Disclaimer: We do not own Harry Potter. We are simply borrowing him and his friends and will put them away neatly when we're done playing with them. Any characters you recognize are the property of JKR and various corporations. Sorry we missed the disclaimer in the prologue. Bad authors, bad authors, no author biscuits!
Chapter One: Here's Another Fine Mess You've Gotten Me Into!
Just outside Platform 9 ¾
Sunday, June 23, 1996
4:40PM
Hermione watched as Harry waved farewell, turned, and walked out of the station, his aunt, uncle, and cousin following in his wake, like two tankers and an old tramp steamer accompanying a pilot boat out of the harbor. Once he was out of sight, she allowed a hiss of pain to escape from between her clenched teeth. Ron's head snapped towards her in surprise, and at the same time she felt two arms slide under hers from behind and pull her gently back to rest against someone. From the height and shape of the body she found herself leaning against, she had no problem recognizing Luna Lovegood.
"Hermione, what's wrong?" asked Ron in his rather typically clueless fashion.
Hermione heard a snort from near her left ear. "Nothing, of course, Ronald," came Luna's dreamy voice in response. "It couldn't possibly be a reaction to hiding the pain of a half-healed wound from Harry. I'm sure it was just surprise at the flock of Nackerflits that have started nesting in the station roof over there."
"Nacker…? Nesting… huh?" said Ron. Hermione thought he looked even more confused than he'd been a moment before, if that was possible.
Hermione just sighed. "Never mind Ron, I'll be fine. Look, your Mum and Dad are waiting for you by the platform entrance."
They all turned and saw that Arthur had joined Molly and Ginny Weasley and they were now standing by the entrance to Platform 9 ¾, beckoning to Ron to join them. Ron made his goodbyes to the girls, assuring them he would write, and, rubbing the scars on his arm, headed off to join his parents. The four of them then left the platform, presumably to Floo home to the Burrow.
As soon as they had gone, Hermione noticed Tonks hurrying over towards them from where she had been standing with Mad-Eye Moody and the others having a "brief word" with Harry's guardians. From some of the things she had heard Tonks saying while the two of them had been in the Hospital Wing at Hogwarts, Hermione could only imagine what those "words" might have consisted of. She hoped the talk wouldn't do more harm than good; Vernon Dursley did not strike her as a man who took criticism well, and the violent shade of purple he had turned during the conversation left her feeling very concerned.
"Hermione, you've gone right pale. Are you sure you're OK?" Hermione was jolted out of her reverie by Tonks' question. Even before she could answer, Tonks stepped to her left side and took her by the arm. Without a pause, Luna slid to Hermione's right, and continued to help support her by maintaining a grip on her right arm.
"No, I don't think she's all right in the slightest," Luna's said in a matter-of fact tone. "I'm sure that her pain has been growing for some time now, but good luck getting her to admit it. Hermione, you must be one of the most stubborn people I have ever met."
Only the realization of how much it would hurt kept Hermione from laughing. That kind of comment from Luna was hilarious, completely daft, and utterly in keeping with what she had come to expect from her. Over the last week that Hermione had spent in the hospital wing, she had gotten to know the young Ravenclaw a great deal better; Luna had taken to spending quite a bit of time keeping Hermione company while she was confined to bed.
Hermione had learned that Luna was not nearly as vague as she appeared. On the contrary, she had a keen wit, which shouldn't have been surprising in a member of Ravenclaw House, and was also remarkably perceptive. One night Luna had told her about the conversation that she'd had with Harry shortly after their return from the Department of Mysteries. At the end of that discussion, Hermione marveled that Luna had been able to see Harry as clearly in one brief conversation as Hermione had come to over a five-year friendship.
In truth, Hermione had been glad of Luna's attention for the past week. She had awoken whimpering from a dream of the events in the DoM that had rapidly turned into a nightmare. She'd dreamt that she was paralyzed from a spell, while a grinning Antonin Dolohov had been slowly stripping her clothes from her, leering and making lurid comments all the time. She'd woken up just as he'd lowered himself onto her helpless form, his intentions clear. She'd found herself held tightly with her head pillowed softly; looking up, she'd discovered that Luna was holding her and softly crooning a wordless tune, with Hermione's head resting on her breast,.
It turned out that Luna had refused to leave when Madame Pomfrey had declared visiting hours at an end, stating simply that "Hermione would need her that night." Luna then proceeded to ignore any further orders or questions from the medi-witch. Poppy, not being at all used to being treated that way by a student, had finally left her alone, possibly out of sheer shock.
To try to distract Hermione from her nightmare, Luna had begun to talk to her about her past. After getting used to Luna's somewhat stream-of-consciousness way of speaking, Hermione found herself learning a lot. She'd discovered that Luna's comments about strange creatures were largely an affectation, picked up from discussing them with her father, who truly believed in them. Those comments, and her somewhat dotty way of speaking, were defense mechanisms; much like Hermione's own know-it-all attitude has been when she first arrived at Hogwarts. She didn't know yet what these defenses were protecting, but was confident that the younger girl would tell her when she was ready to. Hermione in her turn had found herself sharing more of her own history with Luna than she had with almost anyone else.
While Hermione was wool-gathering, Luna had continued her gentle berating. "Clearly your wound is acting up again. I wish you would be reasonable and tell us these things. Do I really need to treat you the same way I did that first night?"
Hermione blushed as she remembered the events following her nightmare and their talks. She had been wincing and clutching at her chest, when Luna asked if she was in pain. When Hermione had nodded, Luna had slipped out of the bed and picked up a small jar from the bedside table. Explaining that it was an ointment Madame Pomfrey had left, combining a pain relief potion with a salve to keep the wound from cracking, Luna had stripped back Hermione's bedclothes and opened her hospital gown, leaving her lying naked on the bed. When Hermione blushed and stammered about not being comfortable being so exposed, Luna had blithely stripped herself, commenting that they were now on equal footing, and proceeded to spread the ointment liberally on Hermione's body. Hermione had been even more shocked when, once she finishing her tending, Luna had slipped, still naked, into the bed with her, wrapped her up in her arms, and started crooning the same wordless tune again. Before she could even muster the energy to protest, Hermione had found herself drifting off into a dreamless sleep.
These events had repeated themselves each night that Hermione remained in the Hospital Wing. Any attempt on her part to confront Luna over it had been futile, as the dreamy blonde simply failed to acknowledge anything that was said, and continued on in her own fashion. Hermione had found herself beginning to have a reaction that was decidedly not healer/patient related, and suspected that she was not the only one. Clearly, there were some conversations that needed to be had, sooner rather than later.
Once more shaking herself free of her memories and drawing breath to respond to Luna and Tonks, Hermione found herself derailed yet again by a call of "Hermione?" from behind her. The three girls turned, and Hermione recognized the forms of her parents moving quickly towards them. She couldn't help but notice the looks of concern on both of their faces.
Dan Granger was tall, well-built, with bright blue eyes and the same bushy brown hair as his daughter, while Emma Granger was short, barely 5 feet tall, slim, with brown eyes and long brown hair that tumbled down her back all the way to her knees. As both of them stopped and looked up and down at her, Hermione hid her groans. While her father looked mildly worried, her mother's sharp eyes had a look she knew all too well. It was Emma Granger's own patented "I know there's a damn sight more going on than you've told us, and one way or another I'll have it out of you!" look. Hermione knew her own strength of will, but also knew that if her mother was that determined, she didn't stand a chance.
"Hi Mum, Hi Dad," said Hermione, trying gamely to stave off the approaching confrontation. As her mother opened her mouth to respond, Hermione heard the sound of someone else clearing their throat. Looking slightly to her right, she saw that they had been joined by two other adults. One was a stately-dressed black-haired woman nearly as tall as her father; "My Mum," Tonks whispered in her left ear. The other was a medium-height roundish man, with thinning blonde hair and ink-stained brown robes; "My father," Luna whispered in her right.
Andromeda Tonks smiled as she spoke, addressing the Grangers. "My name is Andromeda Tonks, and I'm Nymphadora's mother." She gestured at her daughter on Hermione's left, and Hermione could feel Tonks wincing at the use of her first name. "This is Edmund Lovegood, Luna's father. Would I be correct in assuming that you two are Hermione's parents?"
Handshakes were exchanged, along with introductions ("Dan and Emma Granger") and responses ("Charmed," "Delighted to make your acquaintance.") As Mrs. Granger drew breath to begin her inquisition, Hermione's exhaled sharply, and her knees began to buckle. Only Luna and Tonks supporting her kept her from falling to the ground.
Hermione's vision was beginning to blur when she heard Mrs. Tonks' voice again. "Nymphadora, please take Hermione and Luna home. I'll be along shortly with everyone else." She barely felt Tonks' arms slide around her middle and take Luna by the hands, when she suddenly lost consciousness.
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Andromeda smiled with a touch of pride as she watched her daughter look around to verify that there were no Muggles in immediate view, take both girls in hand, and disapparate. Side-along apparation with one person was difficult enough, but to do it with two demonstrated a level of power and control that was unusual, to say the least. Shaking off the distracting thought, she turned her attention back to her companions, and not a moment too soon.
Emma Granger was not happy in the slightest. It had become clear to her over the past week that there were things going on in her daughter's life that she was unaware of, and she did not like that one bit. She had come with her husband to pick Hermione up for the summer, firmly intending to get some answers, only to find matters rapidly sliding out of her control. First Hermione tried to dodge, then she nearly collapsed, then she disappeared in the arms of two complete strangers. Drawing breath, Emma decided that a somewhat more direct approach was called for.
"All right, what the bloody hell is going on! First my daughter looks like she's going to collapse, and then she vanishes without so much as a 'fare-thee-well'. I want some answers, and I want them now!"
Emma's tirade was interrupted by Andromeda's raised hand.
"Mrs. Granger, I know you want answers, and I believe that you are entitled to them. However, this is neither the time nor the place. If you will come with Edmund and me, we'll take you to see the girls, and to see about getting those answers."
Andromeda paused, watching Emma and Dan. She could see several reactions playing over their faces. The first was confusion, understandable from anyone in this situation, let alone Muggles. The second was suspicion. Overpowering them all though, was a clear concern for their daughter's wellbeing. Seeing this, Andromeda's expression softened into a gentle smile.
"Mr. and Mrs. Granger, I can understand that you have no reason to trust me. After all, we've never met before, and frankly, I can't offer you any direct reason why you should. All I can do is assure you that I mean neither you nor Hermione any harm, and to point out that your daughter clearly trusts mine. Please, will you accompany us?"
Dan and Emma looked at each other for several moments, a silent communication typical of those who have long been together passing between them. After a brief silence, they turned back to Andromeda, and nodded.
"Thank you," Andromeda said, extending her right hand towards them. "If you'll take hold of my arm, I'll transport us all to where the girls are staying."
Dan and Emma each grasped hold of Andromeda's arm, as did Edmund Lovegood. Glancing quickly to see that no one was watching them, Andromeda tapped the ring on her right hand, murmured a quick word, and the four of them vanished.
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They reappeared in the main entry hall of Black Manor. Dan and Emma did not even try to hide their reactions as they looked around them, eyes wide. While as medical professionals they enjoyed a very comfortable standard of living, the opulence they observed was several orders of magnitude beyond anything they were used to. Their examination was cut short by an interruption from Andromeda.
"Mr. and Mrs. Granger, if you'll follow me, I'll take you to see Hermione."
Following Andromeda up the main staircase and to the right, they soon found themselves walking down a long hallway on the third floor. The fourth doorway on the left was partly open and they heard low voices coming from within. Entering the room, they saw that they were in a richly decorated bedroom; cream coloured walls rose above oak-paneled wainscoting. The large room contained a number of pieces of furniture, including a small table and chair set and several dressers. Dominating all of them was a huge bed, on which they could see Hermione lying with her eyes closed. Sitting on either side of her were Tonks and Luna. As they approached the near side of the bed where Tonks was sitting, Andromeda reached out and touched her daughter's shoulder gently.
"Dora, how is Hermione?"
"She's fine Mum, just exhausted I think. She still has a way to go 'til she's fully recovered. I'm guessing the combination of the long ride back from Hogwarts and trying to hide her state from Harry just wore her out. She fell asleep as soon as we tucked her into the bed." Gesturing towards a small table next to the bed, Tonks pointed out several bottles resting on it. "We've got the potions Poppy gave her right here, and the dosages and frequency as well. The best thing we can do now is let her rest until its time for her next dose. Luna and I'll sit with her and keep an eye on her."
"All right, dear, I'll take Edmund and Mr. and Mrs. Granger down to the library, and try to explain some of what's been happening to them. When Hermione wakes, if she's feeling up to it, perhaps the three of you could join us."
Tonks nodded distractedly, never taking her eyes off Hermione. Andromeda motioned for the other three adults to follow her out of the room. Emma cast one last glance at her daughter in the bed; Hermione was pale, but seemed to be sleeping comfortably. Turning away, she followed the others back out into the hall.
A short time later, the Grangers and Mr. Lovegood found themselves comfortably ensconced in chairs in front of the desk in the library. Andromeda was sitting behind the desk and looking at them with a friendly smile.
"Now, I'm sure you'd like those answers, but first, some refreshment."
Snapping her fingers sharply, she turned to a house elf that appeared beside the desk. "Elly, please serve the tea now." The elf nodded, disappeared briefly, and then reappeared with a large silver tray which she set on the desk. The next several minutes were spent serving everyone with a cup of tea and a small selection of cakes and sandwiches. Once this was accomplished, Andromeda sat back in her chair and addressed the Grangers.
"Now, Mr. and Mrs. Granger…"
"Please," Dan interrupted, "its Dan and Emma. Formality isn't really called for, under the circumstances."
"Very well, I'm Andy and this is Edmund. I'm sure that you probably have a number of questions about recent events, particularly as they pertain to Hermione. It might simplify things somewhat if you tell me what you've been told so far."
Emma looked at her. "All we know is that Headmaster Dumbledore contacted us shortly before school let out, and informed us that there had been an accident about a week ago, and that Hermione was slightly injured."
Andy snorted. "Yes, I suppose that might cover things—very loosely. Unfortunately, Professor Dumbledore has a tendency not to tell others any more than he can possibly avoid. He may not have wanted to worry you needlessly, but I take a different view. I'll let Hermione go into the details with you later, but in brief there was an incident about a week before school let out. Hermione and five of her friends ended up going to the Ministry building in London hoping to save my cousin who they believed was in danger. It turned out to be a trap, and the six of them were forced into a fight with some very dangerous people. They fought well, taking down some of their opponents and actually managed to aid in the capture of most of them, but in the course of the battle Hermione was seriously injured."
She paused as both of Hermione's parents drew a sharp breath. "There's no need to be worried. At this point, Hermione is in no danger. Her wounds have been cared for and she will make a full recovery, all it will take is time and some potions, I promise you."
"Were the other children hurt?" Emma asked, "No one was killed, were they?"
"The others were all injured, except for Luna, but far less seriously than your daughter. As for deaths, I'm afraid that one of the adults who came to assist the children was killed."
Dan and Emma looked at each other for a moment, and then Dan spoke up.
"How was this allowed to happen? What is going on at that school?! Children in danger—fighting for their lives? What kind of world do you people live in?!"
Andy sighed. "Much the same world as you do, Dan, but both its virtues and vices are often magnified. How much has Hermione told you about the politics of the Wizarding world?"
Dan cocked his head. "Not much. Most of her letters have dealt with her classes and her friends."
"I suspect the name "Harry Potter" has figured prominently among the names of her friends?" Andromeda asked and smiled.
Emma laughed. "Oh yes, for a while, from the letters we were getting, we wondered if she knew anyone else at Hogwarts; she talked so much about him." She sobered. "Was he in this fight too? Is he a problem?"
"Yes, he was in the fight; as for being a problem," Andy shrugged her shoulders, "well, yes and no. Not from any fault of Harry's, you understand, but because he tends to be a catalyst for events around him. He's been a major focal point of Wizarding politics since he was barely a year old, and it's not getting any better for him, poor lad."
Seeing that Dan and Emma were thoroughly confused, she continued. "Let me try to explain. Hmm, you remember the racial tensions and riots in London and Birmingham in the late 80s and early 90s?"
Dan grimaced. "All too well, I was doing contract work for the government at the time, and ended up helping to patch up some of the results—both victims and aggressors."
"Unfortunately, we have a similar conflict in our society as well; only the triggering factor involved isn't race, it is blood purity. The "purebloods" are witches and wizards who can trace their ancestry back at least three generations with no Muggle, that is, non-magical relatives. The majority of these families look down on anyone with Muggle parents or grandparents, and believe that these wizards and witches are inherently inferior. Some, in fact, oppose bringing them into our society at all, while others, the most extreme, advocate removing them from the Wizarding world, violently if necessary.
"You said most of the purebloods look down on witches like Hermione, how prevalent is this view?" Emma asked.
"Well," Andromeda responded, "it's always been there to a certain extent. The oldest families tend towards pureblood marriages and have always exerted the greatest political control over our government. If they spoke candidly, I suspect about 80 percent of them would admit that they look down on Muggles and the Muggleborn. Not all do, obviously; the Weasleys are a good example. They have no Muggles in the family in many generations, but they harbor none of these prejudices. Dumbledore is also unprejudiced, and Muggleborn attendance at Hogwarts has increased since he became Headmaster. As for the more extreme elements, they are much smaller, but substantially more vocal. The violent anti-Muggle groups became most evident during your Second World War. There was a Dark wizard named Friedrich Grindelwald who worked closely with the German government at that time. He's known to Muggle historians as Josef Mengele. He experimented on Muggles and Muggleborn wizards at Auschwitz, pursuing his own theories of magical purity. After Wizarding forces joined Her Majesty's troops in 1945, he fled to Gross-Rosen on the Polish border. It was there that he was confronted by a group of wizards led by Albus Dumbledore. After the battle, the only two survivors were Dumbledore and an Auror named Alastor Moody."
"But I remember reading that they identified Mengele's body in Argentina or Paraguay. He didn't die until the late '70s," Dan objected.
"Really? I don't know who it was, but it wasn't Grindelwald—perhaps a relative?" Andy said. "The battle with Dumbledore's group was decisive, and the body was positively identified by magical means. Moreover, if Grindelwald had survived, he would have come after Dumbledore—not hidden in South America."
"At any rate," things were fairly quiet for the next 30 years, though prejudice against Muggleborns and half-bloods continued in some parts of society. Anti-Muggleborn sentiments began rising again in the early 70s. The flames were fanned with the emergence of a new Dark wizard who called himself Lord Voldemort. He and his followers, known as Death Eaters, created such an aura of fear that people began to be terrified to use his name, and resorted to such euphemisms as "You-Know-Who," and "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named." The Death Eaters attacked and killed Muggleborns and their families and even targeted Muggles who had nothing to do with the Wizarding world. His reign of terror continued until Halloween 1981, when he attacked a family who had consistently stood against him, the Potters. He killed Lily and James Potter, but was struck down himself when he tried to kill their young son Harry."
Dan looked up. "So, this is where Harry comes into the story?"
Andy nodded. "Yes. He became famous for doing something no one else had been able to do, surviving a curse no one had ever lived through and stopping Lord Voldemort. He disappeared immediately after his parents' deaths, and no one in our world was able to find him, though many tried. The story that was put out officially was that he had been sent into hiding until he reached school age, to protect him from the remaining Death Eaters."
"You don't sound very convinced," Emma said, frowning, "why else would he have disappeared."
"Oh, I'm sure that was part of the reason," Andy replied, and shook her head. "Dumbledore was involved, though, and he rarely has only one reason for his actions. Whatever the reason, though, it did keep him out of the limelight, which may have been for the best. Harry didn't resurface until he began school in 1991, the same year as your daughter. Since then, he has been a lightening rod for events that appear to involve the Death Eaters, culminating in an encounter a little over a year ago, which led to the resurrection of Voldemort. It appears that he was not as dead as people believed. Our government has spent the last year denying his return, but those I trust implicitly have told me otherwise. So, I'm afraid that it's only a matter of time before the cycle of violence worsens again."
Dan and Emma spent some time communing silently with one another, then Dan spoke up. "Andy, we appreciate you being so direct with us. You've told us a great deal more than we've heard from our daughter, and far more than we've been told by her teachers." He sighed, "Much of this news is disturbing, particularly the fact that one of our daughter's friends is a target of terrorists. It's a lot to take in, but I suppose now we have to decide what's in Hermione's best interests. Do we let her continue at Hogwarts, knowing the danger she could be facing, or do we remove her from your world altogether."
Andy shook her head sadly. "I'm afraid you'll find that it's not that simple Dan, for a couple of reasons. First of all, Voldemort hates Muggles as well as the Muggleborn, and desires nothing more than to see them all dead. She wouldn't be at any less risk in the Muggle world, and maybe in greater danger, since she wouldn't be learning how to use her magic. Second, and more importantly, I think you'd have to fight her tooth and nail to take her away from this world. I'm afraid that all three of our daughters are tied to Harry by a magic stronger than anything our world can produce."
Dan just looked confused, while Edmund nodded knowingly. Emma smiled, and looked at Andy. "They love him, don't they?"
Andromeda nodded. "Yes, they do. Speaking for Nymphadora, this has been true for most of her life. My family was always close to the Potters. Although my family, the Blacks, is one of the oldest pureblood lines, I married a Muggleborn wizard, Dora's father, Ted. Unsurprisingly, the family disowned me. My cousin Sirius was James Potter's best friend, and lived with them after running away from his own, equally prejudiced, branch of the Black family. As a result, we've known Harry since he was born, and Dora's loved him almost that long. I can't say how it's been for either of your daughters, but from what Dora says, and what others have told me, they both love him as well."
Edmund spoke up for the first time. "In letters I've had this year from my Luna, she's talked about how accepting Harry has been of her oddities, and how he treats her just like everyone else. Also, she's written about the work he did with both Luna and others, teaching them to defend themselves when the teachers would not. Given how she's been treated most of her life, I suspect this acceptance explains when her feelings began to develop."
Emma spoke up, "In Hermione's case, it's been the better part of the last two years at least, to judge by the conversations I've had with her." Dan looked at her in shock, but she just reached over and patted his cheek gently. "Never mind, dear, these aren't the kind of things a girl usually discusses with her father." Everyone laughed at Dan's pole-axed expression. Even he finally broke down and chuckled.
Just then, a silvery mist flew in from the doorway and landed on the desk. Picking up the piece of parchment left when it vanished, Andy quickly read it and then looked up. "It appears that Hermione is now awake, and the girls will be joining us shortly. I suggest we defer any further discussions until they arrive.
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Tonks sat watching Hermione as she slept and thought back to that night at the Department of Mysteries. She'd seen Hermione as they were being evacuated to the Hogwarts infirmary, pale, unconscious and soaked in blood, and her heart had nearly stopped. She'd been terrified. It had been so long since she'd let anyone into her life, that when she thought she might lose them, it had paralyzed her. She wasn't over the fear yet, even though she knew Hermione was getting better all the time. She'd come to mean too much to her—she couldn't bear even the thought of losing her.
Feeling eyes on her, Tonks looked up to find Luna staring at her intently. There was no sign of Luna's usual dreamy expression. Her eyes were sharp, clear and penetrating. Tonks felt as if they were boring into her very soul. She was so lost in that gaze that she actually jumped when Luna spoke.
"So, how long have the two of you been together?"
Tonks gaped at her, her mouth open like a shocked fish.
"Yes, I know that's blunt, even for me," Luna said. "But there is a lot that will need to be said and done over the next few weeks, and very little time now. So, how long has it been?"
Tonks was so flustered by the question, and Luna's demeanor, that she just blurted out the answer. "Since last summer."
"There now, that wasn't so hard, was it?" Luna said as she smiled gently and reached out to take Tonks' hand. "How did it start?"
Tonks looked Luna in the eye, and suddenly felt that she could tell the blonde Ravenclaw anything. "Well…"
Flashback
12 Grimmauld Place
August 6th, 1995
10PM
Tonks looked up from the bed where she'd been crying when she heard a knock at her door. Wiping her arm over her eyes, she called out. "C-c-come in."
Hermione stepped in, closed the door and sat down next to Tonks. "Are you all right?" she asked, touching the young woman's hand lightly, "I was walking past the door and heard you crying."
Tonks forced a smile onto her face. She had no idea until Hermione told her later how ghastly it looked. "I'll be O.K. Today was just a shock, seeing Harry again."
"Again?"
"Oh, of course, you'd have no way of knowing. The last time I saw Harry, other than from a distance, was just before Uncle James and Aunt Lily died."
"I didn't know you were related to them," Hermione said, "Harry said he had no relatives except the Dursleys."
"I'm not, really. But Sirius is, or I guess was, Mum's cousin and the only member of her family that would talk to her. Dad's family was great, but they're Muggles and you know how hard it is to talk about some things around them. So we spent a lot of time with Sirius. But since he was one of James' best friends we were always with the Potters; after a while I just started calling them Aunt and Uncle."
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Then you've known Harry his whole life!"
"Well, until his parents were killed. I met him first the day after he was born. Mum took me to see Aunt Lily at St. Mungo's even though I was awfully young, only 5 or so. We went up to her room, and she was lying in bed holding him. She told me to climb up onto the bed next to her, and laid Harry down in my lap. He was so small, with just a little tuft of black hair on his head, and he looked so sweet, sleeping there. Then he woke up, opened his eyes and looked at me. That look went right through me; I remember it even now. I was lost in his eyes, almost like we'd made some kind of connection. Finally Mum shook me when he started to squirm, and I gave him back to Aunt Lily."
"That was just the beginning. I spent every moment possible with the Potters after that. Sirius used to grumble that he could never get Harry away from me, but Aunt Lily just laughed at him. That next year and a bit were the happiest time of my life. There was nothing I loved more than playing with Harry, or even changing his nappies! When they were killed on Halloween 1981, it was like my world had ended. Uncle James and Aunt Lily were dead, and Harry had disappeared. I begged everyone to tell me where my Harry-bear was, but no one knew, or if they did they wouldn't say. I was heart-broken. I think that night was what drove me to become an Auror, because of the family I'd lost. I'd finally had people in my life other than Mom and Dad that didn't look at me like I was a freak, and then they were gone."
Hermione looked puzzled. "What do you mean, like a freak?"
Tonks sniffled and ducked her head. "You've never seen my base form; you'd understand if you had. I don't let anyone see me like that anymore; I don't need that pain. But my talents didn't develop until I was about 10, so up until I met Harry, everyone stared at me, and I had sort of gotten used to it. It still hurt, but I was used to it. Then Harry came along and he actually seemed to like how I looked. You can't imagine what losing that was like."
Hermione laid her hand Tonks' shoulder, "Would you show me, Tonks?" The metamorph automatically shook her head. "Please, Tonks, I want to see you as you really are."
Tonks looked closely at Hermione. She saw no sign in the other girl's face of anything but caring. After a minute of silent thought, she nodded, and stood up. She scrunched up her face, and her body blurred. Suddenly, she was a few inches taller; her bubble-gum pink hair had turned completely white, and grown down below her waist. Her hips widened a hair, becoming rounder and softer, and her bust shrank just slightly. Her heart-shaped face had narrowed, and her cheekbones and nose looked very much like her mother's. Her skin was so pale it was almost translucent. She stood there with her eyes tightly shut, afraid to see Hermione's reaction. Hermione would think she was a freak—everyone did.
She jumped slightly when she felt Hermione's hands on her shoulders, and opened her eyes. Hermione's eyes were staring widely into hers; she knew what Hermione was seeing. In this, her natural form, her eyes were prismatic, the irises constantly swirling and shifting between all colours. Her eyes were the part of her that had always caused the most comment, all of it negative.
After a moment Hermione opened her mouth, "A freak? Tonks, I think you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."
Hermione's hand suddenly flew to her mouth, and she blushed, obviously surprised at what she had said out loud. Tonks didn't know whether to laugh at her expression, or drop her jaw in sheer disbelief of Hermione's words. The two of them just stood there, staring at each other for a while.
Finally, Hermione cleared her throat. "All right, I can understand that you were devastated at losing Harry. But you have him back now, so why are you crying?"
Tonks sighed. "I'd seen him a few times before this summer, just from a distance, though, not to talk with. I was at the World Cup last year, and at the Tri-Wizard Tournament. You wouldn't remember me even if you had seen me. I was working, so I was in different forms. But then, I went with Mad-Eye and the others to pick Harry up today. I spoke with him, and he was polite, but he clearly didn't remember me!"
"Of course he didn't, Tonks," Hermione said gently, "he would remember your base form, not the way you usually look these days."
"If he remembered me at all, which he wouldn't because he was barely more than a year old. I know, I know, but…" she choked and fell back down on the bed sobbing again. Hermione sat next to her and rubbed her back gently. After a few minutes, Tonks sat back up and wiped her eyes.
"Sorry about the waterworks. It just hard to see someone you lo-care about, and not have them know who you are."
Hermione's eyes widened at Tonks' near slip, and without thinking, blurted out. "You're in love with him too!"
Tonks looked up suddenly. "Too?"
Hermione blushed. "Oh dear, I hadn't really meant to say that—not that I mind you knowing. I've been feeling… differently about Harry for the last couple of years. I kept hoping that he'd ask me to the Yule Ball, but I finally accepted Viktor's invitation when he never did. Then this year he went out with Cho Chang, of all people! I still love him, but I've realized that he just doesn't see me that way. I'm just Hermione, his bookworm friend, not a girl he could love."
Tonks wrapped Hermione in her arms and held her as the younger girl began to sob herself. She shook her head and sighed, "Aren't we the pair. Both of us in love with a clueless young man and both of us too afraid to say anything for fear of how he'll react. Believe me, Hermione, I understand. I'm terrified to let him see my real form, afraid he won't remember me, or that he'll hate what he sees."
She felt more than heard Hermione snort at that. "I don't understand what you're afraid of," she muttered into Tonks' shoulder, "I can't imagine anyone objecting to waking up to see you looking like that. I know I certainly wouldn't." Hermione looked up suddenly with a deer in the headlights expression, realizing that her mutter had been louder than she intended.
End Flashback
"And that's how it started. Two friends commiserating over their unrequited loves, offering each other support and comfort. After a while, the affection started to become more… physical."
Tonks and Luna both jumped at the sharp laugh from beside them. "Physical, yeah, that's one word for it, Dora."
They looked down, and saw Hermione awake and looking at them. Tonks blushed and started to look away. Hermione reached up to her.
"Dora, stop that. I'm not upset or embarrassed. I'd been meaning to have a talk with Luna; I'd just expected to be awake for all of it."
Turning to Luna, Hermione added, "That's the story of our relationship. We love one another, and we're both still in love with Harry. And unless I'm greatly mistaken, we're not the only two people in this room who are."
Tonks looked up suddenly at that, and now it was Luna, unflappable Luna, who was blushing slightly.
"No, I don't think you are mistaken." Luna said quietly, "I do feel something for Harry, though I'm not sure what to call it. I care for him, and I think it may be more than as just a friend." She looked down for a moment, then looked back up. "And it's not just Harry. I've become much closer to you as well, Hermione, over the past week or so. I'm attracted to you, and wouldn't mind the opportunity to see where that might lead. I'd also like to get to know you better as well, Dora. I think the three of us have more in common than one might guess."
She thought for a moment then looked at the others. "I believe those similarities are part of the reason we all have strong feelings for Harry. It's because he sees us. Not just the faces that we show the rest of the world, but us. He tries to see people for who they are on the inside, and is willing to accept them for that."
Tonks nodded. "I think you're on to something there, Luna, and I really do want to talk about it. For the record, I think you're a very interesting person, and would like to get to know you better as well. But before we do there are a few other items on the agenda. Like Hermione's potions and her parents."
"My parents! Oh Merlin, are they here, what happened? Oh they're going to be so upset about my still being hurt. What am I going to tell them?" Hermione started to panic but Luna rubbed her back and began to croon softly as Tonks reached for several of the bottles on the bedside table.
"Potions first, then we'll get to your folks, who are downstairs with Mum. Open up!"
Hermione groaned as she sat up slightly with Luna's help. "Ugh, not again. Don' wanna!" She crossed her arms and puffed out her lower lip in an exaggerated pout. Both Tonks and Luna started giggling, and Tonks shook her finger at Hermione, a mock scowl on her face.
"Now, young lady, none of that sulking, or Mama Dora will have to spank!"
Luna felt Hermione stiffen up against her, and her breathing quicken. 'Hmm,' Luna thought, 'this is something we'll have to revisit in future.' With a small grin, she took one of the bottles from Tonks.
"Now Hermione, do you really want me to show Dora how we did this in the hospital wing?"
Hermione's eyes widened and she grabbed the bottle quickly, and drank down the dose. Tonks handed her the other bottles, looked at Luna, and chuckled.
"You'll have to tell me all about that, Luna. Anything that makes our 'Mione this cooperative is vital information."
The two of them laughed together as Hermione flushed, finished her potions, and lay back in the bed. Tonks glanced over at the mantel to the clock sitting there.
"We've been up here for an hour now, and I told Mum we'd join them in the library when you felt up to it. So…"
Hermione groaned again. "I am not looking forward to this. You know I'm not. Mum will dig everything out of me. Probably even the things I've been leaving out for the last few years—like Ron and my "adventures" with Harry. I'll be grounded until I'm 21; I'm sure of it. If I have to, I have to, but I don't have to like it!" She rolled over onto her stomach and buried her face in the pillows at the thought.
Tonks picked up her wand from the bedside table. With a quick word and gesture, a small silver figure leapt from the end of the wand and headed out the door.
"All right, I've sent them a message saying that we'll be along shortly. Luna, if you'll look in the closet over there, I think you'll find some loose robes. I expect that those will be more comfortable for 'Mione than Muggle clothes right now." Looking down at Hermione, she grinned. "And as for you, Miss Lazybones," Tonks pulled back the covers and smacked Hermione's naked bum sharply, making the younger girl squeal in surprise, "time to get your arse out of that bed. C'mon, I'll help you to the loo."
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The four adults in the library looked up as the three girls entered the room, Hermione walking slowly with Tonks and Luna supporting her from either side. Andromeda picked up her wand from the desk. Casting a quick spell, she made a small sofa appear between Dan and Edmund's chairs. Tonks and Luna helped Hermione to the sofa, and sat down on either side of her. Andromeda quirked an eyebrow as each of them wrapped a protective arm around Hermione's shoulders. She noted a similar expression on Emma's face out of the corner of one eye. Apparently Andy wasn't the only one who'd picked up on the body language among the three.
Emma got up from her chair and went and knelt down in front of her daughter. Taking Hermione's hands in hers, she asked her, "Hermione, sweetheart, how are you feeling? Are you in any pain?"
Hermione smiled at her mother's obvious concern. "I'm all right, Mama. I have to be a bit careful when I move, and not overexert myself. Not that these two are letting me at the moment. Humph, can't even go to the loo on my own right now…"
Tonks tapped Hermione gently on the nose while she huffed. "No attitude in front of your mother." Hermione just stuck her tongue out at Dora. Everyone laughed.
Emma's face grew more serious as she looked intently at her daughter. "Hermione, I wish you'd been more open with us about the world you're living in now. I feel like your father and I have learned more from Andy in the past couple of hours than we have from you in the last five years."
Hermione sighed. "I know, Mama, Dad, and I'm sorry. It's just…, oh, I don't know, it's so hard to explain."
Dan looked at her, nothing but concern on his face. "Can you try, pumpkin? We don't want to make you feel cornered, but we'd like to understand why you felt you had to hide all this from us."
Hermione nodded. "I'll try. You see, there are parts of the Magical world that are just amazing. There are so many things I've longed to share with you, to let you see how happy all of this has made me. At the same time, it has its dark side as well. I've been in dangerous situations more than once in the past five years, though none as bad as a couple of weeks ago. I've just been afraid that if you knew how dangerous some of it was, you'd want to take me away. And I'm not sure I could live if you did. There's so much I'd miss, and people it would kill me to lose.
It was at this point that Dan Granger made a cardinal error. An understandable one, as it's an error that's been made by the fathers of teenage daughters for years, but an error nevertheless, He opened his mouth and the words came out.
"Hermione, I understand that you have a crush on this boy, Harry Potter. But if being around him is going to put you in this much danger, maybe you should consider whether you're exercising good judgment in pursuing a relationship with him."
Emma winced as she saw her daughter's face freeze up at Dan's words. 'Oh Lord, this is not going to be good. Yep, there's the fire lighting up in her eyes, better get out of the way.' Emma stood and stepped back to the desk, and not before time. Hermione literally flew to her feet, despite Dora and Luna's efforts to restrain her.
"Crush, CRUSH!" Hermione shrieked, her voice achieving new heights never before reached by mortal woman. "Do you think THIS is the result of a crush?"
Hermione tore open her robes and dropped them to the floor. She was left standing in front of them all, naked. What drew the eye, however, was not her body, beautiful though it was. It was the huge, half-healed purple weal that started just below her collarbone, ran down between her breasts, over her stomach and waist, and ended at her pubic mound.
"I almost died, Father!"
Dan cringed; she only called him that when she was in a towering rage.
"Yes, I said died. And I would have, if Harry had not deliberately drawn the attention of vicious killers away from those of us who were wounded, and after himself. And he did that without even a moment's thought! That he could do that should give you some idea about how he cares for us, and that I followed him there, knowing this or worse could happen, should tell you how I feel about him!"
Dan just sat there, gaping at her. Tonks stood up, picked up the robes, and draped them over Hermione.
"'Mione, I don't think your father is capable of holding a rational conversation with you standing here starkers in front of all of us."
Hermione blushed as she realized what she'd been doing, clutched the robes around herself, and sat back down. She buried her face in Luna's shoulder for a moment in embarrassment. Then she pulled herself back up and looked her father straight in the eye.
"Dad, I love both you and Mama, but you need to understand. Your world is my past; the Wizarding world is my future, as is Harry. That die was cast when an 11 year old boy threw himself at a full-grown mountain troll without a second thought, to save a little know-it-all bookworm that he didn't even like that much. I decided at that moment that I would always be there for him, and those feelings have only gotten stronger. I will be a part of his life in any way he will allow, whether that means standing beside him in battle, bearing his children, or just warming his bed. I am his, heart, soul, and body!"
The others looked at her in shock as a gentle white nimbus glowed briefly around her body. Andromeda just shook her head. That was one decision rendered moot. A vow had been made, and Magick itself had accepted it.
Dan's eyes narrowed and he opened his mouth to reply. Before he could say a word, everyone jumped at a sudden sound like the crack of a pistol-shot. They turned to look at Emma, standing by the desk that she had just brought her hand down hard upon.
"Dan, don't even think about saying anything right now! Need I remind you that any decision we try to make for her is null and void in three months when she turns 17 and is of age in the Wizarding world. I for one have no intention of losing my daughter because you two are both too bloody pig-headed to communicate!"
She turned to her daughter, "Hermione, you need to understand your father's concerns, because I share them! We know so little about your world and much of what we've learned today terrifies us. You need to work with us and help us understand, not be confrontational!"
Andromeda broke in at this point. "I'm sorry for interrupting, but I may have something of a solution to this problem. At the very least, it should help the two of you get a better idea of Hermione's life and experiences in the Wizarding world.
She muttered a quick incantation and waved her wand in an intricate pattern. A cabinet door opened on the far side of the room. An object floated out of the cabinet and came to rest on the desk. It was a shallow basin made of a greenish-grey stone, with runes and symbols etched into it in silver.
Hermione's eyes lit up when she saw the bowl. "A pensieve!"
Andromeda smiled. "Yes. Dan, Emma, this object is something used in our world called a pensieve. You can use it to store thoughts, which can then be viewed by yourself and/or others. This particular type is a solicitor's pensieve. It stores copies of thoughts rather than the thoughts themselves, and in addition to the immersion function which puts you into the memories; it has a projection function that allows the thoughts to be displayed. Since non-magical people can't use the immersion feature, I thought that we could use the projection mode to allow you to see some of Hermione's life for yourselves."
Hermione thought for a moment and then nodded. "I agree. Mama, Dad, I think that this is the best way for you to understand what I've been through, and how it's affected me." She looked at the others in the room. "You're all welcome to stay for this. The three of us," taking Dora and Luna's hands, "have become close, so it affects you as well." She turned back to Andromeda. "So, how does this work?"
Andromeda smiled. "Well, you need to put a copy of your thoughts into the pensieve. Don't worry about the underage magic restrictions, this house is under the Fidelius Charm, and no magic performed here can be detected by the Ministry. Concentrate on the memories you want to put into the pensieve, then tap your wand on your temple. Place the wand into the pensieve to create a copy, then tap your temple with the wand to replace the memories. I suggest that you start with your first year, and go forward from there."
For the next several hours, the group reviewed Hermione's memories from her five years at Hogwarts. Breaking only briefly between the third and fourth years for a dinner of sandwiches and pumpkin juice, they observed the highlights of her time at Hogwarts. They saw the troll incident in first year and the hunt for the basilisk in second. They watched as she, Harry, and Ron rescued Buckbeak from the executioner, and Sirius from the Dementors. They observed both the Quidditch World Cup and the Tri-Wizard Tournament from her fourth year.
It wasn't only major or traumatic events that she showed them, though. They also saw her excitement at learning magic and how it worked. They thrilled along with her as she performed her first transfigurations and charms. They held their breath at Harry's daredevil antics as Gryffindor's Seeker, since despite Hermione's claims that she disliked Quidditch, she had never missed one of Harry's games unless she was in the Hospital Wing. Dan and Emma watched enthralled as they saw Hermione come out of the protective shell she had always lived in at home and, as she became more confident in her friendship with Harry and Ron, began to blossom and become more open and self-assured.
Finally, she took them through the events of the previous year at Hogwarts. They saw the many confrontations with Dolores Umbridge, including the final one before the Department of Mysteries event. They saw Harry's ever-increasing stress, and the results of his detentions. And of course, they saw the battle at the Department of Mysteries. The memories ended there, as Hermione was not prepared to show them her encounters with Luna in the Hospital Wing.
For some time after the final images faded, everyone sat in silence, contemplating what they had watched for the past several hours. Then Dan and Emma rose from their chairs and walked to the couch. Dora and Luna moved away, letting the Grangers sit down with Hermione. No words were spoken; they simply wrapped their arms around their daughter and held one another. After a while, Dan pulled back and looked at Hermione.
"Pumpkin, thank you for sharing all this with us. After experiencing it, I think your mother and I can understand why you were frightened to talk to us about your new world." Emma nodded from Hermione's other side. "I won't pretend that some of what I saw doesn't terrify me," Dan said, "I'd be lying if I did. However, I've also seen how you've grown and changed over the past five years, and I now have a better idea how much of that happened. In spite of everything you've gone through, you are a happier, stronger, and more grounded person that you were before Hogwarts. No matter how much it may scare us that is not something we would want to take from you."
"Your father's right, dear." Emma added. "And so are you. This new world is your future, but it's a future that we would like to share with you, as much as we can. Please, don't feel that you have to hide things from us anymore. We'll support you and help you to the best of our abilities."
The three of them hugged and kissed one another, and then moved apart on the couch. Dora and Luna stepped up behind Hermione, and each of them laid a hand on her shoulder. Hermione reached up and rested her hands on top of theirs. She glanced quizzically at Dora, who nodded when she realized what Hermione was asking. She then looked at Luna, who also nodded her assent. Hermione turned back to her parents.
"All right, then there are some more things you should know. First of all, Dora and I are lovers, and have been since last summer. Secondly, Luna has expressed an attraction to both of us, and this is something that the three of us intend to explore. Finally, all three of us love Harry, and have no idea how that will affect everything else. That's something that we'll have to address with him when the opportunity presents itself. For now, I'll only point out that multiple-partner marriages do exist in the Wizarding world between a wizard and two or more witches, and if that turns out to be possible it may be something we decide to pursue."
Hermione stopped and looked at her parents expectantly. To say that they looked flabbergasted would be an understatement. Finally, Emma just laughed and shook her head.
"Well dear, we said we'd stand by you and support your choices, and we will, even if this is something we wouldn't have expected. I've been watching the three of you together since you came in, and I can see how protective both Dora and Luna are of you. I certainly have no objections to relationships between people who care for one another, as the three of you clearly do. But please, can we stop here with the surprises for tonight? I'm not sure your poor old father's heart could take another one."
Everyone started to laugh at Dan's grumpy reaction to that shot from his wife. After grumbling for a moment, he laughed as well. "It's certainly not what I would have chosen for you, sweetheart. I hate to see you adding even more complications to your life, when it's already fraught with them. But it is your life, and you have to live it as you think best. Just know that we love you, and will always be there for you."
Dan embraced his daughter, and rose to his feet. Helping Emma up, the two of them walked back towards their chairs. As Emma moved ahead of him, Dan brought his hand forward and popped her sharply on the rear. Emma grabbed her bum and whirled around, glaring at her husband. Dan just assumed an innocent expression to the laughter of the rest of the room. Emma showed that she was just as mature as her daughter, sticking her tongue out at Dan.
"Mum," Dora addressed her mother, "How do you feel about this? I know you've worried about my lack of a social life; you've hinted about my finding someone for long enough. But I doubt this was quite what you had in mind."
Andromeda gave her daughter a secretive little smile. "I actually thought you hadn't noticed my oh-so-subtle hints, darling. You certainly ignored them as if you hadn't. But to answer your question, I'm fine with your relationship with Hermione, and I approve heartily of your willingness to be open about it, at least with us. As for Luna, I have to confess that I'm surprised, but if the three of you are interested in each other I see no reason you shouldn't pursue it."
"I know you, Mum, you've got something up your sleeve and somehow this just made things easier for you." She frowned for a moment, then sighed and shook her head. "Never mind, you won't say anything until you're good and ready so I might as well give up on trying to get it out of you before I even start."
"It's nice to see you learned something in your Auror training, dear," Andromeda said and smirked at her daughter."
Just then Edmund Lovegood spoke up. "Moonbeam? Are you sure this is what you want?"
Luna tipped her head and gazed into the distance with a strange far off look on her face. After a minute or so she said, "Yes, Daddy. It's what both Mummy and I want."
"Then it's fine with me, Button Bright. Your Mummy was the smartest woman in the universe." Edmund smiled lovingly, crossed to where Luna stood and wrapped his arms around her. "And I know I'll love getting to know your new loves."
Andromeda broke in at this point after glancing at the grandfather clock in one corner of the room. "It's gotten very late, and I'm sure Hermione at least must be exhausted after this long an evening." Hermione nodded in agreement to this statement. "Dan, Emma, Edmund, I'll have the house elves make up rooms for you, please stay the night. I'd also like the three of you to consider moving into the manor, at least for the summer. I think it would be safer for Hermione and Luna, in the event that Death Eaters who are still free should seek them for revenge. It would also give us time to talk over more issues related to Harry Potter, and allow us to plan ahead for potential problems. Please, think about the offer, and we'll discuss it more tomorrow."
The three of them agreed to consider Andromeda's offer.
"All right then, back off to bed with you, Miss," said Dora. Hermione pouted for a moment, then rose to her feet and gave Dora a hug. She then turned to Andromeda.
"Mrs. Tonks…"
"Andy please, Hermione. If you're as close to my daughter as you say, I think you can use my name." There was another quick round of laughter as Hermione blushed.
"All right. Andy, could we borrow that pensieve? The three of us have a lot of talking to do, and I think being able to share past experiences with one another could make it a lot simpler."
Andromeda smiled. "Certainly you can. We have several more in the house, so feel free to keep it in your rooms. Dora's room is to the left of yours, Hermione, and we've prepared a room for Luna across the hall from you both. One thing though, please promise me that you will rest tonight, and not start using the pensieve until tomorrow at the earliest. Until you get used to it, the experience can be quite draining. I'll have some more questions about some of what we saw, but I think it's best we wait until we see Harry next, so he can be part of that discussion."
Hermione, Dora, and Luna nodded in agreement. Then Dora took Hermione by the arm and helped her to the door, while Luna collected the pensieve from the desk and followed them out.
Andromeda gestured towards the three remaining in the room. "If you'll follow me, I'll show you to your rooms."
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Tonks walked with Hermione into her bedroom, and helped her over to the bed. Luna set the pensieve down on one of the dressers, and then went to turn down the bed while Tonks helped Hermione out of her robes. The two of them tucked her in her bed and then stepped back.
Hermione looked up at them, her eyes wide, "Please, stay with me, both of you. After reliving all of that, well… I just don't want to be alone tonight."
Dora looked a bit puzzled until Luna stepped over to her and whispered in her ear, explaining about Hermione's nightmares in the Hospital Wing at Hogwarts. Dora's eyes widened in understanding. Then without another word, the two of them undressed, and slipped into the bed, one on each side of Hermione. Luna spooned up against her front, pulling Hermione's arms around herself. Dora curled up around Hermione's back, slipping one arm under her head, and laying the other over top of her, leaving Dora's hand resting on Luna's hip. The last sound either Dora or Hermione heard as they drifted off to sleep was Luna crooning her wordless lullaby.
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Author's Notes
Wolf:
This is about the length I expect most chapters to run. It's part of the reason I won't commit to anything more than monthly updates, though the next several chapters should post at about 7-10 day intervals. In the meantime, expect some other stories to begin posting soon. The plot bunnies have broken into the garden of my mind and are nibbling on the carrots. Back you little furry fiends, BACK!
Rose:
Oops, looks like Wolf's losing it again. It's alright, dear, I'll round up the bunnies for you. (I'd better, or he'll never get any of them finished!)