AN: And here's the next one. Yes, I'm having them go back to Hogwarts. I need to for plot purposes even though it's admittedly loosy goosey with how I went about doing it. Any suggestions for houses for Harry and Hermione will be taken into consideration even though I already have a draft of how I think I'm going to sort of them.

Chapter 48: The Unexpected

Bellatrix hadn't experienced morning sickness until the day after she found out she was pregnant and then it came with a vengeance.

She found herself puking her guts up for what seemed like hours but it was only minutes until she smelt the tea he made.

She sighed heavily. "I'm surprised you remembered."

"Of course I remembered," He said he had pretty much perfected the tea during all of her previous pregnancies. "You look ridiculously pale."

"I'm a Malfoy now and a veela. Unfortunately, pale is my color." She said.

"You know what I mean. You've been in here for twenty minutes."

"I'm fine," She said pulling his bathrobe tight around her even though she wasn't. "It's been a while since I've had morning sickness that's all. Besides, it's not as bad as Cissy's…"

He laughed. "You say that now. I'm sure you'll say it's worse before it's all said and done."

"Probably," She said as she drank the tea. She had gotten so used to the stuff with each failed pregnancy she had. She just hoped… "I'm…I'm scared, Siri."

It was the first time she admitted it.

He looked at her, "It will be fine."

"You don't know that," She said. "I…I wanted to make sure everything was okay before we tried…and I was taking the drought until we found out. With if it hurt them."

He looked at her, "The initials scans looked good, sweetheart. The last thing you need to do is to stress out. Besides, you know I'll be checking on you every day."

"Have you been to visit them?"

He knew what she was talking about. Their garden for all the children they lost.

"No," He said. "I haven't been to the townhouse since…"

She sighed, "I haven't either. Obviously. And I don' t know if I can with what Lucius did. I don't want to go back to Britian but…I have been thinking about them a lot lately."

"No one knows,"

She gave him a look. "I want our son to know."

"Andi is coming this evening. "

"Hopefully, he'll be willing to listen." She said with a sigh taking another sip of tea.

"Feeling better?"

She was a little less nauseous but she still didn't feel like leaving the toilet.

Sirius shook his head at her. "You need to go back to bed."

"I'm not an invalid," she said. Even though bed sounded divine that is if she didn't puke.

He rolled his eyes at her and waived his wand over her reviewing her vitals.

"Really, Siri," She said. "It's just morning sickness."

Though she knew that just like her, he was worried.

"I'll get you another cup of tea. You're getting dehydrated. "You'll drink all of it and then have some toast."

"I'm not hungry."

"You haven't kept anything down today. You'll have some toast and maybe some jam or marmalade. You always did like marmalade when you were with child.."
She did, though she didn't want to admit it.

"Bed," she said finally. "Bed. Maybe I am an invalid today. Carry me?"

He rolled his eyes but complied. That was one nice thing about being short, it was way easier for him to pick her up now. Though she suspected in a few months that wouldn't be the case.

Maybe he made a mistake blowing up at his dad yesterday. But Harry had been so upset. He hadn't seen him since that morning though. He hadn't seen Claire since they talked either.

"Are you okay?" Hermione asked. "You are looking all broody."

"Broody. I'm not broody."

She rolled her eyes, "You're almost as broody as he's being."

Him being Draco. He hadn't came out of his room yesterday since Dad had talked to him. It was sort of nice. Though Draco hadn't bothered him much since the last time his father had caught him calling Harry a firstie failure and had the silence charm on him for over a week.

"I'm not locked up in my room," he said with a shrug. "Just dealing with things."

"You mean your dad being engaged to Claire."

He nodded. It had shouldn't be surprised Hermione knew about it. Anyone who had been around Claire could see that ring around her finger.

"She's nice."

"My mum died less than a year ago."

"Oh."

"I never knew her," he said to her. "I don't even know if she knew about me."

"That sucks," Hermione said. "I still can't believe that the Potters stole you. Everything I read…"

Harry rolled his eyes, "Surely, you don't believe everything you read at this point."

"I know I shouldn't. Old habits die hard, I suppose. I know the Prophet lies. They've lied about me lots."

"My dad doesn't even subscribe to that rag anymore." Harry said rolling his eyes. "Apparently, the posted a lot of trash about him and mum. And apparently when Aunt Cissy got her marriage annulled they went after her a lot."

"Aunt Cissy?"

"Her full name's Narcissa. Narcissa Black. She's Draco's mother."

"I forget your cousins." Hermione said rolling her eyes. "You're so different. Though I guess there are some similarities."

Harry wrinkled his nose.

"Like that was a Draco expression."

"I've tried with him. I just can't."

"I don't blame you. treats you horribly. And to think I thought he might've grown up a little."

"He's upset because of his parents."

"But he still shouldn't take it out on you."

"I know. Believe me, I know."

"You kicked his ass the other day you should do that more." She said, "Especially if he keeps bullying you."

"I'd rather just avoid him."

She laughed.

"What?"

"Last year you decided to take Draco up on dueling at midnight."

"That seems stupid," he said. "Then again, a lot of things I apparently did last year seem stupid."

She shrugged. "You can blame Ron. I do remember he volunteered as your second."

"I feel bad blaming a dead guy."

She shrugged. "Don't. That's one thing my mind healer has told me. Just because he's dead doesn't mean he was a good person."

"I don't even remember him."

"You're lucky."

"But he was my best friend."

"And sometimes I wonder if that was by choice," Hermione said. "Ron really pushed himself on you, Harry. You probably didn't even realize it at the time."

"I…you're right I don't really remember."

Though he had a brief flash of sitting next to a redhead boy on a train. He really couldn't remember much about Ron from that memory just that he seemed ashamed of the sandwiches his mom packed.

"He hated his mother's sandwiches," he said to Hermione.

She rolled her eyes. "Of course he did. His mother is an utter cow by the way."

He gave her a strange look.

"She accosted me the day of his memorial service. "She's a total shrew. She made me feel so bad. I think she pushed Percy over the edge."

Harry grimaced knowing what had happened to her. "I'm sorry."

She shook her head, "It's not your fault. I'm just glad that I don't have to go back to that place."

"Me too."

Based on everything he heard, Hogwarts sounded like a death trap.

"You got to be kidding me," Emma Granger said to Ted Tonks. "This can't be legal."

Ted sighed heavily. "Unfortunately, it is. The wizengamot passed it. Probably because enrollment was down a lot of parents' didn't want their kids attending after year. Can't really blame them."

He was referring to the new law that made it even harder for families to seek alternative schooling arrangements. Even purebloods and halfbloods of British born students were expected to enroll their children in Hogwarts unless specific requirements were met.

He had a feeling that his not brother in-law and Dumbledore both had their hands in this legislation. His not brother in-law because of his son likely being pulled out of school since Narcissa wanted to get as far as way from him as possible and Dumbledore because enrollment was already plummeting after last year's incidents.

"She can't handle going back there," Emma told Ted bluntly.

"I understand," he said. "Unfortunately, she'll have to either get citizenship in another country or the tutor that is hired will have to have a mastery in the subjects that they're teaching. Just having the adequate NEWTS won't be enough now."

She cursed knowing that while Remus had the requested NEWTS he did not have a mastery in every subject that he would be teaching.

"That is total bullshit."

"Oh, I agree." Ted said. "I'm already ready to sue if you want me to, but it will still take time. In fact, I suspect you won't be the only person that will sue."

"And she'll still have to go back next month."

"Unless I can get an injunction granted." He said. "And I suspect the courts in this matter will be conveniently backed up."

She cursed before she said, "What about a name change?"

"What?"

"Could we get a name change done between now and the time school starts if Remus and I both signed off on it."

"I don't see why not….but…"

"Then Hermione Granger will not be attending that blasted school." Emma said, "Jane Lupin will. It will at least buy her a little anonymity especially if we can get the school to pay for her new face."

Ted smiled. "Oh, I think we can do that."

"I thought you weren't keen on Narcissa's plan," Remus said coming over floo later that day to her new flat. She still didn't know why she agreed with him to set her place up with the floo network other than her daughter.

"Until it became our only option," she said with a scowl. "I can't believe they did that. Don't parents' have rights?"

Remus laughed. "The magical British government has always overreached its hand, Emma. I'm not totally surprised. Though this is going to piss a lot of people off like Sirius. Trust me he will sue as well."

"Doesn't his son have French or German citizenship or something?" She asked not remembering Harry's exact backstory.

"No. The mother was from the UK initially, I think." Remus said. "Honestly, I'd have to ask Sirius for the details. Harry's core is in no way ready to attend that school. And even Draco needs an alternative form of study right now. This is total garbage. But I do agree with you about going through with the name change and glamor treatments if she has to go."

"How is she doing?" She asked not having heard from him in a few days.

"Better. She and Harry get along well. I think she feels a little uneasy around Draco. I can't exactly blame her."

Emma grimaced having heard enough about Draco Malfoy from his own mother.

"He's not a bad kid," Remus said halfheartedly.

Emma raised an eyebrow.

"He has been dealt a difficult hand lately," He said. "Narcissa is suffering from health issues and her ex is a total ass."

"And yet Hermione is dealing with a more difficult situation and hasn't been an ass to anyone." Emma pointed out before adding, "The boy hates you, doesn't he?"He grimaced.

"You're dating his mother," she said. "And clearly he hasn't accepted his parents' separation yet."

"You're good."

She shrugged. "I have my moments. Also, am dealing with my own divorce right now and may have read lots of parenting books about it."

"And here I thought you hated reading."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm just not as enthusiastic about it as you and our daughter. Ugh, she is not going to want to go back to that school."

"I know," Remus said. "And it finally seems like she's opening up a bit."

Ted Tonks didn't know who was angrier Emma Granger or Sirius Black. Both parents did not want their children dragged back to Britian. Even Andromeda was annoyed since she more or less viewed Harry as another son.

"You can afford the tutors," he told Sirius.

"And find them in what less than a month?" The man said. "That's hardly due process. Yes, I have a mastery in Transfiguration and Remus has one in Charms, but I still have to find one for the rest of the bloody subjects. I really shouldn't be surprised about not being given any notice with that bloody country."

Well, he had a point. And even though the story was that he had impregnated someone on the continent, they didn't exactly have the paperwork since that wasn't true. And falsifying paperwork took time as well.

"Fix this," Sirius said. "I wasn't even given notice that they were going to talk about this in wizengamot. Surely, there is something that can be done."

"I can file for an emergency injunction," he said. "But the case itself may not be heard until after the start of the school year."

Sirius cursed.

"What about expedite getting Swiss citizenship. I own property here and I bloody well don't want to go back to Britian especially at this rate."

"Again, it will take time. We already started the process but even expeditated I can't get it done in less than a month. Unfortunately, it's likely that Harry will have to attend the school at least for a few months. You can request accommodations though. Which I would if I were you. I'm sure Andromeda would be more than willing to write a collaborative report. Also, you do have a mastery in Transfiguration and they are looking for a Transfiguration professor…."

Sirius cursed. "I really don't need this, Ted."

"I know," he said he had been looped in what was going on with Bellatrix of all things the other day. "How is she?"

"Okay. Morning sickness wore her out this morning and she's sleeping now. Andi is planning on coming over tonight and we're going to tell Harry."
"It's unbelievable." He said, "I'm honestly amazed Lucius got such a deal."

"It's Lucius," Sirius said. "He may be a bastard but he's very good at his job. This whole law has his fingerprints all over it."

"His and Dumbledore's undoubtedly," Ted said. "Although, I suspect Dumbledore was the one who pushed it through. Lucius has been surprisingly absent as of late."

"I'm not surprised," Sirius said with a small smirk.

"Do I even want to know?" Ted said.

"Does attorney client privilege apply?" Sirius asked.

"Of course."

Ted almost spit up his tea when he heard what happened to his not brother in-law.

Couldn't have happened to a nice person.

People were pissed.

Albus had expected so much with the new legislation, but something had to be done. So many people had pulled their kids out of Hogwarts at the end of last semester and something had to be done about enrollment.

Then there was the Severus situation.

A part of him still grimaced that he had chosen his Potions teacher to be his new deputy headmaster. But other than Minerva, he really believe Severus was the most qualified person for the job, even though he knew Filius and Pomona would disagree with him on that.

Filius was particularly infuriated since he had actually wanted to apply for the position. Albus couldn't help it that he felt Severus was the man for the job. It also helped he knew Severus owed him. Filius had always bit too independent for Albus's liking. Independent and aloof. A typical Ravenclaw.

He sighed heavily as he looked at the latest enrollment list glad to see that the thirty or so students that had unerolled were now back on the list. He frowned when he saw the name Henry Black listed on the roll.

A Black?

He was thinking this when a great big Eurasian Eagle Owl came in and dropped a letter. He recognized the crest almost immediately.

It was from Sirius Black of all people. He was requesting a meeting with Albus to discuss several matters.

Honestly, he was surprised. Or should he saw he would be surprise until he saw Henry Black's name on his enrollment list. He guessed Sirius wished to discuss him amongst other things.

Albus sighed feeling bad about what happened to young Sirius. Last he heard the man was in Switzerland still recovering and likely to stay there. Rumor was that he had the ministry pay for his ludicrously expensive penthouse that was at the recovery lodge he was staying at. Albus had meant to check in on him but…well, with everything it had slipped his mind this year. Plus, he was sure Sirius would have words with what had happened to his godson.

Albus still hadn't forgiven himself for that.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me," Bella said when he informed her of the news from Britain. She had just woken up after sleeping most of the day. Thankfully, she was able to get some toast down as well as some eggs after her nap.

"I'm not," he said. "I was on the floo with Ted most of the day trying to figure out what our best options were."

"Obviously, appeal the decision and use your role as head as the most ancient and noble house of Black." She barked her eyes turning grey at that moment.

He smirked. That was the one thing he liked when she was angry. He saw a bit of the old her. Otherwise, he hated it. Especially when she was in the condition she was now.

A part of him had wanted to keep what was going on in Britain from her, but he knew better. You didn't keep secrets from Bella. Unless you wanted to end up like Lucius.

"Well, obviously." He said, "But that's going to take time. Ted said even if we get an injunction which we should based off the medical records alone, it may not even be until winter break before we get a hearing."

"So, what are we going to do?"

"You do realize I have a mastery in Transfiguration, don't you?"

She rolled her eyes. "Of course I do. I remember telling you that you bloody didn't need it for healing but you just did the required tests for shits and giggles….why?"

He looked at her, "McGonagall retired. Or should I say she was more or less pushed out. Apparently, Dumbles hasn't found anyone to replace her yet."

"You a teacher. I thought you were going back to healing?"

"I sort of already am with you and Cissy," He said. "And I may go back full time if I get tired of living the rich heir of leisure lifestyle where I make a couple of investments here and there. I think handle teaching the little buggers for a couple of months if it means someone is at the school to watch our son. I'll also use it as an excuse to have him commute every day."

"Did Ted think of that or you?" She asked, "Because that's exactly not the sort of boneheaded Gryffindor idea you'd have."

"I was born a Black." He said rolling his eyes, "And I'm not exactly a bonehead with my test scores as you know."

She rolled her eyes. "So, I'm taking it you are going to have a meeting with our dear headmaster then."

"Indeed, wife. Indeed."

Chapter 49 Preview: Finally, a reunion I've waited 49 chapters to write. I may have gotten a little teary eyed drafting it.