17 Weeks
Everything was not fine. Harry had been in a poor mood ever since Sirius told him he didn't know how to love and it had gotten even worse after the row he had with Hermione.
He had some nerve, avoiding her all week, but when he saw her again at the Quidditch match he fell into her presence, starving for her company.
What right did he have to feel that way after what he put her through?
And Sirius, what the bloody hell was his problem? Saying he didn't know how to love. His ability to love saved the British magical world!
He wanted to huff and kick something, but the last thing he needed was to become some petulant child.
"I'm starting to worry that you don't know what being in love feels or looks like."
He'd been in love once. He loved Ginny. But it had been five years since they dated. Wow, has it really been that long?
But he had loved her all the same. He had even thought that she could be the one he would spend the rest of his life with. But their schedules made it so difficult to see each other they couldn't handle it. And they had been so young.
Besides, he knew what love looked like! He saw it with Remus and Tonks. The way she stood beside him even when he had been sure his lycanthropy would ruin her life.
He saw it in the Grangers. In the small acts of love they expressed like leaving sticky notes around the house with compliments or a simple I love you and the way Mr. Granger would just sit and listen as Mrs. Granger retold or ranted about her day, his gaze never straying. The effort they make to spend an evening together.
He could see it so obviously with Bill and Fleur, the way she caressed his cheek or asked him to just hold her.
He knew what it was. He knew how to love. But, Merlin, it's been ages since he's been in love himself. How was he supposed to know if he was?
He stormed out of the file room and dropped a stack of files onto one of the newest graduates' desks. "Refile these, please. Don't just charm them into place. Actually, check the name, date, and appropriate codes.
Harry could see the kid bite back a groan. "Besides," he continued, "it'll help you get to know the filing system and room. It'll be easier to find things."
He strolled past the center desks and entered his shared office. Neville and Ron were already inside. Both were standing, which was out of the ordinary.
Something was wrong. "What's going on?"
"There's something I want to tell you two," Neville said.
"You're getting married, we know," Ron whined playfully.
"I am actually," Neville grinned.
"Neville!" Ron punched him in the shoulder. "Congrats, mate."
Harry blinked. "Wow, congratulations."
Neville ran a hand through his sandy blonde hair. "I asked her last week and she said yes. But, that's not what I wanted to talk about right now."
"What is it?" Ron noted their friend's serious tone.
Neville took a deep breath and braced himself. "I've decided to end my tenure here at the Auror Department," he announced.
"What?" Harry and Ron both blurted out.
Neville shrugged. "I've been thinking about it. I've finally decided. My last day is in August."
"But, why? You're a good Auror," Ron remarked.
Neville smiled softly. "Sure, but it isn't what I want to do for the rest of my life. Joining the force seemed like a logical step after Hogwarts, but I have new goals now that I want to pursue."
Ron nodded. He reached out and gripped Neville's shoulders. "Good on you, Longbottom. We still have a few weeks left, but it won't be the same without you."
"Thanks, Ron."
Harry joined in congratulating Neville on his good news and assuring him he understood his decision to leave. He didn't have time to wallow as Robards called him out to join him in a joint head meeting.
Harry spent the day reintroducing himself to various department and deputy heads, going over training exercises, and finally meeting up with his team in the meeting room about ongoing investigations.
When he was all done, He plopped down at his desk chair with a sigh.
Ron popped a hard candy into his mouth. "Maybe I should retire from the department."
Harry sat up. "You too?"
Ron shrugged. "I don't want to do this forever either. It's dangerous work and it's tiring coming home exhausted every day." He leaned his arms over his desk. "I mean, it's noble work, but not at the expense of my life."
Harry stared at a set of documents outlining upcoming training initiatives.
"What does Hermione think?" Ron asked.
He stilled. "About what?"
"About you staying in the force."
"What about it? It's not like it matters what she thinks." Hermione had made her feelings known quite well regarding his and Ron's work with the DMLE, but she'd never make them stop. She understood why they did it.
"I guess," Ron said softly. "But, I mean, she's our friend, your friend," he emphasized, "who happens to be having your baby. I think her opinion matters."
"How would I even bring it up with her?" Harry asked sincerely. Merlin, the row they had last week was about his work in the DMLE. "Besides, what else would I do? This is the only thing I know how to do."
Ron laughed loudly. "Lucky for you, mate, you have the luxury of not being chained to a desk. You have all the time in the world to do whatever the hell you want. You just don't want to."
# # #
"Ms. Granger?" Mr. Sterling entered her office, closing the door softly behind him.
"Mr. Sterling," she sat up and moved to stand, but he held his hand up.
"Just a quick question," he cleared his throat. "Madam Kane would like your permission to share your good news with the rest of our department. She'd like to announce it during our morning meeting."
"Oh." She bit her lip. Was she ready for her coworkers to know? They were bound to ask questions.
"I understand your reluctance, but it'll be important in the long run. As you get further along there are fewer things you'll be physically able to do. We should be allowed to help you if needed."
She nodded. "You have a point of course. You have my permission."
"Very good." He slipped out of her office without a goodbye.
She took a deep breath and mentally braced herself for the meeting that was going to take place in a matter of minutes.
As if on cue, Ainsworth appeared in her doorway and urged her to follow her to the meeting room and chattered about how Daphne still owed him lunch.
Madam Kane smoothly went through the topics of interest, getting updates from each sub-committee and liaison office. Once she was done, she tapped the table to regain their attention. "We wanted to share some good news," Madam Kane spoke, "our family is growing. Ms. Granger is expecting a baby due in November."
Hermione felt her face flush as her coworkers whirled around to face her.
"I'm sure I'm not the only one when I say congratulations and we'll support you in any way we can," Madam Kane continued. She nodded at Mr. Sterling.
He picked up the vase and walked around the table, stopping before her. "This is for you and your family, on behalf of Madam Kane, myself, and the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."
"Thank you so much," Hermione took the vase and turned to face her coworkers who were staring at her in equal amounts of surprise, amazement, and joy. "I appreciate it so much, you all have no idea."
Madam Kane smiled and tapped her wand against the table, making food appear. "To celebrate, we've brought food in for everybody. Enjoy!"
Madam Kane gave her employees a curt nod and left the room. Mrs. Fawley squealed under her breath and squeezed Hermione's shoulders before following after the department head.
"Again, Ms. Granger," Mr. Sterling cleared his throat, "if you'd like to change your work hours or workload, you simply need to inform me and I'll make the proper arrangements."
"Of course, thank you, Mr. Sterling."
He too strolled out of the room in a hurry.
Soon after Hermione was pulled into warm hugs and ecstatic voices.
"Congratulations, Hermione," Daphne squeezed her hand. "Oh, your baby is going to be adorable."
"Do you know what you're having yet?" Lauren Hayashi asked.
"Not yet, no. I'll know next month."
"Do you want a girl or a boy?"
"Have you thought of names?"
"Awe, the baby will be here just in time for Christmas!"
"I've never seen Mr. Sterling look so uncomfortable."
Hermione, Lauren, and Daphne turned to Ainsworth, who was currently putting together a double-stacked turkey sandwich.
"What are you talking about?" Lauren asked.
"It looked like he ate a lemon," Ainsworth commented. He took a bite of his sandwich.
Daphne leaned carefully against the table, she took the vase out of Hermione's hands and placed it on the table beside her. "Well, who wouldn't when you find out the person you've fancied for ages is having someone else's baby."
Hermione and Lauren exchanged confused glances.
"We're talking about, Mr. Sterling?" Lauren asked.
Daphne nodded, picking up a plate of assorted fruit. "He's fancied Hermione for years."
"No, he hasn't," Hermione countered.
"He has?" Lauren asked.
"You probably wouldn't notice," Ainsworth said, "you're gay."
"You're gay too," she snapped back.
"Yes, which makes it easier for me to see when men are unfortunately besotted with someone. It's a skill. I took a class."
Lauren punched him in the stomach. "So, Mr. Sterling is in love with Hermione?"
"He is not." Hermione grabbed her vase again. "You're all being ridiculous." She waved her wand at a plate of fruit and cucumber sandwiches. She turned on her heel and headed back to her office, her food floating carefully behind her.
"That's incredible," she heard Lauren say.
"Probably why Sterling fell in love with her," Ainsworth said.
Hermione set her flowers on the corner of her desk. They were a beautiful assortment of tulips, peonies, anemones, and jasmine. The tulips took center stage and she wondered if any of them knew how much she loved that flower.
She took a strawberry from her plate and popped it into her mouth. Her coworkers were the best, but they were being beyond outrageous. Where could they possibly get the idea that Mr. Sterling fancied her? He was always professional and proper with her. He's never made a pass at her, commented on her looks or desire to see her outside work.
The image of his blank expression when she told him and Madam Kane about the baby came to mind. He hadn't said a word to her that whole day. He didn't speak to her until Friday when he came by to say a good job on her work on the Werewolf Legislation.
Even now during the meeting, he never once said congratulations.
She crossed her arms over her chest. Well, that was rather petty of him. Oh, who was she kidding, if she was in a similar position, she'd probably be less than happy too. But, lucky for her she's never had to experience that.
She frowned. Well, she did run into her ex-boyfriend and his pretty girlfriend. That was rough.
But, Ryan wasn't right for her anyway! She's glad they broke up. She didn't want to be with someone who wouldn't attempt to accept her worlds or who was too preoccupied with looking good to others.
She wanted to be with someone kind, modest, who had hobbies that weren't related to showing off, compassionate, loving, who cared about their family and friends, someone funny, but didn't use their humor to cut people.
Just someone she could spend all day with and not feel like it was a chore. Someone who would just call or write or see her, not for any particular reason, but to just speak with her.
The figure that appeared in her mind blurred, but in the deepest part of her heart, she knew. Sweet Godric, what happened?
No, no, no. Impossible. He was just, they were just friends. She and Harry were just friends.
She pressed her fingertips to her temples. Just have to think logically about this. They were good friends. Their personalities and attitude meshed well. So, of course, she'd want to find that in a potential boyfriend. Right?
Or maybe she's feeling this way because of the baby. Hormones. Something.
Yes, it must be some psychological, nature, sciency reason why she's finding Harry to be a good potential partner.
Right. Science.
She took a deep breath. She needed to reign in those thoughts and get to work. She had enough things to do and she didn't want to spend her time mulling over Harry or Mr. Sterling.
# # #
Once she got home, Hermione changed into comfier clothes and sat down at the kitchen table, her agenda, and pregnancy books around her. Her phone began to ring. She checked the caller ID. Ron! She answered immediately. Perfect. Someone to distract her. "Hey."
"Are you home? I'd like to come by."
"Come on over. I'll be in the kitchen."
"Great. I'll be there in a sec."
Minutes later, she heard the floo and his heavy footsteps stomp across the ground floor sitting room and into the foyer and watched as he came down the steps into the kitchen. He smiled brightly at her. "How are you? What are you doing?"
He reached her at the table, planting a quick kiss on her temple. He placed a shopping bag on top of the table and took the seat beside her.
"I'm feeling alright. Just reading up on stuff. You?"
"I'm brilliant." He took a deep breath. "So, I got you something."
She looked at him curiously. "Did you?"
He gave her a sheepish smile. "Well, I got something for the baby."
She giggled. "Alright, let's see it."
He upended the shopping bag and Hermione watched as blankets, bibs, burp cloths, and what looked like baby hats spread across the table.
Ron spread out the items, laying them out flat so she could see them more clearly.
She smiled at the swaddling blanket with i love you written across it in cursive.
"Look at this one," Ron pointed out a woodsy themed swaddle set. "It's got deer on it. Cheesy, but I couldn't resist."
"I got bibs and burp cloths too and this blanket." He reached out and grabbed a fuzzy blanket. "I originally went to pick up some clothes, but I realized it was going to be cold when the baby got here and I couldn't find anything with long sleeves and suits that covered their feet. I'll have to look again later." He handed her the blanket.
She ran her hand over the softness and smiled at the scene pictured. Little pink deer were spread out over the blanket, along with foxes, rabbits, and cartoonish pine trees. "This is all so lovely, Ron. Thank you so much."
"I'm just a little disappointed I couldn't find any clothes."
She turned and reached over to wrap her arms around his shoulders. "You're the best."
He laughed into her shoulder. "I know. So, take out?"
She agreed profusely. They ended up eating tacos and enjoyed a ton of fizzy drinks.
She was eating her fifth carne asada taco and listened as Ron spoke about his girlfriend (who helped pick out some of the baby items). Yes, this was exactly what she needed. Distraction.