18 Weeks
"Training session in five, Potter." Lena Lockwood strolled past him.
Harry watched curiously as Ron walked into the wall beside the open doorway of their shared office. Ron looked over his shoulder, saw Harry, grabbed him by the arm, and pulled him into the office.
"What the hell?" Harry stumbled over his feet. He pulled his arm out of the strong grip and stared at Ron's wide blue eyes. "What?"
"Why didn't you tell me Lockwood was back?" He said harshly.
She had made an appearance the previous day, but today was officially her first day, Lena Lockwood had certainly made her presence known that morning, strolling into the Auror department like she owned the place. Like she belonged. And she knew it. Many veterans and new recruits owed their lives to Lena Lockwood for her revitalized training program. Fewer people dropped out of the Auror Academy and fewer were injured out in the field due to her changes and efforts.
"Lockwood's back," Harry said simply, trying to sound casual.
"What are you going to do?" Ron crosses his arms over his chest.
"What do you mean? I'm not going to do anything." He moved to exit the office, but Ron held him back.
"You were a mess the last time she left. You strung along countless witches until you settled on Hermione."
Harry pulled his arm away again. "I didn't settle on Hermione."
"You know what I mean," Ron hissed under his breath. "Don't get caught up with her, Harry."
"Nothing is going to happen." Harry couldn't very well assure he wouldn't get caught up with her. They were coworkers. It wasn't like he could ignore her.
"Just," Ron sighed, "think about Hermione and the baby."
His hands tightened. "I'm always thinking about Hermione and the baby."
Ron frowned. "Are you?"
Harry's eyes narrowed. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Ron opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by a knock on the open doorway. Castle poked her head into the room. "We're up in the training room, Potter."
Harry nodded. He turned back to Ron once Castle walked away. "I'll talk to you later."
He ignored Ron calling out to him and hurried to the training room. It was an extraordinary room that never failed to make even Hermione's jaw drop whenever she looked in.
It was larger than a football pitch with various sections for wand work including offensive and defensive work, accuracy training, hand to hand combat training, and stamina and endurance cycles. Not to mention a dueling platform.
That's where Castle and Lena were currently waiting.
Lena's long dark hair was held back in a tight braid, leaving her dark blue eyes unobscured. Her hand rested on her hip, meeting the black t-shirt that tucked neatly into her form-fitting training trousers.
Lena's eyes met his. She smirked and his stomach flopped.
"Potter, right on time. Castle volunteered to go first. Wait on the sideline."
Harry simply nodded and walked off to the side. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest, trying to look unaffected. There was nothing to be affected by…
Lena and Castle commenced their duel. Shooting stunner after stunner, disarming and disabling spells. The duel continued for ten minutes until Castle expertly disarmed Lena with a well-placed, expelliarmus.
Lena and Castle met in the middle of the platform. Shaking hands, Lena was the first to speak. "It's always a pleasure dueling with you, Castle. Just another humbling reminder of why you're the best the Auror Department has to offer."
"You've improved greatly, Lockwood. I look forward to our next duel. Potter!" She waved him over. "You better not lose. We can't have our next Head Auror losing in a one-on-one duel."
"Don't worry, Castle," Lena's eyes locked on to his, "even if he does, I'll make sure to whip him into shape."
Neither noticed when Castle left the training room. Lena's casual smirk remained. "So, Potter, moving up the ranks, aren't you? Potential Head Auror. That's quite a feat." She walked around him and returned to her previous position, facing him. "Well, let's get started. I won't go easy on you, Potter."
His jaw tensed. "Neither will I."
They walked to opposite ends of the dueling platform, wands up.
"So, are you seeing anyone?" Lena asked.
"Is that really appropriate right now?" Harry grew annoyed.
She smiled, showing pearly white teeth. "Probably not, but that answers that question."
She sent the first stunner, which he deflected quickly before shooting two in her direction.
He wasn't going to let her get the best of him. She got under his skin so easily. But, he was used to her antics. He'd stay one step ahead. He'd get this over with before he did something. Make sure he didn't do anything stupid like last time - like push her up against the wall and snog her or urge her to wrap her legs around his waist so he could feel the way her hips rested against his.
Bloody hell. He shook away his thoughts. Those days were over. Forget it.
Dodging a flame-colored spell, he rushed forward and hit her with a knock-back hex, knocking her onto her back, and disarming her.
He twisted the smooth wand in his fingers and waited for her to sit up.
Lena groaned aloud and sat back on her hands. "Wow, Potter. So, you have improved." She pushed herself to her feet and met him in the middle of the platform.
He held out her wand.
"You know," her hand lingered on his, "I don't have any previous engagements. I wouldn't mind catching up. Go out for drinks every now and then."
His mouth twisted at the corner. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Good," her voice lowered, "you do that."
# # #
Hermione set aside the house-elf placement applications she had just read and approved. She stood and stretched her arms over her head. She grabbed her purse, slipping the strap over her head, and secured her wand inside.
She rested her hand over her stomach, giving in to the urge to rub it. A soft knock against her closed office door startled her. "Come in."
Mr. Sterling appeared in the doorway and closed the door softly behind him.
"Mr. Sterling," she said louder than she intended. "How can I help you?"
He cleared his throat. "I know you're about to go out to lunch, but I wanted to leave the guide book for the House Elf Liaison Office with you so that you may amend the instruction manual at your convenience."
"That's right, thank you." She took the bound papers out of his hands. She was tasked with creating a new and improved guide for the liaison office and set of instructions on how to accurately do her job for the new employees. Now, it was even more important for those who will be doing her work while she was on maternity leave.
She flipped through the manual, unaware of Mr. Sterling's attention to her. She placed the manual on the center of her desk.
Mr. Sterling stepped back to the door, gripping the handle firmly. "I'll leave you to your lunch hour."
"Thank you, Mr. Sterling."
He pulled the door open and sped out of her office.
She was silent on her way out of the department, barely waving at Mrs. Fawley as she walked past toward the lift. She remained distracted until Ron met up with her at the atrium fountain.
"A sickle for your thoughts?" Ron took her hand and set it on the crook of his elbow.
She shook her head. There were so many things rushing through her head where could she possibly start? "You'll think I'm silly."
"That's impossible," he said with a grin. "Really, is something the matter?"
Hermione let Ron lead them to the surface and to a small restaurant they liked to frequent. "It's just, my coworkers told me the strangest thing and now I feel like I'm overthinking it."
"What is it?" Ron shielded her from the air coming from the ongoing traffic.
London was bright for a change and for that Hermione felt grateful. Perhaps, the sunny day could lighten her spirits.
"They said Mr. Sterling, one of my bosses, fancies me."
Ron burst out laughing. She shot him a glare. "Hey!"
Ron held his stomach, trying to calm himself. They turned into a small courtyard. He rushed to the first door and held it open for her.
He picked up two menus and joined her. "I'm not laughing at you," he paused at her sudden glare, "alright, I'm laughing at you, but because you didn't know he fancied you."
"What do you mean?" She wrenched the menu out of his hand and smacked it down on the table. "He does not."
"He totally does," he said under his breath. His eyes scanned the menu.
"Right, because you notice what happens in my department. We're three whole floors away from you."
"Hermione," Ron reached out and took her hand, his thumb rubbing along her closed fingers, "you should probably know about every other bloke within the ministry has fancied or currently fancies you. I'm not surprised your boss fancies you too."
She pulled her hand away and covered her face. "You're kidding," she whined.
Ron chuckled again. "Just the other day Neville was telling me about some blokes he found in the lift talking about whether or not you'd say yes to a date. They were psyching each other out until one had a panic attack."
She blushed. "You're joking!"
Ron held his hands up. "Nope. I think people get, what do you call it, starstruck? But, I know your boss fancies you. He talks about you a lot."
She brought her hands down to her lap, resting them beneath her belly. "He does?"
"Remember how I'm the secretary and minute-taker on behalf of the Auror Department for interdepartmental meetings regarding methods of upholding laws. He constantly praises your work or defends you against other people. I think it's well known amongst the department and deputy heads that Mr. Sterling values you."
She leaned back against her seat. "Well, that makes sense. I am a good worker."
"Yes, but it's the way he sounds and looks when he talks about you," Ron said softly. "I'm just not surprised, that's all."
Hermione bit her lip. Harry? Did he know Mr. Sterling fancied her? And if he did, did it bother him? "Well, what about - nevermind." Why did she have to think of Harry at a time like this?
"What is it?"
She shook her head. Ron waited for her to speak and after a moment of silence let the subject drop. "Alright, enough about you then."
She stuck her tongue out at him.
"Harry's birthday is next month. What are you planning on getting him?"
Hermione frowned. "I have no idea."
"Damn, well, let me know what you end up getting. I don't want us to get the same thing."
Hermione scoffed. "As if we've ever done that."
"You never know," he defended.
A waiter soon arrived and took their drink and food orders. After they stepped away, Ron's expression turned serious. "I don't know if you've heard, but Neville told us he's leaving the force."
She pressed her hands into the table. "Stop. Really? Why?"
Ron played with the ends of his napkin. "He told us he has new goals now and he doesn't want to put his life in danger anymore."
Hermione watched Ron's downcast eyes. "What is it?"
"It's just I don't know if I want to do this forever either."
Hermione's eyebrows rose. "Are you thinking of leaving the force too?"
Rom shrugged. "A large group of new Aurors just entered so the department wouldn't be in need of personnel," he said.
"But what do you want to do?"
He folded and unfolded his napkin. "I don't want to risk my life anymore," he whispered. "Is that selfish of me?"
She reached out and clasped both her hands over his. "Not at all, Ron. It's your life. Live it the way you want to. If that means staying in the force or leaving, it's your life. And if someone fights you about it, I'll hex them."
He smiled at her and squeezed her hand.
After lunch, Ron walked Hermione back to her office. She set her bag on her desk and leafed through her mail while he strolled around her office before standing by the faux window and gazing down at the scenery.
She set aside the missive from the ministry and the appointment reminder from Madam Owen. Her attention soon landed on a soft envelope. Her name was written nicely on the front.
She ripped open the envelope and quickly took out the card from inside. It was a photo. She stared at the smiling faces of Neville and Hannah. He twirled her around and then they both posed for the camera, her left hand resting on her chest.
That's when she saw it - a glittering ring on Hannah's finger.
She held back a squeal, quickly looking over the photo and the back for any more information.
Announcing the Engagement of
Neville Longbottom
And
Hannah Abbott
We want to share this special day with our family and friends.
Please save the date of March ##, 2006.
Further details will be shared soon.
Hermione held the photo to her chest and squeezed her eyes shut. She was sure the tears pooling in her eyes was only because her hormonal self didn't know how else to express her happiness.
Ron wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Hermione, why are you crying?"
"Let's go see Neville," she declared through her tears.