CHAPTER 47: A FRACTURED TRUST
In the infirmary, Madam Pomfrey worked swiftly and efficiently, her presence both reassuring and commanding. Her skilled hands moved over Hermione, casting spells and applying potions to stabilize her. The nurse's face, usually stern, was now a mask of concentration and concern. "Stay still, Hermione. This might sting a bit," she muttered, her voice steady as she waved her wand. The soft glow of magic enveloped Hermione, and Madam Pomfrey continued to murmur incantations under her breath, applying soothing balms to her injuries with a careful touch.
Outside the infirmary, the Aurors were busy coordinating their response. "We need to establish a perimeter around the castle," one Auror insisted, speaking into a communication crystal. "Lockdown protocols must be initiated immediately. We can't afford another breach." His expression was grim, and the urgency in his voice echoed the seriousness of the situation. They were in contact with Professor McGonagall and other key members of the staff, strategizing to ensure Hogwarts was adequately protected.
Meanwhile, Harry and Ron were settled in a stark waiting room, the sterile atmosphere doing little to calm their nerves. They overheard snippets of conversation from the Aurors stationed outside, including mentions of a potential lockdown of the castle and increased security measures. The gravity of the situation pressed down on them, and they were both anxious to be involved in any way they could.
"Did you hear that?" Ron said quietly, glancing toward the door. "They're locking down the castle. This is serious."
"Of course it's serious, Ron. Hermione is hurt, and we have no idea what's happening," Harry replied, his frustration bubbling beneath the surface.
Their wands, temporarily confiscated, lay on a nearby table, a constant reminder of their current limitations. Yet their resolve remained firm. They exchanged glances filled with determination, knowing they had to remain calm and focused—for Hermione's sake and for the broader fight against the dark forces they faced.
The air was thick with tension, and each second felt like an eternity. Harry's mind raced with thoughts of what might have happened. Could Draco be behind this? Or was it something even more sinister?
Eventually, the door to the waiting room swung open, and an Auror stepped in with an update. "The Headmistress is on her way. We're going to need a full report on what happened. We'll also need your cooperation in the investigation," he stated, his tone authoritative yet laced with a hint of understanding.
Harry and Ron nodded, their expressions serious. "We'll cooperate," Harry said, his voice steady. "But please, tell us how Hermione is. Is she going to be okay?" His heart raced as he awaited the answer, each moment stretching like a taut string.
The Auror, sensing their anxiety, offered a brief reassurance. "Madam Pomfrey is doing everything she can. For now, focus on providing any information you can. The more we know, the better we can handle the situation." He paused, looking at the two boys intently. "Stay vigilant. This isn't over."
As they waited for further instructions, Harry and Ron steeled themselves for the challenges ahead. The incident with Draco Malfoy was just one part of a much larger and more dangerous battle, and they knew their role in it was far from over.
Just then, the door to their room creaked open slightly, a sliver of light spilling into the dim space. They both leaned forward, straining to hear the hushed voices outside. "... We can't let them interfere. They're too close to her," one voice warned, filled with a quiet intensity that sent chills down Harry's spine.
"What if they find out about the plan?" another voice replied, sounding uneasy. "They can't be trusted. We need to keep them out of this."
Ron's eyes widened. "What are they talking about?" he whispered, a mix of confusion and dread swirling within him.
Harry clenched his fists, adrenaline coursing through him. "I don't know, but we can't just sit here," he hissed, determination flaring in his chest. "We need to find out what's really going on."
As the door was closed with a soft click, sealing them inside, Harry and Ron exchanged a resolute glance. They could feel the storm brewing around them, and deep down, they knew that their fight was just beginning.
"Alert the Ministry, and don't tell anything to the Headmistress! When the Ministry responds, we'll know what to do. Has Tobertton shown up?" one of the Aurors said urgently, their voice barely audible through the door.
"NO! There's blood where the kids said, but no trace of anyone!" another replied, frustration evident in their tone.
"They'll clarify that too! Finally, we'll know what's happening here!"
Harry and Ron exchanged a look of dread. They understood what that would mean. They wouldn't know anything about Hermione, and by the time the Headmistress found out, they could very well have been interrogated in the subtle manner of the Ministry.
Feeling the weight of their predicament, Harry opened the window. "I'm going to alert Nym; she'll help us and notify the Headmistress!" He transformed into a phoenix, his feathers shimmering in shades of crimson and gold. With great effort, he clumsily flew toward his wife's room, his heart racing.
Ron, meanwhile, felt an overwhelming urge to transform and escape. He longed to be with Hermione, to be by her side and protect her. "Damn it, if I weren't so clumsy, I would have transformed already! I could get out of here and be with Hermione!" Frustration simmered within him as he concentrated on his Animagus form, wishing desperately he could become that animal. Suddenly, a strange sensation washed over him.
"Was the window so high?" he muttered to himself. He glanced down and saw a feather-duster-like tail swaying in front of him. "Merlin, I did it!" Without hesitation, he looked at the window and jumped up.
A small, feline form—his Animagus self—managed to squeeze through the window and land on the ledge. He looked through the infirmary window, where Madam Pomfrey was examining a brunette lying in bed.
The moment Hermione opened her eyes and saw the strange figure at the window, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Crookshanks?"
"Rest. How are you feeling?" Ron meowed, his feline instincts kicking in as he leaped closer, his heart aching to comfort her.
"Tired... and dizzy," she replied, recalling the fight. "Malfoy!"
"So it's true?" Ron asked, his feline form stiffening at the thought of Draco's treachery. Hermione nodded, her expression pained.
"How did he get in here?" she pressed, her voice trembling.
"I think he entered with the Slytherins on the way back from the village. They were acting strangely on the way back, different from usual. He waited, tried to kill me. But before that…" She closed what was left of her robe and curled up in bed, visibly shaken.
"Did he do something to you?" Ron's heart sank, disbelief washing over him as he processed her words. They had almost hurt her for the second time.
"I didn't let him," she said softly, her voice a whisper. "Did they catch him? Where are Harry and Ron? Before I passed out, I saw them."
"They're waiting outside, and you won't see them until I finish examining you," Madam Pomfrey interjected, anticipating the protest that would follow.
Just then, Tonks heard someone knocking on her window; the sound was too loud to be an owl. It felt insistent, almost frantic. As she approached, her heart raced. She peered out, her breath hitching as she saw Harry in his Animagus form, looking very nervous.
"Harry?" she said, quickly opening the window to let him in. "What's going on?"
He flitted into the room, his golden feathers shimmering in the dim light. "Tonks, we need your help. Hermione's hurt, and things are getting worse at Hogwarts."
Tonks's eyes widened, her heart pounding as she took in Harry's worried expression. "What happened? Is she okay?"
"No, not really. The Aurors are saying they need to lock down the castle, and I think Malfoy's involved. We can't wait for them to take action; we have to do something now!"
"Alright, let me transform and get a few things," she said urgently. "I'll meet you back in the infirmary. We'll figure this out together."
As she prepared to change, Harry felt a surge of hope. Despite the darkness surrounding them, they would stand together against whatever evil threatened their home. Ron's feline form gazed at Hermione, determined to ensure she would be safe. The storm may be brewing, but they would weather it, united in their resolve.
"Harry!" Tonks exclaimed, rushing forward to open the window. The phoenix entered immediately, regaining its human form in a flash of flames.
"What…?" she began, confusion flickering across her face.
"No time. Malfoy attacked Hermione at the castle. She's in the infirmary, and we don't know how she's doing. The Aurors have Ron and me in a room near their quarters. They won't tell McGonagall anything until they know what to do from the Ministry. They'll likely try to interrogate us. You need to notify the Headmistress."
Before Harry finished speaking, Tonks had already grabbed a handful of Floo powder and tossed it into the fireplace.
"MINERVA!" she shouted, and the Headmistress appeared in the fireplace, dressed in a nightgown, her hair slightly disheveled.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Should we call Poppy?" McGonagall's voice was laced with concern.
"It's not the time for that; there are updates, and we have serious problems!" Harry interjected, urgency surging in his chest.
He quickly explained the situation—the attack, Hermione's condition, and the Aurors' restrictions. McGonagall listened intently, her expression shifting from concern to steely resolve. "Stay where you are; I'll handle this."
As she cut the communication, Tonks turned to Harry. "Go back; we'll be there in a moment. It wouldn't be good if they suspected you were hiding something."
In response, Harry transformed back into the phoenix and soared out the window.
Shortly after, he re-entered the room where they had been held. Upon regaining his human form, he realized with a jolt that Ron was not there.
"RON! Ron! Damn, they took him." Panic gripped him as he rushed around the room.
"What's going on? Did you tell the Headmistress?" Ron's voice came from behind him, and Harry let out a sigh of relief.
"Where were you?" Harry asked, his voice tinged with concern.
"I transformed into a cat and went to the infirmary," Ron replied, his eyes wide with excitement and disbelief.
"What?" Harry exclaimed, taken aback.
"I'll tell you later. Is anyone coming to help us?" Ron pressed, his urgency matching Harry's.
"McGonagall and Nym are on their way, and they surely won't come alone," Harry assured him, his heart racing at the thought of their impending rescue.
Twenty minutes later, the Headmistress of Hogwarts, flanked by several professors, entered the area reserved for the Aurors responsible for the castle's security.
"I'm sorry, but you can't enter this area. It was made clear that our rooms would be separate within the castle!" one of the Aurors said, crossing his arms defensively.
"I know, and that's why I'm here," McGonagall responded, her voice calm but firm. The Aurors exchanged confused glances, unsure of how to proceed. "I've been informed that two of my students are in this area, and I've come to take them. They will be punished for being in an unauthorized zone."
"I think you're mistaken; there are no students here," one of the Aurors replied, his voice laced with skepticism.
"Mr. Harry Potter and Mr. Ronald Weasley are in a room," McGonagall asserted, her gaze unyielding. The Aurors stared at her, taken aback.
"I think you are misinformed," one of the Aurors countered, trying to regain control of the situation.
"There is nothing at Hogwarts that I don't know! And I know they are here." McGonagall's voice carried an authority that brooked no argument.
"I'm sorry, but even if that were the case, being in our zone, they will stay here until we know the reason they entered!" the Auror insisted, his tone rising slightly in frustration.
"You will release them to me at once!" McGonagall's voice rang out like a spell, cutting through the tension in the room.
Harry and Ron exchanged hopeful glances. They could sense the power and determination radiating from their Headmistress. The atmosphere was charged with unspoken challenges, and Harry felt a surge of confidence at the thought of standing by McGonagall's side.
"Minerva, this is protocol. You know we must follow it until the Ministry gives us a clear directive," another Auror said, his tone softer but still resolute.
"Protocol or not, my students' safety comes first! I will not allow them to be kept here without just cause!" McGonagall's expression hardened, her determination shining through.
As tensions flared and words exchanged like spells, Harry felt a mix of anxiety and gratitude. They were not alone in this fight. With McGonagall at the helm, they had a fighting chance.
"Are you sure?" Hagrid stepped forward from the group, his massive figure looming protectively. The Aurors, seeing him, instinctively went on guard.
"Rubeus, it's not necessary," McGonagall said, glancing back at the head of the Aurors with a steely gaze. "As per what he said, only Aurors can enter this area, correct?"
"That's right," the Auror confirmed, his posture tense.
"Problem solved! Nymphadora, if you please," she commanded, taking a step forward, but the others immediately blocked her path.
"She can't enter!" one of the Aurors declared, his voice sharp.
"Why not? She's a capable Auror," McGonagall argued, her frustration growing.
"No one can see them until they are interrogated!" the Auror insisted, crossing his arms defiantly.
"So that's it!" McGonagall's voice rose, visibly upset. "None of my students will be interrogated! And certainly not by those idiots from the Ministry. It seemed clear. If you don't let those young people out right now, we will be forced to use force!"
"That would be considered treason against the Ministry!" an Auror shot back, his face reddening.
"Defending students within the school grounds is one of our obligations; it would never be considered treason! You can talk to the kids whenever you want, but in the presence of teachers and without intimidating them!" McGonagall stood firm, her eyes narrowing as she confronted the Aurors.
"I'm not authorized to—"
"To hell with it!" Tonks interjected, her voice booming as she cast the Sonorus spell on herself. "HARRY, COME OUT WHEREVER YOU ARE! RON, YOU TOO!"
With that, the door of the room where the boys were being held exploded outward, sending splinters flying. The Aurors were momentarily stunned, unsure of how to react.
"They can't leave here!" one of the Aurors shouted, panic creeping into his voice.
"Are you going to fight against two students and several professors?" Tonks retorted, her expression challenging. "That would look great on the front page of the Prophet! I can see it now," she said, pretending to read an imaginary headline off the ceiling. "Ministry Aurors responsible for protecting Hogwarts students attack two of them and several professors, one of them pregnant. Tremble, Death Eaters; they stop at nothing!"
The boys stood next to the professors, their presence solidifying the tension in the room. The head of the Aurors seemed to falter under the weight of Tonks' words, his brow furrowing as he assessed the situation. In the end, he relented.
"Leave, but we'll call you to find out what happened!" he ordered, waving his hand dismissively.
Harry and Ron stepped forward, their eyes determined. "What?" the Auror asked, taken aback.
"Give us back our wands, please," Harry said firmly. It wasn't a request; it was more of an order.
Realization dawned on the Auror as he fumbled through his robe and retrieved their wands, his expression shifting from annoyance to reluctant respect. He returned their wands with a curt nod. They accepted them in silence and left the room alongside the professors, Harry's heart pounding in anticipation of what lay ahead.
"I want them to explain everything!" Ron exclaimed as they walked, his anxiety palpable.
"Not now," Harry replied, his mind focused. "The first thing is Hermione," Ron finished, the urgency in his voice cutting through the tension.
Half an hour later, everyone stood anxiously outside the infirmary, waiting for news about Hermione. Madame Pomfrey had not yet finished conducting her tests, and the atmosphere was thick with worry.
Ron paced back and forth, his eyes fixed on the infirmary door, not moving an inch from his spot. Harry could see the turmoil written all over Ron's face; he knew that once that door opened, nothing would stop Ron from rushing in to see Hermione.
The door finally swung open, revealing a serious-looking nurse. As Harry had feared, Ron wasted no time; he dashed inside, completely ignoring Nurse Pomfrey's warning.
"Mr. Weasley, you shouldn't—"
"Hermione!" Ron called, his voice echoing in the small room as he rushed to her bedside. He didn't even hear Madame Pomfrey's admonishment; all that mattered was seeing her, knowing she was okay.
"Ron!" Hermione's voice came from behind a screen, faint but full of relief.
In two swift steps, Ron was next to her, concern etched across his face. Harry and the others followed closely behind, crowding into the small infirmary space.
"How are you?" Ron asked, his voice thick with emotion as he grasped Hermione's hand.
"I'm okay, just a bit shaken," she replied softly, offering him a weak smile. "What happened? I was in the common room when…when he attacked."
Harry's heart ached at the sight of Hermione's pale face and the bandage wrapped around her arm. "Malfoy caught you off guard. We're all here now, though," he assured her, his voice steady. "We'll make sure he pays for this."
The tension in the room began to ease as they surrounded her, but Harry could still feel the weight of their ordeal pressing down. With their wands returned and Hermione safe, they could begin to plan their next steps.
"Do you need anything?" Ron asked, scanning her face for any sign of pain.
"Just you guys," Hermione whispered, her eyes sparkling with gratitude. "I'm just glad you're here."
The warmth of their friendship enveloped them, offering a momentary reprieve from the chaos outside. They would face whatever came next together, united against the challenges that lay ahead.
Hermione winced slightly as she shifted her arm, her eyes betraying the pain she still felt. "My arm and part of my body hurt," she admitted, her voice quieter than usual. "But Mrs. Pomfrey told me I'll be perfectly fine tomorrow." She let out a sigh of relief, trying to mask her discomfort.
Ron, who had been by her side the entire time, released a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. His face softened, but a flicker of anger and worry remained in his eyes. "You don't know how scared I've been, Hermione!" he said, squeezing her hand protectively. "Where was your partner? Rounds are always done in pairs. Who was supposed to be with you?"
Hermione hesitated, her eyes dropping momentarily before she looked back up at him. "It was supposed to be Parkinson, but…" she trailed off.
Lupin, who had been quietly observing the conversation, raised an eyebrow at this revelation. "Miss Parkinson?" he repeated, clearly suspicious.
Before Hermione could respond, the stern voice of Madam Pomfrey broke in. "Miss Parkinson showed up at the infirmary just after eleven, claiming she felt unwell. I gave her a potion and sent her to bed," she explained, crossing her arms as if recalling the peculiar encounter.
Lupin's brow furrowed deeply. "Surely this was planned!" he said, his voice lowering as the implications of Parkinson's sudden illness settled in.
"But we have no evidence, Remus," McGonagall said with a shake of her head. Her tone was grave, and though her eyes flashed with frustration, her words were resigned. "Unfortunately, we can't do anything about it without proof. Luckily, nothing regrettable happened this time."
Ron, however, seemed oblivious to the conversation. His eyes were solely on Hermione, his hand still tightly holding hers. He couldn't bear the thought of her being in danger. Hermione looked up at him and managed a small, reassuring smile.
McGonagall's sharp gaze turned back to Madam Pomfrey. "Is it true that it was just a painful scare?" she asked, her voice steady but filled with concern.
Pomfrey gave a thoughtful nod, her hands resting on the edge of the bed where Hermione sat. "Given the circumstances, Miss Granger's had a lot of luck," she said gravely, her eyes reflecting a deeper concern than her words revealed.
No one seemed to fully understand what she meant. Ron's brow furrowed in confusion, and Hermione's eyes flickered with curiosity. Pomfrey looked around the room, clearly debating how much to reveal. Finally, she spoke again, more softly this time. "Miss Granger, I need to have a word with you and the Headmistress." She paused, glancing at Ron's protective grip on Hermione's hand. "I suppose Mr. Weasley can stay, if you prefer," she added, her voice laced with a hint of warmth.
Hermione looked around, her confusion deepening. "What's happening?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of fear as her gaze shifted between Pomfrey and McGonagall. "You said I was fine."
Pomfrey nodded. "Yes, physically you're healing well, but it's something else… something that only concerns the parties involved. I don't think—"
"All those present have my full trust, Madam Pomfrey," McGonagall interjected, her voice firm as she gave a sharp nod. "Whatever you have to say, they can hear it."
Hermione's eyes widened as Pomfrey took a deep breath. "All right then," the nurse said, her tone now more serious. She turned to Hermione. "Have you felt strange in the last few days? Any unusual feelings or symptoms?"
Hermione frowned, thinking back to the past week. "I haven't been sleeping well," she admitted slowly, her brow furrowed in thought. "And I haven't been eating properly either." She bit her lip, suddenly feeling self-conscious under the scrutiny of those around her. "Maybe I'm just catching a cold," she added, trying to brush it off.
Pomfrey exchanged a glance with McGonagall, her expression growing more concerned. "It could be more than that," she said softly. "We'll need to run a few tests. There's something about this whole incident that doesn't sit right with me. You've been through an ordeal, Miss Granger. And we need to be sure that whatever was done… was only temporary."
Ron, who had remained quiet, squeezed Hermione's hand even tighter. "Temporary?" he echoed, his voice low and tinged with concern. "What do you mean, Madam Pomfrey?"
Pomfrey hesitated, glancing at McGonagall for guidance. "I mean, Mr. Weasley, that whatever caused Miss Granger to feel this way might not have been entirely natural," she said carefully.
Hermione's eyes widened. "You think I was cursed?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"We can't be sure just yet," Pomfrey replied gently. "But given what happened and your symptoms, it's a possibility we cannot ignore."
McGonagall's face tightened, her usual stern demeanor softening ever so slightly as she placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder. "We will get to the bottom of this, Miss Granger," she assured her. "You're safe now, and that's what matters."
Hermione nodded slowly, though the weight of the situation had clearly settled on her shoulders. She glanced at Ron, whose face was pale with worry. "I'm fine," she whispered, though the doubt in her voice was evident.
Ron didn't respond. He just held her hand tighter, as though he feared letting go might mean losing her to something he couldn't protect her from.
The room had fallen into a tense silence after Lupin's reassuring words. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows across the stone walls, and the atmosphere grew heavier with each passing second. Hermione's heart raced, her mind spinning as she tried to comprehend what was about to be revealed. Ron's grip on her hand tightened, as if sensing her unease, though he remained oblivious to the storm brewing around them.
"Let's take it one step at a time," Lupin said gently, his calm voice cutting through the thick tension. His reassuring presence was a small comfort to Hermione, but it did little to quell the growing knot of fear in her stomach. "We'll get to the bottom of this. You're not alone in this, Hermione."
But Madam Pomfrey, standing near the foot of Hermione's bed, gave a small shake of her head, her expression more serious than anyone had expected. "I'm afraid it's not as simple as that," she said, her voice laced with hesitation. "What you have is something… different, and it's going to have some repercussions."
Ron, who had been silent, suddenly paled. He exchanged a worried glance with Hermione, his face growing even more pale than before. "What do you mean?" Hermione asked, her voice barely above a whisper. The fear in her tone was evident as she braced herself for the worst. "Is it serious?"
Pomfrey hesitated, her gaze softening slightly as she looked at Hermione. "Not for your health," she said slowly, as though choosing each word with great care, "but for your life."
Hermione blinked in confusion, unable to process the meaning of those words. For her life? She glanced at Ron, who looked equally bewildered, then back at Madam Pomfrey, feeling the rising panic in her chest. "I—I don't understand…" she stammered.
"Poppy, please be clearer!" McGonagall interjected, her stern voice breaking the uneasy silence. The Headmistress stood with her arms crossed, her piercing eyes fixed on the nurse, clearly frustrated by the cryptic explanation.
Pomfrey let out a deep sigh, her shoulders slumping slightly as she prepared to deliver the news. "Apparently," she began, her eyes briefly flicking toward Harry, "Mr. Potter's friends are just like him… doing the same things. Just as Mr. Potter is going to be a father…"
Harry's eyes widened in shock, his heart skipping a beat. What? His mind raced with confusion, and he could feel his stomach drop. What had Ron and Hermione done?
Pomfrey didn't leave much time for speculation. "…It seems Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger have wasted no time in following suit."
The silence that followed was deafening, like the room itself was holding its breath. Every person in the room froze, processing what had just been said. McGonagall's lips parted in disbelief, Lupin's brows shot up, and Harry, still reeling from the news about himself, felt the floor tilt under his feet.
But none of that compared to Ron's expression. His face remained a mask of confusion, completely unaware of the bombshell that had just been dropped.
"Mrs. Pomfrey," Ron said, his voice full of confusion, "I don't understand."
Madam Pomfrey looked at him directly, her tone softening slightly, though the weight of her words was still heavy. "Ron," she began carefully, "do you remember what happened after the twins' wedding… in your room?"
Ron blinked, caught off guard by the question. He thought back, his ears flushing red at the memory, a mixture of embarrassment and happiness crossing his face as he remembered that night. "Yeah," he said slowly, his voice a bit uncertain but with a faint smile. "I remember."
Hermione's heart pounded in her chest as she squeezed Ron's hand, her eyes glistening with both fear and anticipation. She turned to face him, her breath shaky as she spoke the words that would change everything.
"You've… left me pregnant."
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