Chapter 6

Eventually Winky whisked Carina away for a bath, and Draco and Hermione parted ways for classes. Her mind was overflowing with thoughts on her new situation, and she found it difficult to focus in class. She didn't raise her hand to answer any questions, or make it a point to correct the mistakes of her peers. The fact that nobody was talking about how Carina had suddenly appeared in the Great Hall was unnerving to her. She wished Harry or Ron would ask her about it, and wished she could confide in them.

When it was finally lunchtime, she joined the boys in their usual spot. They talked about quidditch and their mutual dislike of Slytherin.

She lost her appetite listening to them. Her entire life had been turned upside down, and nobody remembered what happened. Tossing her fork down with a loud clank, gaining a more than a few curious stares, she pushed away from the table and marched angrily to the Headmaster's office.

Standing in front of him, she said in a demanding tone, "Sir, I need my friends back."

Calmly peering over his half moon spectacles, he gestured for her to sit.

"Of course, my dear. I simply thought you might like some time to gather your thoughts before they attacked you with questions. I'll summon Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley now."

Oh… she took a calming breath. "Thank you, Headmaster. I'm about to go mad without them."

Within no time, the boys were seated with her in his office, and he passed them each a goblet with antidote.

"What's this about?" asked Ron suspiciously.

"Honestly," she said, slightly exasperated, "Just drink it."

Harry drank his goblet first, perhaps because he and Professor Dumbledore had a close relationship, and he trusted the man implicitly.

She watched as the emotions played out on his face, and the memory came back to him. He turned on her with wide eyes, "What happened with the kid? Where were you all night?"

"What are you on about?" Ron said to Harry with a furrowed brow.

"Just drink it!" The two friends said in unison.

Ron finally drank the goblet, and they watched as the memories came back to him too.

Smiling because she had her friends back, she said, "Professor Dumbledore, perhaps you can help me explain everything?"

She relayed the events of the evening, and the Headmaster occasionally answered questions they had.

At first the boys were amused.

Ron said, "Blimey, Hermione, can't imagine you as a mum. I bet she already knows how to read."

They all shared a chuckle, and she was happy with how they were reacting. But then the question she'd be dreading was asked.

With a furrowed brow, Harry wondered aloud, "Who's the father?"

Her smile instantly disappeared, and her stomach dropped.

"Well uh…" she crossed her arms, uncomfortable. "Maybe... Headmaster? Could they see the pensive?"

Professor Dumbledore rose to retrieve the pensive.

Ron said, "C'mon, it can't be that bad. Why can't you just tell us?"

"You wouldn't believe it. I still don't," she said, "Just… remember it's in the future. We don't know what the future is like, except through Carina's memories."'

Ron didn't seem to take her seriously, but Harry was looking at her with concern.

The pensive was placed before the two boys, and Professor Dumbledore emptied a vial of memories into its depths.

"It's ready," he told them.

Hermione sat on the edge of her chair as they dipped their heads into the pensive. She sat uneasy watching them, nervous of how they'd react.

Clearly aware of her anxiety, the Headmaster dismissed himself. Saying he fancied a tour of the grounds with Professor Sprout.

Eventually, the two boys emerged from the pensive. Harry was quiet. Ron was red in the face.

She chewed on her lip, waiting for them to say something. Ron was the first to speak.

"You…" he spat, "I can't believe you would settle with that slimy git Malfoy."

"Ron…" she pleaded, her stomach dropping.

"No!" he cut her off, "I thought you were smarter than that. If you want to cuddle up in some corner of the castle and play house, that's fine. I don't want to be a part of it!"

He stormed out of the Headmaster's office. Hermione made to follow him, but Harry grabbed her arm.

"Don't," he said, pulling her into a hug. She fought back tears and buried her face in his chest. "You know how he gets. Just give it time."

She nodded, pulling out of the embrace. Looking at Harry, she could tell he was battling his emotions.

"I know he's a git," she said. "But he was civil this morning, and we look happy in Carina's memories. I'm trying to be open-minded. We're just living together so Carina's not distressed by the change in environment. Nothing else has changed. We're not 'cuddled up' together." She rolled her eyes, recalling Ron's words.

Harry nodded in understanding.

"You don't owe anyone an explanation. When do I get to meet her?" he asked.

She beamed up at him, wiping her eyes. "Don't you have a free period right now?"

The two friends ventured across the castle until they reached the East Wing.

"At least you don't have to walk so far to get to the library," Harry said jokingly.

Hermione chuckled as she unlocked the door. Carina was immediately at their feet, joyfully smiling up at them.

"Uncle Harry!" she squealed.

He was instantly smitten with her. Hours later, the two were rolling around on the floor playing as Hermione read through her Transfiguration essay.

Harry sat up by her feet, smiling over his shoulder at her, "I love being an uncle!"

Hermione smiled back at him just as Carina came running at him full speed. She jumped on his lap and he caught her.

"Arrrggghhh," he cried as he pretended to fall over from the impact.

Still sitting on his chest, she suddenly became very serious, "Where is Al?" she asked.

Harry turned to Hermione with a questioning look. She shrugged.

"Uh… I don't know." He responded.

She contemplated it for a moment and said, "Oh-kay."

Then the thought seemed to pass, and she was back to squealing and jumping on him.

Eventually, their free period was over, and it was time to return to classes. Carina was sufficiently tired, and Hermione assumed Winky would lay her down for nap while they were gone.

When they got to class, Ron was already there. Usually Harry and Ron sat together, but when Ron saw the two walk in, he gave Harry a disgusted look.

"Guess you've settled in with the snakes and their slimy offspring," he said accusingly.

She supposed it was due to how close Harry grew to Carina in their short time together, but for the first time, Hermione saw Harry look murderous.

She touched his arm reassuringly, and he took a calming breath.

"Grow up," she sneered, pulling Harry away.

They moved to an unused table, on the opposite side of the room.

History of Magic passed in a blur, and they strolled to the Great Hall for dinner. Hermione glanced across the hall looking for Malfoy, but didn't see him anywhere. In fact, she hadn't seen him in any classes all day. She wondered where he disappeared to.

Sitting across from Harry, she began filling her plate with food. He started a quidditch conversation with Dean Thomas, and she pulled out a book to read.

She felt as if déjà vu hit her, when the Great Hall suddenly grew quiet. Seeing everyone's attention once again directed at the entry doors, she followed with her eyes.

Her heart sped up.

"Oh, Harry…."

"What?" he said, turning abruptly toward the entry doors.

Standing in the exact place Carina had appeared, a small, lanky boy stood. He looked to be around ten years old, wore glasses, and was the spitting image of Harry Potter. Beside him was a younger boy who could have been his twin, if not for the red hair. On the floor, a baby no older than six months started crying. The oldest boy scooped up the baby and stood, pushing his glasses up his nose. He looked around the hall, clearly nervous.

Across from Hermione, Harry stood slowly, awestruck.

Before the boy could notice him, Professor Snape entered the Great Hall. Unprepared for encountering the three children, he was visibly shocked.

"Uncle Sev?" said the oldest, "How did we get to Hogwarts?"

Professor Snape grumbled and immediately ushered the children out of the hall. The students erupted in chatter, and Hermione grabbed Harry by the arm, pulling him from the Great Hall.

A/N:

I need more ideas for couple pairings! As you can see, Carina isn't the only child arriving at Hogwarts. Let me know in a review! Thanks for reading.