LMPT Chapter 3: Mayhem and Kidnappings
Disclaimer: see chap 1
Again, thanks for the reviews! You're what keep me writing! :o)
"It's been three months," Hermione said. "So why do I feel like it's been three days?"
Harry walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "They're not there anymore. It's okay."
Hermione frowned.
"Really, it is okay," Harry said, and kissed her neck.
"Okay!" Hermione cried. "Let's just have the ball, and then everything can go back to normal."
Harry grinned. "How about we bring Rachel to Ron's and go take a vacation in Hawaii? You're all tensed up."
Hermione giggled. "And what about Germany and China's peace talks?"
Harry rolled his eyes. "Have you heard a thing in three months?"
She shook her head.
Their faces were inches apart and then…
Rachel started crying.
Hermione gave Harry a sympathetic look and rushed over to the crib. "I think she's teething,"
"Already?" he asked, following her.
She nodded, plucking the infant from the crib.
"What nanny is on tonight?" Harry asked.
"Janus. She's probably drawing Rachel's bath."
But Janus wasn't. She wasn't even in the palace.
"Okay, here we go," Harry poured a small amount of baby shampoo into the palm of his hand.
Hermione was huddled next to him in the nursery's bathroom. Rachel was lying in a baby tub, and Harry and Hermione who had managed to wash Rachel while getting drenched, attemped to wash her hair.
"Why do we need to use shampoo?" Harry asked.
"I don't know, it's what it says on the bottle, just massage it in," Hermione said.
Harry attempted too, but Rachel fidgeted and he ended up getting it in his eye.
"Ah, damn, it burns!" he cried.
"Shh!" Hermione said. "You're going to upset her!"
"Upset her!? This is supposed to be Tear-free!" Harry cried, grabbing a towel and holding it to his eye.
Rachel laughed at him.
"Is daddy funny?" he cooed.
"Yes, daddy is hysterical," Hermione said. "And stupid."
He flicked a bubble at her. She smacked him with a towel. A few seconds later, they were against the wall, kissing. It was only when Rachel laughed that the pulled away.
"Ah, the joys of parenthood," Harry said.
"Get a towel," she said blushing. "She's going to turn into a prune."
After about two hours, Rachel had finally fell back to sleep, and Harry and Hermione passed out in their room. Janus had finally arrived.
There was a loud rapping on their door.
"We're sleeping," Harry mumbled.
"Lady Janus has arrived," a servent said.
"Just send her down the hall," Harry said groggily.
"It's okay honey, I'll get it," Hermione moaned, got to her feet and walked out of the room. "Hi, Janus." She said to the pretty young woman, with a backpack slung over her shoulder.
"Hello, your highness," she bowed.
"We finally got her to sleep. Beth, the day nanny told me she thinks she's started teething, and I think so too." They started walking down the hall and stopped in front of the nursery. "Harry and I gave her a bath, so she should sleep through the night unless her teeth start bothering her again. If she starts crying, just dip her pacifier in some sugar, and she'll be alright."
Janus blushed. "I know, ma'am."
"Sorry about calling you on such short notice that we would need you tonight, but we're planning the ball, and Germany and China, and I have a Quidditch pep rally early in the morning, and I just need a good night's sleep tonight." Hermione babbled.
Janus laughed. "I understand, ma'am."
"Well good night," Hermione said, and turned to walk down the hall.
"Here he is, your captain and best Beater London has seen in ages, Ron Weasley!!!!" Lee Jordan, commentator for the London Aces, Ron's Quidditch team announced.
Ron zoomed out of the lockeroom on his new Firebolt--- a wedding present from Harry and Hermione to cheers from the crowd. He waved joyfully at them. He took out his wand and aimed it at his throat. "Sonorus!" he grinned. "Lonnnnnndddooooon, are we going to beat Canada tomorrow?" he exclaimed.
The fans roared.
He grinned again. "Am I going to knock them stupid with my Bludgers?"
The crowd roared again.
"Are they going to fear the name Aces?"
There was an earsplitting "Yeahhhhhhhh!" from the fans and then they took up the chant, "WEASLEY! WEASLEY! WEASLEY!"
Ron grinned from ear to ear and pointed his wand at his throat again. "I want to see you all there! Quietus!"
Lee Jordan laughed. "Words from the Captain, Ron Weasley!!"
They was more applause.
"Now," Jordan continued. "We have a very special guest here to give some very special cheers! Welcome Queen Hermione!"
Hermione took in a deep breath. Then she realized that these people were cheering her. She grinned and walked up to the podium at the London Quidditch Pitch. She pointed her wand at her throat. "Sonorus! First, let me thank all of you on coming out and supporting our Aces."
More applause.
"Secondly," she smiled. "I wish for a high-scoring, hard-hitting, bone crushing affair against Canada! May the Aces clobber the Bears tomorrow!!!" she caught Ron grinning at her. "Knock 'em dead, Ron!"
The crowd erupted.
"Your highness," a guard told her. "It's time to leave and prepare for the ball."
She nodded to him. "I beg my leave of absence as I must leave to attend to duties for the princess's ball. I hope to see all of you at the game tomorrow, and many at the ball on Friday. GO ACES! Quietus." She gave Ron and quick hug and followed her guards to the carriage.
Harry and Hermione held hands a few nights later at the ball. Beside them sat their beautiful daughter in her bassinet lined with pink and white. On the other side of Rachel sat Janus. As Harry gave his speech to the crowd, thanking them all for being there, Hermione scanned the crowd. She saw Ron and Lavender beside her, and thankfully, no familiar faces from the tour incident. At the end of the speech, Harry and Hermione got up to dance, followed by almost everyone else.
At the end, Harry and Hermione returned to the table.
"Where's Rachel?" Hermione asked, looking over her shoulder at the empty bassinet.
Harry shrugged. "Janus isn't here either. She's probably changing her or something."
But when she hadn't returned a half an hour later, Hermione became frantic. "Harry, where is she!?"
"Let's not jump the gun…" Harry said. He turned to his closest guard. "Find the princess, she's with the nanny."
The guard nodded and left the ball room.
"Why aren't you dancing?" Ron and Lavender danced their way over to them.
"We're trying to find the nanny," Harry said.
"Sir," the guard poked Harry nervously on the shoulder.
"Yes?"
"Lady Janus is no longer on the grounds."
"What!?" Harry cried. "She quit?"
"No, sir, either is the princess."
Hermione slapped a hand to her mouth.
"Are you certain?" Harry asked.
The guard nodded.
"Seal the exits, post guards at the boundaries of wizard London immediately and get Sirius!" Harry cried.
"Harry!" Hermione cried, grabbing his hand.
"It's going to be okay," Harry said, kissing her hand. "We're going to find her."
Ron and Lavender exchanged glances.
"Someone's took the princess?" Lavender asked.
"She's just a baby!" Hermione cried.
"It'll be okay," Harry said.
An hour later, everyone at the ball had been checked and re-checked on the list. Everyone that entered was still there. Except Janus. Hermione stood staring at her daughter's empty crib, wondering if she'd ever find her alive again.
