Part Two – The Middle
"Harry," Hermione called weakly. It was the next afternoon and Hermione had just woken up from her mid-noon nap, where she was sprawled on a couch in the Common Room. When no one answered, she slowly sat up and waited. After a few moments, she pulled her wand out from her pocket and muttered, "Accio Harry!"
"AAAAHHHHHHH! HERMIONE! YOU CAN STOP NOW!" yelled Harry. Hermione realized that she had been summoning Harry during the middle of Quidditch practice, that's why he was yelling.
"Harry James Potter, you know not to yell when I'm preg. . .!" Hermione started, but she realized that other students were looking at her. She felt her face turn bright red of embarrassment.
"Your pregnant, Hermione?" Lavender Brown asked. Hermione nodded.
"Whose the father?" inquired Ginny.
"Harry," Hermione answered quickly. She didn't care if Ginny or Lavender knew that Harry was the father of her unborn child, but they would find out soon enough.
"Harry, I think it's time," Hermione whispered. It was six months later and Harry had fallen asleep on the couch across from where Hermione had been staying. Harry put on his glasses and squinted into the darkness at Hermione. From what he could see, she was standing before him, her hands over her large belly and looking deathly pale. Swinging his feet over the couch, he got up and guided her over to the portrait hole.
"Why did you have to wake me up at this hour of night?" the Fat Lady called after Hermione and Harry. Harry could see Hermione was having a hard time breathing.
"Hermione, you'll be okay. We're almost to the hospital wing," Harry soothed Hermione as she began to relax a bit.
Six minutes later, they arrived at the hospital wing. Harry was surprised to see Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Sprout waiting in the wing. Hagrid was also there, along with Remus Lupin, Hermione's parents, Sirius Black, Ron, Ginny, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Dean Thomas, and Neville Longbottom.
"Give her to me," Madame Ponfrey said, taking Hermione's hand. Hermione looked at Harry longingly as she went to a curtained hospital bed near where Harry was standing.
A few moments later, Madame Ponfrey told Harry to come to the curtained bed. Hermione was dressed in pink robes and sweating profusely, but she smiled when she saw Harry. He quickly made his way to Hermione's side and took her hand in his.
"Granger, I want you to squeeze Potter's hand every time you have a contraction," Ponfrey told her. She was sitting at Hermione's front, waiting for the baby to come into the wizarding world.
A few minutes later, Hermione screamed one last time as her baby came into the world. Madame Ponfrey handed scissors to Harry to cut the baby's umbilical cord.
"It's a girl! It's a beautiful baby girl!" Madame Ponfrey told Hermione and Harry. Hermione and the baby started crying at the same time. Harry leaned over and kissed Hermione to let her know how proud of her he was.
"So, what are you going to call her?" Madame Ponfrey asked as she dried the baby off and put her in a blanket.
"What about the name we agreed upon, Harry?" Hermione asked hoarsely.
"You mean Serenity Ann Granger?" Harry inquired. Hermione nodded weakly as baby Serenity was placed in her arms.
"Well?" Madame Ponfrey said. "I'm waiting for the name."
"Her name is Serenity Ann Granger," Harry told Madame Ponfrey, grinning broadly. Ponfrey quickly scribbled the name onto a piece of parchment and opened up the curtained bed with a flick of her wand.
"Oh, Hermione, she's beautiful!" Mr. Granger told his daughter.
"We're so proud of you," Mrs. Granger beamed.
"Ya did well, Hermione. Ya did well," Hagrid told her.
"Can I hold her?" Professor Dumbledore asked. Hermione nodded and handed Serenity to the headmaster. Professor McGonagall peered over Dumbledore's shoulder to get a better look.
"Miss Granger, she's so beautiful," Professor McGonagall said as Dumbledore handed Serenity to her. "I hope she's in Gryffindor house someday."
Ron, Dean, Neville, Mrs. Weasley, Mr. Weasley, Ginny, Sirius, Remus, and Hagrid all had their turn with Serenity. She started fussing when Madame Ponfrey handed her to Harry.
"Harry, she's hungry," Hermione said, nodding to Madame Ponfrey to close the curtain. Now everything in Harry's life was perfect – he had the perfect girlfriend and now he was a dad. He couldn't be happier than he already was.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement to make," Dumbledore said the next day at breakfast. Harry was half-awake after spending the night in the hospital wing with Hermione and Serenity, so he didn't care what Dumbledore had to say.
"I am pleased to announce that a certain Gryffindor couple finally had their baby. The baby was born at eleven fifty last night and she is in perfect condition. The couple decided to name her Serenity Ann. The mother is in the hospital wing with Serenity and the father remains anonymous. The mother will be returning to classes in two months while Serenity is with me in my office. That is all," Dumbledore concluded. The students looked at each other and continued on with their breakfasts.
"Congratulations, Potter. You must be proud," McGonagall said as Harry and Ron stepped into Transfiguration, their first class of the day.
"Thank you, Professor. I am proud of both Hermione and Serenity," Harry told her. McGonagall shot Harry a small smile as he and Ron slipped into their seats. Once the final bell rang, McGonagall divided them into groups of three as the students continued transfiguring a coffee cup into a pillow and back again. Harry had successfully turned the coffee cup into a pillow, but the transforming back was a challenge. By the end of class, McGonagall had given the class a homework assignment that included a foot-long essay about the art of Transfiguration.
"An essay! Merlin!" Harry said, rubbing his forehead. Because of his lack of sleep, Harry had been very out of it.
"It's not that hard, Harry," Ron said, clamping a hand on his shoulder.
"I just realized something – Hermione's going to miss the first Quidditch match of the season!" Harry told Ron, stopping dead in his tracks.
"Yeah? So?" Ron asked, scratching his head.
"It would mean a lot to me if she could make it," Harry explained.
"But she can't because of Serenity," Ron told him.
"I know," Harry sighed as he stepped into History of Magic with Professor Binns.
"Good, Merlin! Not Binns again!" Ron complained as Harry dragged Ron into the stuffy room.
"Ron, we'll only be in here for an hour or two," Harry told his friend. Ron gulped and nodded, taking a seat next to Harry. As Binns drawled on about Goblin Rebellions, Harry's thoughts wandered to Hermione and how she was doing. Before lunch, he and Ron would stop in to see how Hermione and Serenity were doing.
Harry sighed and opened his History of Magic book to the page on the board and tried to read the words before him without falling asleep. He did his best to concentrate on what was in front of him, but he kept thinking about three things: Serenity, Hermione, and catching up on sleep.
It was after Binns' class and Harry and Ron were on their way to see Hermione and Serenity. They were entering the hospital wing when a cold voice came from behind them.
"And just where do you think you two are going?" Professor Snape asked, stepping in front of them to keep them from going anywhere.
"I – er we, are going to see Hermione," Harry said, staring Snape in the face.
"What has Miss Granger done this time?" Snape inquired, folding his arms across his chest.
"Didn't you hear Dumbledore's announcement this morning?" Ron asked.
"Yes, unfortunately," Snape answered him. Turning to Harry, he added, "so, you're the father of Granger's baby."
"Yeah, I am," Harry told him. Snape rolled his eyes and turned on his heel without another glace back at Harry and Ron.
"What the bloody hell was that all about?" Ron asked, irritated.
"I don't know, but I'm dying to see Hermione and Serenity before lunch. After that, we have no time because we have Double DADA, Charms, and Divination," Harry told Ron. Looking at his watch, Harry realized that they only had fifteen minutes to spend with Hermione and Serenity.
"Hiya Harry!" Colin Creevy called out to him. Great, just what I need, that sixth year following me around. Next thing I know, Hermione, Serenity and my picture is gonna be in the Daily Profit. Harry thought to himself.
"What do you want, Colin?" Harry snapped.
"I just wanted to say, hi to you. Is that a crime?" Colin asked, a hurt look on his face.
Harry rolled his eyes, not really wanting to be bothered right now.
"How about at lunch you and I can sit next to each other, okay?" Harry asked as he walked towards where Hermione and Serenity were staying.
"Okay, that would be nice," Colin said as he exited the hospital wing.
As Harry reached where Hermione was, he realized that the curtains were drawn around the bed. Harry moved the curtains with his wand and saw that Hermione's gown was open a little, but she was sleeping along with Serenity. Harry touched Hermione's hand softly and smiled.
"Oh! Harry! You scared me!" Hermione whispered, sitting up and adjusting her gown.
"Heya Hermione," Ron whispered.
"Hello, Ron," Hermione said, smiling at her two friends.
"How's Serenity doing?" Harry asked, taking his daughter in his arms.
"She's fine. She's starting to grow hair," Hermione informed him.
"I can see that. I think she's going to look like me," Harry said, smiling.
Hermione laughed, but that laugh turned into a cough.
"Hermione, sweetie, are you okay?" Harry asked. Serenity had started to cry, so Harry handed her back to Hermione. Hermione opened her gown so that Serenity could nurse.
"When can you come back to the dormitories?" Harry asked, as he sat down in the chair near Hermione's bed. Ron continued to stand on Hermione's other side.
"Tomorrow," Hermione answered him. Harry could feel his stomach doing flip-flops. Hermione was coming home.
"What about classes?" Ron asked.
"I can go to them in a month or two. I have so much to catch up on," Hermione said, sighing.
"I heard that Serenity is going to be staying with Dumbledore and McGonagall. Is that true?" Ron inquired.
"Yes, she is. She'll be staying with Dumbledore because McGonagall has classes to teach. When Dumbledore is out of town, McGonagall will take care of her," Hermione said.
"Well, we better get to lunch and then we have double DADA. The new teacher isn't so bad," Harry said, standing up.
"Okay. Come visit me when you can," Hermione said. Harry smiled and kissed Hermione's lips. When he pulled away, he kissed the top of Serenity's head. Hermione was right – she had a few black hairs growing from her scalp.
"Before I go, may I hold her?" Harry asked.
"Of course you can," Hermione said. Harry picked up his daughter and held her close. He just talked to her a little and sung a verse of his favourite lullaby. Serenity yawned loudly and Harry knew that was his cue to give her back to Hermione.
"Bye, Hermione. Bye Serenity," Ron called quietly.
"Bye Ron," Hermione called hoarsely.
As Harry and Ron made their way to the Great Hall, they didn't speak a word to each other. Questions started racing through Harry's mind, but mostly ones with Snape. Why had he been going to the hospital wing when Harry and Ron were there? Was there something that Hermione wasn't telling Harry that involved Snape? What in the world was going on?
"Harry, it's your move," Ron said in a bored voice. It was after all the lessons were over and Harry and Ron were sitting in the common room, playing a quick game of Wizard's Chess before they started in on their homework. They went to visit Hermione after Charms, as she had told them to do. The three of them talked about what was going on in their lives and what they planned to do after Hogwarts. Harry and Hermione planned to wed as soon as possible.
Hermione had let Ron hold Serenity for moments at a time, but as soon as Serenity started to fuss, Ron would hand her back to Hermione.
Harry had talked with Madame Ponfrey and Madame Ponfrey had said that Hermione was coming to Gryffindor Tower tomorrow at noon. Harry knew that he and Ron had double Potions from eleven to twelve thirty, so there was no way that he could get out of that, but he would see what he could do to be there.
"Knight to E8," Harry said, his tone bored. Ron won the game ten minutes later.
"What should we do first, Transfiguration, Herbology, Charms, Potions, or Defence Against the Dark Arts?" Harry asked, getting his wand, parchment, ink and quill out of his bag.
"Let's go from easiest to hardest," Ron answered, not bothering to stifle a yawn.
"Okay, so we'll do Defence, Charms, Potions, Transfiguration and finally Herbology. Thank Merlin that Trelawney didn't give us any homework!" Harry said, reaching back into his bag for the assignments, which were written on a half sheet of parchment. Harry had used the other half of the parchment to write down Hermione's classes and all that she had missed.
Five hours later, Ron and Harry had finished their homework. Looking at the grandfather clock in the far corner of the room, it was too late to visit Hermione and Serenity.
"What's for supper?" Ron asked, stretching. Harry's stomach gurgled loudly, which meant that they had worked through supper.
"Ron, we worked through it, so nothing," Harry snapped.
"No need to get snappy," Ron said, putting his arms across his face defensively.
"I'm going to bed. I can finally catch up on my sleep," Harry said, standing up and heading towards his four-poster bed. Not bothering to change, Harry took his glasses off and fell asleep. Dean, Neville, Harry and Seamus were already asleep by the time Ron had snuck quietly into the room. Harry rolled onto his side and thought about the day – seeing Hermione and Serenity, getting all of his homework done in one night, and catching up on sleep. Since Serenity had been born, he had only gotten two, maybe three hours of sleep. He sighed and dreamt away.
"Harry! Wake up! You'll be late!" Ron's voice called. He threw something at Harry, which startled Harry.
"Damn it Ron!" Harry swore, throwing the robes aside and putting on his glasses.
"What time is it?" Harry asked, squinting into the sunlight.
"You missed breakfast, just letting you know," Ron answered. His tone seemed angry, but his expression was indescribable.
"What class do we have first?" Harry asked, standing up and putting on his robes.
"We have Care of Magical Creatures with the Slytherins, then we have double Potions, then Transfiguration, then lunch. After lunch, we have double Divination, Charms, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, and Shakespeare class," Ron answered hurriedly.
Harry and Ron quickly walked to Care of Magical Creatures with their favourite teacher by far – Hagrid. Today, they were studying about Pegasus'. Hagrid had brought out a large grey male whose wings stretched a good five feet. He nickered and tossed his head at the students. Hagrid had given the students a homework assignment to draw a Pegasus due next Monday. The bell rang a good forty minutes later. As the students gathered up their bags to head for their next class, Hagrid pulled Harry backwards, catching him off guard.
"When does Hermione come home from the hospital?" Hagrid asked softly.
"Around noon today, but I have double Potions with Snape. . ." Harry's voice trailed off and he looked at Hagrid, smiling.
"Hagrid, could you bring Hermione and Serenity to Gryffindor tower for me, please?" Harry asked.
"Sure! I'd be happy to do anything for ya!" Hagrid answered, smiling broadly.
"Thanks, Hagrid!" Harry called over his shoulder as he sprinted to catch up with Ron, who smiled as he approached.
"Great, now we have Snape, what joy!" Ron said sarcastically.
"Ten points from Gryffindor for being sarcastic, Mr. Weasley," Harry said, doing a perfect impression of Snape. Ron burst out laughing at Harry's impression, but stopped laughing as they entered the dungeons. Harry shivered and pulled his robes closer to his body to keep him warm.
The day seemed to go on forever as Harry, Ron, and the other seventh years went to their classes. Finally, it was time for supper in the Great Hall. Harry and Ron were laughing at a joke Seamus had told them when Harry saw Hermione and Serenity sitting towards the middle of the Gryffindor table.
"Hermione!" Ron and Harry called out at the same time. Hermione turned her head and smiled at Harry and Ron. Scooping up baby Serenity in her arms, Hermione went to see her friends. First, she went to Harry and they kissed for what seemed like a lifetime. When they broke apart, Harry picked up his daughter and held her tight. He could see that Serenity had her mother's blue eyes and his dark hair. Harry kissed Serenity on the top of her head and spun her around.
"Harry, be careful," Hermione cautioned him.
"Don't worry, I will," Harry told her. Hermione rolled her eyes as Harry placed Serenity in her arms and looked Hermione up and down. Hermione was wearing pale pink robes with a pink and black striped tie. On her feet, she wore black shoes that came up to her ankles. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. A few tendrils framed her face, making her look angelic. Serenity, however, was dressed in yellow Muggle pyjamas.
Guiding Hermione and Serenity to the table, Harry got looks – both good and bad – from the students. Hermione sat down next to Ginny on one side and Harry on the other. Ron sat across from Hermione and Serenity.
Dumbledore raised his hands for silence and all the hall stopped talking.
"Let us welcome back Miss Hermione Granger and her daughter, Serenity," Dumbledore said, clapping. Everyone from the Gryffindor table and the head table clapped and cheered for Hermione. Hermione blushed as Dumbledore extended his hand for her and Serenity to stand. Harry swore he could hear her mutter the words "I'm gonna" and "Dumbledore." Once everyone settled down, Dumbledore nodded for everyone to continue his or her dinners and conversations.
"She's really cute, Hermione," Lavender complimented. "She looks like you and Harry."
"Really? I thought she looked more like Hermione and Professor Snape. . .oops!" a first year boy blurted out. Heads shot to where the voice had come from. The boy sunk low on his bench, trying to be out of view.
Thanks to all of my wonderful reviewers so far! I love you all! I hope all of you are enjoying the story so far. Unfortunately, there is only one more chapter to this story, sorry.
TBC