I sat frozen as I took in what Mr. Weasley read. "We're expelled?"

"They can't do that!" Sirius insisted.

Harry nodded in agreement. "We didn't even perform the Patronus Charm," he said. "I mean, how could we? I was little too busy being pinned against a wall with a Dementor at my throat!"

"And I was protecting Ciara," I put in, shaking slightly. Harry gently took my hand and my shaking ceased.

"Did you see anyone who could have it cast it?" Professor Lupin asked us as he came into the room.

"Remus, it's so good to see you," Harry greeted as Lupin hugged us in turn, but leaving his hands on my shoulders. "No," he said, answering Lupin's question. "I passed out after a short time."

"What about you, Hermione?" Lupin asked.

"Um, the only thing I remember before I blacked out was a bright white light and nothing else."

"Did you see anyone?" Sirius asked.

I thought hard. "No," I said slowly. "I don't think so."

"Well, if that's the case, they shouldn't be expelled," said Ron.

"Arthur, can't you do something?" Mrs. Weasley asked. "Talk to someone?"

"Molly, my job is in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office. I have no voice in the Improper Use of Magic Office."

"Can you at least try?" Ron asked.

"It couldn't hurt," Ginny put in.

Mr. Weasley sighed. "All right, I'll write a letter, but I'm not making any promises."

"Wait, Arthur!" called a voice from the hall, while at the same time we heard loud clattering. Not long after that a woman with a heart-shaped face and violet-purple hair hurried into the room with a piece of parchment in her hand.

"Tonks!" Mrs. Weasley hissed. "You're not supposed to run in the halls!"

"Sorry, Molly."

"Not to worry," said Ron. "It's quiet. Maybe she didn't hear it,"

I was curious to know whom Ron was talking about when what sounded like a banshee's cry rang through the house so loud that we all clapped our hands over our ears. Not long after screeches started, Ciara awoke and began to cry as well.

"Way to go, Ron!" Fred called over the noise as I went to pick up Ciara. "You jinxed it!"

Ron glared at Fred.

"Sirius, do something!" Lupin urged.

"I've got it," Sirius grumbled as he went out the door. "Shut up, you old hag! Shut up!" he yelled as he went up the stairs. "There's a baby in the house!"

The screeching continued, every once in a while we would hear a few choice swear words from both Sirius and the woman. After a few seconds, the screaming stopped.

"Is she okay?" Harry asked as he now stood next me.

"Yeah," I said as Ciara continued to cry and whimper while I softly patted her back. "She's just a little scared."

"Sorry," Tonks said again.

"What was it that you wanted to tell us, Tonks?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"I just saw Dumbledore at the Ministry and he said he was going to take care of everything for Harry and Hermione," said Tonks accidentally knocking over a glass in her excitement.

"Can he do that?" Harry asked.

"He's Dumbledore, isn't he?" Ron pointed out.

"I think I should take Ciara out for awhile," I said as Ciara's cries continued. "The cool air might calm her down."

"I'll go with you," Harry volunteered.

"Bundle up!" Mrs. Weasley called as we left.

Harry held the door open as I stepped out. It was still cold out but not as cold as it was when we left Privet Drive. Harry helped me sit on the stoop. My theory about using the cool air to calm Ciara was correct only partly. Her crying did stop but she was still fussy so I began to hum her lullaby. Halfway through Harry joined in, making perfect harmony with my voice. When we were finished, we looked at each other and smiled.

"Have I ever told you how beautiful you sound?" he asked.

"Yes, you have," I smiled.

We stared at each other for another second until we finally looked away.

I looked down at Ciara. "She's sleeping."

"We should probably get inside before Mrs. Weasley comes after us," said Harry getting to his feet.

I laughed, nodding in agreement as I also got to my feet.

"I'll take Ciara."

I smiled as I slipped her in Harry's arms, careful not to wake her.

Harry's suspicions turned out to be accurate. Now long after I gave him Ciara, did the front door open and Mrs. Weasley pocked her head out.

"You kids better come inside," she told us. "Breakfast will be ready soon." She left the door open for us.

Harry and I shared silent laughs.

"Its too bad Cedric isn't here," he said. "I would have loved to hear what his voice sounded with ours." He gave me another smile before he went inside, humming to Ciara.

Cedric. That made me remember what Sirius had told me. What sort of deal did Harry make? Why didn't he tell me about it? And what did have to do with Cedric? As I headed inside I decided that I was going question Harry about what happened in the maze the night of Cedric's death.

I stepped into the dining room and found Ginny and Luna were setting the table. Mrs. Weasley was doing some last-minute touches to the food with Cho's help. Ron, Fred, and George were sitting at the table, their silverware ready in hand. I noticed that Mr. Weasley, Sirius, Lupin, Moody and the woman named Tonks had left. I went to stand by Harry, who was looking down at Ciara after putting her in the bassinet.

"She's so innocent," he told me as we watched her wiggle in her blanket.

"Yeah, she is," I agreed. I glanced over at Harry. He looked at Ciara with such love in his eyes that I wanted to cry with happiness, but I needed to know the truth and didn't have time for tears. "Um, Harry?"

"Yeah?"

"Could I talk to you?"

"Sure."

"Alone?" I put in uneasily.

"Sure," he said again.

I gently grabbed Harry's hand and led him to the hall where we stood next to the staircase.

"What did you want to talk about?"

I sighed deeply. "I need know what happened in the maze."

Harry looked uncomfortable.

"Tell me how he died," I went on, my throat and eyes beginning to burn. "Did he die fighting? Was he taken by surprise? Why did you leave his body behind?"

"Hermione, I don't-"

"What deal did you make?"

He paled. "What are you talking about?"

"Sirius told me," I said simply.

"Oh." Harry still looked uneasy. "Look, Hermione, I can't talk about this now."

"Please, Harry," I begged, holding back my tears. "Tell me, I need to know."

"I can't," he said at last.

"You can't?" I repeated, now starting to get angry. "What about Ciara?" I asked. "What am I supposed to tell her when she gets older and she asks me, 'Mommy, where is my Daddy?' Am I supposed to tell her he died a war hero or that he was murdered in cold blood?"

"Damn it, Hermione!" Harry yelled, his voice cracking from lack of volume. "I can't tell you!"

"Why not?" I demanded.

"Because you wouldn't be able to handle the truth!"

I stared at Harry with disbelief. "Please, tell me."

Harry cleared throat. "Trust me, Herm-" He suddenly began coughing.

"Harry," I began.

He didn't answer. He just continued to cough.

"Harry, are you okay?" I asked cautiously.

Harry's coughing became so violent that he fell on his hands and knees.

"Harry!" I cried, kneeling in front of him. "What's wrong?"

He still couldn't answer.

As I adjusted myself to support Harry better, he coughed harder than ever and I stared in horror as his blood covered my left hand. Normally, the sight of blood made me ill but I put it aside as I realized, Harry was coughing up blood!

"Sirius! Professor Lupin!" I yelled, praying someone would hear me. "Someone, help!"

I heard a door from upstairs slam, then thundering footsteps on the stairs.

"Hermione, what's wrong?" Lupin asked me, but I didn't answer, I couldn't take my eyes off the blood covering my hand. "Harry!"

Harry just kept coughing, now getting blood on the floor as someone helped me to my feet.

"Oh, my God!" I heard Sirius say from somewhere.

"We need get him to St. Mongo's!" Lupin said urgently. "Now!"

That broke my attention from my hand.

"Molly, get the Floo powder!" Mr. Weasley yelled as Lupin carried Harry back into the dining room. I was vaguely aware of someone steering me into the room.

"Harry!" the girls yelled.

Mr. Weasley seized the Floo powder from Mrs. Weasley and threw some into the fire.

"St. Mongo's!" Lupin called as he stepped into the fire.