The next night was a full moon and the Mauraders were all sitting in the Shrieking Shack. The day had been a bust. Hermione wouldn't allow anyone into her rooms, with the exception of Lily and Lily wouldn't tell the others what was going on, but she continued to give Remus death glares. She even went as far as to insult him in class on a question he got wrong. Everyone knew herbology was one of Remus' worst subjects and he was very sensitive about it. Lily let everyone within hearing distance know that even a dead flobberworm would have known the answer and it just showed Remus' intelligence. James was a little taken back by his girlfriends cruelty and confronted her about it.
"Lily, what is your problem? You might as well tell everyone about Remus' secret. I don't think you could have hurt him more or betrayed him more. I want you to apologize to him."
"Are you demanding that I apologize to that thing? You have some nerve, James Potter. Why don't you ask Remus about why I won't apologize. I didn't reveal his secret because I promised not to, besides I have more repsect for Moony than that and they would probably take Moony and lock him up and do all kinds of tests on him. I would have told everyone who was willing to listen, if he remained Remus, but unfortunately they would wait until he turned into Moony and then test him and I really don't think that's fair to Moony. By the way, the next time you stick your finger in my face and demand things of me, I will make sure you pull back a stump." Lily looked over at Remus and said, "Karma's a bitch, ain't it, Remus? It just bit you in the ass and I've got a front row seat to watch it bite your head off." Lily then walked away. James and Sirius looked stunned that meek and mild Lily just gave them the most fearsome telling off of their lives and Remus looked dejected.
The weeks passed and slowly Lily started to talk to James and Sirius again but she was still giving Remus the cold shoulder. She spent most of her free time with Hermione. Another fixed figure in Hermione's life was Severus and her grandfather. Albus had cast a charm on her stomach that would last throughout the entire pregnancy. It would keep people from seeing her expanding waist and it would also hide it; even if someone bumbed into her they would not feel it. He thought this would be best and Hermione could remove it anytime. She would be 28 weeks along by the time school was finished and the baby was due September 21st, or at Mabon(autumn equinox). She was only called twice more; after reports of her being unconscious in the hospital wing reached Voldemort, he tried calling her one more time, but when Severus reported back a week later that she was thrashing around in extreme pain, but still unconscious, Voldemort called her no more. She spent her days studying and preparing for her N.E.W.T.'s, though she almost didn't take them. Where was she going to get a job? No one would want to hire a single mother. Her grandfather kept encouraging her to tell Remus, and finally gave up when she threatened to leave the wizarding world for good. N.E.W.T.'s were finally over and so was the graduation, although Hermione didn't attend, but Lily and Severus came after to celebrate with her. Lily was leaving to begin her training as a mediwitch and Severus had several offers to apprentice some top potions masters. He chose the one closest to Scotland, in northern France. He told Hermione he was only a floo call away and he would apparate there instantly anytime she needed him. Lily told her the same, although she would only be at St. Mungo's. Before she knew it the castle was deathly silent and all the students had left for the summer, some never to return again, others only beginning. Professor McGonagall came and got Hermione once all of the students were gone and Hermione couldn't have been happier to get out of the rooms and wander around the castle. The only other places she had been the last couple of months were to the hospital wing and to her grandfathers office. The fresh air and sunshine felt so good on her skin and she wanted to sleep out there but she reluctantly went in and joined the rest of the staff for dinner.
She made a decision that she would apprentice for Professor McGonagall and take home courses for potions and charms. She thought if she could round out her education she may be able to get a job teaching younger witches and wizards before they reached Hogwarts and at the same time be able to look after her own little one. Professor McGongall couldn't have been happier and even bragged to the rest of the professors about her new apprentice. The better majority of professors were jealous of Minerva for having such an intelligent and all around wonderful apprentice. The weeks seemed to fly by for Hermione and all too soon she was sitting in her grandfathers office, trying to come up with a plan for the upcoming school year. She was supposed to be unconscious still in the hospital wing and yet she had to be with Minerva to learn to teach classes and what not. This was not going to work out, as students from 2nd year and up knew of her supposed situation. If they said she woke up during the summer, then it would get back to Voldemort and she would be expected to start attending meetings again, something she no longer wanted to do; especially now. Severus was far enough in the circle that he also held Voldemorts ear and because he was such a good friend with Hermione, that also gave him an advantage over the other death eaters. When Voldemort found out that Severus went to visit Hermione each weekend in the hospital wing, he started to inquire how she was doing and asking him about certain incantations and potions that may help the young witch. These meetings between Severus and Voldemort always took place alone, with no other Death Eaters around. If Severus had to say, he was sure that Voldemort possesed a heart and was genuinely concerned for the young witch. By the end of the meeting it was decided that they would have to have Hermione 'wake up', as she would not be able to get her apprenticeship without being in class with Minerva, but to take care of the Voldemort situation they would say she was hit with a memory charm and had forgotten everything that happened in the last year, including meeting Voldemort. Severus relayed this infrmation back to Voldemort and was shocked at his reaction.
"You mean she remembers nothing of me or of our time together?"
"No, My Lord, she does not even remember me, only her time before she came to school. She was quite hysterical when she woke and didn't know where she was. This could be taken fortunately or unfortunately, but she did remember her grandfather and that seemed to calm her somewhat."
"The poor girl, she must have been frightened out of her mind. If only there was some way I could help her, to comfort her. Severus, there must be something out there that can restore her memory. Once her memory comes back to her, then I will have my queen back. Find it for me!"
"Yes, My Lord. May I ask one question? What did you mean by your queen?"
"She will rule by my side, Severus; never before have I met a women so worthy to be my equal. I was going to marry her when she graduated, but circumstances prevented that."
"Why when she graduated, My Lord; why not right away?"
"If I waited, then the Ministry would not be able to contest it. She would be of legal age and out of school. The marriage would be legal and binding. No one would be able to dissolve it on a technicality."
"Very smart thinking, My Lord."
"Yes, I know, that is why I am your Lord and no one else. Now you see why Hermione is the only queen for me? I need someone to keep up with my intelligence and my sexual appetite." Voldemort laughed at his own joke and Severus joined him, but inside he was thinking, 'you sick old horny freak, you are so full of yourself.' Severus quickly squashed those thoughts and put new ones there instead, ones Voldemort was sure to like, if he probed for them.
Lily and Severus continued to visit Hermione on the weekends and occasionally Sirius and James would come by. There was still no word from Remus, who had left right after graduation. By this time even Hermione had fully forgiven him and was getting very worried about him. Lily was getting worried for Hermione, all of this stress was not good for her or the baby and no matter what Lily tried, she could not get Hermione to stop worrying for Remus.
"Lily, it is all my fault that he left. What if something has happened to him? What if he is hurt somewhere and doesn't wat to come back because he thinks he has no friends left? Or what if he has done something to himself?"
"Hermione, you have to stop worrying about what ifs. Remus is a grown man, and he is also stronger than a regular human, he can take care of himself. You, on the other hand, not only have to take care of yourself but that little one as well."
"I know Lily, I know, but I still love him and what happens to him does affect me too."
Lily watched her friend lay down on the couch and fall asleep. The days were getting harder for Hermione and she seemed to be exhausted all the time.