Hermione was well enough to receive visitors the next day and everyone came. They were only allowed back in her room three at a time. Severus stood at the door with his wand insisting on a rather harsh scourgify to anyone who came in, including the hospital staff. Ginny, Harry and Ron were the first. They all cooed and sighed at the new princess of Hogwarts in Hermione's arms. Ginny was allowed to hold her after Hermione told Severus to lighten up. He looked like he wanted to have the witch completely disinfected first, but gave in.
He had already refused to let the dunderheads take a turn, for fear of them dropping the helpless infant. "He's a wee bit overprotective, isn't he?" Ronald commented.
Hermione rolled her eyes and laughed. "You have no idea. He looked at me this morning like he wasn't going to give her back after her bath."
Hugs and congratulations being done they moved on to the next group, George, Nevil and Luna, with very much the same results. Last came Arthur, Minerva, and Molly. The family thought perhaps seeing the baby would get a reaction from the woman who was now almost a zombie. Arthur had her by the arm and led her to the seat next to Hermione. Arthur then went to Minerva holding the child in her arms. "Oh Hermione, she's so beautiful. I can't wait to see what a wonderful witch she will be." Arthur nodded in agreement and smiled, almost as proud as Beth's grandfather might have been.
Beth was done being manhandled and began an angry cry. A voice from the corner spoke softly. "There now little one, no need for that." They all gaped in amazement as Molly crossed the room and took Beth from Minerva's arms and returned to her chair. "Shush, shush now." Molly began to gently rock the infant and hum a lullaby. "…Baby mine, close your eyes. Rest your head close to my heart, never to part, baby of mine... Sleep my darling Grace. The world is full of wonders, and you must grow strong and wise." Molly sat in the chair and continued to hum. Arthur went and kneeled next to Molly, putting his arm around her shoulders. "Look Arthur, isn't Grace the most beautiful baby ever? With all that red hair she looks just like you."
Arthur had tears in his eyes and it was difficult for him to speak. "Yes my love. Our baby girl was so beautiful." He kissed her gently on the cheek. "I'll be right back dearest." He stood and leaned against the wall trying to collect himself as Molly continued to hum. Severus, Hermione and Minerva were in a state of shock waiting for Arthur to explain. He looked at his beloved wife of so many years holding a sleeping infant that wasn't hers. This was the first sign of consciousness his wife had shown in almost three months. He knew that to contradict her would cause a complete collapse.
Arthur looked helplessly at the others in the room knowing he owed them an explanation. Severus was wound tight as a spring, staring at Molly with cold intent. He would wrest his daughter from her forcibly if necessary. Arthur held his forearm. "I promise you, she won't hurt Beth in any way."
"No, she won't" was Severus' cold reply. He wanted Arthur to know who his priority was.
"Please. Just let me explain." There were tears on Arthur's cheeks as he pleaded with them. "When we… Molly was only just pregnant when we were married. It was a blessing to us both and we were so happy to be a family when Grace was born. She was a beautiful little girl and I would have given my life for her. It was the early days of the first war with Voldemort. I was a member of the Order even then, but we had both decided that Molly would stay out of it at home, given what happened to her brothers and even though the cause was something she truly believed in."
He was reliving the moment as if it were only yesterday. "I was at a meeting you see, when it happened. They came for me, four of them. They couldn't get through the wards we had set up, but their frustration could strike at the apartment building we were in." Arthur looked back at Molly forlornly. "A wall collapsed, and they were both buried under it. When I arrived with the aurors it was too late. Molly was seriously hurt, but Grace… Grace didn't survive." Arthur covered his eyes and broke down. His sobs taking their attention as they tried to comfort him.
Hermione and Minerva had tears in their eyes, and Minerva went to Arthur and held him as he wept. She tried to give him some of her strength from a life of deep loss herself. Severus was thinking of how he would feel if he lost Beth that way. He dropped his head and closed his eyes in pain, approaching Molly carefully. Severus had delt with one very delusional wizard for a very long time and knew that in the state Molly was in, she was unpredictable and a threat to his family. He would not be at ease until his child was back in his arms to protect.
"Molly?" The woman looked at Severus and smiled. "She's a beautiful baby Molly. Can I hold her?"
Molly looked down at the child and frowned, unwilling to give her up. "No, No, I'm sorry. She needs her bath and then to bed. She has a lot of growing to do. Grace will be a remarkable witch. I'm going to teach her all about her family and we will cook meals for Arthur and work in the garden. I have some lovely frilly dresses for her to go visiting in. She's going to be so smart and kind and beautiful." Molly was away in a different world, humming again, imagining her child's future. She held onto Beth and rocked her, kissing her head.
Severus was frightened and nearly growling as he faced the man in pain. "Arthur. You need to remove my daughter from your wife or I will do it however I can."
Minerva was astounded at his callous behavior as she pulled him away from Molly. "Severus! Have you no compassion. What's wrong with you? You can't handle this like a bull in a china shop. The woman has lost two children and is traumatized. She needs gentle coaxing not an iron fist or you'll drive her further into herself. She may never surface again. Molly's not likely to harm the child. Please have some patience."
Hermione was beside him holding onto his arm. She too was frightened, but couldn't believe Molly would do Beth any harm. Her pleading eyes told him to be calm and let them take this slowly. He submitted against his better judgment and looked to Arthur in front of him. "Very well, because Hermione asks it, I will stand down, but get her treatment underway. You have one hour and then I will take back my daughter."
They turned to where Molly was sitting, only to find her gone. Hermione shouted Beth's name and staggard out the door. Molly was nowhere to be seen. She began to tremble, near hysteria when Severus held her against him. "Don't worry. I will find them. They can't have gone far. Minerva!" The woman was behind him. "Take care of Hermione. Arthur and I are going after Molly."