18 Weeks

"Potter, my office." Robards stomped past.

Harry sighed and pushed away from his desk. He met up with Castle and Tonks who were also headed for Robards office. "What's this about?" He looked toward the veteran Aurors.

Castle shrugged and pulled her long blonde hair into a bun. "No idea."

They walked into the office, joining Robards and two other people; a man and a woman. Harry's mouth went dry, his gaze lingering on the woman standing beside Robards' desk.

"This is Colin Overton," gesturing to the man, "he's joining our forensics team and you all remember Lena Lockwood. I've invited her back to train some of the new recruits. Please welcome them and help them reorient themselves within our office." Robards dismissed them gruffly.

Harry stilled as Lena walked past him and winked, "Hey, Potter." The faint scent of familiar warm vanilla flowed over him.

He gulped. Lena Lockwood was the last person he thought he'd see again. He met her after he graduated from the Academy. She was also hired to train new recruits in newer, safer, and better ways to apprehend criminals.

Lena also happened to be the woman he rebounded with after he and Ginny broke up. The things they did together still made his insides stir. It was a feeling and thrill he had unintentionally craved in all the women he had been with since.

He wasn't even sure how they started sleeping together. It didn't start with a conversation the way it did with Hermione. Just one day, after having drinks with some coworkers at the Mystic Brew in Diagon Alley, they ended up snogging in the men's restroom, then going back to her place. It quickly devolved from there. Heated sessions, mainly at her flat. He never brought her to Grimmauld Place or Merlin help him, Dogwood Garden. He never even mentioned her to Sirius or Remus.

He probably wouldn't be working with her too much, right? She's here for the new recruits. He wouldn't get distracted. Lena was the past. A person he used to have sex with. That's all it ever was between. Besides, he was with Hermione now.

He choked. Well, they weren't together, per se. Either way, they hadn't had sex since she told him about the baby. But, neither of them really stated outright that their casual sex was over.

He lurched. He just stupidly realized he expected everything to go back to what it was after the baby arrived. Merlin, how selfish could he get? Really? Feed baby, change nappy, put them to sleep, and then drag Hermione to bed. What is wrong with him?

His head began to pound. He needed water. Something.

He rushed to the water fountain and poured himself a cup of water and then as casually as possible slipped into the file room and hid himself in a corner.

God, he's such a fool. What is he expecting? What did he want?

He took a deep breath and rubbed his fingers down across his forehead.

Hermione is his best friend. He can't just go about thinking it was going to go back to normal. Nothing was going to be normal. But, he also didn't want, whatever this was, whatever they were, to end.

# # #

"Hi, mum." Hermione kissed her mother on the cheek. Nicole Granger hugged her daughter tightly.

"Is Harry not going to join us?"

"No. He's busy with work."

The two Granger women walked into the large shopping center, heading straight for the baby store.

"That's too bad. Now, you've decided on getting a pump?" Her mum changed the subject.

Hermione grabbed a trolley. "Yes. I want to try and breastfeed and pump for as long as I'm able. If I use formula, I figure I'll wait to see what my baby really needs."

Her mum caressed the back of Hermione's head. "It took a while to figure out a good feeding routine for you."

"Really?"

Mrs. Granger nodded. "You were such a finicky baby. Let's go find a pump."

Hermione and her mother spent a good amount of time in the aisle searching and comparing breast pumps. When Hermione finally settled on one, she noticed her mum seemed to be wanting to say something. "What is it, mum?"

Mrs. Granger pushed the trolley into the next row which opened up to various playpens and pack-n-plays. "Your father and I were talking."

"Yes?" Hermione looked over the playpens, taking an immediate liking to one that held a small bassinet/changing table.

"We're hoping you'd consider moving in with us during your maternity leave." She continued before Hermione could say anything. "There's plenty of room, you know that. And this way we can help you rest and transition into motherhood."

Hermione immediately wanted to say no. But, looking at her mother's earnest expression staved away those feelings. Sure, she could live alone, but she could also make it easier for her and her baby by being in a familiar and safe place.

"I appreciate that mum. Thanks. I still want to try looking for a new place."

"Of course, sweetheart. We just don't want you to feel rushed. Don't stress and feel hurried about finding a new home."

Hermione nodded. There was no arguing that sound logic. "I'll be getting twenty weeks of parental leave."

Her mother gasped. "That's incredible! That's plenty of time to heal and bond with the baby. And Harry?"

"He gets sixteen weeks."

A relieved smile spread across her mum's face. "That's so good. Will he be staying with you?"

Hermione fought off a shrug. "We think it would be a good idea. That way I won't be alone and we can sort out some routine." She turned her attention to the playpens. "What do you think of this?"

"This one is very nice. It has an attachable bassinet that you can flip over to a changing station," Her mum said. "That's rather clever, but what will you do with that add on when the baby gets bigger? It'll just take up space."

"That's true." She hadn't thought of that. "I still want this one though."

Her mum chuckled. "Do you like the color? Should we get it right now?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes and yes." She and her mother hoisted the playpen into the trolley. "That's all I can budget for today, but do you want to look at the cots?"

Her mum squeaked. "Yes, let's go!"

Hermione and her mum cooed and awed at the various cots and furniture sets. It was overwhelming and too cute seeing many cots decked out in their own sheet sets and matching decor. She walked past numerous Winnie the Pooh, Noah's Ark, butterflies, whales, rain forest. She came across a dark brown colored traditional cot, donned with a white fitted sheet with wooden creatures splayed across like owls, deer, squirrels, and bunnies. "Mum, look at this one."

"Oh, this is too cute." Her mum stepped beside her. "Look what I found," she held up a stuffed orange cat. "Doesn't it look like Crookshanks?"

Hermione giggled. It did look like her old friend.

"I'm going to get it for your little one."

# # #

Hermione drove her mother back to Grimmauld Place with her purchases. Upon arriving, her mother helped her take them up to the spare room on the first floor before heading down to the basement kitchen for an early dinner.

"Thanks for coming out with me, mum." Hermione finished putting the last touches to her spaghetti before serving a plate for both of them.

Her mum stabbed a fork into her spaghetti. "Of course, sweetheart. I've always imagined what it would be like to be shopping for you and your baby. It makes me so happy."

"Mum."

Her mum sniffled. "Don't mind me."

Hermione was mid-laugh when she heard the Floo open.

"Hermione?" Sirius called out. "It's Sirius. Are you home?"

"In the kitchen!" She walked back to the counter and grabbed a clean plate.

A well-dressed Sirius Black appeared in the doorway. "Nicole, it's good to see you."

Her mum stood and smiled at Sirius when he placed a chaste kiss on the back of her hand. "How are you, Sirius?"

"Fantastic! Excited for the little one joining the family soon."

"Sirius, would you like some food?" Hermione held up a plate with spaghetti.

Sirius nodded. "Thank you, love."

She set the plate down before him and returned to her seat. "What brings you by, Sirius?"

Sirius pouted. "Can't I visit my favorite girl?"

Hermione shrugged, scooping some food into her mouth.

"Alright, I was lonely. Plus, I wanted to see and ask how you and the baby are."

Hermione smiled. "We're both doing fine."

"Excellent!"

Hermione listened to her mother and Sirius speak. From work to the weather, to potential baby names. Hermione discovered they both liked the name Elizabeth - it was both classy and traditional.

After dinner, Hermione picked up her car keys from the bowl in the foyer. Sirius walked around her and plucked them out of her hand. "I can drive your mum to the station, love. You sit back and relax."

"That's okay, I can -" She felt her mother's hand rest on her shoulder.

"It's alright, sweetheart. You rest." Her mum kissed her temple. "I'll see you soon."

Hermione hugged her mum. "Love you."

"Love you more. You rest now. We walked quite a bit today."

Hermione waved her mother and Sirius out the door. She shut the door, turned on her heel, and trudged up the stairs to the first-floor sitting room. She slumped onto the sofa and switched on the telly.

She didn't know how long she was skimming through the channels when she felt a strange flutter in her belly.

The remote clattered to the floor. She pressed both hands to her belly and waited. Was that fluttering her baby? Was it moving?

A grumpy meow interrupted her thoughts. Crookshanks hopped onto the sofa beside her, resting his two front paws on her thigh.

"Crookshanks, I think the baby moved."

"Hermione, I'm back!"

"Up here!"

She heard Sirius stomp up the stairs. He greeted Crookshanks loudly before plopping down beside her. "What is it?" He eyed the placement of her hands.

She shrugged. "I think the baby moved. I can't be sure."

"What!"

She rolled her eyes. "I don't think you'll be able to feel it, but I think it was the baby."

Sirius rested his ear against her belly. "I can't wait to meet you in person!"

She giggled. "You don't have to yell." She summoned a book from the side table and opened it to her placemark. "I'm eighteen weeks now so that means the baby is about the size of a cucumber. That doesn't sound right." She stared at the telly, watching a commercial for a local grocery store, " I kind of want some mango."

Sirius laughed. "That has nothing to do with cucumbers, but yeah mango sounds good right about now."

She rested her book against her belly. "It does sound good."

"Do you have some?"

Hermione frowned and shook her head.

Sirius tapped a finger against his chin. "Do you want some?"

"I wouldn't mind some mangoes and maybe some fresh chocolate chip cookies."

Sirius grinned and slapped his hands together. "Your wish is my command, miss. I'll be right back."

Sirius practically flew out of the room and she vaguely heard him disapparate from the front stoop.

She rolled her eyes at Crookshanks as he returned to his spot beside her. She gently rubbed the top of his head. "There's a baby coming soon, Crookshanks. Are you ready?"

He slowly got to his feet and stretched out, allowing her hand to run up and down his back. He blinked at her and walked onto her lap, kneading her thigh for a few moments before laying back down.

Hermione stretched her legs out and tried to relax onto the sofa, closing her eyes and taking deep breaths.

"Hermione?"

She felt a nudge on her shoulder.

She slowly came to and noticed Sirius sitting on the edge of the sofa, holding a bowl of cut mango and a plate of cookies.

"You fell asleep," he explained.

"Sorry."

He shook his head and held the mango out to her. "Do you still want some?"

"Yes," she replied with a smile and took the bowl gratefully.

Sirius chuckled and dug into his own bowl. He crossed one leg over, resting his ankle over his knee.

Once she was finished with her bowl, she set it aside and looked toward Sirius. His eyes were concentrated on the telly and the unfolding drama of being trapped in a public library during an extreme weather event.

"Sirius?"

"Yes, love?"

"Harry said he'd talk to you about it, but I'm not sure if he has yet."

Sirius slowly lowered his fork and bowl onto the coffee table. "What is it?"

Hermione shifted so she could sit sideways on the sofa and face him properly. "Well, Harry works full time and I'll be at least part-time when my maternity leave is over. We want someone we know and trust to take care of the baby while we're at work. Would you like to help us with that?"

Sirius' eyes slowly grew wide and his jaw slackened. She could see small pricks of tears collect in the corner of his eye.

"Sirius?"

He clamped his hand over his mouth, holding back a shuddering breath.

She scooted over to him. "Oh, Sirius, please don't cry."

He sniffled loudly. He dropped his hand and reached out to grip hers. "You want me to help take care of your baby?"

"Only if you want to -"

"Of course, I want to!"

Tears trekked down his cheeks. He took a few deep breaths. "It's Harry's baby, James's grandbaby, my - I don't even know."

She reached out and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, hugging him to her. "Your grandbaby too. Don't think otherwise."

He sniffled into her ear. "Do you really think so?"

"I know so. My baby is going to be so lucky to have two amazing, loving grandpas."

He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her back. "I'd love to, Hermione. Thank you."