Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or anything in relation to J.K. Rowling's books!

A/N: This chapter, which took a slow beginning, was defiantly hard to start! I hard to look back on the original story line and make sure there were NO missing pieces! Of course, I won't tell you those pieces until they come together in due time (Hint: You have to read it! Tricky, huh?) Sarcasm. No, really, though, I throw things and events into the story purposely so that the story's plot flows together. It's hard work, and to those of you that are inpatient, you're in quite a sticky wicket!

Chapter 3: Anticipation

Hermione walked up to the security wizard at the front of the building and handed him her wand. Just like in the Ministry of Magic, he scanned her wand and pulled out the slip of paper that contained her information. He gave here a approving nod and she retrieved her wand from him and walked through the gate.

This building, or Federation Headquarters, was built in a unique way. Unlike the Ministry building, the offices of it's employees were switched so as any outsider that came in, wouldn't know where to go unless they signed in at the main entrance, where they received their individual "map". Each time a door was opened in a office and then closed, the office was sent to a new location and floor. Trick was, no one knew how many floors, halls, or offices there were, for the building moved around too much to pin point them. Sometimes, a whole hall would move. There were no maps and any charm used by any means to find a particular office or room was nullified. It was quite ingenious in Hermione's opinion, though she knew that it was sometimes a struggle it you wanted to get to a certain place quickly and couldn't because you'd have to retrieve a Charmed Channeling Device or CCD.

This invention had been invented entirely for the purpose of this building. Sure, the name sounded as if it had been structured by a twelve- year old, but how it worked certainly didn't come from one. It was just a clear, glass orb that spun in the air and directed everyone to their desired location because of the fact no one else knew where anything was. Everyone received one when they signed for a position at the Federation and each CCD was assigned only to that person. It was much like a digital phone/ map in only that specific building, for other members could talk to you with it if they were not using charmed memos.

Hermione scribbled her name again onto a pad at Diana's desk. Diana McMicheal was everyone's secretary and had been sitting at the same desk since Hermione had been there. She was a petite woman about the age of 35 and always wore bangles on her wrists that reminded Hermione horribly of Professor Trelawney. She had short, dirty blonde hair and eyes that were each a different color; one blue, the other green. Diana looked up from her work and smiled warmly at Hermione; she had always been on good terms with Hermione.

"G'Morning, Hermione!" she said happily. She had been almost the only person there that called her by her first name.

"Morning, Diana…" she said distractedly as she looked up and down the list for Harry's name. She had wondered if her even signed in and still couldn't believe that he was in the same building and she never even suspected.

"You won't find his name." Hermione shot her a look of awe at being caught and blushed slightly as Diana smiled.

"How- Did he tell you that I know?"

"No, but I do know that you're friends and usually you don't gawk over the logging sheet as if looking for something. You try to get to you're office as soon as possible to avoid Ms. Hirchman." she gave her a understanding and knowing smile.

"Oh," she blushed a deeper shade of red at her foolishness. "Well, Hirchman is the type to avoid; she's too clumsy."

"Now, Hermione, you shouldn't make judgments. She really looks up to you, you know?" she folded her arms like she was a superior adult and looked over the rim of her reading glasses accusingly.

"Don't say that you make me sound old." she said. Harry was already here, so she wasn't going to worry too much about him.

"He watches over you, you know…" Hermione looked at her in a indescribable way. Diana moved unflinchingly from her stare and, after a moment, continued with her work in silence. Hermione left her desk, giving her backwards glances until she could no longer see her desk. She followed her CCD up two flights of stairs and down the West Corridor and into her empty office without a word and sat lazily in her wooden chair that groaned as she did so.

She gave her CCD a thoughtful glance as it floated and spun by her door. She could try and talk to Harry… but she didn't know if he'd accept the call from her. She let out a frustrated sigh through her nose at the prospect of her not knowing again. Her mind would shift to this thought every time she didn't expect it and every time it did, she became more and more livid at her stupidity.

Just forget about it… Time to document those information reports… Hermione thought as she opened a book on it's bookmarked page and got to work.

"You told her, didn't you, Potter?" James Sparks, Harry's second, said from across the table in Harry's office. Harry put down his quill and stared at him incredulously,

"What? Has everyone received a memo of word about it?" he asked sarcastically. The whole morning, Diana McMicheal, Robin Ginn, and even Chief Eden Williams had all asked the same question. How could they know?

"It's not like it's written on you face." James murmured sarcastically.

"Do you have a Bird lingering around my house?" he asked accusingly. Birds were charmed bird puppets that recorded conversations, and were much like a Extendable Ear. The idea had come from the phrase, "A little bird told me…" and was slightly comical to one who found out the meaning behind the Bird.

"A woman? No, those stay at the house wi-"

"You know that's not what I meant." Harry said sternly and tried to hide the grin that spread from his mouth at his second's mockery.

"No, it's just that you've kept your CCD by your desk the whole morning and you usually hate the sight of them. It's obvious you're waiting for a call."

"If I were waiting for a call, I'd sit by the fireplace." Harry said dismissively for he usually did use the Floo Network to contact someone.

"Alright, alright, I can take a hint." James stood up and stuffed his fists into his pockets, "I'm gonna go to the gym; see you in a bit?"

"Yeah." Harry muttered as he leaned over his reports again, not really seeing the words at all.

A/N: Wow, this chapter is way shorter than I had planned. I guess it's because I'm also working on another story. That one is a short story though and as I'm typing and you're reading, I'm already uploading another story… Mind blowing, right? Anyway, if you're interested, in the other story, I mean, then just look in my profile and it should be under my works. It's a Trigun story, though, and it's still one of those try- out processes. See, I used to be all into that show and everything… almost two years ago and lost interest into it, until I ran across the DVD and watched it. So now, I'm into it again and just had to try out my hand at writing a fanfic on it! So check it out if you're interested! ç That was complete ramblings but it happens? Anyway, till next time! Oh, and just a last note: Thanks for the reviews! Hugs&Kisses!