AN: Well I finally updated again. I'm really very sorry it took me so long to update. I hope you like this next chapter. Heheh, I can't remember everything that's happening in the story so I have to re-read it before I post another chapter. I hope to have it updated in a few weeks time. I'm not making any promises though. I'm really sorry about all the delays, but this chapter should keep you busy for a while. I hope you like it!
Kittyluver87
Chapter 11
Hermione awoke before the sun rose the next morning. She quickly got dressed and rushed up to the Hospital Wing. Madame Pomfrey was putting a new bandage on Sarah's head.
"Hermione!" Sarah said happily, taking a sip of orange juice.
She was holding the orange juice awkwardly in her cast. A few times it tipped dangerously low and almost spilled onto the white sheets.
"Hello, Sarah," Hermione said rushing over to Sarah's bed. "How did you sleep?"
"I don't know," Sarah said with a shrug.
"Well I have classes to teach today, so I won't be able to play with you until classes are over," Hermione said, kneeling down next to the bed.
"Can I come to classes too?" Sarah asked.
"We'll see," Hermione replied with a smile.
"When can I come see your room?" Sarah wondered.
"Once you're all healed up," Hermione said, patting Sarah's tiny hand.
"When will that be?"
"As soon as you get some rest and let Madame Pomfrey fix up your arm and leg," Hermione replied.
"Can she do it now?"
"Well maybe if you ask her nicely."
"Okay, will you tell me about classes?" Sarah asked.
"Of course," Hermione said with a smile. "I might be able to visit you sometime in the afternoon. You be good."
Hermione planted a kiss on Sarah's forehead and stood up to head down to breakfast. Sarah watched Hermione leave with saddened eyes. She looked down at her large cast on her leg. She tried to lift it, but it was too heavy. Sarah let a fat tear roll down her cheek before her orange juice fell and hit the floor with a loud thump. Madame Pomfrey came rushing over.
"Sarah, what's wrong? Did you get hurt?" Madame Pomfrey asked.
Sarah shook her head.
"Does your leg hurt? Does anything hurt?"
"No."
"What's the matter then?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
"I want my tummy to stop hurting and this off," Sarah said, pointing to her casts.
"Well, let me see what I can do," Madame Pomfrey replied, immediately setting to work on taking off the obnoxious casts.
***
Hermione sat at her desk as the Gryffindor first years set to work at copying down notes from the board. Hermione read through the first year's homework, but caught herself thinking about Harry and Sarah every few minutes. She sighed and put the work into her desk and watched the class quickly scribbling down notes. After what seemed like an eternity to Hermione the bell rang, signaling the beginning of lunch. Hermione raced up to the Hospital wing and found Sarah standing by a window staring out at the grounds. Sarah turned when she heard Hermione's footsteps.
"Hermione! I got my casts off!" Sarah said excitedly.
"I can see that," Hermione said as Sarah ran into her arms.
"Can I come to your room now?" Sarah asked hopefully.
Hermione knelt down to Sarah's height and stared into her beautiful blue eyes. Her dirty blonde hair was tied back in a small pink ribbon but stray pieces were falling into her face. Sarah wiped them away but clutched her stomach in pain. She scrunched her face up as tears began to flow down her cheeks.
"Sarah, what hurts? What is it?" Hermione asked, looking around the room for Madame Pomfrey.
Madame Pomfrey stepped out of her office at the sound of Hermione's panicked voice. She hurried over to Sarah and Hermione and knelt down to the three-year-olds height.
"M-my t-t-tummy h-hurts," Sarah cried, holding her stomach in pain.
Hermione looked at Madame Pomfrey with panic filled eyes.
"Hermione, I'm going to give her some medicine and then I'd like to see you in my office," Madame Pomfrey whispered then turned to Sarah. "Sarah, you're going to have to spend the rest of the day in bed, resting. Now you must be a good girl and take some of this medicine."
Madame Pomfrey pulled a pink bottle out of her robes and gave Sarah a spoonful. Sarah took the spoon in a shaky hand and drank the pink fluid off of the spoon. Madame Pomfrey then picked her up and carried her back to her bed. Sarah fell asleep instantly.
"What's wrong with her?" Hermione asked.
Madame Pomfrey led Hermione to her office and had Hermione sit down in a red plush chair. Hermione obliged and waited until Madame Pomfrey closed her office door.
"Her bones healed nicely. It only took twelve hours to heal all the bones as well as the outer wounds, but her insides are badly damaged…"
"What do you mean? Is she going to d-die?" Hermione asked, her heart racing.
"No. She should be fine, it's just she's had so much damage and trauma done to her at such a young age that I'm afraid her body is having trouble functioning. She has internal bleeding and damage done to her liver. The medicine I gave her is supposed to heal her wounds without surgery having to be done, but it takes time. The wounds are huge for such a small child. If this happened to you I could heal it in a week, but Sarah is so young and such a small frail child that it will take much longer to heal her," Madame Pomfrey explained.
"But she will get better then?"
"Yes, yes. She should be fine in a few weeks. But she will continue to have pain until her insides are healed. Each day she should feel less pain and feel it less frequently, but the pain will continue for at least three weeks, possibly four. I would encourage you to visit her as often as possible. If she's happy she will heal better. Read her a bedtime story every evening, play a game with her, spend time with her, tell her about your day, but she can not leave this wing until she is fully healed."
Hermione nodded, thankful that Sarah was going to live.
"I better write Harry and tell him how she's doing," Hermione said, standing up to leave.
"Yes, it would be best if she got to know Harry as well since she will be living with the both of you," Madame Pomfrey suggested.
"Yes," Hermione replied, her relief for Sarah's welfare showing on her face.
Hermione headed down to the Great Hall to have a quick bite to eat before her next class. She would write a letter to Harry as soon as Dinner was over and Sarah had a bedtime story read to her.
***
"And the Three Little Pigs lived happily ever after, The End," Hermione said, closing the book she had read to Sarah.
Hermione looked over at Sarah and found the small girl sleeping peacefully. Hermione smiled and kissed her on the cheek. She left the book on the table so Sarah could look through it if she got bored during the day and headed back to her room. Hermione hummed as she wandered down the corridors, passing students wandering up to their dormitories.
"Hermione, ugh Professor Granger!" Ginny called as Hermione walked passed her.
"Oh Ginny, or Miss Weasley," Hermione said, stopping in her tracks.
"You look distracted and you were kind of absentminded in class today," Ginny said, grinning at Hermione. "You thinking about Harry?" she added in a whisper.
Hermione smiled. "Him and Sarah."
"Well I just got back from meeting with Professor Malfoy," Ginny grinned.
"You two better not get caught," Hermione whispered.
"Don't worry, we won't," Ginny smiled. "We're being extra careful. And once this year's over with it can come out in the open."
"But if you get caught, you can be expelled and Draco can be fired."
"I know, that's why we're not going to get caught. I better go, loads of homework to do," Ginny said. "Thanks for the helpful hints on the paper Professor Granger!" Ginny yelled as a group of first years walked passed her and Hermione.
Hermione sighed and continued her journey to her room. Once she was safe inside her room, Hermione lit the fire and sat down at her desk to write to Harry. She spent over an hour writing to Harry, filling him in on all the details of the day as well as Ginny and Draco's relationship and how their new child was doing. Hermione smiled, satisfied at the completion of her letter. She rolled it up and decided to head to the Owlery when Hedwig flew through her open window.
"Hedwig!" Hermione said delightedly.
Hedwig hooted softly and landed on Hermione's shoulder, her leg outstretched. Hermione hastily took the scroll of parchment off of Hedwig's outstretched leg and opened it quickly.
My Dear Hermione,
I hope everything is well with you. I can't bear being away from you all of the time. I should have time off after this match. How is Sarah doing? I hope she is all right. I know you'll take good care of her though. Sirius is going to stop by this weekend to make sure everything is well with you and that there are no disturbances at the castle anymore. Krum is one of the most wanted Wizards now. If I have to, I will capture him or kill him myself in order to protect you Hermione. He will not hurt you, and the Aurors are after the Death Eaters who ruined the orphanage. I hope this finds you and Sarah both in good health. Oh and Charlie would like you to come to his wedding if you can get off. You can leave with Ginny on Sunday if you like. I hope to see you then. If not, I want you to know that I love you very much and I long to see you again.
Love,
Harry
Hermione put the letter down and attached her letter to Hedwig. Hedwig gave a soft hoot and flew out the open window. Hermione gave her wand a small wave and the window shut. She re-read the letter again, wondering if it'd be a good idea to go to Charlie's wedding. She was longing to see Harry again, even though it'd only been a day since she last saw him. She decided to talk to McGonagall in the morning. Hermione readied for bed and fell asleep, dreaming of the man she'd be marrying in a few months.
***
"How long will you be gone?" Sarah asked sadly.
"I'm leaving tomorrow afternoon with one of my students, and I'll be gone on Monday until about nine at night. I'll only be gone for about a day. You'll be asleep when I get back on Monday but I'll visit you first thing on Tuesday morning," Hermione told Sarah Saturday morning.
"Will you bring pictures?" Sarah asked hopefully.
"I'll bring loads and loads of pictures and I'll tell you all about it after classes on Tuesday. I promise," Hermione replied.
Sarah smiled and gave Hermione a hug. Hermione hugged the darling little girl and looked up as she saw a familiar face in the doorway of the Hospital Wing.
"Sirius!" Hermione said, standing up to give Sirius a hug.
"How are you Hermione, everything all right?" Sirius asked.
"Yes, everything is fine…"Hermione began but turned as Sarah tugged on her robes. Hermione knelt down so Sarah could whisper in her ear.
"Who's that?"
Hermione smiled and picked Sarah up. She turned to face Sirius, and held Sarah out so Sirius could take her small hand.
"Sirius, meet Sarah. Sarah this is Harry's godfather Sirius Black," Hermione said introducing Sarah to Sirius.
"What's a godfather?" She asked.
"A Godfather is someone who looks after a child when their parents die. The parents handpick the godfather or godmother so they know they will take excellent care of their child," Sirius explained.
"So you take care of Harry?" Sarah wondered.
Sirius laughed his bark like laugh, which caused Sarah to smile.
"I guess you could say that," Sirius said.
"Do you like to read?" Sarah asked hopefully.
"Uh…sure," Sirius said.
Sarah smiled and took his hand. She led him over to her bed and handed him The Three Little Pigs. Sarah sat down on her bed and waited patiently for Sirius to read to her. Hermione suppressed a giggle and joined the other two by the bed while Sirius attempted to create different voices for each of the characters. Sirius put the book down and Sarah hugged him.
"Thank you Sirius," She said with a smile. Sirius hugged the small girl back.
"Sarah, can you look through the book for a little while, while Sirius and I talk?" Hermione asked. Sarah nodded and picked up the book.
Hermione and Sirius headed towards the windows and stood in front of them.
"Why didn't the pictures move in that book?" Sirius asked curiously.
"It's a muggle book, my mum read it to me all the time when I was her age," Hermione explained. Sirius nodded with understanding.
"So, everything is all right?"
"Yes, everything is fine. I'm even going to attend Charlie Weasley's wedding," Hermione replied.
"You better be careful. I have a feeling there is someone in Hogwarts who might be causing the trouble."
"Do you think Sarah will be safe then? Should I not go?" Hermione asked worriedly.
"No, you go. I…I'll stay with her," Sirius said.
"Really? You'd do that for me and Harry?" Hermione asked bewildered.
"Umm, yeah, I guess so," Sirius said, not sure if he made the right choice.
"Oh thank you so much Sirius!" Hermione said, hugging her fiancé's godfather.
"Sarah, Sirius will be staying with you while I'm away," Hermione said, kneeling down beside the small child's bed.
"Will he read to me?" She wondered.
"I'm sure he will if you ask him to."
Sarah smiled and wrapped her arms around Hermione. Hermione hugged her back and smiled over Sarah's shoulder at Sirius. Sirius sighed, confused as to whether he made the right decision to stay with the small girl.
***
Hermione stood in Professor McGonagall's office waiting for the arrival of Ginny. Hermione looked at her watch then at the office door. She sighed and tapped her foot, staring at the door.
"She should be along soon," McGonagall said.
The office door burst open and Ginny came bounding in, slightly out of breath.
"Your late!" Hermione said angrily.
"Sorry, I had to say goodbye to Dr-my boyfriend," Ginny said quickly.
"Well we better get a move on then," McGonagall began. "You two will be traveling by floo powder. We were unable to get an authorized Portkey. Floo powder might take a little bit longer but you'll get there quick enough. Hermione, you know the place, right?"
"Yes. Ginny, remember Stockford Hall, Charlie Weasley, Romania," Hermione said.
"Why do you have to say his name and Romania?" Ginny asked.
"Because, when you're traveling to a different country by floo powder, you must provide the person you are traveling to and the country because otherwise you could get lost along the way," Hermione explained.
"How did you know all that?"
"I read it somewhere," Hermione replied.
"You read too much," Ginny said under her breath, but out loud she said, "Well, then I guess I'm ready to go."
"Hermione, you will go first," McGonagall said.
Hermione nodded and stepped into the flames.
"Stockford Hall, Charlie Weasley, Romania," Hermione said clearly, swallowing a mouthful of smoke.
Hermione felt her body spinning around in circles. She saw many fireplaces flow past, but found it best to close her eyes. Hermione felt as if she left her stomach up in McGonagall's office. She thought the spinning went on forever. Before Hermione opened her eyes, a strong hand pulled her out of the fireplace. Hermione opened her eyes, terrified, but found herself face to face with Harry.
"Harry!" Hermione said happily.
Harry laughed at Hermione's shocked face and gently wiped the soot off of her face. He pulled her close and kissed her full on the mouth. Ginny stepped out of the grate, covered in soot.
"Fine, don't help a lady out of the grate. Thanks for noticing me too Harry. Oh you two stop snogging for a minute. Ahh, get a room! Ron! Mum!" Ginny said.
Harry pulled apart from Hermione, a grin on his face. Hermione smiled, a faint pink color coming to her cheeks.
"Come on, let's join the party," Harry said, leading Hermione over to the Weasley's.
Hermione took Harry's hand, and followed him over to where the whole Weasley family was gathered around a large table. Ginny was in between her parents, grinning at Hermione. Hermione smiled and squeezed Harry's hand. Harry looked into her chocolate brown eyes and smiled. He bent and kissed her in front of the Weasley's causing Hermione to turn scarlet.
