10 Weeks
Hermione was in denial. How could she be pregnant? Well, she knew how, but… how? She and Harry were always careful. She was on birth control for Godric's sake!
She took a deep breath and gathered herself. She walked through the ministry atrium as if nothing had changed. Because, who knows, maybe it was a false alarm. Really false. She'll just go about her day and then when work was over buy another pregnancy test (or two).
However, the moment she stepped into the department annex, she felt something amiss. She walked up to Mrs. Fawley's desk and discovered why.
Mrs. Fawley was at her desk holding up a small oven-roasted turkey sandwich. She greeted Hermione with a wave. "Ms. Granger, there's food in meeting room three."
Hermione couldn't help smiling at her coworker's positive attitude. She grabbed her mail from the desk. "What's the occasion?"
"Quite a few things. One, our yearly budget was approved so Madam Kane brought in lunch," she motioned to the sandwich in her hand. "Two house-elves were placed this week in homes with extraordinary success," she winked at Hermione, making her chuckle. "The family sent us pastries. Also, the DMLE sent us more pastries as a thank you for our efforts in improving Goblin and Centaur relations, particularly with the Centaurs."
Hermione nodded. She and her friends had single-handedly messed up the wizarding communities' relationship with both magical groups. She was glad to see it being repaired.
"Don't hold back on the pastries," Mrs. Fawley called out to her when Hermione turned down the hallway to her office.
Hermione pushed open her office door and flicked her wand toward the window, bringing in the fake morning light. She skimmed through her mail. Thank you notes from the families she met with this past week. Another inquiry from the Daily Prophet to ask what she's been up too.
"Oh?" A letter from Ginny. She ripped it open. Ginny had scribbled out a quick thank you for hearing her out and appreciation for understanding.
Hermione shook her head. It seemed Ginny was still a little worried, but she shouldn't be. She was following her dream. That's the least anybody can do. She was proud of her friend and she promised herself she'll be sure to let Ginny know how much the next time she saw her.
The last note in her mail surprised her. It was from Mr. Sterling. She opened it in a hurry. He wanted to see her at 9:30 to meet about her progress.
She glanced at the clock hanging near her door. The meeting was in twenty minutes. She could get some paperwork done.
Or so she thought. Twenty-five minutes later, she found herself hurrying across the department floor, files clutched to her chest.
She reached Mr. Sterling's door and knocked twice. She bit her lip. Please, don't be angry. Please, don't be angry.
"Enter," his voice sounded.
Hermione pushed the door open and entered his office.
"Close the door, Ms. Granger."
She nodded, shutting it softly behind her. She glanced around Mr. Sterling's immaculate office. Not a file out of place. Mr. Sterling stood at the side of his desk, leaning slightly against the edge. She'd never seen him looking so casual. But, as always, not even a hair out of place either.
"Mr. Sterling, I apologize. I didn't mean –"
Alexander Sterling straightened up and walked back to his chair. "Apologies are unnecessary. So," he gestured to the plush chair across from his desk, "how have you been, Ms. Granger?"
Hermione sat down slowly. "I've been doing very well, Mr. Sterling."
"Is your schedule still sufficient? Any changes?"
She shook her head. "As of right now, no."
"Your workload is approachable?"
"Yes. I'm still doing alright on that front as well."
"Very good." He set his closed file folder down on the desk before him. His dark eyes met hers before he spoke again. "Madam Kane and I wanted to commend you on your good work in the House Elf Liaison Office."
"Thank you, sir. I enjoy my work very much."
He nodded. "With the recent budget allocation, our department has acquired more funds. Madam Kane and I believe it would go to good use in recruiting and hiring new people for our department."
"That's great news, Mr. Sterling."
"There's potential that the new hires will be within the House Elf Liaison Office and if that is the case, we'd like you to lead in training them and bringing them up to date on current laws and standards. Do you believe that's something you can do?"
She could feel her shoulders droop. "What would that mean for me, sir?"
He leaned back. "Meaning?"
"Well, I'm the only liaison with the House Elf Liaison Office. Would that mean I would no longer be a liaison?"
"Not necessarily. Your workload would lessen considerably. But, this also brings up my next topic. Your long term goals, here in the department. Do you like where you are currently? Are you aspiring for another position within this department or another?"
She gaped. "I'll be honest with you, I'm not sure. My goal was to help create laws for the safe treatment of house-elves and pass more humane and equality laws for those inflicted with lycanthropy."
"And you're doing very well on both fronts," Mr. Sterling said with a small smile, that took her by surprise. "I suppose now is the time to think about what will you do once you've successfully accomplished both."
She nodded. Her mouth felt dry. This was not what she expected when she came into this meeting.
"Very good, Ms. Granger. Well, Madam Kane and I would like to extend our gratitude for your hard work and diligence. Do you have any concerns for me?"
"Uh." She blinked. "Not at this time no."
"Very well." Mr. Sterling stood from his seat.
Hermione rushed to her feet, but faltered slightly, overcome with a wave of dizziness.
Mr. Sterling was by her side in a flash. One hand on her upper arm, the other held out in front of her in case she fell. "Ms. Granger, are you alright?"
"Yes, sorry. I'm just feeling a little dizzy."
"Are you unwell? You should go home and rest if you're not feeling well."
"No, no." She took a deep breath. "I'm fine. I just need to drink more water."
He looked unconvinced but relented.
A sharp knock at the door startled them both. Mrs. Fawley pushed the door open and walked in with two plates in hand. She eyed their close proximity.
Mr. Sterling dropped his hands and took a step back. "Mrs. Fawley?"
"Your ten o'clock meeting is here and I brought you a sandwich. They're delicious by the way." She set the sandwich down on his desk and turned to Hermione, "and darling, I fought off Ainsworth for that cheese danish, I know they're your favorite. Eat up."
Hermione grimaced at the sight and smell of the sandwich on the desk but smiled Mrs. Fawley for her graciousness. Cheese danishes were her favorite. "Thank you so much, Mrs. Fawley."
"Don't mention. Shall I close the door?" Mrs. Fawley asked, lightness in her voice.
"No!" Hermione hurried. "I'm done, we're done," she corrected. She remembered the file in her hand. "Mr. Sterling, a revision from yesterday's draft. Your notes were thought-provoking. As always."
"Yes," he took the file. "Thank you, Ms. Granger."
Hermione took her cheese danish and hurried out of there.
# # #
Harry skimmed over the information for the International Defense League's training program.
The IDL was similar to the Dark Force Defense League but not as bias and prejudice against the dark arts, which irked and left many people uneasy.
They had tactical corps all over the world and it was difficult to join their forces to begin with. Recruitment was rare. But if there was one thing an Auror or hit wizard wanted - it was to train and learn from the best.
The next session was in May and he couldn't possibly go while he was actively searching for an arsonist and murder.
Ron burst into their shared office. "We found him!" He held up a letter. "German Ministry just traced Southgate in Dresden. We gotta go."
Harry groaned. He saw Neville scrub his hands over his face. Harry reached under his desk for his go-bag.
Time to head out.
But, he had to see someone first.
After checking the contents of his go-bag and checking in with Neville, Ron, and Robards, he made his way down to the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.
He strolled up to the executive assistant's desk. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Fawley, is Hermione in?"
Mrs. Fawley stared at him, bright-eyed and smiling. "She sure is. Be sure to knock though."
He nodded and went off in the direction of his friend's office. He reached the door and knocked three times.
"Come in!"
He opened the door and closed it softly behind him.
Hermione was bent over her desk, writing furiously across the paper she was working on. But, he took one good look at her and asked, "are you alright?"
Without thinking, really. But, her usually well-coiffed or plaited hair was in disarray, abnormal for so early in the day, and she had dark circles beneath her eyes.
"Fine, just tired." She stretched her arms over her head. "So, what's up?"
He shuffled to her desk. "Wanted to let you know I'll be gone for a week."
"What?"
Harry stared at her. "We've got a lead on the Harrow murder. Neville and I are heading to Germany to follow the trail. Ron will stay here for processing."
"Oh." She swallowed hard. "Be safe, Harry."
Harry's gaze shifted between her eyes. Not that he was expecting anything, but he thought she would react differently.
"I'll see you soon." He headed for her office door but before he grabbed the handle, he heard her shuffle across the floor and felt her press up against his back.
He turned around, relief pooling in his stomach. "I'll be careful, Hermione. I promise."
She wrapped her arms around his torso. He hugged her back tightly and placed a kiss on her head. "I'll be back before you know it."
###
She stared at the third pregnancy test she had taken, cursing its positive result.
She held a flask in her hand and shook it, preparing to pour the contents in the toilet. Maybe the magical test would show a different result?
But, it was all for naught as five minutes later the pee in the toilet turned a brilliant shade of purple.
She's pregnant.
Bloody hell.
