By the end of the week, Teddy was tired of waiting for Harry to bring Hermione into the Ministry.
"When is he going to actually get some work in?" Teddy grumbled to Hasan as they passed Harry's still empty office.
"He might actually be on assignment," Hasan said. "Or maybe there is a lot he has to do to get Hermione back to normal wizard citizenship?"
"Maybe." Whatever it was, Teddy doubted it was important enough to justify putting things off this long. He knew he wasn't the patient type but he thought waiting a week would be stretching it for anyone.
He and Hasan had already reviewed the Moonlight Killer case several times. They didn't have any solid leads in that case they could follow while they waited on Harry and Hermione. Meanwhile, the case and any leads that they might get from Hermione were growing even colder.
It probably didn't help his impatience that they had hit a dead end with the smuggling case as well. Teddy had called in all their old informants and no one had anything new to say. The failed drop had apparently made everyone jumpy.
"I'm going to talk to him," Teddy said darkly. "We need Hermione's account."
Hasan laughed. "Your funeral."
"What's he going to do?" Teddy asked with a roll of his eyes. "Kick me off the case?"
He decided to use his lunch break to check in on the Grimmauld House. Maybe if Ginny was home he could convince her to feed him.
Since he was considered part of the family, Teddy didn't bother to knock. He entered the front door and then froze when he heard raised voices. Years of experience had him turning to leave again but the owners of the voices stopped him. They weren't Harry and Ginny but Harry and Hermione. Harry and Ginny were known for their explosive fights but, as long as no one interfered, made up quickly and didn't seem the worse for it. Teddy had no idea what might happen with Harry and Hermione and he had a morbid curiosity to find out.
He stole a little closer to the voices which seemed to be coming from the living room.
"I said I didn't know if I wanted to go back," Hermione was saying. "That doesn't mean 'please go force a position so I can return to the Ministry.'"
"It isn't a forced position," Harry started.
Hermione continued over the top of him. "You think I want a position because Harry Potter pulled some strings?"
"But you were good at your job."
"Yes, but I barely got them to respect me the first time. They aren't ever going to respect me if you get me the job. Besides, I don't even know if I want to go through all of that again."
"Okay," Harry said a little more gently. "Then what do you want?"
"I don't know, Harry," Hermione said, sounding even more exasperated. "That is why I said to let me think about it."
"Okay," Harry repeated in a coaxing tone. "Then let's think about it."
"No!" Hermione's voice had gone up again. "There is no us. This is my life and I don't need you to fix it for me. I may seem young to you, but I am not a child and I am certainly not your child. I can take care of my own life."
Teddy hadn't realized how close her voice was getting until she turned the corner and ran right into him. His hands automatically went up and braced her hips to keep her from bowling him over.
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James Birdsong: Thank you! I'm glad you are enjoying the story and thank you for letting me know!
