Chapter Twenty-Six
Bed Times Ahead

Beauxbatons

Madame Maxime sat down in her office chair with a sigh. It had been a long stressful day so far: she had been enjoying her dinner when one of the teachers ran up to her to bring her to the school grounds. There she found a stunned unfamiliar man being guarded by two other teachers, and was told the three students she began dubbing the 'Troublesome Trio' in her thoughts, Fleur Delacour; Hermione Farmer... no, Granger; and Harry Potter; had all been taken to the Hospital Wing, Fleur apparently being injured.

She had ordered the attacker being brought to the administration building out of sight of the students, then had just made her way back to her office herself, when someone flood her. It had been Jean Delacour. Madame Maxime gave him no chance to speak and immediately begged him to come arrest the attacker, and keep it out of the public eye... reluctantly Jean had agreed.

In the confusion, he would not realise he had forgotten to inform Harry and Hermione about Sirius and Emma until much later.

Madame Maxime was roused from her thoughts when a House Elf popped up in her office.

"Mistress Heads? The rooms for Miss Fireballs is being ready," it said.

Madame Maxime had to wrap her head around the speech pattern for a bit, then she realised the Elf meant Fleur Delacour.
"Thank you... Pippy, was it?" she asked the Elf, who nodded. "Please go to the Hospital Wing and take them there. I am too tired to do it myself now."

"Pippy will do Mistress Heads," the Elf said as it bowed, and it popped away.

–-

Fleur had transfigured a loose sheet into a makeshift shirt and had – somewhat reluctantly – covered up. The Medi-witch had cleared Fleur to leave, once she knew where to. Fleur now sat on her hospital bed, her long legs hanging over the side, with both Harry and Hermione sitting in chairs next to her. None of the three were talking at the moment, all were somewhat tired.

A House Elf appeared. "Miss Fireballs? Yous room is being ready," it said.

Fleur suppressed a snort at her address, and said: "thank you Elf." She gently got off the bed, and took Harry's right hand.
"Harry? We can leave now," she roused him from half slumber. Hermione glared at Fleur for taking Harry's hand, grabbed onto his left one, and Harry had no choice but to get up as well. With an incline of the head to the Medi-witch who watched on amused, the trio left the Hospital Wing after the Elf.

It lead them to the student dorms, but instead of going into the main corridor that lead to the boys' and girls' wings, it instructed them off to a smaller corridor on the right.

"This is being where Head Girls and Head Boys rooms are," it told them. "Yous room is this," it opened one on the left-hand side, and the Trio stepped in.
"Will you needs anything from Pippy?" the Elf asked.

"Elf, please take our possessions from our dorms and bring it here," Fleur told it. The Elf popped away, and Fleur took in the room. It was a small area that held a comfortable couch and a desk obviously meant for homework, with two doors leading off. Fleur guessed they led to a bathroom and bedroom.

"You can let go of my hand now," Harry interrupted her. He sounded a little curt.

"Oh, apologies my mate," Fleur gently squeezed his hand then let go.

"Why is this room empty? Isn't the Head Girl using it?" Hermione asked, as she too, let go of Harry.

"Oh, this is only used if there are two Head Girls," Fleur answered her as she walked further into the room. "This year we have one Head Girl and one Head Boy, last year we had two Head Boys. The position goes to the top two students regardless of gender you see," she informed Hermione. Then she opened one of the two doors.

Inside was a single large bed, but smaller beds were placed against the wall, one of them even hid behind a screen. Fleur looked back into the larger room and saw Hermione and Harry were talking softly, not paying attention. She stepped inside, took out her wand, and whispered: "Evanesco".

The Vanishing Spell was one she had learned last year, and she was very skilled at it. Her colourless spell hit the first smaller bed and disappeared it into nothingness, then she repeated it with the second smaller bed, and the screen. As she slipped her wand back into her sleeve, there was no indication the room had ever held more than the single bed it had now.

Meanwhile Hermione and Harry were chatting softly. They didn't even notice the small House Elf pop back in, depositing three trunks in the room, and leaving.

"What exactly did you and Fleur agree to in exchange for your Life Debt being cancelled?" Harry asked.

"She thinks she is so clever, but I pulled one over on her," Hermione replied, a gleam in her eyes. "All she asked for was that I do not get in her way if she goes after you... and in exchange, she will not interfere between you and I," she clarified to Harry.
"But nothing says you have to agree to her demands when the time comes. So there's no need to worry Harry, you can forget all about the deal." Hermione smiled at him.

Harry was about to ask what the whole child comment was on, when Fleur stepped back in the larger room.

"Hermione, do you prefer to sleep on the left hand side, or on the right?" she asked.

"Left, but why?" Hermione answered her, looking up at the Veela.

"Well Harry of course takes the middle, and I have no preference," Fleur said. "We should retire I think, there will be classes – and questions – tomorrow. Are you two coming?"

"The middle? What?" Harry got to his feet, and moved to the bedroom. Hermione was on his heels.

"Where... where are the other beds?" Harry squeaked. Fleur caught Hermione's eye, and indicated her head back to the larger room.

Catching the hint, Hermione gently padded Harry's back. "We're going to check the other room Harry, you wait here okay?" she asked, and got a distracted nod in reply.

She rushed out after Fleur, and rounded on her: "Okay, what did you do?" she demanded.

"Calm down little girl," Fleur bit back. "Don't pretend you don't want to sleep in the same bed as Harry?"

"Well... I..." Hermione blushed. "But just sleeping! Not... that!" she protested.

Fleur let out a soft laugh, "of course... well, I want to, as well. All we need to do is convince my mate... are we together on this?" she asked her.

"My boyfriend, not your mate," Hermione grumbled. "And okay... but no funny business understood?"

"Worry not little girl, I am perfectly content just sleeping," Fleur said. 'For now,' she mentally added.

The two girls stepped back inside and found Harry still standing in front of the bed. "Did you find another bed in the other room?" he asked them.

"Afraid not," Hermione said. Her blush intensified and she shifted her gaze to the floor as she continued, "We should get to bed I think... you go in first, Harry."

"What? I can't sleep in here with you!" Harry protested. "I'll... I'll sleep on the couch in the other room!"

"Nonsense, you will sleep here with us. I will not take no for an answer, understood?" Fleur chided him.

"Err... but..." Harry was flustered still.

"This is taking too long," Fleur stated. She trained her wand on Harry, and said: "Discincto." Before he could even react to her spell, his clothes started flying off his body, leaving him only clad in his boxers.

"Get to bed Harry," Fleur ordered him. Harry 'eeped', and jumped on the bed, then pulled the covers over himself.
"See, that was not so hard was it?" the corners of Fleur's mouth rose as she suppressed a laugh. Then she took off the transfigured shirt she still had been wearing, in full view of Harry and Hermione.

"Fleur! Have you no modesty?" Hermione protested as Fleur's upper chest was once again revealed.

Fleur looked surprised at her, "Why should I, around my mate? Besides, he has seen them several times before and Harry doesn't mind, do you Harry?" the last was cast in an aside to the flustered young man.

"That's... that's not the point!" Hermione protested again, then she saw Fleur was wriggling her skirt down her legs, leaving her clad only in knickers: "Fleur!"

"Stop complaining Hermione, I always sleep this way," Fleur answered, rolling her eyes. "Well? Are you coming to bed with us?" she lifted the right hand side of the duvet, and stepped onto the bed.

"I... I..." Hermione stammered, looking at the two others.

"It's all right Hermione, it's just sleeping and we can do something about this tomorrow," Harry said after he found his voice again.

'That bitch is not going to beat me this easily,' Hermione thought as she glared at Fleur. Then wordlessly she stripped down to bra and knickers, and while her blush deepened, removed her bra and got in the bed as well.

"Good... goodnight Harry," she said in a soft voice, rolling on her side so her back was facing him.

"Good night Harry," Fleur said in a seductive voice to Harry's right. She snapped her fingers and the lights went out. She was still lying on her back.

"Night Hermione, Fleur," Harry croaked out. 'They're going to kill me, how can I possibly get any sleep like this?' he thought, as he tried to remain perfectly still, not daring to move an inch either left or right as he listened to the breath of the two girls.

–-

London, England. Office of the RCM.

Royal Court Magician Amelia Bones reflected on her day. The campaign to secure Magical Britain was nearly over: with the exception of Hogwarts, all major sites were now under her control. An estimated 80% of Ministry Personnel had been detained, as well as nearly all the Aurors: she had personally visited many of them and with only a few exceptions, they chose to follow their former Department Head over the absent orders of ex-Minister Fudge.

Unfortunately Fudge had managed to escape to Hogwarts, on the plus side this meant both primary targets were now place. On the negative side, she had made a tactical error in not securing the school earlier, meaning Dumbledore and Fudge now were hiding behind the future elite of Britain, including her own niece, Susan. In hind-sight she should have gotten at least her out of school first, but things had gone much faster than she could control.

She looked over a report from the Queen's Guard. One of the guardsmen, a private Varnell, had shot and killed Crabbe senior in a foiled attack on the Queen herself. And apparently none other than Lucius Malfoy had been wounded and captured... she foresaw a meeting with Her Majesty the next day. Things did not look good for Malfoy. Treason was still a capital crime after all... and while the Queen may have mentioned – in private – that she would not demand the highest penalties for all Wizengamot members as long as they asked forgiveness, she doubted Malfoy could be saved. And that thought was not exactly unpleasant.

–-

French Ministry of Magic, the next morning

Sirius was alerted back to awareness when he heard footsteps coming down the cell block corridor.

"Jean! How is Emma? Can I go yet?" he blurted out when he saw the man who was the closest to a friend he had in France.

"Emma is expected to wake up today Sirius," Jean said. "May I enter?"

Sirius let out a bitter laugh, "It's your gaol isn't it?"

Jean took that as assent, and the Auror with him opened the door. Jean stepped inside. "Sirius, I have pulled some strings, and got you a closed trial today," he started.

"Trial? What for? All I did was take care of a murdering scumbag!" the animagus protested as he jumped up.

"Sit down and be calm!" Jean bellowed. Cowed, Sirius sat back down.
"I understand your actions Sirius, really I do," Jean said in a softer voice. "But in this, my hands are tied. You did use an Unforgivable curse, and Mister Snape is dead – it does not matter if you think he deserved it or not."

"So... I... I am going to get stuffed in another cell? Is that it?" Sirius said in a small voice.

"Not if I can help it," Jean said in an equally soft tone. "I would like to act as your advocate in this Sirius, if you'll let me. With all the facts I have, I am certain I can get you out. But you'll need to listen to me and follow my lead."

"That's the best offer I'm going to get I think," Sirius said after a pause. "Very well Jean... I'll do as you say."

"Bon," Jean let out a sigh of relief. "Try and rest some more. They'll come for you in an hour and bring you to the court room. Remember to keep your calm and let me do the talking, and all should go well."

–-

Sainte Pétronille's Hospital, Paris

"Emma? Emma, wake up please," Remus said in a gentle voice. He stood next to Emma Granger's hospital bed, having spent the night at the hospital. Apolline Delacour had had to leave to take care of her youngest, but she would be coming back some time this morning.

Emma stirred, and opened her eyes. "Sirius?" she asked first.

Remus winced, "he's not here. How are you feeling Emma?"

"It doesn't hurt any longer," Emma answered. "Remus, what happened? Where is Sirius? Where are the kids?"

"The kids are still at school, we haven't had a chance to inform them yet... yesterday was a horrible day," Remus started. "As for what happened... you were attacked by Snape," he spat out the word as if it was a curse, "and he tortured you with the Cruciatus. The Healers had to put you in a magical coma for most of the day since most Healing Potions don't work as well on Muggles otherwise."

"I had to be put in a coma? What exactly happened to me? And what happened to Snape? And where is Sirius?" Emma asked, showing where Hermione's rambling questioning came form.

"You... you were bleeding internally," Remus said. "As for Snape... Sirius killed him. That's why he's not here... he's been arrested."

"Killed..." Emma trailed off. "Good," she said in a firm voice a moment later. "That scumbag was there when Dan... when Dan was killed, I recognise his voice."
She stared defiantly at Remus, daring him to object, but Remus just nodded sadly.
Then Emma's eyes widened a bit, "you said I was bleeding internally? How did that happen? I read Hermione's books you see, and they say the Cruciatus only causes immense pain."

"You... err..." Remus looked away, wishing for an escape.

"Tell me Remus, now," Emma demanded.

"I really shouldn't... here, let me call over a Healer," Remus protested, and made to stand up.

"Remus John Lupin, if you do not tell me now, I swear I will get out of this bed and take it out of your hide," Emma fumed.

"Oh Merlin," Remus sat back down, and dared not meet her eyes as he spoke up: "the Cruciatus causes uncontrolled muscle movement and internal cramping. You... you lost your baby," he said in an almost inaudible voice.

What he was not expecting, was a nearly hysterical laugh. "Baby? Impossible, Dan had a vasectomy," Emma protested. "I'd have know if I were pregnant, stop making up lies and tell me what really happened!"

"It was not Dan you were shagging, it was Sirius!" Remus yelled back. "Neither of you used any protection, and you were carrying his child!"

"Sirius? Child?" Emma paled as realisation set in... "Oh god no oh god oh god oh god..." she trailed off, as she began rocking back and forth.

A Healer burst in, "What's all the commotion here?" He saw Emma, and Remus standing next to her, a guilty look on his face. "You there, out of this room!" he barked at Remus.

Two nurses rushed past him, casting a diagnostic spell on Emma.

"I didn't mean to," Remus protested.

"Out, or I'll have security remove you!" the Healer said once more, stepping between Remus and Emma. Remus drooped his head, and left the room, leaving the nurses to try to calm the Muggle woman.

A/N: Apologies for it being late, short, and over-all unsatisfying. I had a big family meet over the weekend, and on top of that this chapter just wouldn't let itself be written.

Thanks to my reviewers, Mr Norrell in particular, for giving me some story ideas and getting anything written at all this week!
I'll try to get the rest (and a proper chapter) out soon. I also have no idea what to use for a chapter title, the one I had planned doesn't fit this part. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. /Edit: went with a pun. Thx for the two of you that had suggestions :)

On a more positive note, this story got second place in the Harry/Hermione category at the non-Canon awards :)