From their very first meeting, Hermione had taken an immediate liking to Chloe Aiken.
A neatly tailored casual outfit.
Pale gold hair loosely pinned up, soft but not untidy, and a faint smile that made anyone want to draw closer at first glance.
So Hermione had decided then and there: Dr. Chloe Aiken would be able to help Harry.
“I can’t believe you’re actually leaving this early.” Hermione looked at Harry with some surprise.
He was already tidying the desk, getting ready to go, she’d come fully prepared to stay through overtime and supervise his dinner while she was at it.
“Dr. Aiken suggested I rest properly today. And besides…” The corner of Harry’s mouth curved up.
“I want to buy Teddy a toy, then spend some real time with him. I’m not sure he’s completely gotten over the fright from last time.”
“Teddy should be fine. Molly said both Teddy and Victoire have been in good spirits these past couple of days. Victoire was still having nightmares during afternoon naps a few days ago, but that’s stopped now.” Hermione replied, pulling out her phone with some relief.
“Looks like I need to call Ron right away, the dinner we planned in your office tonight is cancelled.”
“Ron learned to answer a Muggle phone call?” Harry watched Hermione with considerable interest.
Hermione pressed the call button and shrugged.
“Of course. I’ve taught him plenty of times.”
The ringtone kept ringing.
Harry’s expression grew more and more amused.
Hermione’s grew more and more exasperated.
Finally, just before the voicemail kicked in, Ron’s flustered voice came through.
“Merlin! Sweetheart, this phone is really something.”
“Sweetheart?” Harry’s eyes went wide with mild distaste, staring at Hermione in disbelief.
“You two are really something in private.”
“Oh — oh? Is Harry there?” Ron stumbled.
“Hermione, why didn’t you warn me.”
Hermione shot Harry a red-faced glare.
“You didn’t exactly leave me any room to get a word in.”
“I think I have a pretty good idea how you felt back then.” Harry said toward the phone.
“I mean, when I was dating Ginny.”
Harry heard Ron draw a sharp breath, then ask with careful hesitation: “Wait, are we at the point now where we can mention Ginny without worrying?”
“Anyway, Ron, we’re all going to the Burrow for dinner tonight. Harry actually finished work on time today.”
“Wow. Full of surprises.” Ron sounded genuinely taken aback.
“Does this mean we finally don’t have to have date night in Harry’s office anymore?”
“On that note.” Harry frowned slightly.
“I’ve told you two all along, you don’t need to come keep me company.”
“Mm-hmm, right, like that’s something we’d actually stop doing.” Ron retorted dismissively.
Harry bought Teddy a small stuffed bear.
He wasn’t entirely sure why he’d gone for a bear, maybe because the little toy bear Chloe had mentioned kept drifting through his mind, or maybe because he’d realized with some regret that he’d always called Teddy his Teddy Bear, yet had never once actually bought him one.
“Harry!” The moment Harry stepped through the door, Teddy came charging at him.
Harry dropped into a crouch and caught Teddy steadily as he came barreling over.
“Hey — did you miss me?” Harry lifted Teddy with ease and spun around once.
Teddy let out a string of giggles, wrapping both arms around Harry’s neck, hair and eye color shifting to match Harry’s.
“I missed you so, so much!”
Teddy announced this at full volume and planted a kiss on Harry’s cheek.
Harry noticed with warm relief that Teddy genuinely looked happy, looked like someone who treasured every moment Harry spent with him outside of weekends.
“Teddy Bear, look what I got you.” Harry smiled and handed the gift bag to Teddy, then passed two more gift bags to Bill, who was standing nearby.
“These are for Victoire and Dominique.”
The children were thrilled.
Harry smiled and set Teddy down, then opened his arms for Molly, who was coming out of the kitchen.
“Hey, dear, so lovely to see you on a Thursday.” Molly kissed Harry on the cheek.
“You know I’d love for you to come for dinner every single evening.”
Harry’s arms tightened for a few seconds.
He nodded.
Thursday evenings at the Burrow weren’t the most crowded, but it was far from quiet.
Bill and Fleur were there, and so were George and Angelina.
“Mum’s been testing new dishes for tomorrow evening’s gathering, and it’s pretty obvious how much thought is going into hosting Dr. Aiken.”
Harry raised an eyebrow.
“Honestly, I thought you’d have invited Dr. Aiken here much sooner. I mean, you think very highly of her, don’t you?”
“Believe me, Angelina had me extend the invitation ages ago. But maintaining no contact with a client outside of sessions is part of the professional code a counselor has to follow. I’d guess Dr. Aiken agreed to come this time because of Teddy and Victoire.”
Harry nodded, thoughtful.
“Also, our wedding date is set. Make sure you keep the time free for us.” Angelina leaned in and handed Harry an invitation.
“Wow.” Harry opened it with a delighted look.
“June 24th? You want a midsummer night’s wedding?”
“Mm-hmm, romantic, isn’t it?” George clinked the glass proudly, tilting the left cheek up to receive a kiss from Angelina.
“And Ron has been pushing me to get married sooner, even though I honestly don’t mind at all if his and Hermione’s wedding happens before mine.” George shrugged and added.
“Wedding?” Harry let out a short laugh and lowered his voice, glancing over at Hermione and Ron in the sitting room, huddled together with the children.
“Ron hasn’t even proposed to Hermione yet. He’d better not skip that step.”
George laughed too, nudging Harry’s arm.
“Oh, right, lend me your adorable godchild as a flower child.”
➤ Next: The Arrest
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