She was glad to be back on the floor with Harry. She had no desire to actually drink her tea, but Harry was happy to take it off her hands. His eyelids were heavy, but he could tell something was bothering her.
"I saw Ames," she said. "In the cafeteria."
"Oh?" he asked.
"How long do you have to be broken up until it gets less terrifying to be in the same room as them?" she asked, her voice slightly frantic.
"I still can get riled up by Ginny and it's been four years," he said, trying to sound assuring. "How'd he look?"
"He's sober. He looks… like himself. I think he's in a good place now," she said, sitting down. "So… that part was kind of good to see, I guess."
She took him in, and could see that he was trying his damnedest to fight a nap. "I'm so selfish. Love, get some sleep, okay? You've got to rest. You need to heal up. I'll swing by later and we can talk more."
Liv left the ward a few minutes later. For the first time since Monday, she felt up to going home. Despite her exhaustion, she thought fresh air and a tiny bit of exercise might do her body good, so she walked. It wasn't that far of a walk, really, and the weather was everything she could have hoped for. It felt bizarre to have been away from home for so many days. Since she'd moved in, she hadn't spent a night elsewhere.
The house loomed before her, seeming even larger than usual. She entered the wards quickly, unlocking them as she had been taught. As she walked in the doors, the gas lamps in the entryway hissed as they lit, and it felt so good to be home.
She dropped her bag in the kitchen, and rifled through the mail that had been piled on the table. She selected a new magazine, and headed upstairs. In desperate need of it, a bath sounded like the perfect way to unwind.
She hadn't anticipated their bedroom would be so hard to look at. Monday morning before work, they'd enjoyed a quick shag, and clothing was flung about the room without a care. She could clearly recall glancing at them and thinking she could straighten everything up after work. Sighing, she collected it all and tossed it in the hamper.
A hot bath, filled to the brim with bubbles, felt good against her tired body. She leisurely flipped through her gossip magazine, which was a welcome distraction. She had a lot to be anxious about, but tried to push it off to later.
After the bath, and a much needed shampoo, she wrapped herself in Harry's robe and climbed into bed- on his side. It smelled like him, like soap and parchment and the aftershave he wore. She hugged a pillow to her chest, almost as if she had him in bed to hold on to. It was a weak comparison to the real thing, but it comforted her enough to lull her into a deep and dreamless sleep.
She woke up, hours later, slightly confused. In her sleep, she'd shifted and the fresh air flowing in from the window felt nice on her bare skin. It took her a few extra moments to realize exactly where she was, but she was happy to realize she was home.
It was seven o'clock, which meant she'd slept for around five hours. She felt more rested than she had all week, and enjoyed it for a few moments. It was still light out, and would be for a few hours, and she had plenty to accomplish. But first, she wanted to see if Harry was awake.
She walked into the ward, past a large family that had spilled out into the hallway. She didn't bother to hide her displeasure that they had taken over so much space. She peeked into Harry's room, and found him awake and slowly eating dinner.
His face lit up when he saw her walk in. "Liv."
"Hello, love," she said, running her hands through his hair as she kissed him. He was clean shaven, and definitely had been up for a shower. "How are you this evening?"
"Better now," he said. She watched him clumsily try and cut a piece of chicken. As desperately as she wanted to help him, it was incredibly important he do it himself.
"How's the food?"
"I could really go for one of your sandwiches about now."
She couldn't help but smile. He finished his dinner and pushed it away, reaching for her hand instead. "C'mere."
Her beckoned her to join him on the bed, so she obliged. His touch was exactly what she needed, as she wrapped her arm around him. "I missed you."
"I know," he whispered, pressing kisses into her cheek. "I won't let it happen again."
"I can't wait until you come home."
He nodded. "Any clue when that will be?"
"I spoke with the Healer this morning and she thinks sometime in the middle of next week." She watched his face turn sour, and didn't blame him. But she needed to encourage him. "Yeah, I know. But we want you to make big improvements before you can come home."
"I'm fine."
She knew he hadn't brought up his left side because he was trying to pretend it wasn't happening, but it was. "They want your leg and arm to be a little stronger first."
He didn't look happy, and she was hesitant to let her limited time with him fall into a less agreeable mood. Considering the subjects she could pivot the conversation to, she picked what needed to be discussed the most. "What do you want me to do about Ted?"
The distraction worked, but his face crumpled as he realized exactly what she was asking him. It wasn't her fault, nor his, though she felt like she was crushing his spirit a little bit.
"What does Teddy know?"
"Nothing," she said. "Andromeda is aware of the situation but we agreed not to tell him anything yet. I wanted to know exactly what we were dealing with before I got him involved. No reason to worry him unnecessarily."
"Thank you," he said, a slight wave of relief evident on his face. "For being exceptionally considerate of him."
She shrugged. It didn't feel like anything beyond basic consideration.
"No, really," he continued. "It means so much to me that I don't have to worry about your interactions with him not being exceptional. That hasn't always been the case and I didn't realize how important that is to me."
"I love that kid. I've accepted he has to go away to school, but that doesn't mean I won't have tears in my eyes when the train pulls away."
"You won't be alone," he said. "I… really don't know what to do. He still needs a few last minute items. I know we were supposed to hike and camp Butler's Pass this weekend…."
"If he wants to go, I'll take him," she promised. "But I don't think it was the hike he was concerned about, it was the company."
"That's exactly what it was. I can't believe I'm missing this," he sighed, shaking his head in disbelief. "Can you go to him?"
"Of course," she said. "I'll let him know you're getting better. I can float the idea of hiking past him and see how he reacts?"
"Please," he said. "Whatever he wants to do about this weekend is fine, so long as he gets his supplies. I know he'll understand."
"He's so resilient," she said. "It's going to be fine. I'll go there in the morning before work."
"How's the department?" He asked.
She considered what to tell him, for a moment. It didn't seem like a good idea to tell him much. He needed as much energy as possible devoted to healing up and feeling better. "It's just fine. Plugging along until you can rejoin it. I'll let Rutherford know you're up to visitors so he can come fill you in."
"Thanks," he said. "I'm so lucky to have you."
"Likewise," she said, nuzzling her head closer to him.
With Rutherford's blessing, she took Friday off. She had loads to do for Harry, needed to get the house in order for Teddy, and after the week she had- she was left without the resources to give much to her department. Everything was running smoothly enough in her absence that he didn't hesitate at all to let her take the day, and return to her normal schedule on Monday.
Her first stop was to Andromeda's house to visit Teddy, who was in the backyard. Andromeda brought them tea and cookies and left them be. Liv was dreading breaking the news to him, but knew she had to.
"Where's Harry?" He asked.
"Well, your godfather was in a little accident at work," she said, reciting the speech she had practiced that morning over and over. "He's going to be totally fine, but for now he's at St. Mungo's where the Healers are helping him get back on his feet."
She watched the news sink in on his face, and despite wanting to look away, she couldn't. His face crumpled as he processed everything.
"He'll be home tomorrow, right?" he asked, one swift breath carrying all the words out of his mouth. "Right, Liv?"
She took a deep breath. "I'm sorry Teddy, but he's not going to make it home this weekend, but-"
"But it's the last weekend before I go to school!"
"I know, love," she said, resisting the urge to get upset because it would only set him off more. His hair turned a deep, aubergine color and she wondered if he was even aware of it. She took a deep breath before she continued. "We can certainly go visit him, as much as you'd like."
"We're supposed to hike Butler's pass! And he was going to take me to Diagon Alley to get the rest of my supplies! We've had this plan forever."
"I know," she repeated, forcing the words out in the most supportive tone she could muster. "I know, love. He really wishes he could take you. We're still going to have a great weekend, I promise."
"If he can't take me to get my supplies, I'll just have Nan do it," he said.
She was hurt, but understood exactly what he was going through. He was about to leave for months on end and everything was up in the air. He'd had these plans for months, and they were broken without warning. And with their jobs, committing to visit him on Hogsmeade weekends was impossible at this point. It made sense he was so upset, and she knew, logically, he wasn't trying to hurt her.
"If that's what you'd prefer, that's fine, Ted," she said, trying her damnedest to remain calm and soothing- for both of their sakes. "I can take you to Butler's Pass, if you'd like to do that. We can visit your godfather and bring the chessboard and you can show us your best stuff. Whatever you want."
"I don't want any of it," he said, upset. He stood up and went inside, leaving her alone in the garden.
She sat there for a moment, stunned. Teddy needed space, so she let him go, and heard his bedroom door shut from all the way outside. She resisted the urge to cry, the sobs were not that far off and she required every ounce of available strength to keep calm.
After a few minutes, she gathered the tray and brought it inside, to where Andromeda was in the kitchen.
"Just like his mother," she said. "He's so dramatic."
Liv sighed. "I think it's best you take him to Diagon Alley and get him his supplies this weekend. I'll drop off the money for it all this evening."
"I can take him to the shops tonight," Andromeda offered. "But I've had plans with my sister for months, I'm going out of town this weekend."
For a moment, Liv just blinked at her, entirely unsure how to respond.
"You can take him this weekend, right?"
"I mean..." she trailed off, as she began to see red. Knowing that Andromeda didn't sign up for raising him, she could almost understand, but the selfishness reminded her of her own mother and clouded her judgment. "I think for the sake of what's best for Ted, it would be best you reschedule your weekend. He's quite upset, and he leaves in five days for three and a half months."
"I know, but I spent a lot of non-refundable money on a hotel in Ibiza."
Liv had absolutely no idea how to respond to this woman in a polite manner. She was left rather speechless, and just nodded. "Fine."
Although it wasn't what Teddy wanted, she would take care of him. She would make sure he was fed, that he had everything that he needed, and that he was given the opportunity to see his godfather. She would not let him know his grandmother didn't want to spend his last weekend with him. She had the opportunity to protect him from that truth, and was going to use it.
She left, upset beyond words. The only way she could manage to keep it together was by ignoring the events of the morning in favor of being numb. She didn't blame Teddy for being upset, not at all. But she didn't know how she was going to try and turn things around and give him a good weekend. That was all she wanted.
Knowing that she couldn't share the burden of his emotions with Harry, she tried to swallow all her emotions before she headed to Mungo's. He had enough on his plate, and she didn't want to distract him from healing. She stopped at one of his favorite restaurants— a small Indian shop close to their house, and picked him up a butter chicken platter. Perhaps, if she distracted him with food, he wouldn't be able to see through her lies about everything being okay.
When she entered the ward and made it to his room, she was surprised to see Rutherford was there, and they seemed deep in conversation. She wasn't sure she was welcome, though Harry waved her in anyways. "I brought you some lunch."
"Thanks," he said, taking the bag from him.
"You must be very proud of Olivia," Rutherford said.
"She's been a force to be reckoned with," he said. "I'm exceptionally lucky to have her by my side through this."
"I'm sure," he said. "But I was referring to her promotion."
Liv sighed as confusion was evident on Harry's face. It had been at the back of her mind all week, but she never felt like it was the right time to tell him. She certainly didn't imagine telling him like this. He looked to her, for explanation. "I hadn't quite gotten around to telling you yet, I'm sorry."
"Telling me…?"
"Kensington's retiring next spring and has asked me to assume his position permanently," she said, unable to meet his eyes.
"That is wonderful news," he said, though it seemed a bit forced. "I'm very proud of you, indeed."
She pursed her lips, unsure of the undertone of his compliment.
"We— the executive team— met with Paul on Monday to discuss and have all been very pleased with her so far, and think she's absolutely a fantastic choice to take over for him."
"I can't think of anyone better suited," Harry said.
"But— we've had a good discussion, Potter. I don't want to keep you from your food. I'll drop by next week some time, you just focus on healing up, okay?"
"Absolutely, boss," he said, shaking Rutherford's hand.
As Rutherford left, Liv got up to fuss with the curtains. It was a beautiful day outside and there was no natural light in his room. She had to fix that.
"I can't believe you didn't tell me," he said, obviously upset with her. His voice was strained, and he hadn't even reached towards the food she had brought him.
"It wasn't malicious," she said, not turning to him. She knew, after the morning she had, that if she dared look at him she would break down. "I had— I have, I have so much going on right now. It was the last thing on my mind."
"Is that what he came to the office for on Monday?"
She nodded, angling her body back towards him. "I came to find you to tell you but you'd already left then you were hurt and then I wondered if I'd ever see you awake again and then I've been worrying about trying to keep you going and doing right by Teddy and it seems so unimportant to me right now."
She got it all out in one breath as her eyes filled with tears. She turned away to wipe them, and managed to get things under control.
"It's okay," he said, beckoning her closer.
She didn't move forward, but instead squeezed her eyes shut tightly. She wanted a way to undo the last five days. She wanted to go back to Monday morning, to their carefree shag before work, to getting cups of coffee together, to being happily carefree. She wanted to undo things so that she could properly celebrate her achievements with him, instead of shedding tense tears over them. She was strong and able to carry them, but she was exhausted by it.
"Please come here."
She did, and sat on the edge of his bed. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," he said, grabbing her hand. "I'm incredibly proud of you, Liv."
She shrugged.
"Don't," he said. "You've done a great job, and I'm very happy others see that. You're going to be exceptional, and I can't wait to celebrate this with you."
She leaned in, wrapping her arm around his torso. The tears began, again, and while she felt awful for crying on him, but she couldn't help it. It had all snowballed into an emotional storm, leaving snot flowing eagerly from her nose and tears streaming down her face.
He was, perhaps, a little stunned to see her breakdown so spectacularly, but probably should have known it was coming. His good arm supported her and soothed her as she sobbed against him. She wasn't a very tear prone person. Her current emotional status didn't leave him with a good feeling about how her visit with Teddy had gone, but he didn't want to press her for details just yet.
"I'm sorry," she said, voice strained. "I didn't mean to-"
"I know," he murmured. "It's okay, Liv. It's been a very trying week for you. I appreciate everything you have done for me, more than I'll ever be able to express."
She got up, grabbing tissues out of her bag. He watched intently as she grappled with composure. After a few moments of silence, she sat down in the chair next to his bed and seemed, at last, okay.
"I'm sorry," she said, again. "Please eat. I know the food here leaves a lot to be desired."
She was right, and he eagerly ate at the food she brought him.
"Teddy didn't react well?"
She shook her head. "Not really... I completely understand. He's anxious about going off to school, he's had a plan in his head for months, and it's not working out the way he expected. I don't blame him at all."
"Flexibility isn't always his strong suit."
"It's fine," she said, though truthfully she was unsure. "I'm going to give him a weekend he can't help but enjoy."
He smiled. "I have no doubt."
"I'm thinking..." she trailed off. "Farmer's market tomorrow morning, pick up some nice snacks for him, and maybe some fresh bread, and some fruit. Grab lunch at the Leaky Cauldron, pick up his last minute supplies, then bring you a nice picnic dinner in the afternoon."
"That sounds perfect to me," he said. "I think he's really going to enjoy the day."
"It's not the weekend he wanted-"
"It's not the weekend any of us wanted."
"That's for damn sure."
Author's Note: Here's the next installment! Let me know what you think Gratitude as always for my wonderful beta, potter-reading-coastie.