From the library, Harry heard the door close.
"We're home, I have take-away!" Hermione called out, with a gurgling sound from Maddie.
He dropped his quill and met them in the foyer with kisses. "Did my ladies have a good time today?"
"Yes, we did, although I barely got to hold my own baby. Katie and Clarice couldn't put her down. Can you blame them?"
She handed the baby to him. "I'll get the food on the table."
At the table, they talked about the day. He really wanted to tell her about the land, but also really wanted it to be a surprise. How long would he be able to keep the matter of a large manor being built on a large plot of land? The only people that knew of the plan were the Grangers, the property agent, and Maddie- but she wouldn't be telling.
"…shouldn't cost too much, from what she tells me. By the way, the little green men said to tell you hello before they back to Mars," she said.
"Huh?" he asked.
She chuckled. "Earth to Harry! You didn't hear a word I just said, did you?"
"Sorry," he said sheepishly.
"When I met with Katie today, she offered me a spot in the firm she, Clarice, and a couple of the others from my old office are starting," she said and sucked a noodle into her mouth.
"What did you say?" he asked.
"Thanks but no thanks. I love what I do, not many can say that, so why mess it up?"
"Why is she leaving the Ministry?" he asked.
"Apparently, she can take no more from the prat running the office, it's miserable to work there now."
"Sorry to hear that."
"Me too, but she seems really happy about having her own practice. So, what did you do today?" she asked, gaily popping a prawn into her mouth.
He shrugged. "Not much really, just enjoying my time off."
An owl arrived at the dining room perch, eliciting a growl and bark from Arwen. Maddie yawned and gurgled from the table-side bassinet and waved her arms and legs.
"I'll get it," he said, tickling Maddie's cheek when he rose from his chair.
"You're going to have to get used to the owls," she said to the dog.
"I told her the same thing this morning," he said and took a letter from the owl. "It's for you."
She opened the letter, nodded, and continued her meal. "Faculty meeting early tomorrow. Something must have come up."
Two hours after breakfast, Hermione returned home and sat down heavily on the library couch.
"Is that you, love?" Harry called out from their bedroom.
"Yes," she answered.
She was rubbing her temples when he came into the library.
"There was a bit of excitement in the bedroom this morning," he said.
"And I wasn't involved? Damn," she said with a chuckle.
"Arwen went bonkers over an owl that landed in the flower box outside of our bedroom. You know that vase-?"
"The one from Italy?" she asked, rubbing her temples harder.
"Sorry," he said.
The dog came trotting into the library without a care in the world.
"I should go to the Magical Menagerie and see if they have any advice, this is getting out of hand," he said.
She sighed and took some papers from her satchel.
"How did the faculty meeting go?" he asked.
"Let's just say that I'll be contacting Katie and asking if there's a spot for me in her new firm," she said. "At the end of the term, the university will be closing its doors. I'll be jobless, again."
"Why?" he asked.
She sprawled across the couch and tossed the papers on a table. "Severe funding issues resulting from embezzlement seems to be the biggest issue."
"So it's criminal?" he asked.
She nodded. "Looks like it. It'll be in the papers soon. Damn it, I got my degree there, this all just so…insane. There was almost a brawl, courtesy of some of the more senior faculty members, when the board started mentioning accreditation issues. I can't say that I blame them. Some of them have been professors there as long as I've been alive; this is a big blow for them."
The next morning, he brought Maddie to stay with Molly while he met with William Wildwood to look at the plot of land. He took hold of the business card Port Key at the appointed time and braced his stomach as best he could. He re-appeared in a quiet, wooded area complete with a stream that ran north into the distance.
"Mr. Potter?"
He turned and faced a tall Wizard with a satchel.
"Mr. Wildwood?"
"Yes, that would be me, good morning. Welcome to the southern border of the property. It runs for 8 kilometers to the east, 12 kilometers to the west, and 9 kilometers to the north. The stream runs the length of the land as well."
He took two shrunken brooms from his satchel and enlarged them.
"Care for a flight about the land? We're nine kilometers from Maidstone, but our company requires notice-me-not charms when we show property near Muggles."
After nearly an hour of inspecting the land, they arrived at a point that was dead-center in the middle of the property. A wheat field covered the northwest section of the property, the eastern section had a few hills, while the rest of the land was scattered with thickets of trees. The gem of the land was the stream that ran north to south in the center of the property. Harry couldn't help but think how the gently babbling stream would sound outside of a master bedroom window.
"So, what do you think?"
Harry sighed and looked to the distance in all directions. "It's perfect, it really is. I love it, and I know my wife will love it." The entire plot of land is the size of a small town! "How long has this land been for sale?"
"For two years. When the previous owners passed on, their children didn't want to deal with the property anymore. It was held in trust by the Ministry until our agency was chosen as the agent for the land."
"How was the price determined?"
"Two year's worth of taxes and the median price for land in these parts. Frankly, we haven't had anyone who could afford the property. If I could afford it, I'd buy it myself. I showed my wife the land last year and she still talks about it. It's the most pristine piece of land I've seen in 22 years of being in the business."
"I'll take it, where do I sign?"
That night over jacket potatoes, Harry figured out a way to show Hermione the land without her knowing that she was now co-owner of said land.
"How about we leave Maddie with your parents tomorrow night? Fancy a Friday night date with your scrubby old husband?"
She was about to respond to his absurd "scrubby old husband" comment until her mobile rang.
"Hey Katie."
"This late? What happened?"
"Really? That's fantastic!"
"Yes, I'll meet you for lunch tomorrow. The usual spot? Okay, take care, and congratulations."
"What was that all about?" Harry asked.
"Katie was just named head of the Law Division," she said.
"How did that happen?" he asked.
"Apparently, word got out about the mass resignation that was to happen in the division. The head of Magical Law Enforcement heard about it and went to the Minister."
"Why would he go to the Minister?"
"If there's not enough Advocates, due process can't be accomplished according to Ministry rules."
"So that would mean…?" he asked.
"Criminals walking the streets, while others languish in jail without proper representation."
"That's a bad thing."
"The Minister went down to the law division himself to see what the matter was. He wanted to know why three Advocates and four paralegals suddenly want to jump ship. In the end, Hamilton was highly encouraged to step down as division head. Katie was selected by popular vote to replace him."
September 5th
While Hermione prepared Maddie's bottles and things for her evening with the grandparents, Harry made the final preparations on a picnic basket, filled with champagne and a variety of finger foods.
"What's all this?"
He turned and saw his two favorite ladies at the kitchen door.
"It's part of our date. A moonlight picnic, I found the perfect place."
She smiled brightly. "Sounds like a first-rate date with my scrubby old husband, which sounds absurd by the way. You're neither scrubby nor old."
When Maddie was settled in her grandfather's arms, Harry put his arm around Hermione with a kiss, and Apparated to their land.
When she was steadied, she took a good look around. "Wow! This is a good spot. How did you find it?"
"Umm…it was recommended. Are you hungry?"
"Yes, let's see what you have in the basket."
He took a shrunken blanket from the basket, enlarged it to normal size and spread it on the ground. Next, candles were presented with a flourish and lit.
"Your table awaits, madam."
She giggled, curtsied, and took a seat.
"Are you cold?" he asked.
"It's a little cool this evening," she said.
He cast a warming charm on them both and arranged the plates, glasses, and handkerchiefs.
"Last but not least—" he said and took a small wireless from the basket.
They chatted of matters of non-importance, just enjoying each other's company in the quiet of the night. They nibbled on a variety of biscuits from a tin and listened to the music and she swiped some crumbs on her lips with her tongue.
"Allow me," he said and replaced her tongue with his. "I've wanted to do that for an hour," he whispered, moving to nuzzle below her ear. "You've been licking those lips, sucking your fingers…being all-around dishy. And to top it off, you have a bit of honey there on your chest that I want to lick off. Can't help myself."
She stifled a laugh at being called all-around dishy. "It's all your fault, all you packed is finger food, you scrubby old husband," she scolded, playfully.
"Old? I'll show you old," he declared and with a whispered charm, vanished both of their clothes. She gasped and tried to cover herself.
"H-Harry!"
"H-Hermione!"
"But what if—" she stammered.
"Love, the only living things for kilometers around here are the birds and squirrels, and I doubt they'll say anything about what we're about to do."
He had a point. "And what are we about to do?" she asked.
He moved to nestle between her legs and massaged her breasts. He noted her eyes darkened with lust, evident even with the candlelight. She closed her eyes and shuddered when he thrust deep into her.
"I guess that answers my question," she gasped.
