Chapter 13:

The Auror office was hectic all day. Harry had barely had any time to think. They were all working on the paperwork after the attack, he was just glad he wasn't one of the unlucky ones that had to identify bodies at the ICW. So far there were 20 confirmed dead civilians, 7 Death Eaters, and 5 Aurors from that attack. There were many more injuries currently being treated at St. Mungo's, so the death tole might rise.

"Still here? I thought you would have escaped the moment the clock hit the end of your shift," Gideon said, sitting on the end of Harry's desk.

"Lot of paperwork to do today. How are you doing after yesterday?"

"Good, can't believe you're still here though. If it had been Molly getting involved in a battle in her delicate condition, I would have been out the door the second I was able too, make sure she was already. Magical exhaustion's bad enough, but in your sister's state it's more dangerous." Gideon was whispering as if afraid someone would overhear them. Harry just had no idea what his friend was talking about, or why he had mentioned Molly.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Look I'm not planning to tell anyone, I know how ostracized a young woman in her situation can get, I truly am just worried, I'm not trying to blackmail you or anything. You don't have to act like you don't know what I'm talking about."

Harry just gave him a blank look, "I never thought you would blackmail me, bit odd of you to mention it. You're a good friend Gideon, but I'm serious I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm not acting, I'm genuinely confused."

"Bloody hell, I didn't mean to out her like this. Look I don't know how far along she is, but I'm positive your sister is pregnant." The last word was said so quietly even Harry strained to hear him.

"Oh." It was all he could say. Harry didn't know how to react to this. Why would Hermione hide her state from him? Although she might just be being cautious if she hadn't finished her first trimester, he knew after everything that happened in 5th year, she hadn't even been sure if she could have children. The damage from Dolohov's curse was extensive and she was supposed to go for follow up checks every couple of years. Since she wasn't seeming to be worried and she hadn't said anything during her medical evaluation before she'd been approved as a Healer, Harry had just figured she was fine with whatever was going on.

What was more surprising was that he hadn't even known Hermione was dating someone. If she was dating someone. She'd barely had time for anything other then studying, he couldn't see her hiding a secret romance during everything. Who had gotten his sister away from her books? He wondered if maybe whoever it was could keep her from spiralling as much into the world of academia.

"Do you want to head in and check on her?" Gideon asked jolting him out of his thoughts.

"No it's fine. Thanks for the offer. I'm going to wait until she tells me on her own. Please don't mention anything to anyone else."

"Not a word, I swear. Fabian and I would like to formally meet her soon, she saved our lives and we'd like to thank her for that. Molly's even trying to convince us to invite you guys to a big thank you supper, but I told her it wasn't a good idea right now."

Harry missed the Molly Weasley from the future. She'd been everything he had always wanted in his own mother and had taken on a pseudo role for him. The only thing that helped him work through the ache of missing everyone was telling himself their lives were already better. Fred and George would be born soon, they'd be together again, and this time they'd have their uncles in their lives. If he and Hermione were careful, they could make a greater future for all of their loved ones.

That still didn't stop him from missing all of them, it just made it hurt less. Harry did miss Molly's cooking. He just wasn't sure if Hermione would be up for that anytime soon. Especially if Gideon was right and Hermione was pregnant.

"Maybe something informal at some point. I'll have to check with Hermione, but I do know she doesn't want a big fuss made out of this. She was just doing what she thought was right."

"Even so Fabian and I are grateful to her. Before I saw her animagus form appear I was certain I was going to die, I just hoped that Fabian and I would be able to protect the children. Speaking of the children your sister has more people wishing to thank her. Fabian has a bit of a big mouth and was bragging about your sister saving us, not sure why he thought he should brag about it since we don't know her, but he was impressed. Either way Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy are going to want to extend their thanks. Hermione saved their daughter Artemis's life. Artemis is the first female Malfoy in I don't know how long, but it's been a very long time, her father dotes on her."

That was shocking. Harry never knew Draco had a sister. Although it made sense, if he remembered correctly the children with Fabian and Gideon were meant to die as well, it was possible Draco had never even known about her. It was hard to believe that the Malfoys joined Voldemort and stayed loyal, until Draco's life was in danger, if an attack by Death Eaters was the reason she died. Unless if they were lied to and told that Fabian or Gideon had been the one to strike the killing blow. Harry wondered how different this Draco would turn out having an older sister in his life.

The only problem was if Lucius wasn't a Death Eater and didn't become one Harry now had no idea where the Diary would be kept. He'd known it would be hard locating the Horcruxes, but he had hoped he'd at least have a clue where they could be. The bright side was that a little girl didn't die. She was only a little older than Teddy and she could have died yesterday.

"Thanks for the heads up, can we catch up more later I want to finish up the last of these and go check on Teddy. I know he's safe with Dorea, but you mentioning Artemis Malfoy just makes me want to go see him and hug him. I can't imagine what pain the Malfoys would be going through if she hadn't made it, losing Teddy at this age would be devastating."

"I understand, well not completely since I don't have kids, but I'd hate to lose one of my nephews. See you later Harry."

Hermione's POV

She was glad when Harry got back home, even if she was nervous as well, but all Hermione wanted was to go back home. Hermione knew Alastor was fine, but she'd like to actually see her grandfather in person.

"Hey 'Mione, hi cub," Harry said a tired look on his face as he swung Teddy up into his arms. Hermione figured Harry had realized well he was at work just how young that little girl she'd protected had been, there was a haunted relief on Harry's face as he hugged Teddy.

"Busy day?"

"A lot of paperwork in the wake of the attacks."

"Speaking of the attacks you two, I've been overruled on this, but after hearing about Hermione joining the fight yesterday, she's been invited to a Meeting tonight. I asked to be the one to explain. Hermione, we all work with a vigilante organization fighting against the Death Eaters, we call ourselves the Order of the Phoenix. Some members of the Order believe you'll be an asset, both since you can clearly fight and because Augusta is currently the only healer in our ranks. Since it's last minute, we can either leave Teddy supervised by Pip tonight, or they'll just have to deal with Teddy in the room."

For so long Hermione had wanted to join the Order again, but now she was afraid. At the moment she wasn't willing to admit her pregnancy to anyone other then her immediate supervisor, but if she didn't she would be putting her unborn child at risk. Yesterday had been extenuating circumstances and more instinct than anything else. Hermione wasn't willing to actively search out battles right now.

Exchanging a look with James she wondered what she should do. She wanted to help the Order, but her child had to come first.

"I think it's better we suggest to them Hermione only works as a healer. With only her and Augusta available having her fight would be irresponsible of us. Sure others know a bit of healing magic, but we need her and Augusta for the more extreme injuries and curses." A reasonable idea, with James respecting her wish that she wasn't ready to admit to others she was pregnant, well still obviously wanting to keep her and their child safe.

Dorea looked relieved at that as well. The other woman must have been worried about her grandchild, but didn't want to get on Hermione's bad side by admitting why Hermione couldn't help the Order. Besides it's not like everyone member of the Order had to fight.

"I think it's best Teddy stay with Pip, those meetings can get a little heated. Besides I already have problems with some of them taking me seriously."

"When is the meeting?"

"In half an hour. Since Teddy will be with Pip, I think the three of you should just stay another night. We don't know how long the meeting might go, I'd hate to wake him up after he's fallen asleep." Dorea's request was reasonable, but Hermione had a feeling she didn't want them to stay just for Teddy's sake. She probably wanted to have Hermione around James more, so that the two of them could get to know each other better. All Hermione had wanted was some space, but it seems again she wouldn't be getting it.

"We should eat something first. Pip," James called smiling down at the elf when she appeared, "can you please prepare sandwiches for us and something for Teddy to eat. After that you'll be monitoring Teddy well we're over at the Cottage."

"Yes Master James. Pip loves spending time with little Teddy."


The room of the Cottage was already packed when they arrived, which was hilarious since they had actually come from the Manor attached to the Cottage. A lot of people were looking at Hermione with curiosity in their eyes, it's not like most of the people here knew who she was. James was hovering behind her, making her want to shout at him to back off a bit. At the this rate she wouldn't have to muster up the courage to tell James because even the King of obliviousness himself would realize there was something weird going on between her and James.

Before she could figure out how to get James to back off the man making a beeline for her gave her a wicked idea. She apologized to both him and Harry in her head, since she still hadn't admitted the familial relation to Harry, but only someone who completely lacked self preservation would get on Alastor's bad side.

"Evans, Hermione I didn't expect to see you here tonight. Have you recovered from the magical exhaustion?" He asked his magic eye scanning over her like it could tell him everything about her current state. It made her wonder just what type of magic Alastor had in his eye, it's not like he would ever tell anyone everything he had done to it, he'd want some tricks to remain a secret after all.

"I'm fine, but I know I'll be made to prove it before I can go back to work. What about you? Did you end up hurting yourself again, Gramps?" She watched as his eye widened in shock at her using the title, had to keep laughter in when she heard spluttering around them. Hermione knew most people would believe that she was just being a smartass about his age, but she was certain by the squeak behind her that James had realized that she wasn't joking.

"Were telling everyone now?"

"Wait what 'Mione?!"

"Articulate as always Harry. Just to make it clear to everyone Alastor is my grandfather, my father is a squid, my mother a muggle. I grew up completely clueless about magic and only met Alastor over the summer. Headmaster Dumbledore helped my adopted brother and I get back on our feet and had Alastor host us by a crazy coincidence. Oh I guess I should properly introduce myself I'm Healer Hermione Evans."

Gideon and Fabian were the first two to recover, the two of them shoving each other aside as they darted over. Clearly trying to break the ice from her admission. Their antics gave Hermione a good reason not to turn around and look at Harry and James. She was a bit sad she wouldn't see the gobsmacked look James most likely had on, believing he was dead meat now, but Hermione really didn't want to see her brother's face. She and Harry weren't supposed to keep major secrets from each other anymore and she had just sprung this on him at the same time as she revealed it to a bunch of strangers.

"Our savior…"

"It's our deepest.."

"Pleasure to finally…"

"Get to see you…"

"As a woman…"

"Instead of the white…"

"Tiger…"

"Magnificent sight that you made." Fabian and Gideon's twin speak made her a bit nostalgic for Fred and George. It felt strange seeing how much they were actually like the nephews who in her future had never gotten the chance to know their uncles.

"It is nice to see you two in one piece. All I really saw during the battle was a blur of red, at least your hair color made it easy to know who not to attack," she said with a smirk. Watching as they shuddered at the thought that they might have had her tiger form attacking them, instead of just being able to admire her form as an ally.

"You'd make a brilliant Auror."

"I prefer healing. I can fight, but it takes a lot out of me. Researching and helping people is what I prefer to do, I was lucky that's all."

"Don't be modest lass, you're an amazing duellist. Better then some of the idiot recruits I have to deal with every year."

"Still not becoming an Auror, Alastor, that much destruction would wear down on my after a while."

"As interesting as this lively discussion is, I do believe we are here to talk about the aftermath of the attacks. We got lucky that Harry Evans thought of the ICW, we could have had a much bigger mess on our hands. It's still pretty bad, we've had a lot of backlash from other magical governments. Some pulling away from our war completely, others on the fence about helping us.

"One thing we are lucky for, is that due to Artemis Malfoy being caught up in the St. Mungo's attack, the younger Lord Malfoy has decided against following his father's footsteps. He's made a public statement about the dangers of the Death Eaters and Voldemort. About how there were the heirs of quite a few old families put into danger multiple times. What helps us out even more, is that due to Abraxus Malfoy contracting Dragonpox he has passed on the Lordship to Lucius Malfoy early, meaning Voldemort now no longer has access to the Malfoy coffers."

Hermione seemed to have changed the fate of more then one family by complete coincidence. If she had become an Auror like Harry, she most likely wouldn't have been at St. Mungo's that day, it seemed fate might finally be working with them.

It was time for her and Harry to start getting serious. They needed to make a plan on how to get the Horcruxes, on how to destroy them. It was too risky going after the Basilisk again. Contrary to popular belief Harry did not lose his ability to speak Parseltongue after the Horcrux within him had been destroyed, meaning it most likely had just been a trait dormant in the Potter family magic. They could in theory kill the Basilisk again, but there was a lot of factors involved in killing it. Especially needing to figure out how to explain how they knew exactly where it was, plus the damage revealing Harry as a parselmouth could do. They didn't have a good enough background here, with Harry's luck people might decide he was Voldemort's heir.

"The Dark Lord is upset that his plans were thwarted. He had planned much more carnage, and it seems that Artemis Malfoy was meant to die. From what I heard Bellatrix Lestrange say, her sister Narcissa's husband being on the fence wasn't taken very well, the plan was to make it seem like the Death Eaters who attacked were trying to get Artemis to safety when she was killed by one of the Aurors. They had planned for only the Death Eaters to survive that small attack, the rest of the hospital had never been on their radar. It's why they appeared right where Artemis was.

"I believe they have a healer working with them. Someone who would have had the children in that room. It is very strange that the children were in that area unsupervised. All of them first born children of their families, who were supposed to be getting boosters. Artemis Malfoy, Joey Blott, Zinia Shafiq, Alexander Shacklebolt, Kieran Ollivander, and Chloe Slughorn. All under the age of 10 and all from families who have been on the fence or neutral in regards to the war."

Snape looked young and Hermione didn't miss the way he looked towards her before he continued his report. "The Dark Lord is upset. Someone must have spoken because he knows it's because of Healer Evans that those children lived. Even without anyone knowing her name during the attack, since her animagus form is registered, it wasn't difficult to figure out who thwarted his plans. He'll either extend an invitation or try and eliminate her. The Dark Lord believes she can not live if she isn't on his side. At the moment he isn't aware that Auror Evans is the one who saw through his plans to attack the ICW. I do believe it's best that they do not go anywhere on their own for the time being. The Dark Lord will try to use her brother to get her on board if he can't get to her."

A arm wrapped around her shoulders hugging her tight and Hermione gave her brother a sad look. It seemed that this time she was the one being targeted. Somehow they always seemed to end up in the middle of things.

This time they were older, smarter, and more deadly. They would win this. Hermione was sure of it!