The Harry Potter universe belongs to JK Rowling.  I own none of her characters – however, I own the few original ones in this story. 

Thanks to PallasAthene17 for the beta job.

Thanks to the reviewers – your input is insightful. Chapter 4 Godric's Hollow

Harry was broken out of his reverie by the sound of the front door closing.  He glanced toward the door, and saw his beautiful wife with the look on her face, walking towards the swing.  This concerned Harry since he had not seen this look since the tumultuous days of Voldemort.  Harry immediately got up and walked to her, "Are you ok?  Is it the baby?" he asked in a panic. 

"Hush," Ginny said as she eased her very full frame onto the swing, beckoning Harry to sit with her on the swing.  "I'm ok, but we need to get to Hogwarts.  It looks like Poppy is not going to have to come out here to deliver this little guy, after all."

Harry had a very perplexed look on his face.  He was immensely relieved that Ginny and the baby were ok, but the news that they had to go to Hogwarts did not make him feel good.  Something was up, and he had a pretty good idea it had to do with a certain know-it-all Gryffindor.

"Why do I get the feeling I'm not going to like this," he said as he put his arm around Ginny's shoulders.

"Don't worry about a thing.  I've packed everything and it's right here in my pocket," she replied as she patted the pocket of the green Weasley cardigan sweater she was wearing.  "The house is warded up, so whenever you are ready love."

Harry placed a light kiss on his wife's cheek, "Ready when you are." Harry drew out the pocket watch that Sirius had given him and activated the portkey, leaving Godric's Hollow to sleep under the winter sky.

Hogwarts

Albus Dumbledore had climbed the stairs slowly after Severus left the castle for the part of the grounds where the anti-apparation barrier ended.  He walked out of the entrance hall in time to see his Potions Master walk out of the gates.  Minerva McGonagall joined Albus on the entryway.

"I've been looking all over for you Albus.  Sirius checked in with us, but unfortunately Neville is nowhere to be found.  Susan Weasley flooed us – it seems Hermione's been attacked."  McGonagall said, her clipped tones revealing none of her anxiety. Albus turned towards her, "How bad?  I had just sent Severus to find her." 

"She was knocked out, but appears stable.  She and Ron went to look for Sephe, and Susan is going to the Burrow.   Harry and Ginny are coming here so Poppy can monitor Ginny, since she's due to deliver any day now."

Albus realized that Hermione was in good hands, and with Severus looking to find them, they would be alright.  He was very concerned about the whereabouts of Neville, however. 

"I think we will need the assistance of Mr. Lupin in locating Mr. Longbottom.  Please get in touch with Remus and give him the background information.  With those two tracking him, I believe we will find him before daybreak."

Harry appeared from the doorway.  They had used the portkey Sirius had given Harry to use in case of trouble, which brought them to the Great Hall at Hogwarts. Ginny's expectant condition prompted her to the nearest restroom.

"Harry, good to see you.  Where is Ginny?"  Albus asked.

"Portkey travel should not be attempted by pregnant women. Apparently it's hard on the stomach. She's in the restroom." Harry said wryly.

"Harry, I need to speak with both you and Ginny.  "

Harry added, "This wouldn't by chance have to do with a particular research project Hermione took on?"

By the grave look on the Headmaster's face, Harry took this as a definite yes.

London

Ron and Hermione found the coffee shop that Sephe had mentioned earlier to Hermione.  After a thorough search of the establishment, they did not find her.

"Bugger.  Where else did she say she was going?  Think Hermione!"

"I'm trying to.  Let's walk, I'm sure we'll find them."

"Let's just hope we do, before your 'friends' who paid you a little visit do."

Hermione's shoulders dropped at the thought of anything happening to Sephe.  Sephe was her best friend.  She was family.  If anything happened to her, she felt personally responsible, as well she should.  It was her idea to introduce Sephe to the magical world, and any injury inflicted on her by magic would not bode well with the family.

She would find Sephe, and everything would be ok.  Accounting for all her friends involved in the research, Hermione thought,  'Alright, Susan got in touch with Harry and Ginny, so they're safe. Neville's able to take care of himself, even if he does still live with his Grandmother still (Neville said it was to take care of her, but we all know the real reason). I just have to find Sephe.'

"Come on Ron, there are some pretty fancy restaurants this way. She could be there." Hermione said with a new resurgence of energy.  "We'll find them…we just have to!"

Hogwarts – Dumbledore's Office

Albus Dumbledore looked at the faces of the Potter's in his office.  It seems only yesterday that they were first years, and not a care about them, well, perhaps not a care with anyone except Harry.

Harry looked around the office as he had entered it.  'It hasn't changed much,' he thought.  The paintings of the previous headmasters were blinking awake as the group entered the office.  Harry waved at Headmaster Truesblood, who was headmaster one century prior to Dumbledore.  Harry used to have conversations with him while he had to wait for Dumbledore in his past years as a student, and they became quick friends, with Truesblood giving him advice on anything from school to how to propose to Ginny. As Harry sat on the couch, Fawkes flew into the room and landed on his perch.

"Hi Fawkes," Harry said to the bird, with Fawkes dropping his head in acknowledgement.

Ginny looked at the office, noticing it hasn't changed since the first time she saw it after Harry rescued her from Tom Riddle and his manipulative diary.  She observed that there was more paperwork on the Headmaster's desk, and that the paintings seemed more animated than when she was a schoolgirl.  This might have been because she was nervous the previous times she'd found herself in the position to be in the Headmasters office.  Now she knew she wasn't in trouble for breaking the rules with her friends, so she was more able to appreciate all the little quirky details. She smiled at Fawkes as she sat down next to Harry.

Albus waved his hand, and a tray appeared with sandwiches and biscuits.  A steaming pot of tea appeared, pouring out five cups without any prompting. The milk jug and sugar bowl also deposited the preferred amount of milk and sweetener in each person's cup, again without any request on the part of the drinker.

Harry, who after some twenty-odd years in the wizarding world, was still impressed by such things, murmured to himself "Now that's one smart tea set."

"It is in the best interest of this project that you remain under Hogwart's protection until this revolutionary research is completed and the perpetrators who attacked Ms. Granger this evening are caught.  Ms. Granger's flat was ransacked earlier.  The thieves were looking for a diskette full of research notes, which is still in her possession."

"The next item of concern is that Neville Longbottom is missing.  Sirius Black and Remus Lupin are looking for him, and I believe we will locate him before daybreak."

"Ms. Granger and Mr. Weasley are currently looking for Persephone Mills, Ms. Granger's cousin, who has been conducting the research with her.  Professor Snape is looking for Ms. Granger.  Hence, they are all accounted for, except for Neville.  Draco Malfoy has not been seen for over a week.  He was last seen in Los Angeles. And finally, Thomas Greer, a prosecutor from the Ministry's Department of Justice has been found dead.  It has not been confirmed or denied that it was murder."

Albus took a sip of tea, noting the silence in the room. 

"I cannot hear you if you all speak up at once" Albus voiced, a twinkle returning to his eye.

"Sorry Headmaster, it's just, that is a lot of information to process.  With the rogue dementors out there, Neville missing and Malfoy unaccounted for, it's just a lot to think through." Harry replied.

"What rogue dementors?" Ginny asked, leaning forward on the couch.

"Ron has been tracking down some rogue dementors for the past two weeks.  He

mentioned to me that Claudius McNair might be behind the dementors, but there is no hard evidence.  I haven't spoken to him in a few days.  I didn't mention it to you Ginny because I didn't want you to worry."

"You're bloody right I would have worried," Ginny replied just a little louder than her normal voice.

"There, there, Mrs. Potter.  Don't worry about the dementors.  The Ministry has their hands on that issue.  Speaking of the Ministry, there is a special unit from the Department of Mysteries looking for Mr. Malfoy.  Our contacts in the US lost his trail last week, but I believe he will turn up.  Sherbert lemon, anyone?" Albus asked as he popped one in his mouth. 

"I'm worried about Neville.  It's not like him to…to not tell his grandmother where he is," Ginny added as she took the offered candy.

"Mr. Longbottom will be found, I assure you Mrs. Potter.  I think this is enough excitement for one night.  We will regroup tomorrow morning to discuss any new information.  Now, Minerva will show you to your room."

Albus pulled Ginny aside, "Poppy will be very pleased that you will be here for the birth of your child, as am I." Albus beamed when he looked upon Ginny.  He was very happy to see the next generation of Potters making their presence in the world.  It would be good for her to deliver here, out of the public's eye.

As the group disbursed, Albus could not help but think of how he must protect the Potters and their friends.  He especially wanted to make sure Hermione was alright.  He had a feeling big things were in store for her.