Harry's worst nightmare came alive. The jumping line on the monitor ceased. One straight, green line and a high pitch noise was all that he could see. That was, until he looked at Hermione's face. Her appearance was one of nothingness. Her face was pale and her body completely still.
"Madame Pomfrey!" he yelled.
Ron and Ginny matched his look of horror and anguish as there faces became as pale as a ghost itself. They immediately looked at Harry, "Harry, what's happening? Why isn't Hermione breathing?" Ginny asked.
"H-her pulse stopped." He said.
Their eyes widened, "You mean she . . . she's d—"
"No." Harry interrupted, "Not yet . . . Madame Pomfrey!"
The matron came bustling forth and shrieked when she saw Hermione's condition. Pushing the three aside, she pulled a needle from the side table and injected it into Hermione's frail arm.
The monitor kept with the tempo. The line still as straight as a shard of grass. Harry felt tears come from his eyes for what seemed like the umpteenth time that day. But of all things, the tears deserved to fall after what he was going through. He might lose them both . . . before their lives truly begun. The day he found out he was going to have a child . . . was the same day that he was losing them.
He was brought out of his daze with the slight change of the background noise. He looked up. The monitor . . . she was okay! The room breathed a sigh of relief when they saw her stomach rise and fall in small motions. "Don't count your stars yet . . ." Madame Pomfrey said with a said look on her face.
"But she's okay!"
"Yes, Miss Granger is fine . . ."
Harry's heart stopped, "No . . ."
"I'm afraid your child has suffered a serious injury."
"W-what is it?"
"The spell that she was hit with was not aimed at her . . . but your child. When they were hit, they were both affected and rendered unconscious. But as time progressed, the spell began taking its full effect."
"What's the effect?"
"Internal bleeding and suffocation. A very dark and ancient spell. There is no known cure for a person . . . but for an infant, there is."
Harry sighed in relief, "That's great! When can you cure it?"
"Not until the baby is born, I'm afraid. But if the spell keeps on progressing at this rate . . . we might have to speed up the pregnancy."
"Speed it up . . .?"
"There is a few potions know to wizard kind that can speed up the growth of the infant. It is extremely dangerous, though . . . but it might be the only resort if the spell takes its full effect before May twenty-second."
"Why May?"
"The due date for your baby."
Harry sat down in the chair next to Hermione's bed, trying to make sense of what was happening. He wouldn't lose them. He would do whatever it takes to bring Hermione and their child back into this world safely. And he shall take whatever measures to make sure Bellatrix gets what she deserves.
"When will we know what to do?" Ron asked from the other side of the bed.
"Within the next few days. Keep in mind that she will be in and out of consciousness and very vulnerable, so try and break the situation to her gently."
"Why can't you do it?" Ginny asked.
"I have to floo someone about a potion that I might need to get my hands on." She said before she walked away and went into her secluded office.
Harry looked down at Hermione's frail form and thought of ways to break it to her. Hermione would want to know the situation before anything was done. He lent down and started to whisper in her ear;
"Hermione . . . Hermione can you hear me?"
No response.
"It's me . . . it's Harry."
Still nothing.
"I have something to tell you."
She stirred. Harry smiled, he was getting some sort of response! But then he remembered Madame Pomfrey's words. 'Keep in mind that she will be in and out of consciousness and very vulnerable, so try and break the situation to her gently'
She was very weak. Of course she wouldn't have enough strength to move her lips. He was deep in thought. Ginny sensed his struggle when he pulled his face away from her. "If only there was some way to communicate . . . how do muggles say it . . . telepathically?"
A light bulb.
Hermione, he called to her.
Yeah?
I have something to tell you.
Shoot.
You are in a frail condition right now.
Well spotted.
Harry laughed, earning confused glances from Ron and Ginny. He gave them a look saying that he'd explain later. Bellatrix hit you with a horrible spell.
What kind of spell?
A spell aimed at our child. When the spell takes full effect, the baby will have internal bleeding and suffocate.
Oh no.
But there is a way to treat it . . . but it can't be done until the baby is born, though. So Madame Pomfrey is trying to get hold of a potion to speed up your pregnancy. But we won't make a decision until—
Do it.
What?
I said to do it. And do it now. I don't want our baby to die, especially inside of me. I couldn't bear it.
But you might be—
I know. But it has to be done.
Are you sure?
Positive.
Okay . . . well I'll go tell Madame Pomfrey that. Bye 'Mione.
Goodbye Harry.
Harry pulled out of their connection and was met with Ginny and Ron's confused faces. He shrugged and made his way into the matron's office. When he opened the door he saw he at her desk and sorting through a stack of papers.
"Madame Pomfrey?"
She looked up, "Yes, Mr. Potter?"
"She want us to give her the potion . . . now."
"Is she sure . . . it could do major—"
"She's positive."
"I will respect her wishes." She said, "the potion should be here within the hour."
Harry nodded in understanding, "Alright." He made his way back to Ron and Ginny and took his seat next to Hermione's bed.
"Are you going to tell us why you were closing your eyes and laughing to yourself now? Because Ginny and I are seriously thinking of putting you into an insane asylum." Ron told Harry with a serious look etched in his features.
"You won't have to do that." Harry said with a chuckle, "It is all part of the thing I told you about Ginny . . . with Hermione and me."
Ginny nodded in understanding. "What thing?" Ron asked.
Harry realized that he still had yet to tell Ron about the gift. Oops. He explained it swiftly and by the time he was done, Ron's eyes were the size of saucers. "Woah." He said, "talk about pressure."
"Yeah . . . so Hermione agreed to take the potion now." Harry concluded.
"Now?" Ginny and Ron asked in unison.
"Now." Harry repeated.
It had not been one second that the word left his mouth. Ron began clutching his forearm and made a painful sound. Harry and Ginny looked at him with concern. "Harry . . . you know that thing that I was supposed to do to help the greater good?"
"Yeah . . ." Harry said reluctantly.
"I think . . . I think its time."
Harry's eyes widened. "Now?"
"Now."
Harry's stomach dropped. He was here. It was time. Time to find out once and for all who was to be the murderer and the victim. And in the midst of it all . . . he might become a father by next week!
Madame Pomfrey came bustling into the room, a vile with a florescent green liquid in hand. That was fast. "They delivered a little earlier than expected." —she sat down on the other side of Hermione— "of course, mentioning that the Harry Potter was involved might have helped a smidge."
Harry smiled. "Anything to help 'Mione"
Madame Pomfrey waved her hand over Hermione's body. She shuttered for a moment and opened her eyes. She smiled when she saw Harry's face among the others in the room and by her side. Harry smiled back at her and she thought that she might melt.
"No time for ogling, Miss Granger. You have to drink up."
Hermione nodded and took the potion in her hands, sipping it very slowly. When she was done, she licked her lips. "Tastes like strawberries dipped in pickle juice."
When Harry and the others shared a weird book Madame Pomfrey chuckled and spoke, "It is meant to take the taste of whatever the consumer is craving."
"Pickle juice dipped strawberries?" Ron asked.
Hermione shrugged, "It tastes better than it sounds."
The group then heard a loud noise coming from the grounds, followed by a loud voice. "HARRY POTTER!"
It was him, and they all knew it.
Hermione didn't know what all the commotion was about, though. "What's going on?"
The group looked at Harry expectantly. "He's here, 'Mione."
Hermione's eyes widened and she threw off the sheets that were covering her. "Well let's go and give him what he wants."
Harry pushed Hermione lightly back onto the bed, "No. You're staying here. You promised."
"But . . . Harry I want to fight!"
"Mister Potter is right, Miss Granger. In your condition, it is very dangerous to get out of bed. If my calculations are correct . . . you will become a parent within the next two hours." Madame Pomfrey said.
"T-two hours?" Hermione said.
"Yes."
"Oh Merlin."
"HARRY POTTER!" the voice yelled again.
"I have to go." Harry said. He kissed Hermione lightly on the forehead.
Hermione's eyes we watering with unshed tears. "I want to come."
"I know you do . . . but we can't take the chance."
Hermione's tears we flowing down her cheeks. Harry looked at her with a painful expression. He knew he had to go before the inhabitants of Hogwarts were in danger.
"Mister Potter!" a voice called from the end of the Hospital Wing.
McGonagall came up to the crowd and put a hand on the younger boy's shoulder. "We heard the calls and the students . . . they want to help."
"Help . . . how?"
"They want to fight."
"No."
"Not the younger students. They are safe within the Room of Requirement. But fourth years and up are willing to fight and are gathering by the hundreds in the Great Hall. They are waiting for your command. You have yourself an army, Mister Potter." She explained.
"Well . . . I . . . uhh . . ."
"I suggest you come with me down to the Great Hall before the intruders come into our halls."
Harry looked at Hermione and saw she was smiling at him, "Go." She whispered, "I'll be fine."
Harry looked at her for a second before lowering his lips upon hers for a chaste kiss. "I love you." He whispered.
"I love you, too. And please promise me you'll be careful."
"I promise."
She smiled and squeezed his hand. He left the Hospital Wing and made his way behind the rapid steps of the Headmistress. When they reached the large oak doors he could hear the cacophony of voices behind them. When they opened up to them, the voices ceased and all eyes were on the new additions to the hall.
Harry and McGonagall made their way to the front of the room, the students moving out of their way when necessary. The two reached the front of the room and faced the students. Harry noted the absence of a number of green robes.
"You're up, Mister Potter."
Harry gulped. He was never the best public speaker. That was what Hermione was for. "Umm . . . hi." He started.
"I guess we all know why you're here . . . and first off I just want to ask you this . . . are you sure you want to do this? Risk your lives for . . . well for me, I guess."
A chorus of 'Hell yeah' and 'Well, duh's filled the room. Harry smiled at their enthusiasm.
"There are a lot of experienced dark wizards out there right now . . . and I know you all have the guts . . . but do you have the skills? All you need to know is how to outwit them. Out there, they don't care if how old you are . . . they'll kill you without a moment's hesitation. So I beg you to fight with all of your might and to e careful."
He saw all of the heads that were watching him nod and sighed in relief. "Let's go!"
Everyone cheered and pulled out their wands. Harry made his way through the crowd once again and took his spot at the front. He started though the halls and opened the front door. When they stepped onto the field he saw the army waiting for him. Voldermort as its leader.
The Dark Lord smiled sickly and raised his wand, lowering it slowly, signaling the fight to begin. This was it. The Final Battle. The war to end all wars. The hooded figures moved forward and charged.
Harry signaled his army forward as well and started to shoot curses at the tip of his wand, hitting anyone with a mask atop their face.
Hermione heard the battle start and got on her knees to peek out of the window next to her bed. The number of spells being shot was overwhelming. Blue, purple, and even green lights were being shot.
Since she sent Ron and Ginny to follow behind Harry not five minutes after he left, she was all alone. Madame Pomfrey was in her office, getting ready for what was to take place in less than an hour.
Hermione couldn't find Harry in the crowd, and because of that, she had the overpowering urge to leave. And because of the lack of people in the room, it wouldn't be much of a challenge.
She weighed the pros and cons of the situation while lying back on the bed. Harry would be disappointed in her if she did. But she would feel accomplishment if she took part in it. She would be in danger. But she was an accomplished fighter. She has to give birth in less than an hour. But surely the battle would be done before that.
Hermione made up her mind. She quickly dressed and made her way quietly to the exit of the Wing. Down the corridors she went, passing suspicious portraits on her way.
IN the entrance hall, she was met with open doors. She took in the battle from a closer point of view. It was so much more than she imagined. She took a deep breath to calm herself down and charged forward.
She eared a view confused glares from surrounding Death Eaters. So before they could report her presence to their master, she shot quick stunners at them before they could second-guess themselves.
She fought in a few duels and was victorious in all of them. Whoever thought she couldn't fight was wrong. Dead wrong. But then she saw Harry. Shit, she thought, if he sees me he'll send me straight back to the castle.
She ducked through the crowd and dodged the few curses that were sent her way. It was then; when she reached a semi-clear patch of land that she felt it. A shot of antagonizing pain in her abdomen.
No, not now . . . please not now.
Under the effect of the potion she collapsed to the hollow ground. The screams and spells shot not being able to wake her from her unconsciousness. No one was aware of her. No one was paying attention to Hermione Granger. No one knew of the eighteen-year-old who was in labor on the cold grass of the Hogwarts grounds.
