21 Weeks

Harry spent another night at Grimmauld Place. She held him as he cried and neither talked about how emotional he had become. They simply ate leftovers, bit back smiles, and watched a movie, while Harry cuddled around her. The following morning, they had breakfast together and then went to work, only parting ways when Hermione reached her department's floor.

She greeted Mrs. Fawley and grabbed her mail. She perused over the stack in her hands and walked into her office. Warwick and Dawson stood just outside the door.

"What can I do for you two?" Hermione dropped her mail atop her desk.

"Warwick and I were wondering if we could look over some of your past house-elf placements, just look over your notes and such to get a better idea on what to look for," Dawson said.

"That sounds like a good idea." She pointed to the file cabinet in the corner. "In there, in chronological order."

"Thanks, Granger." Warwick opened the topmost drawer and handed a few files to Dawson. They each filled their arms with a few before strolling out of her office.

Hermione's gaze lingered on the back of Warwick's retreating form. He was the man Harry thought she had gone on a date with.

The idea of her going on a date with him left her rather uncomfortable and at no fault of Warwick's. From their lunch last week, she learned he was a pretty funny bloke, and he was clever. And she wasn't a liar, she was rather good looking.

But, just the thought of dating him just felt wrong, especially when she - when her feelings for Harry were in complete turmoil. She couldn't possibly be thinking about dating other people right now when her heart was so confused.

Even in the back of her mind, she had to admit the tingle of happiness at the thought that Harry could actually be jealous. Jealous, that she was with someone else!

She pushed away the thought and returned her attention to her mail. There was a note from Ron!

She ripped it open. He was inviting her to hang out with him and Jenna later.

She wrote back, saying she'd love to.

It'll be fun. Besides, she could use the distraction.

# # #

"Hey."

Harry looked up, wiping the sweat from his face with a towel.

Ron shifted side to side. "You should come out with me and Jenna tonight."

Harry fixed his glasses back on. "I don't know, Ron."

"Come on, I want to hang out with my best friend."

They walked back to their office. "But with your girlfriend, really?" Harry slumped into his chair. "I don't want to be a third wheel."

Ron rolled his eyes. "You won't be. Promise. Besides, she wants to get to know you better."

Harry's eyes narrowed. "Your girlfriend is weird."

Ron whacked him in the shoulder. "She cares. Just come, alright? Meet us outside the Leaky Cauldron, on the London side around six."

Harry sighed. "Alright."

Ron gripped his shoulder. "Thanks, Harry. Don't look to slum about it. It'll be fun."

# # #

"Why are we just standing here?" Hermione shut her purse after double-checking for the third time that her wand was on hand.

She watched as Ron and Jenna exchanged a quick glance.

Hermione frowned. "Ron?"

He shrugged. "Nothing, we're just waiting for someone."

"What? Who are we -" She stilled, feeling someone walk up beside her.

Ron clapped his hands together. "Harry, great! You're right on time. Let's go."

Jenna gave both Hermione and Harry a warm smile. She wrapped her arm around Ron's and followed him down the street.

Hermione and Harry walked side by side, following behind the couple. "Ron didn't tell me you were coming," she told him.

"He didn't tell me you were coming," he told her.

Her brows knitted in confusion. "Why didn't he say anything?"

Harry rubbed the side of his neck. "I don't usually know what he's thinking."

Hermione snorted under her breath. She wrapped her arm around Harry's. "So, what do you think?" She said softly.

"Of what?"

She pointed with her chin. "Ron and Jenna."

Harry was silent for a few moments, his eyes jumped from Ron to Jenna. After a few minutes, he finally said, "I don't know."

"Really, Harry?" She whined.

"What?" He breathed deeply. "She seems to make him happy. I haven't heard him complain about anything yet."

"I'm sure they're still in their honeymoon phase, but I think their relationship is solid. They both add something to their relationship."

He scrunched up his face. "What do you mean?"

"Well, she's a half-blood, so she can guide him through the muggle world more easily, and find things he might enjoy."

"You did that too."

She leaned her head on his shoulder. "Kind of, but I don't have the perspective of someone magical. I didn't realize how uncomfortable he was sometimes until much later. Besides, they have a lot in common. Quidditch, similar family life. The same sense of humor."

They turned onto a semi-crowded street, moving carefully between the crowd of shoppers.

"Here we are," Ron pulled open the door, holding it open for Jenna, Hermione, and Harry.

"Where are we?" Hermione stepped inside and was immediately overwhelmed by the smell of chocolate.

"We're taking a chocolate making class," Jenna announced happily.

Hermione brightened. "I've never done anything like this before." She let Jenna lead her further inside, meeting the leader of the class and picking up their aprons and utensils.

Jenna settled beside Hermione at their table. Ron and Harry stood on the other side.

"How was your appointment, Hermione?" Jenna asked, pulling her hair into a bun.

"Everything is looking good. Baby is growing and doing fine."

Ron tied his apron. "So, did you find out what you're having?"

Hermione looked toward Harry, his attention was on the table, but she could see his bright smile. "We're having a girl."

Ron cheered. "Yes, another niece." He wrapped his arm around Harry. "Congratulations, mate!"

"Thanks," Harry said with a wide smile.

Their conversation came to an end as their instructor began to speak. Soon after they began, Harry and Jenna were forced to switch places as Ron was having a hard time following the instructions.

Harry bit back his laughter. Hermione nudged him in the arm.

Harry finished off his large chocolate heart. "Well, I never thought I'd do something like this."

"It's good to do something new and different every now and then," Hermione said.

He nodded. "You have a point."

Hermione focused on making her chocolates. She made a few more hearts. Then moved on to making chocolate rounds with white chocolate and dark chocolate drizzle. They eventually made chocolates with flavored toppings.

Hermione was trying to unfold her box for her chocolates when she heard Jenna giggling.

She peered up at the couple on the other side of the table. Jenna had smeared some chocolate on Ron's nose. He glared playfully before grabbing her by the waist and kissing her.

Hermione bit her lip and dropped her gaze back to her chocolate. They were awfully cute.

She never did something like this with any of her ex-boyfriends and now she suddenly felt like she was missing out on something.

Harry's hand entered her line of sight. He unfolded her box and placed it carefully in front of her.

"Thank you," she mumbled, putting her chocolate away.

The class was over. The instructor urged them to attend another as they walked out the door.

"Oh, that was so much fun," Jenna said happily. She slipped her hand into Ron's. "Thanks for going on a date with us," she continued, "it's more fun doubling up. Don't you think, Ron?"

He shot his friends a playful grin. "Definitely."

Hermione's heart pounded.

Harry stared at the packet in his hands. Along the top of the paper it read, International Defense League, and beneath it the upcoming dates to their training seminar. One of which happened to be in a few days. "Why are you sending me to this?"

Robards slipped his glasses off and rubbed his eye. "This is the only session you can easily attend. The next one is in October and I doubt you'd be happy leaving the country so close to your baby's due date."

Harry's shoulders relaxed. Robards actually took that into consideration? "Thank you, sir."

Robards waved away his comment. "A few others are joining you along with Lockwood. Be sure to take notes and introduce yourself to some of the lecturers. Whether or not you do become Head Auror, they're good contacts to have."

"Yes, sir. I understand."

Robards placed his glasses back on his nose. "I know it's short notice. I didn't take the October dates into consideration sooner, but it's important you attend this. It'll be good for you and your career."

Harry nodded.

"That's all, Potter."

Harry turned on his heel and trudged his way back to his office. That wasn't a conversation he expected to have at the end of his workday.

He pulled his cloak over his shoulder. He needed to tell Hermione and Sirius he was going out of town.

He double-checked his wand was secure and then headed for the lifts. He'd never attended a seminar hosted by the IDL. He never thought that was something he would be considered for. Castle told him it was educational, very hands-on, and a great opportunity to meet different people within their line of work.

He reached muggle London and disapparated to Grimmauld Place. He hated to leave Hermione so suddenly, but he also didn't want to miss an opportunity like this.

He knocked on the door. He heard heavy footsteps nearing the door. His brow creased. Who the hell is at Grimmauld Place?

The door flung open. Sirius stood on the threshold, grinning widely. "Harry!" He grabbed him by the shoulder. "What a surprise. You're just in time for dinner."

Sirius led Harry through the foyer and down to the kitchen. Hermione was at the counter, cutting up slices of lasagna and placing them on plates.

She looked up, chuckling at the sight of Sirius practically dragging Harry to the table. "Harry, I wasn't expecting you. Do you want some?"

"Yes, please."

She cut another slice and placed it on another plate. Sirius grabbed the plates and set them on the table.

She poured them some grape juice and then sat down beside Sirius.

"So, Harry," Sirius scooped some lasagna onto his fork. "You look like you have something on your mind."

Harry looked between Sirius and Hermione. Did Sirius really come here that often? What did they do together?

"Harry?" Hermione said. "Did something happen?"

"What? No. Well, yes." He took a deep breath. "I have to go to Philadelphia next week."

"Philadelphia?" Sirius sputtered, his mouth full of food.

"Why?" Hermione cried out.

Harry licked his lips. "The International Defense League is having a training seminar. The next and last one of the year is in October and I can't attend that one."

Hermione pursed her lips. "I hear those seminars are a big deal."

"Philadelphia," Sirius said slowly, "I wonder what they're magical world is like."

She gasped. "You'll be back in time for your birthday, won't you?"

A sheepish smile came to his face, feeling suddenly relieved by her concern. "I'll only be gone for a week and a half. I'll be back a whole week before my birthday."

She sat back in relief. "Well, that's good."

Sirius slammed his hand on the table, making Hermione jump in her seat. "Speaking of birthdays. We're having a party, Harry, at Dogwood Garden."

"For me?" He squeaked.

"Yes, you. You're turning twenty-five. It's important."

Harry stabbed his lasagna. "I suppose."

"It's not going to be big or extravagant." Sirius pushed his food around. "It's not like I'm sending you off to Paris."

Hermione choked on her juice. A pretty pink blush spread across her cheeks.

Harry grinned. "Yeah, we can't all have Paris."

They dug into their dinner. When Sirius stepped away from the table for some more lasagna, Hermione leaned over the table, as best she could, and whispered, "should we tell Sirius, now? That we're having a girl."

Harry's eyes widened, peeking slightly in Sirius's direction. He was currently having a hard time scooping his lasagna onto his plate. A slow smile came to his face.

He turned back to Hermione. "Follow my lead," he said softly.

She looked at him skeptically.

Harry cut into his lasagna. "How are you feeling today, Hermione?"

She blinked. "I'm feeling pretty good."

He licked his lips. "Good." He glanced briefly at Sirius. "And our daughter? How's she doing today?"

Her eyes widened. "She's doing alright. Pretty stubborn though, like her father. She doesn't want to move or anything."

Harry scoffed. "Stubborn like her father? You mean, stubborn like her mother."

Something clattered on the counter and they watched Sirius stare open-jawed at his plate of food. "What -" He looked up and flitted his attention between them, "did you say, daughter?"

Hermione smiled. "Surprise?"

"You're having a daughter!"

More yells and a flurry of hugs erupted in the room as Sirius, in an extraordinary feat of athleticism, ran across the room and pulled Harry and Hermione both into a tight hug.

"A baby girl!" He shook Harry's shoulders. "A girl. Sweet Godric, she's going to be so beautiful. So cute!"

He hugged Harry. Then, Hermione. Then, hugged Harry again.

After dinner, dessert (slices of treacle tart courtesy of Sirius), and more exclamations of happiness, Harry and Sirius returned to Dogwood Garden.

Harry slumped on the edge of his bed, kicking off his shoes haphazardly.

"You okay, Harry?" Sirius leaned on the doorway.

"Yeah," Harry said tiredly. "You see Hermione often, don't you?"

Sirius crossed his arms over his chest. "Yes. At least once a week, sometimes more. I hardly saw her last week because I knew you were with her."

"What do you two usually do?" Harry asked before he could stop himself. What? Why was he asking something like that?

He missed Sirius's cursory gaze. "We watch movies or go for a walk in the little park across the street." He paused. "Harry, what's this about?"

Harry gulped and met his godfather's eyes. "I don't want to go," he said, his voice low. "I have to, but I don't want to leave her."

Sirius stepped into the room and sat down beside him on the bed. "It's hard when the distance grows between the people we love. But we all have obligations and responsibilities."

Harry carded his fingers through his hair. "Does it get easier?"

"No." Sirius squeezed his shoulder. "You love her, don't you?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Of course, I do."

Sirius scoffed. "Love her, love her," he emphasized.

Harry stared at Hedwig's perch. "I…"

A sad smile marred Sirius's face. "You'll see. When you realize, you'll probably be scared or anxious. You might even want to throw up. That's what happened with your dad." He wrapped his arm around Harry's shoulders. "But when it happens, just go with it, Harry. Don't fight it and don't push it away."

"Sirius?"

But neither said anything, letting the silence fall over them.