The Three Broomsticks

"Less than an hour," Vivi said. "Karamanos had everything ready before I even walked into his office. He's the type who, once he has enough data, doesn't need convincing. You just have to tell him when to start."

She leaned back in her chair, let out a long sigh, and looked utterly satisfied.

"It's not that achieving these twelve Seals is actually so difficult. It's that we've finally reached this point—we've finally brought part of these chains formally into the framework of the agreement."

Harry did not answer. He only watched Vivi quietly.

"You're not saying much tonight," Vivi said curiously.

"I'm listening to you." Harry set his teacup on the table. "Ever since you came back from Athens today, everything you've talked about has been about other people. You haven't mentioned yourself once."

Vivi shook her head, a little helpless.

"When did you learn to ask questions like that?"

"From Hermione. She asks Ron that kind of thing all the time."

"No wonder Ron sent a message when he was besieged at Fort Tepepetec saying Hermione was in the corner of the medical station counting the stock of Essence of Dittany while asking him when his last deep sleep was. He said he didn't know whether to be touched or to find a suit of Auror armor and tuck his head into it." Vivi smiled, her eyes curving.

"You were still on the phone with Karamanos in Athens in the middle of the night yesterday, and this morning you flew back to discuss the wording of letters to third-tier countries with Kingsley," Harry said with a smile. "You didn't eat anything before we walked out of LeMay's workshop. You need to relax for a while, then come out with me and get something to eat—how about The Three Broomsticks?