Wow! I was not expecting the response this got. I'm thrilled buy it though so, here is the next chapter!
ThunderClaw03-Crazy things are definitely happening! Hope this update is soon enough!
Fast Frank- Who knows what kind of magical radiation is in the lake? I sure wouldn't wanna swim in it!
Khatix-I totally agree with the hostage thing! If they were able to get Gabrielle somehow there is no reason why Victor's kid brother or best friend, hell, even one of his fellow Quidditch teammates couldn't have been his hostage!
.D-If Hermione does shave or keep the majority of her fur off I imagine it'd take some time to get used to not to mention feel very itchy. Not that she wouldn't try it! I'm glad you liked the magical chemotherapy idea for the Polyjuice. It's the only thing that makes any sense to me with how long she was in the hospital wing. Considering Harry grew back all the bones in his arm in one flipping night!
starfighter69- Basically yes! The Polyjuice acted akin to how cancer transforms cells. I shall keep on writing and hope you enjoy this update.
To everyone else please enjoy! Remember comments are a fanfiction writer's bread and butter and I love to be fed!
It hadn't taken much time at all for the small group to reach the hospital wing and in even less time Hermione found herself in a hospital gown sitting on one of the beds. Harry sat next to her on the bed slowly running the pad of his thumb back and forth over the back of her hand. Every few seconds Hermione opened her mouth to speak but was unable to get anything out. Nearby Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall sat appearing almost as nervous as Hermione did.
"Miss Granger?"
Hermione looked up to see Madam Pomfrey standing beside her bed with a soft smile on her lips "Miss. Granger, it shouldn't take that much longer for Professor Snape to return with the results and we can decide what to do."
Hermione gave a simple nod as she stared at the door chewing her bottom lip. Only moments later the door opened and Professor Snape strode through his lips a thin line as he turned to Professor Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey.
"I am afraid the results are worse than any of us thought." He turned to speak directly to Hermione. "Because of your foolish and careless mistake in your second year Miss. Granger, you have a very uncertain future to look forward to."
Hermione swallowed the sob that escaped her holding tight to Harry's hand begging him non verbally to hold his temper. To not give Snape reason to separate them. Harry squeezed back a moment later and scooted closer to her placing himself between Snape and her.
"Severus really! Is this the time!?" McGonagall frowned her arms crossed.
"Since I have been forbidden from taking points for the incident that led to this. I simply wished for Miss. Granger to understand the severity of what she had done. My results show that roughly ninety percent of Miss. Granger's cells are shall we say being transfigured."
At the results, Hermione actually did react with a sob "Ni-ninety? B-but d-does that mean…"
"No, you foolish girl. I assure you that you will continue to maintain roughly the same body." Snape paused a moment "You may lose a bit of height but you will not wake up one morning as a simple house cat. And before you ask it does not appear that your core will be nor has been damaged." He turned to Dumbledore "Is there anything else I am needed for?"
Dumbledore simply shook his head sadly. "Do you have an estimate?"
Snape sighed "A week I think no more than two. It might progress faster if she was placed into a magical sleep. That is of course up to Madam Pomfrey and her head of house. Good day." He moved to the door and paused. "Miss. Granger, you will be excused from class only until you have been released from the hospital wing. Do not make me hunt you down." He then left the hospital wing with a slam of the door startling Hermione out of the shock she was in.
"Maybe something for shock Poppy?" Dumbledore asked gently as he watched the silent tears roll down Hermione's cheeks.
"I, yes of course Headmaster."
"N-no please I'd like to be fully alert. I-I'm alright as long as Harry is here." Hermione turned to Harry to see his eyes narrowed towards the door Snape had just left through. "H-Harry?"
Harry turned to face Hermione gently wiping the tears from her cheeks with his thumb. "Don't worry Mione, I told you when I saw your ankle wild dogs wouldn't be able to take me from you. You are stuck being my girlfriend Granger. No, take backs."
A small giggle escaped Hermione as she nodded.
"Well then, I think you should consider yourself very lucky that you are one of the champions Harry my boy. I'm certain your professors will be fine with you and Miss. Granger missing class as long as you both do your best to keep up with your class work Minerva?" Dumbledore turned to his deputy headmistress who simply nodded.
"I agree Albus also, Mr. Potter twenty points for supporting Miss. Granger when others may have pulled away."
Madam Pomfrey sighed "Very well then. Shall I assume if I tried to ban you after curfew you'd find your way back here Mister Potter?" She saw the boy give a firm nod "Alright then I'll find… something wrong with you to keep you here. Once we are done you'll be changing into a pair of pajamas."
"Yes Madam, thank you, Ma'am." Harry smiled as he and Hermione turned to face Madam Pomfrey and the other two professors. "So, what happens now?"
"Before we discuss that I'm required to give Miss. Granger the option of trying the magical chemotherapy." Before Madam Pomfrey could finish her statement Hermione was already shaking her head.
"If this… this thing mimics cancer like you believe it does the truth is that even if there wasn't the high possibility of my." Hermione swallowed hard "Of my becoming a Muggle, chemotherapy would never be approved of or offered if the cancer was that widespread. Doctors, er that is Muggle healers would consider it amazing I was not already dead but would only authorize..." She swallowed again reminding herself that while it may mimic it this was not cancer. "I'd be sent home to be kept comfortable."
Madam Pomfrey simply nodded in understanding. "Well, that does settle things, doesn't it. Alright then. Mostly what we'll be able to do Miss. Granger is observing what happens to your body and treat you if it becomes necessary. Any type of pain or food craving I ask that you immediately share with myself or Mister Potter."
Hermione simply nodded. "Wh-what will happen after the… the process has run its course."
"I imagine that you and Mister. Potter will return to your classes, Miss. Granger." Madam Pomfrey glanced over to Professor McGonagall who was nodding in agreement. "In fact, I'm certain Professor Snape will be expecting you both."
"I'll still be a witch?" Hermione asked after a brief pause as she bit her bottom lip.
"Of course you will still be a witch! Miss. Granger why ever would you think that your… condition would cause you to lose your status of being a witch! Professor Snape has already assured us that he found no reason that your magical core would be disrupted in any way. And that, and only that would be a reason why you would no longer be a witch Miss. Granger. You have been down to attend Hogwarts since the moment you took your first breath and I fully expect to someday in the future see the names of your own children down as well." Professor McGonagall shook her head and took Hermione's hand in hers patting it gently "A bit of fur will not change that you are the brightest witch of your age… Possibly even beyond that of Harry's own mother." She smiled gently "I will, of course, be by as often as I am able to check on you both."
Hermione struggled not to cry as her favorite professor gently scolded and comforted her. After a few moments though she felt she had it under control as she turned her attention to Professor Dumbledore. "Sir? I-I know that Muggles aren't able to see Hogwarts… But is there any way… M-my Mum and Dad?" She trailed off looking at her hands.
Professor Dumbledore considered before nodding "Normally it would be quite forbidden to even give such knowledge to Muggles but I will fetch them myself and they may stay as long as they wish as long as they are within touching distance of yourself or Harry were they to leave this room. Minerva if you would cast an anti repelling charm over the hospital wing?"
With a simple nod, Professor McGonagall pulled out her wand to do just that as Professor Dumbledore left the room.
"Head into the loo and change into these pajamas Mister Potter." Madam Pomfrey handed him the blue pajamas and he nodded before brushing his lips to Hermione's forehead.
"I'll be back as soon as I'm changed."
Hermione simply nodded as she stared at her hands trying to ignore how sharp her nails were becoming.
Emma Granger washed her hands after her patient left carrying a script for pain meds. It had been a simple extraction luckily. She smiled as she felt strong arms wrap around her waist "Mmm the smell of antiseptic just turns you on doesn't it?"
"Yes, it's the only reason I became a dentist. You have learned my greatest secret foul temptress." Dan kissed her lips as she looked up at him. "So, lunch take out or are we actually going out to eat."
Emma opened her mouth to answer when their receptionist Rachel came into the room "Excuse me Doctors Granger? An elderly gentleman who is very unusually dressed is insisting on the need to speak with you. He said it involved your daughter and referred to her by name." She paused "Shall I bring him back?"
Daniel Granger considered a moment before nodding. "Of course, please direct him back to our office." He grabbed ahold of Emma's hand leading her to their office. "I think lunch is going to have to wait." He murmured into her ear.
Emma nodded as Rachel led the elderly man into their office. It was immediately obvious to both Grangers that this man was a wizard.
"Rachel, if you wouldn't mind Emma and I need to cancel the rest of our appointments for the day would you please make the calls," Daniel questioned gently as Emma refused to look away from the man clothed in bright pink and purple robes with a black hat on his head.
"O-of course Dr. Granger." The young blonde glanced towards the guest and quickly left the room.
The elderly man smiled shutting the door behind him and pulled out his wand a comfortable chair appearing which he sat in. "I do hope you don't mind? Old bones aren't what they once were.
Emma simply nodded as Dan licked his lip "O-of course. Rachel said you needed to talk to us about...about Hermione?"
"Ah, yes let me introduce myself. I do apologize, I fear I've grown used to people recognizing me on sight. I am Albus Dumbledore the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I do believe you have met with my Deputy Headmistress when you were informed of Miss. Grangers place at our school?"
Emma physically relaxed. "Yes Headmaster Dumbledore, Hermione has talked about you of course. I'm Emma this is my husband Daniel. Is Hermione in...in trouble?"
"Oh, no...no not trouble per se. I must say Mrs. Granger your daughter is one of if not the most gifted young witch I've had the honor to meet. You both should be very proud of the young woman you have raised." Dumbledore paused. "However, while Miss. Granger is not in any trouble she is going through a let us call it a change."
"Is...Is Hermione alright?" Daniel asked taking Emma's hand in his "I mean does she need a doc-" He caught himself before he finished his question. Of course, Hermione wouldn't need a normal doctor she's a witch.
"I will not lie to you Mister Granger, your daughter is going through something that even I have never heard of. That is why I am inviting yourself and your wife to accompany me back to the school. I am going against the rules and giving you both permission to stay with her as long as you desire." Professor Dumbledore stood up vanishing his chair as Hermione's parents quickly stood up.
"Of course! We just need to pack some clothes." Emma quickly grabbed her and Dan's jumpers from their hooks on the wall.
"No need. If you desire anything from your home I will send a house elf to retrieve it." Professor Dumbledore glanced around before picking up a single piece of paper and touching his wand to it "Portus. Now, if I get you both to touch this and we'll be on our way."
Daniel was less than a second behind his wife in placing his fingertip on the piece of printer paper.
"And in three, two, one." Both Grangers felt a hook-like feeling grab them by their navels and a moment later they were on an unfamiliar tiled floor.
"Mum! Daddy!"
"Stay in that bed, Miss. Granger!"
Emma moaned as she blinked a few times staring into green eyes behind glasses. She willingly took the hand that was offered to her swaying a bit.
"It's alright Mrs. Granger. Portkeys aren't my favorite way to travel either just breath for a few moments… That's it."
Emma focused on the voice of the one steadying her until she finally stopped swaying.
"Harry is Mum okay?"
"She is just fine Mione, remember our first time using a portkey? Can't imagine it's easier as a Muggle."
"A portkey?" Emma finally asked the boy who was supporting her.
"That's right, I figure Professor Dumbledore felt it was the safest way to get you and Mister. Granger here, er thank you for coming… Mione really wanted you both here." The boy with messy black hair rubbed the back of his head nervously as he saw her actually taking a look at him. Hearing her daughter's name, however, caused Emma to turn towards the hospital bed her daughter was sitting on.
"Hermione!" Emma quickly made her way to her sitting on the side of her bed wrapping her up into a tight hug. "Oh, my baby are you alright?"
Being in her Mother's arms was the final straw for Hermione's emotional control as she broke down sobbing. "Mum!"
Harry watched helplessly as Hermione's mother gently rocked her back and forth while her Father rubbed his back. He nervously sat down on the bed beside Hermione's and waited.
After several minutes Hermione's sobs settled and she pulled away wiping at her eyes with her fists. "Mum… Daddy I-I'm so glad to see you both…" She hesitated before squeezing her eyes shut. "I...I did something amazingly stupid!"
It took about twenty minutes for Hermione to explain to her parents about the polyjuice potion that she had taken in the second year. Emma had to force herself not to interrupt several times before Hermione finished her story.
"So you were part cat? Oh, Hermione… Why didn't you tell us!" Emma frowned as she saw her daughter focus her attention on the blanket covering her. "Were you afraid of us?"
A simple nod was her answer. Emma glanced over to Dan who sighed.
"Hermione look at me, please?"
Hermione looked up and at her Father her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"Hermione… Ever since Professor McGonagall told us that you were a witch your Mum and me have known you were going to live a different life than the one we had planned. While we aren't thrilled that it's now obvious that you've been keeping things from us…" He sighed shaking his head. "What I am trying to say is that we would rather know what is going on and worry about you then for you to keep everything that you think we'll worry about hidden from us. We have no plans to force you to leave Hogwarts or for you to be a Muggle...I am saying that right isn't I?"
Hermione smiled with a small nod which caused Daniel to grin "Baby your Mum and I are both so bloody proud of you! If it wasn't for the ruddy secrecy act I don't think your Mum or I'd be able to keep from gushing about how proud we are of having a beautiful brilliant young witch for a daughter." He wrapped his arms around her pleased when she snuggled to his chest. "You are a witch Hermione your Mum and I would never take that from you no matter how worried we might be about you. Alright?"
"Alright Daddy, Mum I promise I won't keep things from you anymore. St-starting now. Um Daddy, Mum… I'd like you to meet Harry Potter m-my boyfriend. Harry this is my Dad, Doctor. Daniel Granger and my Mum, Doctor. Emma Granger."
Harry stood up from his bed and held his hand out "Doctor Granger."
Daniel took the boy's hand, of course, he was well acquainted with the name Harry Potter. Since his daughter's first year that name had come up in more letters then he thought he could count. As he appreciated the boy's grip he took a look at him. He was fairly short for his age though not scrawny Dan seemed to recall Hermione saying he played seeker so he was an athlete then? hmm The only fault Daniel could find with the boy was his messy hair. Not that he could complain though what with his own mop that his daughter had inherited. "Mr. Potter, a pleasure."
Emma smiled and wrapped the boy in a hug frowning momentarily as he froze before relaxing. "Harry, we've heard so much about you." She smiled pulling back to see the blush on Harry's cheeks.
"Mum! Daddy!" Hermione howled as Harry sat back down "We only just got together please don't embarrass him!"
"Sorry Kitten." Hermione jerked a bit at the nickname though only Harry noticed. Daniel smiled sitting back down joined a moment later by Emma. "Now, I don't think the Headmaster brought us here just because you and Harry started dating."
"N-no, I... there is a reason I told you that story from second year…" Hermione paused as she chewed her lower lip.
"If I may Miss. Granger?" Madam Pomfrey smiled gently as the relieved teenager nodded. "Doctor. and Doctor. Granger? My name is Madam Poppy Pomfrey I'm the school healer here at Hogwarts. Has Miss. Granger told you anything about the Triwizard Tournament being held at Hogwarts this year?" She saw both parents nod and smiled "Ah good, that makes explaining this a bit easier at least. You are aware then that one of the champions Mr. Victor Krum of Durmstrang attended the Yule Ball with your daughter?"
Emma frowned at Hermione "Dear, didn't you say that you and Harry were dating? Why did you go to the ball with this Krum fellow?"
"That would be my fault Doctor. Granger… I- well I didn't realize how I really felt about her until a few hours ago… I'm sorry Mione, I should have asked you." Harry reached for her hand but paused as Hermione gave a small shake of her head Harry simply smiled in response and brushed his lips against her cheek.
"Well Harry, I suppose I can forgive you not asking her if you had no idea how you felt for her." Daniel smiled at how Harry was treating his little girl. Like she's precious to him "After all, I was a fourteen-year-old bloke once."
Harry simply shrugged as Hermione's parents returned their attention to Madam Pomfrey. "As I was saying today was the second task for the champions. Headmaster Dumbledore made arrangements with the merpeople which live at the bottom of the black lake outside. Our champions would have one hour to retrieve the one person they would surely miss. Your daughter was decided to be what Mr. Krum would surely miss. Though I question whoever made that choice." She shook her head. "Anyway last night the four hostages were safely put into a deep sleep and placed in the care of the merpeople."
"Why weren't we asked about this? Hermione is only fifteen! I assure you we would not have given permission for her to be hostage to this Krum boy!... How old is he anyway?" Daniel ran his fingers through his mop of black curls trying to calm down.
"Victor Krum is seventeen years old." Dumbledore speaks up "And I do apologize for not thinking to contact you. I will endeavor to do so in the future. It… well, I must admit that there are not many Muggle parents that are as…" He trailed off not certain how best to explain.
"Most parents are too unwilling to accept the changes that stem from having a magical child. Is that what you mean Headmaster?" Emma asked after a moment of thought shaking her head. "I pity them. Maybe we should see about buying an owl Dan, it'd be easier to communicate with both Hermione and the school I imagine."
"An excellent idea Em, we'll have to wait until Hermione can get us into Diagon Alley though. We'll go during Easter Break I think. Anyway, you were saying that my daughter was a hostage?" Daniel returned his attention to Madam Pomfrey.
"Yes, Mr. Potter was the first champion to reach the hostages and was obviously confused. Both of his best friends were there once he released his own hostage one, Mr. Ronald Weasley, he attempted to do the same for your daughter. From what we were told one of the merpeople was incensed at Mr. Potter having threatened them with his wand that once Mr. Potter pulled away he bit into your daughter's ankle." Madam Pomfrey shook her head. "The Chieftess has assured us that the perpetrator will be gravely punished for going against the agreement but I'm afraid that does not help us now."
Emma swallowed hard. "I-is Hermione alright?"
"Sadly Doctor. Granger it appears that Miss. Granger appears to have an allergy to mer venom. Now, normally this would have caused exactly what occurred that is that she did not awaken as she was supposed to. But, you recall her story from her second year. What Miss. Granger did not mention is that I had to treat her condition as a Muggle would cancer. Using spells and potions I caused her to go into… remission is it, Miss. Granger?" At Hermione's simple nod she sighed. "The allergy caused her immune system to have a reaction which caused Miss. Granger's condition to begin to relapse. Right now it appears to be primarily internal so far."
"So, you are saying because a mermaid bit her she's turning back into a cat? So, you'll be restarting the treatment?" Emma asked then paused as she saw Hermione stare down at her blankets. "Hermione, baby talk to me…"
"Madam Pomfrey can't use the magical chemotherapy this time Mum, first off it has a high chance of rendering me as a-a Muggle. N-not that I have anything against Muggles!" Hermione hurriedly explained before she felt her Mother's fingers stroking her hair.
"But you aren't one of them, I know baby you've been so very happy since you found out you were a witch… So, what is the other reason they can't treat you?"
Hermione sighed deeply "A-according to the tests that Professor Snape ran using my um fur and the hair on my head ninety percent of my cells are well that of a cat's… If it was cancer I'd already be dead."
Daniel clenched his teeth as he wondered how difficult it would be to track down the merperson that bit his baby. I wonder if they taste like trout… "So what now? You aren't turning into an actual cat are you?"
"Oh no! You don't have to worry about that Mr. Granger. Hermione will still be human enough to qualify as a witch." Madam Pomfrey hurried to explain. "Not only will she retain her intelligence and sapience but she'll also still have her magical core and the ability to hold and use a wand. We aren't certain what all to expect but I promise you that Miss. Granger has a place here at Hogwarts and that will not change."
Emma sighed "Hermione do you have any changes that you are hiding from your father and myself?"
Hermione sighed and nodded pulling her hands from under the blanket her normally short nails had grown and sharpened and were slowly turning black. "Claws, I'm unsure if they are retractable or not yet… I also have a small patch of fur covering my ankle from where I was bitten. Professor Snape believes I'll be fully changed in a week or so." Hermione bit her bottom lip as Dan and Emma looked at each other.
"Well let's see the fur then?" Daniel finally said with a soft smile causing Hermione to look up at him. "What did you think we'd be scared away by some fur and claws?"
"I...well…" Hermione shrugged as Harry grinned
"She reacted the same way when I told her I wasn't going anywhere."
"Good to hear, I guess I can skip the threatening if you hurt her speech I had prepared then." Daniel chuckled as Hermione pulled her right leg from under the blanket. Her ankle and part of her foot was covered in cream-colored fur with orange stripes.
"It's a lot better than back in second year Doctor. Granger, the cat fur she used then was black. Not a good look for her." Harry smiled as he slipped his hand into Hermione's with a gentle squeeze.
Emma turned to Dumbledore. "We'd like to stay with Hermione until the process is complete. We need to be here with Hermione."
"Of course I have no problem with the both of you staying with Miss. Granger. Mr. Potter has already stated his intention not to leave as well. I'll have the house elves make up a guest room for you both next door." Dumbledore stood up. "I do ask that if you plan to venture outside of your room or the hospital wing that you allow Mr. Potter to lead you. There are many wards and spells cast upon Hogwarts and her grounds to keep us hidden by Muggles and I must admit I do not know what you would see or experience without a magical body to tap into."
Both Emma and Daniel nodded as Dumbledore smiled "Well then I'll get everything set up then. It's been a very long day. I'll have the house elves bring up dinner for the four of you. I imagine Miss. Granger would appreciate a dinner of fish?"
Hermione blushed as she gave the smallest of nods. Dan placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I think that sounds great, fish for all of us?" Harry and Emma both nodded in agreement as Hermione finally wrapped her arms tight around her Dad burying her face in his chest as her Mum hugged them both.
I have the greatest Mum and Dad in the world