Disclaimer:: I don't own Harry Potter and its universe. It all is property of J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. If I get sued, the only thing they can take from me is my phone, nothing else.

-Almas Veritas—

CHAPTER 25 – A busy day

Hermione and Ginny were walking hand-in-hand through the unusually busy street towards the office of the constructor who would build their house

"Ginny, baby, I almost forgot," Hermione said and smiled when her girlfriend wrapped an arm around her waist to pull her as close as possible. "After meeting with Mr. Powell, you and I are going to Hogwarts. Minerva asked me to lunch, she said that it was important, so I told her that we both would go."

"McGonagall wants to talk to you? Then maybe you should go alone, love," the redhead said as she looked at her girlfriend, always keeping an eye on the other people on the street. It was a habit hard to break for her, and she wasn't sure she wanted to.

"You don't want to come?" Hermione asked, instantly feeling hurt.

"'Course I wanna go with you, love," Ginny reassured her quickly. "I'm just saying… McGonagall wants to talk to you, not me."

"But I want you to come with me, Ginny. And if Minerva wanted to speak alone, she would have told me." The brunette looked at her girlfriend with a firm look in her eyes and Ginny nodded.

"Alright. If you don't think McGonagall will mind…"

Hermione smile gratefully and wrapped her arm around the younger girl's shoulders. The brunette squeezed affectionately, as if saying 'I'm sorry for my mood swings.' Ginny simply chuckled and squeezed her waist in return.

"Oh! Also, Gweny asked me a question earlier today and I need to speak to you about that later when we're alone," Hermione said and Ginny raised an eyebrow at her in question.

"Gweny? Okay? Is everything alright?" The redhead questioned quickly.

"Yes, yes. Everything's alright, dear, don't worry. It's a…business matter, so to speak," Hermione said, a little hesitant. She didn't want to reveal what the elf had asked her while they were still in public.

"Okay. We'll talk about it after lunch, Hermione. I'll give you all my attention and will listen to every word you say, my gorgeous love," Ginny said playfully making her girlfriend giggle.

Hermione shook her head, still chuckling fondly. 'Oh, you are so adorable, Ginevra…' the brunette thought.

-Almas Veritas—

The office of Powell's Constructions was nearby Ollivander's. The beautifully carved double doors led them to a short stairway, which opened to a simple living room-styled room where the clients waited to be attended. Martin Powell's sister, Christine, worked as his secretary and greeted them with a wide and welcoming smile as usual.

"It's great to see you again, Ms. Weasley, Ms. Granger," the young girl said and gently pointed to the comfy leather couch they were already familiar with. "Please, sit down. Martin will be with you in a minute. Can I offer you anything to drink?"

"No, thank you, Christine. I'm fine," Ginny said as she sat beside her girlfriend. Hermione instantly leaned into her and Ginny wrapped her arm around the girl's shoulders again.

"I could have some pumpkin juice if you have any, Christine. Water would be fine too," Hermione added, feeling a little thirsty.

"Pumpkin juice, it is, Ms. Granger. Right away," Christine said and walked towards the far corner of the room, where they had a small snack-bar. The black-haired girl filled a tall glass with cold pumpkin juice and hurried to give it to Hermione, who received it with a smile and a 'thank you.'

They didn't have to wait long. After a few minutes Martin Powell received them as usual with a kind smile on his handsome face. He was quite young, he was in his late twenties, for somebody with so much experience but he was definitely the best constructor in Europe. He had developed a special technique which combined the muggle way and magics. No one knew exactly what it was except his most trusted employees and they were all sworn to secrecy.

Martin led them to his office and they smiled just like they did every time they entered the place. The walls and the desk were practically covered with photographs of buildings he had designed and blueprints with post-it notes attached to them. The only place free was the drawing table. The young man offered them to sit and they sat on the comfy wooden chairs across his desk.

"Please, just wait one minute here while I go grab the prints for your house," he said and left the office again.

"I'm kinda nervous and excited," Ginny admitted as they waited. The redhead smiled. "We are basically gonna see what our house will look like."

"I know. I'm so excited," Hermione agreed and nodded. "This is becoming a reality," she added with barely contained excitement.

"Yeah. It's bloody awesome!"

Martin came back to the office and didn't waste any time. He spread the prints on the drawing table and grinned when he saw the girls' amazed looks.

-Almas Veritas—

After signing the appropriate papers with Martin approving the prints and the beginning of the construction, they made a stop at Gringotts. Well, Ginny entered because Hermione couldn't. The redhead girl took care of the transaction they needed to do to pay Martin for his work. After that was completed the two girls headed towards the Leaky Cauldron.

Once again Hannah received them with a smile and led them to her private rooms so they could use her fireplace. Hermione and Ginny didn't stay chatting with their blonde friend long because they saw the pub was filling up for lunch hour and they knew Hannah would be extremely busy.

-Almas Veritas—

McGonagall barely acknowledged the green flames in her fireplace, she knew who was coming and didn't even lift her head from the papers she was signing as Hermione and Ginny into her office.

Finally the older woman lifted her head and smiled at her former students. She stood up and hurried to hand Hermione a goblet of cold pumpkin juice she had ready. The girl had mentioned before that it settled her stomach after using the floo network so she had prepared.

"Thank you, Minerva," the brunette said with a smile as the cold liquid calmed her stomach.

"I hope you don't mind Hermione bringing me along, Professor," Ginny said and the older woman waved a hand dismissively.

"I don't mind at all. Now, please, follow me," McGonagall said and indicated the door of her office.

The Headmistress led them down the stairway and through the corridors of the castle. The two girls held hands as they followed their former professor and smiled nostalgically as they looked around the castle that held so many both wonderful and sad memories for them.

Without realizing soon they were walking towards the Transfiguration classroom. Hermione couldn't help herself, she had to smile. This was her playing field, so to speak. And being near that classroom again made her feel incredibly good.

McGonagall led them to a portrait nearby the classroom that they had seen countless of times but never paid any attention to. The Headmistress said the password ('Magpies') and the portrait opened to reveal a huge wooden door, which McGonagall then opened.

"Ladies, after you," McGonagall said with a gentle nod of her head.

"Thank you, Minerva," Hermione said and entered the room.

The girls found themselves inside a foyer that led to a wonderfully decorated living room. The wallpaper on the walls clearly reflected Minerva's devotion for her House as the tartan pattern was in Gryffindor's colors. Most of the walls of the room were occupied by shelves and shelves of thick books. Two comfy looking couches took the center of the room, a finely carved coffee table between them, and they reminded Hermione of the ones in the Common Room. From the entrance of the living room they could see the archway in the opposite wall, which led to the dining room where they would eat. There were a couple of doors on the other wall to their left but neither girl was going to ask where those doors led to. The only wall that wasn't occupied by a bookshelf instead was covered with magical photographs. Hermione tried extremely hard to not look at them, even though she recognized a few of the faces that waved at them from the frames, as she sat down on the incredibly soft couch.

Ginny, however, was curious enough to ask…

"Professor, do you mind?" The redhead asked and nodded towards the photos.

"Be my guest," McGonagall said as she sat in front of Hermione. "So, Hermione, how have you been?"

Ginny smiled as she heard Hermione tell McGonagall about their plans for their house with barely contained excitement. The redhead grinned when she realized what the photographs represented: it was obvious to her that all these photos were of people Minerva McGonagall considered to be friends and that made her smile. There were a lot of people Ginny didn't know but she recognized some of the professors from Hogwarts, like Professor Sprout and Flitwick, Poppy Pomfrey and Madam Rosmerta. It wasn't a surprise to see a couple of Minerva with Dumbledore. But there were others that made Ginny's smile grow impossibly big. There was one of the old Order, Ginny had seen a copy of that same photo in Harry's house; there was a photo of the entire Weasley family, including a pregnant Fleur; there was one of Lupin and Tonks that Ginny had never seen before, and one of Teddy. Ginny held back a giggle when she saw the two photos from Harry's wedding. The first one showed McGonagall with the happy couple and the second photo showed the group of friends posing together. Ron, Harry and Hermione were at the center of the photo, while Luna was in Harry's arms, looking beautiful in her wedding gown. Ginny had her arms wrapped around Hermione's waist and was leaning into her while Neville was playfully messing up Ron's hair. Ginny saw more familiar people in the rest of the photos. Kingsley, with McGonagall and being named Minister, Neville's grandmother, Hagrid, and there were a lot of people Ginny knew by name only. There was one that made Ginny's stomach jump with shock… All the Weasleys, Harry and Sirius were standing around an injured Arthur and Ginny clearly remembered that photo was taken during Christmas after her father had been attacked by that horrible snake. The girl sighed as her eyes focused on the smiling faces of Fred and Sirius. 'You are both so missed, so much,' she thought and forced herself to think positive thoughts.

Ginny cheered herself up by focusing on the fact that Hermione would place her photographs in a similar pattern when she had her own flat. Job related photos were hung in the office, friends and family in the living room. 'They are so alike,' she thought and chuckled.

Ginny heard McGonagall ask a question that brought her back to the present.

"You are not allowed to enter Gringotts anymore? Why not?" McGonagall asked and Ginny realized her girlfriend was telling her about their morning.

"Well… No, I'm not allowed to enter the bank anymore. I still keep my money there and am allowed to do business with them via letter or sending somebody in my place only because Kingsley spoke in my favor," Hermione responded, knowing she was being vague with her answer. "Before I used to do everything through letters but now Ginny goes in my place. It is a bit annoying but there's nothing else I can do."

"That's insane! Why in the bloody Hell would they not allow you to enter?" McGonagall asked, scandalized.

"Ron and Harry aren't allowed to enter either so Mum takes care of Ron's money and Luna of Harry's," Ginny added as she sat beside her girlfriend.

"But why?" McGonagall asked again, her lips pressed into a thin line and her brow furrowed.

"There was….uuuhmmm…. A little incident, during the War….with a dragon," Hermione mumbled that last part but she knew her former professor had heard her and she was surprised when she saw understanding in Minerva's eyes.

"I see. Well, I always did say that you, Mr Potter and Mr Weasley had an innate capacity for getting into troubles," McGonagall said lightly, realizing her former student wasn't comfortable with the current topic.

"Shall I assume that Harry spoke with you?" Hermione asked, feeling just a little bit relieved that McGonagall knew and understood.

"After the events that took place in our school, Harry asked to speak to Kingsley and me to inform us. Me because of the historical value of certain objects to our school and Kingsley for safety reasons, as he was the temporary Minister at the time," McGonagall said, being vague on purpose. You could never be too careful when speaking about certain things, in her opinion, and she knew that Ginny and Hermione understood perfectly. "But rest assured that whatever information Harry gave us, has never left my lips or Kingsley's."

Hermione breathed out slowly and shot McGonagall a grateful smile. Ginny shifted in her seat and grabbed her girlfriend's hand, offering her silent support.

They heard a loud 'crack' and a young elf appeared before them. The elf bowed in front of McGonagall.

"What would Mistress and her guests want for lunch?" The small elf asked.

"I'll be fine with whatever is on the men, Blinky," McGonagall responded kindly and then looked at Ginny and Hermione. "Is there anything you would like?"

"Nah, I'm fine with whatever," Ginny replied and shrugged. "You, love?" She asked her girlfriend.

"I don't want to bother you, so I'll be fine with whatever as well," the brunette said, smiling kindly at the elf.

"Don't be afraid to ask what you want, Hermione. You're pregnant," McGonagall said encouragingly.

"Lasagne. I want Lasagne," Hermione said eagerly and blushed.

The small elf smiled widely at her and bowed again before disappearing. They stood up and as they were entering the dining room, the trays of food appeared on the table, along with plates and utensils.

"If there is one thing that will never change about this place is that the food is awesome," Ginny said grinning as she pulled back Hermione's chair for her. The brunette smiled at her as she sat.

"I do agree with you, baby," Hermione agreed excitedly as she served herself a generous portion of lasagne.

McGonagall chuckled as she loaded her plate with chicken and baked potatoes.

"We all agree, then. You are welcome to eat whatever you want, Hermione. And if there's anything else you would like, don't hesitate to ask," the Headmistress said as she poured some elf wine into her goblet.

-Almas Veritas—

They were almost done with lunch when Hermione asked what she truly wanted to know.

"Minerva… Why did you ask me to come today?"

"I have a proposition for you," McGonagall started to explain as she put her knife and fork down. "I have been asked once again to dictate a class at the Ministry."

"To teach the Aurors in training again?" Hermione asked and Ginny had to hold back her laughter at seeing that special spark in her girlfriend's eyes.

"Yes. They asked me to teach the class starting next week. But I'm afraid that I won't be able to because of my responsibilities here at Hogwarts. So I spoke to the Head Auror and told him I'd speak with you about filling in for me until November."

Hermione's eyes were wide as saucers when she heard what the Headmistress said.

"You want me to teach the class on my own?" The brunette asked with disbelieve in her voice.

"Yes. I believe you are the perfect candidate for the job," McGonagall confirmed with a firm nod of her head.

"But, Minerva, I'm not a teacher. I never taught a class on my own. It's one thing to be an assistant, but a teacher…" Hermione said.

"I'm aware of that, Hermione. But I trust that you will do an outstanding job," McGonagall said confidently.

Hermione hesitated. She looked back and forth between McGonagall and Ginny several times before settling her eyes on her girlfriend.

"What do you think?" She asked her girlfriend.

"I think that… Professor McGonagall wouldn't ask you to do this if she didn't know you'd do a great job. And I know that you can do anything, when you set your mind, love," Ginny finally said with a confident grin.

Hermione felt her lips curling into a tiny smile.

"Sweet talker," the girl muttered and her girlfriend simply winked at her. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I don't know…"

"If you accept, Hermione, you would not be doing a favour just to me but to the school. It would be another feather in your cap, so to speak. Also, it will only be for a few classes, only until November."

"Only until November?"

"Yes. I planned accordingly. Since I know your due date is around mid-November, your last class will fall in the first week of that month and I'll take over in the following week," McGonagall confirmed. "Also, your classes will be twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays, in the morning."

"Alright. If you're so sure that I won't let you down, then I'll do it," Hermione accepted finally. "I won't let you down, Minerva."

McGonagall smiled, openly excited, and her eyes shone with pride at her former student.

"I know you won't let me down or the school, Hermione."

-Almas Veritas—

It was mid-afternoon by the time they left Hogwarts (after stopping to say hi to Hagrid, of course), Hermione and McGonagall had spent most of the time planning the classes while Ginny amused herself watching her girlfriend become more and more excited and that made her happy. Hermione got a special sparkle in her eyes when it came to school and academics in general and it was always amusing to watch.

After leaving the school (and returning to The Leaky Cauldron) they had decided to talk around Diagon Alley. They window-shopped for a little while and then they went to visit George and Angelina until it was closing time.

George and Angelina invited them to their flat for dinner but they were tired so they declined and rearranged for the weekend.

"Your brother won't ever change, will he?" Hermione asked playfully as they left behind the joke shop. Ginny giggled naughtily and wrapped her arm around her girlfriend's waist.

"Georgie won't ever grow up completely and I love that about him," the younger girl commented happily.

"Don't get me wrong, I love that about him as well," Hermione agreed and nodded. "I know that it used to annoy me, his attitude, but I have changed my mind about that. Now I appreciate his jokes and positive thinking. Do you understand what I mean at all?"

"'Course I do. Hey, wanna go to Dean's and Seamus'?" Ginny pointed with her head to the restaurant that wasn't far from them.

"Sure. Why not?" Hermione agreed.

-AV—

They were shown to their table instantly and the waiter gave them time to take a look at their menus.

"Hermione, love, I just remembered… Didn't you say you had somethin' to tell me?" Ginny asked, her eyes still scanning the menu.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Hermione's eyes widened but then she cleared her throat and put down her menu since she already knew what she wanted.

"So, what was it?" Ginny put down her menu and gave all her attention to her girlfriend.

"Gweny came to me with morning with a recommendation," the brunette began seriously. "Her cousin needs work and she thought that since we're moving together and have a baby on the way, we could hire her."

Ginny raised an eyebrow at her girlfriend opened her mouth to comment but the waiter chose that moment to take their orders so she waited until he left to speak.

"So, Gweny recommended her cousin to work for us?" Ginny asked, contemplating the idea.

"Yes. According to what Gweny said, her cousin Sookie is young and is also very good with children and babies. That's why she thought that Sookie would be good for us," the brunette explained.

"What you did say to her?" Ginny asked and leaned closer by placing her forearms on the table.

"Well, I was very surprised but I told her that I'd speak with you about it. I didn't say yes or no, and she understood that it's not a decision we can make in a second," the older girl responded seriously.

Both Hermione and Ginny saw their waiter approaching with their food so they kept quiet while he served them. The young man left with a polite 'enjoy your meal' and the girls started to eat their food with gusto.

"Oh, this is exactly what I needed," Hermione commented, delighted, as she tasted her shrimp paella.

Ginny chuckled at her girlfriend's comment and the almost orgasmic look in her face. 'Never thought I'd ever see that look on her 'cause of food,' she thought to herself and held back a giggle.

"How is your pasta?" Hermione asked and Ginny took a sip from her goblet of orange juice before answering.

"This pasta is truly fantastic. And the sauce with the meat… Simply delicious," was all the younger girl said.

"Dean and Seamus really did a great job picking up the chef," the brunette added and her girlfriend only nodded because she had her mouth full. Hermione looked back her and giggled: Ginny's chin and the edges of her lips were covered with sauce.

"What?" the redhead asked when she noticed her girlfriend was looking at her and giggling.

"Ginevra Weasley, you are worse than a child," Hermione laughed and pointed at her with her finger. "Wipe your mouth and chin, you look like a child learning to eat," the brunette teased and giggled again.

Ginny tried very hard not to blush as she grabbed the napkin and tried to clean herself, but she didn't quite accomplish it…

Stifling her giggles, Hermione gently grabbed the napkin from her girlfriend's hand and wiped off the last spot of sauce from Ginny's chin.

"Thanks," murmured the embarrassed redhead.

"You are so adorable," Hermione told her playfully as she went back to her food.

"Adorable? I'm not adorable!" Ginny scoffed and her lips curled into that Weasley smirk that Hermione was so familiar with. "I'm hot."

"Yes, you are," Hermione mumbled in agreement. "But you are also adorable, which is something I love about you, baby," she added warmly, al trace of playfulness gone.

Taking a sip from her goblet Ginny raised an eyebrow at that comment. If there was one thing the youngest Weasley knew how to do, that was to flirt. And Ginny loved flirting with her girlfriend! So she gave the older girl a smouldering look as she licked her lips subtlety.

"I truly hope that's not the only thing you love about me," Ginny flirted and then, as if nothing happened, she went back to her pasta dish.

Hermione simply rolled her eyes playfully and chuckled.

"Don't get all…flirty with me now, Miss Weasley. You understood perfectly what I said," the brunette scolded and the younger girl just had to laugh.

"I'm your girlfriend, it's my job to flirt with you and my pleasure," Ginny said, still smiling. "Also, flirty? Since when do you use words like that?" She teased back.

"It just came out, alright?" Hermione mumbled, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"I love you, you know?" Ginny suddenly said and a warm loving smile spread on her girlfriend's lips.

"I love you too, Ginevra," Hermione responded. "But why…"

"It just hit me all that happened today, you know?" Ginny said and shrugged. "I mean, the construction of our house starts tomorrow, you'll be teaching a class at the Ministry. This week you're officially entering the seventh month of the pregnancy." The girls shared a special smile at that. "Work is going great. Your novels are incredibly successful."

"It feels like everything is falling into place, isn't it?" Hermione reached out and grabbed Ginny's hand. "I'm so happy, Ginny. I'm so happy you're the one I'm sharing my life with."

"Me too," the younger girl agreed and then cleared her throat. "By the way, we never finished our conversation about… How did you say her name was? Sookie?"

"Yes. And I know. Why don't we finish eating and have some dessert? I'm dying for some chocolate and strawberry cream pie," the older girl proposed.

Ginny simply chuckled.

"Sure, love. Whatever you and my baby boy want."

-AV—

The waiter brought their desserts (chocolate and strawberry cream pie and tea for Hermione and just tea for Ginny) and left them alone again. Seamus had arrived as they were finishing dinner and they had a nice chat with him before he retired to his office. So as they had dessert, the girls continued with their conversation.

"What do you think we should do, love?" Ginny asked.

"To be honest…I have no idea. A part of me thinks that we won't need any help but the realistic part of me knows that we will. Specially as I finish my pregnancy and the few months afterwards, while you're at work or traveling to cover a match."

"Also, having an elf we can trust would be great for our son as he grows up. Even more if you start working at the Ministry. I mean, I know we have plenty of friends and family we can trust, I do know that…" Ginny hesitated to continue but Hermione understood.

"But you wouldn't feel very comfortable depending on them so much?" the older girl asked and her girlfriend nodded. "Yes, I agree with that."

"So…"

"I think we should meet her first while our house is built. If we like her, then we'll make a final decision. That's the only thing that comes to my mind right now."

"I think that's a great idea, Hermione," Ginny nodded and sipped some of her tea. "Man, I feel so…Grown up," the girl added with a playful grin.

"Me too," the brunette agreed, amused. "Terrifying, isn't it?"

"Very," Ginny agreed as well.

"I…I have to admit that…I do feel a little bit obliged to hire Sookie, and not because Gweny asked me," Hermione admitted and Ginny shot her a questioning look. "I was always the first person speaking about how house elves deserved fair treatment, salary and everything. But to be honest, I never thought I would ever hire one myself. So now…"

"Now, you feel like you need to be the example, the role model of the law you helped create," Ginny completed her girlfriend's sentence and the look in Hermione's eyes was answer enough. "Love, you don't need to do anything you don't want. If we make the decision of hiring this elf, then we'll do it because it's good for us. We don't owe anything to anybody."

"I know that, Ginny," the older girl sighed.

"See? That's why I don't like politics. Too many bloody expectations, way too many obligations and of course all that bureaucratic crap I can't stand. I'm an action-girl, not a words-girl," Ginny joked to break her girlfriend's pensive mood. The joke hit its mark because Hermione chuckled.

"Says the reporter," was all Hermione said.

"Touché, my love," Ginny grinned and brought her tea cup up to her lips.

Hermione lifted her spoon up for her girlfriend and Ginny leaned in to taste the offered pie.

"Mmm…delicious," the redhead commented with a little smile.

"It is fantastic. By the way, are you coming back to Grimmauld Place with me tonight? Or you have to go to your parents?"

"Well, let's think and compare… Sleep on my comfy, warm bed all by myself or sleep in the arms of the love of my life with our baby boy. What a though choice," the younger girl teased. "Considering that my work clothes and briefcase are in your room, along with most of my clothes, really-"

"I understand, baby," Hermione cut her off with a grin. "My, you are in the mood to tease and flirt today…"

"I'm with you," was all Ginny said.

"Then, why don't we go now? I want to get more comfortable and my swollen ankles are starting to complain," Hermione proposed and finished the last bite of her pie.

"Well, my darling…" Ginny stood up from her chair and extended her hand towards her girlfriend. "Let's go home."

Hermione left the correct amount of Galleons on the table and stood up, taking her girlfriend's offered hand.

"Let's go home, baby."

As they walked out of the restaurant, the two girls smiled and held hands, completely unaware of the people who snuck glances at them, star-struck…

-AV—

It's been such a long time, hasn't it? If you knew for all I've been through… but now I'm back, people! I'm getting back to how I used to be and I want to write more than ever. I truly THANK all of you who have stuck around all this time, who review, those of you who favorited this story or put it in your Updates-list…Thank you. Seriously. Your support means everything to me! Now, just to make sure I don't fail you… Next Chapter should be posted within two weeks, no more!

Thank you so much, guys!