22 Weeks

Harry's first day was busy. He checked into his hotel room, Ian Proudfoot, Dominic Irving, and Lena were in the same hall. He dropped off his duffel bag and returned to the ground floor where groups of people were gathering to go on a sightseeing tour.

He promised Hermione he'd go out, so he joined the group.

Irving and Proudfoot looked at him curiously. Proudfoot gave him a tight-lipped smile. Harry rarely worked alongside the veteran Auror. Proudfoot had been Neville's mentor. They still rarely spoke or worked together now that they, along with Castle, were in consideration for taking Robard's position as Head Auror. Quite the oversight, now that he thought about it.

"Good to see you, Potter," Proudfoot said, his voice gruff. He looked at something over Harry's shoulder. "I thought you would have wanted to stay in."

Harry looked between Proudfoot and Irving. "Uh, no. Besides, I promised Hermione I would actually go out and see the city. Not just work or lock myself in my hotel room."

Irving chuckled. "Oh? The girlfriend, no doubt? My boyfriend told me the same thing." He crossed his arms over his chest and it almost looked like he was fighting off a pout. "Nevermind that I hardly go out when I'm home."

Harry felt himself blush slightly. But, didn't find the urge to correct him. "Same here, yeah."

Their guide introduced themselves. A local witch and historian who did consultation work with the International Defense League. She gave them a rundown of what they'll be doing, where they'll be going, and what to do if anyone got in trouble or lost.

"Alright, let's head on out."

Harry figured he was going to be bored. Or bored and tired and he didn't know which was worse. He didn't have Hermione, Ron, or even Neville here to keep him company.

They first took a look at notable muggle historical sights. Their guide gave them the history of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. She went over a brief explanation and history of Philadelphia and the East Coast's colonial past.

Then, they entered the Old City - well the magical part of it.

The entrance to the magical city was down the street from Independence Hall and in an unassuming brick building.

They entered the building and stopped in front of a security desk. The tour guide greeted the wizard at the desk and then proceeded to lead them across the room. She tapped her wand against the wall. The bricks folded away and displayed the city before them.

They continued, walking out onto the stone-paved street. It felt like a larger and more busy version of Diagon Alley. There were countless people walking about. Shops were filled with patrons and clerks announcing their wares. Cafes and restaurants were open and their patios were filled with people.

Their guide led them to a tall bronze statue of a Native American woman. "This statue was erected almost two hundred years ago, one of the oldest things here in Old City. It wasn't cast after a specific figure, but a group of people, leaders who guided the Delaware People through a violent time and who ultimately made the decision to leave their ancestral lands to avoid death during the revolutionary war and European encroachment.

The Delaware placed this statue here to honor them and now Anna, which is what we call her, protects the Old City and all those who come through here. I beseech you to acknowledge, honor, and respect the land you're walking on as you stay with us this next week."

Harry concentrated on the statue. Of the fierce woman who looked forward. She didn't move or take on personification like other statues he's seen before. Her fixture was permanent as if to emphasize the serious nature of the women's decision to leave their homeland - to save their families. Their people.

Harry needed to find a book about this. He was positive Hermione would love to learn about this history.

Next, they went to a museum and learned about the magical history of the region and the magical history of the Europeans who eventually arrived. The development and the effects their seclusion from the muggle world has had on their city.

Harry's head was full and thankfully he wasn't alone. Irving and Proudfoot looked equally overwhelmed.

As the day died down, they gathered in a restaurant. In his overwhelmed state, they convinced him to drink a root beer float and loaded him up with cheesesteaks (one thing he preferred over the other).

Some of his new acquaintances joined them. Kalyan Abd al-Majid asked countless questions about Hogwarts and how Britain prepared their military forces (Harry didn't know that was a thing) and Rosalia Cuevas wondered why the British magical community never traveled abroad. "You three are the first British people I have met outside of Britain."

When Harry returned to his hotel room, he quickly showered, changed into his pajamas, and fell on top of his bed. He didn't move until his alarm woke him up the next morning.

The first item on the agenda was a seminar titled Intro to Cloaking - a guide on how to expertly blend into your surroundings with limited to no magic to fool non-magical and magical persons alike. In the end, they were invited to try themselves.

Harry went to his next seminar, feeling pretty confident in himself for having accomplished his cloaking tasks. He joined Irving and Proudfoot in learning about the latest potion advancements the IDL used during operations and missions and creations to watch out for while on their respective investigations.

Lunch was networking time. Harry, Irving, and Proudfoot actively moved about meeting new people and gaining new contacts for the Auror Department.

They repeated this process over the week. Seminars. Meeting new people. Seminars. Meeting new people. The IDL encouraged the attendees to go out and see the city, so almost every night, Harry would leave with Lena and Irving and sometimes Proudfoot to an art exhibit, or a restaurant, or a local pub.

He was missing his friends though. But, most of all he was missing Hermione. Her company and their conversations. It was difficult to contact her. Writing was out of the question because it would take too long. Floo calls didn't register at the floo of Grimmauld Place and he didn't have an international calling plan for his mobile (neither did Hermione).

He wondered how she was doing. Had their baby girl moved? Was Hermione in any pain? He wished she was here to see everything with him.

Harry was staring nervously at his shot glass of tequila when Proudfoot walked up to him, a dark-haired brown-skinned woman beside him. "Potter, I'd like to introduce you to Eva Medina. She's the lead curse breaker and historian at the Teotihuacan Institute in Mexico. She also gives classes at the Curse Breaking and Enchantment Academy in Paris."

Harry's eyes widened. He set his shot glass aside and straightened up. He held his hand out. "Master Medina, it's a pleasure to meet you."

She smiled, shaking his hand. "It's nice to meet you too, Harry Potter. Ian has told me very good things about you."

He shot Proudfoot a cursory gaze. The elder Auror looked away, embarrassed.

"I took both of the seminars you led today," Harry babbled, "I was particularly interested in your work on the usage of runes and magic circles to maintain an active crime scene."

She nodded. "Thank you, Harry. I'm glad to hear that. It's work that I and my team are consistently working and trying to improve."

He breathed deeply. "I wish Hermione was here. She would have appreciated it a whole lot more than I possibly could."

"Who?" She looked at him curiously.

He reddened. Had he said that aloud? "Um, I -"

"Hermione Granger?" Proudfoot offered.

"Yes, Hermione," he swallowed, "she would have loved to sit in on your talk. A lot of the talks really. She's always been rather adept at charms and enchantments. It's how she kept me and my loved ones alive during the war."

Medina and Proudfoot both nodded in understanding. "Well," Medina said, "if I'm ever in Britain, I'll make Ian here bring you around so I could meet this special witch of yours."

"Thank you," Harry fumbled, "that would be amazing."

Proudfoot and Medina walked off to speak with others. Harry had just turned back to his shot glass when a hand trailed down his arm.

Lena led him to a table away from the bar. "That woman is amazing," she said, motioning toward Medina. "She's a curse breaker, but she's been a member of the International Defense League for over twenty years. She was considered rather young when she was first recruited."

She sipped on her margarita. "I noticed you've almost attended all the talks."

He wiped his hands on the top of his jeans. "I've tried. I should. It's a once in a lifetime experience."

"True." She pushed her hair over her shoulder, baring her neck and shoulder.

Harry gulped down his shot of tequila and then two more shots that had appeared before him. He could smell her perfume and the familiar aroma sent his mind reeling, remembering their late nights together.

He had just graduated from the Auror Academy and Lena was hired as a consultant to work with the newly minted Aurors, to work on their stamina and fitness.

Harry had recently broken up with Ginny and wasn't ready to enter another relationship. But what Lena offered was nothing like what he had with Ginny. It was something so sensual and selfish, to derive pleasure for yourself.

He needed it. Craved it.

His failed relationships since then followed a similar pattern. Where he merely craved the company, the pleasure. From the way she'd been approaching him these last weeks to the way she was looking at him now - he wondered when he had stopped wanting something like that.

No longer this selfish desire, but the longing to return to one person, who happened to be his best friend. To actually look forward to being in her presence, wondering how she was, hoping that she was well, and the scariest bit - wondering if she was thinking and wanting him too. Merlin, that was it, wasn't it? It's been Hermione this whole time. Now, what was he supposed to do?

23 Weeks

Harry's time in Philadelphia was almost over. A group of them wanted to go out to commemorate a successful time by going on a pub crawl. However, he determined it was a bad idea to go drinking and pub crawling, and yet, he went - talking and comparing training programs with the others, talking shop, talking Quidditch, talking about women.

Right now, his mind was a jumbled mess. Trying to figure out whether he was hungry or nauseous. Wondering what he was going to do about his feelings for his best friend.

His best friend!

It wasn't growing feelings either. It was like a switch had turned in his head and he realized that he was in love with Hermione.

He'd been so persistent, fighting it. Been so stupid! How was he supposed to tell her that in his own mind, he fought against it? That saying they were just friends aloud was him trying not to admit the obvious. What a fool he's been!

Maybe she'd be kind and give him a hug and tell him not to worry about it. Because how the hell would she ever feel the same when he's been such an incredible prat?

His throat burned and he contemplated whether or not to return to his hotel room when someone slid into the seat beside him, their leg flushed against his.

"You're not completely pissed are you, Potter?" Lena took a sip of her drink before setting it down on the table.

He groaned. "No."

"So," she crossed her left leg over her right, her short dress riding up slightly, "I've been offered a position with MACUSA, training and battle readiness."

"Sounds like a great opportunity. You gonna take it?" He sipped on his beer.

She shrugged. "I'm thinking about it. Or I might stay in England."

"I thought you didn't like to stay in one place too long," he muttered.

"I can change my mind." She rested her hand on her exposed thigh. "You know, I kind of miss what we had before."

Harry tried to focus his eyes on the neck of the beer bottle, watching the bubbles of his drink float to the top. Fuck, was she really doing this right now? Here? Bloody hell.

Once upon a time, he would have appreciated the attention. He felt a firm press on his thigh.

Now, all he wanted was to get away from here. He breathed in quickly. He pulled his leg away. "Lena, what are you doing?"

She uncrossed her legs, resting her left leg over his knee. "What does it look like I'm doing, Potter?"

Her pink lips parted and she spread her legs slightly, grasping his arm suddenly.

He froze.

She leaned forward and placed a hot kiss on his jaw, moving slowly toward his ear. "Harry," she dragged out.

His throat constricted.

He pulled on his arm, but she leaned into his arm.

"Come on." Lena grabbed his hand, pulling him out of the booth and out into the muggy summer night. "Sidelong?"

"What? No." He wrenched his arm out of her hold. "Stop."

Her eyes were blown wide, but she slowly came too, realizing he was no longer in her hold. "What's going on?"

"I don't want to do this," his voice was hoarse.

She placed her hand on his arm. "What do you mean?"

"Don't touch me." He stepped back. "I don't want to. I don't want to start this again. I don't want you."

She licked her lips. "I thought," but nodded slowly. "I understand. I won't offer again."

"I'm sorry," he stammered.

Her head turned slightly. "Don't apologize. There's nothing to be sorry for."

He stumbled away, running his fingers through his hair. He hurried back to his hotel room before he hurled on the floor or on himself. He slammed his door shut and tore his clothes off. He wanted to take a shower but worried he might pass out and drown. He sat on the edge of his bed, shivering in his boxers. He gripped the side of his face.

His mind whirled with thoughts of what could have happened had they continued. They'd strip off their clothes, explore and come together like they've done numerous times.

But, Lena wasn't Hermione. He wanted her hands in his hair, her nails scratching his back. Her legs around his hips. He expected it. He wanted it to be her.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, he thought they'd go back to what they were when the baby finally arrived. Hermione and him. Whatever it was.

Why did he assume? They've never discussed it. Hermione talked as if that 'arrangement' was done. It could be. Because it could turn into something else. Something more.

He knew it could be, but he was scared. Of how he could screw it up. That she would leave just like everyone else did.

But, he didn't want to let her go.

Harry stood on the stoop of Grimmauld Place. He had called Sirius when he arrived but told him he'd be going to see Hermione first. So, after getting cleaned up from the international portkey, he immediately disapparated to Grimmauld Place.

He knocked on the door. The door slowly opened. Crookshanks sat before him.

Harry smiled at him. "Hey, could you let Hermione know I'm home?"

"Harry?" Hermione called out. The door widened and Harry watched as she rushed forward. "I'm so glad you're home!" She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Welcome back! How did it go?"

He sighed. "Informative and tiring. I'm just glad to be home."

She stood back, trailing her hands over his shoulders as she did. "Tell me all about it. Are you hungry? I have pizza." She walked through the foyer.

He stepped inside, his duffle bag hit the side of his leg. "Pizza sounds perfect."

Hermione grabbed the box of pizza and led the way upstairs. "So, tell me! How was it? What did you do? What did you see?"

He sat down beside her on the sofa and described Philadelphia (well the parts he saw) as best he could. He told her about the seminars, the practice, and the people he met.

She sighed, happily. "It sounds amazing."

Harry dug around in his duffle bag and took out a few books and small trinkets he had brought back. "This is for you."

Her eyes widened. She took the two books first. One was a history book about the first people in the Philadelphia region and the other was Eva Medina's latest book on Runes and Enchantments.

"Harry, you didn't have too." She flipped through the pages of the history book.

"Medina was one of the lecturers," he told her, "I had her sign your copy."

"What?" She squeaked. She opened the front cover. "To Hermione, the brightest witch of the age. I hope you enjoy and look forward to hearing your thoughts, Eva Medina," she read aloud. "Harry, really?" Her face took on a pink tint. "You told her that, didn't you?"

He shrugged nonchalantly, loving the flush that came to her cheeks.

She set the books aside and looked through the postcards he gave her as well. "Thank you, Harry. I honestly wasn't expecting this."

"So, what were you doing before I dropped by?" He asked.

She set her souvenirs on the coffee table. "I was watching a program on the telly about African elephants and trying to put this on." She grabbed a jar and held it out to him.

He examined the pink jar. A pregnant figure with a full belly was displayed on the front. "For stretch marks?" He turned his attention to her belly, now a bigger swell than when he had left more than a week ago.

"Well, it's for stretch marks and soft skin." She pulled up her shirt and grabbed the jar. She unscrewed the lid and dug her fingers into the lotion. She plopped some onto her belly. She began to massage the lotion into her skin.

"Wait," he grasped her wrist, "can I? I want to, can I do it?"

She stared at him, a quizzical smile on her face. "Okay, if you want too."

Harry scooted closer and placed his hands over her belly. "How have you been?" He rubbed his hands over her belly, spreading the lotion.

"Fine. She's really popped out hasn't she?" Hermione rested her hand below her belly. "Sirius, Ron, and I went to that Mexican restaurant Ron told us about before. The food is so good. Then we walked around Diagon Alley." She gasped.

He jumped. "What?"

"Did you know there's a little children's boutique in Diagon Alley. Oh, it's great. It's actually muggle-born owned and run. It has an entrance to muggle London and an entrance to Diagon Alley. The magical objects are hidden from the muggles, but anyone can shop there. It's incredible."

He continued to smooth the lotion over her skin. Hermione had changed and grown since he left. Or did he just think that because he hadn't seen her and wasn't able to drop by whenever he wanted?

Suddenly, he felt something stir beneath him. That was odd.

Hermione grabbed his hand, worrying him. Did he hurt her?

She moved his hand to the side and pressed a little more firmly. "Hermione, what -" his voice caught in his throat. He felt movement again, something bumping under his fingers. "That's her," he said.

"Yeah," she breathed out.

He moved closer, pressing his hands around the spot their daughter had moved.

Again, he felt the bumps of movement beneath his fingers.

It was incredible.

His gaze shifted, settling on Hermione's face. She had pulled her hair up into a messy bun. He watched as her mouth quirked up. Smiling or talking about something, but his mind had blanked.

He leaned forward, taking a shallow breath.

His favorite smell entered his mind.

"Harry?"

He breathed deeply. His face had been just spaces away from hers. Her cheeks were fully pink and she pursed her lips.

"You weren't listening, were you?"

He shook his head. He leaned back and moved to lay his head on her belly. He took care to not put any pressure on her.

He closed his eyes as he felt her run her fingers through his hair.

"I was saying," she began, "the book said she's about the size of a spaghetti squash. Whatever that is. That reminds me, my parents and I went to the open-air market and they bought me a bunch of fruit. Enough to last through her first birthday. I'm sure of it. They went mental."

He rested his hand on her thigh. "What should we do to celebrate?"

"Celebrate?"

He sat up. "The passage of the Werewolf Legislation. Sirius told me you all celebrated at the Burrow. But I want to celebrate with you too."

The brilliant smile that came to her face took his breath away. "Right now, I'm just happy you're home.

He relaxed. He kissed her cheek and returned his head to her lap. "I missed you," he whispered.

The fingers that immediately returned to running through his hair, froze. "I missed you too."