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They stood side by side staring at the double doors. There were medi-witches trying to tend to their wounds, but they just stood still. A million questions running through their minds, a million emotions crashing at their hearts, but all they felt was numb.
They didn't know when they had been surrounded by their families and friends only that at some point they had been. Now they were sat in chairs watching those damned doors and cursing the people that so easily walked in and out of them and said nothing to them.
After an hour and a half a medi-wizard came out and called for 'a Mister and Misses Weasley'. The whole family approached him and waited for the news. Ginny was fine. The hexes and curses caused little to no damage to her and most of her wounds were from a physical beating. She was healed and heading to recovery.
The doctor handed the necklace that protected her back to Molly assuming it was a family heirloom. Bill burst into tears when he saw it. He turned at sat by Hermione apologizing over and over again. He hadn't even noticed Fleur until they were at the gates and before he could stop her she ran forward with Remus and Tonks. Severus walked over to them and cast a muffilato before Bill could say something he shouldn't.
"You must calm down. The both of you." He told them. "She is pregnant and was bitten by Greyback. The ministry will be here shortly to investigate."
Hermione nodded her head but didn't say a word. She kept her eyes focused on the double doors leading to the operation rooms. She could smell Fleur, but it was faint and it scared her. Bill nodded as well and apologized one last time before walking away.
The others watched as Severus knelt in front of Hermione. It was the only time she removed her eyes from the doors. He told her something that had her letting out a huge burst of raw magic. Severus gripped her hand and begged her for a while before she nodded again. He reached into his robes and presented her with a potion that she downed without question. He vanished the vial and removed the spell.
Not long after that several aurors and a ministry official showed up. The aurors were there to take statements. Tonks relaxed when she saw who had shown up to take their statements. She waited for the ministry official to walk off with Harry, Ron, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley before pulling the aside. She talked with them and they nodded, pulling out a charmed pin they waited until it finished writing before apparating away.
The hours ticked by and no one made a move to leave. The Weasley's stayed with Bill for moral support while he and the others stayed to comfort Hermione. Severus had given her a strong calming draught, but so far it looked like it had no effect on her. Severus sat on her left and took her hand, a move that shocked most of the Weasley's and Harry. Remus and Tonks sat on the other side of her as well as Bill.
Finally another medi-witch walked out and called for Bill. The four sitting around Hermione tensed before Bill got up and walked over to the man. He had signaled for Hermione to come with him but she declined. The Ministry official still there and she saw his interest peak when Bill was called. Hermione relaxed a bit and focused on the two men talking. She let out a sigh of relief when the first thing he said was that the baby and Fleur were fine. His next words shattered that relief.
"As you know Mister Weasley your wife is of creature decent and she was bitten by a werewolf during the fight. I am sorry but I had no choice but to floo the ministry and let them know. They will send an official to give you your options." With that he bowed out and walked back behind the doors.
Bill stood stunned. He turned to look at Hermione and could tell she had heard. He could see her fighting to hold back. When she caught his eye he tried to convey to her that he would do everything in power to protect Fleur and their child.
"Mister Weasley." The ministry man called to him. His voice was cold and emotionless. The mere sound of it told them Bill's 'options' weren't many and all were bad.
"Yes."
"I'm with the Ministry. I was sent to give you your option given the situation we find ourselves in."
"You are not in any situation. My family is. Now if you don't mind I am waiting to be able to see my wife. You can be on your way."
"I'm sorry sir but it isn't that easy."
"Yes it is. All you have to do is turn around and walk through one of the fireplaces beyond that door."
"Now Mr. Weasley I know you are in a state, but I am here to help you make the best decision for your family and the wizarding community at large."
Severus and Tonks clamped down on the two werewolves between them. They could feel the air crackling with raw magic.
"I know what is best!" Bill shouted at the man. "Fleur is fine! The baby is fine! That is all I need to know!"
The crowd of red heads gasped at his words.
"Now sir nothing is fine. Your wife is of creature decent and she was bitten by the most aggressive werewolf in Europe. Surly you see that her having this child is a disaster waiting to happen!"
A loud crunch preceded the man falling to the floor, his nose gushing blood. Bill stood over him with his fist still clutched. Hermione and Remus stood on either side of him.
"You will leave now."
The man looked up at the tree standing over him. He rose to his feet and headed for the door. When he reached it however he turned back to them.
"I am sorry but this is meeting was only a formality. The decision has been made." With that he left them.
Tonks rushed to the double doors with her wand out. Hermione, Bill, and Remus behind her while Severus warded only other entry door. Tonks pulled out her wand and held it to the handle.
"Auror Nymphadora Tonks" she spoke clearly. The doors swung open. Tonks turned to Hermione. "Take her somewhere safe" she told Hermione. The witch nodded and walked through the doors to gather Fleur. Severus heard her voice echo through his head as she walked away. He grabbed Bill and the two apparated.
Medi-witches tried to stop Hermione but she would have none of it. They soon found themselves bound or frozen in place. She followed Fleur's scent down the maze of halls. The room she was in was locked and warded lightly. It took no time for Hermione to break through them. It was at that point that she had noticed she didn't have a wand. She vaguely remembered dropping it in the manor. In the room she found Fleur and tray with a dozen different potions. She recognized some as blood and healing potions so she pocketed them all.
On the bed was Fleur. She was still very pale but Hermione could see the wound where Greyback had bitten her was closing on its own. She smiled at the veela healing itself. Hermione rested her hand above the wound and focused all of her energy on healing her mate. She felt the flesh stich itself together under her palm.
Fleur took a deep breath but otherwise stayed motionless. Hermione gently gathered the girl in her arms and focused her mind on the place she had sent to Severus. When nothing happened she began to panic. As she did a soothing calm from deep within her called to her. Closing her eyes she felt Damon climb to consciousness. She felt the smooth transition into her new body and she thanked Merlin for being whatever she is. Once again focusing on the small house in mind she tried Apparating again. As she felt the tug of her body being pulled her mind registered a faint scream before a pop filled her ears.
Opening her eyes she found herself in Fleur's room at Shell Cottage. She laid the veela in her bed and covered her as Severus and Bill rushed in to the room.
"What now?" Bill asked them.
Hermione removed the vials from her pockets and handed them to Severus to examine. She grabbed Bill and pulled him from the room.
"I need to speak with Apolline."
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"Are you sure Kinsley?"
"I saw her body myself Albus. The poor woman was tortured before they killed her. Poor Emmeline."
"Kingsley do you have any contacts in Australia?" Dumbledore asked with urgency in his voice.
"A few distant relatives. Why?"
"I need their help in finding and securing two people."
"Who?" Kingsley asked try to remember if there was anyone of importance in the country.
"Mr. and Mrs. Granger" Dumbledore said. "They will be living under the names of Wendell and Monica Wilkins"
Kingsley's eyes widened and he promised to contact them immediately. With that he left Grimmauld place. He had stopped by to inform Dumbledore of the report made about Malfoy Manor and the latest casualty from the Order.
Dumbledore began running through ideas in his mind. The Grangers were muggles and couldn't fight in the war, but they were Hermione's parents and the Order needed her. Especially now given her new power.
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Severus dropped the vial in his hand and drew his wand. He began waving it frantically over Fleur's body muttering in Latin as he did so. 'Those bastards' he thought to himself 'those slimy disgusting bastards'. He let out a sigh when he found no trace of the potion in her system.
Picking up the vial he walked over to the bathroom and dumped its contents down the drain and vanished the vial itself. He went back to the room and carefully went over each potion again, running test to make sure none were laced with anything that would harm the baby or its mother. Once he was sure they were safe he administered two of the blood replenishing potions and one healing potion. He walked out of the room as Hermione was making her way back towards it.
"They are both fine" Severus told her. He watched the tension melt from her body at his words. "How are you doing?"
"Tired, but fine other than that."
Severus looked over her body and saw most of the wounds she had suffered during the battle were long gone.
"So what's the plan?" He asked her.
"I've spoken with her mother. I need to find a way to get her out of the country."
"I know a daft old fool who could help."
"Hey guys," Bill said coming up the stairs, "I'm going back to headquarters to check on Ginny and mum and dad."
"I'll come with you" Severus said, but Bill waved him off.
"No you need to stay her and watch them two."
"They're going to question you. You know that" Hermione told him.
"I can handle them, don't worry about that."
"You're going to have to tell them" Severus said to him.
"Are you sure you're alright with me telling them?" Bill asked Hermione. She nodded.
"And the baby?"
"It's mine."
"But you want me to tell them that. Won't they have questions about how? I mean I still have questions about how." He said looking for an out. He really didn't want to tell everyone about them.
"I'm sure Albus is there, he'll help you break the news to them" Severus told him and walked past them and down the stairs.
Bill looked to Hermione again, his uncertainty written across his face. She smiled at him and pulled him into a hug.
"Thank you" she whispered to him.
Bill wrapped his arms around her and held her close. "You're like another sister to me and you're my best friends mate. It was my duty to help you. Besides," he said pulling out of the hug, "if you had gotten a hold of that bloke you would've killed him."
The two laughed at that and hugged once more before Bill walked back downstairs to leave. Hermione turned and walked back down the hall to Fleur.
When she walked in the room the lights were dimmed. Fleur had a bit more color to her but it was nowhere near the healthy tan she once carried. Hermione brushed some of her hair out of her face and placed a soft kiss of the lips and then placed one on her plump belly. She whispered an 'I love you' to them both and settled down in a chair for the night.
