Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe belongs to J. K. Rowling.

Author's Note: Hints of Lemon toward the end

~oOo~

The next day, Harry was entreated to a lengthy conversation with Nick over the happenings of his most recent escapade. Gabrielle stood to the side patiently as the men entered their heated discussion. Nick of course, was concerned, but not for the reasons Harry had originally assumed.

"Gerard Oberland?" Nick exclaimed, trying the name out for himself. "What the fuck did 'Gerard Oberland' do to gain so much authority?" Nick made a sarcastic movement with his hands at the name and scoffed into the air as though it were a speck in the wind or a smelly breeze.

Harry stared, somewhat gobsmacked at Nick as the man began pacing. "Uhmm, I'm not sure—"

"And what the hell was a man like Victor Krum doing there?" Nick shook his head vigorously, as though he were trying to clear his head from his jumbled thoughts and make sense of the words rushing through his head. "Mr. quidditch star finding some cheap thrills by working with the 'oh so great Gerard Oberland.'"

"Nick," Harry tried, "Are you missing the fact that I was attacked in the streets and was captured in the first place?"

Nick huffed, "Of course I'm not overlooking that detail. In fact, this whole entire thing just screams 'bad news.' I can't believe that our ministries are starting with this shit agai—"

Nick was abruptly cut off by the sound of their wards being set off by an owl pecking at the window of the apothecary. The trio looked between each other and before either of them could react, Gabrielle stepped outside of the apothecary doors and took the letter from the owl, abruptly returning back to them in Nick's office.

When she came back inside, her eyes were skimming the letters that embossed the front. She handed the letter to Harry and said quietly, "It's for you."

A heavy silence followed at her words, and Harry tentatively reached out for the envelope. Harry recognized the seal immediately: it was the seal for the British Ministry of Magic.

His eyes widened slightly as he felt the rough texture of the parchment and pulled it out of the envelope. The first thing he noticed was the bottom of the parchment, with a neatly inscribed signature: Hermione Jean Weasley; Director of the Magical Association of the Restriction of Tyrannical Yearnings and Ruin.

Despite the lengthy title, Harry stared at his old friend's signature. His heart picked up in pace slightly as he held the parchment and lightly dusted his finger over the name, a shining glimpse of his old life. Of course, she would come up with some ridiculous name for her department.

Harry distantly heard Nick clear his throat impatiently and Harry looked up from the parchment in apology before he began to read.

Jake Meier,

It has come to my attention that you were involved in a rather serious matter two days prior. Unfortunately, you have been thrown into the middle of a very important investigation and cannot be left unattended. I am extending this letter to you beforehand as a token of our friendship and relationships within our families.

However, given the circumstances, I cannot give you a choice in this matter. You will meet me of your own free will tomorrow at 7:30 AM, or I will arrive at your home to interrogate you further. You have until the end of the night to respond.

Sincerely,

Hermione Jean Weasley; Director of the Magical Association of the Restriction of Tyrannical Yearnings and Ruin.

A cold dread spread through Harry as he inhaled a sharp breath. He glanced between Gabrielle and Nick, unsure of how to react to what he just read. "Hermione wants to meet me about what happened."

Harry heard a sharp intake of breath from Gabrielle. "You mean…about when those aurors took you?"

"I think so…" Harry scratched his head, and finished by running his hand through his hair while the other clasped onto the parchment. "She never really specified. It's really vague." He scanned through the letter's contents again and shook his head, sighing as he handed it over to Nick to peruse.

Gabrielle walked over to stand beside Harry as Nick scanned the contents of the letter. "Whoever this is, they work incredibly fast."

"It's from Hermione Granger—er Weasley now." Harry scrunched up his nose in apparent distaste, even though he'd known about their marriage for a while now.

"Does she know it was you? Or did she use your pseudonym?" Gabrielle posed.

Nick held the letter to her and shook his head in disbelief. "She says Jake." Another tense silence rang through the air as Gabrielle read the words scrawled across the page. Gabrielle looked up from the parchment with wide eyes when Nick asked, "She used to be your friend?"

"Yes." Harry agreed, unsure of what to say with all the thoughts swimming through his head. Should he even speak to her? Would she recognize him? How did she find out he was at that place to begin with? Is she a part of this reformation in the Ministry that takes victims in to be assessed at that hospital and she was owling to apologize?

"Harry?" he felt a tugging at his arm when he realized he had zoned out for a second. He quickly cleared his throat and apologized. He turned to Gabrielle and gave her an apologetic smile, who returned a look of concern.

"Sorry, what was that again?" Harry followed Gabrielle's gaze as she nodded her head toward Nick.

"I said, would you trust this girl?" Nick asked pointedly.

A crushing weight seemed to engulf Harry at the question. Would I trust her? Even now? He thought back to all the times they had spent together while they grew up at Hogwarts. Some of his best memories were with Hermione and he never knew her to be the kind of person to walk away from a challenge or do something out of cruelty. He knew that if he had a problem or needed support, he would have always turned to Hermione. She proved herself on more than one occasion, starting since first year.

However, there were the more…recent, developments of the friendship that transpired right before he fled the country.

She had abandoned him. Hermione had turned her back on him and merely put up with him until she finally lost it and snapped. He could still remember the remnants of her shouts across the room, telling him how selfish he was being for moping around and complaining about his life after his breakup with Ginny. He remembered the look in her eyes when she accused him of pushing them aside at meetings, how hurt she was by the fact that he dismissed reporters regularly any time they asked an invasive question about the war and their involvement. That he should have shifted the questions over to Ron or herself so the public knew the full extent of their sacrifices.

It had pissed Harry off, because he never knew her to be shallow enough to strive for people to know about her accomplishments. That was more Ron's area. But Hermione had struck him at his lowest, and when she turned her back to him to walk out of his flat, he felt the metaphorical stone encasement solidify around his heart. He had become a mere shell of a human after that.

And his heart had never quite healed. He wouldn't say he had abandonment issues per se, but he most definitely would not waste his time on people who walked out on him.

But even now, he was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt, and write it up to being overwhelmed with all the changes taking place in their lives at the time. Therefore, he was willing to give her another chance.

"I would be…willing to give her a second chance." Harry said.

Nick could sense his hesitation and nodded apprehensively. "Well boy, it seems that despite your efforts to escape your old life, fate has a cruel way of mocking us."

Harry remained silent, staring across the room toward the floor. Gabrielle crossed her arms, looking concerned.

When Harry finally spoke, it was after much thought and consideration about his past life. "She's bluffing." Harry said.

"What do you mean?" Gabrielle asked, looking between him and Nick.

"I mean, in auror training, no one has the authority to tell someone they are forced to meet with anyone concerning a specific event unless they willingly come forward. Her threat is just that; a threat. She has no way to back it up."

Glancing between the pair in the room, Nick narrowed his eyes in wonder, scratching his chin while Gabrielle nodded at Harry's words.

Finally, Nick spoke. "I think you should go."

Harry blanched. "What?"

"Why would he do that?" Gabrielle asked incredulously.

"Think about it." Nick said. "We've been wondering about this bullshit for long enough. If by some miracle, Harry gets involved, we could have all the information we want at our disposal for our use. We could make a difference on the sidelines."

"Nick," Harry said dangerously. "Though I have to admit that I am curious as well, I want to stay out of the mix. It's the reason I left to start over in France."

Crossing his arms petulantly, Nick said, "These attacks will only get worse. And there's no harm in finding out more information for ourselves, for our own safety. What does the letter say about what she wants to chat about in the first place?"

Harry looked up. "I don't even know what she wants to discuss, other than what had happened. I don't even know what I'm apparently involved in. It could honestly be another trap." Harry reached over and grasped onto Gabrielle's hand, feeling her comforting softness.

"Then it seems to me she only wants to talk. No harm in talking." Nick said. I for one, would do it if I were in your position."

Harry held onto Gabrielle's hand as he deliberated. Nick was right, there was no harm in gathering more information for himself. And he couldn't deny the fact that he was awfully curious about what Hermione had to say. At the very least, he knew she couldn't make him show up at the ministry. However, did her new position in her department grant her an extra thread of authority that he didn't know about? One that would actually allow her to show up at his doorstep? He didn't like those prospects at all.

After a moment, he locked eyes with Gabrielle and said, "I'll do it."

"Then I suggest you prepare yourself mentally." Nick walked over to the bookshelf and withdrew a book while Gabrielle squeezed his hand in a show of affection and support. "How familiar are you with Occlumency?"

~oOo~

Needless to say, Harry was a bit overwhelmed. While Nick did not expect him to learn occlumency overnight, the older man still wanted Harry to get a decent head start in preparing himself for whatever was to come in the future.

The idea of occlumency and legilimency still didn't quite make sense to Harry, but some things were cleared up from the book Nick had given him to read. Even so, nothing could have prepared him for walking into the British Ministry of Magic.

Everything was familiar, including a few faces he recognized. It was disconcerting, really, to be faced with something that plagued him with memories and feelings of fear and inadequacy.

Unfortunately, he wasn't exactly sure where Hermione's department was, so he walked straight to the lifts and read the panel for her floor. While he hesitated and read to find the correct location, another man stepped into the lift with him and Harry immediately recognized a familiar mop of red hair.

Harry's insides clenched painfully. Ron had entered the lift and squinted his eyes at him, as though he couldn't quite place where he knew him.

Instead of saying anything, Ron had jabbed his finger into the number 9 and stood back with a sigh. Harry saw his floor at that precise moment: floor 9. Great. Harry thought begrudgingly.

Harry copied Ron's movements and stepped back from the panel, pursing his lips together as the lift doors screeched shut, a few Department memos floating over their heads.

Desperately trying to keep his mind off the fact that Ron kept glancing his way, Harry tried to remember earlier that morning when he and Gabrielle shared a rather passion filled morning. But even though he was trying to distract himself, it didn't last long.

"Do I know you?" Ron was openly staring at him, and Harry glanced toward him from the corner of his eye. "It's just that you look awfully familiar is all." Ron corrected.

Harry turned toward the wall again. "We are both familiar with the Delacours. I'm dating Gabrielle."

Ron drew in a breath as though he figured it out and finally recognized him, but soon let out the breath in a huff slumping his shoulders over. "No that's not it." He squinted his eyes again. "I swear you look so familiar."

"I promise, it's from when we visited Fleur, Bill and Victoire." Harry stated.

"Yeah, you're probably right, mate." Ron said turning back away from him. "Well, it's nice to see you again."

"Likewise." Harry said. An uncomfortable silence filled the lift until the doors finally opened after what felt like an eternity.

Stepping forward immediately, Ron took off down the hallway. Harry figured his best bet was to follow him and walked behind him quietly, hands in his pockets.

Soon enough, Ron came up to a door that bore Hermione's name and knocked three times before swinging it open. Harry still kept his distance but managed to see a glimpse of what was inside. He could have sworn he saw a flash of dark hair sitting in the chair across from her desk.

When he finally approached the door, he felt a wave of magic signaling that a silencing charm had been set, and Victor Krum came walking out. When he saw Harry, he bowed his head in greeting and didn't say word. He simply gestured to the seat next to the door, while he took the opposite. Harry thought he looked upset over something and decided to hold his peace.

At least five to ten minutes had passed between them in somewhat awkwardly comfortable silence before Ron came storming out of Hermione's office, completely red faced and slamming the door against the wall. Harry stared after him in alarm and looked toward Victor, who had a deep-set look of absolute loathing settled on his face.

For a brief second, they made eye contact with each other, and Victor grit his teeth together while glancing back to the furious red head who had just stormed out. What in the hell was that about?

Hermione made her presence known after a few moments from the doorframe. "Victor if you would be so kind as to come back in." She said this with a slightly quivering voice. Anyone who didn't know her would think she was out of breath. Anyone else who actually knew her would know she was on the verge of tears.

The man in question immediately stood and bowed his head toward her. The movement was almost affectionate if Harry's eyes didn't betray him.

She returned the gesture and stepped forward toward Harry. "Jake Meier." She said Extending her hand. "Pleasure."

"The pleasure is mine." Harry said, shaking her hand once. Harry was pleasantly relieved to see that Hermione looked very much the same, with her same matter-of-fact air about her. The thought was oddly comforting and disconcerting at the same time. "Though I am rather curious as to—"

"Let's step into my office and away from pesky eavesdroppers, shall we?" Hermione briskly walked back behind her desk and Harry seated himself before her, glancing around and finding Victor standing by the door. He warded, silenced, and locked the room.

Harry gripped his wand tightly in his sleeve, suddenly feeling very apprehensive.

"No need for that now." Hermione reprimanded him from behind her desk. "I assure you, you are in no danger here."

"That doesn't exactly make me feel better after your body guard just warded me in here. And I thought you were aware, but perhaps you're not, that I don't exactly take kindly to people trapping me in places." Harry sneered.

Hermione lifted her chin as though to assess him. "You're right. But preemptive measures must be taken." She withdrew a small notebook and opened to a page somewhere toward the middle. "I do apologize, but it seems you have gotten mixed up in a bad bit of business."

Harry remained silent, staring at her before she continued. "Do you know anything about our organization, Mr. Meier?"

Harry shook his head. "Only that you've created it in honor of this bloke named Severus Snape and you fight against tyrannical rule."

"Precisely," Hermione said, smiling mischievously. "But that is not all we are."

Hermione stood and steepled her fingers together. "Our organization is primarily a group of spies that takes down dark wizards. In honor of Severus Snape, who gave and dedicated his life to spying against Voldemort, our spies do much the same thing in tracking down dangerous witches and wizards and bringing them to justice.

Our program is very risky, and requires the utmost trust, skill, and concentration. And it just so happens that you were mixed into one of our missions."

Harry gulped down the lump in his throat and cleared it roughly. "So…" Harry paused and Hermione looked at him expectantly. "I'm involved in one of your spy missions?" Harry finished lamely.

Smirking, Hermione nodded. "Unfortunately, yes. I have invited you here because I need to ask you some questions about what you saw, and possibly propose an offer to you.

I have come to understand that our number one suspect has taken quite an interest in you. An interest that our other spies have failed to grasp onto. Only one of our spies has gotten anywhere close and yet he is still struggling to become part of the fold. You however, are practically invited in after one meeting. Why?"

Shaking his head and shrugging his shoulders, Harry looked at her expectantly.

She peered at him thoughtfully. "Jake, what all do you know about the disappearances and deaths that have been ravaging our communities?"

Harry thought back to the attack the he and Gabrielle had witnessed months previously. "Just that around 100 people were killed and over 300 were injured. And the attackers were supposedly friends and family that all seemed to strike at once."

"Yes. That's what the newspapers are spewing. What they aren't reporting, either on purpose or by lack of information, is that those numbers are potentially false, presumably less, and the attackers were not friends or family members at all." Hermione began to pace. "Reason being that most of the people who were injured simply vanished without a trace. We have no records of them being injured in the first place and they were mostly homeless individuals. At least over 50 to 80 people are just missing. Not only that, but people are disappearing every day, and no one is reporting it."

Hermione sighed heavily and sat back down. "Now you can imagine the type of uproar this would cause, and anyone who runs a spy business, knows to keep information close at hand until the time is right."

"So, what does this have to do with me?" Harry asked skeptically.

Hermione eyed him, smirking with a conspiratorial grin plastered on her face. The effect was rather unsettling. "I'm glad you asked."

At that moment, Victor walked up behind Harry and placed down a heavy looking file folder onto the desk. Hermione gestured to the parchments. "This folder has all the information that we know about the French Ministry's so-called 'sanctuary.' We have been suspicious of it for many reasons, but the main one being that people are forced to go there and undergo their medical testing. Not to mention the fact that it was almost immediately implemented after the resigning of Minister Delacour."

She paused and drew in a breath, giving Victor a significant look. "Victor has gained the interest of our main suspect, Gerard Oberland. He's the head of that particular program, as you well know already. Though infiltrating his inner circle has proven difficult. Oberland seems only interested in those who are influential, powerful, or grieving. Nothing in between. Victor made great strides at first, but Oberland soon lost interest."

Harry rubbed at his jaw, deep in thought. "What about Oberland makes him untrustworthy?"

This time, Victor spoke up. "I believe he has ulterior motives. I have been unable to uncover any information to support this claim, but the attacks are always the same: up to three attackers, in broad daylight, and never seen by anyone but the aurors who bring them in and the victim. Ve believe they may be setting the attackers free each time."

Processing this new information, Harry asked, "So you believe this is a ploy to kidnap people?"

Victor nodded, "In short, yes. I have been unable to figure out exactly vhat they are doing, but I feel I am getting close."

Harry could feel his heart begin to race. It was all starting to make sense. Before, all the attacks didn't make much sense to him, mainly because all he knew, was that it was happening. Nothing else really helped to clarify the situation.

Hermione continued in Victor's place, the crease between her brow even more prominent than before. "Unfortunately for you, they have already talked about you before you showed up to their facilities."

Startled, Harry asked, "Wait, what? What do you mean?"

Pressing her lips together into a tight line, Hermione said, "The attack at St. Mungo's that happened all those months ago. You helped the potioneering department and the head of the brewing section. The section lead of that department, Jane, is involved in Mr. Oberland's group."

Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck. He knew he had put Gabrielle in danger by overexerting his knowledge. He knew that people were going to take notice and put a target on his head. WHY did he have to be so daft sometimes?

"The good news," Hermione said, breaking his dangerous train of thought. "Is that we could use that to our advantage."

Unsure at what she was getting at, Harry asked, "And how exactly would we do that?"

"Simple, this is where my offer comes in." she gave him a sickeningly sweet smile. "You obviously have an advantage. Mr. Oberland has already taken a liking to you, though we have no idea why. We need more information about him and what he does, and you could provide us that if you help Victor spy. He has already informed me that you have already set up a backstory, with you supposedly attending Durmstrang."

At this, Hermione paused and eyed him carefully. "Which I have been told, you have never set foot in that school."

The room suddenly grew very tense and Harry could sense each pair of eyes in the room boring into him. He shifted uncomfortably and squared his shoulders, feigning confidence. He knew that Hermione was incredibly adept at sniffing out a lie. Not to mention, Victor was standing behind him, calling him out. He was trapped. "That would be correct."

Hermione's face looked incredulous, and she stood from her seat again. "Jake, you do realize our families are involved with each other?"

"Yes?" Harry said, uneasy as to the direction of the conversation.

"And you do realize, that I do not tolerate blatant lying to those in my family? That I take it very personally?"

Harry began, "Let me assure you—"

"No," Hermione cut him off. "I am putting a lot of trust into you Jake, simply because we have mutual family friends. But this has given me reason to doubt you."

"If you would have let me finish," Harry said pointedly, if not a bit rudely. "I would have informed you that Gabrielle already knows, if that's what you're worried about. No, I did not attend Durmstrang and I will not talk about my past no matter how much you want me to. Surely you of all people would understand that need for a bit of privacy?"

The veiled insult was a risk, but it seemed to have the desired effect. Hermione replied after a thoughtful moment of silence. "It relieves me to know that Gabrielle knows. Thank you."

Taken slightly aback by her thanks, Harry met her eyes and saw the relief in them.

"Very well." She said, opening her notebook to another page. "My offer is this: you, Jake Meier, will help Victor Krum spy against Gerard Oberland and his group at the Sanctuary quarters. You will report your findings to me in an attempt to formulate a plan for our aurors to infiltrate their facilities when the time is right. Because of Miss Jane's interest in you, she could possibly vouch for you to Mr. Oberland and solidify your role in their group."

Harry furrowed his brows together. "And if I don't want to?"

Hermione's face darkened. "Then I will be forced to alter your memories and send you on your way. I cannot allow you to walk out of here with the top-secret information I have given you. You will know we had an encounter, but will be unable to remember any details. Just be warned, that Victor has already heard talk about you in the sanctuary facilities and their plans to get you to come back. You will be involved again. If and when that happens, we will still take the information that we need and alter your memories again to keep you out of the fray as long as possible. Just keep in mind that eventually you may not have a choice. I would at least like to extend that choice to you while you have the opportunity."

Harry's mind was spinning with thoughts again. With the way she was wording everything, he really didn't have a choice in the matter. It was only a matter of time. His one wish to stay out of the fray was once again crashing around him as the realization struck. Therefore, his answer was empty and devoid of all emotion. "I wish to think about it over the next few days first."

Hermione nodded her assent after a short moment of thought. Harry steepled his fingers together as a thought occurred to him. She was obviously not above altering his memories, or anyone else's for that matter. He quickly assessed himself to see if there were any holes in his memory that he was previously unaware of. Luckily, being an ex-auror had its perks when it came to matters such as this.

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley." Harry said as he stood.

"Hermione." She corrected, standing as well.

"Right…I suppose I'll see you in a week."

~Hermione~

Hermione watched as Jake quietly closed the door behind him and left her alone with Victor in the room. She put her head into her hands tiredly and sighed as Victor seated himself. When she looked up, he was staring intently at her. "Do you really believe it vas smart to let him go vith this information?"

Sitting back into her chair, Hermione sighed again. She had to admit it was a risky move and Victor had a point. But there was just something about Jake…Not to mention that he was trustworthy in Gabrielle Delacour's eyes. They were family now which, by extension, could mean she would eventually be related through marriage to Jake someday too if their relationship progressed far enough. The Delacours loved him, and they all seemed to be rather close, especially after Pierre's illness; something Hermione and Ron had put very little effort in comforting the family when everything happened. Bill was the one more directly involved since his wife was Fleur. Now however, she wished she would have paid more attention, specifically to Jake.

"I stand by my decision. I have no reason to doubt him other than the fact there is something he is holding back."

"But—" Victor started.

"How soon you forget Victor, that there is more than one way to spy on people." Hermione scribbled down some notes into her notebook. "There's obviously something that he's hiding. Why not utilize him the way we need, and try to dig up some answers on him in the process?"

"I see." Victor said, smirking when he understood her train of thought. "Will he become an official spy?"

Hermione pursed her lips in thought. "I don't think so. Not until I know his full story. Not to mention he did not seem particularly fond of being called here."

"Like I said before, he raised quite a commotion at the sanctuary." Victor reminded her.

"Yes." Hermione stood from her seat and Victor did the same. "I guess all we can do now is wait for his answer."

She came around her desk and stood before Victor, an awkward silence hanging over the pair as Victor struggled to say what was on his mind. He always furrowed his eyebrows when he had something important to say, so Hermione waited patiently for him to arrange his thoughts together.

"Hermione?" Victor asked. "This is unrelated to the mission. But…are you alright?"

She breathed in a small breath and cocked her head to one side, her heart stuttering. "I'm fine?" She didn't really want to talk about what she thought he was steering this conversation to.

Victor struggled for words again. "It's just that…before the meeting…and your husband. He looked angry. And I can alvays tell vhen you haf been crying."

Hermione remained silent and averted her eyes to the ground, looking past Victor's hand. She saw it twitch, as if he were going to reach over and touch her, but he remained immobile.

Indeed, the unexpected visit from Ron had upset her. She felt awful about it because he had caught her in a private meeting with Victor in her office. They were not doing anything incriminating, just preparing for their meeting with Jake. But Ron took it wrong.

In these instances, Ron usually accused her of sneaking behind his back, and his jealousy was only getting worse with Victor around. She couldn't tell Ron why Victor was there so honestly, she wasn't surprised that Ron was getting jealous. He had no logical reason for Victor being there alone with his wife. Ron had also admitted to her that he was still incredibly insecure about what he had seen in the forest with Harry when he destroyed the locket horcrux. So much so, that he still woke up screaming some nights.

But what upset her the most was that he had promised to try. He had promised to stop showing up randomly at her work and he could barely last a few days. He had told her it was because she came into work early today, when she was doing so well the whole week, that he had to check on her before he went to meet George for work.

She thanked Merlin that she had cast muffliato and a few other silencing charms because the screaming match was one for the books. It only lasted a few minutes, but she knew that as soon as she got home, she would be treated to the frostiest cold shoulder of her life and not even a touch or glance in her direction. It was her fault though, so she put up with it.

"Hermione," Victor whispered, close to her ear. "I can see your thoughts displayed plainly on your face." He was peering into her eyes, his breath even. Hermione locked onto the dark color of his eyes, darting back and forth as though the very depths of them would keep her tethered to reality. "You have done nothing wrong."

Hermione's breathing was shallow as she processed his words. Before she knew or understood what she was doing, she leaned in and pressed her forehead to his shoulder, as though she needed the extra support. He stood there with his arms to his side, trying to catch a glimpse of the expression on her face when he hesitantly lifted his arms to wrap gently around her.

Sighing, Hermione felt grounded. His arms felt like the anchors of her life she so desperately wanted and that she desperately tried to find in Ron, knowing she wouldn't receive anything tonight. Quietly, she whispered a strangled, "I know." Into his shoulder.

Victor squeezed her gently and stepped back to peer into her eyes again, concern written over his face. Hermione drew in a shaky breath and guilt immediately settled into her chest. "You need to leave." She said.

Victor stiffened momentarily, nodded once, and softly closed the door behind him.

Standing as still as a statue, Hermione kept staring at her preferred spot on the floor. And this is exactly why my husband can't trust me… She thought. I deserve every bit of punishment Ron gives me tonight.

~Harry~

"How did it go?" Gabrielle asked as soon as he stepped through the threshold of their flat.

Harry sighed heavily and sat down at their small table, casting away his glamour charms. His hair was now almost the perfect length for his disguise, but he could feel the soft wave of magic change the rest of his appearance as well.

With his wand still out, he summoned a teapot and cast it to the stove, setting out the sugar and milk for the pair of them as Gabrielle sat down across from him.

They fixed their tea and Gabrielle waited patiently, though Harry could tell she was dying to know more information.

Eventually Harry sighed again and said, "She talked to me about my involvement in the sanctuary quarters, and she wants me to spy for her. In short."

Gabrielle sat back into her chair, looking over the room as she processed his words. "She wants you to spy? Against who?"

"Gerard Oberland."

"That man who saved you from running the diagnostics?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah. Apparently, Oberland is their number one suspect for the disappearances."

Her face lit up with alarm and Harry recounted as much of the conversation he could remember, providing her with as many details as he could.

Eventually, he said, "I'm not sure what I should do."

Gabrielle nodded gravely. "It seems you don't have much of a choice."

"Again." Harry said glumly.

Sensing his changing mood, Gabrielle changed the subject. "But there is one thing you can control." Gabrielle said, standing up and slithering over to his seat.

Harry smirked. "And what might that be?"

She sat down heavily into his lap, making herself comfortable. In the process, Harry could feel his trousers tightening and the near constant ache for friction.

Gabrielle leaned in closely, enough for the breath of her words to gently brush against his ear, sending shivers down his spine and making him buck his hips involuntarily. "I could sing for you again."

Nearly moaning at the suggestion, Harry whispered just as softly," and how would that give me control of any situation?"

Gabrielle chuckled. "Oh, it wouldn't. But we would sure have some fun. I like to be dominated when you lose control like that."

"Fuck, Gabrielle." He ground out. "You're going to be the death of me, you know that?"

Giggling again, Gabrielle sat up. "Then we shall die together in each other's arms-" she leaned in close, "wrapped around each other-" she suckled on his ear. "filling me up-" Harry bucked his hips and his hands trembled as she sang a few notes into his ear.

Harry's eyes glazed over. He lifted her up into his arms and carried her to their bedroom.

~oOo~

Their breathing finally evened out as the last tremors of their passion filled evening began to ebb away. Harry could feel Gabrielle's walls clench down on him in short spasms as she kissed him thoroughly, milking him dry. Harry remained inside her, wishing for nothing more than to be as close and intimate with her as possible. She seemed to have the same idea, because she wrapped her legs around him tightly and simply stared into his eyes.

"What's on your mind?" Gabrielle asked, cupping his face gently and rubbing his cheek with her thumb when they finally came down from their highs.

Harry huffed out a disbelieving laugh. "How do you know something is wrong?"

She smiled knowingly. "Harry, you may have the rest of the world fooled, but I know you inside and out. Now tell me what's going through your mind. Is it the spying business?"

And there it was. She knew. Of course, she knew what was plaguing his mind already.

Harry gripped her a bit tighter, feeling her skin dip to the pressure from his fingers. "Gabrielle," he whispered. "I'm afraid that, by accepting and getting involved in this, that I am putting you in danger."

He stopped for a second to sort his thoughts and continued on. "I don't think I could forgive myself if anything happened to you. Especially because of me."

"Harry, look at me." Gabrielle said forcefully. She tightened her legs around him and the hands cupping his face turned him toward her. He looked into her deep blue eyes and she spoke again. "You are the love of my life. Anything that happens to you, to me, to us…we're in it together. I will stand by you no matter what. My love for you is not fragile."

Harry nodded. "I know, love." He said, gently brushing a clump of hair from her face. "But if what I'm doing puts you in danger—"

"From what I understand, we're already in danger. Whether you're involved or not won't change that."

She traced his lips with her finger, barely touching him and ghosting over his skin. "We may live in uncertainty. But one thing I am absolutely certain of, is that I want to spend my life with you, because the mere thought of living without you is too painful to even think about. So please Harry, don't say you're afraid that you're going to hurt me. We accept the love we think we deserve. And I know, I don't deserve someone as wonderful as you, so please. Let me know that we're in this crazy adventure together."

Harry could feel his heart thudding in his heart as he thought that this would be the perfect time for his proposal to her. However, the ring was still in his coat pocket, well away from them. Plus, he had other plans for her anyway. So, he simply nodded and whispered, "Always."

Kissing her thoroughly, he pulled out of her and began stroking himself to full hardness again. "For as long as I live, I'm yours. Just promise me something."

"Anything." She breathed.
"Just promise me that…if you are ever in danger or your life is ever threatened, that you leave me?"

Gabrielle gasped softly. "I can't promise that."

"Please, Gabrielle." Harry gripped her waist almost painfully, and rested the tip of his throbbing cock at her entrance. "Promise me."

Gabrielle reached up and gripped his shoulders, waiting for their coupling again. "I promise, only if you come with me."

"Deal." Harry ground out before thrusting deeply into her. The rest of their thoughts became incoherent as they entwined their bodies together.

~oOo~

Harry allowed himself a week before he would confront Hermione. He and Nick were tirelessly working on his occlumency skills over everything else, and Harry was surprised to say that he had made some real progress. Though it was difficult, Harry had managed to keep Nick out of his head for at least a minute by the time the week had come to a close. It wasn't much, but it was better than what he did with Professor Snape at Hogwarts.

Friday morning rolled around and Harry informed Nick of his plans for the day.

He strolled into the Hermione's department after portkeying straight there. No one paid any attention to him despite the crowd, much to his relief.

Upon entering the correct ward, Harry went straight to her door and took a few calming breaths. No turning back now.

He rapped his knuckles on the door, which swung open after a moment.

Hermione sat at her desk and gestured for him to enter. "Ah, Jake." She said, sitting up straighter in her chair. She magically closed the door and warded her office against eavesdroppers and said, "Have you made a decision?"

Here we go. "Indeed, I have." Harry swallowed and said, "I've decided to help you."

~oOo~

Author's Note: Hello again everyone! Thank you so much for your patience. I have been super busy and unable to post as often as I'd like. I also got ideas for other stories and have been fleshing those out to give myself a bit of a break from writing this story. But never fear! I am determined to write this one to completion!

That being said, thank you all for your wonderful reviews! They help keep me motivated to keep writing. It also looks like I may have some betas around the corner! Which is SO exciting!

I don't know what my posting schedule will be like from here on out. It will probably be whenever I get a chapter written. I haven't been editing them, just writing and posting (Working three jobs has given me very little time to focus on this fic). Again, I thank every one of you for sticking around for my story. I don't know when the next chapter will be up, but I know these next few will be a doozy. Prepare yourselves mentally!

I have received a couple reviews already pointing out some issues. I have gone back to explain why Hermione would have to alter Harry's memories, to relieve some confusion. Just to let you know/remind everyone, Hermione is not a part of the main plot, but essentially has a side story that assists the primary plot. Harry was going to be thrust into the shitstorm one way or another, she's just easing the blow.

Again, thanks and please review! P.S. Please be nice to me, it's been a long year 3