A/N: Is it St. Mungo's... or St. Mongo's?! I can't remember...but I can't find
my books either....
Chapter Six
"Draco Malfoy will be immediately expelled from Hogwarts," Dumbledore reassured. "And Hermione will make a full recovery. She should only be here another day or two..."
"Oh, so now you expel him," Ron growled. "Fifth year, his bloody father tried to kill us, but you wait until he almost kills Hermione before you get rid of him."
"Everybody deserves a chance, Ron." Dumbledore frowned. "Draco was given a chance. If he had wanted to, he could be completely different from his father...choose the better path, so to speak. As it were, he did not. There is nothing more I can do for him."
Harry was sitting with Ron at Hermione's bedside when Dumbledore left. Luna, along with the rest of the Weasley family, had left the hospital to owl Hermione's parents and then bring them to visit her. They had been gone nearly an hour when Neville and his grandmother came through the double doors at the end of the hallway.
"Hey, Neville! Back from Romania in one piece, I see..." Ron smiled jokingly.
"Yes, well..." he began, but stopped cold. "What's happened to Hermione?" he demanded.
Harry frowned. "Draco Malfoy happened to Hermione, is what." He answered.
Neville looked anxiously at his grandmother. "Grams, can I stay a while with Hermione?" he asked her.
Neville's grandmother did something she didn't do often. She smiled. "You go right on ahead, Neville. I'll just leave you be. I can go talk to your father for a little while..." and she headed in the direction from whence she had come.
Neville turned red. "Draco did this to her?" he growled.
"Dumbledore's expelled him." Ron smiled.
Neville looked thoughtful for a moment. "But aren't Hermione's parents...Muggles? Has anyone told them what has happened?"
"That's where Luna and the rest of the Weasley's have gone. They should be back soon," Harry explained. "She's been sleeping for the past hour or so. Whatever that nurse gave her sure worked pretty good."
There was the sound of more footsteps, and the door to the hallway opened once again. It wasn't the Weasleys, but it wasn't Luna either. Remus Lupin was coming down the hallway, fast as his feet could carry him.
"What have the doctors said? Will she be all right?" he demanded of them.
Harry smiled. "She'll be fine, sir. She's only sleeping now." Then something dawned on him. "Professor Lupin, did you get the owl I sent you? I haven't been back to the Three Broomsticks yet, so I don't know if Hedwig has returned..."
Lupin thought for a moment. "Yes, actually, I did." He remembered. "I've talked to Dumbledore about it, as well. He reckons you shouldn't believe what you see, but told me to caution you, anyway." He paused for a moment. "Besides, last year was a Voldemort free year, so we should have high hopes for this year." He smiled, although many people flinched at the name.
Hermione had begun to stir. She blinked. Everyone was staring at her. "Err...good morning?" she smiled.
"Not really. More like mid-evening." Ron joked. "My family went to your house. They're going to bring your parents to visit you." He smiled. "And Malfoy has been expelled."
"Great news." Hermione smiled. "Hi Neville, hello Harry." She turned towards each of them. "Harry, where's Luna?"
Harry shrugged. "With the Weasleys. She was really worried when you were hurt..." he frowned.
Lupin smiled. "Yeah, Dumbledore just left the castle. That man has a sixth sense for when one of his students is in danger. It's remarkable." He laughed quietly to himself. "How are you feeling?"
"Been better," Hermione admitted.
The doors at the front of the hallway swung open again, and this time, it was Luna and the Weasley family who were walking down the hallway. They had with them two very timid but worried looking Muggles: Hermione's parents.
"Took us forever to get there!" Mr. Weasley explained. "Molly wouldn't let me fly the car. Said we had to drive like the Muggles would...and we got stuck in traffic."
Harry laughed. "It's all right, Mr. Weasley. That's happened to me loads of times."
"Are you all right, dear?" Hermione's mother was asking.
Hermione smiled for her parents. "I'm fine, mum. I've just been a little sleepy."
"Are you sure?" it was her father's turn to ask a question.
Hermione nodded. "Yes, daddy. They can fix almost anything here. Our second year at Hogwarts, they re-grew every bone in Harry's arm. This is nothing," she shrugged.
Ron and the others had quieted. Hermione smiled. "Mum, dad, this is Ron. He's my...err..." she seemed to be searching for the words.
"Her boyfriend." Ron's boldness surprised everyone.
"Hello, Ron." Hermione's father shook his hand. "Welcome to the family..."
Ron blushed. "Well...err..."
"So nice to meet you, dear." Hermione's mother wrapped him in a hug.
Ron was slightly in shock.
Hermione was released from the hospital only two days later. School, meaning the start of their final year at Hogwarts, now loomed less than a week away. Neville got permission from his grandmother, and decided to stay with his friends for the last week.
For that week, Harry's nightmares ceased. He was able to spend time with the Marauders, and more time than before with Luna. He was in bliss. To him, it was as if, even for a moment, his worries had faded away.
The start of term at Hogwarts was basically uneventful for the Gryffindors, who only found themselves with one new first year, a girl named Melissa Hart. The Marauders found that they actually had several classes together. All in all, the year was starting out marvelously.
After a D.A.D.A. lesson one day, Luna caught up with Harry in the hallway.
"What is it?" he asked her, slightly worried.
She smiled. "It isn't bad. Guess what?" she asked.
"I'm not very good at guessing." Harry frowned in defeat.
Luna looked disappointed. "Oh, come on. Guess just once. It's something great! Try it."
"Hmm..." Harry thought out loud, "Let me think...hmm...oh! You're madly in love with me, and you've finally told the world!" he said with a laugh.
Luna giggled. "Close, but no. The magazine my dad worked for has hired me! You remember it, don't you?
Harry laughed. "How could I not? I trust that magazine far more than I trust the Daily Prophet...but then, I guess I have you to blame for that," he added.
"You still want to be an Auror?" whispered Luna, bringing up a conversation they had in their sixth year.
Harry thought for only a second. "Yeah. Yeah, I do. I can't take any of the tests until after we graduate though."
"But you passed your apparating test, right? So at least you know you can do that right." Luna offered.
Harry grinned. "Yeah. I think I may ask Professor Lupin for some extra help this year, though. I've heard there are some really tricky counter curses we're supposed to be able to do..."
"Try not to worry about it," Luna laughed.
"This comes from the girl that already has a job..." he smiled.
It was only a month unto the school year when Ron pulled all the Marauders into a secret meeting in the library. The only one absent appeared to be Hermione. The Marauders were confused, but they went anyway, all wondering what is was that Ron thought was so urgent.
When everyone was there, Ron started the meeting.
"And so begins meeting number thirty-two of the Marauders," Ron began jokingly. "And an operation I'd like to call..." he thought for a moment. "Operation Birthday Surprise..." he said decisively.
"Yes, Ron, that's all lovely, but what's it about?" demanded Ginny.
"Hermione's birthday is next month, right?" Ron waited for everyone to nod.
"So? We know it's her birthday? Was that all?" Neville asked.
Ron threw up his hands, and had to be careful not to shout. "No! That's not entirely the point!" He looked at Ginny. "I've talked to mum and dad," he told her, "and Hermione's parents as well."
Everyone was still not grasping what Ron was trying to tell them. He could not believe their thickness.
"I want you guys to help me throw a huge party. I mean huge!" He held out his arms as far as they would stretch. "My parents are coming, and so are Hermione's."
Luna seemed to suddenly understand. She only smiled and nodded ("Thank you! Someone knows what the bloody hell I'm talking about!" he groaned.)
"Yes, but Ron...why all the urgency? You look like you're about to pass out..." Harry smiled. "What is it? Just tell us, will you?"
"He's proposing to her on her birthday! For crying out loud! It's not that hard to figure out!" Luna hissed.
The Marauders were floored. Mouths open, they stared at Ron for several minutes before anyone spoke. It was Neville who said something first.
"Really?" he stammered. "I mean, are you serious?"
"Ron! You're a genius!" Harry clapped. "And she won't even really suspect anything...this should be interesting..."
Ginny smiled. "I'm proud of you, Ron. You just tell us exactly what you need us to do, and it's done." She promised. "I bet mum and dad were thrilled, weren't they?"
"Yeah," Ron blushed.
"We're behind you all the way on this one, Ron. Marauders?" Luna looked around the table.
"For life!" they chorused.
"Okay people," Ron smiled, "but remember, Hermione can't know what's going on. We need to be extra careful about what we talk about around her until her birthday, all right? I've already talked to Professor Lupin and Professor Dumbledore."
"What are they supposed to do?" asked Neville, a curious glint in his eye.
Ron laughed. "Well, Hermione was thinking about being a curse-breaker for Gringotts, right? So Professor Lupin told me he would start helping her and Harry with counter curses during the evenings. That way Hermione's distracted, and Harry will be there some of the time to assure her nothing's going on..." Ron pointed to Harry.
"And Dumbledore? What of him?" asked Harry.
"Dumbledore's going to help with decorations. We're going to use the boy's dormitory in our tower since she barely comes in there. Even Professor McGonnagal wanted to help. She's making a bewitched cake..." Ron looked as if he was still deciding on this.
"I think it will be lovely." Luna nodded to him.
The month between the Marauder meeting and Hermione's birthday passed quickly. The Marauders found themselves in battle mode. Operation Birthday Surprise was now in full effect, and Hermione still had no clue as to what was going on.
The morning of Hermione's birthday came, and the Marauders woke her to shower her with their various birthday gifts. This, in itself, was surprising enough to her. Ginny's job for the day, once the group was out of their pajamas, of course, was to spend the day with Hermione and keep her just busy enough to be oblivious as to what was happening around her.
Harry sent an owl to the Granger house, telling Hermione's parents to meet him at King's Cross Station in London. Professor McGonnagal, after adding the finishing touches to her cake, drove Harry to meet the Grangers, and take them back to Hogwarts. Harry snuck them on the grounds, and straight past Hermione and Ginny, and took them to the Gryffindor boys' dormitory.
Neville was already waiting in the boys' dormitory with Dumbledore. Neville greeted the Grangers, and put them under a disillusionment charm so Hermione wouldn't see them if she did happen to come in. Dumbledore bewitched the ceiling so that it looked like there was a starry night actually inside the room. It was the same charm he had used to make the Great Hall so...interesting. Hermione's parents were delighted.
Luna brought Ron's parents straight into the Gryffindor common room using the Floo Network. They ran straight to the boys' dormitory, where Neville and Dumbledore were still waiting.
Later that afternoon, after the rest of the Marauders had given him the okay, Ron picked Hermione up from her lesson with Professor Lupin.
"Err...Professor? Could you come with us? There's something really important I want to show you in our common room. It's really neat," he winked.
Professor Lupin smiled and followed the couple into the common room. From inside the dormitory, Dumbledore heard footsteps, and quickly removed the Grangers and the Weasleys from the disillusionment charm. The door swung open.
Hermione's mouth dropped open. Her parents had come to visit for her birthday, and the Marauders had arranged it. She kissed Ron. "This is the best birthday present I've ever had! How did you get everyone here?" she asked.
Ginny and Luna stifled a laugh. "Really? You sure it's the best you've ever had? Bet you he can do better..." Luna smiled.
It was as if Hermione had only just noticed Ron's parents were standing there. They beamed at her. "Why are your parents here? And Dumbledore? And Professor McGonnagal? And why would you have Professor Lupin follow us? What did you do, Ronald Weasley?" Hermione demanded politely. She was starting to become suspicious.
"Happy birthday, Hermione." Ron smiled. "But, that's not all."
"What do you mean, 'that's not all', Ron?" Hermione whispered.
Ron gulped. "I got the Marauders together at a secret meeting a while ago. I called both our parents. I wanted everything to be perfect for you today, because...well, because..." Ron got down on one knee, and took a small ring box out of his robes, "because I love you, Hermione, and I couldn't think of a better time than now to ask you to marry me?" Ron finished and took a deep, worried breath.
Hermione's mouth dropped open for the second time in ten minutes. She looked from Ron, and carefully scanned the expressions of every person in the room.
"Oh...my...god..." she gasped. "Ron...I can't believe you went to all this trouble..." She was smiling broadly than he had ever seen her.
"Sweetie, you still haven't answered him," Luna reminded her.
"Yes, of course!" Hermione cried, and again kissed Ron. "Of course, I will!"
Cheers erupted throughout the room. Operation Birthday Surprise, as it turns out, had been the biggest of successes.
A/N: Mind you...there will be more. After all, their 7th year isn't over yet, is it? And I promised y'all I'd go farther than that...and I intend to. Hope you enjoyed this one! Read and Review please!
Chapter Six
"Draco Malfoy will be immediately expelled from Hogwarts," Dumbledore reassured. "And Hermione will make a full recovery. She should only be here another day or two..."
"Oh, so now you expel him," Ron growled. "Fifth year, his bloody father tried to kill us, but you wait until he almost kills Hermione before you get rid of him."
"Everybody deserves a chance, Ron." Dumbledore frowned. "Draco was given a chance. If he had wanted to, he could be completely different from his father...choose the better path, so to speak. As it were, he did not. There is nothing more I can do for him."
Harry was sitting with Ron at Hermione's bedside when Dumbledore left. Luna, along with the rest of the Weasley family, had left the hospital to owl Hermione's parents and then bring them to visit her. They had been gone nearly an hour when Neville and his grandmother came through the double doors at the end of the hallway.
"Hey, Neville! Back from Romania in one piece, I see..." Ron smiled jokingly.
"Yes, well..." he began, but stopped cold. "What's happened to Hermione?" he demanded.
Harry frowned. "Draco Malfoy happened to Hermione, is what." He answered.
Neville looked anxiously at his grandmother. "Grams, can I stay a while with Hermione?" he asked her.
Neville's grandmother did something she didn't do often. She smiled. "You go right on ahead, Neville. I'll just leave you be. I can go talk to your father for a little while..." and she headed in the direction from whence she had come.
Neville turned red. "Draco did this to her?" he growled.
"Dumbledore's expelled him." Ron smiled.
Neville looked thoughtful for a moment. "But aren't Hermione's parents...Muggles? Has anyone told them what has happened?"
"That's where Luna and the rest of the Weasley's have gone. They should be back soon," Harry explained. "She's been sleeping for the past hour or so. Whatever that nurse gave her sure worked pretty good."
There was the sound of more footsteps, and the door to the hallway opened once again. It wasn't the Weasleys, but it wasn't Luna either. Remus Lupin was coming down the hallway, fast as his feet could carry him.
"What have the doctors said? Will she be all right?" he demanded of them.
Harry smiled. "She'll be fine, sir. She's only sleeping now." Then something dawned on him. "Professor Lupin, did you get the owl I sent you? I haven't been back to the Three Broomsticks yet, so I don't know if Hedwig has returned..."
Lupin thought for a moment. "Yes, actually, I did." He remembered. "I've talked to Dumbledore about it, as well. He reckons you shouldn't believe what you see, but told me to caution you, anyway." He paused for a moment. "Besides, last year was a Voldemort free year, so we should have high hopes for this year." He smiled, although many people flinched at the name.
Hermione had begun to stir. She blinked. Everyone was staring at her. "Err...good morning?" she smiled.
"Not really. More like mid-evening." Ron joked. "My family went to your house. They're going to bring your parents to visit you." He smiled. "And Malfoy has been expelled."
"Great news." Hermione smiled. "Hi Neville, hello Harry." She turned towards each of them. "Harry, where's Luna?"
Harry shrugged. "With the Weasleys. She was really worried when you were hurt..." he frowned.
Lupin smiled. "Yeah, Dumbledore just left the castle. That man has a sixth sense for when one of his students is in danger. It's remarkable." He laughed quietly to himself. "How are you feeling?"
"Been better," Hermione admitted.
The doors at the front of the hallway swung open again, and this time, it was Luna and the Weasley family who were walking down the hallway. They had with them two very timid but worried looking Muggles: Hermione's parents.
"Took us forever to get there!" Mr. Weasley explained. "Molly wouldn't let me fly the car. Said we had to drive like the Muggles would...and we got stuck in traffic."
Harry laughed. "It's all right, Mr. Weasley. That's happened to me loads of times."
"Are you all right, dear?" Hermione's mother was asking.
Hermione smiled for her parents. "I'm fine, mum. I've just been a little sleepy."
"Are you sure?" it was her father's turn to ask a question.
Hermione nodded. "Yes, daddy. They can fix almost anything here. Our second year at Hogwarts, they re-grew every bone in Harry's arm. This is nothing," she shrugged.
Ron and the others had quieted. Hermione smiled. "Mum, dad, this is Ron. He's my...err..." she seemed to be searching for the words.
"Her boyfriend." Ron's boldness surprised everyone.
"Hello, Ron." Hermione's father shook his hand. "Welcome to the family..."
Ron blushed. "Well...err..."
"So nice to meet you, dear." Hermione's mother wrapped him in a hug.
Ron was slightly in shock.
Hermione was released from the hospital only two days later. School, meaning the start of their final year at Hogwarts, now loomed less than a week away. Neville got permission from his grandmother, and decided to stay with his friends for the last week.
For that week, Harry's nightmares ceased. He was able to spend time with the Marauders, and more time than before with Luna. He was in bliss. To him, it was as if, even for a moment, his worries had faded away.
The start of term at Hogwarts was basically uneventful for the Gryffindors, who only found themselves with one new first year, a girl named Melissa Hart. The Marauders found that they actually had several classes together. All in all, the year was starting out marvelously.
After a D.A.D.A. lesson one day, Luna caught up with Harry in the hallway.
"What is it?" he asked her, slightly worried.
She smiled. "It isn't bad. Guess what?" she asked.
"I'm not very good at guessing." Harry frowned in defeat.
Luna looked disappointed. "Oh, come on. Guess just once. It's something great! Try it."
"Hmm..." Harry thought out loud, "Let me think...hmm...oh! You're madly in love with me, and you've finally told the world!" he said with a laugh.
Luna giggled. "Close, but no. The magazine my dad worked for has hired me! You remember it, don't you?
Harry laughed. "How could I not? I trust that magazine far more than I trust the Daily Prophet...but then, I guess I have you to blame for that," he added.
"You still want to be an Auror?" whispered Luna, bringing up a conversation they had in their sixth year.
Harry thought for only a second. "Yeah. Yeah, I do. I can't take any of the tests until after we graduate though."
"But you passed your apparating test, right? So at least you know you can do that right." Luna offered.
Harry grinned. "Yeah. I think I may ask Professor Lupin for some extra help this year, though. I've heard there are some really tricky counter curses we're supposed to be able to do..."
"Try not to worry about it," Luna laughed.
"This comes from the girl that already has a job..." he smiled.
It was only a month unto the school year when Ron pulled all the Marauders into a secret meeting in the library. The only one absent appeared to be Hermione. The Marauders were confused, but they went anyway, all wondering what is was that Ron thought was so urgent.
When everyone was there, Ron started the meeting.
"And so begins meeting number thirty-two of the Marauders," Ron began jokingly. "And an operation I'd like to call..." he thought for a moment. "Operation Birthday Surprise..." he said decisively.
"Yes, Ron, that's all lovely, but what's it about?" demanded Ginny.
"Hermione's birthday is next month, right?" Ron waited for everyone to nod.
"So? We know it's her birthday? Was that all?" Neville asked.
Ron threw up his hands, and had to be careful not to shout. "No! That's not entirely the point!" He looked at Ginny. "I've talked to mum and dad," he told her, "and Hermione's parents as well."
Everyone was still not grasping what Ron was trying to tell them. He could not believe their thickness.
"I want you guys to help me throw a huge party. I mean huge!" He held out his arms as far as they would stretch. "My parents are coming, and so are Hermione's."
Luna seemed to suddenly understand. She only smiled and nodded ("Thank you! Someone knows what the bloody hell I'm talking about!" he groaned.)
"Yes, but Ron...why all the urgency? You look like you're about to pass out..." Harry smiled. "What is it? Just tell us, will you?"
"He's proposing to her on her birthday! For crying out loud! It's not that hard to figure out!" Luna hissed.
The Marauders were floored. Mouths open, they stared at Ron for several minutes before anyone spoke. It was Neville who said something first.
"Really?" he stammered. "I mean, are you serious?"
"Ron! You're a genius!" Harry clapped. "And she won't even really suspect anything...this should be interesting..."
Ginny smiled. "I'm proud of you, Ron. You just tell us exactly what you need us to do, and it's done." She promised. "I bet mum and dad were thrilled, weren't they?"
"Yeah," Ron blushed.
"We're behind you all the way on this one, Ron. Marauders?" Luna looked around the table.
"For life!" they chorused.
"Okay people," Ron smiled, "but remember, Hermione can't know what's going on. We need to be extra careful about what we talk about around her until her birthday, all right? I've already talked to Professor Lupin and Professor Dumbledore."
"What are they supposed to do?" asked Neville, a curious glint in his eye.
Ron laughed. "Well, Hermione was thinking about being a curse-breaker for Gringotts, right? So Professor Lupin told me he would start helping her and Harry with counter curses during the evenings. That way Hermione's distracted, and Harry will be there some of the time to assure her nothing's going on..." Ron pointed to Harry.
"And Dumbledore? What of him?" asked Harry.
"Dumbledore's going to help with decorations. We're going to use the boy's dormitory in our tower since she barely comes in there. Even Professor McGonnagal wanted to help. She's making a bewitched cake..." Ron looked as if he was still deciding on this.
"I think it will be lovely." Luna nodded to him.
The month between the Marauder meeting and Hermione's birthday passed quickly. The Marauders found themselves in battle mode. Operation Birthday Surprise was now in full effect, and Hermione still had no clue as to what was going on.
The morning of Hermione's birthday came, and the Marauders woke her to shower her with their various birthday gifts. This, in itself, was surprising enough to her. Ginny's job for the day, once the group was out of their pajamas, of course, was to spend the day with Hermione and keep her just busy enough to be oblivious as to what was happening around her.
Harry sent an owl to the Granger house, telling Hermione's parents to meet him at King's Cross Station in London. Professor McGonnagal, after adding the finishing touches to her cake, drove Harry to meet the Grangers, and take them back to Hogwarts. Harry snuck them on the grounds, and straight past Hermione and Ginny, and took them to the Gryffindor boys' dormitory.
Neville was already waiting in the boys' dormitory with Dumbledore. Neville greeted the Grangers, and put them under a disillusionment charm so Hermione wouldn't see them if she did happen to come in. Dumbledore bewitched the ceiling so that it looked like there was a starry night actually inside the room. It was the same charm he had used to make the Great Hall so...interesting. Hermione's parents were delighted.
Luna brought Ron's parents straight into the Gryffindor common room using the Floo Network. They ran straight to the boys' dormitory, where Neville and Dumbledore were still waiting.
Later that afternoon, after the rest of the Marauders had given him the okay, Ron picked Hermione up from her lesson with Professor Lupin.
"Err...Professor? Could you come with us? There's something really important I want to show you in our common room. It's really neat," he winked.
Professor Lupin smiled and followed the couple into the common room. From inside the dormitory, Dumbledore heard footsteps, and quickly removed the Grangers and the Weasleys from the disillusionment charm. The door swung open.
Hermione's mouth dropped open. Her parents had come to visit for her birthday, and the Marauders had arranged it. She kissed Ron. "This is the best birthday present I've ever had! How did you get everyone here?" she asked.
Ginny and Luna stifled a laugh. "Really? You sure it's the best you've ever had? Bet you he can do better..." Luna smiled.
It was as if Hermione had only just noticed Ron's parents were standing there. They beamed at her. "Why are your parents here? And Dumbledore? And Professor McGonnagal? And why would you have Professor Lupin follow us? What did you do, Ronald Weasley?" Hermione demanded politely. She was starting to become suspicious.
"Happy birthday, Hermione." Ron smiled. "But, that's not all."
"What do you mean, 'that's not all', Ron?" Hermione whispered.
Ron gulped. "I got the Marauders together at a secret meeting a while ago. I called both our parents. I wanted everything to be perfect for you today, because...well, because..." Ron got down on one knee, and took a small ring box out of his robes, "because I love you, Hermione, and I couldn't think of a better time than now to ask you to marry me?" Ron finished and took a deep, worried breath.
Hermione's mouth dropped open for the second time in ten minutes. She looked from Ron, and carefully scanned the expressions of every person in the room.
"Oh...my...god..." she gasped. "Ron...I can't believe you went to all this trouble..." She was smiling broadly than he had ever seen her.
"Sweetie, you still haven't answered him," Luna reminded her.
"Yes, of course!" Hermione cried, and again kissed Ron. "Of course, I will!"
Cheers erupted throughout the room. Operation Birthday Surprise, as it turns out, had been the biggest of successes.
A/N: Mind you...there will be more. After all, their 7th year isn't over yet, is it? And I promised y'all I'd go farther than that...and I intend to. Hope you enjoyed this one! Read and Review please!