10 Weeks

"Bad thing is, we think he's fled. It doesn't match his MO, but his signature hasn't been traced in Britain in more than three days. He's left the country," Neville explained as he crossed his arms over his chest.

Harry sat in his seat silently, flipping through the case file for an armed robber and murderer and now arsonist. Charged with the robbery and murder of two muggles, a wizard, and the destruction of a townhome in Bristol. Along with a string of robberies, Kenneth Southgate had built up quite a reputation.

"What do you have on his background?" Gawain Robards asked. He sat at the end of the table, his eyes solely on the board off to the side, holding up their evidence and clues.

Ron opened the file he had on the table. "His parents were both born in England. But he spent some time abroad after Hogwarts. Seems he had a stint in Germany and Romania."

Robards nodded. "Reach out to their ministries. Inform them they may be harboring a criminal."

"Yes, sir," Harry, Neville, and Ron said.

Robards waved them away. Ron shared a look with Harry before they began filing out of the meeting room.

"Potter," Robards called.

Harry stopped short in the doorway and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

"The International Defense League has announced the dates for this year's training seminars. I want you to attend."

Harry grabbed the file folders of the three cases he was currently working on. "Sir, I have a full caseload right now. I can't just up and leave."

"Understandable. That's why I'm informing you."

"I understand. Are there others taking part as well?"

"A few. Just the ones not signed up for the mentoring program, which I noticed you passed on. Again." Robards took off his reading glasses, folded them, and put them away in his inner cloak pocket. "It's best you start thinking about what your future will look like here in the Auror office, Mr. Potter." Robards gathered up his paperwork and patted them into a neat stack.

"Sir?"

Robards walked around the table. "Think about it, Mr. Potter. Do you want to follow orders? Or do you want to be a leader?"

He strode out the room before Harry could answer, leaving him completely befuddled. Lead Aurors? Or be the Lead Auror? What did he mean?

Harry shook his head. He didn't have time to think about that now. He had things to do.

He stepped out of the meeting room and was halfway to his office when he heard a familiar trill of laughter. A smile came to his face as he looked and searched for the familiar brown hair and eyes of his best friend.

There she was - standing beside Ron and Neville, hiding a laugh behind her hand.

He turned on his heel and walked right toward them. "Hermione!" He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "What brings you by?"

She smiled at him, her smile reaching her eyes. "Ainsworth and I are making our rounds, dropping off our latest update on our meetings with the Centaur Group and Goblin Leadership." She pointed at her surly co-worker.

Timothy Ainsworth looked as if his current task was the last thing he wanted to do.

"What's got him in a bad mood?" Neville asked.

"What are you talking about?" Hermione chuckled. "He's actually pretty happy." She squeezed Harry's forearm. "Well, I'm off. Wizengamot is next."

"See you, Hermione," Harry called after her.

"Bye, Hermione!" Neville waved.

Hermione waved at them both and playfully dragged Ainsworth away from Ryan Abbott, who he was beginning to row with.

Harry watched them leave until he felt Ron tap him on the arm. When he turned, Ron simply grinned.

Someone gave out a low whistle. "It's always nice when the pretty ones come through the office," Abbott commented.

Ian Proudfoot laughed. "As if she'd give you the time of day, Abbott."

Abbott shrugged. "I don't need her too. I'll just look."

"Yeah, but that hair –"

"Those legs –"

Harry's hands tightened around his files. "Come on you lot. Show her some respect."

His coworkers snapped their mouths shut.

Ron tugged on Harry's sleeve. "Don't listen to them." He motioned for Harry to follow him.

"What?" Harry followed him back into their office, dropping his files onto his desk.

"I know you wouldn't like to hear them talk about Hermione like that. She's our friend. But, I don't want you getting into any rows."

"I wasn't going to fight someone."

"You sure?"

He tightened his fingers around the sleeve of his cloak. "Positive."

# # #

Hermione stood slowly and pushed the cabinet drawer shut with her foot. She just returned from a House Elf placement interview and she knew the right house elf for this particular family. A married couple (three years), expanding their family (wife is expecting) and would appreciate having an experienced house-elf help around the house.

She received a lot of applications like this. Families who are either growing or families who would like an extra hand around their ailing or elderly parents. She looked out her window in thought. Would she ever consider taking on a house elf if she was in a similar situation?

A knock on her office door startled her, making her bump into the cabinet.

"Apologies," Alexander Sterling, the deputy head, stood in the doorway.

"It's alright." She walked back to her desk. "What can I do for you?"

Sterling entered her office and stood a foot space away from her desk. "I'm returning your draft of the werewolf bill." He held the file out to her.

"Already?" She took the file into her hands.

"Yes. I've read and made comments on the areas in which we can improve. Only a few changes. I believe we can move forward to the next section."

"Really?" She looked up from her perusal of the documents. "That's great news. I'll get started right away."

"Very well, Ms. Granger." He walked back toward the door, but slowed to a stop. "Are you still leaving after Lunch?"

She set the file on her desk. "Yes, if that's alright. I can come back."

He shook his head. "Just be sure to come to work on time tomorrow."

"Thank you, Mr. Sterling."

He seemed to gulp. He nodded and stalked off in the direction of his office.

Hermione sat down and got started on her recommendation package for the family she met that morning. Hopefully, all goes well and Connie, the house-elf, will have a new home by the end of the week.

Once she was finished, she placed the werewolf legislation file in her tote bag, grabbed her recommendation package, and headed toward Mrs. Fawley's desk to drop it off.

"Heading out, Ms. Granger?" Mrs. Fawley asked, taking the package and placing it in the outbox.

"Yes, can you hold my messages, please? I'll be back bright and early tomorrow." Hermione rested the tote bag handle on her shoulder.

"Will do, Ms. Granger. Have a good rest of your day."

"Thanks, you too –"

"Where you off too, Granger?" Ainsworth leaned against Mrs. Fawley's desk. He dropped some envelopes into the outbox.

"Lunch with a friend."

"Oh? And Sterling let you?" He gave Mrs. Fawley a look. She narrowed her eyes at him as if telling him to shut it, and shook her head.

Hermione shifted her gaze between them. "Yes? What about it?"

Ainsworth shrugged. He trailed a finger over the top of the desk. "Oh, nothing, just that he always seems to say yes whenever you ask for leave."

"He does not," Hermione countered. She looked at Mrs. Fawley. "Does he?"

Mrs. Fawley shook her head, eyes wide. "Mr. Sterling is accommodating to all the employees in the Department."

Hermione blew a strand of hair out of her eyes. "I'll see you all tomorrow."

She thought about what Ainsworth said all the way to the cafe where she was supposed to meet Ginny. Mr. Sterling accommodated everyone, not just her. What was Ainsworth trying to get at?

"Hermione!" Ginny waved at her excitedly.

Hermione hurried the last few steps and enveloped her friend in a tight hug. "It's so good to see you."

"Come on, girl, I'm starving."

Hermione let Ginny lead them into the cozy cafe, taking a table near the window.

"How's work?" Ginny asked, picking up her menu and skimming over the food details.

"The usual. We're one step closer to finishing our werewolf bill."

Ginny's eyes softened. "That's great news."

"Thanks." They paused their conversation to order food and drinks. Once their server returned with their drinks and some fresh bread, Hermione started up again. "We missed you at Teddy's birthday."

Ginny sighed. "I know. I'm sad I missed it. I was pretty busy that whole weekend."

"Totally understandable."

"I actually wanted to talk about it with you." Ginny leaned back from the table. Their server returned with their food. A chicken club sandwich for Ginny and a chicken caesar salad wrap for Hermione. "About what I was doing that weekend."

Hermione set her food down. "Is something the matter?"

Ginny shook her head. "No, quite the opposite really." She took a deep breath. "I got an offer for a chaser position with QC Dortmund."

Hermione turned her head to the side. "I don't think I'm familiar with that team."

Ginny chuckled. "Probably not. That team is in Germany."

"Oh, well then how – Oh!" Hermione's eyes widened. "Oh! The German League. Ginny!"

Ginny's excitement was palpable. "Yes. I met with my agent and two of their coaches. They've made an offer and I really want to accept."

Hermione shifted in her seat, her chicken wrap long forgotten. She was not expecting news like this when Ginny invited her out for lunch. One of Ginny's life long dreams were coming true!

She reached over and squeezed Ginny's hand. "This is amazing, Ginny. You've been working so hard for this! This is what you've wanted for ages."

Ginny seemed to deflate, pressure loosening from her shoulders. "I was so worried about what you might say."

"Why?"

Ginny shrugged, picking up a chip from her plate. "I already know what my parents are going to say. I just wanted to hear one of my friends be supportive."

Hermione pursed her lips. Molly and Arthur may be less than understanding, but she was sure they'd support their daughter in her decision. "It's a big change, but it's one of your longtime goals. A dream of yours. I'm sure they'll understand."

Ginny bit hard into her chip. "They better. Either way, now I'll be winning German League titles."

Hermione chuckled. "To add to all those British titles."

After a flurry of hugs and good wishes, they went their separate ways in Camden Town. Hermione briefly wondered if she should head back to the office, but thought better of it. She could work at home if she really wanted too.

She passed a fish and chips stall and was overwhelmed by a wave of nausea. She shivered. This is not good. Shaking her intrusive thoughts away, she continued walking.

It was mid-afternoon so there were quite a few people milling about, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells. She also couldn't help noticing the enormous amount of pregnant people or people walking about with children.

She clutched her tote. Is there usually this many pregnant people? She shook her head. It's probably because of all the baby talk the weekend before. It's still in her head. She's just noticing it more. That's all.

The smell from the fish and chips stall came back, making her lurch. She sped past it and pushed herself into a clothing store. She took a deep breath. Perfect. A stale smell.

She might as well look around. She was flipping through the blouses on the clothes rack when she felt someone watching her.

She turned slightly and found a little girl staring right at her. She had a worn rabbit in her arms, one of its ears in her mouth.

Hermione gave her a small wave. The girl giggled and stepped back toward her mother.

Hermione blew out a puff of air. This was getting out of hand. She hurried out of the store and searched for the closest pharmacy.

# # #

She paced the length of her hallway. She's probably overreacting. Baby talk, seeing babies, seeing pregnant people. Small children. She's jumping to conclusions.

She wrung her hands. What about the nausea? Tonks and Fleur both said they experienced nausea. Fleur said she felt dizzy.

No, it could've been food gone bad and not enough water. Right? It couldn't be… it couldn't.

She's probably coming down with some bug. Like the stomach flu! Nausea. Dizziness. Fatigue. It seemed to fit.

She walked back into the bathroom, closed the toilet lid and sat down. She should just admit it to herself - she might be pregnant.

She might be pregnant and Harry is the father.

She swallowed hard. Yes, she wanted children someday But, this was becoming very real, very fast and she didn't know how to handle it.

The timer on her phone went off. She switched it off, took a deep breath, and stood, grasping the pregnancy test in her hand.

She stared at it. "That can't be right."

She shook the stick, willing it to reveal something different. "This cannot be right." She stared at herself in the mirror. "How am I supposed to tell Harry?"

She slammed the stick on the counter, turned on her heel and fled from the bathroom. The positive pregnancy test left behind like a beacon.