Fleur
“Okay then, get rid of one of them. Don't even think about it, just do,” Fleur said, sipping her tea delicately.
“I mean I love the idea of teaching, but do I want to go back to Hogwarts already? And the ministry needs a lot of help-” Hermione lowered her forehead to her kitchen table, rolling it side to side as if to shake something loose.
“No, do not think! Just do, right now. Tell me what you do not want.”
“The law offices.” Hermione didn’t even lift her head.
“Excellent!” Fleur exclaimed, banishing a neat stack of parchment. She gently coaxed Hermione’s face from the table and smiled brightly. “See now you are down to five.”
“That’s still five. I’ve made all the pro/con lists. There are parts of all of them that I love and hate. You're supposed to be here to make this easier for me,” Hermione huffed.
“Well, maybe I can. Or maybe I can make it worse. I have another job offer for you.” She primly set her tea cup on the table and her smile ratcheted up a few degrees.
“How is that helpful? What job is it?” She leaned back in her chair, dropping her head back and pressed the heels of her hands into her eyes.
“Mine.”
“What are you on about?” Hermione pulled her hands from her face and sat up straight.
“Well you see, I will be needing to take a lot of time off in the next five months or so. After that, I am not so sure I will be wanting to work too much for the next several years. At least not going into the office everyday.” She stroked her stomach lovingly.
“You're… oh Fleur! I’m so happy for you! This is so exciting! Five months, that means May. What a lovely time for a new baby. Have you told Molly and Arthur?”
“Oui, oui,” Fleur said. “We have told Bill’s parents and mine. And Harry as well, as he is the founding member of the board. We are planning to announce it at Christmas. Though I feel like it may be too late by then. Bill says no one can tell but I feel it is quite obvious.”
She stood up and pulled her jumper tight against her stomach.
“Now that I know and when you pull your jumper in like that, sure. Otherwise, I had no idea. The only ones I would worry about would be Ginny or Luna, they always seem to know things before everyone else.”
“Very true. Now, I know you have many options, but I would like very much for you to consider my offer. I can think of no one else I trust as much to take care of the Lupin Foundation. Especially seeing as you were so involved from the beginning. I know you will fight for our friends as I would.”
“I do love the foundation, and everything it stands for. You have already done so much for equal rights. I’ll certainly think about it.”
“Tres bien. Now, talk of business is finished. We shall move on to better topics. How is Fred?”
“Oh, stop it already,” Hermione huffed. “You know there’s nothing there. It was just a crush, I’m over it.”
“Liar. You and I have gotten very close in the last couple of years, non? I saw it. You visited the hospital every day, and you two made a connection. I see it. You light up when you talk about him, which is all the time. And it is not one-sided. He looks at you the same. You two are meant to be.”
“He has only ever been friendly, brotherly even. I told you, it was a silly little crush.”
“Fools, the both of you.”