Chapter One - The Morning After
The next morning, Hermione awoke abruptly. She clutched the blankets closer against the early morning chill, and wondered what had woken her up so suddenly. Then she remembered the events of last night, and jumped out of bed.
"Harry?" She called throughout the house, hoping she would find her husband safe and sound, possibly even trying to make breakfast for her as he normally had on special occasions.
"Mistress, Master Harry Potter has not returned from Hogwarts," Dobby explained. Though Hermione still insisted that House-elves were slave labor, Harry had been unsuccessful at tearing Dobby's loyalty to him, so Hermione allowed him to stay, but gave him generous benefits.
"Tell me the minute he comes home." Hermione felt weak and prayed that Harry would be safe.
"I'm afraid he can't do that." Ron stepped out of the kitchen.
"Ron, what are you doing here? What do you mean, he can't do that?" Hermione questioned her old friend.
Ron's eyes were bloodshot, and it looked as though he had been crying all night. His face sported a dark purple bruise around his eye and several scratches along his neck. A sling was supported his left arm, and his clothes were in tatters. "Hermione, we lost," he choked out.
"Lost? What - what happened?" Hermione didn't want to believe what Ron was saying.
"There were too many. The Death Eaters overpowered us. Most of us were able to escape, except -" Ron took a deep breath and tried to hold back his tears. "Charlie suffered a pretty nasty curse and St. Mungo's still isn't sure whether he'll make it, and Harry -" This time, tears did fall. "Harry's dead."
Hermione stood there and had to grope for the nearby couch, trying not to faint. "No, it can't be true."
Ron looked at her with sadness. "You-Know-Who kept torturing him with the Cruciatus Curse. We tried to help him, but there were just too many Death Eaters. After he stopped struggling, they all Disapparated. It was chaos for a while, everyone running around to see who needed what care. By the time we got to Harry, he was gone. Someone must have taken the b- him. We just don't know who," Ron explained with relative calmness, but didn't know how he could comfort his grieving friend.
"Is there a chance - could he still be alive?" Hermione just couldn't grasp that her husband was gone, that he would never return.
"Do you think they would have left if he was still alive?" Ron knew he had to help her accept the truth. Hermione broke down. Her sobs became hysterical, and she clutched her stomach as though to shield the child within from the horrible truth, that he or she would never have a father.
A few moments later, a loud "pop" alerted them that someone had just Apparated into the house. Hermione looked up and watched Arthur Weasley put his arms around her and pull her properly onto the couch.
"I'm sure Ron has already told you the horrible events of last night. I hope you will also understand the new security measures that must be taken to protect you," Arthur explained.
"And the baby," Hermione whispered.
Arthur and Ron's faces expressed a mild surprise, then joy for her. "Yes, your child would be in grave danger if You-Know-Who ever found out about it. That is why we are suggesting a Fidelus Charm. Do you know how that works?"
Hermione nodded, remembering the conversation she had overheard all those years ago in the Three Broomsticks about Sirius Black. "Who will be my Secret Keeper?"
"That's for you to decide. Choose wisely. The best person is someone you trust, but are not particularly close to. That way it makes it harder for him to find."
Hermione searched her brain, looking for someone she could trust. The Weasleys were an obvious choice, but too obvious for their safety. An old teacher perhaps? That was too obvious for her as well. Then she thought of the perfect Secret Keeper. "Parvati Patil."
Ron gave her a confused look. "Why Parvati?"
"She is someone I know I can trust, but she and I haven't spoken since school. Exactly what we're looking for, right Mr. Weasley?" Hermione looked over at Arthur.
"Of course, she'll be perfect. Come Ron, we have to warn Parvati. Hermione, would you like to remain in this house?"
Hermione nodded immediately. Grimmauld Place was the only home she and Harry had ever had, though he had been fixing up Godric's Hollow to live where his parents did. "This is my home."
"Very well. The charm will be performed as quickly as possible. Until then, remain inside the house. Don't let anyone inside, okay?" Arthur ordered as he prepared to exit.
"Okay. Thank you," Hermione replied.
Ron pulled her into one last comforting hug. "I'm so sorry," he whispered, then Disapparated along with his father.
"Would Mistress like her breakfast?" Dobby crept up behind her and inquired.
"No Dobby, not now. I'd like to be alone for a little while." As Dobby silently left, Hermione sank down onto the couch, and allowed the tears to leave her eyes silently.