Something's coming

“I’m afraid I don’t know which one is yours in particular, but I’d be happy to help you look.” John offered, eager to get out of the office for a little while and distract himself with some other task that was actually achievable. He liked to feel productive, and hadn’t for months, spinning his wheels and accomplishing next to nothing in the time he’d spent at Hogwarts. “Yeah, Dawlish, John Dawlish.” John repeated, his brows narrowing. It wasn’t as though his name was uncommon, but John wondered at why his name seemed to ring a bell with the American. “Gen?” He asked, his gaze darting toward his partner’s desk and the picture on it with the American featured front and center. “Oh! You’re Gen’s Archie?”

Archie knew he could never let Gen know the length of time it had taken for him to put the connection together, or he’d never live it down. Really it should have been obvious from the name alone, but Archie thought he could be forgiven for his distraction. “I am indeed Gen’s Archie. They relocated me here, just for an extra boost. And MACUSA wanted more of an idea of what was happening here, so we can be prepared for any backlash back home.” The cover story was a believable one, and it was accurate. He wasn’t meant to say much about the other reason for coming, as the Wilkinsons wanted to keep everything as quiet as possible. “I was very eager to see Gen’s school. She’s told me so much about Hogwarts and I wanted to see it in person.”

As the details of their mutual connection were revealed, Savannah felt her eyes widen in surprise. “You know my Uncle Jeff?” She asked, her excitement evident. “Sorry, I mean, Jefferson Wilkinson. Did he send you?” Savannah could just about cry hearing her uncle’s name spoken aloud for the first time in months. The familiar pang of homesickness practically hurt and Savannah’s hand lifted to cover her heart. She’d kept in touch with nearly all of her friends and family back home over the course of the school year but the notion that one of them might have taken action to make sure she was safe was a touching thought. “You have no idea how happy I am to see you, Mr. Pennington.”

Archie couldn’t help the relief that his lack of manners hadn’t been enough to make Savannah doubt the truth of his words. “I do know him. Jefferson and I have worked together in the past. And while it wasn’t the sole reason for my appearance in Hogwarts,” he paused to glance around before adding in a quieter voice, “your uncle did request that I look after you and your brother, and that was a significant reason for my posting.” There were other reasons, of course, but the Wilkinson family as a whole had been looking for someone to keep an eye on the children, and Archie was a good fit. “I’m happy to finally make your acquaintance. I’ve heard a lot about you from your uncle. Are you on your way to another class? Obviously I don’t want to keep you from your education, but I was hoping to chat about the state of affairs sometime sooner rather than later.”

Savannah took her sweet time packing up her books at the end of class while the rest of her classmates chattered around her. She’d just about given up on her fellow Slytherins, finding most of them harsh, rude, and unkind. Of course, there were a few exceptions, and Savannah made sure to share a small smile with Andromeda as she passed on her way out of the Charms classroom. Despite the distance Savannah shared with her fellow housemates, she found that she didn’t feel so lonely anymore. She’d made friends with a handful of students in her time at Hogwarts, finding that was all she really needed anyway, and now that Maggie was here with her, Savannah felt like the luckiest girl in the world. Somehow, she felt that she could do just about anything with her best friend at her side. It didn’t matter how many students might have a harsh word for her, or toss her a nasty glance. So long as she had an ally to turn to at the end of the day, she could weather through it just fine.

Once the classroom had just about cleared, Savannah made her way out into the corridor, stopping in her tracks only when she heard her name. Spinning on her heel, she turned to face the person addressing her and found she didn’t recognize him, though his accent was music to her ears. “Yes, sir, I absolutely do.” She said, a friendly smile settling easily. “I’m sorry, have we met before?” She asked, “It seems you know my name, but I’m afraid I don’t know yours.” That wasn’t uncommon back home, the Wilkinsons were a well-known family. Still, Savannah preferred to know who it was she was speaking with, especially in times like these.Though she would be lying if she said she wasn’t thrilled to run into a fellow American. 

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” He ran a hand through his hair with a sheepish smile; it had been a long time since he’d heard a familiar accent as well, though that was by his choice, and he’d been a little over-eager to talk to her. Which was partly due to the promises he’d make to check on her and Beau. “I’m Archie Pennington, I’ve worked with your uncle before. I knew from him that you and your brother had been sent here and thought I’d see if I could connect with you. I’m here to assist the Aurors but it’s nice for me to talk with a fellow American as well.”

John sat back in his chair with a frustrated sigh. He’d reviewed the same collection of evidence dozens of times and still, nothing was any clearer. The Aurors were no closer to catching those responsible for the attacks on Hogsmeade, let alone the attack on Halloween, and it was wearing on his patience. Now that her true allegiance had been revealed, John could see Charlotte’s hand in it all. A small cover up here, a missing piece of evidence there and no wonder the story wasn’t adding up to any conclusive results. He was a fool for not seeing it sooner.

As his gaze wandered the surface of his desk, John found it lingered on the picture of Elena. Merlin, he missed her. It had been far too long since he’d been home and letters just weren’t enough. He was going stir crazy in the castle, even more so after recent events and the arrival of Jackie and Gen. What he wouldn’t give for just one day back home with her. His thoughts were interrupted, however, at the sound of the door opening. “No worries, mate.” John waved away the apologies, though he studied the stranger carefully. American. John didn’t recognize him, and though he had heard the Department was sending in further assistance after Edward Bones left, he hadn’t known they meant help from MACUSA. “I’m John Dawlish, one of the Aurors stationed here.” John stood, reaching out a hand to introduce himself. “Is there something I can help you find?”

“Pleasure to meet you,” Archie said as he took John’s hand. “I suppose I should probably ask for assistance in finding my actual office.” He should have written down the directions or asked for help earlier. “I’m fairly certain I’m in the right corridor, it must just be one of the other rooms.” He glanced toward the door, suddenly hit with the feeling that he ought to recognize the Auror. Surely Gen had written - “Did you say Dawlish?” He turned back toward John suddenly, the missing piece falling into place. Gen had written about him, very upset at being assigned as his new partner. Which meant - his eyes fell on the empty desk and he smiled, recognizing the picture on it. “I believe you know my Gen.” 

Genevieve couldn’t help the giggle that she let out as Archie led her across the room, and grinned as he pulled her close. In the brief time that he had been there, Gen could already feel herself calming down, a sense of comfort that had been missing washing over her. Archie was home, no matter where they found themselves, and with him, it seemed anything could be possible, even stuck back at Hogwarts.

“For you, love, anything.” She grinned, before pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek. Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, Gen rest her hands at the base of his neck, fingers weaving into his hair. “I love you. And I love that you’re here.” In the time that they had been together, Archie had heard a great deal of Gen’s struggles with trying to figure out where she fit in in the world, and in listening, had worked himself in as a part of her puzzle piece. “We’ll have to get you settled in, of course.” She placed her forehead against his, grinning again. “But I am content to stay here a while longer.”

Archie felt more content with Gen in his arms again than he had in the entire time since she’d been called away to Hogwarts. He had always been a bit restless - content to travel and meet new people, and visit home occasionally. Gen was different, though; Gen was home now, and he loved that. It had made taking this assignment, or rather asking for this assignment, much easier. “I’m going to hold you to that promise. Anything sounds very nice right now.” He pressed a hand to the small of her back, letting the other rest on her face lightly. “Yes, I didn’t even stop to get directions or anything before coming to find you. You might need to offer a tour.” He wasn’t worried about any of that for now though.

“If you’re content, then so am I. Morocco wasn’t the same without you.” He actually hadn’t stayed very long, instead requesting a different assignment so that he could ignore how much he missed Gen. “I’m quite excited to see Hogwarts though, after your stories.” 

After settling into his office, Archie had gone in search of Savannah. The official reason he was at Hogwarts was to provide assistance and manpower for the Aurors. Unofficially, he had come to keep an eye on the Wilkinsons, and Maggie Steward. With everything going on, it only seemed logical to have extra eyes on the children, and Archie had connections with the Wilkinsons. Finding her proved to be more difficult than finding Gen, but he had eventually been pointed in the right direction, thanks to a professor who had the same grubby look that Hunter always did, immediately making Archie like her. She left him outside a classroom but he only had to wait a few minutes before students began filing out. 

Savannah was at the end of the group. Archie straightened up, calling her name as he took a step forward. “Savannah? I thought you might appreciate a familiar accent after being here for so long.”

“I don’t think anywhere will ever be the same without you.” When he moved back Gen took a moment to look him over. It was true that most of the trouble was in England, but even Morocco’s relative calmness wasn’t a guarantee that Archie hadn’t been sent on weekend missions or checks. He was impressive with his work, one of the many things that had initially attracted her to him, but that meant that he was frequently in the midst of danger. “It sounds quite complicated, but I can’t pretend I’m not glad you did it.”

It felt right to be in his arms again, and she paused, taking in everything that was Archer Pennington before she answered his question. “I also won’t pretend that things are anything near in control. Jackie’s sister was found, but -” Gen shook her head, changing tactics. “We can fill you in later. I’m okay, love.” Standing on her tiptoes, she gave him a gentle peck. “I love you.” Another peck, “I love you,” and another, “I love you,” and still “I love you.” Taking a brief pause, she wrapped her arms around him, her last words and actions slower than before, “I love you.”

“I have to agree with you there, darling.” He had always considered home to be his parents’ house back where he grew up, but that definition had changed. Gen was home now, and even here, where he didn’t have any ties, he felt more peaceful than he had for a long time. “I would do it again in a heartbeat to be with you. It’s all worth it.” He smiled at her, though his expression turned a little more serious at the brief reference to how things had progressed in Hogwarts. He did need to know but it could wait. There was plenty of time to catch up and determine what he needed to do, but for now, he was content to focus on Gen. 

“I love you too,” he murmured, smiling once again at the show of affection. “I love you so much, Genevieve King.” His arms wrapped around her as well, pulling her close as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “I think I could stand to hear that a few more times in the near future, however. If you’re amenable, of course.” He pulled back again, winking as he dropped his bag and then reached for Gen’s hand, drawing her toward the nearest chair so he could sit and pull her onto his lap. “There, this is better, don’t you think?”

John wasn’t awful, that much Genevieve was okay with admitting. But their office was still incredibly tiny, and so she still chose to spend as little time as possible confined in it. She had always worked better when she could spread out, and this was no different. Strewn across the desk in front of her were notes about recent attacks, a map that attempted to track any patterns, a half finished letter for Archie, and a mug of coffee with little left in it.

Lost in her work, she didn’t hear anyone come through the door, and did not notice that someone was behind her. Her senses were usually higher, but she felt comfortable enough in the classroom, and sure that if anything were truly dangerous, she would have been able to tell.

Gen did hear the door shut though, and the clearing of someone’s throat. It almost sounded familiar, but it couldn’t be possible. He was still in Morocco, far away from Hogwarts. But when she heard the voice, her heart skipped a beat. Before her thoughts could be entirely gathered, she was standing and turning, and her eyes immediately locked with his. “Archie -” She couldn’t finish her thought, before making her way over, as quickly as she could, nearly throwing herself on him. “How?!” She took a moment to look at him, it really was him! “Archie, oh my god.” She let her arms wrap around him, taking a moment to breathe him in. “I missed you.”

Archie moved away from the door, bracing to catch Gen as she ran at him. Everything had been restored to order, now that she was in his arms again, and he held her tightly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. It had taken a bit of finagling, but it was more than worth it for this result. “I missed you too, darling. Morocco isn’t the same without you.” He gently moved back enough to get a slightly better look at her, double-checking to assure himself she hadn’t been injured during their separation. 

“As for how, it was relatively simple, really. I heard that they were going to send someone to Hogwarts to provide more assistance, and I tossed my name in the ring. And I might have called in a favor or two.” He winked at her, pulling her closer again for another hug. “I would do it again in a heartbeat. I hated every moment of you being gone, and I would have done anything to get this assignment. How are you, darling? Is everything under control here?”

Archie had been reunited with Genevieve, reported in to the Aurors in charge, and settled into his quarters in relatively short order - he didn’t really travel with much. Most of his belongings were in his London apartment, though he had the necessities here. He carried more work paraphernalia to be honest, and anticipated setting his office up would take a bit more time. Gen had, regrettably, gone back to her own work, though it was probably for the best since he would be too distracted to get anything done with Gen around. 

He stepped into the office, or what he thought was his office. Seeing as it was currently occupied, with two desks, he came to the quick conclusion that he was wrong. “My apologies,” he said quickly, glancing from the young man at the desk to the other, empty desk. “I must have miscounted doors on my way here. I’m Archie Pennington, here to assist the Aurors.” It seemed like a safe assumption that this man was an Auror himself, although theoretically he could be a professor.

Though he should go straight away to find the Auror in charge - Moody, he thought, or maybe Marchand - Archie had a different destination. Gen's letters had been full of information about her change in circumstances and her new partner and how little she liked being around him. She'd taken to working in an empty classroom most of the time and her letters had given enough details that he could find it, he thought. So he set out through the castle, glad that during this time of day, most of the students and adults were occupied and he didn’t have to answer any awkward questions. 

It didn’t take a terribly long time to find the classroom, based on her descriptions. The door was open and she faced away from it, busy with something on the desk in front of her, which gave Archie the opportunity to just watch her for a moment. He loved Gen with everything in him, and being separated had been much harder than he anticipated. It had been natural to leap at the possibility of assignment here. After a moment of watching her work, he cleared his throat and stepped inside, pushing the door shut behind him. “Genevieve, darling, I’ve been reassigned.”

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