THE LEAKY CAULDRON
"Harry" Hermione whispered to Harry as their rowdy group was on their third round of after work drinks. Hermione had no interest in being here, she would have preferred staying home with Harry, Neville and Luna watching films like they often did, but they were out tonight to support Harry and his new relationship with Draco Malfoy.
When he had first told his friends about his friendship with Malfoy they all shared a knowing look. They had been convinced for years that the tension between Harry and Draco would eventually turn deadly or sexual and for everyone sake they were glad it was the latter. Truthfully Hermione liked Draco, he was still a pompous git but one she had intelligent, it took longer for Neville to warm up to him but seeing as he had crushes on both Theodore Nott and Pansy Parkinson he tried to get along with him. Luna however took to him with ease that only could portray, but he made their friend, happy and that's all they truly cared about.
They were all left orphans after the war, they formed their own family Andromeda and Kingsley taking on roles of guardians of the young adults. All six of them were very close and had no secrets amongst them, but kept plenty of their own for each other. One being what happened between them and the Weasleys. While none of them talked about it to anyone outside their family the name still cause reactions from Harry and Hermione.
"what?" Harry says with a sweet smile to his sister before noticing her eyes were cast down at her hand on her lap. His smile fading as he quickly looked to Neville and Luna who had caught the act and were now watching Hermione intently trying to see if they could figure out what caused the mood shift in her. Harry turning back to look at Hermione who had moved closer to him.
"I need to leave" she whispers in a small voice that is barley loud enough to hear. "please" she added quietly begging him to help her. She slowly lifted her head to make eye contact with the beautiful green eyes that always let her know she was save. She quickly flicked her eyes so he knew exactly what was going on. Causally turning his head he sees two large imposing figures at the bar, a tiny, pretty brunette standing between them moving her head back and forth listening as they both spoke to her. Her cheeks turning pink a tell tale sign of their flirting affecting the girl.
"Okay love, lets get out of here." Catching the rest of their groups attention. Luna and Neville both getting up reading to leave on insinct having followed Harry's eyes, now knowing what was going on also wanted to help her friend get out of this situation.
"NO! no no no. no you can't leave yet." Theo whined louder than the group who was tempting to leave would have cared for drawing some attention their way. All four heads quickly looked to reason they were leaving to make sure they had no been spotted yet.
"Nott you can come back to ours you just need to shut the hell up." Harry snarled at Theo causing the group of Slytherins to realize there was something going that they didn't know. Being raised by Slytherins to be Slytherins they immediately went into their training helping get Hermione out of the pub.
"Oh well what do we have here. Don't leave. Have a drink with us." Adrian said to the group but looking at Hermione. "That is if you can, your words tend to say one thing but your actions well" he taunted trying to get a rise out of her. At this point Neville and Harry and moved in front of the the girls. Luna going to Hermione's side to hold her hand.
"Watch-" Harry started but Hermione took his hand and squeezed three times before dropping it. Neville also catching the action. The boys looking to each other then back at Luna who gave a quick nod. Neville turned and with practiced ease move to both girls blocking them at they tried to pass Marcus and Adrian.
"Oh look who's running away again." Marcus mocked making Adrian laughed, until both men saw the look on her face when she turned to look at them. It was a look neither had seen before it had their laughter cut off almost automatically.
she tried twice to speak before giving up and turning back to Neville who gave Harry a quick nod and left with Hermione, while Luna stayed back with Harry. One of their rules as a family was never to leave each other alone in uncertain situations. Making sure they made it out the door, Harry steps closer to the men "Leave her the fuck alone." grits through his clenched teeth.
"What, can't talk for herself since turning into a cheating slag." Adrain taunted Harry while stepping closer. Luna acting so quickly she drew the eye of the Slytherins standing around them who could now feel how palpable magic coming off Harry. He takes one more step close to Adrain their faces almost touching and in a voice that sent chills down everyones spine.
"If you ever call her that again and I will kill you Pucey."
With Luna's hand still in his he pushes past both Adrain and Marcus and both take off at a jog to get out of the restaurant. The moment they got out not even waiting for their Slytherins to follow.
TONKS COTTAGE
"MEDA!!!! KINGS!!!"Neville screams as they land just outside of 'Tonks Cottage'. They both catch sight of Hermione barley holding herself up against him with tears streaming down her face. Kingsley takes action first moving with a quickness he acquired from spending years as an Auror. Lifting Hermione up into his arms bringing her upstairs to a room covered in soft creams and purples. Laying her on the bed Kingsley kneels next to her grabbing her hand, Andromeda sitting on the bed next to her pushing her hair out of her face, speaking softly to the young girl whispering words of reassurance letting her know she's safe.
Harry and Luna come barreling through the home up the stair not registering the shouts from their Slytherins that had followed. Still holding on to each others hands while they join Neville at the end of the bed looking on at their sister, not being able to help her. Luna standing in the middle of the two men. All three holding each other for dear life.
That was how Draco, Pansy, Theo, and Blaise found them. What they expected they weren't sure but it wasnt this, this was.. well they didn't know what this was. Seeing Harry, Luna and Neville holding each others hands with a look of fear, that the Slytherins had never seen before, not when Potter and Lovegood were captured and held at Malfoy Manor, not when Longbottom was protecting the younger years from the Carrows. Not even when they faced 'The Dark Lord' head on did they look so scared. They just stared at the tiny girl on the bed, both sides occupied by the Minister of Magic Kingsley Shackelbolt, and Andromeda Tonks nee Black, Draco's estranged aunt.
What been the biggest shock was that of Hermione in the bed, covered in sweat, unable to catch her breath. Her eyes blown wide and almost crazed.
"Make it stop, please please please. I can't.. i can't.. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh" she screamed
"What's happening?" Blaise say in a soft quiet voice not wanting to scare the girl. The answer never came so they all listen closer to Hermione's words
"Stop, stop, Please please stop, please I can't I can't, please no, no no no no.. please." She begged and pleaded still unable to full catch her breath. Another forceful scream caused Andromeda to check the timer she had started.
"She's going to fast, she's going to-" She stopped by another blood curtailing scream from Hermione. This one so similar to the ones heard that day in the Manor, making Draco flinch at the memory.
"J-just l-let me-e di-ie. c-c-cant any any-more" she chokes out brokenly before her eyes roll to the back of her head and she begins to seize.
The Slytherins stand completely still as if moving would make things worse. The Gryfindors however spring into action. Kingsley and Harry trying to hold her shoulders down so she does not hurt herself. Harry continuing the comforting words Andromeda had spoken before. Luna and Andromeda working quickly to free her from the blankets and transfiguring her clothes into a nightgown. Neville just making it back into the room with two handfuls of towels. Her body slows its shaking They all know what's coming and turn her body towards Kingsley.
"She going to be sick, turn her quickly." He told them loudly.
"Come on pretty girl, you're gonna be ok sweetheart." Harry encourages.
"You're safe Mi, you're safe." Neville spoke sweetly to her
"Clear your mind, focus on us." Luna adds as tears start to fall.
"No.." Andromeda whispers horrified as she's looking at the medical chart she conjured. Everyones head snaps to her.
She looks to her family and in a voice just above a whisper "She's stuck" in such a broken voice that it causes Harry to let out a loud sob. Dropping his face to Hermione's hair and continues to sob. Neville moves quickly to catch Luna as her legs buckle under her. Pulling her into his chest as she clings to him while also sobbing. Neville never taking his eyes off Hermione, his face crumpled, red and tears streaming down from his eyes. Andromeda being raise the pureblood Slytherin, held her emotions closer but even she was having a hard time stopping the tears as she lays her head on Kingsleys chest whose face was distraught.
The room was quiet no one said anything, all anyone could hear were the cries of the family, and the choking sounds Hermione made as her body continued to seize.
Harry finally calming down enough to lift his head. Everyone in the room could see him bloodshot eyes the tear marks that stained his face. His grip on her shoulder still tight at she continued to trash on the bed. His voiced weak and strained he looked to Andromeda "is there anything we can do. I … I..I can't lose her Meda." he says almost hysterically.
"I don't" she let out a huff "I don't know, if if Sirius was here, there a Black Family spell that might help, but he's not and you're not closely enough related for the Black Family Magic to work fully. I might be able to bring you in and out of her memories but we couldn't pull her out."
"What about me?" Draco says finally finding his voice. Everyones eyes turned to him, alerting the group that the Slytherins had at some point joining them.