Chapter Eleven – Hermione's Task
Harry woke the next day, still in the hospital wing. He turned over, looking for Hermione but only found Madame Pomfrey fixing a potion.
"Drink this Mr Potter, then you can go," she said, "But take things easy, you're still weak."
Harry drank the potion and headed down to the Great Hall. There he found Rae, eating breakfast by herself.
"Where's everyone else?" Harry asked her.
"Hey, bro. Hermione already ate and since it's Sunday Ron is still catching his beauty sleep."
Harry chuckled, "How you been?"
"Same old, did you hear I'm gonna be an aunty?"
"Really?" Harry played along for a little while but couldn't hide his excitement, "It's great isn't it?"
Rae grinned, "Sure it is, congratulations," she said hugging him fiercely, "I'm glad you're back. We all missed you, especially Hermione."
"Do you know where she was headed?"
"Dorm, I think. Morning sickness."
***
In the Heads' common room, Harry found Hermione curled up, under a blanket in front of the fire.
"Hey Mi, feeling ok?" he asked sitting next to her and drawing her into his arms.
"I guess, the morning sickness is finally letting up."
"When are you due?"
"31st July."
Harry raised his eyebrows, as Hermione went back to staring at the fire.
"Mione, is there something wrong?"
Hermione looked at Harry with tears in her eyes, "I need to tell you something about our baby."
"I'm all ears," Harry said trying to appear strong for Hermione's sake.
"There's been a new prophecy made – about our baby and-and Voldemort."
"What?"
"The prophecy says you have passed on your blood and the heir of the boy-who-lived must now be the one to vanquish Voldemort. So basically your prophecy is null and void."
"No, that's not fair!" Harry was seething.
"There's another way Harry – I can vanquish him but I'd have to do it while I'm pregnant."
"What? Why? I don't understand. How can you?"
"Well, I'll show you something. Conjure up a snake for me."
Harry did as he was told, albeit confusedly.
Hermione proceeded to speak to the snake then she banished it.
"You – you, how?" Harry was flabbergasted.
"When we conceived, you passed on certain powers to the baby. While I am pregnant I can use those powers – it only happens between very powerful witches and wizards."
"So you can fulfill the prophecy because you're channeling our baby's powers?"
"Yes."
"Will that work?"
"McGonagall says it will. I've been training for a month now."
"Really? Mi, I'm worried for you but I also understand why you want and need to do this. Our baby can't come into this world with a burden like that."
"Thank you for understanding."
"Just one thing. Let me come with you. Voldemort doesn't know of the prophecy I assume?"
"No, only us, Ron, Rae and McGonagall."
"Well I can be a ploy. He'll go after me, leaving you open to get him."
Hermione smiled, "A team effort for the little one?"
"No. A family effort," Harry said, kissing Hermione softly.
Hermione smiled. A family. For the first time it hit her, she and Harry were starting a family.
"So our baby is a parseltongue?" Harry asked, breaking the silence.
"Yep, but you'll also be glad to know it will be a star Quidditch player."
"How do you know?"
"You know how bad I am at flying Harry –,"
"You can fly now?"
"I could beat you now," Hermione challenged.
"Is that so? Ok then, Quidditch pitch tomorrow after classes."
"You're supposed to be taking it easy."
"I'm fine, besides this challenge isn't for another 24 hours – plenty of time between now and the to take it easy."
***
"Ok, guys, I releasing the snitch!" Ron yelled.
Harry and Hermione hovered 30 feet above the ground on their Firebolts. Hermione had borrowed Ron's.
Within 10 seconds Harry's keen eye had spotted the snitch at the other end of the pitch from him and Hermione. He sped towards it with Hermione hot on his tail. They flew side by side towards the snitch at break neck speed. The snitch shot up in the air, they followed. It took a dive, they followed. It did a loop the loop and headed straight for the Gryffindor stands. Harry and Hermione raced, full throttle, at the bleachers, both pulling to a screeching halt with barely any room between them and the stands.
"Wow, you can fly Mione!" Harry said, impressed.
"I know – I can also catch the snitch," Hermione opened her hand to reveal the golden snitch.
Harry's jaw dropped, "Well, you got me – I don't know how, but you got me," he grinned.
***
The snowy days brought Harry's world closer to Christmas. Hermione was still training and Harry was proudly surprised at her skill. He knew she was ready to fight Voldemort, Hermione knew as well, but they were both silently putting it off.
"Mi?" Harry asked, looking up from the homework he was still trying to catch up on.
"Mmm?" Hermione was half asleep on the couch in front of the fire.
"We can't postpone fighting Voldemort much longer. You're going to start looking pregnant soon and if he knows…"
"I know. Let's just enjoy Christmas and Fred and Angelina's wedding and then we'll kick his butt."
Harry smiled, Hermione's attitude had really magnified lately.
***
Christmas Day arrived and saw Harry and Hermione waking up in their room at the Burrow.
Since they were getting married and were pregnant, Molly had decided they needed their own room.
"Happy Christmas Mi," Harry said, kissing her forehead as she stirred into consciousness.
"Mmm," she murmured contentedly, "You too," she reached for her wand and summoned a red and gold wrapped box from her trunk, "i wanted to give you this in private."
Harry took the present and unwrapped it to find two potion vials and a piece of parchment with instructions. He read the heading on the parchment, "How to become an Animagi."
"I've been working on it for a while – I thought it could be yet another means against Voldemort. We'd be unregistered of course."
"You are the smartest witch I know. Here open mine," Harry also summoned a gift box from across the room.
Hermione plucked it out of the air and opened it. It was a muggle teddy bear holding a heart. Hermione immediately hugged it and was enveloped in a cosy warmth. She looked at Harry quizzically.
"I charmed it to omit warm feelings and comfort whenever you hug it. So it actually does what all teddies are supposed to do."
"Thanks Harry, I love it."
***
Harry and Hermione entered the living room to find the entire Weasley family waiting for them.
"Merry Christmas," they chimed and then began handing around presents. There were the usual knitted jumpers from Mrs Weasley and the chocolates and candies from Ron. Once the Weasley's had handed all their presents around and Harry and Hermione had given their gifts to their surrogate family, Ron jumped up and said, "Let's eat!"
Everyone laughed and began standing and heading for the kitchen.
"Wait," Fred said, "Wait a minute. We missed one."
"But who?" Mrs Weasley asked.
"Umm, it's for Hermione," Fred said picking up a long package and handing it to her.
Hermione took the gift and opened the card while everyone else watched eagerly.
"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed after reading the card, "You already got me something!"
"Come on, open it," Harry grinned, ignoring her protests. She obeyed and ripped the wrapping away to reveal a Firbolt:Blur.
"Wicked," Ron said. Even though he had one, he was still in awe of the broom.
"Harry, what am I going to do with this?" Hermione asked quietly.
"Fly it," Harry smirked.
"I can't fly! I'm only borrowing our baby's ability."
"Rubbish! You had it in you the whole time, you just needed someone to show you that you're capable – and our baby did that."
Hermione smiled, "Well thank you and I guess we'll just have to wait until the baby's born to find out if I can still fly."
***
After breakfast, everyone went their separate ways to get ready for Fred and Angelina's wedding.
Hermione's dress was a simple, cocktail length dress of the deepest red. Harry's robes were black silk with red trimming to match Hermione.
"You look beautiful," Harry said, "Ready to go?"
Hermione nodded.
***
At the church, everyone was talking in an excited buzz. The pews were decorated with roses that faded from blue to red to yellow and back to blue. No doubt a Fred and George trick.
Fred came out of the side room with his groomsmen, Ron and George, in tow. Harry and Hermione sat, along with the rest of the crowd, just as the music started up.
Everyone turned to watch the bridesmaids walk down the aisle. First there was Angelina's sister, Renae, and then Ginny. Both were dressed in rosy pink gowns. They reached the altar and stood opposite the boys. Then the music changed and Angelina began walking down the aisle.
The ceremony was short and sweet, and after the I do's everyone crowded outside the church to congratulate the newlyweds.
"Wow! Angelina, you look amazing," Hermione gushed, "You'll have to give me some tips on maternal wedding dresses."
Angelina laughed, "Ok. It's not long now," she rubbed her belly for emphasis. She only had three months to go before the baby was born.
"Hey, Mi, Rae just turned up. I'm gonna go say hi. Congratulations Angelina," Harry said before disappearing into the crowd.
"Rae!" Harry said loud enough to catch the girl's attention.
"Oh hi Harry, Merry Christmas," Rae gave him a hug.
"You too, where were you? You missed presents at the Burrow."
"I went back to Paris. To my mother's grave and the orphanage. I guess I wanted to do what I always do at Christmas. Even if it was only for a few hours."
"Well your present from me and Hermione is at Grimmauld Place under the care of Dobby – a friend of mine."
Rae gave him a questioning look, so Harry pulled out a photo from his pocket. Rae looked at the photo to see a shaggy, black puppy wagging its tail and bounding around happily.
Rae smiled, "You bought me a puppy?"
Harry nodded, they both looked back at the photo. The puppy had moved so its name tag was visible.
"Paddy?" Rae said, reading the black lettering on the gold tag around the puppies neck.
"Sirius's nickname was Padfoot because his Animagus form was a black dog."
"Thanks Harry, he's gorgeous."
