Chapter Text
One
Walking into the head Healer’s office, Hermione Granger sighed, briefly wondering who made the terribly uncomfortable furniture choice before Healer Penfield flew into the office and slammed the door shut behind him.
“You need to stop your research.”
Hermione opened her mouth to argue, but snapped it shut when Healer Penfield held up his hand.
“This is the second attack on your lab in three months, Hermione.”
“My research is important!” she argued. “I’m so close to a breakthrough – I know I am! I can’t just stop now. Not when I’m so close!”
Hermione was working on a potion that, if she could figure out the last few details, would allow a person to enter someone else’s mind. It was like Legilimency, in a way, but in a more healing nature. Whereas the basics of Occlumency were to shield your thoughts and emotions, a Legilimens could tell what you were thinking and find certain, specific memories if they were trained well enough on how to look for them.
Hermione hypothesized that a person’s identity and memories could not be lost, they were too ingrained in a person’s magical core. The potion, which Hermione was currently calling the Memoria Draught, would allow the drinker to access a person’s magical core and retrieve memories that had otherwise disappeared. It should allow full access to a person’s psyche such as pulling memories together or pushing back trauma. The goal was to reach those with magical psychological injuries – whether those injuries be from Obliviation, curses, or those who endured long-term trauma to the mind.
“Hermione,” Healer Penfield said, his voice resigned. “I agree that your work is very important, but the hospital can’t have another incident like tonight’s. Three healers were injured before the Aurors got to the scene and you would have been injured yourself if you hadn’t thrown up that shield charm in time.”
Hermione decided to not tell Healer Penfield about the bruise forming on her side from being blasted away from her cauldron before she was able to get a shield charm up.
“Still, sir, there has to be a way that I can continue. I’ve been working on this project for two years now.”
“Yes, and the closer you get to a workable potion, the more dangerous it’s becoming. What you’re creating, in the wrong hands, could be detrimental.”
Hermione knew that better than anyone. If the wrong person had access to the Memoria Draught, they could not only break a person’s mind completely, but essentially who they are – almost like a Dementor’s Kiss. It was also a danger because there were witches and wizards out there who would do anything to keep certain memories from resurfacing.
“I know, sir, but –”
Hermione was cut off by a knock on the door and when Healer Penfield gave clearance, in walked the head of the Auror Department, Gawain Robards.
“Healer Penfield, Ms. Granger.”
“Auror Robards, please thank the Aurors who came to assist tonight. We are very grateful to them,” Healer Penfield greeted him.
“Of course, it’s our job. Now, when we spoke earlier you mentioned that you were shutting down this particular project?”
“Yes,” Penfield nodded. “We’re sorry that all of Ms. Granger’s work is going to go unfinished, but for her safety, and the rest of the staff, we cannot continue. It’s too dangerous.”
“Yes, that’s twice here that attacks have taken place on the research floor?” At Penfield’s nod, Robards continued. “We also have the incident at your flat, Ms. Granger, from last month that we believe is tied to your research.”
“Incident at your flat?” Healer Penfield looked at Hermione with wide eyes.
“Did I not mention that?” Hermione gave an awkward laugh. “It was fine, someone tried to break past my wards, but they held!”
If anyone was good at warding, it was Hermione. After her year on the run with Harry and Ron during the Horcrux hunt, warding their campsites, the spells were almost second nature. Normally the wards on her lab weren’t the most secure, but only because it was common for other Healers to come in and assist on occasion.
Penfield’s jaw tightened and he pursed his lips. “You are too bright of a witch to be put in such imminent danger for something that may not work.”
“Thank you for the vote of confidence, sir.” Hermione glared at the Healer.
“Let’s all just hold on,” Robards said, his hands outstretched as if to diffuse the brewing situation. “I don’t know exactly what you’re working on Ms. Granger, but I know your work with potions. You single-handedly adjusted the Auror department’s Polyjuice potion recipe, while abroad I might add, so that our Aurors can stay Polyjuiced for longer than an hour. That was always thought to be impossible so I can only imagine what this new potion could do for the world. What if we came to an agreement?”
Hermione narrowed her eyes. “What kind of agreement?”
“Healer Penfield is worried about you and the staff’s safety, yes? What if we assign an Auror as a close protection detail while you work on completing your research. Healer Penfield, your thoughts?”
“I would certainly feel more comfortable with an Auror stationed with Hermione.”
Hermione couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “You want to give me a – a – bodyguard? I refuse on principle! I don’t need a bloody Auror for protection.”
“If you’d like to continue your research, Ms. Granger, it seems that this may be your only option,” Robards said simply.
Crossing her arms over her chest, Hermione huffed in defeat, sensing that arguing wasn’t going to get her anywhere. “Fine, but they cannot get in the way of my research. If they so much as breathe too closely they could contaminate the environment and then I’ll have to start the entire process over.”
“I’m sure we can find someone who will meet your standards, Ms. Granger.”
“I highly doubt that,” Hermione muttered under her breath.
✨ ✨ ✨
Harry Potter sighed as he threw his coat down onto the couch in his office,unbuckling his chest holster and letting it hang open. He’d just come back from a two-week hunt for an ex-Death Eater and while they did wind up catching him, it had taken his team much longer than he’d been expecting.
He groaned when there was a knock on the door. It was like people had a sixth sense when he was in the building and he could rarely get a moment of peace.
“Come in,” he sighed, the exhaustion clear in his voice.
A young Auror, whose name Harry was pretty sure was Aiden Beckett, nervously entered the office.
“So sorry to bother you, Auror Potter,” the young wizard said nervously, shifting from foot to foot. “Erm. Well, I just – you know Hermione Granger, right? I mean, I know the stories and everything, but you’re friends?”
Friends.
Sure, Harry could say that he and Hermione were still friends. After the war ended they had remained close, even when she returned to Hogwarts for her eighth year, while Harry immediately started training to become an Auror they wrote often and saw each other frequently. Then, after Harry’s second year of being an Auror he was sent abroad for specialized training and work and by the time he came back, Hermione was abroad studying for her Potion Mastery and under Potion Masters around the world.
Letters were still sent back and forth, though far less frequently, and floo calls were even less frequent. Harry would call Hermione one of his best friends until the day he died, but the fact of the matter was, they barely knew each other anymore. She’d only been back in England for six months and he’d seen her maybe… two times?
Merlin, had it really only been two? Surely it hadn’t –
“Auror Potter?”
Harry jerked out of his reverie. “Sorry, yes, I am friends with her. May I inquire as to why you’re asking?”
“Oh, well, Auror Robards just assigned me as the lead Auror on her protection detail, so I was wondering if you had any suggestions of how to go about working with her? I mean, she’s Hermione Granger.”
Harry’s head tilted to the side. “Wait. Auror protection detail? For Hermione?”
“Yes, after the attacks –”
“What attacks?” Harry could feel his blood pressure rising.
The young Auror looked nervous at Harry’s change in demeanor. “Erm. The attacks on her research lab? I’ve been assigned to protect her until she’s finished with her research.”
“No,” Harry practically growled the word
“Yes?” The boy, barely out of Hogwarts, looked like he wanted to be anywhere but Harry’s office at that moment. “I mean, no – I mean –”
Harry ignored the stuttering boy and pushed past him, stalking out of his office towards Robards’ at the end of the hall. He knocked hard three times on the door before opening it. Gawain Robards sat behind his desk and merely raised an eyebrow at Harry’s sudden entrance.
“Yes, Potter?”
“Hermione’s been attacked?”
“Yes, as I’m sure you’ve already known since the two of you are friends.”
Harry was seething. “No, I did not bloody well know! How was I not informed of this?”
“Potter, take a seat.”
Harry crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head. “No. Thank you.”
Robards sighed, running a hand over his face. “Potter, you’re busy. You’re one of our best field Aurors while you’re at work and when you’re not at work you have a young child at home. You’re busy and it’s okay to not know everything that’s going on in the department.”
“I should know everything that’s going on,” Harry seethed, more angry at himself than at Robards.
“The fact of the matter, Potter, is this – Ms. Granger is working on an experimental potion that could change lives and there are people out there who either don’t want it to come to light, or they want it for themselves. Either way, her life, and her research, are in danger so we’ve assigned her a protection detail. She’s in good hands, Potter.”
Harry spluttered. “Good hands? Good hands? I’m pretty sure Beckett was going to piss himself when he walked into my office to see if I had any advice about Hermione. You think he can protect her?”
“I assure you that Beckett is well-trained and will be a suitable guard for her.”
“No,” the word flew from Harry’s mouth. “No, she deserves someone more well-trained, not someone who just finished their Auror training a year ago.”
“I’m assuming you have a better suggestion?” Robards asked dryly.
“Yeah, I do. Me.”
✨ ✨ ✨
Hermione set the kettle on the muggle way and walked around her flat, straightening up. There were days that she spent so much time on her research that by the time she got home she just flung things around – shoes, purses, and jumpers. Not using magic to make tea was the way she forced herself into cleaning for a few minutes every evening.
Just as she was about to sit down on the sofa to enjoy her cuppa, when she felt the tingling of her wards and immediately went on high alert. It was half past nine, far later than a normal visiting call. Next came a rap at the door. Hermione pulled herself to her feet, grabbed her wand and went over to the door.
“Who is it?” She called, completely aware that anyone could be Polyjuiced and using a different voice, but her muggle upbringing kept some old habits.
“It’s Harry, Hermione.”
Harry? Hermione swung open the door, but kept her wand trained on the man standing in front of her.
“When did I first cast a corporeal patronus.” Ever since someone tried to attack Hermione in her own home, she was on edge, so the security question felt necessary.
“Fifth year, Dumbledore’s Army, and your patronus is an otter.”
“Sorry,” Hermione muttered before stepping back to allow Harry to come in. “I had to ask.”
“No apologies necessary. I think given what’s been going on you can’t be too careful.”
“Exactly, plus I’ve just gotten– wait. How do you know what’s going on? Why are you here exactly? Not that I’m not happy to see you, but…” Hermione cut herself off to stop from blabbering.
“Can we sit?”
Hermione gestured towards the sofa, and they took a seat on opposite sides before turning to face one another.
Harry raked a hand through his messy black hair, and adjusted his glasses. “I heard from Robards what’s been happening with your research. He told me they’re going to be assigning you Auror protection.
“Yes,” Hermione said slowly. “Personally, I don’t think it’s necessary. I’m a bloody war hero, for Merlin’s sake. I think I know how to take care of myself. I just need to add another layer to the protection wards on my lab, that’s all. To be honest, this last incident wouldn’t have happened if St. Mungos had better security themselves.”
“Which has been discussed,” Harry informed her. “That being said, they assigned you an Auror today. That’s why I’m here.”
Hermione grabbed her cup of tea and took a sip. “Oh, well, that’s nice of you. You probably could have waited until morning. You didn’t have to stop by so late. So, who is it?”
Harry straightened his shoulders and sat up straighter. “I’m going to do it.”
“Oh, Harry, no!” Hermione exclaimed, nearly spitting out her tea. “That’s ridiculous. You’re a field Auror, not a bodyguard. You have a whole team who works under you.”
“They’ll survive without me, Hermione. I couldn’t have them just assigning you to anyone. Besides, it’s my turn.”
Hermione wrinkled her nose. “Your turn? For what? Guard duty?”
“No, it’s my turn to look after you for a change. You spent your whole childhood looking after me, Mi. Now it’s my turn to return the favor.” Harry had that hard look in his eye, the one that meant he was set in his decision. It was a look Hermione knew very well after years of friendship.
“Harry,” she said gently. “I can’t ask you to put your life on hold for this, for me. I could be finished with my research in a few months, or it could be another year, maybe more! You have a family, too!”
“Honestly, this is probably safer than going out into the field. I spoke to Ginny about it, she’s grateful to not have to worry about me as much for a while.”
Hermione bit her lip, still unsure about the whole situation. “How is Ginny? James? I feel like I’ve barely seen anyone since I’ve been back.”
Harry leaned back into the sofa and twirled his wand in his hands. “They’re good. Ginny and Oliver just bought a house together, they’re planning to get married in a few months. I’m happy for them.” He genuinely looked happy for them, too.
“And James?” Hermione had been home briefly for a visit after James was born and met the infant twin of her best friend, but hadn’t seen him since. “He’s four now?”
Harry’s face broke into a grin. “Three and a half, but going on thirteen, I swear. He’s a spitfire, causing as much trouble as I’m sure my dad got into if the stories were all true.”
“Right,” Hermione laughed. “Because you never got into any trouble yourself.”
“Exactly!” Harry laughed with her. “Nah, but he’s great. He’s so smart, Hermione, he picks up on things so quickly. Gin and I got him a new broom for his birthday, obviously still a children’s broom, but he’ll zoom around the garden with absolutely no fear.”
Hermione smiled as she listened to Harry talk about his son. She had always known he would be an amazing father. “How’s it been since the divorce? With James, I mean.”
“Honestly? I think the fact we split up when James was still a baby was the best thing for him. He’s always known us to have two homes and Gin is great about working with my schedule. Honestly, with hers as well, playing for the Harpies. We don’t have a traditional split of time since depending on where they are in the League, the Harpies could play later into the season, and I never know if I’m going to be stuck in the field. Oliver has been great, too, stepping in when both of us wind up out of town at the same time. Molly and Arthur help, too of course.”
“That’s great, Harry. I’m so glad you have them. I’m… sorry that I haven’t been around.”
“Don’t apologize, least of all to me. I know how hard you’ve been working, chasing your dreams. It’s everything you wanted, right?”
Hermione smiled sadly. “Right. Everything I’ve wanted.”
Harry stood up shifting from one foot to the other. “Well, I should probably go. My official duty starts tomorrow at your lab. If I’m ever not there you’ll have Auror Beckett. I’m also going to come over tomorrow after work to double check your wards, and see if anything needs to be added.”
“Harry Potter! You really think my wards need any help?”
Harry gave her a cheeky smile. “You’d be surprised at all the fun things I’ve learned over the years.”
“I can’t wait to see. Here, I’ll walk you out.”
Hermione set her cuppa down and stood up, following Harry to the door. “I still don’t think this is necessary, but thank you for stepping in. It will be nice to see a friendly face.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Hermione.” Harry had one step out the door before he turned around and pulled her into a bone-crushing hug. “I’ve missed you, Mi.”
Hermione wrapped her arms around him and met his hug with equal force as she breathed in the scent of him. “I’ve missed you, too, Harry.”