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Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
Harry sifted the floo powder in his hands and stared blankly at the empty fireplace in front of him. He needed to talk to Shacklebolt about Kurt and Lanzo's "family history" story that was eating at his brain cells. The twins and Hermione were already asleep for the night, and Neville was snoring insanely loudly from next door so he knew that unless someone woke up, he wouldn't be bothered.
Throwing the powder into the hearth he called for "Kingsley Shacklebolt," and then he slowly put his face into the green flames. Looking around Shacklebolt's office he saw the Auror asleep in his leather chair with his feet propped up on his desk. "Royal," he called. Shacklebolt didn't move from his position though. "Royal!" Harry called again, this time louder, but his boss still didn't get up. Maybe Shacklebolt forgot his codename after all this time, Harry thought. Stuck without knowing what to do Harry grabbed his wand from his back pocket and shot a hex at the table lamp next to Shacklebolt's head. That woke him.
Shacklebolt's eyes shot opened and he drew his wand jumping on top of his desk scanning the perimeter for the "attacker."
"Royal!" Harry called one more time, but this time in a bored approach.
"Wingman, what are doing calling this late at night?" he asked shoving his wand back into his robe pocket and then walking up to his lit fireplace. His eyes had bags under them and it didn't look like he showered yet, his growing beard was proof of that.
"I need to talk to you about Lanzo," Harry pressed, "and his brother Kurt."
Shacklebolt raised an eyebrow. "What information do you need?"
"Lanzo told me the story about the whole mayor thing, and being around his brother rubs me the wrong way. There's just something not right about him."
Shacklebolt took a moment to consider this, he stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I've known Lanzo for years, Potter, I know a lot about him and his family, so if there is something that needs answering, you better ask me."
Harry took an irritated breath, "I need to know about Kurt, whose last name escapes me-"
"It's McLaggen," Shacklebolt said sharply.
"What?" Harry wondered trying to process it. "That name sound familiar."
"It should," his boss announced his voice getting lower as he spoke. "You went to school with his son Cormac; he was a year above you."
A raging fire erupted inside Harry's body. "You mean that bastard who had that creepy infatuation with Hermione during sixth year?" Harry yelled a little more loudly then he meant to.
Shacklebolt blinked a couple times unfazed by Harry's outburst. "The very same, he got married to Ginny Weasley a couple years ago, remember that?"
Harry growled, "Yeah, I almost forgot about that," he mused trying to think back.
His boss nodded, "I have something that might jog your memory. Wait here!" he ordered getting up from his sitting position and moving towards the file cabinets in the back of the room. He started rummaging through them throwing loose papers out every once in a while until he found what he was looking for. He moved back over to the fireplace and held out a picture frame with a moving photo of Ginny and Cormac on their wedding day, but something out of the ordinary caught Harry's eye.
"Royal, what's that on McLaggen's wrist?" Harry asked pointing to the silver band clasped on Cormac's arm.
Shacklebolt turned the photo so he could see for himself. "That's the McLaggen family band. He inherited it when he got married to Miss Weasley," Shacklebolt furrowed his eyebrows at Harry, "why are you asking Wingman?"
"I saw that same wrist band on my attacker in the woods that night. It was the only thing that anyone could identify him with since he was wearing all black." Realization dawned on the young Auror's face. "Is Cormac my assassin?"
Shacklebolt had no time to answer, as soon as the question escaped Harry's lips another Auror burst into Shacklebolt's office. "Sir, Mr. Granger just broke his holding cell's door open. He and his wife are wandering around the ministry demanding to see you."
Shacklebolt thanked the old man and then dismissed him. Turning back to Harry he whispered quickly. "Wingman, if your hunch is right then you are in serious danger. I will send another Auror to you just in case. I'm going to do more research on this, but the last time I talked to Mr. McLaggen he was preparing to visit his mother in St. Andrews with his wife. Harry, they're coming for you, they know where you are, and you're not safe right now! Watch your back and inform Mr. Longbottom about this, I'll send your back up as soon as I can, I must go now, Harry… good luck." After Shacklebolt's rushed, flustered speech he swept out of his office with a tight face and not much of sentimental good-bye.
Harry pulled his head about of the ashes breathing hard. Sweat was beading down his face and his heart rate was considerably faster than normal. This was the ultimate revenge of Cormac and Ginny, talk about déjà vu with Voldemort.
After his heavy, short, discussion with Shacklebolt, Harry decided to take an early morning walk to clear his head. He made sure Neville was keeping an eye on his hut while he was out in case some ugly, red, arrogant, and pregnant couple came knocking at his door.
Rain must have fallen that night; the leaves were covered in shiny dew and the lake had whitecaps escaping from the surface. He walked past the sleeping village and headed towards the back of the town where he has yet to explore.
Figuring it might lead somewhere hidden, he followed the graveled path deeper into the trees until an opening appeared. A white sight blew Harry away. A huge magnificent mansion stood in the middle of the clearing, shooing anything away that stood before it. The house was built for a rich man; this could only mean one thing. This was Kurt's house.
Deciding that it couldn't hurt to sneak up and peer through the windows for a little 'insight' on the enemy, Harry crept up to a window in front of the house bending down and carefully raising his head until his eyes were able to see what was inside. It wasn't pretty. There, Kurt stood with his arms folded and tapping his irritated foot on the marble ground. Next to him stood Cormac and Ginny McLaggen, with another standing behind Cormac, but because of Harry's hiding place he couldn't see who it was.
"So you're saying that Potter ruined your life so now you need to kill him?" Kurt asked with a disgusted face at the young disturbed couple. "Tell me lad," Kurt spoke pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. "What exactly has Potter or his wife done to you two, and I expect a good answer!"
Cormac's lower lip started to quiver and then he stuck his fat finger out at his father. "I seem to be undermined by Potter every day of my life. I can't even step into my office without hearing something about the "Great Harry Potter" and I'm sick of it! It also doesn't help the fact that he married the one girl who has every stolen my heart!"
Ginny shot him the most repulsive look that Harry has ever seen on her face. "I'm glad to see you still care about me!" she shouted, her words dripping sarcasm.
Kurt just stared at his raging son. "Lad, you're going to have to give me a better answer then that."
"Well how about how I-I-I- uh," Cormac stuttered embarrassedly.
"Ah! You can't think of an answer, typical. You are so caught up in how much you hate Potter for his fame and his wife that you are so jealous that you will sink as low as You-Know-Who just to get your revenge," Kurt proclaimed loudly getting into his son's face.
"Well I'm not the only one who hates the Potter's, Ginny hates them too!" Cormac challenged turning to his grouchy wife.
Ginny rolled her eyes, "yes love."
"She doesn't seem very convinced," Kurt pointed out.
"She is father; we're both very dedicated to this mission!" Cormac spat. "Go on love, tell him your story," he prodded jerking his head towards his father.
The young ginger sighed and mumbled, "Harry has been the love of my life since I was eight, and we get together in sixth year and then a couple years after the war he breaks up with me because he claims that he isn't feeling the love between us anymore. He broke my heart, and then went off and married my best friend. I haven't been able to forgive him for that, and I'm not prepared to for a while." Ginny lowered her head and rubbed her bulging stomach.
"See!" Cormac exclaimed ignoring Ginny's heartfelt confession, "we both have motive for this, mine being because of my pride and power, and hers because of some sappy love tragedy."
Ginny sent another death glare towards her husband and slapped his arm which caused him to yelp in pain. "You deserved that," she replied smirking.
Harry's breath caught in his throat as he listened into this private conversation. Cormac just was jealous because Harry had money, power, and the most amazing wife a man could ask for. But Ginny was jealous because Harry didn't love her anymore, and he went off to marry Hermione. Great, he was dealing with first class jealousy that escalated to his own death sentence. As hard as it was, Harry leaned in closer to the window and listened for more information.
Kurt was speaking but Harry only caught the last part of his sentence. "-and Malfoy?"
Cormac started nodding his head like a shaking dog while poking the inside of his cheek with his tongue, crazy eyed. "Malfoy is a death eater and always will be! I don't care what that buffoon Shacklebolt says about him, he will always be a death eater, because once you are one… there's no turning back. He will rot in hell if I have my way."
Harry wanted to punch this arrogant ninny square in the mouth.
Kurt still looked indifferent at Cormac's accusations. "I still don't understand why you want to murder these two men."
Cormac started seething through his teeth. "Don't you get it old man? If Potter and Malfoy keep going up in the ministry they will be the most powerful wizards of our time! And now that they know about you I sure as hell know that they will demote you of your place as mayor and give it to that traitor Lanzo! They thirst for power; they don't know how to live without it. I say it's high time that the McLaggen family took their rightful place as the most powerful wizarding family of our time and hold that place in our grasps and never let it go!"
Kurt looked as though he was being broken down and influenced by Cormac's words; he obviously knew how to corrupt his father. "Power, that's something I won't let go," he whispered smiling evilly at his son and daughter-in-law. "Alright lad, I'm in, just tell me one thing."
"What father?" Cormac wondered smiling this time.
"Who is that gangly boy behind you?"
Cormac turned around and in Harry's view came a beaten, broken down Ron Weasley, still donning his orange community service robes. Harry felt his knuckles shaking as his fist clenched automatically.
"This father is Gin's older brother, and I believe he will help us," Cormac answered slyly, grabbing Ron by the neck of his robes and thrusting him in front of him.
Ron groaned, "I will never help you maggot!"
Cormac cocked his eyebrow. "You will if you value your life."
Another grunt escaped Ron's mouth. "I don't care about my own life; I will never betray Harry like this!"
"Even though Potter stole your girlfriend and got you arrested?" Cormac chuckled harshly in Ron's face.
The poor Weasley scowled, "I don't care about that anymore! It would never have lasted anyway; her father was a pain in the ass."
Harry rolled his eyes at Ron's remark.
Cormac didn't seem to like Ron's answer. "Well that's too bad for you, because as soon as I let you go you will not be housed or fed anymore. I'm the one who broke you out of the ministries custody so I expect you to treat me with respect," he spat, thrusting Ron out of his grip.
"You know whatever! I can get by fine without you bloody bastards! See you at your funeral!" Ron shouted heading towards the brass doors, but then he turned around once more with one last remark. "Just make sure your not late for it."
The McLaggen's faces were those who would kill. Harry didn't want to wait around any longer to find out what might happen, as soon as the trio left arguing out of the foyer and into another room Harry made a run for it towards a flipping pissed off Weasley stomping down the forest path.
"Ron!" Harry whispered loudly skidding to a stop right before he ran into him.
The tall freckled face man turned around instantly. "Harry? Bloody hell, what are you doing here?"
Harry was panting, "Let's not talk here; follow me!"
Ron was reluctant, but he followed Harry all the way back to Pine Heights and the huts in the trees. Harry was walking in long strides until he reached his own hut and entered it with Ron trailing curiously behind.
Hermione was sitting on the floor with the twins reading them their favorite wizard story, but as soon as Harry burst through the door her head shot up. At first she was relieved that he was there, but then her face turned into anger when she saw who was behind him.
"Harry!" she scolded, "What is going on here?" she asked making sure she didn't say anything she might regret in front of the twins.
Harry held out his hand to stop her from going any farther into her scolding. "'Mione we have a lot to talk about, but I think we need to bring the Malfoy's and Neville in here with us."
Hermione stared at her husband suspiciously and then shifted her gaze to the scraggly Ron.
"If it makes you feel better, I don't know what's going on here either," Ron said adding some humor into the already tense room.
Hermione smiled.
Days passed since Harry brought Ron to his hut and talked with him about the murder plot with Malfoy and Neville. During that time Harry started to rebuild his friendship with the tall red head. Malfoy, on the other hand, was a little harder to convince and would keep his distance from Ron whenever he was in arms length.
Hermione and Ron would never be in the same room alone with each other for fear that it would be really awkward. It was. Hermione stuck by Harry like glue 24/7, not that he was complaining. Ron on the other hand had no intention of hitting Hermione up like he would when they were younger. Since his time in St. Andrews he has gotten to know the nurse Carly and started flirting with her daily.
To Harry's concern, Hermione hasn't been feeling well lately. She gets sick everyday and pukes her guts out for a few hours before flopping back in bed with a bowl of oatmeal and a hot pack on her stomach. Kara has been looking after her when Harry isn't home, but she always reports back with the same news. "Her temperature is up and she keeps complaining that she gets cramps."
It was today that Harry, Draco, Ron, and Neville were enjoying a couple beers at the White Hart when Kara came running into the pub panting.
"Babe," Draco acknowledged half-drunk, "what are you doing here?"
Kara ignored her husband and turned to Harry. "Harry, please come quick, Hermione has been rushed to the hospital!"
Harry didn't need telling twice. He immediately dropped his bottle onto the dirt covered ground and ran out into the cold air rushing to the hospital. His friends were yelling after him, but his determination to get to his wife blocked everything out of his ears.
Luckily the hospital wasn't far from where Lanzo's pub was so it didn't take long for Harry to push through the doors and demand to know where Hermione was taken.
The receptionist at the desk stared at Harry with wide, terrified eyes before speaking. "I'm sorry Mr. Potter, but your wife has been rushed into Emergency Care, the doctor requested that no one come see her until they have checked to see what's wrong with her."
Harry slammed his fists on the desk. "I need to see my wife!"
The receptionist fell into the back of her chair at the force of Harry's voice. "I'm sorry Mr. Potter, doctor's orders!"
Harry was about to argue back when Draco seized his shoulders and pulled him back from the frightened woman. "Potter, calm down, Hermione is going to be fine. Do not lose faith!"
Harry tried relaxing his shoulders and breathing evenly, letting Draco push him down onto a chair. Ron, Kara, and Neville sat in the chairs opposite of them waiting patiently for the nurse to come in and give them the news.
They must have been sitting around for about two hours when Carly walked into the room bearing the news of Hermione.
Harry instantly shot up out of his chair when he saw her and waited for her to say something. "You can go see her now," she said softly staring at him with kind eyes.
He rapidly nodded his head and quickly walked to her room. Hermione was lying motionlessly in her hospital bed in a room much like the one Harry stayed in after his attack. She had wires hooked to her body in a couple places hooking her up to a machine that would beep softly every other second.
"'Mione?" he whispered sitting down next to her and taking her cold hand into his.
Hermione's eyes fluttered open and locked themselves on Harry. She just stared at him without making an effort to speak. Harry tried harder.
"What did the doctor say?"
Silence enveloped her, and her eyes twitched over towards the window staring blankly at it.
Harry sighed and couldn't help but let a small tear escape his eyes. Suddenly the door creaked open and in came the crazy eyed doctor. He put his hand on Harry's shoulder and motioned for him to follow.
They walked into the corridor and Harry waited for him to speak. "Mr. Potter, we ran some tests on Hermione and we found out a few things. Would you like to hear the good news or the bad news first?"
Harry thought for a moment before answering, "Get the bad news out of the way."
The doctor sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose before answering. "Mr. Potter, your wife is gravely ill, and by the looks of things has little chance of living much longer unless she is sent to St. Mungo's for treatment."
Instantly Harry's throat tightened up. "What's wrong with her?" he rasped.
"There is something suspicious in her immune system that is unidentifiable and has to be sent to professionals to be looked at. If it makes you feel better there is a small chance that she will survive."
Harry fell into the wall and slid down until he was sitting with his head in between his legs. "Is she going to get worse?"
The doctor sat down next to Harry sympathetically and replied, "I hate to say it, but she will get worse if she isn't put into the correct care soon."
Harry groaned rubbing his eyes. What was he going to do without Hermione? He had the twins to take care of, and he couldn't live without the one thing that made him complete.
"You know," the doctor began catching Harry's attention, "I remember something like this happening a couple years ago to a woman about to give birth to her second child."
Harry furrowed his eyebrows. "Was that woman by a chance Mrs. Jones?"
Taking a moment to think back, the doctor nodded his head. "The very same, luckily she was successful in the pregnancy."
Mrs. Jones, Lanzo's wife, died right after she gave birth to Jaye. Harry didn't want something like that happening to Hermione, he couldn't bare it.
"Sir, what possible good news can come out of this?"
The doctor sighed. "Now that I really think about it, especially after discussing Mrs. Jones with you, maybe you won't find it to be the best news right now."
Harry turned his head to glare at the doctor. "What-is-it?" he seethed.
Shaking under the pressure the doctor forced himself to look at Harry. "Mr. Potter, your wife is pregnant."
So, a lot happened in this chapter. I hope you guys are still loving it, so in order to tell me so please write a review! Thanks -SR7
P.S. If you guys haven't read it yet, you should check out my one-shot Crush. I promise, it won't dissapoint if your looking for a light, fluffy read.
