and Hermione.

"You can tell Molly and Arthur about it once we leave and Percy leaves," he revealed, "And swear your mum to secrecy! Godric knows I love Molly but she-"

"Is a blabbermouth?"

He laughed again.

"I didn't say that!" the wizard remarked.

"You didn't have to; it's common knowledge! But no worries, Harry, I'll make sure she keeps quiet… to others, anyway. Merlin knows she'll want to scream and shout and cry to you about how happy she is," the red head claimed.

"I've had years of preparation, then."

"So how will you propose?"

"A scavenger hunt. It was Mr. Granger's idea." Harry responded.

"Where?" Ginny asked.

"I'm still working that out. I was thinking a few different places, ones that have meaning for both of us." He had even briefly considered the Forest of Dean, as they had spent numerous weeks there alone during the Horcrux hunt, but he was uncertain if it would conjure up more negative feelings for Hermione than positive.

"What about Hogwarts?" she suggested, "It has nothing but meaning for both of you and it's how you two first met." Harry nodded.

"I thought about the castle but reckoned it'd be harder to manage. I'd have to get McGonagall's permission and the students will be there soon enough, obviously, so a good time to do it becomes a question, and-" he commenced.

"So?"

The wizard looked at her from the interruption and she stood with her arms crossed casually.

"You're you, Harry. McGonagall loves you and would have no problem letting you use the school for this, and she'd be thrilled to see you both," Ginny shared, "You've always said Hogwarts was your home so what better place to propose to the woman you love?"

Harry looked away when she was done talking, contemplating. It was quiet while his mind churned but a tiny smile began to inch its way on his face the longer he thought. Now that she had said it, there really seemed to be no other fitting option. When he peered back up, Ginny spoke again:

"Just do it. Write to her so you can arrange it."

The Auror nodded multiple times, his expansive grin alerting her that he would do as she instructed.

"Now I just have to write the riddles!" Harry noted, at which the witch made a face.

"Well if it's gets too hard, remember there's a wise, resident Ravenclaw at your disposal!" she attested, referring to Luna. He conceded by chuckling before moving to give her a hug.

"Thanks Gin," he noted.

"Of course, Harrison."

Ginny let herself meld into the hug, sighing inaudibly in contentment and acceptance. She also said farewell to her younger self, whose memory had not come around in a notably long time. She loved Harry and she loved Hermione, and she had once loved Harry in a different way, but it seemed to be nothing compared to how they loved each other.

The first thing Harry did when he got to work on Monday was write to Headmistress McGonagall and send off the letter with one of the Ministry's owls. He did not have his own owl, still wounded from the loss of Hedwig 11 years previously and functioning under the assumption he was not ready for another, and he could not borrow Hermione's for a task such as this. Four days later on Thursday, he found himself bypassing the desk of Graham Kelly (Gawain Robards' assistant) with a wave as he walked to Robards' door. Harry had requested this short meeting with the Head Auror earlier in the week and it was, in fact, connected to his communication with McGonagall.

"Enter." Robards announced after Harry knocked.

The dark haired wizard did as directed, walking inside. Robards was looking over what seemed to be a report and he did not immediately look up from it to greet Harry; instead, he continued to scan it over the top of his reading glasses. The younger Auror did not mind and took the time to look about his boss' office, telling himself that, one day, this would be his office. Robards made a noise that sounded like grumble before picking up the quill that sat near his right hand and signing the report. Once marked with his signature, the document levitated and flew into the "OUT" box on his large desk right as a department paper airplane soared in through the open door and slid into the "IN" box.

"Potter," the Head Auror stated, smiling slightly as he removed his glasses and peered at him, "Close the door, will you?" Harry nodded and took a seat in front of the desk after shutting the door.

"How are things?" Robards asked.

"Good, sir. Things have been going smoothly since I wrapped up the Clinton case," he reported.

"Yes. The report was thorough- good job. How is your team?"

"Also good. I've delegated Philips to lead most of the training sessions since he's the strongest one on the team, and a promising leader."

Harry was one of three senior Aurors and they were each the captain of a team of younger Aurors, something that he was proud of and greatly enjoyed. He was superb at what he did and had the respect of his fellow Aurors, but especially that of his own team.

"And how are you?" Robards wondered.

Harry smiled. He knew his superior was not just asking for formality and was sincere in his curiosity. Robards was an understanding, amicable person and he cared about every Auror in his department. Consequently, he was also no nonsense, confident, and definitely not a wizard one would want to cross, and this may have all contributed to why he and Harry got along so well.

"I'm great, sir." Harry relayed.

"Great, huh? Something important happen to cause this feeling of greatness?"

Yes. Realizing I'm ready for Hermione to be my wife, he thought. And actually, wasn't this why he had wanted to speak to the Head Auror in the first place?

"You could say that!" Harry noted. Robards smiled again.

"So, why did you want to speak to me, Auror Potter?" the older wizard inquired.

"I wanted to request a morning off next week, sir."

"Oh?"

"Yes." Harry said.

"Which day?" Robards posited.

"I'm unsure."

Robards raised an eyebrow at that and Harry made to explain.

"I will know once I receive a response from Minerva McGonagall."

"This is dependent on the headmistress?" Robards pondered.

"Yes. I want to visit Hogwarts." Harry revealed.

"And why do you want a morning off to visit Hogwarts?"

There was a tick of silence while the younger Auror stared at his superior, recognizing telling Robards the truth would only help his request and knowing there was little harm in doing so. Harry had known and worked with this man for 10 years.

"Because that is where I want to plan my marriage proposal to Hermione," he attested.

There was another tick of silence as Robards gazed at Harry and the surprise took over his countenance.

"My! Well! Congratulations, lad!," Robards remarked at last, smiling, "I take it this is why you've been great?"

"Yes." Harry confirmed, matching his boss' smile.

"A second major event in her life she will surely welcome!"

"I certainly hope so."

"You most definitely can have a morning off for that. Just let me know which day as soon as you work it out with the headmistress." Robards notified.

"Thanks, sir, and of course." Harry answered, standing up.

"How wonderful for you both, Harry."

The younger wizard grinned before reaching out and shaking the Head Auror's hand. Robards was not opposed to calling those under him by their first names although it was not all too common, yet it never felt forced or awkward when he did. Harry then left the office and started the trek back to his own office, an office that was objectively small in comparison to Robards' but was an office nonetheless. He and the two other senior Aurors were fortunate to have offices while the remaining wizards on the force were housed in cubicles.

"Plotting, Potter?" a voice asked. Harry looked to his right and saw a witch leaning in the doorway of her own office; her arms were folded and she was smirking smartly at him. He stopped walking.

"Plotting?" he repeated.

"Yes. Secret meetings between the Boy Who Lived and Robards…" she mentioned.

"What could we possibly be plotting, Kaz?"

"Your taking up the mantle of Head Auror!" Cassandra Clayton claimed, smirk widening.

"No plotting required. I'll just let my dedication and hard work secure that for me!" Harry asserted, smirking as well.

"We'll see about that. I do believe there are two designated senior Aurors here besides you."

"Yeah, but they're not as good, though, from what I hear."

"Try cleaning out your ears, then," she said, taking a step out and gesturing at the side of his head. Harry grinned and side stepped her, and in the following moment his attention was pulled elsewhere.

The Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement was walking in their direction and both Aurors straightened up. Her hair was up in the high bun that she could be found wearing often while at work and a determined look was on her face. When she spotted them her expression softened just a tad.

"Captains Clayton, Potter." Hermione greeted, not stopping her brisk walk to Robards' office.

"Madam Granger." Cassandra replied. Harry gave a half bow and moved back in order to allow her more space. The corners of her mouth turned up faintly while she nodded her gratitude. The wizard continued to watch the witch's progression and when he finally peered back at the other senior Auror, she was displaying a smile that conveyed vindication.

"What?" challenged Harry. He then took off in the opposite direction to get to his office and Cassandra grinned after him, shaking her head before stepping back into hers.

A/N: Next chapter will include Teddy and more of a look into their jobs at the Ministry.