CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Summary: With the War finally won and a rapid decline in the wizarding population, drastic measures are taken in a bid to save Wizarding Britain with the introduction of a new Marriage Law. Under the law, Hermione is forced to marry at eighteen or face being exiled from the Wizarding World. She must learn to deal with her past and look forward to her future with rising Quidditch Star, Oliver Wood. Rated M for a reason.
Disclaimer: All original characters and canon events belong to J.K. Rowling. Non-canon events and characters are my own. I am not making any profit from posting this fanfic. Characters are likely to be OOC.
Page count: 9
St. Mungos – Thursday 22nd July 1999
She looked to him with wide, horrified eyes, drawing her wand with a shaking hand and conjuring her Patronus.
"Leo, Isaac and Kayden have been kidnapped from St. Mungo's," she said frantically, sending the lioness off to deliver the message to her family and Kingsley.
Five minutes had barely passed before fast footfalls were heard.
"We were already in the building when we received your Patronus, what happened?" Fred panted, skidding to a stop whilst George almost tripped over his own feet.
"They've been kidnapped. I was in the bathroom and I left them with Oliver... But it wasn't Oliver. Someone PolyJuiced themselves as him. How could I have been so stupid!?" She cried. "I should've known it wasn't Oliver. He couldn't tell the twins apart, he was awkward when I was breastfeeding and he didn't even know his favourite sandwich! How did I not notice? He was uncomfortable when I kissed him and he said a Healer could do a better job at healing him than I could! And he turned down a massage. But he did speak with a convincing enough Scottish accent, Oliver's accent, that I didn't suspect anything. I just thought he was tired from the match. I'm the worst mother in the world. I left my babies alone with someone I knew was acting strange. If I hadn't have ignored my instincts my babies would be safe!" She sobbed.
Oliver hugged her to him, his chin resting atop her head as she buried her face in his chest, her tears and snot soaking his shirt.
"It wisnae yer fault, as much as ye blame yerself, it wisnae yer fault. Ye gave birth barely a week ago. Ye may be healed but yer exhausted. Anno tha' we'll find them an' get whoever did this. A promise we'll get our little ones back."
She sobbed harder, her hands fisted into his shirt and it was barely five minutes later when Kingsley arrived in tow with a dozen Aurors. With Hermione having shut down, he reluctantly passed her over to the twins and they comforted her as he told the Aurors everything he knew.
"The staff on this ward have been interviewed," said Auror Hills, quickly pushing his way to the front of the gathered Aurors, another half a dozen following him. "Several of them state that they witnessed Oliver Wood carrying his sleeping son, and a red-headed woman carrying twin boys, who were sporting Puddlemere jerseys."
"Red hair?" Hermione questioned, springing back from the twins, her puffy, red eyes looking to the Auror. "As in Weasley red hair?"
"I believe so. We found several strands of red hair in your private room; the PolyJuice Potion was likely wearing off when your children were abducted. We also found traces of remnant magic, indicating the use of a Silencing Charm, which would account for nothing being heard and preventing attention from being drawn when there was quite clearly a struggle."
"DNA results?" Hermione pressed, reaching up to wipe away her tears, a determined, hard expression settling on her face, barely noticing the arrival of Harry and Oliver's parents.
Hills hesitated but spoke when Kingsley nodded his consent. "DNA is confirmed to be Ronald Weasley, we suspect the woman to be Ginevra Weasley."
Gasps and curses sounded, but Oliver remained silent as he watched Hermione, fury twisting her features and a coldness set in her eyes. Silently, she drew her wand and pressed the tip against her palm.
"Diffindo," she cast, slicing her left palm open.
Bunching her hand into a fist, she turned it and squeezed until three drops of blood hit the floor. Kneeling down, she hovered her wand above the blood drop, those surrounding her watching in horrified awe as they glowed.
"Sanguinem innocentem sanguinem, filiorum meum," she chanted and there was a blinding flash of light before it disappeared.
She rose to her feet and walked away from the group, feeling their confused stares on her retreating back. Giving his head a shake, Oliver called after her, chasing her down the corridor. She didn't halt to a stop until she stepped out of the building and onto the street, turning to face him, she held her injured hand out to him.
"Let's go and get our children," Hermione said.
Not bothering to question her on what she'd done or how she knew where she was going, he slipped his larger hand around hers, feeling the tugging in his stomach as she apparated away from the hospital, just as everyone had caught up to them and they had heard her last words.
"Where are they? Where did they go?" Fred asked quickly.
"She's gone to her children," Kingsley answered knowingly, sighing softly.
"How does she know where they are? What happened back there?" George asked, equally as panicked. Not only were his nephews missing, but now his sister and brother-in-law were, too. All in the span of an hour!
"If I had to estimate and given what I witnessed, blood magic. It's extremely powerful and highly illegal, I can't imagine where she learned such a thing," Kingsley shook his head.
"Research," Harry injected. "Hermione began researching our fifth year, searching for ways to defeat Voldemort. Dumbledore gave her permission to use the books in the Restricted Section, and she had access to the library in Grimmauld. Sirius wouldn't allow anyone near most of the books in there, but Dumbledore issued her a pardon so she could continue with her research. Even Snape wouldn't touch half of the books on the shelves."
"Is there any way tae find her?" Mrs. Wood pressed. "Hermione's an exceptionally powerful witch, combine tha' with her hormones an' her fear an' protectiveness over her children an' it's a combination naw one wants tae see."
"We are tracing Mrs. Wood apparition destination as we speak," Auror Hills spoke. "It may take some time as we have to isolate her magical signature out of those that have apparated within the same time frame and within a one mile radius. We are also focusing on Mr. Wood's magical signature, but our best bet of finding them is Mrs. Wood, as she is the one to have apparated."
"Hoo long will tha' take?" Mr. Wood asked worriedly.
"Anywhere between thirty minutes and three hours."
"By that time anything could've happened!" Fred snapped.
~000~000~000~
Forest of Dean
"We're at the Forest of Dean," Hermione said aloud, it taking only a glance or two for her to recognise her surroundings. "We hid out here during the war, there's a cabin about ten minutes north from here."
Gripping her hand tightly, he allowed her to lead the way, being mindful to keep eyes and ears open.
"There it is," Hermione gestured to the cabin that could faintly be seen in the distance, and as they drew nearer, they could hear muffled shouting which soon became clear, allowing them to recognise at least one of the voices.
"I WANT MY MUM AND DAD!"
"I AM YOUR MUM!" Was yelled back by a woman. "YOUR FATHER LOVES ME, I AM YOUR MUM!"
"NO, MY MUM'S HERMIONE WOOD. YOU'RE JUST A CRAZY LADY!"
"SHUT UP, YOU BRAT! YOUR MUM AND DAD DON'T LOVE YOU! THEY GAVE YOU TO US" Snarled a third voice, this one male.
"YOU'RE WRONG! WHEN THEY FIND ME THEY'LL KICK YOUR BUTTS... DON'T TOUCH MY BROTHERS!"
A deranged cackle echoed, silence falling for but a moment or two.
"Your mum's nothing but a slut."
Hermione's body stiffened, cold dread flooding her and her mind clouding over with fury. The voice was different from the first female's, and she recognised it.
It was Ginny.
"These little boys are so young. I doubt they will survive the bite, but I need some new pups."
Hermione's steps quickened, her stomach knotting painfully tight. The voice, it was the same from before and without the snarling, she knew who it belonged to. Fenrir Greyback.
"I'm going to kill the bastards!" Hermione snarled, her wand directed towards the door of the cabin and it blasting open, falling off its hinges without Hermione speaking a single word. Oliver had to keep his arousal in check; they were there to rescue their children.
The room was dusty and small, sitting a couch and coffee table with a kitchenette off to the side and two-seater dining table. One door led to the bathroom, the other to the box bedroom. Stepping inside, her eyes immediately were drawn to Leo, the little wizard being tied to a chair with Ron Weasley stood behind him, his hands pressed against his shoulders and a sneer on his face. And stood beside him was Mary, Oliver's number one fan.
She spied the twins lying in makeshift cribs that were simply two drawers being cushioned with a blanket. Crouched behind them was Fenrir Greyback, his piercing eyes locked on her, his mouth twitching into a smile that showed his sharp canines and he ran a sharp, yellowed nail down the side of Isaac's cheeks.
She was going to kill him.
Her eyes snapped to Ginny upon her exit from the bathroom, barely covering her surprise with a cruel smirk.
"I told you you'd pay for what you did."
"And I'm telling you, you'll regret ever looking at my children, you loose cow," Hermione hissed, her eyes flashing dangerously, her hair frizzing and her wand gripped tightly in her hand.
Before Ginny had the foresight to draw her wand, Hermione was quick with hitting both Ron and Mary with a Stupefy, and they'd never seen it coming and so didn't have time to defend themselves. With them out of the way, she sent a Finite Incantatum to release Leo from his binds and them she lobbed a Flipendo towards Greyback. With her fury helping to intensify the power behind her spellwork, Greyback's surprised expression was easy to see when he was thrown off his feet, away from her crying newborns until he collided with the nearest wall.
And when Hermione stepped forward, engaging Ginny in a duel, she spied Oliver from the corner of her eyes, doing the same to Greyback as he climbed back to his feet. During this, Leo crawled over to the twins, being sure to remain low as to not be caught in the crossfire, and he took hold of their makeshift cribs, tugging them across the floor and behind the couch, hiding out of harm's way.
"You're not going to win," Hermione warned, throwing a nasty hex at Ginny.
"I'm stronger than you think," Ginny sneered, barely dodging it with a hastily cast shield.
"So am I," she replied coldly.
Dropping her wand to the floor, surprise flashed across Ginny's face before she threw a Slicing Hex towards Hermione. Hermione only had to duck to for it whizz over her head and when she stood, she thrust her hands out away from her body and towards Ginny, the redhead crying out in surprised horror when she was forcefully shoved out of the cabin, landing on the rough, damp ground.
"Expelliarmus!"
Her head turning to the left, she blinked in surprise to see Leo stood with wide eyes and his mouth hung open, her wand grasped in his hand and Ron's clattered to the ground. Giving her head a mental shake, she thrust her hands out and forced Ron into the wall behind him, knocking him unconscious before she rushed over to Leo and held her against him, allowing her magic free so it might heal the roped burns on his upper arms and wrists.
"I did it!" He whispered in shock.
"You did it," she confirmed proudly.
"I did it, just like you taught me and it worked," he said louder.
"I knew you could do it. I have a lot of people that want to hurt me, that's why I've been teaching you the theory behind spells and why I have you making potions with me. They can save your life. I hoped nothing like this would ever happen, but I had to teach you everything I could so you would know how to defend yourself."
"Will I get in trouble for doing magic?" He asked, looking up at her frightened.
"No, Sweetie, you won't. You used my wand and it wasn't a case of accidental magic. They won't even think to trace your magical signature," she assured, drawing back and crouching down beside her crying, wriggling newborn, reaching out to gently touch their cheeks and they quickly calmed under her touch.
"Mummy's got you," she said softly, her eyes searching for injuries and despite not seeing any, she allowed her magic anyway. Hearing a gasp followed by a pained groan, her head snapped to look over her shoulder. "Stay with your brothers," she instructed Leo, rising to her feet and darting away from the crouch and to Oliver who had fallen to his knees, doubled over as he held his stomach.
"Stupefy," she called, her wand aimed at Greyback and the stunner hitting him in the chest until he dropped to the ground.
Dropping to the ground beside Oliver, her hands reached for his face, her magic flowing from her and to him, healing whatever damage Greyback had caused and the pain fading.
"Thanks, Sparrow, the pain's gone, am fine. Ho' are the boys?"
"They're fine, I've healed Leo's rope burns and the twins didn't appear to be harmed but I let my magic do it's thing, just in case. We got here in time"
"In time fer what?" His brow furrowed.
"Greyback's the one that bit Lupin, and he's the one that attacked Bill. He likes to bite children, giving them Lycanthropy at a young age so that he can control them and they become a part of his pack. They'll be conditioned to do anything and everything for him. Kill for him and die for him. Children are far more vulnerable and weaker than adults and he finds a sick satisfaction in biting children and causing them pain. He was going to turn Leo and the twins," she explained, her expression angry and cold.
"Maybe I will turn you as well. My pack needs another bitch."
She turned her head, seeing Greyback climbing to his feet unharmed. Admittedly, she'd forgotten that werewolves were much stronger and less susceptible to most magical spells, especially with their immune systems and enhanced senses and healing.
"As if I' let you anywhere near me," she spat, rising to her feet slowly.
He grinned at her cruelly. "I will be your Alpha and you will obey me. But first, I need to get rid of this pest," he responded, his cold gaze darting to Oliver.
Hermione let her wand slip from her fingers as Greyback lifted his own towards Oliver, but he wasn't expecting her next move and neither was Oliver.
Changing into her Animagus form, he was visibly startled by the development, allowing enough time to pass for Hermione to pounce. The lioness collided with his large form, forcing him to the ground and his wand falling from his grasp. Her head over his, she growled in his face, her hot breath fanning across his face as he tried to throw her off but he couldn't find a grip on her, and she sunk her claws into his chest, the werewolf releasing a howl of pain.
Deciding to put him out of misery and knowing he needed to calm his wife, Oliver lifted his wand, a Stupefy jetting from the tip and hitting Greyback. His body ceased all movement and for good measure, he muttered an Incarcerous.
He'd barely lowered his wand arm when Ginny stormed into the cabin, her eyes blazing with fury and her cheeks tinted pink but the moment her eyes landed on the lioness stood over Greyback, she released a shrill cry, turned and darted from the cabin. Unfortunately, the lioness was quick to follow, pouncing and ploughing into Ginny until she tumbled to the ground, rolling onto her back.
The lioness pinned her in place with Ginny screaming and crying hysterically, wriggling beneath her large form in an attempt to break free. At the telltale cracks of apparition, the lioness lifted her head, seeing a number of people quickly approaching.
Fred, George, Bill, Harry, Charlie, Kingsley, Auror Hills and three Aurors she didn't recognise.
"That's enough, Hermione," warned Fred, ignoring the strange and confused glances he received from the others, thinking he was mental.
But eyes soon widened when the lioness released a frightening, spine-tingling growl before it stepped away from Ginny, rising onto its hind legs, Hermione standing where the lioness once did. The only people to know about her Animagus form were the twins, Oliver, Kingsley and Auror Hills, therefore the others were more than surprised with that they'd just witnessed.
"What the bloody hell?" Charlie choked, his eyes wide.
Hermione was prevented from answering when Leo barrelled out of the cabin and straight to her, ploughing into her. Oliver soon followed, the twins held in his arms and when he stopped beside her, she reached out to take Isaac from him, a sigh of relief falling from her.
"You're an Animagus?" Harry questioned in surprise, barely noticing that Ginny was stunned and bound, ready for transportation.
The twins rolled their eyes. "Is she?" They chorused sarcastically.
"You're observation skills astound me," jibed George.
"Now I see why you're The Chosen One," added Fred,
"How long?" Bill asked her, sending the twins an amused glance as Harry scowled at them.
"Since my fifth year," she responded before turning towards Kingsley. "There are three inside, all incapacitated. Ronald Weasley, Mary Hughes and Fenrir Greyback. He may need a healer; I got a bit rough with him. He was going to bite my children and me and kill Oliver. I have no idea what Ginny and Ronald had planned, or why they took my children and I don't care. They're lucky they're still breathing."
"There will be a trial," assured Kingsley. "And the use of your illegal tracking measures will be kept out of the reports, given the circumstances."
Ron, Mary and Greyback were brought out, restrained by the Aurors.
"I told you my mum and dad would kick your butts," Leo said smugly.
"We're going home," Oliver told them, reaching out to take Leo's hand.
"You're still supposed to be at the hospital," Charlie pointed out.
"No, they've studied my sons for long enough," Hermione said unhappily. "They're not a lab experiment and my children haven't even been home yet. I'm not going to the hospital where the staff allowed my children to be kidnapped. Anyone could easily tell the difference between a sleeping child and a stunned one, and they allowed an unknown woman to take my twin sons out of the hospital, even if they were with 'my husband', they hadn't been cleared to leave. They're lucky if I don't sue."
~000~000~000~
Wood Apartment
"Hey, boy, we missed you," Hermione greeted her boisterous pup, the large dog barking and yipping with his tail wagging in excitement at seeing them for the first time in a week. She and Oliver both crouched down, allowing the dog the opportunity to investigate the little life forms in their arms. "Welcome the new additions to the family. Isaac and Kayden."
Hermione observed carefully as Quaffle curiously sniffed at the sleeping twins' heads being he nosed at their hands, Hermione smiling at how gentle he was being with them.
Rising to full height, she and Oliver made their way towards the twins' nursery, Leo having moved bedroom back in January. He'd chosen the bedroom adjacent to the bathroom and media room, and he chose to have it decorated with midnight blue walls that depicted miniature Quidditch players acting out previous world-famous matches, as well as Puddlemere's previous wins. He loved his new bedroom and it was also a struggle to get him to sleep since he was always watching the matches on his wallpaper, never tiring of it.
As Hermione toed the door open wider and stepped inside, she halted to a stop, her eyes slowly taking in her surroundings for the first time. Whilst they'd previously bought all of the furnishings they required, they hadn't had the time or chance to paint the walls, build the furniture or place it where they wished.
But now, she was staring at a complete nursery.
The walls had been painted a soft blue with muggle and magical animals and creatures printed on the front and back walls. The ceiling had been charmed to show a sunny day or a starry night, depending on the time of day. On the left wall, sat a charmed painting of a blooming tree with different shades of green leaves, and a painting of each family member had their own leaf, Hermione seeing that Leo, Isaac and Kayden sat beneath both her and Oliver. There two bay windows were fitted with white and blue cushions and a white rocking chair was placed in the top right corner of the room. On the back wall, there was a baby changing table with all the wipes, cream, nappies and talcum powder they needed stored underneath, and further along, there were two white cribs beside each other, the head pressed against the wall with a small table sat in-between them, a baby monitor resting atop the surface. A second door led to the now conjoined bathroom, and a third led to the walk-in wardrobe.
"It's perfect," Hermione commented softly, being grateful for all that their family did for them.
"Only the best fer our children," Oliver added.
Approaching the cribs, Hermione's mouth tugged into a smile when saw 'Isaac George' carved into the head of one crib in gold lettering, and 'Kayden Fred' carved into the other. Setting the twins into their cribs, they were covered by the blue baby blankets Mrs. Weasley had knitted, each being monogrammed with their initials.
"They're home and they're safe," said Hermione, feeling Oliver tug her into his side and press a kiss to her temple as they silently watched their sleeping children.
"Everyone's here," Leo interrupted, popping his head into the room.
"Let's go an' see them," Oliver spoke, and they exited the room, closing the door behind them with Hermione being sure to have the other baby monitor in her hand.
~000~000~000~
Later that night after everyone had left, Leo was asleep and the twins had been fed and changed, Hermione and Oliver stumbled into bed.
"I'm exhausted," Hermione grumbled. "It's good to be home."
"It is," Oliver agreed, turning his head to the side to look at her. "Are ye sure tha' yer all healed?"
"Hmm, I'm perfectly healthy. Magical healing is a gift from Merlin himself."
Grinning, Oliver rolled over and shifted until he was hovering above her, his forearms holding his weight as she shifted beneath him to get more comfortable.
"Jus' hoo exhausted are ye?" He questioned as he lowered his head and pressed kisses to her, Hermione sighing and reaching up to thread her fingers through his hair.
"Never too tired for that."
"Hmm, good, a havnae made love tae me beautiful wife in three months an' it's killing mae."
His mouth latched onto hers, stealing her breath, being sure to take his time, wishing to grow lost in her, to enjoy the time he had with her uninterrupted. Before either of them knew it, clothes had been removed and their bodies worked with one another to bring the other to completion, Oliver almost collapsing on top of her and Hermione's hands running through his hair as they both came down from their highs.
Drawing back slightly, Oliver moved to kiss her once more, his mouth barely touching hers when a cry sounded through the baby monitor.
"And it begins," commented Hermione.
"A wouldn't have it any other way," he promised. "Welcome home, Mrs. Wood."
She smiled up at him, brushing his hair back from his eyes. "Welcome home, Mr. Wood."