12 Weeks
Harry and Neville stood in the armory of the German Ministry's Auror Department. Harry strapped on his body armor and joined his friends and teammates in the debrief meeting.
"Southgate is held up in a manor house forty minutes out of the city center," Juliana Becker, their lead liaison for this case, explained. "We've been tracking him for two days and determined he's been held up in this house for at least twelve hours. B squad will case and secure the perimeter. A squad will go in and apprehend the suspect. Understood?"
Harry nodded.
"Let's head out."
B squad left with the first portkey. Harry and Neville left with A squad. They looked comfortable in their gear and shifted on their feet, prepared and ready for action. Despite it all, Harry really just wanted this case to be over. He wanted to go home.
###
Harry clutched his stomach, breathing deeply. He didn't even look up when the German healer entered the room and began moving around him, setting out potions and ointments on a tray.
The healer's voice was soft, but Harry couldn't understand her. He briefly glanced at her and then quickly took a double-take, recognizing the familiar color and texture of hair.
He finally met her gaze and followed her directions, taking his shirt off and lying on the exam table.
Of course, it wasn't Hermione. She was home in England, probably eating a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies or better yet snuggled up in bed.
The healer administered the pain and healing potions and spread the necessary ointments on his torso. She gave him potions to take with him. All done, he checked in with the team leader who was waiting in the lobby to make sure all those who were injured had been seen and left to join Neville.
Harry entered the ministry issued housing unit the German ministry had set up for them and immediately fell onto the sofa. He lifted his shirt and poked at the bandages around his torso.
"Leave it alone, Harry," Neville warned from the small kitchen. "Just give it a few hours."
Harry groaned, pushing his hair out of his face. "Why am I all beat up and you are not?"
Neville chuckled. "Because I don't go blazing in. Honestly, do you always have to rush our suspects? There are less painful ways to apprehend them."
"Yes," Harry sat up, groaning again. "But, he slipped away from us before. I wasn't going to risk him getting away again. I needed to make sure he didn't have a chance."
Neville nodded. "Sure. Come on, let's eat." He set out their leftover take out on the table.
"Thanks, Neville." Harry dropped down in one of the chairs, scooped some food onto his plate and began to shovel food into his mouth.
Harry stabbed his food with his fork. He ate hungrily. He couldn't even remember if he had eaten breakfast that morning. What time was it anyway?
He scooped some more food onto his fork and noticed Neville had barely touched his food. "What's on your mind, Nev?"
Neville rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm thinking of asking Hannah to marry me," he blurted.
Harry's fork missed his mouth. "What? Wow, that's - wow."
Neville flushed, pushing his food around his plate. "I know. I'm really happy with Hannah. She's the one, you know. I can't imagine being with someone else. I mean, I even imagine what it would be like if we had a kid or two."
"Kids?" Harry took a bite of food. He sometimes imagined what it would be like having kids. He wouldn't lie. He's thought about it. And they always looked the same. Messy brown hair, green or sometimes brown eyes.
But, he wasn't sure if he was ready for that big a step. He knew he wanted to have children someday, but soon? He didn't even have a girlfriend and Hermione didn't count. They only… he shifted in his seat.
"Well, next time we go out for drinks, they're on me," Harry announced. "To celebrate."
Neville laughed. "Thanks, but she has to say yes first."
He rolled his eyes. As if Hannah would say no. "Oh, I'm sure she'll say yes. You're a catch, Neville."
"Geeze, Harry." Neville hid his face in his hands. "Do you have to say stuff like that?"
"It's the truth!"
Neville's face reddened some more. "What about you?"
"What about me?"
"Are you seeing anyone?"
Harry scoffed. "No. I haven't even gone on a date in ages. It's hard to find someone, let alone find the time. Most days I just go home and sleep."
Neville scooped up some food. "That's not good, Harry. Your life will fly by without you even realizing."
Harry stared at his food. "You're probably right."
He spent the rest of the evening listening to Neville talk about visiting the magical shopping centre that was next to their housing unit, about all the souvenirs he wanted to get for Hannah and his grandmother.
Harry realized he promised Hermione he'd only be gone a week. He'd have to make it up to her somehow.
# # #
It was overcast when Harry finally stepped out of their housing unit. His torso and back were stiff, but he'd stick it out so he could find something for Hermione. Maybe he'll find something for Sirius and Teddy too.
The shopping centre was crowded despite the cloudy weather so Harry had to really push his way through to look at the merchandise laid out on tables and on display shelves.
Harry came across a table filled with toys. He combed through the selection, picking out sculpted horses and hippogriffs. He even found a wooden dog that looks eerily like Padfoot. He'd get that for Sirius.
Finding something for Hermione was more difficult. No surprise there. How do you find a gift for a woman who can get whatever she wants and also happens to have almost everything?
"Mama?" A little girl with long thick brown hair jumped to the space beside Harry and began speaking rapidly to her mother, who came up behind her.
The little girl's hair was frizzing and growing larger due to the weather outside and Harry bit back a grin, thinking back to his best friend.
He could get her a book but it was hard to keep track of all the books she already owned.
He walked to the next table where there was an abundance of jewelry spread out. They were all very pretty, but he didn't see one that called out to him.
"This one," the old woman manning the table, pushed a wooden box toward him.
It wasn't very large. It fit comfortably in his open hand. The top had flowers carved into the lid and in the middle, it was solid with handpainted flowers outlined in gold.
"Pardon?"
"A keepsake box, to keep things one loves safe. It was made with great care," she picked it up and held it out to him.
He took it into his hands. The wood was smooth. "Are there charms on it?"
The old woman shook her head. "But it is unbreakable."
It was nice, but would Hermione like it?
"She'll adore it," the old woman's voice cut through his thoughts. He gulped, his gaze turned hard. But the old woman continued, "she'll adore it because you gave it to her."
She stared at the toilet lid. Well, roast turkey is no good for now. She stood slowly and made her way to the sink to rinse her mouth and wash her hands. It wasn't the end of the world. Except she literally can't eat anything. Roast turkey, roast beef. What's next? Chicken? Will the baby ever let her eat meat again.
She trudged to the sitting room and dropped onto her couch. She rested her hands over her abdomen. "Baby, are you ever going to let me eat me?" She rubbed her belly. "I wonder who you'll grow to look like?"
A knock at the door made her jump. She slid off the couch with a grown and looked through the peephole. "Harry?!"
"Hey." He shifted on his feet. His hands were behind his back.
"You're back! Wait, are you really, Harry?"
She thought she could see him roll his eyes. "Oh? We're doing that now? Well, I know you really like it when I drag my teeth down your neck and tease your–"
"Alright!" She wrenched the door open.
Harry stood before her, a cheesy grin on his face. "Can I come in?"
She nodded, stepping aside. She walked into her kitchen and set out the kettle.
"Hermione?"
She looked over her shoulder and gasped at the sight before her. Harry stood on the other side of her small kitchen table holding an abundance of tulips in one hand. Red. Yellow. Purple. White. In the other, a gray gift bag.
She smiled. "What's this about?"
He held them out. "They're for you." He shrugged. "I promised to be gone for a week, but it took longer than that. I'm sorry if I made you worry."
She nibbled on her lip. She came around the table and took the bouquet into her arms. "That's really sweet of you, Harry, you didn't have to and you know we're not, you know…"
"Together?" He shrugged. "You're my friend and you still deserve flowers."
She rubbed a soft petal between her fingers. "Thank you for this, Harry." She gulped and moved back around the table. "I'm glad you're safe."
"Me too," he chuckled, sitting down at the table. "I was injured, but we apprehended him and he's in a holding cell in Azkaban."
Her brows creased. "Injured?"
"Don't worry about it. I'm all healed up." He placed the bag on the table. "I got you a souvenir from Dresden. I hope you like it."
She pursed her lips. She went over to the window sill where she kept her vases. She grabbed one and filled it with water, and gently placed her new flowers inside. She trailed her fingers down the side of the glass vase. Another gift from Harry. Valentine's Day, he came around with flowers and chocolates and a silly grin stating she deserved something nice, not only because they slept together.
"Can I eat this?" Harry pulled her forgotten dinner toward him.
"Go ahead. I couldn't finish it." She walked over to the kettle and poured them some tea.
"Why? Are you feeling alright?"
She stilled her hands around the cup handles. It was now or never. "Yes and no."
She placed their cups down on the table and took the seat across from him.
"Yes and no?" He chuckled, but his smile turned downward in concern. "Come on, Hermione, what's wrong? Are you sick? You were sick during Teddy's birthday. Do you still have that bug?"
"Well, I'm -" She looked up, seeing the worry etched on his face, "Harry, I'm pregnant."
The fork he was holding clattered against the plate. "What? You're pregnant?" His eyes shifted from her face to her torso and back up again. "That–you can't be. We've always been careful. I thought you were on birth control."
"I am – was," she corrected, "I don't know how it happened, but it did. I," she took a deep breath, "I'm so sorry."
Harry brought his hand up and covered his mouth. His eyes narrowed at the table.
"Harry, I'm sorry. I know we didn't –" This was it. He's angry.
He let out a breath and ran his fingers through his hair. "Hermione, we're not even together. We," he scoffed, no humor in his voice, "for Godric's sake, we have sex for fun. Because we -"
"I know," she leaned forward. "This doesn't change anything. I mean, we can stop the sex part, but I don't want a baby to force us together."
His eyes were hard. "Have you seen a doctor?"
"I have my first appointment on Friday."
He nodded, pushing away from the table.
"Harry?"
He pushed the chair in and made his way back to the front door. "I need to go."
"Wait." She scrambled after him. "Are you mad? Harry?"
His hand rested on the door handle. He looked at her from over his shoulder. "I'm not mad. I'll talk to you soon. Take care of yourself, okay?"
"Harry, wait!"
But, he pulled the door open and slipped out before she could reach him.
Hermione stared at the back of her front door. She wiped away the wetness on her cheeks. What's going to happen now?
