Author's note: I'm sorry to anyone waiting for this story to continue! My 9 yr old daughter broke her hip and things were very busy. I hope you all enjoy this short chapter. I will try to update on a more regular basis.
Also, these are all J.K. Rowling's characters and her world. I'm just fiddling around with the script. I make no money.
Chapter 2
Harry Potter stared at the potions master in shock and anger. "What do you mean? What did I do?" he took a deep, calming breath. "I didn't do anything."
Just then the two wizards heard Hermione groan, "He didn't do anything except help me." They looked over to see the underweight witch struggling to sit up. Severus stood and helped her sit while Harry placed pillows behind her for support. Settling back, Hermione wrapped her arms around her midsection.
"Mia," Harry looked at his best friend pleadingly. "What's going on? Lu and I are really worried about you."
Before the young woman could answer, Madam Pomphrey had bustled over with a load of potions to take. "Take this for the nausea." When the first was down and she saw her patient relax further into her pillows, she began to give her the rest rapid fire. "For being malnourished. For dehydration. A prenatal vitamin. A low dose pain potion. And the last is a mild sleeping drought." When it looked like there would be a protest, the medi-witch raised an eyebrow. "Miss Granger, you need rest and healing. I'm keeping you here until I feel you will be capable to care for yourself and this child. Even if it means I have to glue you to that cot!"
Surprised by the impassioned lecture, all Hermione asked was, "Well, then, can I wait to take the last potion until I'm done talking with Harry and Professor Snape?"
Eyeing her with obvious concern and a slight amount of distrust, the elder witch gave a short nod. "Alright, but I'm giving you twenty minutes, then I insist they leave you to rest." Here she looked at the two black haired wizards.
"I can assure you, Poppy, Mr. Potter and I shall leave after she has given a short explanation of her circumstances." Severus whispered at the woman who had healed him so many times before. When she had nodded again, she turned on her heel and left them alone.
"Miss Granger," Severus started but was quickly interupted.
"Please, sir, call me Mia...I don't care for Granger or Hermione any longer." The young lady spoke in a voice barely louder than his own.
At this point, Harry gripped Mia's hand. "What's going on, Mia?" He looked at Snape. Then back to her. "You have been off for a few months, even before you showed up at Grimmauld. And that's another thing, you just showed up with bags packed. What happened? You seemed happy at the burrow. I know I'm not welcome there but they love you."
Fidgeting with her hands, Mia didn't look up. "I..Ron...That last game we went to, the one Ron was so insistent we all go watch?" When Harry nodded she continued, "Well, after the game, when you and Luna had to leave so suddenly...something...happened..."
"Miss..I mean Mia, did Mr Weasley attack you?" Severus' heart squeezed at the thought. He didn't take time to examine the strange reaction. There would be time later.
Tears began to trace down the poor woman's face. "That's the thing, you see, after Harry and Lu left, the players on Ron's team insisted I join them for a celebratory drink... I think someone slipped something into mine." taking a shuddering breath, Mia continued, "I can only recall bits and pieces. A face here, laughter, trying to push someone off of me...I know I was slapped..."
"Oh, Mia!" Harry gathered his best friend into his arms as she broke down. He rocked her like a child. Whispering words he hoped would give her comfort.
Sniffling, Mia decided to finish telling them the story, "When it was all over, Ron apparated me to the burrow. I was beginning to come out of the effects of whatever drug they had used. I...I told him that I was going to tell...to press charges. He...he said that nobody would believe a homeless, charity case like me. A mudblood who had nowhere to go and no one to help me. I lost my temper and tried to hit him, he pushed me down, then slapped me a few times." drawing a shaky breath, she looked at Harry with greif filled eyes. "I dont want to press charges." it was a whisper, barely heard.
"But Mia, you have to press charges! He'll just keep doing crap like this if he isn't stopped!" Harry couldn't believe she would let it drop.
"I have to agree with Potter on this, Mis...Mia." Severus spoke in a quiet but firm voice. "He will not stop unless you speak up."
Large brown eye turned toward the professor. Tears swam as she searched the depths of his obsidian eyes. "Professor, I can't. Do you know what the law is regarding unwed mother's rights?" When he shook his head, she continued, "They have no rights. The wizarding world in Britan gives all the rights to the father and his family! Ron or anyone of the Weasleys could take my baby away!"
Harry looked at her in shock. "Mr. and Mrs. Weasley wouldn't do that!"
"Harry, if they thought it might help Ronald..." she couldn't even voice her fears. Even with the way the child had been conceived Mia's need to save and protect everyone had kicked in.
"So, you're keeping it, then?" Harry asked, hesitatingly.
The petite witch looked down at her hands fiddling in her lap. "Well, yes." she sighed and looked at Harry. "I've had time to think it over. This baby didn't ask to be made and I know that no one would blame me for giving it up...but after all the agonizing and sickness...I...I just can't..." her eyes had begun to shed tears again.
"There is no right answer in this situation, Mia." Severus looked at the young woman. After a lifetime of misery he had a great amount of sympathy for her. He knew what it was like to be hurt and have no recourse or outlet. "With your permission I will speak to Headmistress McGonagall and make arrangemnets to have this be the safest place for you and the baby. Including an understanding with all the professors to be lenient upon you. And, perhaps, a more private housing arrangement."
Mia bit her bottom lip in worry. "I don't think I could be far from Harry...or Lu. She's been helping me with my nightmares." her eyes were pleading.
"Lu?" Severus questioned. He had noted them talking about 'Lu' but had yet to figure out who it was.
"Harry is engaged to Luna Lovegood. They've been letting me live in Grimmauld and helping me with my nightmares." Hermione was staring at her hands as they fiddled with her blanket.
"I see." The tall man nodded. The effects of adrenalin were beginning to wear off and he was battling fatigue. "I will go speak to the headmistress and return..." he looked to Madame Pomphrey.
"As I said, I will be keeping her here until I feel she is well enough to resume her education." came the stern matrons reply.
Severus gave her a nod and gave Mia's hand a squeeze. "Get some rest, Mia." And then he left the infirmary.
Harry turned to his closest friend. He searched her wide chocolate eyes. "Why didn't you tell me?" he wasn't angry but he was hurt that she hadn't confided in him. "I could've helped...or...I don't know." he scrubbed his hands down his face.
Sighing tiredly, Mia reached out for Harry's hand. "I needed time to think. You know me, Harry, I have to think and plan..." she trailed off with a sad chuckle. "I never planned for this. Oh, what am I going to do?" Tear streamed down her cheeks.
"Mia, maybe we should just plan the next few days." he said as he wiped away her tears. "When we get through them we can plan for a few weeks. You are not alone. I'm here for you."
"I know. And thank you." she gave him a watery smile.
"Now, take the sleeping draught. I'll wait until you fall asleep." Harry watched her down the potion. Then he brushed her hair out of her face. "I'm going to owl Lu, she's been gone long enough."
Snuggling into the pillows, Hermione hummed, "Mmm, I think she knew about my baby before I did." her eyes drifted shut. "She said something about me needing to take up knitting again..."
"Oh, yeah?" the wizard smiled.
"Yeah...sa...said I need a few small blankets...in blue..." the last came out a whisper. Then Mia was asleep. She missed the knowing smirk on Harry's face. He knew his wife was especially talented. Tucking his dearest friend in, he left to owl his soulmate. She was needed.
