The rest of the summer was the most awkward that Harry had ever experienced. By the end of August, everyone at the Dursley's were not talking to Harry. Petunia thought that everyone on the block saw Hermione colapse on the sidewalk in broad daylight, conforted by none other than that skinny four-eyed punk who had walked out of number four so many times.
"Couldn't we just forbid him to go outside?" Asked Petunia of Vernon.
"NO!" said Dudley. "I'll be forced to spend all my time outside! How am I supposed to play any video games?!"
Harry just stared at his piece of toast. Wondering if Hermonie told Ron. How the ride on the train was to be so out of the ordinary. As if home would never be the same. What if she left? What if they expelled her? She couldn't have gotten to Ron's house with the use of some kind of magic. What if the Ministry came down on her for using of magic outside of school? He knew they wouldn't consider her a special case as they did him. She was an example student if anything they would come down harder.
Just about a day later Ron's letter came.
Harry,
Hermione has run Away! She's here at the Burrow. I can't believe it! She's always gotten along with her parents. What's going on?
She won't tell me a thing! Has she sent you any owls? She's writing constantly. but she wouldn't tell me to whom.
I can't imagine how she got here. She looked a wreck. Even mum suspects somethings up. Perhaps a run-in with You-know-who? She said her parnets are very much alive. It's been confirmed, though. He's in England, Harry.
Dad says he's been seen not even 30Km just south of London. He's getting right paranoid, Sometimes apparating to your front door at 3 in the morning sometimes just to make sure you haven't made a run for it or that anyone else has found out where you are.
He's thinking about putting invisibility charms on some trolls and posting them at your house. He's really worried!
tell me anything you know! I think I can help!
Ron.
Harry stared at the letter a long time. He knew he would have to respond, but he was rather queezy on what to say. He sent a letter back suggesting that perhaps she was writing to victor or to her parents trying to sort out running away. It wasn't the first time that he kept things from Ron where Hermione was concerned. He just hoped that he could get him jealous enough of Krum to goad Hermione to tell him her secret. It would have to be up to her, and Harry knew that he would have to be very careful on the train. It would not be long till the journey to King's Cross station and Harry was wondering if he should write to Herminone telling her that Ron was curious.
Hermione can take care of herself, he reasoned, but this isn't even a magical problem. He wondered if the wizards of their world would even consider a problem that crossed into the muggle world worth even considering, even if one of the most talented wizards that Harry ever knew was involved.
Two days before September 1st, Harry started to think about how he was going to get to Diagon Alley. He was wondering if it would be safe to take the Knight Bus. With Voldormort around, he thought that the knight bus might be patrolled by deatheaters who would undoubtedly tell the Dark Lord about his whereabouts. He thought about sending another owl to Ron asking him if his father could pick him up or somehow arrange a portkey to the Burrow the day before departing. Harry was in for a surprise.
That night as he finished brushing over his herbology essay: "How mirror vines create looking glasses: The creation of reflective glass in the rain forest," he heard a faint pair of thuds coming from downstairs. They repeated several times before Harry realized that they were coming from the front door. His heart jumped. His scar wasn't hurting, so he figured it must be safe, but why was someone calling so late. They Dursleys were asleep, so it couldn't be for them. Perhaps it was one of Dudley's goon here to invite him for a late night romp of mischief. Harry peaked out of the door to his room.
"Well don't just stand there," Dudley scowled, "answer the door and see who it is."
"It's probably for you," Harry retorted.
"So?! Don't be rude and ask him to come in!."
Harry slid out of his room and went downstairs. Just to be safe he peeked through the peephole. A stomach? No. A waistcoat, moleskin perhaps. There was only one person he knew whose stomach would be at the height of the peephole.
"Is that you, Hagrid?" Harry called.
"Aye, mate. Let me in. I don't want them to find me if I've been followed." Harry quickly opened the door. "Is it for me?" Dudley yelled.
"No!" Harry returned.
"Well then, who in bloody hell is..." Dundley came downstairs. When he caught sight of Hagrid, his jaw dropped and he scurried back to when he came crying "MOM, DAD, HE'S BACK! THE GIANTS'S BACK!"
"We best be off. Before your aunt and uncle wake up and force me to use... Well, drastic measures to get you out of here."
"Are we going to Diagon Alley?" Asked Harry.
"Yes, with the help of your Godfather, actually."
"Sirius is here?"
"No, but his motorbike is."
"You kept it?"
"a' course I did! How could you give up a 1975 Triumph in mint condition? We should go. Standin' 'round here will only attract attention," he said and handed Harry a helmet.
Harry walked out the door a little hesitant. He had enough adventures with an enchanted car, but a bike? That could only be more trouble.
"Um, Hagrid, isn't enchanting a bike like that illegal."
"Well, I didn't do it, did I? Besides, blowin' up yer aunt ain't exactly cricket. Neither is the magic you used after you blew her up, now, is it? You got out of that didn't you? Besides Dumbledore said to use any means necessary and then gave me that look, you know?"
"Right." Harry said.
Harry hopped on the bike and within seconds they were in air troubled only by the loud roar of the motorcycle's engine. As the bike flew along, Harry leaned his head against Hagrid's back and slowly fell asleep. After about a hour or so, Harry felt a sharp bang and awoke.
"Here we are, Harry." Said Hagrid. "Come on inside the Leaky Cauldron and I'll have Tom set you up with a room for the next couple of nights. You should be safe here."
As they walked inside, Harry caught a glimpse of Tom carrying dishes into the kitchen.
"Oh hello Hagrid." He said. "just have a seat and I'll be with you in a minute. Hello, Mr. Potter, Welcome back again."
"Thank You." Just then a small creature peeked from behind the kitchen door. "Harry Potter, sir."
"Dobby?"
"Yes, sir."
"What are you doing here?"
"The Headmaster allowed Dobby to seek summer employment, sir. He figured I could make more money and he could save some by not having to pay Dobby, sir, over the summer. Not that he didn't want me to stay, however, being free, he said, I should have the choice."
"That's excellent, Dobby, how's Winkie?"
"Oh she's in hospital, sir. The Headmaster had to send her there for drinking too much, I think. Something strange was happening to her. Sir, she started seeing things. The headmaster called it Dimentium Treaties."
"You mean Delerium Tremors? The DT's?"
"Yes! That's it!"
"Poor Winkie. I hope she's alright."
"Will it be two nights then," Tom said as he reappeared.
"Yep, that's right," said Hagrid.
"Excellent. I'll go up and make sure your room is ready."
"Let me take your luggage, Harry Potter and Hagrid," said Dobby.
"That's alright, uh, Elf, I uh need to get back to the castle. Lot's to do. You settle up then, eh, Harry?"
"Thanks for rescuing me Hagrid."
"My pleasure. Now you watch out for yourself. Diagon Alley maybe safe, but you can't be too careful."
"I will." And with that, Hagrid ducked out of the Leaky Cauldron. Harry heard the roar of the motorcycle as he took off back to Hogwarts. In two days Harry would be home.
Harry woke up to a welcome yet strange sight. At the foot of his bed, next to the open window there was a big black dog, pulling the shades closed with it's teeth. After the room darkened, the dog started to lick Harry's face.
"Now, now, Padfoot," he said. "Good to see you old boy." He sat up and the dog jumped down to the floor and instantaneously became Harry's Godfather, Sirius.
"Harry, good to see you. Glad to know you made it. Did you like my bike?"
"Oh, yes."
"Hagrid's been taking acre of it while I'm on my mission."
"How is it working with snape?"
"He's changed since I knew him at Hogwarts. Harry, he's become one of the bravest men I've ever known. He may not be as noble as your father. But he's defiantly as brave. He underwent the most brutal of tortures and trials and no matter what Voldemort threw at him, he still came threw with reports for me. Harry, you have to understand what he's been through. If this is anything like the first time, I have new respect for him. There are very few wizards who could do what he has done."
"Really."
"Harry, imagine having your body feel like it's completely on fire for days at a time."
"Ouch."
"He bared it Harry; sometimes for weeks, and he stood fast. I wept when I heard, and begged for his forgiveness for all the stupid pranks I pulled on him at Hogwarts."
"Wow! Never thought you two would make up."
"Well, I finally got him to believe me. He's promised to do what he can to help. It's always good to make a friend in these times."
"Yeah, you can say that again. Sirius, Hermione's pregnant."
"What? At her age? Why she's only your age, isn't she?"
"I know. She's run away from her parents." Harry then explained about Krum, about the trip to Bulgaria and how it came that she ran away. Sirius looked grim.
"It won't be easy for her, Harry. She'll be alright, of course. It just depends on what she does. You see, there are magical procedures she could have done to keep her from having the baby and continuing at Hogwarts. However, if she decides to have the baby..."
"What magical procedure?"
"It's a procedure where the fetus is dismantled and disintegrated. It's painless for the wizard and is rarely used. Most wizards use powerful spells for birth control and are rather careful."
"She tried to be. It was not intentional."
"I understand, but there is little I can do. I mean, this is not a very good time to have that kind of burden on you. Voldomort is near, Harry."
"Yes I know!"
"But it's strange. He's not brining on a very strong attack. It's not like it used to be. He's not attacking us outright. Something's going on."
"Any ideas?"
"No, but Dumbledore does have spies very well placed. We'll find out."
With that, Sirius transformed back into a dog, nudged the window latch and pried it open.
The train ride to Hogwarts was far less eventful and far less festive than usual. Ron was talking the entire time watching Harry and Hermione staring at him very grimly.
"What's the matter with you two?" Hermione sighed. Harry looked at her. Did she actually expect him to tell him? Ron looked at Harry.
"What's going on?"
"Ron.." Harry started.
"Ron," Hermione chiriped nervously, "I visited Viktor over the summer. You know that, but something happened, I got pregnant"
"Go on!" Ron cried sarcastically.
"Ron." Harry warned.
"You can't be! You're the best wizard I've ever known. No way you would let that slip."
"I didn't let it slip!" Hermionie cried.
"Shhh!" The compartment door slid open.
"Hungry anyone? We're out of chocolate frogs. All the girls took them trying to get the new Gilderoy Lockhart card. The one with him in a padded cell."
"We're alright, thank you," Harry said. She closed the compartment door slowly.
"It was an accident."
"So, madam Pomfrey could take of it."
"Oh, Ron!" Hermione scolded. Ron stared at her amazed.
"You're... Your're... not going to keep it, are you?"
"I haven't decided,"
"Hermione! You can't just go through school with a baby on the way! Are you mad?"
"I said I haven't decided!"
"Well, the answer is pretty clear, isn't it?"
"Ron, please, it's not that simple," Harry interjected softly.
"I mean, really, how hard is it gonna be? One simple spell or some kind of potion."
"It's not that simple, Ron."
"How could it not be, Harry, honestly!"
"Oh, Ron, you don't understand, do you? There are other people involved!"
"Like who?"
"How about Viktor and the baby?"
"The baby!?! It's not even born yet! What say does it have!"
"It's not an 'it', Ron!"
"Oh go on! You're not one of these pro-lifers, are you? It's a fetus, Hermonie. It doesn't think, doesn't talk, doesn't sing, doesn't dance. It sits there in womb sucking food and sustinance from your body. Sustinance that could be used for your brain, you know, that thing that makes you a good wizard?"
"It doesn't work like that, Ron. Whether I keep the baby or not, my brain will be fine, just fine."
Everyone sat silent for the rest of the trip. It was the longest they ever had.
"Couldn't we just forbid him to go outside?" Asked Petunia of Vernon.
"NO!" said Dudley. "I'll be forced to spend all my time outside! How am I supposed to play any video games?!"
Harry just stared at his piece of toast. Wondering if Hermonie told Ron. How the ride on the train was to be so out of the ordinary. As if home would never be the same. What if she left? What if they expelled her? She couldn't have gotten to Ron's house with the use of some kind of magic. What if the Ministry came down on her for using of magic outside of school? He knew they wouldn't consider her a special case as they did him. She was an example student if anything they would come down harder.
Just about a day later Ron's letter came.
Harry,
Hermione has run Away! She's here at the Burrow. I can't believe it! She's always gotten along with her parents. What's going on?
She won't tell me a thing! Has she sent you any owls? She's writing constantly. but she wouldn't tell me to whom.
I can't imagine how she got here. She looked a wreck. Even mum suspects somethings up. Perhaps a run-in with You-know-who? She said her parnets are very much alive. It's been confirmed, though. He's in England, Harry.
Dad says he's been seen not even 30Km just south of London. He's getting right paranoid, Sometimes apparating to your front door at 3 in the morning sometimes just to make sure you haven't made a run for it or that anyone else has found out where you are.
He's thinking about putting invisibility charms on some trolls and posting them at your house. He's really worried!
tell me anything you know! I think I can help!
Ron.
Harry stared at the letter a long time. He knew he would have to respond, but he was rather queezy on what to say. He sent a letter back suggesting that perhaps she was writing to victor or to her parents trying to sort out running away. It wasn't the first time that he kept things from Ron where Hermione was concerned. He just hoped that he could get him jealous enough of Krum to goad Hermione to tell him her secret. It would have to be up to her, and Harry knew that he would have to be very careful on the train. It would not be long till the journey to King's Cross station and Harry was wondering if he should write to Herminone telling her that Ron was curious.
Hermione can take care of herself, he reasoned, but this isn't even a magical problem. He wondered if the wizards of their world would even consider a problem that crossed into the muggle world worth even considering, even if one of the most talented wizards that Harry ever knew was involved.
Two days before September 1st, Harry started to think about how he was going to get to Diagon Alley. He was wondering if it would be safe to take the Knight Bus. With Voldormort around, he thought that the knight bus might be patrolled by deatheaters who would undoubtedly tell the Dark Lord about his whereabouts. He thought about sending another owl to Ron asking him if his father could pick him up or somehow arrange a portkey to the Burrow the day before departing. Harry was in for a surprise.
That night as he finished brushing over his herbology essay: "How mirror vines create looking glasses: The creation of reflective glass in the rain forest," he heard a faint pair of thuds coming from downstairs. They repeated several times before Harry realized that they were coming from the front door. His heart jumped. His scar wasn't hurting, so he figured it must be safe, but why was someone calling so late. They Dursleys were asleep, so it couldn't be for them. Perhaps it was one of Dudley's goon here to invite him for a late night romp of mischief. Harry peaked out of the door to his room.
"Well don't just stand there," Dudley scowled, "answer the door and see who it is."
"It's probably for you," Harry retorted.
"So?! Don't be rude and ask him to come in!."
Harry slid out of his room and went downstairs. Just to be safe he peeked through the peephole. A stomach? No. A waistcoat, moleskin perhaps. There was only one person he knew whose stomach would be at the height of the peephole.
"Is that you, Hagrid?" Harry called.
"Aye, mate. Let me in. I don't want them to find me if I've been followed." Harry quickly opened the door. "Is it for me?" Dudley yelled.
"No!" Harry returned.
"Well then, who in bloody hell is..." Dundley came downstairs. When he caught sight of Hagrid, his jaw dropped and he scurried back to when he came crying "MOM, DAD, HE'S BACK! THE GIANTS'S BACK!"
"We best be off. Before your aunt and uncle wake up and force me to use... Well, drastic measures to get you out of here."
"Are we going to Diagon Alley?" Asked Harry.
"Yes, with the help of your Godfather, actually."
"Sirius is here?"
"No, but his motorbike is."
"You kept it?"
"a' course I did! How could you give up a 1975 Triumph in mint condition? We should go. Standin' 'round here will only attract attention," he said and handed Harry a helmet.
Harry walked out the door a little hesitant. He had enough adventures with an enchanted car, but a bike? That could only be more trouble.
"Um, Hagrid, isn't enchanting a bike like that illegal."
"Well, I didn't do it, did I? Besides, blowin' up yer aunt ain't exactly cricket. Neither is the magic you used after you blew her up, now, is it? You got out of that didn't you? Besides Dumbledore said to use any means necessary and then gave me that look, you know?"
"Right." Harry said.
Harry hopped on the bike and within seconds they were in air troubled only by the loud roar of the motorcycle's engine. As the bike flew along, Harry leaned his head against Hagrid's back and slowly fell asleep. After about a hour or so, Harry felt a sharp bang and awoke.
"Here we are, Harry." Said Hagrid. "Come on inside the Leaky Cauldron and I'll have Tom set you up with a room for the next couple of nights. You should be safe here."
As they walked inside, Harry caught a glimpse of Tom carrying dishes into the kitchen.
"Oh hello Hagrid." He said. "just have a seat and I'll be with you in a minute. Hello, Mr. Potter, Welcome back again."
"Thank You." Just then a small creature peeked from behind the kitchen door. "Harry Potter, sir."
"Dobby?"
"Yes, sir."
"What are you doing here?"
"The Headmaster allowed Dobby to seek summer employment, sir. He figured I could make more money and he could save some by not having to pay Dobby, sir, over the summer. Not that he didn't want me to stay, however, being free, he said, I should have the choice."
"That's excellent, Dobby, how's Winkie?"
"Oh she's in hospital, sir. The Headmaster had to send her there for drinking too much, I think. Something strange was happening to her. Sir, she started seeing things. The headmaster called it Dimentium Treaties."
"You mean Delerium Tremors? The DT's?"
"Yes! That's it!"
"Poor Winkie. I hope she's alright."
"Will it be two nights then," Tom said as he reappeared.
"Yep, that's right," said Hagrid.
"Excellent. I'll go up and make sure your room is ready."
"Let me take your luggage, Harry Potter and Hagrid," said Dobby.
"That's alright, uh, Elf, I uh need to get back to the castle. Lot's to do. You settle up then, eh, Harry?"
"Thanks for rescuing me Hagrid."
"My pleasure. Now you watch out for yourself. Diagon Alley maybe safe, but you can't be too careful."
"I will." And with that, Hagrid ducked out of the Leaky Cauldron. Harry heard the roar of the motorcycle as he took off back to Hogwarts. In two days Harry would be home.
Harry woke up to a welcome yet strange sight. At the foot of his bed, next to the open window there was a big black dog, pulling the shades closed with it's teeth. After the room darkened, the dog started to lick Harry's face.
"Now, now, Padfoot," he said. "Good to see you old boy." He sat up and the dog jumped down to the floor and instantaneously became Harry's Godfather, Sirius.
"Harry, good to see you. Glad to know you made it. Did you like my bike?"
"Oh, yes."
"Hagrid's been taking acre of it while I'm on my mission."
"How is it working with snape?"
"He's changed since I knew him at Hogwarts. Harry, he's become one of the bravest men I've ever known. He may not be as noble as your father. But he's defiantly as brave. He underwent the most brutal of tortures and trials and no matter what Voldemort threw at him, he still came threw with reports for me. Harry, you have to understand what he's been through. If this is anything like the first time, I have new respect for him. There are very few wizards who could do what he has done."
"Really."
"Harry, imagine having your body feel like it's completely on fire for days at a time."
"Ouch."
"He bared it Harry; sometimes for weeks, and he stood fast. I wept when I heard, and begged for his forgiveness for all the stupid pranks I pulled on him at Hogwarts."
"Wow! Never thought you two would make up."
"Well, I finally got him to believe me. He's promised to do what he can to help. It's always good to make a friend in these times."
"Yeah, you can say that again. Sirius, Hermione's pregnant."
"What? At her age? Why she's only your age, isn't she?"
"I know. She's run away from her parents." Harry then explained about Krum, about the trip to Bulgaria and how it came that she ran away. Sirius looked grim.
"It won't be easy for her, Harry. She'll be alright, of course. It just depends on what she does. You see, there are magical procedures she could have done to keep her from having the baby and continuing at Hogwarts. However, if she decides to have the baby..."
"What magical procedure?"
"It's a procedure where the fetus is dismantled and disintegrated. It's painless for the wizard and is rarely used. Most wizards use powerful spells for birth control and are rather careful."
"She tried to be. It was not intentional."
"I understand, but there is little I can do. I mean, this is not a very good time to have that kind of burden on you. Voldomort is near, Harry."
"Yes I know!"
"But it's strange. He's not brining on a very strong attack. It's not like it used to be. He's not attacking us outright. Something's going on."
"Any ideas?"
"No, but Dumbledore does have spies very well placed. We'll find out."
With that, Sirius transformed back into a dog, nudged the window latch and pried it open.
The train ride to Hogwarts was far less eventful and far less festive than usual. Ron was talking the entire time watching Harry and Hermione staring at him very grimly.
"What's the matter with you two?" Hermione sighed. Harry looked at her. Did she actually expect him to tell him? Ron looked at Harry.
"What's going on?"
"Ron.." Harry started.
"Ron," Hermione chiriped nervously, "I visited Viktor over the summer. You know that, but something happened, I got pregnant"
"Go on!" Ron cried sarcastically.
"Ron." Harry warned.
"You can't be! You're the best wizard I've ever known. No way you would let that slip."
"I didn't let it slip!" Hermionie cried.
"Shhh!" The compartment door slid open.
"Hungry anyone? We're out of chocolate frogs. All the girls took them trying to get the new Gilderoy Lockhart card. The one with him in a padded cell."
"We're alright, thank you," Harry said. She closed the compartment door slowly.
"It was an accident."
"So, madam Pomfrey could take of it."
"Oh, Ron!" Hermione scolded. Ron stared at her amazed.
"You're... Your're... not going to keep it, are you?"
"I haven't decided,"
"Hermione! You can't just go through school with a baby on the way! Are you mad?"
"I said I haven't decided!"
"Well, the answer is pretty clear, isn't it?"
"Ron, please, it's not that simple," Harry interjected softly.
"I mean, really, how hard is it gonna be? One simple spell or some kind of potion."
"It's not that simple, Ron."
"How could it not be, Harry, honestly!"
"Oh, Ron, you don't understand, do you? There are other people involved!"
"Like who?"
"How about Viktor and the baby?"
"The baby!?! It's not even born yet! What say does it have!"
"It's not an 'it', Ron!"
"Oh go on! You're not one of these pro-lifers, are you? It's a fetus, Hermonie. It doesn't think, doesn't talk, doesn't sing, doesn't dance. It sits there in womb sucking food and sustinance from your body. Sustinance that could be used for your brain, you know, that thing that makes you a good wizard?"
"It doesn't work like that, Ron. Whether I keep the baby or not, my brain will be fine, just fine."
Everyone sat silent for the rest of the trip. It was the longest they ever had.