"I know him!" Ginny declared triumphantly when she lifted her face from the pensive. "He's a sports reporter following the ASW Thunderbirds. An American."

"So, he was most likely following you," Harry surmised.

"I don't know how he could have though," she replied, turning to her girlfriend.

Pansy shook her head. "No, we've gotten careless. I've gotten careless. I keep thinking I can act the same as I did when Enzo was alive." She looked over the table to Harry. "We eat there often when in London. So do some of my friends. It's not impossible for him to have found out."

Harry nodded, processing the new information. "What do you know about him?" he asked the ginger witch.

"Uh, as I said; he's an American. He's been in Europe with the Thunderbirds. They have been doing exhibition matches all over. The leagues are looking into creating a global World Quidditch Cup and are testing interest. He seems nice enough, eager for sure, but nice," she said with a shrug. "He asked for an interview a few times, but the team's publicist turned him down. Luna may know more about him though," she offered.

"Good idea," Hermione said, "I'll go flu her."

*H*H*H*H*H*H*H*H*H*H*

They all sat silently as Luna viewed the memory. They'd given up on having dinner and had moved into the living room. The pensive sat on the coffee table with blond seated before it.

Luna lifted her head. "His name is Mike Clark," she said, sweeping her hair back over her shoulders. "From Oak Ridge or Home or Oma or somewhere in the US. He's been job hunting since he got here, though. Fancies living abroad, it would seem. We've been receiving articles from him for weeks now, and I'm fairly sure we aren't the only ones."

Harry offered her a hand up and moved over so she could sit next to him on the couch. "I don't believe he's unscrupulous. He's a solid writer and a decent photographer, but he also hasn't written anything that my sports editor deems worthy of our publication, I'm afraid. He seems to be a decent sort, though. I doubt he'll need much persuasion."

She watched serenely as the couples let out a collective sigh of relief. "Keep in mind, though, that this may very well be his last chance to secure a job here," she added. "The Thunderbirds will be returning to the States at the end of the week. It's unlikely that he'll find a better story before he leaves."

"Couldn't you hire him, Luna?" Harry asked. "You said he was talented."

The blond shook her head. "I'm sorry, Harry. I can't. I suggested him to all my editors after I saw his work. Unfortunately, none were interested. I can't blame them. He simply doesn't have the access or experience needed in Europe to be worth the moving costs he's requested. I do believe he has talent. I just can't undermine my editors like that. I promised each of them when they were hired, that would have no interference from me unless I believed they were being untruthful, unfair or immoral. They have upheld their end of the bargain. I intend to uphold mine," she concluded.

"Surely, you don't expect me to allow him to out us?" Pansy spat at the other witch.

"Of course, not," Luna replied warmly.

The raven-haired witch looked ready to launch herself at the woman, when Ginny caught her hand encouraging her overwrought girlfriend to stay seated. "It's okay, Pans," she whispered in her ear. "Luna is just here to help. I'm sure she didn't mean it that way."

"I apologize. I didn't mean to upset you. I only meant to say that it was a shame to stifle such a budding journalist, when a much better story is so near at hand," she said turning to the couple seated next to her.

"What are mean?" Harry asked nervously, taking Hermione's hand.

"When we met for lunch last week in the Ministry cafeteria, you both looked miserable," she replied. "I know you want to protect your privacy, but I think keeping your relationship secret is becoming overly burdensome." When her words were met with confused frowns, she continued. "You must have noticed. Haven't your days started to feel…difficult?" she asked. "I'm worried for you."

The couple opened their mouths to speak, but no words formed. They looked at each other and saw the truth reflected back at them. It had been hard lately. They were hiding such an important part of their lives each day, and it was exhausting. How had they not noticed before? Harry nodded his girlfriend, and Hermione smiled, nodding back.

"You're right, Luna. It is time to go public," Harry said.

*H*H*H*H*H*H*H*H*H*H*

They had been waited anxiously by the fireplace for an hour when Luna flued back from her mission. "It's all taken care of," she said serenely as she wiped soot from her robes.

"Which means…" Pansy prompted impatiently.

The blond took no offense as she answered, "Mister Clark has agreed not to release the photographs." A collective sigh of relief cut through the tension in the room. "In exchange, he will interview Harry and Hermione within the next twenty-four hours which the Quibbler will publish. He retains the rights to all photographs that he took, of which I have possession along with the negatives, should you consent for their publication."

"Why would we do that?" Pansy asked.

"Because they're quite good," she answered. "You are welcome to see them. Oh, and Harry. He asked me to send his apologies for running. He hadn't meant to, he just panicked when you started coming. He seemed rather embarrassed by the whole ordeal."

"How did he even find us in the first place," Hermione asked.

"He'd been following Ginny hoping for an interview and noticed a takeaway bag from the restaurant," she explained with a shrug. "He's apparently been going often hoping to see you there."

"Can we trust him?" Harry asked.

"Yes, I believe so. I did get a wizard's oath though due to the sensitive nature of the situation," she said. "He seemed genuinely horrified that could have put a child in danger."

"Thank you," Harry said, giving the blond a hug. "You're awesome, Luna."

The witch laughed. "That's what friends do," she replied before pulling away. "I need to be off. I'll have to be at the paper early to arrange everything for the interview and publication."

"Of course, thank you again. We'll see you tomorrow," Harry replied.

After seeing her to the flu, he returned. "I don't know about you, but I'm ready for bed. Hermione, you staying the night," he asked.

The woman in question yawned. "Might as well, it's half eleven anyway."

"Mind if we say up and watch the telly?" Ginny asked. "We're a bit too ramped up to sleep right now."

"Yeah, of course. You know where everything is," he said as he turned for the stairs.

"Awesome," she said and pulled her girlfriend over to his movie collection. "You've got to watch The Goonies."

The wizard's ears perked up, and he stopped. "Goonies?"

"Nope, nope, nope, we're going to bed," Hermione instructed as she pushed him towards the stairs. "You own the tape; you can watch it later. We have a long day tomorrow," she reminded him.

"But, but the Truffle Shuffle," he pleaded as she steered him up to bed.

*H*H*H*H*H*H*H*H*H*H*

Hermione had been right. The next day was long. They both had a full day of work and hadn't even been able to see eat other at lunch. They had only just managed to freshen up and change before their interview.

The couple tumbled out of the flu in Luna's office issuing apologies for their lateness. The blond rose from her desk to greet them.

"No need for apologies," she said as the hugged one then the other. "It's only been a few minutes. Besides, Eugene and I have been having a lovely conversation with Michael."

She motioned to the man behind her. "You remember our features editor."

"Yes! Mr. Rhoads, good to see you again," Hermione said. "You've done wonders for The Quibbler. The recent article about the werewolf freedom movement in Romania was inspiring."

"I could say the same about your werewolf rights campaign here, Miss Granger," The older wizard said as he shook her hand, then Harry's. "Congratulations! Miss Lovegood told me why you've come. I wish you both all the best."

"Michael, are you ready?" Luna asked.

The young man stepped up. "Yes, ma'am," he quickly answered. He wore denims with a brown tweed jacket, cowboy boots and held a checkered houndstooth hat with a red feather in his hands, which he used to gesture which direction they needed to go. "Uh, it's just this way," he said leading them towards a small meeting room.

"Did you need something to drink," he asked as he showed them to their seats around a small round table.

"No, thank you," Harry answered, knowing that they both just wanted to get this over with as quickly as possibly could.

"Ok, thank you so much for meeting me today," the wizard started, then took a deep breath to bolster himself. "First, I need to apologize for last night. I meant no harm and certainly hadn't meant to cause so much distress. I'd just been hoping to see Miss Ginny," he explained. "Only when I did see her…. Well, she was with you, and I didn't want to interrupt, especially since you're a cop. So, I just ate supper and took a few photos before I left. I guess you know the rest," he concluded sheepishly.

"Okay, uh, thanks," Harry said, not feeling too generous at that moment. They'd been up late and had such a busy day, he really just wanted this to be over. "Do you mind if we start?" he asked.

"Of course, yes, sorry again," Clark said nervously. "About that….." He trailed off before taking another deep breath. "I really appreciate this opportunity, I really do."

Well, this is getting tedious, Hermione thought, hoping that he'd just get to the interview.

"But, I cant accept this offer," he said.

"What?!" the couple exclaimed in unison.

"So, you're still going to publish the pictures?" Hermione asked in alarm.

"What? Oh, god, no!" Mike replied quickly. "Of course not. No, I only meant that I won't be the one doing the interview. That's why Mister Rhoads is here. While I really do want to be here, I've got do it with integrity. I'll not start a career here by blackmailing someone for an interview, and I don't need to be bribed to do right by women and children," he said resolutely. The young man stood and opened the door to the older wizard waiting outside.

"Ready for me, son?" Mr. Rhoads asked.

"Yes, sir," he replied and turned back to the couple seated behind him. "Thank you again, Mr. Potter, Miss Granger for giving me the opportunity apologize," he said to them before slipping out the door and disappearing.

Harry looked over to Hermione, baffled. This wasn't how they thought this would go at all. Suddenly, there was no need for their relationship to become public. Luna certainly wouldn't demand it. He wasn't sure if he should be relieved or disappointed. Hermione looked about just as confused about the situation.

"Do you still want to do this," he asked her.

"I…uh..yeah, I think I do?" her reply coming out as a question. "What about you?"

"Yeah, same," he answered. "I just feels like the right time, doesn't it?"

The uncertainty in the young woman's face melted into a bright smile. "It really does," she said.

Harry's forehead wrinkled. "Would it be weird if I said that I want Clark to do the interview," he asked.

Hermione's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "I was just thinking the same thing," she responded excitedly, leaning in to kiss him.

A warm chuckle interrupted their moment. They had completely forgotten about the man still in the room. They looked up at him sheepishly.

"I'm sorry," Hermione began. "But would it be possible for Mr. Clark to do the interview?"

Rhoads chuckled again and shook his head. "Miss Lovegood said I wouldn't have the chance to sit," he said to himself cheerfully and left the room.

Five minutes later, a somewhat confused Mike Clark reentered the room. "Mr. Rhoads said you wanted to see me again," he said nervously.

"Yes, we'd like it if you did the interview," Harry said.

Clark shook his head. "Sir, I was serious. I don't want payment for choosing not to hurt a woman and child. That's something that doesn't sit well with me as a journalist and, quite frankly, as a man," he said firmly. "I mean no offense to you, but, as I saud, I don't need to be paid to do the right thing."

Hermione was practically starry-eyed as she took Harry's hand and turned to him. "Now, I really want him to do the interview."

Harry laughed and turned back to the reporter. "This isn't payment," he started. "Although, we're both so grateful for how you've chosen to handle the mess, that honestly, you happened to fall into, but it's more. We're both ready to be public. This is kind of big for us, and we could use a man of integrity right now. Plus, having our story told by someone who doesn't know everything about us, would be nice for a change," he said with a laugh. "Hermione is my forever. I want to get this right."

"I'm your forever," Hermione asked quietly.

Her boyfriend squeezed her hand and answered. "Of course. Don't you feel that too?" he asked suddenly worried that he'd said too much.

"Yes!" she exclaimed happily and kissed him. "It really, really does," she said.

Clark cleared his throat to remind the couple of his presence. "So, is this off the record, or should I be taking notes," he asked with a grin.

Harry's cheeks reddened slightly as he responded, "Uh, off the record. Think this should be a discussion between Hermione and myself."

Mike suppressed a laugh as he nodded his agreement and sat back down at the table.

Author's Note:

Ok, we are moving on. Sorry we've spent some much time on this one date. What can I say? Pansy has baggage, and she doesn't travel light. Rest assured lemons are coming and so will Harry and Hemione. ;)