Remus stumbled back into the house with his wife's body tucked safely in his arms. "Help," he yelled once he was in the house. The urgency in his voice made everyone come running from all over the house.
Lily stopped dead when she saw who Remus was carrying. James rushed to her, thinking she was going to faint dead away. Sirius, still with two one year olds in tow, set the boys down on the floor and rushed forward to help Remus.
"What happened to her?" he asked frantically.
"I don't know," replied Remus. "She just fainted." He laid her down on the empty couch and knelt beside her. "She's breathing," he announced, more for himself than anyone else.
Hermione moaned and tilted her head in the direction of her husband's voice.
"Hermione," he said softly, hopefully.
James and Lily moved closer and gazed at Hermione intently. Sirius, who was standing near her head, reached down and felt her pulse. It was really just an excuse to touch her, to prove that she was flesh and blood and not just some apparition.
"Remus," she said breathlessly.
"I'm here, love," he answered, taking her hand in his and pressing it to his lips. "I'm here."
She opened her eyes and sighed. "Where am I?" she asked.
"At James and Lily's," he answered. "Don't you remember?"
Hermione looked around and saw the concerned faces of her friends. They were all staring down at her as if she were a ghost. "I don't know," she said slowly. There was a complete state of confusion over her face. She searched for Remus's face and locked onto his eyes.
"Hermione, where have you been?" asked Lily.
Hermione tore her gaze from Remus to look at Lily. "I don't understand," she said in confusion.
"It's been four months," said Sirius quietly.
"Four months," she mouthed in shock. "What do you mean? How can that be?"
"You disappeared," said Remus. "We looked everywhere for you, but there was no sign. We thought you were dead." His voice shook as he spoke that last sentence, then he laid his head down on her chest and held her tightly. Her hand drifted up to his head, and she stroked his hair softly.
"That can't be right," she said, after a while. "It can't have been four months."
"It has been," said Remus, lifting his head. He framed her face with his hands. "You're really here," he sighed. "I can't believe you're here."
A sudden cry caught everyone's attention. Nathaniel and Harry had tired of being ignored and were making their presence known. Hermione sat up a little and stared at the babies. Nobody moved. Then Nathaniel pulled himself to his knees and crawled to his father. He lifted his arms and whimpered. Remus picked him up and deposited him in Hermione's arms. Mother and son stared at each other and then Hermione closed her eyes and pulled him closer, breathing his scent in. It was only then that her tears started. "I didn't recognize him," she cried. "He's too big. When did he get so big?"
"He's one today, Hermione," said Remus quietly and she cried more.
"I'm going to contact Dumbledore," said Lily quietly. "He has to be told." Then she excused herself quietly.
Remus was murmuring quietly to his wife and son. James went around them and pulled Harry up and into his arms. Then he passed Sirius, snagged his arm and pulled him from the room. "Let's give them a minute alone," he said quietly. Sirius nodded.
"This is incredible," said Sirius, once they were outside the room.
"I know," agreed James. "I can't believe it."
Lily came into view. "Dumbledore's on his way," she announced quietly. "He's bringing Madam Pomfrey with him to check over Hermione."
James nodded. "Good."
"Where do you think she's been?" asked Lily. They all seemed to need to speak in hushed tones.
"I don't know," said James. "But it's obvious that someone has placed some kind of memory charm on her. And a powerful one at that to have blocked out four months."
"Do you suppose she really ran into Voldemort?" asked Lily.
Again James shrugged. "Possibly."
"But if she did, how did she manage to escape?" persisted Lily. "It's the impossible."
"She's done it before," said James. "Maybe she pulled off another miracle."
"Sirius, what do you think?" asked Lily.
Sirius was staring off into space and hadn't heard the question.
"Sirius," said Lily again.
His head jerked toward Lily. "What?" he asked.
She smiled sympathetically. "What do you think?"
"I don't know," he said. "I suppose if anyone could survive an encounter with Voldemort it would be her."
"We've all survived encounters with Voldemort," commented James. "More than once. But I don't know. Something about this doesn't feel right."
"How do you want it to feel?" asked Sirius. "She's back. Nothing else matters. We thought she was dead. To have her back…" he trailed off. "It's what we've all been praying for," he finished quietly.
"We'll just have to wait for Dumbledore," said Lily. "He'll be able to make her remember. I know he will."
But he couldn't. Neither Dumbledore nor Madam Pomfrey could lift the memory block on Hermione. They surmised that either Voldemort himself had cast the charm or no charm existed in the first place. They had to considerthe possibilitythat her memory loss was something other than magic.
Hermione quickly tired of being poked and prodded by the older witch and wizard. She wanted nothing more than a little food and a lot of sleep. When it became clear that other than her memory loss, she was completely healthy, except for a bit of exhaustion, they let her retire.
Remus led her to the room he currently occupied and put her immediately to bed. She could barely keep her eyes open. He pulled the covers up to her chin and sat next to her at the head of the bed. "I can't believe you're here," he murmured.
"Where else would I be," she mumbled with her eyes closed.
He smiled. "I'll be here all night," he said. "I won't leave you."
"You don't have to," she continued, never opening her eyes.
"I want to."
"No, don't. Its Nathaniel's first birthday. Go spend some time with him. I'll never forgive myself for ruining it."
"You didn't ruin anything," he admonished. "You gave our son the best gift in the world."
"Remus, please," she said, finally opening her eyes. "I won't be able to rest if you stay."
Remus couldn't quite keep the hurt from his eyes, but he wasn't about to deny her anything. "If you're sure," he hesitated.
She smiled softly and closed her eyes again.
Remus lingered for a couple of seconds, before leaning down and kissing her forehead. Then he stood and left. Not far from the room, Lily, James, and Sirius were pretending to clean up the party preparations.
They all stopped and looked at Remus expectantly. "She's sleeping," he announced. "Where are the boys?"
"Up in the nursery, napping," replied Lily. "How's Hermione doing?" she asked.
"All right, I guess," he said with a little shrug. "She's more worried about Nathaniel's birthday being ruined than herself. I think she'll sleep now."
"Did she say anything else?" asked James, "about where she's been."
"No," he shrugged. "She just needs some sleep. It'll come back to her."
"Let's hope so," said Lily.
"But even if it doesn't," Remus continued defensively. "I won't care. I'm just glad to have her back."
"I agree with Remus," said Sirius.
"Of course we're glad she's back," said Lily. "But not knowing where she's been for four months is disturbing. Who knows what's been done to her. Lots of times when muggles lose their memories, it's because something traumatic happened to them. If we don't know how can we help her?"
"Hermione's not a muggle," said Remus.
"I know," continued Lily. "I'm just concerned, that's all."
"We're all concerned," added James.
Remus nodded. "I couldn't ask for better friends than you guys. I know you all love her."
"We do," said Lily.
He ducked his head. "You don't mind if we stay for a while?" he asked quietly. "I know I said I was moving out with Nathaniel, but I don't think my parent's home is the best place for her right now. I want her around people who love her."
"Of course you'll stay," said James quickly. "We wouldn't hear about you leaving."
"Thanks," said Remus gratefully. "I'm going to check on Nathaniel and then I'll get back to Hermione."
Lily nodded. "Take care of your wife. We'll make sure Nathaniel is taken care of."
"Thanks," said Remus again, before heading to the nursery.
"I think I'd like to stay too, Lily," said Sirius, once Remus had left.
"Of course," said Lily in surprise. "You're always welcome."
Sirius could see James looking at him. "It's not what you think," he said. "I think she might still be in danger. If she escaped from him somehow, Voldemort will not be happy. And if she didn't…" he trailed off.
"You mean he might have let her go," said James. He nodded. "I'll admit the thought did cross my mind."
"If she was let go," Sirius continued. "None of us are safe."
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Hermione had been home for a few days now and still hadn't left the comfort of her room. Remus tried to stay with her as much as possible, but sleep was nearly impossible. Hermione woke seven or eight time a night and every time she got up, Remus was up.
It was four in the morning and she was returning from another trip to the bathroom. Remus propped himself up on his elbow. "Are you sick?" he asked tiredly.
"No," she said shaking her head. "I just can't sleep." She got back into bed and Remus wrapped himself around her.
"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked.
"No," she said, squirming in his embrace. "I'm just restless." They were quiet for a long while. Then Hermione said slowly, "maybe we should sleep in separate rooms."
"What?" gasped Remus, shooting up in bed.
"It's just that you're not getting any sleep."
"Don't worry about that," he said. "I'm fine."
"You're tired," she said sympathetically. "You haven't gotten a night's rest since I've been back."
"I'll be fine," he insisted.
"And I don't have a baby to look after all day," she continued. "You're the one taking care of him."
"Hermione, do you want me to move out of our room?" he asked. The ache is his voice betrayed his hurt.
"Just for a little while," she pressed on quietly. "Not forever," she added quickly. "All I do is worry that I'm keeping you up and then I can't sleep, because I'm worried," she finished lamely. "It's just until I feel a little stronger."
Remus got up slowly and walked around the bed. He leaned down and kissed her softly. "Whatever you want," he said quietly. "I just want you feeling stronger."
"Thank you," she replied.
"I love you," he said, leaning down and kissing her again, lingering against her lips.
"I love you too," she said back.
He brushed the hair from her forehead feeling reluctant to leave. "Sleep, love."
She obediently closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Remus watched her for a few more seconds, before leaving the room.
The next afternoon, Remus passed by the room and noticed the door was open. He knocked lightly, before peeking in. Hermione was sitting up in bed and Sirius was kneeling beside her. Hermione's head was thrown back in laughter, so she didn't see Remus at first.
"Am I interrupting?" he asked, stepping into the room.
Hermione put her hand over her mouth, trying to control her laughter. "No, of course not. Come in." Remus moved closer and sat on the edge of the bed.
"You look better," he commented.
She nodded. "I think I managed to get a few hours of sleep, sometime after five."
"Good," said Remus with a smile. "So, what were you two talking about?"
"Sirius was just telling me stories from when you guys were boys," she said with a smirk. "I don't think I've met a bigger bunch of pranksters," she said. "And that is saying something."
Remus raised his hands. "I had nothing to do with any of it."
"Remus is the only reason we weren't expelled in our first year," agreed Sirius. "You can't imagine the stuff he talked us out of."
"I'll bet," she said. "Remus always was the responsible one."
There was a bit of an awkward pause, before Hermione continued. "You guys get out of here," she said. "I'm going to try and get some more sleep. I'm getting out of this bed tomorrow."
Sirius and Remus obediently stood. "Do you want me to bring you something to eat?" asked Sirius, before Remus could.
"Maybe later," she replied with a smile. "Now go," she shooed them away.
"She's looking much better," commented Sirius once they were outside.
Remus nodded. "Well, I better check on Nathaniel. He's been a bit fussy lately. There's been too much change in his life."
"That'll stop now that his mother's back," said Sirius.
"I hope so," said Remus, but he said it quietly so Sirius couldn't hear.
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"Hermione, where do you think you're going?" asked Remus. He had been in the kitchen fixing everyone lunch when he heard a noise at the front door. When he got there, he saw Hermione, fully dressed for the first time in days, with her hand on the doorknob.
"You caught me," she said with a blush.
Remus raised his eyebrows at her.
"I was a little restless," she confessed. "I thought I would go for a walk."
"I'll go with you," Remus offered.
"No," she said quickly. "You're in the middle of something and there's no one to watch Nathaniel or Harry. Everyone's out."
"We'll take them with us," he said. "Just give me a minute to get them ready."
"No, really," she insisted. "I'm sure Lily wouldn't want Harry out in this weather."
Remus laughed. "It's the middle of August."
"I know. It's hot. The hot weather's not good for them." She put her hand back on the doorknob and swung the door open. "I'll just walk around the grounds."
"Hermione," Remus began to protest, but she had already closed the door behind her. Remus sighed deeply before heading back to the kitchen.
Hermione walked close to the house for a few minutes in case Remus was watching her, before she slipped quietly into the woods adjoining James' property. She broke out into a run, once she was certain no one could follow. When she was about a quarter of mile into the woods, she stopped and looked frantically around, hoping she hadn't missed it.
A great rush of relief passed over her when she saw the old hat. She picked it up and waited. In about a minute, she felt the tug at her navel and closed her eyes. When she opened her eyes, she was no longer in the woods. She was instead surrounded in an immaculately clean room, furnished with lavish furniture and adorned with beautiful paintings. She had always loved this room.
"Bella!" exclaimed a familiar voice. "We expected you yesterday."
She sighed a long, laborious sigh. "I was unmercifully detained. How are things here?" she asked.
"Much of the same," the man replied.
"And our guest?" she asked.
He smirked. "Much of the same."
She laughed loudly.
"Oh, I'm dying to kiss you, but not looking like that. How much longer?"
"Less than a minute," she replied. They waited and then the change began. Massively curly brown hair, seemed to thin away into straight blond hair, brown eyes gave way to blue and tan skin shimmered and went pale.
"There's my Bella," said Rodolphus Lestrange, embracing his newly transformed wife in an overly passionate embrace.
"Oh, she's back," drawled a lazy voice from the side of the room.
Bellatrix Lestrange broke away from her husband. "Cousin," she murmured in acknowledgment to Lucius Malfoy.
"You were due back yesterday," he said directly.
"Yes well, I was having a bit of trouble extricating myself from the house. They were all a bit clingy after four months."
"Did they suspect?" he asked.
"Not a bit," she replied with an evil smile. "I even fooled Dumbledore."
"Good," said Lucius. "Our Lord is waiting for you."
Bellatrix walked straight backed to the room where Voldemort was currently residing. "My Lord," she murmured, bowing low.
"My faithful one," returned Voldemort. "Have you settled yourself into your new home?"
"I have, my Lord. The traitors suspect nothing."
"Excellent," said Voldemort. "And Dumbledore."
"He too is ignorant of my true identity."
"Good," he said. "You must be careful to limit his access to you. The longer he is around you, the more he will suspect."
"Yes, my Lord," she replied.
"What of the mudblood's husband?" asked Voldemort, "the werewolf she's married too."
"He will not be a problem. He's a fool who is completely besotted with his wife and will excuse her of anything."
"Tread carefully, Bellatrix," said Voldemort. "He will be around you the most. He must not suspect."
"He won't, my Lord," replied Bellatrix. "I will make sure of that."
"Do whatever you must to make sure," said Voldemort coldly.
Bellatrix nodded and was dismissed. She met her husband and cousin just outside the room.
"Well?" Rodolphus asked.
"He is pleased," she answered.
"Malfoy, give me a moment with my wife," said Rodolphus, pulling Bellatrix into an empty room. Once they were alone, he crushed her to him, pressing her up against the wall. "I've missed you," he said, assaulting her mouth and neck.
"I've missed you," she replied, raking her hands over his body.
"I can't stand the thought of that werewolf touching you," he growled.
"He hasn't tried anything yet?" she gasped as her husband began pulling at her shirt.
"He will," he replied.
She laughed. "No, he won't," she replied. "He treats her like a delicate flower. I wonder how they ever conceived a child in the first place."
"Promise me you won't let him," Rodolphus demanded.
"I promise," she gasped. She was willing to promise him anything as long as he didn't stop.
Outside the room, Lucius Malfoy could hear their fast and furious coupling and sighed with boredom. There was still much to do before Bellatrix had to return. As soon as he thought they were finished, he knocked on the door. "If you two are done in there, we have some business to take care of.
Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange emerged from the room with their clothes crumbled and their hair mussed, but neither said a word.
"Are you low on the Polyjuice potion?" asked Lucius.
Bellatrix shook her head. "I just need a bit more of the final product."
"Well we know exactly where to get that," said Rodolphus and they made their way down to Malfoy's dungeon.
"Visitors," Malfoy called out mockingly.
Hermione Granger-Lupin looked up from her seated position on the floor. There was nothing but hate in her eyes.
"Aren't you going to welcome me back?" asked Bellatrix.
"Go to hell," said Hermione.
"No," replied Bellatrix. "I'll be going back to Godric's Hollow," she smirked. "Give me a minute, you two," she said dismissing Lucius and Rodolphus and they left the room.
Bellatrix continued in a kind voice. "I just thought you'd like to know that you're family is taking very good care of me. They can't do enough, especially that husband of yours. Has he always been such a perfect puppy dog?"
Hermione stare turned icy cold.
"Not in the mood to talk?" taunted Bellatrix. "That's fine, you can listen. You might be pleased to know that your son is doing wonderfully. I'll do my best to keep him safe," she laughed.
"If you hurt my son," began Hermione, stepping forward and wrapping her hands around the bars of her cell until her knuckles turned white.
"She speaks," gasped Bellatrix in mock astonishment.
"I mean it," said Hermione. "I will kill you if you hurt him."
"I suspect you would," said Bellatrix, "if you could. But you can't so…" She moved closer. "Now, are we going to do this the easy way or the hard way?"
Hermione stepped back. "I never do things the easy way," she said, her statement was a challenge.
"If you force me to come in and take a piece of you," said Bellatrix coldly. "It's not you who will suffer, it's your son and husband."
Hermione paled.
"Be a good girl and hand over the hair," ordered Bellatrix.
Hermione's hand shook as she reached up and yanked a few strands of hair from her head. She dutifully handed them over to Bellatrix.
"Your husband seems to have set up permanent residence at the Potter's," commented Bellatrix. "I think we're going to have to change that. After over four months of being separated, I think the Lupin's are entitled to a little privacy." She winked at Hermione before turning away and leaving her.
Hermione choked back the bile rising in her throat. The idea of Bellatrix with Remus nearly sent her over the edge. Hermione felt like she was going mad with worry and panic. She slumped back to the floor.
They kept her constantly hungry and sleep deprived. Until today, she hadn't even realized it had been over four months since she had been gone. She was sure Bellatrix let that piece of information slip by mistake.
She cried as she realized Nathaniel had just turned one, but the tears quickly disappeared. Crying was a luxury she didn't permit herself any longer. It was a weakness in her present situation.
She hadn't been searching for Voldemort for long when she was captured by the Malfoy's. They of course, immediately brought her to Voldemort who had tried everything to extract information from her. The only thing was that she didn't know much. She had been a quiet member of the Order for months. Neither she or Lily knew much about what the details of individual missions were, because neither of them went on missions. The birth of her son had saved the Order. If she had known things, she wasn't sure whether they would have gotten them out of her or not.
When it became clear that she neither knew anything nor would tell them what she knew, they came up with another plan. Bellatrix had used truth serum heavily to extract the mundane details of Hermione's life from her in preparation to become her. The polyjuice potion had been the last step and though she tried, Hermione had been too weak to stop them.
Now the worst had come true. Voldemort had a spy walking among James, Lily, Sirius, and Remus. He'd know where they were at all times and when the moment came to strike there would be nothing to stop him.
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A/N: You guys don't know how much I giggled as I wrote this. It is just too evil for words. This was a good twist though, admit it. Hehehe.
Now, for all of you out there who are too smart for your own good, I know you think I made a mistake saying Sirius was Nathaniel's Godfather when I had already said James and Lily were. Well I did, I'll admit it. But this is Hermione we're talking about. I think she would definitely have a back-up plan. You know, why write three rolls of parchment when you can write six? Why have one Godfather when you can have two?
Just go with it. I don't want to change it.