Chapter Three

Meanwhile, in the kitchen of 12 Grimmauld Place, Molly and Ginny Weasley flurried about as they made the finishing touches of "refreshments" for the Order. That morning, Harry had made her promise that she would not prepare a meal for the meeting, but in Molly Weasley's eyes what she and her daughter prepared could not be considered a "meal." She hadn't had the time to make a dessert. One couldn't have a meal without a dessert, after all.

Many, including Harry, would consider the spread on the table and various counter-tops, a feast, with or without a dessert.

A worn looking, Remus Lupin, walked into the kitchen with a half asleep, three-year-old Teddy Lupin, on his left hip and a large muggle nursery bag over his right shoulder. Before he could sit down at the table, Molly Weasley took the child from him as she fawned over him. Remus smiled at the older witch as he sat down, but winced when he made contact with the chair.

Ginny noticed the wince. She asked in a kind tone, "Would you like a pain relieving potion, Remus?"

"Thank you, Ginny, but no. I overdid it today with Teddy at the park, nothing a few stretches and rest won't cure."

Unconvinced, Ginny glanced at him as she said, "If you're certain..."

He smiled in reassurance before he said, "I am. Have you spoken to Harry today? Any idea about the agenda today?"

Ginny pouted as slid a chair out beside him. As she sat down, she quietly said, "Not since this morning. He's been very quiet the past few weeks, withdrawn, secretive. If I didn't know any better," She glanced towards her mother at the other end of the kitchen swaying with Teddy in her arms. Molly's left arm was wrapped around the slumbering child on her hip as her right hand twirled her wand over a large kettle. Ginny lowered her voice into a barely there whisper. "I'd think he was cheating on me, but...that's crazy. Right?"

"Definitely, crazy." Remus nodded as he matched the volume of her voice. "Harry loves you, Ginny. What would make you think that he was cheating on you?"

She shook her head ferociously as she held up her hands. "This is crazy. I'm sorry."

"No. It is completely false, but it's not crazy." He said in a kind, but firm tone. He patted her gently on her upper back. "You are not crazy."

Ginny sighed and smiled at her once Professor, now dear friend. "Thank you. I feel crazy, though. I would prefer that he cheat on me than do what I think he is truly doing."

"And, that is?"

Ginny glanced again at her mother. Molly still was unaware of the conversation taking place yards away from her. Ginny leaned closer to Remus, but a respectful distance between them. "Something is happening. I don't know what it is, but I sense danger coming. Harry is acting very much like he did right before he, Hermione, and Ron left searching for the Horcruxes. Hermione is acting no better. Ron, however, is very much Ron."

"Well," Remus chuckled. "In his defense, he was very much Ron when he was a War Hero."

Ginny chuckled. "I hope I'm wrong about something big about to happen. It's not like Voldemort is coming back, right?"

Remus widened his eyes in concern as he said, "You saw him die just as I did. Every Horcrux was destroyed."

"You're right, Remus. I'm on edge." She leaned backward into her chair as she folded her hands into her lap. "It's not like Harry to rally the Order for an official meeting. Sure, we have random large parties once or twice a year and several small, intimate gatherings throughout the year, but Remus...this is the first official meeting in years."

Although, Remus shared Ginny's concerns, he did not reveal that to her. He nodded at the appropriate times as he listened before he replied, "Harry must have a good reason for it. Dora told me earlier that he didn't request everyone's presence. She is meeting Kingsley and her direct supervisor for her annual performance review so neither she or he will be here. Perhaps, it isn't as official as you may think, if the Minister isn't here, eh?"

Ginny sighed, in relief. "You're right." She stood, but did not walk away, because Remus had extended a large, round plastic container that had been stored in the muggle nursery bag. She accepted it as she asked, "What is this?"

"Dora sent an assortment of biscuits." He misinterpreted the horrified look on Ginny's face. He chuckled. "I promise, she didn't bake them. She bought them from her favorite muggle bakery. Although, she is improving her skills in the kitchen, baking is still an area of opportunity."

Ginny closed her eyes as she bit her cheek. She opened her eyes and smiled. "Thank you and Tonks very much. We didn't have the time to make dessert so this is very appreciated."

Fred and George barged like a herd of Hippogriffs into the kitchen and headed straight toward Remus and Ginny.

"Wotcher, Mum, Remus, and Gin." Fred and George said in unison as they sat in front of Remus on the other side of the table.

Fred asked as he grinned, "What do you have there?

George added as he reached across the table. "Dear sister, don't hold out on your favorite brothers."

Ginny jerked the container of biscuits out of George's reach. "I see neither Bill or Charlie, thank you very much."

"Boys," Molly said as she quickly came to stand behind them. She quickly cooed at an wakening Teddy back to sleep. In a quiet tone, she said, "Do not lick, eat, or place anything in this kitchen in your mouth until everyone is around this table and dinner has begun."

They hung their heads, rolled their eyes, and said, "Yes, mum."

"Charlie is expected to be here soon. He is scheduled for a 1855 arrival through the Floo in the library. Bill is playing chess with Ron in the library. Fleur is staying home with an ill Victoire. Percy is due here any moment." Molly finally noticed the container in Ginny's hand. "Dear, what is that?"

Ginny reluctantly said, "Dessert."

"Oh dear..." Molly said as she winced. "Harry will kill us, won't he?"

"Let's hope not, Mum." Ginny said, amused, but concerned about how he would react. "The Head of the Auror Department killing his fiance and future mother-in-law would make front page news."

George said as he eyed a basket of rolls, "Wouldn't be the first time that the man..."

Fred added as he eyed the large bowl of mashed potatoes, "...who won't die has killed to be on the front page."

The twins said in unison as Molly hit them over the head with a rolling pin. "Mum!"

Molly warned, "Be nice or no dessert for you."

"Maybe," Ginny proposed. "If we tell Harry that we didn't make dessert, he'll be less mad?"

Fred asked as he gingerly rubbed the top of his head. "What are you on about?"

"Well..." Molly said.

Ginny glared at her mother then smiled sheepishly at Remus. "Harry told her not to make a meal tonight for the meeting."

"I did not." Molly said, firmly, yet her face revealed much guilt. "It isn't a meal..."

"Without dessert." The twins and Ginny added, simultaneous.

"Molly, I say this respectfully," Remus said, trying not to laugh. "With or without the biscuits that Dora sent." Suddenly his tone became somber before he added, "Harry would consider what you prepared a meal. You have three options for a meat and several for sides and bread. You forget that once upon a time a bowl of leftover, days old soup would have been a feast for Harry."

Molly frowned as she said, "Yes, I know. I just..." She trailed off as she re-positioned Teddy in her arms and tucked the rolling pin in her apron. "I like to feed people. And, I cook or bake when I'm nervous."

"Why are you nervous, mum?" Fred asked.

"The meeting, Fred." George replied as he continued to look at a basket of rolls.

Molly warned, "Don't think about it, George."

"Too late," He grinned. "Thought about it. Please, mum, just one...a half of one, I'll share with Fred, promise. I'll even give him the bigger piece...this time, trickster's honor."

Molly wagged a finger at him as she glared. She walked away as she murmured to Teddy. "Please, don't act like them when you grow older." Although, her words were scolding, her smile betrayed her delight that her children were her children. "They're closer to thirty than ten and still act like children."

Fred asked both Ginny and Remus, "Any ideas on why the secrecy of the meeting? Harry wouldn't tell us the agenda."

Ginny shrugged as she walked away to place the biscuits on an adorned silver platter. Remus shook his head. They all, but Ginny, heard the kitchen door open, but only Remus noticed who had walked in. Ginny was in the storage closet looking for something. Hermione Granger smiled at Teddy who rested his head on Molly's left shoulder. She walked towards Remus and the twins.

"I wonder," George said as he reached for a roll. Suddenly, the basket of rolls flew away from him, then circled around the room to Molly's outstretched hand. Molly's back was to them and the door. George rolled his eyes as Fred laughed aloud. Remus smiled, but said nothing as he waited for George to finish speaking. "If it has anything to do with the Ministry fundraiser on Monday."

Remus raised his eyebrows in concern at how Hermione had frozen in fear, halfway between the door and them. The twins turned their heads to look at what or who Remus stared at.

She swallowed then inhaled and exhaled deeply. Slowly, she finished walking towards them. She gingerly sat down beside Remus. She gripped her jean clad knees with her shaky palms.

Finally, she spoke. "What fundraiser?"

Fred glanced to George then Remus then Hermione. "Moments before the shop closed at 6, we received post from the Ministry."

George nodded, "All business owners in Diagon Alley received the same post. It was a bulletin requesting all business owning wizards to attend a Ministry Fundraiser at 8 sharp Monday night."

Fred added, "Apparently, it's supposed to be fa-aaa-ancy." Fred rolled his eyes. "The post specifically stated that the dress code is formal dress robes and our invitation, is required for admittance. Rubbish, in my opinion. If they expect to bleed us for money, we should wear what we want. Don't you say?"

"Stop Fred. Hermione, are you okay?" George asked as he noticed her coloring paling and her facial expression tighten.

She nodded awkwardly, but said nothing for several minutes. Ron and Bill arrived, inadvertently yet not unwelcome, taking the focus from Hermione to them. Ron was loudly claiming that Bill had beginner's luck and that was how Bill had beaten him three times in a row, at wizarding chest.

Bill laughed as he sat down beside Remus. Ron huffed as he sat down in front of George across from Hermione. The door to the kitchen door opened, but no one except Molly and Ginny glanced at it. Bill said, "Beginner's luck, mate? Have you forgotten who taught you how to play?"

Begrudgingly, Ron said as he crossed his arms. "Well, you've got old man luck, then."

"Ron," Remus said, calmly in a tone that disguised his amusement. "I am much older than your older brothers, be careful."

"Eh, Remus," Sirius said as he sat down beside Hermione whom was still as a statue. He wanted to nudge her, but didn't touch her. Instead, he leaned backward in order to grab an apple from the fruit bowl on the counter-top behind him. "You are an old man."

"Really?" Remus said, amused. "Remind me, when is your birthday? I'm certain you are the oldest man in this kitchen."

"November 3rd, mate." Sirius smirked as he took a bite of the apple. Remus rolled his eyes at his friend's deliberate withholding of his birth year. George glared at the fruit in his friend and mentor's hand. "But, mate," Sirius said after he had chewed the bites he had made into the apple. "You were an old man when I met you on the Hogwarts Express." He stood up, briefly to flex and pose to show off the slightly muscular frame that he had worked for since he returned from the veil. Hermione did not move nor did she make a sound as Sirius goofed off. Usually, she rebuked him. Sometimes, she laughed at his antics, but never did she not react. It was one of the reasons why he did such antics: to get a reaction from her and others around him. "Okay," He said, resolute as he quickly sat down and turned toward the younger woman. "What gives?"

Hermione did not reply, did not move.

"Hermione?" Remus said as he gently touched her shoulder.

Concerned, Ron asked, "Who broke Hermione?"

"She's in shock." Remus said. He snapped his fingers in front of her face, but she didn't blink.

"Is she breathing?" Bill asked.

Sirius cursed as he started casting non-verbal counter courses upon her as she sat stiffly in the chair staring at Fred. "Bloody hell, I knew it."

Remus asked concerned and curious, "Knew what?"

"The stupid curse." Sirius muttered, but as he looked for the magic signature of his grandfather, he found none. How odd. It had to be the curse, he thought. "I should have known that it would effect her. She claimed that it never had before."

Ron bellowed in anger, "What in the bloody hell is going on?"

"Ron, calm down." Ginny said as she ran to him. His bellow had gotten the attention of Molly and Ginny. Molly handed Teddy to Remus. Remus stood up and stepped away once Molly made a motion for him to do so. Molly sat in the chair that Remus had vacated.

"Hermione," Molly said as she gripped Hermione's left hand with her own. "Sirius, stop waving your wand about. Whatever you're doing isn't working. Hermione isn't cursed. Remus was right, the girl is in shock. I've just not seen such shock before, in person."

Fred asked, "Mum, what do you need us to do?"

Sirius turned to Fred, fury in his tone and eyes. "Is this one of your pranks gone wrong?"

"No...I, we promise." George said as he and Fred held their hands up in surrender.

"We were telling her and Remus about the invitations that we received tonight from the Ministry for a fundraiser."

Astutely, Sirius realized what had triggered...whatever it was that was happening to her. He stood up quickly and forcefully. The chair he had sat in tumbled over behind him.

"Sirius, please stop it." Molly said as she tried to soothe Hermione. Hermione had flinched and held her breath during the conversation he held with the twins. "You're scaring the child. Sit down."

"She isn't a child, Molly. She's over 20, for Merlin's sake. I was in Azkaban at 22. You were married with kids by 20." Sirius said as he placed both of his knees down unto the floor. He gently grabbed Hermione's hands. Her left had been in Molly's hands, her right had been tightly curled around the edge of the table. "Hermione," He said, he grabbed her chin to force her to look at him. The look she gave him was blank, empty of emotion, but her body was stiff in fear. "Hermione, I need you to come back to us."

"Like that's going to work," Ron said, arrogantly.

Sirius ignored Ron. He gingerly rubbed circles in her palm with his thumbs as she had done to his earlier. "Hermione, I won't let anything happen to you. I told you earlier, I got your back. Remember?"

"What is he going on about?" Ron asked, anyone who would answer.

Bill replied, "I think it would be wise if you shut it, Ron. This isn't the time."

"Kitten," He said, soothingly. "I need you to breathe for me. You were breathing regularly, now you aren't. Inhale. Exhale. One. Two. Inhale. Exhale. Three. Four. Inhale." Although, still frozen in shock. Hermione did begin to slowly inhale and exhale breath. Sirius placed his hand on the back of her neck and smoothed her wild curls. He smiled, sadly. "That's it, baby. Breathe."

Molly silently mouthed in shock, "Baby?"

Remus handed her Teddy to delay the disaster that was Molly Weasley's wrath. Instinctively, Molly rocked the toddler. The twins looked to one another then to Hermione then back to one another as if they were holding a conversation.

Harry and several others walked through the kitchen door. Remus strode toward Harry to relay what had happened. Remus was surprised to see the man at Harry's right and the woman to that man's left, but did not reveal the surprise on his face or in his tone of voice.

"Kitten," Sirius said, reverently. "Are you okay, now?"

"Bloody hell." The man to Harry's right said. He stepped around Harry then walked past Remus to the small crowd around Hermione. "Move it." He made a motion with his hands. "I said, move it. Granger needs space."

Everyone either completely moved away or at the least took a few steps backward, except for Sirius. He did not move. The grip he had of her hands tightened, just so. Draco quickly walked to the other side of Hermione to the chair that Molly Weasley had sat. Draco began diagnostic spells.

Ron asked, with checked anger lacing his tone, "What are the Malfoys doing here?"

"Really? Ron? Not now." Harry asked as he walked to Hermione and Sirius. He gently grasped both of Sirius shoulders as he stood behind him. "Sirius," Harry said, kindly, but authoritative. "Let Draco look at her. He's a healer."

"No." Sirius said, petulantly. "He can't heal her. He doesn't know the counter-curse."

"Counter curse to what?" Draco asked quickly as he put away his wand in the holster in the sleeve of his robe. He didn't give Sirius time to reply. "She hasn't been cursed, you nitwit. She's having a Magi-Muggle panic attack. It a hybrid panic attack being both magical and muggle. Purebloods can only have magical ones, but Muggleborns can have either or a mixture. A Muggleborn must have a powerful magical core to have magical or Magi-Muggle attacks."

Fred said, "I thought people broke out in hives when having those or did accidental magic?"

Draco nodded. "Those are possible symptoms. But, panic attacks can manifest in several ways once triggered. Each panic attack and the symptoms can be unique and are unique to each person or distinctive to a family if the person is Pureblood or Halfblood."

"Why do you sound like a medical textbook? If you're a healer, heal her!" Sirius barked.

Draco leveled his older cousin with a steel gaze. Black family grey eyes met Black family grey eyes in a challenge that neither man would willingly step down from.

Harry knew his Godfather well and he was learning Draco, slowly. Harry knew he had to intervene. "Draco, what can we, you, whomever do to snap Hermione out of this?" Harry paused. "I remember, her having muggle panic attacks when we were in school. Crookshanks used to soothe her. He's here, somewhere."

Sirius glared at Draco as he said, "Kreacher."

With a sounding pop, Kreacher was beside Sirius. Kreacher's eyes filled with glee at the frozen Hermione. She breathed slowly, but Kreacher could tell that she was in pain. "Ooh, what happened to the Mudborn?"

Harry said, "Kreacher, I told you to stop calling her filthy names"

"Master Potter said for Kreacher not to call his friend mudblood. Mudblood, I do not call her."

Sirius barely refrained from strangling the loop-hole finding house-elf. "Kreacher, find Crookshanks, Hermione's familiar."

"Gladly, Master Blood Traitor." Kreacher said as he disappeared with a pop.

"Potter," Draco said, exasperated. "The cat can't help her with the magical components of the panic."

"And, you know this how?" Ron asked, heatedly. "Learned it in healer training or during your crimes that led to a lenient probation?"

"Because," Draco rolled his eyes as he gently placed his hands on each side of Hermione's face. "I know. She had these throughout seventh year. Only two things would snap her out of these."

"If you know, what those two things are, do one or the other." Sirius said through clenched teeth. He didn't like how comfortable the younger man looked as he touched Hermione.

"Many of you do not have the patience to read from or listen to several passages read from Hogwarts, A History." Draco said, dryly. "Also, with the approaching meeting, we do not have the time for that option. If I call your name, I need you do do exactly what I say when I say it. Cast spells if need be, but do not let them come at Hermione or me. Fred, George grab a hold of Ron. Potter and Lupin get Sirius away from Hermione."

It happened so quickly that Sirius didn't have the time to react to Harry and Remus grabbing him upward from the kneeling position beside Hermione. Ron didn't have time either, Fred and George demonstrated their quickness from Quidditch. They had Ron held captive before Remus and Harry had Sirius. Both Ron and Sirius stood frozen as if they had been placed in a full body bind. Many of the others in the room froze as well in shock, though not in the magical shock that Hermione currently experienced. Narcissa averted her eyes knowing what would come. She had once witnessed it.

Draco Malfoy, only heir to the Malfoy family, fourth in line to the Black family, kissed Hermione Granger gently, intimately on the lips. The kiss lasted no more than ten seconds. When he felt her return the kiss, he gently pulled away. He heard pandemonium around him before he saw it. But more importantly, he watched his favorite witch, possibly his only true friend, stand up and say, "What did I tell you about kissing me to wake up?"

"That I needed to stop unless I put a ring on your finger and gave you my last name." Draco said, flirtatiously. He winked at her before he glanced at Fred and George. "You may release him."

"I said, no such thing, Draco. I've told you several times that I'm not your princess waiting to be saved." Hermione giggled then realized that they had an audience when she heard the kitchen door slam shut then open then close with not as much velocity as before. "Oh..."

"Yeah...oh." Ron said as he shrugged off Fred and George even though they had lightened their grip on him. "Princess, when were you going to tell me that you and him have a history?"

"I wasn't." Hermione said in a matter-of-fact tone. " It is history. You've known for years that Draco and I are friends. He's my favorite Slytherin and I'm his favorite Mudblood. End of story," Hermione said as she sat back down. She glanced around the room and found that Sirius and Remus were gone. Many, including Draco and Narcissa, had flinched when she had said Mudblood. The twins recovered from their shock first. She watched them sit down across from her. Then, Bill recovered, he walked around the table to sit beside Fred. Ron sat down beside George, but he was fuming. He wasn't jealous, but he was angry that one of his best friends had kept so much from him. When had she started referring to herself as a Mudblood? Kreacher appeared to Hermione's right as he reverently held Crookshanks. Crookshanks jumped from Kreacher's embrace unto Hermione's lap. Crookshanks meowed as if trying to talk to her. Crookshanks licked her hand. She caressed behind his ears. Sheepishly, she said. "I'm sorry, guys. I haven't had a Magi-Muggle panic attack to that severity, in a long time. The last I remember, you were telling me about the barbaric fundraiser."

"Hermione," Harry said as he placed a discarded chair beside her and sat to her right. Draco sat to her left, again. After greeting Molly then Ginny, Narcissa glided across the room to sit on the other side of her son. Harry continued. "I want to wait until, at least, Percy, Charlie, and Neville are here to start the meeting. Percy is, otherwise, preoccupied. He isn't sure when he will be here. Neville is waiting on an international port-key to activate. Charlie should be here, soon. And, I need to go talk with Remus and Sirius." He made eye contact with Molly across the kitchen as he said. "It's a good thing that Molly made a meal tonight. It's going to be a long night."

Ginny laughed, nervously, as she lifted the silver plate which held the bakery biscuits from Tonks, "Look, we have dessert."

Author's Note: Thank you for reading, reviewing, and/or adding this story to your alerts.