Zelda hadn't known Alfred was back until she'd apparated home from work and found his seabag. A brief wander about the house had confirmed that he wasn't here, although he obviously had been, and Zelda changed into a housedress from her Ministry robes before she started puttering around. She felt the apprehension in her limbs and her chest, because Alfred was home and she hadn't expected it, and she could hardly imagine going to run errands or settling into things when she was waiting to see him.

The sound of the door opening had her speed-walking down the stairs even before she heard her husband's hello. Zelda was grinning widely and bounced down the last few steps so she could fling her arms around him. "You're back!" she chirped, with obvious delight in her voice. Alfred was back and he was early, and she had so much to tell him she didn't know where to start.

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