Chapter 9: The Accident

Sunlight poured through the windows of the Hospital Wing making Ginny open her eyes, squint, and then realizing that it was morning she pulled herself out of the next bed, stretched, and taking one last look at her sleeping husband, she left the wing.

"Wonderland," Ginny said to the portrait of the Fat Lady.

It opened to let her in.

The common room was deserted and so she used one of the showers and then conjured a pair of clean robes, she once again left. When she arrived in the Great Hall she sat at the Staff table and started to work on the food that had appeared magically on her plate. Professor Dumbledore watched this, worried about Severus young wife. She had taken the sight of her husband like that, hard and he hoped that she was finding a way of coping with it.

"Are you alright, dear?" Professor McGonagall asked.

Ginny shrugged her shoulders

"Look if you want to talk about it, then you know that my office door is always open."

"Thanks," Ginny said

Dumbledore smiled at the exchange, glad that someone was making her feel better.

Hermione woke up to the sunlight pouring from the bedroom window, feeling sore, but okay. She looked over at her sleeping husband and showering, she left. She had to get her hands on his notes so that she could teach his classes. When she arrived in the Great Hall she noticed Ginny setting at the Staff Table talking to Professor McGonagall. She made her way there as well and found a seat next to Ginny.

"Mrs. Lupin, are you okay?" Professor McGonagall asked.

"Um…fine," Hermione said.

Ginny grinned.

"And how was it?" Ginny asked, her voice taunting.

Hermione glared at her.

"Oh come on, Hermione, were not going to laugh," Professor McGonagall said.

"It was good and then he fell asleep," Hermione said.

Both witches howled with laughter, which made Hermione go red.

"Can we just change the subject," Hermione said acidly. "I don't think Remus would like us talking about what happened last night."

"Hermione, we didn't mean to make fun of you," Ginny said. "It's just that, well, I didn't think you would take the potion. So I didn't give you a potion."

Hermione stared at her, confused.

"What are you talking about?" Hermione asked. "That stuff tasted horrible and-."

"And nothing, Hermione, I'm telling you the stuff that I gave you wasn't a lust potion. It was just a spell on water to look like a potion and taste like it as well. You just thought it was a potion," Ginny said, cutting her off.

"But, but-."

Hermione was starting to sound like Professor Quirrell.

"Hermione, stop stammering," Professor McGonagall said. "What Ginny is saying is that what you two did you did it out of your own free will. There was no enchantment involved."

"But, but, that's impossible," Hermione said. "I don't fancy Remus."

"Oh, but you do," Ginny said. "And I've got a feeling that you're both going to be acting out what you feel a lot more now that it's been freed. Don't worry, I won't tell Ron that you think Remus is hot."

"I DON'T THINK REMUS IS HOT," Hermione screamed.

Everyone turned and stared at her. Hermione decided that this might be a good time to leave.

"Headmaster, Fudge is in your office wanting a word with you," said Professor Twist, the Muggle Studies Professor.

"Thank you," Dumbledore said.

He got up from his seat and left the Great Hall.

When he arrived he saw that Fudge was in a right mood. He was fidgeting with his Bowler hat and looking as though he was about to faint.

"Minister," Dumbledore said.

"Please, Albus, I don't mean to cut off the pleasantries, but I need for you to listen. A witch by the name of Morgana came to my home last night and told me that she wanted to marry Ron Weasley. I told her that he wasn't of age and she threatened to have me removed. Dumbledore, she's a Death Eater and I think-."

"That she's going to use Ron to get to Harry," Dumbledore finished.

Fudge nodded.

"I shall bring the Order up to speed on this at once," Dumbledore said. "And I might have to have the rule bent once more."

"I understand, Dumbledore," Fudge said. "If you want the rule bent then that's fine. However, I'm worried about the young Mr. Potter and most importantly, myself."

"I fully understand," Dumbledore said. "Is there anything else?"

Fudge shook his head and then left.

When Hermione entered her husband's office she found his lesson plans and started to look them over. To Hermione's absolute horror she had the sixth year Gryffindors to contend with.

"I'm going to shoot myself," Hermione muttered. "I'm going to buy a gun and shoot myself."

A sudden knock on the door made Hermione look up. It was Professor Sprout.

"I've got a notice from Hagrid. He said the Harpy that Professor Lupin ordered has arrived and is now in the classroom."

"Thanks," Hermione said. "But I'm going to be teaching the lesson."

Professor Sprout stared.

"Is Lupin?"

"Yes, he's going to be out for three days," Hermione told her. "Don't worry; I'll be able to handle the harpy on my own."

"Very well, but I'm going to have Hagrid watching over this one. The last time a person handled a harpy, they ended up as one."

"I'll be delighted to have Hagrid here," Hermione told her.

"Well I know the Gryffindors will be delighted as well."

Hermione smiled and Sprout left.

When the bell rang the Gryffindors entered the classroom and took their seats. Hermione watched them from the small crack that she had made in the door. She knew they were all expecting her husband. Well, they'll have to get use to me, Hermione thought. She took a deep breath and then opened the door.

"Class, I want you to open your books to page 56," Hermione said, walking down the steps.

Everyone stopped talking and looked at her. Hermione waved her wand and the heading, Second Level Dark Creatures, appeared on the board. She noticed the creature wasn't there.

"I would advise to open your books to page 56 or I shall become very nasty," Hermione threatened without turning to face them.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

"Enter," Hermione called.

The door opened and Hagrid walked in, carting the creature. Everyone was excited at seeing Hagrid again and she felt some of the tension leave the room.

"Place it over there," Hermione said.

"Yes, Professor," Hagrid said, placing the large cage right next to the board.

Hermione turned around and her eyes narrowed when she saw that no one had opened their books.

"I see you need to see the creature to get you to open your books," Hermione said. "Hagrid, remove the cover."

He yanked the cover and the entire class screamed in horror.

"I'm glad that I finally got your attention," Hermione said. "Now open your books to page 56 and maybe you'll know what you're seeing."

There was a rush to open their books.

"That's a bloody harpy," said Seamus

Hermione grinned.

"I'm glad that you've figured that out, Mr. Finnigan," Hermione said tartly. "Now can anyone tell me where the harpy comes from?"

No one answered.

"Oh what a pity," Hermione said. "I thought you were all advance students, but I guess I'll have to tell the Headmaster that your not. Now for those that are wondering, I'm taking over my husband's classes until he's human again. This means three days of you all treating me with the respect that comes with my little know-it-all brains. Now can anyone tell me where the harpy comes from?"

Neville raised his hand.

"Yes, Mr. Longbottom," Hermione said.