When I came to, I still felt so exhausted that I wanted to go back to sleep. I sat up and groaned for the dizzying effect was so strong that I had to fight the urge not to vomit. After taking a few calming breaths, I looked around. I was in a room big enough for two people. There was an empty bed next to mine. The wallpaper was peeling off the walls. The curtains that hung off the windows were so dusty that I could see little flecks of dust floating in the air
I pulled off the blankets and rose out of bed, but quickly grabbed the bed frame as I became dizzy again. Once I reached the slightly opened door I could hear voices whispering in the hall.
"I still can't believe this happened," said Ginny. She sounded angry, but at the same time fearful. "Poor Harry. Do you think he'll be okay?"
My insides turned to ice at her words.
"I hope so," Ron mumbled. "The Healer said he's lucky his trachea didn't collapse, if the Dementor held his neck any tighter, he would have died."
"How did the Dementors even get there?" Ginny asked.
"Yeah," Luna agreed. "What were they doing there?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Ron asked sounding just as upset as Ginny but I could tell he was trying to keep his voice quiet and calm. He must have thought I was still asleep. "They were looking for Harry."
"But who sent them?"
"I don't know!" Ron shouted.
"Shh, you prat!" Ginny hissed. "You'll wake Hermione."
"Too late I'm already up," I mumbled.
"You idiot, you woke her up!" Ginny said, slapping the back of Ron's head.
Ron grumbled as he rubbed his head.
"How are you feeling?" Luna asked.
"I feel tired and like I'm going to puke."
"Ah, don't puke on me," said Ron backing away.
I gave a weak laugh. "Where's Ciara?"
"She's okay, she's with Mom," said Ginny.
I nodded. "How's Harry?"
Everyone went quiet.
"Guys?"
"He's okay, really," Ron said, giving me a fake smile.
"I can tell from your fake smile that you're lying, Ronald," I accused. "I heard what you said."
Ron took a deep breath. "He's resting, I promise."
"Then I want to see him," I said.
Ron shared a glance with the girls. "Okay, he's down the hall, second door on the right."
I nodded as I stared at the hall in question. I was repeatedly praying that Harry was okay. When I reached the door I hesitated, debating whether I really wanted to see Harry or not. Of course I did. I forced my hand on the doorknob and slowly turned it. I was surprised the door didn't creak.
Cho was at Harry's bedside, one hand holding his and stroking his hair with the other.
"Cho?" I said as quietly as I could.
Cho looked up. I noticed she had tears silently running down her cheeks.
"Hermione," she said in a choked voice. She gently lowered Harry's hand and came to hug me in front of the bed. "Thank goodness you're okay."
"Yeah," I mumbled as she let go.
"What about the baby?" Cho asked.
"I've been told she's all right," I said. "So, don't worry."
"Good."
"Where are we?" I asked as I looked around. "How did we get here?"
"We're in Grimmauld Place. This is the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix. It's a secret society that Dumbledore formed back when they first fought You-Know-Who."
"How did we get here?" I asked again.
"That's something you have to ask Professors Lupin and Moody."
"Ugh," I sighed as I walked over to Harry's bed. "Oh my God! What happened to his neck?"
There was a dark red bruise around his neck. It looked like a severe rope burn.
"It was an effect of the Dementor gripping his neck for so long," Cho explained, looking uneasy as she stared at Harry.
"Will he be okay?" I asked.
"If we put on this medicine." She pulled out a small jar no bigger than my hand. "This will help it to heal, but he needs to be awake when we put it on, so the pain doesn't startle him."
I nodded, showing I understood.
Cho glanced at the clock on the bedside table. "It's about time to wake him for his medicine."
"Could I do it?" I asked uneasily. "I need to talk to him."
"Sure," said Cho with a smile. "I'll go see if Mrs. Weasley needs some help. Make sure Harry doesn't talk."
I nodded again.
Cho gave me one last hug. "I'm so glad you're okay," she said as she went out the door, closing it behind her.
I swallowed hard before I looked back at Harry. Seeing the bruise on his neck brought tears to my eyes. I tried holding them back as I ran my fingers through his hair.
"Harry?" I said softly.
He stirred without opening his eyes.
"Harry?"
He slowly opened his eyes and gave me a weak smile.
"Her-"
"Shh," I soothed. "You're not supposed to talk."
"Ciara-"
"She's fine," I assured him. "Cho said it's time for your medicine."
Harry groaned and looked away.
"Oh, don't be such a baby," I teased.
He groaned again.
"Oh, it won't be that bad…wow!" I exclaimed as the strong smell of tea tree oil filled my nostrils, causing me to look away. "No wonder you're whining."
Harry gave me an amused smile as I dipped my fingers into the light-blue cooling paste.
"Ready?"
He gave me another smile before shutting his eyes tightly, bracing himself. He let out a muffled groan as my fingers made contact with his skin. I could feel why. My fingers felt like ice at first, but the more I spread the paste, the more they felt like fire.
"There," I said as I wiped the paste off my fingers. "Do you have anything to cover this up?"
Harry motioned to a small side table by the window.
I moved to the table and opened the drawer where I found a small first-aid kit. I carefully pulled it out and placed it on top of the table. As I held the gauze and medical tape, I glanced out of the window. I watched as the wind blew through the bushes. I did a double take because there was something strange about the way the leaves were blowing. It was like someone was making their way through.
"Hermione?" Harry said, his voice sounded croaked.
"I'm sorry, Harry," I said, not paying attention to what I was saying.
"For what?"
"For coming to your house," I said, tearing my eyes away from the window and heading back to the bed, sitting on it carefully. "If I hadn't," I continued as I made a bandage out of the gauze and medical tape.
Harry carefully grabbed my hand. I looked from my hand to his eyes. They were shining with his kindness.
"I would have done again in a heartbeat," he said with a smile.
I smiled back as I slipped my hand out of his and finished making the bandage. I rose to my feet and moved closer to Harry's head, which he tilted back, making it easier for me to cover the wound. With delicate fingers I placed the bandage over the paste-covered burn. Harry let out a small hiss as my fingers pressed against the medical tape.
"Sorry," I apologized.
He gave an assured smile but soon began chewing on his bottom lip.
"Sorry," I repeated as I removed my fingers. "Why don't you get some rest, it'll help you heal."
Harry rolled his eyes.
"Please, Harry, I want you to get better."
"If I'm a good boy, will I get a chocolate frog, Mommy?"
I gave him an amused chuckle as I kissed his forehead. He smiled as he nestled into the blanket and fell asleep. I turned out the light and quietly shut the door behind me. I sighed before heading down the hall.
As I descended the first flight of stairs, I saw a house-elf going through some things in a closet.
"Hello?"
The house-elf turned to face me. He was an elderly elf, so elderly that his skin appeared too big for his body and the only thing holding it in place was a small towel wrapped around his waist. His ears were laid down. His balding head only had a few white hairs. His nose appeared broken with how it looked flattened in the middle of his face. Even with his eyes slightly open I could see they were a mud brown.
"The Mudblood is up and about," said the elf, his voice sounded more croaked than Harry's. "The Masters and Mistresses will be so pleased."
"Excuse me," I said a little nervously. I don't know what it was about this house-elf that made me uncomfortable. "I would appreciate it if you would not call me that."
"You are not Kreacher's mistress. Kreacher can say what he likes."
I was at lost for words, so I did the only thing I could do. I headed down the next set of stairs.
"Mudblood has nothing to say since she lost her blood traitor."
I stopped dead in the middle of the staircase and looked back at Kreacher who glared at me before returning to his work.
I still felt uneasy as I descended the last flight of stairs. Mounted on the wall along the staircase were house-elf heads displayed in glass cases.
"George, if they hadn't worked by now, they probably won't work at all," said Ginny.
"But, they've worked on all the other doors," said Fred.
"Mom must have put a silencing charm on the door to keep us from listening," said Ron.
I descended the last steps, finding everyone huddled at one end of the hall. On the floor lay a flesh-colored string leading to a door at the other end of the hall.
"Hermione!" Fred greeted as I joined everyone.
"What's going on?" I asked.
"Come here!" said Fred, pulling me into a hug, George joined behind me, trapping me in a Weasley hug sandwich.
"It's good to see you guys too," I laughed as they let go.
"How are you feeling?" George asked, nudging me slightly with his elbow.
"Good," I smiled.
"How's Harry?" Ron asked.
"He's sleeping. What were you doing?"
"We're trying to get our latest invention to work," Fred explained as George pulled the string back towards us. I shuddered, as the end of the string appeared to be a human ear.
"What is that thing?" I asked.
"Extendable Ears," said Fred with pride. "We made them so we can listen in on the Order meetings."
"But, apparently we still have a few kinks to work out," said George as he looked over the ear.
"Maybe you shouldn't listen in."
Both Fred and George stared at me as if I had lost my mind.
"Hermione, something big is happening in there," said Fred, gesturing toward the door. "We have to know what it is."
"Who would we be if we didn't snoop?" George asked.
I laughed softly as I shook my head.
Suddenly a voice roared through the closed door, so loud that there wouldn't have been any need for the Extendable Ears.
"How many times do I have to say it, Molly?"
"That's Sirius," Ginny whispered.
We all cautiously headed towards the door.
"Shh, keep your voice down, Sirius!" Mrs. Weasley hissed. "You'll wake the baby!"
Sirius sighed. "What were they suppose to do, Molly? Wait to be kissed?"
"No," said Mrs. Weasley. "But, they're still underage."
Sirius sighed again.
"Molly, dear, even underage witches and wizards are allowed to use magic in life-threatening situations," Mr. Weasley reasoned.
"What are they talking about?" I asked in a whisper. "The Dementors were attacking before we could do anything."
Everyone stared at me with questioning looks before returning their attention back to the door.
"Yes, but…" Mrs. Weasley seemed to be at a lost for words.
Sirius sighed yet again. "Look, all I am saying is, if they hadn't performed their Patronus charms, we would have lost them. I've already lost Lily and James, Molly. I can't lose Harry and Hermione too."
Mrs. Weasley sighed this time. "You're right, Sirius. I'm-"
"Quiet," said the grumbling voice I recognized as Professor Moody's. "We have eavesdroppers."
The door suddenly flew open, startling us. Moody smiled at us grimly. His trick eye swirling in all directions so fast it made me dizzy.
"What do you think you're doing?" Mrs. Weasley asked as Professor Moody ushered us into the dining room.
"We're sorry, Mom," said Fred innocently. "Curiosity got the better of us."
"That's another one of your silly inventions, isn't it?" Mrs. Weasley asked angrily, pointing towards the Extendable Ears in George's hand.
"They're not silly!" George snapped.
"How many times have I told you two not to test them?" said Mrs. Weasley, her hands now on her hips. "Hand them over!"
"How are we supposed to know that our products are any good for our joke shop if we don't test them?" Fred asked as George surrendered the Ears.
"There isn't going to be a joke shop!" Mrs. Weasley insisted, stuffing the Extendable Ears in her apron pocket. "I'm not going to let my children have failing careers."
"Failing careers?" Fred repeated.
"Then what are we suppose to do?" George asked, crossing his arms.
"You'll be joining your father at the Ministry," said Mrs. Weasley.
Fred groaned loudly. "Mom, how many times have we told you?"
"We don't want that!" the twins said together.
"Well, you-"
"Molly," Mr. Weasley interrupted kindly. "The boys are of age. They now have the right to make their own decisions."
Mrs. Weasley glared at her husband, but didn't give up on her lecture with the twins, that soon turned into an argument. I slowly backed away from the Weasleys and turned towards door. Sirius smiled apologetically with open arms to me.
I smiled as I went into his embrace.
"It's so good to see you, Hermione," he said as he held me tight.
"You, too, Sirius," I smiled as we let go of each other. "I missed you."
"Oh, Hermione," said Sirius in mock flattery.
I snickered as I smacked him playfully.
"I missed you, too," he said.
I smiled as I looked to my left and saw a bassinet close to the window. I slowly headed towards it and peered inside. Ciara was sleeping with the Weasley blanket covering her. I carefully ran my fingers through her hair. I was so grateful that she was all right that I began to chew on my bottom lip as I scooped her into my arms.
"You have a real jewel there, Hermione," Sirius commented as he peered at Ciara over my shoulder.
"Thanks," I said, not taking my eyes off of my sleeping baby. "How is she?"
"She's doing fine," he assured me. "Molly fed her and gave her some medicine to bring down her fever and to help her sleep."
I nodded, still not looking away from Ciara.
Sirius was silent for a time until he finally said, "I'm sorry about Cedric."
I slowly looked up. "How did you know about that?" I asked as I moved to sit down at the table, still cradling Ciara.
"Harry wrote to me about it," Sirius explained, sitting at the head of the table. "He feels really bad, saying he's been having nightmares."
An uneasy feeling went through me as I recalled the nightmares I had been having as well.
"He keeps wishing he had never made that deal," Sirius continued.
That broke me from my thoughts. "What deal?" I asked.
Before Sirius could answer, there was a small tap at a window, causing a silence to fall over the room. We all looked to see a tawny owl with a small roll of parchment tied to its leg waiting to be let in. Mr. Weasley carefully opened the window and removed the parchment from the owl's leg.
"What is it?" Mrs. Weasley asked nervously as I placed Ciara back into the bassinet.
Mr. Weasley looked over the envelope. "It's a letter from the Ministry."
"What do they want?" asked a croaky voice.
We all turned to see Harry standing shakily in the doorway.
"Harry, what are you doing?" I asked as Sirius and I helped him to sit at the table. "You're supposed to be resting."
"Well, it's a little hard to rest with all the yelling going on," Harry pointed out.
"I'll get you some water," said Cho.
We were all silent as Cho filled the glass.
"Thanks, love," said Harry, kissing Cho after taking the glass. "What do they want?" he asked again after taking a drink.
"It's addressed to both you and Hermione," said Mr. Weasley.
"Could you read it to us?" I asked.
"Certainly," said Mr. Weasley, clearing his throat as he removed the letter from its envelope.
Dear Mr. Potter and Miss Granger,
We have received intelligence that you both performed the Patronus Charm at 15 minutes past 3 this morning in a Muggle-inhabited area.
Harry and I shared a confused glance as Mr. Weasley continued.
The severity of this breach of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery has resulted in your expulsions from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Ministry representatives will be arriving at your current place of residence shortly to destroy you wands.
Hope you are both well,
Mafalda Hopkirk
Improper Use of Magic Office
Ministry of Magic
