A/N: I could've had this chapter out 24 hours earlier but the US, my country, is really going through some shit right now and my emotions were tied up in that all of yesterday. I'll refrain from getting into it but it's great to have writing as an outlet to decompress.
Years From Now
Chapter 25
April 21, 2009
Today was the day. Today was the day that Harry became Head Auror.
He rose from Hermione's bed at 5:52AM that morning and was unable to return to sleep, missing the extra hour and a half he could have had but not caring, as it did allow him to cook breakfast and surprise Hermione with the food once she rose at 7:15AM. With the additional time, he also took a shower that was 15 minutes longer than usual, trimmed his facial hair, threw Sleekeazy's on the hair on top of his head, and ironed his uniform shirt and slacks by hand. Once Hermione awoke, the couple buzzed with energy while they ate and discussed the highly anticipated event, yet she exuded excitement whereas he exuded nervousness. The change in energy was a distinct cry from the last major discussion they had merely two days earlier after getting back from Germany and Spain. They, Harry especially, had been relaxed and amused then, pleased with how the bachelor and bachelorette parties had gone and eager to hear about the other's stories.
They recounted their weekends to one another on Sunday evening while Hermione soaked in the bathtub of Grimmauld's master bedroom and Harry sat on the floor and hung off the edge, swatting at the bubbles. The brunette reported that her favorite part of Barcelona was the wine tasting the witches had done the day of their arrival. She noted the winery was adorable and the wine spectacular, and she claimed that she had three glasses while there and bought two bottles to bring home with her. Hermione shared that the buzz from the wine was enough to carry her through the nightclub the women visited on Friday night and she had no alcohol at all while there. She attested that they woke Saturday morning to a wonderful breakfast made by the chef that Ginny hired for the weekend and, afterward, they made their way to a spa.
"It was heavenly, Harry," the Muggleborn had sighed, pulling a grin from her fiance, "I hadn't been to a spa since you sent me for my birthday."
"Sounds like it was similar to the hot springs we went to earlier today," he declared, "Just perfect. A brilliant way to rid our bodies of all the alcohol we had over two days."
Hermione also revealed that she drank the least amount of alcohol out of everyone present that weekend, stating that she had simply not felt up for it. She had had the most at the winery but, aside from that, she'd just had one glass of sangria at dinner on Saturday evening (and one shot at the club that night) and one mojito for brunch on Sunday. There had been champagne as well when they went lingerie shopping but she was the only one to not drink it.
"You're not much of a drinker, love. You never have been. That's not unordinary." Harry had remarked, stroking her right shoulder.
"No… I just think they all wanted me to change that, if only for one weekend. But I had an amazing time regardless," came the answer.
Hermione did inform him that an intoxicated Ginny said it was rather odd that she and Ron were maid of honor and best man because they were siblings and explained there were tenuous, romantic implications of one's respective partner in a wedding party. An equally tipsy Padma apparently told her that was stupid. Harry chuckled at this and then relayed that Seamus had made an irrefutably stupid comment that ruined the men's jovial mood and caused everyone to retire to bed, something that was, actually, likely needed (since it had been past 3AM in the morning).
"He said it was 'hilarious' that the best man had slept with the bride and the maid of honor had slept with the groom," the dark haired wizard had deadpanned.
"He didn't." Hermione gasped, gawking at him.
"You know he did. And I was two seconds away from hexing the idiot before Dean said we all needed to go to sleep."
"Hmph! Seamus' filter is questionable at the best of times when he's sober, so it's fair to say that it's nonexistent when he's drunk."
"So we're revoking his wedding invitation, then?"
They had both laughed before Harry inquired what she had worn to the two nightclubs the women visited. Hermione, with cheek, asked him what he had worn and he told her he had been fitted in the suit she bought him for Christmas; feeling pleased by this, she Summoned pictures that Hannah had taken of her in the dresses and showed them to him. One was short, backless and lilac while the other was long, had a running slit on the left side and sage, and Harry marveled that they were the colors of the wedding and made his fiancee look utterly delectable. He was turned on enough by the images that he tempted Hermione out of the bathtub with seductive words only three minutes later, where he then proceeded to lay her down on the bathroom's palatial rug and take her with smooth strokes until they both reached climax.
The ease the pair had over talking about its individual weekends seemed like it had happened decades ago instead of it being less than 48 hours ago. Having experienced her own induction as DMLE Head in July, Hermione fully understood Harry's anxiety and did her best to validate his feelings and reassure him that morning. She reminded him of the good part- that the press would be present but not permitted to ask questions- and told him, right before they left to begin their coinciding 8:30AM shifts, that the next time she saw him that day he would be Head Auror. He accepted her kiss to his nose with a nod and then Apparated to the Ministry before her.
Harry's induction was at 1:30 that afternoon, half an hour after the ceremony occurring amongst select Aurors to swear in the new commanders. He spent the majority of that morning with Taylor Thorpe reviewing (and advising) last minute aspects and tasks of her role as Captain; when he was not with her, he was taking care of loose ends and spending time with his soon-to-be-no-longer team. When it was time for lunch, he, Noah and Kaz ate the meal as a unit to commemorate their last time together as senior Aurors.
"Savor this, Noah. I don't expect we'll be eating too many meals with him once he's Chief Potter," teased Kaz.
"No. I'll definitely be too good for you, Clayton." Harry replied. She threw a bit of bread at him and he ducked it with a chuckle.
"It is going to be a shift. We'll miss having you directly in the ranks, Harry… going from seeing you at our side to seeing you ahead of us." Noah acknowledged, putting a hand on the dark haired wizard's shoulder. Harry looked at him pensively.
"But you are going to be one hell of a leader." Kaz mentioned. She touched his hand.
"Without question. We'll be proud to look ahead at you."
At one o'clock, the senior Aurors joined Robards and the six Aurors chosen as commanders in Robards' nearly empty office (which was a jarring scene for them all) to have their informal inauguration. Harry watched Ethan Philips and Tessa with satisfaction and they beamed at him as they accepted their new positions, pledging allegiance and commitment to the roles and their colleagues.
"A new title and a new captain all in one day. How eventful," he said, peering at them with a tame smile. He had been the last senior Auror to swear in his commanders.
"And a new chief, of course," Robards interjected. He approached Harry and gripped his shoulder, "I'd say it's an eventful day all around. I'd also say it's the perfect time for us to make our way to your ceremony, Auror Potter." The others nodded and chattered quickly, animatedly about the much awaited induction.
"Are you ready, Captain?" Philips asked with a grin. Harry gazed at him and then at Robards, taking in his superior's calm countenance, studying the man he had served under his entire career.
"Yeah. I am," he confirmed.
Fifteen minutes later, Harry stood on the same stage where his appointment as Head Auror had been announced. The difference this time was that there were more people in the crowd and on stage with him, and there was less talking overall. In addition to Kingsley, Robards and Hermione, the Chief Warlock, a judge, and a senior member of the Wizengamot were also perched on stage. Employees from every department in the Ministry were present, with the most hailing from the DMLE (half of the DMLE number being Aurors alone), as well as representatives of the media to capture everything. It started with Kingsley sharing the accolades of Robards' career as a regular Auror and then Chief before the man himself was beckoned forth. He was laconic yet sincere in expressing his appreciation and fondness for his experiences as an Auror and the opportunity to be the division's leader.
"But as it is for every leader, he or she must recognize when their time has reached its end. My time has reached its end," Robards stated confidently, "And it is with great pleasure that I welcome and officially appoint the new leader: Captain Harry Potter."
Harry did not hear the excited buzzing and muttering of the crowd as he straightened his back and clenched his fists. He stared at Robards for a moment and the older wizard gave the most imperceptible smile, and he exhaled with resolve before striding forward and standing four feet apart from his boss. Cameras and quills clicked and scribbled in a frantic dash.
"Auror Potter, do you accept the incumbent position of Head Auror?" Robards inquired.
"I do." Harry stated in a firm voice.
"Please hold up your wand, Auror Potter, and repeat after me."
Both men raised their wand hands and peered steadfastly at one another, with Harry parroting the words that fell from Robards' mouth seconds after they were vocalized.
"I, Harry J. Potter, vow fidelity and integrity as Head Auror. I vow protection, honesty, and fairness to those for whom I work and to those with whom I work. I vow to remember that I serve the public and must keep the public. I vow my best as Head Auror and to honor the responsibilities it holds. May magic guide me in this role and may magic be with me."
They dropped their wands to their sides when finished and Hermione and Kingsley swiftly approached the pair, the former going to Harry and the latter to Robards.
"Auror Potter, if you would," the brunette witch commented, gesturing to his scarlet robes. Harry held out his arms and maneuvered to help her remove the set from his body, which she then handed to the Warlock in exchange for a new set. Hermione did her best to dial down the resplendent smile that wanted to overtake her face as she efficiently helped her fiance into the new scarlet robes, while Harry fought his own grin as he secured the clothing and stared down at the two, thick black stripes that encircled the sleeve of the upper left arm, the stripes that signified his position as Chief.
When Harry looked up, it was to see Kinglsey stepping to Robards and helping the man remove robes that were identical to the ones he had just adorned. He felt a bittersweet pang as he watched Robards humbly slip out of the robes and take a step back to blend in with the others on stage, throwing him one last reassuring smile as he did so. Kingsley motioned for Harry to take the podium and the newly appointed Head Auror swallowed as he took the stand and peered at the multitude of eager faces staring at him.
"Thank you Minister, thank you… Auror Robards," he commenced, caching himself before he said 'Chief.' He was the chief now, "And thank you all for serving as witnesses. I'm afraid I don't have much to say because I'm still in awe of having this title bestowed on me, but I want to make it known that I take the vows I made seriously. I will give my best to the Aurors, the department, and, most of all, you- the public. Trust has been placed in me as Head and every action I take from this point on will be made while keeping that in mind. Thank you again."
Harry moved back as Hermione moved forward to stand beside him and she held out her arm to motion at him before declaring:
"Ladies and gentlemen, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement proudly recognizes its new Head Auror: Chief Potter."
Clamorous clapping and cheers resounded as Harry stood somewhat awkwardly and waved and bowed at the crowd, tense because of his nascent role but also ecstatic, while the media representatives snapped their pictures and captured every angle of the Ministry's new chief that they could. Harry managed to pin Hermione with a look during all the commotion and gave her a smile that was not meant for anyone else present, and the Muggleborn returned it before conveying with her eyes that they would have their own moment to celebrate once they were free from the Ministry.
The new Head Auror spent the rest of his working day with Robards. Despite the months long preparation Harry had in anticipation of his appointment, there was still much to know and it was not going to be covered during Robards' official last day. He reminded Harry that he was at his disposable until July, and the two men gave each other burly hugs when the former Head Auror's shift, and his professional relationship with the new Head Auror, came to an end at 5PM. Harry moped around the newly deserted office- his newly deserted office- and visualized what would go where until his own shift ended half an hour later; once he arrived at his apartment, he promptly sat on the couch in order to make sense of all that had occurred in less than 10 hours.
His Floo flared to life not long after 6PM and he watched Hermione shoot from his hearth, still perched in the same position he had taken when he'd stumbled into his apartment. The first thing his fiancee did was literally tackle him down on the sofa and squeal in his ear that he had done it, that he was officially Head Auror, and she could not be prouder. Harry's grin was involuntary as he hugged her tightly to him and the couple made out for a solid five minutes before separating due to the need for air.
"Oh, Harry, this is so very wonderful!," Hermione noted, caressing his cheek, "How do you feel?"
"I feel everything. Everything, Hermione," he relayed, "I'm going to miss Gawain but this is amazing."
"It is. I had to work extremely hard to stop myself from crying during the ceremony."
"I had to work hard to produce words."
She laughed then admired his pristine set of robes, smoothing a hand down the pair of stripes that had been missing on his uniform until this very day.
"Chief Potter," the brunette noted with a sultry grin.
"Mmm… my number one witch." Harry murmured as he wrapped his arms around her more securely.
Incidentally, the couple could not canoodle for too long because it had a dinner date with Ron, Luna, Hannah and Neville at 7PM, at the Weasleys' home, to celebrate Harry's achievement. Luna and Ron had cooked all of the dark haired wizard's favorite dishes and they were ready to hear everything about his inauguration, which would be a much more personal account than what would be in the following day's papers.
"It was quick and the press couldn't ask questions so it was perfect," the dark haired wizard explained as the group of six sat at the table.
"Short and sweet but meaningful," amended Hermione, "And he cut quite the figure in the Chief's robes!"
"I'm sure he did." Luna agreed.
"Harry with the stripes!" Neville exclaimed, sharing a grin with Ron.
"And you're so young, Harry! You could stay on for 12 years and only be 40." Hannah observed.
"By that point I'd have been an Auror for 22 years… wow," he reflected.
"And still notably young by wizarding standards." Hermione pointed out.
"You could have a career change in your mid 40s if you want! Join Wheezes, which will be all over the world by that point." Ron attested.
"Or he could do something worthwhile. Like teach Defense at Hogwarts." Neville jested. The red head quirked an eyebrow.
"I allow you into my home, feed you, and this is how you repay me. The level of betrayal is unbelievable, Longbottom." The others shook their heads and laughed.
Liam and Reagan took center stage after the adults finished their meal and discussion of Harry's promotion. The eight month old twins had been content to entertain themselves during dinner with a couple toys, attention from one of their parents, and observing the interaction between the adults, but afterward they were entertaining without even having to try. The babies babbled, smiled and laughed, and amused the adults by rolling, sitting on their own, and making promising attempts at crawling. Ron and Luna watched with pride as their children effortlessly charmed their friends and showcased their individual personalities. Both twins were curious but Reagan, for example, was intrepid and moved fast while Liam was contemplative and liked to be in someone's arms, if possible.
"They're quite different already," smiled Neville.
"They're just like you and Ron, Luna!" Hannah marveled in a happy tone. She offered a color changing block to the small boy snuggled into her side while his sister used Harry's legs to prop herself up and watch.
"Yes. Ron also screams and cries if he doesn't get enough food or sleep." Hermione quipped. She winked at her best friend and he smirked victoriously before leaning over and whispering in his wife's ear:
"Or if I don't get my fair share of attention to your breasts."
Luna side eyed him and giggled.
The first hour and a half of Harry's shift the next day was used to move into the Head Auror's office. It was disconcerting once everything was complete and he was sitting behind the desk, taking in the unfamiliar yet familiar space and trying to comprehend that he was sitting behind the desk and not in front of it. However, he had less than a quarter of an hour to be pensive before his silence was broken by Graham Kelly: Robards' old assistant who was now his. (He had an assistant)!
"Chief Potter," the other wizard's chipper tone stated through the magical intercom.
"Oh! Graham!," Harry answered. He righted himself in his chair and cleared his throat, "Er, hi. Yes?"
"Hello sir," The smile could be heard in his voice, "I wanted to know if you're settled? If we can quickly review your schedule for the day."
"I am settled- yes. That, that sounds good."
Graham walked inside immediately thereafter and the pair went through Harry's itinerary quickly, just as the assistant had promised. It predominantly consisted of meetings with other Ministry officials and Harry was happy to see that the foremost was with Hermione and Kingsley.
"Do you have a time that you'd prefer to do this every morning?" Graham asked when they were done. Harry took a second to think about it.
"Ten minutes after I arrive would be nice," he verbalized.
"Noted and done! Now, your weekly schedule will be the first thing you see in your IN box every Monday."
"And daily schedules are to account for any changes that were made from the weekly."
"Yes. Or if you yourself need to rearrange something," Graham said with a smile, "Is there anything else you need at the moment?"
"No," negated Harry with a shake of his head.
"If I may say something in that case, sir?"
"Of course."
Graham stood straighter and peered at his new, younger boss, one closer to his own age. One who was outrageously famous.
"I wanted to thank you for keeping me on. You could've requested a new assistant like many Heads do but you didn't, and I am grateful," he admitted. The dark haired wizard appeared a tad surprised.
"You're quite welcome, Graham. You were a great assistant to Gawain so I saw no reason to replace you. And I know you worked with him for five years, so it will be an adjustment for us both at the start, but I look forward to working with you." Harry informed him.
"So do I, Chief. Very much so."
The day of meetings was a good way to ease Harry into his new role from a political standpoint but on Thursday he was pushed face first into the action that came with being the Aurors' leader. This fast moving pace continued on Friday and he had to cancel his early afternoon session with Ashlyn to honor it, although he rescheduled the session for the succeeding week (which so happened to be two weeks before the wedding). What was more, he and Hermione already had an appointment Friday morning to meet with an interior decorator for their house in Reading, and there was no way Harry could take additional time to see his mind Healer as well.
The appointment began at 9AM at Grimmauld yet Harry had to be at the Ministry at 10AM, so Hermione was prepared to talk to the decorator alone for the hour following that since she did not have to work until 11AM. The witch had gotten suggestions for interior designers and researched them during some of her downtime during the past four weeks; she ended up choosing a woman with a smaller operation and less publicity than other companies but with stellar results. Since this was one aspect of planning their new life in which Harry had essentially no interest, Hermione had hardly consulted him about the options.
"So you've shown me pictures of your home and it's gorgeous, inside and out," the decorator- Laura- remarked.
"We have?" wondered Harry, looking up from his cup of breakfast tea Kreacher had served them. He sounded confused. He had never met this woman before in his life.
"I sent some to her days ago so she'd have an idea of the space," the Muggleborn muttered to him before turning to Laura, "Thank you! We love how bright it is."
"Yes. I thought we should play on that, on the brightness. Find pieces and colors that can play off the light- that can play with it well. Illumination, but nothing fluorescent." Laura supplemented.
Harry stared unblinkingly at the decorator with heavily twisted brows. She had only said a couple sentences and he did not have the faintest clue what they meant. Playing with light, florescence… whatever optimism he had for this meeting took an abrupt nose dive. Hermione, on the other, seemed enthused if her smile and nods were an indication.
"Exactly. Eye catching but not loud," she claimed. She had understood that?!
"This home is designed with taste but the aesthetic is quite different than what you have in Reading." Laura mentioned, glancing around the room.
"Oh, absolutely. We want it to be its own. Harry made Grimmauld lovely with its renovations and made it feel more like a home, but the house in Reading-"
"It will be our home," Harry interjected, "So it should feel warm, from the start." Hermione turned and smiled at him, taking his hand in hers.
"I don't know about loudness or playing or how light's involved, but…" he continued. The women laughed and Laura posed:
"How would you describe your style, Mr. Potter?"
"M-My style? Erm."
Harry gazed at his fiancee with a note of helplessness etched across his face. What sort of broad based question was that? His style?! He did not think about things like this!
"Harry likes simple things. Simple, but not basic. Good quality, well finished… sometimes things that make a statement… but simple." Hermione relayed in a steady voice as she peered at him. There was tenderness in her eyes that Harry and the decorator both caught, and the wizard was amazed by and thankful for her yet again.
"And you, Ms. Granger? Your style?" Laura pondered, looking at the couple in admiration. The brunette witch instantly thought of the appointment with Nora in New York and her wedding dress.
"Sophisticated and soft, I'd say. I also like timeless things."
Laura nodded in approval and made a note.
"Those two styles will work exceptionally well together."
"That's not entirely surprising to hear." Harry declared with a half grin as he continued to look at Hermione.
The consultation concluded at half past ten and Laura set off for her own office with pep in her step. She and her team had four weeks and a more than respectable budget to design and furnish The Grove- the name the couple had dubbed their awaiting home during the meeting. It would be habitable once they returned from their honeymoon and they would have the last week of May to revel in their house before they returned to work on the first day of June. Laura promised to keep Hermione abreast of the progress but not to pester her unless something truly pivotal arose, while Harry was more than willing to not be contacted at all. The only thing he knew was that he was putting forth money and getting a tastefully designed house out of the deal, and that was enough for him.
Teddy itched to fly his birthday broomstick alongside his godfather over the weekend so he requested some of Harry's time, which the older wizard gave without question. He took Teddy to The Grove so they could fly unrestricted, and being in the air once more- a beloved, carefree space for him- was a terrific way to release the stress from the work week, good though it had been. Conversely, if he had known what would come with the forthcoming week, he may have stayed in the sky for the entirety of the weekend.
There was a blurb in the Prophet on Monday that caused warning bells to go off in Harry's head. It was sitting in his IN box after lunch and he would have not seen it if not for Tessa because it belonged to a section of the paper he did not read: the society section. Tessa's note mentioned she was forwarding it because it was connected to a former, shared case so there was mutual interest, but Harry believed that she, perhaps, also saw more to it than just casual gossip. The piece was short, had no attached photo, and asserted that Victoria Malfoy (who "hid under her maiden name until the truth was discovered five months ago") was pregnant. It niggled at Harry in a concerning way. The wording was not venomous but it was far from supportive and it did not sit well with him, especially considering public opinion of the Malfoys.
He scribbled a reply to Tessa, thanking her for the blurb and suggesting she stay posted for a possible offshoot of the case, and then asked Graham to compose an appointment request.
"For whom?" the assistant questioned, readying an inkpot and quill.
"Draco Malfoy," Harry uttered. He bent over and put his signature on the blank letterhead, "Let him know it's related to his closed case. I'd like to meet with him this week." Graham nodded and consulted a copy of the weekly schedule on his desk that was always visible.
"I'll offer some times on Wednesday or Thursday."
"Thank you. A twenty minute slot should be enough."
On Tuesday, Harry was thoroughly shocked when he received a letter from G. It did not come to him in his office at the Ministry but rather when he was caught in the Atrium's morning hubbub, attempting to get to said office. It was not necessarily unusual to see paper flying through the air once past the security checkpoint so he thought nothing of it when he saw paper fluttering toward him; it was only when it invaded his face and did not leave that he took notice.
To a Magical of Great Reputation-
I find that I am beginning this letter with a sense of eagerness, eager to make contact at last. I have not yet had the opportunity to speak with you but I have certainly had correspondence with your dear fiancee; because of this, I believe you know me and I undoubtedly know you, Mr Potter. Oh, but forgive me- Chief Potter! I mustn't ignore or undermine your new title, and what an exciting title it is. Congratulations are well in order.
Forgive me for presuming that you know my mission- what I stand for and what I strive for- but common sense and your chosen profession would suggest that you are well aware of my ventures thus far, Chief. I admit that my allies and I have been rather quiet since the demonstration in Bern but make no mistake: we have been busy. In fact, our silence will come to an end very soon as we continue to push forward for magicals everywhere. This is a sentiment I believe we share, actually. Your commitment to your work's purpose, to protecting the magicals of Britain, is obvious. It would seem that you would understand my mission to defend and elevate all magicals perfectly, Chief, but I am not foolish enough to hope to find an ally in you. I was unsuccessful in garnering Madam Granger's support and I am aware I will not receive yours, although I would treasure it.
So, to honor our commonality and what could have been, the next demonstration will be with you in mind. You will serve as inspiration and I am sure it will be a sight to behold that will reinforce your dedication.
-G
Harry was stunned. Despite mentioning Harry often, G had never reached out to him directly in all of his or her dealings with Hermione. He knew he would have to share the letter with Hermione and Kingsley so he asked Graham to solicit the pair for time that day to have an urgent meeting. The message warned of an imminent attack and Harry, once he was discussing the matter with the Minister and DMLE Head later that afternoon, wondered how it could be halted and if it were even possible. Hermione recognized the sheer difficulty it posed due to its vagueness while Kingsley wanted the ICW to have a copy of the letter.
"They can inform the other nations' Auror departments of this update. Work on a strategy, see if there are leads," he asserted.
"I'm sorry you got dragged into this, and so soon." Hermione mumbled to Harry after the meeting ended and they headed back to level two.
"Nothing to be done for it, love," he assured, quickly squeezing her hand, "I'll do my part to help stop them."
Wednesday was a relatively quiet day for the Head Auror but on Thursday he met with his blond counterpart from adolescence. Draco had accepted the summons sent by Graham earlier during the week and indicated he was available to meet on Thursday, and, as he was seen into Harry's office at noon for the appointment, he peered around the area in a calculating manner.
"Malfoy," the dark haired wizard said with a welcoming nod. Draco's gaze shot to him before finishing its appraisal of the room.
"Potter," the former Slytherin crisply noted, "Although, I do suppose it's Chief now, isn't it? You've gone and been placed at the very top of your little gang." Harry wanted to sigh and cut his eyes but merely stared at the other man before gesturing to a chair. Draco lifted his nose slightly before taking it.
"I'm glad we were able to meet."
"Yes. Imagine my surprise when the new Head Auror requested my presence only days after he was sworn in, and for a closed case at that."
"I can see how that would be… unexpected." Harry stated, stamping down any embarrassment that dared to arise.
"Mmm. Then you'll forgive me if I'm a bit wary of this meeting." Draco stated.
"Don't be so dramatic, Malfoy. I don't have it out for you and I think I proved that, again, when working your case."
"But my father is another story, I'd wager."
"This is about your wife," snapped Harry. The blond stiffened and Harry took a deep breath, scolding himself for the tiny outburst.
"What about Victoria?" Draco posed in a dangerously low tone.
"A few days ago, the Prophet claimed that she's pregnant. I don't know if you saw it but I want to know if it's true. Because, if it is… I think it may be best to monitor her safety."
"What do you mean?"
"I'd assign an Auror to be at your disposal- at her disposal. Watching over her when she's out, watching out for her… just to be sure. I think it would be wise knowing that certain people do not wish your family well."
The two men stared at each other. The pureblood looked troubled and uncertain as he processed the words while Harry waited patiently for an answer.
"She is. She is pregnant," Draco mumbled one minute later, eyes downcast, "She's 12 weeks but hardly showing. We're not sure how it got out or who told… but I am worried."
Despite the occurrence being a typically joyous event, Harry did not think congratulations were in order at the moment. What man wanted to be forced to consider protecting his unborn baby before celebrating it? Your father had to, a voice observed. Harry briefly closed his eyes at the intrusion.
"Then what do you think of my proposal for her safety? For your child's safety?" he inquired. A strained beat passed and then Draco uttered:
"I'll take it. We'll take it- the Auror."
"Good," the dark haired wizard said in a muted voice, pulling parchment forward, "I'll put Auror Simpson in charge of the case again, though she may not be the one trailing Mrs. Malfoy." It was quiet while Harry started scribbling.
"Thank you, Potter. Yet again," the blond noted, sounding subdued.
The quill stopped its movement.
"You're welcome, Draco."
A/N: You didn't forget about G, did you? The thorn in this story's side? You're welcome!
There are two chapters left, guys. Two chapters and then Years is done. They'll be longer than all the other chapters but the finish line is so close! With that being said, I don't know when chapter 26 will be posted in/for June. There's a chance it won't get uploaded until July but I'll try my hardest to avoid that. I have a new Harmony fic (a 1 or 2 shot) that is absolutely demanding to be put out, so after I finish and post the next chapter of my other Harmony WIP, I'll be working on the brand new story.
Stay tuned and, as always, thank you so much for reading!