Chapter 6
"Hermione are you ok?" Harry asked looking at his wife with deep concern. The last couple of days, he'd kept a close watch on her. Luna promised him Hermione would be fine, but she was always drifting off in her own thoughts, and seemed to be preoccupied with something.
"I'm fine Harry. Stop asking me that," she replied, looking back down at the parchment in front of her.
Harry kept staring at her as she fidgeted and scratched her head. Something was wrong. He huffed to himself and went back to his own research on Coogle's election. He knew his wife and he knew before she drank that poison she was alright. Now she seemed spaced out and confused a bit. He was convinced Coogle had something to do with it, Death Eaters or not. Hermione and Ron tried to tell him it was obvious that whoever poisoned Hermione worked with Crabbe and Goyle and probably even helped them escape but Harry couldn't shake the feeling Coogle was involved. He just had no proof. Truth be told, he didn't know why any of this was happening. Regardless of them being Death Eaters, they weren't dumb, Voldemort was dead. Would they still be stupid enough to attack a Muggle neighborhood in broad daylight?
Harry you're being stupid… he thought. He felt as if he should have taken precautions and kept Hermione safe. He was so caught up in catching Coogle; he didn't estimate the real danger. The lingering hatred of those he defeated. Harry shut his book bitterly. Now Hermione was paying for his carelessness again. Like before. Poison? An attack? What were they playing at? He was concerned about the elements in the poison and Luna hadn't been able to give any answers.
Hermione looked over at Harry. She watched as he propped his chin on the palm of his hand and tap his fingers on his closed book. His black hair was sticking up in all directions as usual, and she couldn't help but wonder would their baby be cursed with his rebellion mane or her frizzy one. That subject had seemed to completely take over her mind now. What her bushy raven-haired baby with green eyes, glasses, and a lopsided smile would be like.
She knew she didn't care what attributes it had, she would love it. It made sense now, for the past few weeks, eight to be precise, she had been feeling achy, and the last few weeks she had be nauseous. Ron had commented on her pale skin, but it was just like before the war, Hermione simply thought she had worried herself sick. She threw up at Malfoy Manor. Draco's... Suddenly a sense of dread came over her. Her baby. Harry's baby.
With everything going on, she hadn't been able to let that fully soak in. She was going to be a mother. And suddenly, the need to protect her baby became overwhelming. She placed a protective hand over her stomach. No one was going to hurt her baby. Even if she had to kill them herself, she was going to protect Harry and her baby.
"-And there's no mention of him going to Drumstrand or anywhere else for that matter." Harry finished. She blinked up at him, confused, wondering when he had started talking to her.
Harry waited for her to respond but she looked back down at the page he was pointing at and back at him. He asked again. "Well? What do you think of that?"
"Of what?" she stammered out.
"Haven't you been listening? It's odd, but it's almost as if he has no magical education."
Hermione frowned. "That's impossible Harry. He's the Minister of Magic. He must have some sort of exception magical reference. Perhaps he wasn't in the war but he worked in intelligence. Or maybe he went to an American school. Are you still so sure it's Coogle?"
Harry stared at her and sighed heavily. "I don't know. How did those Death Eaters get out? Azkaban is supposed to be this fortress, this impenetrable place."
"Well Sirius got out, so..."
"Yeah but that was different. This is Crabbe and Goyle. And why did they attack that Muggle neighborhood? Why weren't there Aurors on scene? Not to mention Coogle's history is very vague. I've got nothing."
Hermione frowned and looked back at the parchment again. "I don't know what spell Draco used but it's unbreakable."
She watched her husband slam the book down and get up, pacing the floor. "Dead ends! Everything's a blasted dead end!"
Hermione jumped at Harry's outburst as he walked back and forth. For a moment she studied him, realizing that he looked so young, but at the same time he looked worn out. Her heart bled for her husband at that moment. She suddenly felt a little nauseated and covered her mouth. Stupid morning sickness.
Harry looked at her and went to her side, kneeling beside his weak wife. "Are you okay? I'm sorry I yelled. Should I go get Luna?"
"No, I'm-I'm fine." She mumbled.
He frowned and stood up, looking down at her. "Why don't you go lay down? I have to go pay someone a visit."
"Now?"
"Yes, I can fix you some tea or something before I go."
Hermione nodded in agreement. She needed rest, the baby needed rest.
"I'll go have a lie in, but I don't need tea. Who are you going to see?" she asked as she stood, about to go to her room.
Harry's eyes darkened for a minute. "Draco. Maybe Malfoy knows something."
He then disappeared with a soft pop, leaving Hermione wondering what Harry might do to Malfoy and why she hadn't opened her mouth and told him she was pregnant yet.
Wand drawn, Draco swung around and pointed right at Harry's scar. "I'm not in the mood Potter."
Harry's wand was also drawn, pointed at Draco's heart. "Neither am I."
The two men stared angrily at each other, before they both eased their defensive stances and lowered their wands. Draco had heard the door slam, and spun around instantaneously. He knew it was Potter, but he didn't know why he was there.
Draco walked back behind his desk and slumped unceremoniously in his chair. He was tired and had a splitting headache. All day he had done everything in his power to avoid the Minister; he didn't need shit from Harry to top it off. "Look, I got the Minister on my ass about this attack. I really don't have time to deal with you. What are you here for?"
He could see anger still in Harry's eyes, but Harry was trying hard not to hex the hell out of Malfoy, as he sat there acting as he did nothing wrong.
"I don't know, poison anyone's wife lately?"
"What are you on about Potter?" Draco snorted at the accusation.
Harry's lightening fast reflexes shocked him as he grabbed Draco roughly by the robes in complete surprise. He jerked him up out the chair and over his desk, shaking him. "Don't act as if you don't know what I'm talking about! Did you poison Hermione to get to me? Now she's sick and I want to know what you gave her!"
Draco tried to pry himself from Harry's grip. "What?! I didn't-!"
Harry's anger was seething and the atmosphere grew dark. Draco sputtered to calm him down. "Look, I don't know what you're talking about, I swear!"
Harry's voice was dangerously low and he growled through clenched teeth. "I could end you right now."
"You're inside the Ministry of Magic. Don't be stupid, Potter. Let me go and tell me what happened so I can help." He held his pointed chin up to show he didn't fear Harry, even if it was a lie.
Harry's green eyes had turned a dark forest green, but Draco saw them lighten as Harry's grip on his robes loosened. He dropped back in his chair and Harry back away from the desk.
"You've wrinkled my robes." Draco spat vainly, straightening his disheveled garments.
"You tell me now."
Draco caught his breath and looked at Harry. "When did this happen?"
Harry didn't reply right off, he glared at him for a long time, studying his expression. He processed Draco's reaction. He seemed confused, surprised. And for whatever reason, Harry believed him. What the hell?!
"Three days ago in a Muggle café. You know, where your stupid Death Eater buddies attacked. Someone poisoned her tea. She's been disoriented and Luna can't figure out what it is. She's better now but still a bit wonky."
"Was she hit with anything?"
"No. Where was the cavalry, Auror Malfoy?" Harry fumed sarcastically. "Luna said she didn't see any Aurors and had to leave with Hermione in a Muggle ambulance." Harry clenched his fist as Draco stood next to him. He was going to kill him.
"Why do you think I've got my wand in a knot Potter? I didn't even know about the attack until later that day and even then, the department was too short staffed to get anyone out there! Do you see now Potter, what we're up against?"
"Not my problem!" Harry spat.
"Of course not Potter. Yet here you are, demanding answers… what are her symptoms?"
"She was unconscious for several hours, she's been ill, weak looking, pale, and dazed. Not very talkative."
"Well that might be a blessing." Draco muttered before he could help himself. He jumped back and looked at a very perturbed Harry. "What do you want from me?"
"The two Death Eaters. Luna and Hermione said they were Crabbe and Goyle's fathers?"
Malfoy nodded. "I still haven't figured out how they escaped or where they are hiding."
"Are they the only ones?"
This caused Malfoy snap and he shouted annoyed at Harry. "Is this an interrogation? I've got two good Aurors detained because of some stupid breach at Azkaban! I have the Minister ready to sack me, I have you threatening me at every turn…and I still have to go home and deal with Ginny!"
"I want to protect my wife! And I could give two shits about your issues when I'm pretty got-damned sure you have the answers I'm looking for!" Harry screamed back.
Both men glowered dangerously at each other, daring the other to blink. It was Draco who regained his composure.
"Well you wasted a trip. I'm not good at deciphering poisons." Draco scratched his chin. "But I know someone who is. We have to go downstairs and get a professional opinion."
Harry shook his head. "I don't want any of your Ministry goons near my wife."
Draco opened his office door and sneered. "Well you might not mind this one. He's one of your comrades. Witless I like to call him. You however call him Neville Longbottom."
"Harry!" A chipper voice screeched and a tall Neville Longbottom came charging at Harry. He wore lab robes and had weird goggles on as he approached a schoolmate he hadn't seen since the war ended.
Harry gave a smile, it was good to see Neville, and he was in his element, a lab filled with curious plant life. Neville stopped short and glared at a very annoyed Draco Malfoy. He'll never forget the torture Malfoy inflicted on him during Hogwarts, Auror or no.
"It's been a long time, Harry."
Harry nodded and reached out to give his friend a hug. "Yes it has."
"How's Hermione? Ron? Luna?"
Harry's face dropped as he started to speak but Malfoy who was anxious to leave, spoke first. "Touching reunion, maybe you two can shag later, but can we get on with it?"
Neville and Harry shot a nasty look at Malfoy. Harry turned back to Neville. "Shut it Malfoy. I need you help Neville."
"Anything. You know that Harry."
Malfoy stood aside, swatting at a plant trying to eat his robes while Harry explained. "Hermione's been poisoned. She's okay, but I want to know what they used because she's off a bit. She passed out inside a muggle café, but Luna got her to wake up."
"Why would someone poison Hermione?" Neville asked, pulling his goggles off his face.
Harry frowned. "Didn't you hear? Death Eaters have escaped Azkaban. Crabbe and Goyle. They attacked a muggle café, the same one Hermione and Luna were in."
Neville's face flushed. "What? Well obviously the Ministry is on it! I mean, of course I haven't heard about it, I'm always holed up in this stupid lab…are you alright? Is Hermione hurt?"
Harrysighed. "She's a bit off. Staring into space and the sort. I want you to come do some tests on Hermione. The drug is obviously still in her system."
Neville looked worriedly at Harry. "Luna's a healer, she has no idea what it was?"
Harry shrugged. "She's been watching her and monitoring her. As far as I know, Luna said she'd recover. But I sense maybe Luna's unsure herself, she's been a little more off than usual as well. It was some draught or something in her tea. Can you help us? I have to protect her, they will come after me, and she's the best way to get to me."
"Of course," Neville replied, shaking his head. He turned to Malfoy. "But Harry, if Death Eaters are coming after you, why is he here? Can you trust him?"
Draco was about to say something nasty when Harry interjected. "I have no idea. But Malfoy has been helpful a bit."
"You just complimented me Potter." Malfoy stated with a grin. He swatted at the stupid plant again.
"Plus," Harry said staring at Malfoy, "He can be used as bait."
Ginny pressed the buzzer once and walked towards the front foyer. She hated when people would show up unannounced or when Draco wasn't there. Not that they got many visitors, but she hated it all the same. With a swift move, she opened the front door and hid her displeasure by plastering on the fakest widest smile she could muster. In front of her stood an older man, tipping his hat at her, smiling back.
"Can I help you?" she asked, taken back by the man a bit.
He reached out a hand and she offered it, to which he planted a small kiss.
"Cassius Coogle. Minister of Magic. Is Mr. Malfoy here?"
Ginny shook her head, really surprised that the Minister was at her door, nevertheless speaking with her. "N-no."
He kept smiling brightly and she realized she had not invited him in, even though he already knew his purpose for visiting was not available. Ginny stepped back and gestured for him to enter.
"My, what an enchanting manor you have. Are you the young Mrs. Malfoy?" he asked turning around to face her after he stepped in the foyer.
Ginny gave a nervous laugh. "N-no. I'm Ginny Weasley. Draco and I went to school together."
Coogle's grin grew wider and it began to bother Ginny a bit. How could anyone smile so much? But she put her own smile back.
"Weasley. I seem to remember a few Weasleys in the Ministry. Arthur Weasley and Percy Weasley."
"My father and my brother," She nodded, "retired."
"Yes, excellent family. A real gift to the wizarding community."
His voice was getting annoying a bit. It wasn't that he had a booming ear rattling voice, in actually his voice was calm and smooth, but something tingled Ginny's ear and made her a bit uncomfortable.
"Thank you. Well, I'm sorry you missed Draco, perhaps you can give me a message and I can tell him you called?"
The man's smile falter a bit and he took his hat in his hands, his peppered hair laid flat perfectly. "Yes, it was urgent I speak with Mr. Malfoy."
"I thought he was at work today, perhaps you missed him?"
The man nodded his head, his eyes darting from every corner of the room. "Yes…perhaps. He's a diligent Auror, very dedicated to his work. So dedicated, I'm almost sure he brings it home."
Ginny studied his face. That almost seemed as if it were a question rather than a statement. She would hate to answer it and Draco be pissed off, especially if it got him in trouble. "Well I'm sure he would appreciate the compliment."
She watched as the older man looked away from her, the ceiling obviously still important to him. "Yes, well… perhaps I did miss him at the office. He is a field Auror after all. No need in telling Mr. Malfoy I stopped by. He's very busy right now with all the awfulness happening…"
Awfulness? Ginny thought to herself and she meant to ask what that meant but Coogle walked briskly to the door.
"…You take care dear child. Be safe. Stay ever vigilant!"
Ginny smiled and reached out to shake the man's hand as he turned to leave. She was a little relieved, he made her uneasy. "Of course. It was a pleasure Minister Coogle."
He nodded and tipped his top hat. "Call me Cassius dear girl. It was a pleasure to meet you…Ginny."
Neville smiled at Hermione, exposing his newly straight and normal sized teeth. He then turned back to his chart and waved his wand.
"Doxycide."
Harry and Hermione looked at each other. "What?"
"Doxycide," Neville repeated. "Generally used for knocking out those annoying Doxies-"
Hermione nodded and closed her eyes. The children had used it at Grimmauld place to get rid of the infestation of Doxies once. "Yes, Neville, I know what it is, but why would someone use that on me?"
"They didn't want to kill you obviously. It's harmless really. Just knocks you out for a while. That explains the disorientation you had at first. However, I don't think nausea is a side effect."
Hermione bit her lip as she saw Neville's eyes flicker. Damn he knew. Might as well tell Harry before the Daily Prophet put it in print. Harry was about to ask something when Hermione interrupted. "Neville, can I have a moment with Harry?"
Neville cheerfully nodded and collected his testing kit, walking out to the Potter's lounge.
Harry shut the bedroom door and looked at his wife concerned. "What's wrong? He said it's not fatal or anything."
Hermione was trying her best to muster courage. But all she saw was a scared black haired man in front of her; with so much on him that she was afraid he would break from the pressure of it. Luna had spent hours, days even, trying to convince her Harry would be happy, would be ecstatic about the news. And rightfully Hermione should have agreed, she knew Harry better than anyone, even himself, so why did she doubt him at this moment?
Harry touched her hand and Hermione looked into his green eyes. She smiled slightly. Here goes nothing. "It's not the poison that's making me sick."
"Yeah, Neville just said he didn't think it was a side affect, they could have mixed it with something-"
"-Harry-"
"Or, they could have poured that in and then jinxed your cup for extra measure-"
"-Harry-" Hermione continued to try to stop his ranting.
"-Or they could have-"
"HARRY!"
Harry frowned and bit his lip as Hermione took another deep breath.
"I'm pregnant."
At that moment, she looked squarely at her husband, waiting for whatever response she could get, a change in atmosphere, a shriek of happiness, a sound of disappointment, anything. Instead Harry just stared at her, blinking.
"Did you hear me Harry?"
More blinking.
"Harry?"
He nodded slowly, his face flushed and his eyes vacant. "Huh?"
"I know this isn't the best timing-" Hermione started to speak but Harry's lips crashed down so hard on hers; she almost fell off the bed. He climbed on top of her, kissing her passionately and holding her. Hermione's arms went flailing until she gripped the back of his neck for balance and kissed him back. Their snogging session went on for several minutes until Harry broke away and looked at her.
"Oh god, are you alright? I mean, did I hurt the baby? Wow...this is...I mean...my boys can swim." He said gleefully.
This caused Hermione to giggle. "Crude but yes darling. They can."
"How… how far?"
"About 10 weeks."
"That long?"
"Well a lot's been happening. And I didn't want any more stress. I'm sorry." She whimpered out, wondering if she had just hurt him with that revelation. "I didn't even notice myself, I was so wound up with the bookstore and then these weird things stared happening."
Harry quieted and looked down at his hands. He could tell, she knew for awhile. She knew and hadn't told him. "How long have you known?"
"After the attack. Luna told me. I just...I didn't want to worry you."
"Worry me? Hermione…" he began to plant soft kisses on her cheeks and face.
"It's just this all this chaos. I don't want anything else to be on your plate Harry."
She placed her hands on both sides of Harry's face and got him to look at her. "Are you happy?"
He nodded and smiled widely. "You have no idea. Don't ever think this is a burden for me. I'm only afraid I might not deserve all...this."
"How can you say that?" she asked a tear falling from her cheek. She knew Harry had lost so much, and even their love seemed surreal to him. But she thought he was past that now.
Harry sat up and pulled her up also, wrapping a protective arm around her. "I don't know how to be a father. I'm just learning how to be a husband."
"Well," Hermione said as she laid her head on his shoulder. "You're doing a smashing job so far."
This made Harry chuckle. "I always wondered how I got so lucky. I mean after the murdering rampage of a dark lord destroying everything in my life, I really do wonder how I got lucky enough to have what we have."
She smiled up at him, but his face turned blank, it seem to sadden a little.
"I don't know how a father should be. I've only seen Uncle Vernon be a father. Of course Mr. Weasley also, but…I only know how Uncle Vernon treated me. I don't want to do that to our baby."
"Harry, those wretched people shouldn't have been allowed a goldfish much less a child." Hermione remarked.
Harry shook his head. "I'm so afraid that I'm going to screw this up. I can't screw this up. I can't let anything happen to you. You're my everything."
Hermione studied his face and nodded. "I know you won't. I don't doubt that for a second."
They were both quiet for a moment, contemplated how their lives would change when Ron's head poked through the door, followed by Neville, and Luna.
"Oh good, you aren't shagging! Apparently you've been doing that enough haven't you!"
Harry and Hermione laughed at Ron and everyone piled in to give Hermione a hug, while Malfoy sauntered to the door and watched everyone giggling like idiots.
"Excellent news, " He sneered as the group turned to him annoyed, "You just made a bad situation worse by throwing a Potter spawn in it."