Disclaimer : I don't own anything at all. If I did, I wouldn't be writing fanfics.
A/N : Thanks to my reviewers! I loved all your suggestions, but I have made my decision : I have not ONE but TWO winners!
First winner is : Earthsong05. She (I'm assuming you are a girl) made a good suggestion for the continuity of the fic. So you are entitled to a oneshot of your choice.
Second winner is : MoonNightLover. She suggested the name for the child. So you also are entitled to a oneshot.
Both winners : Please PM me your choice of pairing, plot and I will get that done for your asap. XD
Chapter 24 : Werewolf Law Amendment Requirement!
It was now the end of October. After a failed marriage that happened over a month ago, Hermione discovered that the Ministry had been looking for in depth information about this soon-to-be marriage between a werewolf and a muggle-born. They wanted to find a way to prevent this marriage by any means necessary. Eventually, they found the leak : the medi-witch that took care of Hermione had to spill the story. She was threatened to lose her job. Hermione understood and had visited Remus to explain to him. He was angry and growing tired and weary. But Hermione knew she mustn't lose faith. The Ministry had tried to make her give up on her child, but she was too far into the process. It would have been life-threatening to her life, and it would have made the headlines of the Daily Prophet. Rita Skeeter would have jumped onto the story. So they tried to keep it as quiet as possible.
Hermione worked alongside Kingsley in the Department of Regulations and Controls of Magical Creatures. Her internship was almost annulled due to her pregnancy but Kingsley appealed for her. She was able to remain by his side and continue her internship. He was her mentor and instructor.
She fought hard for the liberation of her fiancé, but especially to amend the laws for Werewolves. She tried to prove numerous times that her child would never become a fully pledged werewolf. But the Ministry would not listen. They refused each and every time her demands. The fought was hard and taking a toll on her. She was four months pregnant after all. But she continued to fight. She wanted her love to be around when their child was born. But it was a long hard fight.
--
Another hearing was scheduled on this day of the 22nd of November. Now a few weeks into her fifth month of pregnancy.
"Miss Granger, you are here to present your case to amend the law of procreation for Werewolves?" The Minister asked. She simply nodded. "How many times have we refused it?"
"Three times, Sir…" She spoke softly.
"Then why can't you understand it?" The Minister asked frustrated.
"Because I want to know what will make you change your mind?" She asked sincerely.
"Miss Granger…." He paused and was growing angry. "There is no way that we will amend the law! Is it clear? Those creatures have…" But before he could continue, Hermione roared in anger.
"Those creatures are still humans. Yes, every month they turn into monsters but they do still have feelings and hearts. And if you had one, you would understand!" She snapped.
"Miss Granger, we are very tolerant of you being an intern. But I would ask you to refrain of talking back at me! I am your Superior and you shall respect me! Now leave! We have better things to discuss!" He yelled.
Hermione walked out the room fuming in anger. But especially she walked out feeling dizzy and crying. The more she fought, the more she thought that Remus would never be there to see their child come into this world. She ran to her office and locked herself in. She cried, and cried, and cried. She could feel her child stir in her belly. She rubbed it fondly, but the tears wouldn't stop from running down her cheeks. This was getting too difficult to bear.
--
Two weeks later, the same amendment was being treated in front of the Ministry, but this time she wasn't attending. Only Kingsley was to appear in front of the Ministers. Hermione fought back her tears but it was too difficult. She was a month and a half away from giving birth to their son. She had been in her office during the meeting, crying, until she heard a soft knock on her door.
"Just a minute!" She called out as she wiped the tears off her face. She tried to make herself as presentable as possible. "Yes?"
The door opened to reveal Kingsley. He smiled softly at her to which she responded equally. He noticed the red eyes but carefully chose not to talk about it.
"Hermione, I have some good and bad news!" He began softly with his low, deep voice. She nodded. "During the meeting today, I talked to the Ministers about the procreation law for werewolves. Of course, they began to counter argue and cited their decision they told you. I asked them to seriously consider this. The friend of Harry Potter being disregarded would not be well seen in the Wizarding world. Of course, they tried to counter argue stating that they offered you a marriage." He paused and she simply nodded in confirmation that she was listening. "They will amend the law…" Her face lit up in bright hopes. "But only on one condition…." She frowned.
"What is this condition?"
"When your child is born and shows no sign of transformation, then they will judge you told the truth and amend the law…" He paused and continued. "And then, Remus will be freed."
Hermione sat and stared at her desk blankly. Remus would not be there. The fear that she had since his imprisonment was coming to life. She did not know what to do. She wanted him by her side for the birth of their son but he wouldn't be able to. After a few snaps, Hermione lift her head to the man who had been trying to get her attention.
"Hermione?!" He asked firmly. She nodded. "I think you should go to Remus and talk to him…" She nodded and got up.
Without a word she walked out of her office and went straight to Azkaban. She didn't notice that Kingsley had followed her, at first. He was by her side, she knew that much, but she felt so lost and cold. As she arrived in front of Remus's cell, she fell her stomach tighten. She walked into the cold stoned room and saw a ragged looking Remus.
"Remus?" She asked softly. He turned his face to her. His eyes were surrounded with dark circles, his hair was looking awful, his skin was dry and he was extremely thin. As she looked at him, she fell down to her knees and began to cry. Her whole body was shaking.
Remus looked at her and fell to the ground holding her tightly with the mere force he had left. "Love, I need you to be strong! Everything is going to be alright…. Please… Smile!" His voice was so sad, so pitiful.
"Remus, you can't come out of here before the baby's birth." She cried out into his shoulder. "You won't be there with me…."
"What do you mean?" He asked softly. Hermione was crying too hard to talk. She was losing control of herself.
"They won't amend the law until Hermione gives birth. They have to wait until the first full moon to see if your child will transform. If it won't then the law will be amended, and you will be free!" Kingsley explained. He watched the couple who had nothing but love for each other. Yet there they were, fighting a battle that was taking a toll on both of them.
Remus pulled Hermione away from him to look into those chocolate eyes he loved so much. Those eyes were the only memory he held onto. Seeing them wet made him lose hope and he didn't want to. He knew he would get out. He had faith in Hermione. She was smart and beautiful. She would appeal to the Ministry, he knew it.
"Hermione, my love… Listen to me." Hermione looked at him as tears traveled down her cheeks. "I need you to be strong. Give birth to our son. Help him through the first full moon. And I will be here, waiting patiently until you come back to me with that child in your arms. Promise me you will continue to fight!" He said firmly. She nodded. "Say it!" He insisted.
"I promise! I will prove to them that you, our son and all werewolves are no threat! And I will get you out of here!" She said through tears but with a determined look.
"That's my girl! That's who I want to marry when I get out of this cold and dreadful place!" He winked at her before kissing her softly.
Hermione responded to his kiss, and then broke it. She walked out of the place followed by Kingsley, until he heard : "Please protect her…" Remus said.
"I will, Remus… I will." That was Kingsley's simple answer.
He escorted Hermione back to Grimmauld Place where, without a word to anyone, she walked up to her room. Harry left Luna's side and was about to run up to his best friend when Kingsley grabbed him by the arm. He shook his head but Harry glared at him.
"Let her be…. She needs some time alone."
"I want to talk to her!" Harry yelled.
"In time… First, let me explain the new situation, then you may proceed to talking to her, if you must." Kingsley spoke softly but clearly. Harry nodded his head and took a seat.
Kingsley began to explain to the members present what had happened at the Ministry.
A/N : So there you go! Only 6 chapters left XD LOL. I am kinda sad that it's almost over ….. lol