Harry and Hermione -- Their Sixth Year II

Chapter VI

Technically, desks as well as tables in the library were available on a 'first come, first served' basis. In reality, some of the desks were granted to hard-working researchers. Usually, these were Ravenclaws. It was not unknown, however, for a few students from the other Houses to be ceded one.

Hermione had had the same one since her Third year, when she had been researching a defence for Buckbeak, the hippogryff. While Harry was taking his quiz and dueling in the dungeon, Hermione was planning on working on five different research projects in the nearly deserted library.

So engrossed was she within minutes that she jumped a little when she finally noticed a shadow looking over her shoulder. "Professor Snape?" she asked in surprise, when she'd managed to look up.

"Miss Granger." Snape sat down in a chair next to her. "Were you aware that taking some books in the restricted section off the shelves cause a notice to be sent to various members of the staff?"

"No, I wasn't," she answered calmly.

Snape reached past her and gently pulled a thin volume out from underneath one of the piles of books on the back of the desk. "This is one. Have you found the answers you were looking for?" He glanced at it. "The Wedding Night Potion: A History of Why Witches Wait." He glanced at her.

"I'm not certain. I mean, it's difficult to believe that it has to be . . . that blood. Chemically, why should it be different?"

"I'm not certain if it is different or not, and if it is, why. There may be a different concentration of hormones present, or it may come from the flow of magical energy, or both. May I ask why this is a concern?"

Hermione flushed a little. "It's not what you probably think."

"That would be good to know. I approve of this movement you have helped to start, bringing a greater awareness of wizarding culture to Muggle-borns. It would be . . . good to know your interest isn't merely academic."

"It's not. Not in general, or in this case." Hermione had to think several moments (since she was still rather tired from the extra work she was putting into this and into ideas to help Harry defeat Voldemort, run the DA, and all her other projects, done on top of her immaculate studying) and then addressed Professor Snape. "Voldemort has put a price on your head."

"True." Now that Snape had been proven a traitor, Voldemort wanted Snape rather badly.

"What would you do if you met some woman and fell in love with her over the next few months? When everything is still up in the air and you're a hunted man?"

"I rather doubt I shall ever fall in love again, Miss Granger. However, let's agree to your supposition. We might decide, with the end of our world perhaps at hand, to be . . . impetuous."

"Possibly," Hermione agreed, "but wouldn't you be more likely to put some things off, like children if not marriage, under those circumstances?"

"Probably," Snape agreed. "Go on."

"But she would really like to have your child, if not now, then in the future. Even if you do not survive."

Snape looked puzzled. "How. . . ?"

"Oh, Muggles have been able to do that with farm animals since the 1940s, if not earlier, and developed more advanced ways of helping mothers conceive back in the 1970s."

"Really?" Snape seemed both interested and impressed.

"Really. Shall I gather some information for you?"

"Yes, thank you." He looked at her. "So, you intend. . . ?"

"I intend to take Harry to a clinic I know of, where he will donate at least two samples over time. If Harry defeats Voldemort, but is killed, or is killed by His forces later on, and I survive, I will have Harry's child later on. I believe I have a method to create the Wedding Night Potion, and to make it effective, at least enough to promote the odds of our having a magical child, even if Harry and I do not have a wedding night."

Snape looked at Hermione strangely. At last, he stood up. "I doubt if that need ever be a concern of any child the two of you might have. If you need guardians to accompany you, for Potter's protection, I will be available over the holidays. I will also loan you a more detailed work."

"Thank you. Will you be riding the train on Saturday?"

Snape actually smiled. "I will be now. Good afternoon, Miss Granger." He left to make the dueling match.

Hermione shook her head. 'Not even Luna would believe this!'

Harry came out of his dueling exhausted and slightly bruised. Hermione had met him at the entrance to the dungeons and guided him into her hide-away, where they could enjoy a long soak in the tub, and then Harry was able to have a short nap before dinner.

After dinner, Harry had no choice but to study. He had to study anatomy, as they were having a test the next morning on all the muscles, tendons, and cartilage, and how they connected. A score of 90% was required to carry-on through the next term in the course. There was also a major test on transfiguration theory that would require more thinking, if slightly less memorization.

When Harry stumbled out of the Medical class the next day, he was mentally exhausted. Hermione had finished early, and was waiting for him. "How do you think you did?" she asked. "I'm certain I did well on the anatomy, I mean, I've been studying that since I knicked . . . err, borrowed some of my parents' books when I was nine. But I'm not certain how complete my answer was to that third transfiguration question. . . ."

As Hermione prattled on, a tired Harry managed to lead her around a corner. Seeing they were alone, Harry grabbed Hermione and kissed her firmly as she was trying to explain the connections only she could see between the transfiguration theories and their anatomy lessons for the eighth time in the last two days.

Hermione gave a muffled 'squack' sound as she tried to keep up the explanation, but she quickly realized what was happening. Hermione wrapped her arms around Harry and returned the kiss with deep enthusiasm.

They surfaced back into reality a few minutes later. "I was doing it again, wasn't I?" Hermione said apologetically. She knew Harry and Ron hated it when she recapped exams in detail.

Harry kissed Hermione's nose and just smiled. Hermione hugged Harry again, and laid her head against his chest and smiled back. This was a much nicer way of ending her talking than picking a fight, which Ron had used to shut her up.

"Shall we have an early lunch, so we can cuddle before we practice with Mistress Merry?" Harry asked.

"Cuddling only," Hermione said. "I think it's time I told you about an idea I have for Saturday."

Harry stared at Hermione at amazement.

"Harry, could you at least blink?"

Harry blinked. Once.

"Are you alright?"

"You . . . you're serious?"

Hermione smiled gently, and stroked the underside of Harry's jaw. "Yes, Harry. I'm serious. If I survive, I am determined to have your children, or at least child. Not soon. Not next year or the year after. But someday. If it's alright with you."

"Wow." Harry was stunned, to say the least. "Is it legal?" Harry finally asked. "I mean, considering we're underage?"

"My uncle runs the clinic," Hermione stated. "He's the only person in my family, besides my parents, who knows about magic. He knows about you, even though he doesn't know that the girl is me. And I trust him not to tell Mum and Dad when he figures it all out."

"And how does he know about magic?" Harry asked.

"Well, he was tickling me the spring before we started school, and I got mad and his hair fell out."

"All at once?"

Hermione nodded. "Even his mustache, eye brows, and, well, apparently everything. We got a visit from the Ministry that afternoon, and they explained about magic. My parents convinced them not to Obliviate him."

Harry was still too shocked to go into the details of why Hermione would wish such a thing. "How will we get there?" he finally asked.

"I talked with Professor Dumbledore yesterday. We'll take the Underground from the station to the clinic, and then go from the clinic to a few stores. After shopping, we take a taxi to Grimmauld Place. He said as long as we take Tonks or Snape along, there's no problem. Tonks agreed, and Snape will be coming along, too."

Harry looked at Hermione in horror. "You . . . you mean Tonks and SNAPE are going to know I'm going to . . . to be in some little room and . . . well, into some little cup?"

"I hadn't thought of that," Hermione admitted. "But please, for me, Harry?" She batted her eyes. "If you do, we can try to blend our magics together over the holiday. We'll stop at a chemist pick up some lubricant, and we can finally try Greek. We can try both! You've wanted to do both since August."

The images flowed through Harry's mind, and he would have agreed to almost anything.

Both Harry and Hermione had made some strides in wandless magic. Spells which needed complicated wand-work were well beyond them (and nearly all other practitioners for that matter). Both had made great strides in summonsing spells and shields, however.

At the end of the lessons, Mistress Merry praised them, and then told them, "I shall not be seeing you Thursday. I may see you Sunday, when I help escort Miss Hermione's parents to your home." She smiled at Hermione. "When I come to take them back, I hope to see that lovely ring on the correct hand."

"What was that about?" Harry asked after the old witch had left.

"Once I tell my parents about us, well. . . ."

"You'll move the ring from your right hand to the left?"

"I'm going to consider it, anyway, if you wouldn't mind."

"I won't." They left together to supervise some of the younger students' independent defense work.

Hermione spent Wednesday morning going through the stacks of books she had from the library. She was shocked to find she had 117 books checked out. She knew she was well-over the limit (25), but hadn't realized how much she had taken advantage of the special permission the Headmaster had allowed her that year. Hermione finally returned 93 of the books, and requested permission to take six with her on vacation. Madam Pince wrinkled her nose, but agreed.

For once, Hermione was glad she didn't have that much class work to do over the vacation. There was no new work for Charms, Medicine, Transfiguration, Care, or Defense, only review. She would have a translation for Runes/Ancient Languages and some Arithmancy, but not too much. She had her own research projects, and wanted to spend some real time with her parents as well as with Harry.

After lunch, the entire Medical class made their way towards the Infirmary. There were twelve students in the class, and came from each House. Neville, Harry, and Hermione were pushed towards the front when they saw the grades weren't posted yet. "One of you three should ask," Zabini stated.

"Why us?" Neville demanded.

"Granger has done the best in anatomy," Tracy Davis told them, "and you always have the answers whenever Granger doesn't get to answer." Neville smiled nervously at that -- he knew he didn't usually test well, no matter how well he knew the information.

"And Potter, you've been in the Infirmary more than anyone else," Blaise drawled, "you MUST have made friends by now."

"Fine," Harry growled. He came out a few minutes later with a handful of folded parchments.

"Let's wait and open them together," Susan said, anxiously. Everyone nodded nervously.

Harry passed them out. "Abbott, Bones, Boot, Davis, Finch-Fletchley, Goldstein, Granger, Longbottom, Macmillan, Turpin, Zabini."

Everyone looked and sighed. They stared at each other with averted eyes.

"Oh, bother," Hermione said. She opened the paper, and everyone else did the same. Every gave a small sigh of relief.

"We all made it?" Hannah asked.

"Two hundred and seventy out of three hundred," Neville said. "Just made it." Everyone announced their scores, and they had all made it. Ernie and Tracy had also both just made it. Harry was satisfied with his 279. Hermione had had the only perfect score.

"So, are we going to need some of this for Defense?" Susan teased. All the Medical people except for Tracy were in the N.E.W.T. Defense class. Harry was scheduled to test everyone's mutual shield spells, while Professor Law supervised.

"That's up to you," Harry retorted. "With Law looking on, I certainly can't pull my punches."

"And I suppose you can't tell us which hexes you're going to use?" Ernie asked.

"Nothing Unforgivable," Harry said with an evil smile. "And you all get tested separately."

"You're a right bastard, Potter," Seamus growled late that afternoon.

"We practiced all those hexes," Harry protested to his fellow Gryffindors. "You each defeated them! I picked hexes I thought you would all beat and look really good doing it!"

"Sorry we let you down," Lavender almost snarled. "I don't think Law was impressed when I landed on my arse."

Harry sighed. Seamus, unable to keep an idea unexpressed, said, "I'm sure he was very impressed by your arse."

In part to divert Lavender's wrath, and in part to defend himself, Harry quickly said, "You all completely blocked at least three hexes, and nobody completely blocked all five."

"Did your stinger get everyone?" Neville asked. That had been the one spell he hadn't completely blocked.

"Yes," Harry answered, "and I don't understand that. I've seen you all block them before; even last year you all blocked them!"

Neville smiled, and took them into an unused classroom. "Parvati, fling a stinger against the far wall."

Parvati looked thoughtful, but did as she was told. A small bluish-indigo blob went from her wand to the wall, hitting with a splat!

"Ron, you do it."

Ron shrugged, and a slightly smaller, faster, and more indigo blob was flung to the wall, hitting with a slightly higher-sounding splat. Neville then performed the same spell, and an even smaller, faster blob of pure indigo raced across the room. SPLAT!

"Now you, Harry."

Faster than the eye could really follow, a spot of purplish-indigo whizzed acorss the room. SPLAT! It actually left a small mark on the wall.

"You saw us stop OUR stingers, Harry. You've become a lot more powerful than any of us. Our shields couldn't handle yours."

Harry flushed. "Sorry," he mumbled.

"Don't be silly," Parvati told him.

"We're GLAD you're getting so powerful," Lavender agreed.

"Just don't demonstrate it on us too often," Dean put in.

For Harry, Thursday and Friday were busy days, although as far as Hogwarts was concerned he merely had to pack his clothes and study materials. He had never appreciated how much work it was to organize a household. Hermione, Dean, and Colin would be at Grimmauld Place the entire two week period, and both Tonks and Lupin probably would be as well. Ginny and Luna would be there most of the time. Ron and Henrietta would be splitting their time between Grimmauld Place and the safe house the Ministry was providing the Weasleys. The Grangers, the Weasleys, and perhaps even Bill, Fleur, and the twins would be spending part of their time with Harry, and Order members would be dropping in at unexpected times. Dumbledore had even mentioned that he and his brother would try to spend Christmas Eve with Harry.

All this meant Harry and Dobby had to decide on meals, seating and bedding arrangements, et cetera. Harry was thankful that Percy hadn't fully reconciled with his parents, and would be spending Christmas with Penny's parents (who were a well-hidden Muggle and a Squib) and that Charlie wouldn't make it either.

Saturday, December 21, 1996

This was the first time Harry had left on the train for the winter break. Most of the younger students, especially the first years, were really excited to be going home. The older students were quiet, worried about the dangers they were going into, and that their parents had been living with since September at the least.

There was a strong adult presence: Lupin; Law; Powell; Snape; Hagrid (who was going on to France for the holiday); and Flitwick were aboard, as were Tonks and three other aurors.

Harry and his seven friends from the summer were in one compartment. Ron spent most of the ride trying to pry the purpose of Harry and Hermione's side trip (since they wouldn't be directly traveling to Grimmauld Place, it had roused all their curiosity, but only Ron wouldn't let it go).

Once they arrived at the station, Tonks and Remus herded the friends off to Grimmauld Place. Tonks and Dumbledore had decided the larger group needed the extra protection. While they waited for a taxi, Harry, Hermione, and Snape quickly walked to the Underground station (they had left their luggage with Remus to deal with). In less than an hour, they had gone to the clinic, concluded their business (which had still left Harry very quiet and embarrassed, especially when Snape and Hermione had persisted in discussing the scientific methodology to and from the area), and Harry and Hermione had picked up packages they had ordered from some nearby shops, and made just one impromptu stop plus their planned visit to the chemist. Thirty minutes later, they had arrived at Grimmauld Place.

To their surprise, they found the entire group in the entrance hall, where Mrs. Black had obviously be shouting for some time. "What's the problem?" Harry shouted over the din.

"Moody won't let us go any further," Remus shouted over the yelling Mrs. Black.

Harry rounded on the portrait. "SILENCE! THIS IS NO LONGER THE HOUSE OF BLACK! THIS IS THE HOUSE OF POTTER, BY LAW AND BY INHERITANCE!"

The portrait stopped yelling. "No," she said softly, "no, that can't be true."

Harry raised his hands, his wand pointed high. "As there are no longer any of the Black family who go by that name, and I was willed this property by my godfather, your rule is over here. I command that your spells be lifted!" Harry's wand came down in a rainbow of sparks.

The painting fell to the floor. "NOOOOOOOOOO!" she screamed. "This is MY house for eternity!"

Dean stepped forward and said a spell very softly. The portrait froze. "Sorry," he said, "that wouldn't have worked while she was stuck on the wall. The painting is now just a painting, until reactivated." He grimaced. "Hope I don't get a notice for that!"

"Underage magic won't be detected here," Moody said. "Now, nobody moves until someone explains to me why the top floor and the attic are sealed off!"

"Because they're our private quarters," Harry answered. "Only Hermione, Colin, Dean, and myself, and our elves, may enter. Dobby!"

Dobby appeared. "Yes, Master Harry?"

"Explain to Mister Moody why the spells that keep him out of the top floors also protect us." Harry turned to Moody. "I explained all this to the Headmaster, and thought he would explain it to you."

"He did, lad, but he didn't tell me it would be impenetrable! It wasn't when I got rid of that boggart in the attic a few weeks ago!" He thought a moment. "Come along in here, elf, and talk to me. You lot, stay out of the top floor until I finish talking here!"

"Why?" Snape asked. "This sort of protection, coupled with the Fidelius, should be more than sufficient."

"Should be, but that doesn't mean it is!" Moody whisked Dobby into the front room. Snape, Tonks, and Remus went with them.

"Winky!" Harry called.

"Yes, Mister Harry?" she answered, appearing with a 'pop'.

"Could you show the guests to their rooms, and then take care of the luggage, please?"

Winky led most of the students upstairs, while Dean lifted the painting up to examine it. When the four were left alone in the entrance hall, Harry joined Dean and examined the painting.

"I'm glad it worked," Hermione said.

"Well, you, Dean, and Dumbledore all told me the formula. How could you all be wrong?" Harry asked, smiling.

"Just be glad I had borrowed those books on magical painting," Dean pointed out.

"I'm still shocked there weren't any in the library," Hermione complained.

"It's not THAT big a library," Dean pointed out, to Hermione's displeasure. "Come on! Compared to any half-decent Muggle research library, Hogwarts' is pretty sparse."

"I always figured it was because the magical world is still a lot more secretive, almost medieval, in it's approach to knowledge," Colin put in.

"You are quite correct, Mister Potter," Snape said, coming into the hallway. "Even today, it often takes decades for some discoveries to become common knowledge. How many Muggle publishers are there, just in Britain? There are really just two commercial wizarding presses in London, one in Scotland, and one in Ireland, plus one in Wales which publishes in both Welsh and English. Most small-run books come from hobbyists."

"True," Hermione said with a sigh. The other adults also came out of the parlor. She roused herself, remembering she should be helping Harry and act as hostess. "Professor Snape, Mister Moody, will you be joining us for dinner? And staying the night?"

Snape looked at Moody, who sighed. "Aye, lass. Thank you. Your elf is very persuasive. And I'll be here at least until your parents arrive."

"I would be pleased to stay for dinner," Snape added.

"Dobby?" Hermione inquired. Dobby stuck his head around the corner.

"Yes, Miss Hermione?"

"We will have two more guests for dinner, and Mister Moody will be at least staying the night." She frowned slightly. "When is dinner?"

"Fifty minutes, Miss?"

"That would be fine. If you would excuse us, we need to change for dinner." Hermione turned to Harry, who hurried to her side, allowed her to take his arm, and together they ascended the stairs.

Dean and Colin looked at each other, snorted, and followed them, hand-in-hand.

When they were out of sight, Moody turned to Snape, "That is certainly the most interesting combination of brains, grace, and talent I have ever seen in a witch her age."

"She has developed depths this term I never would have anticipated," Snape admitted. Willing to sacrifice oneself for the perpetuation of a wizarding line, especially one as old as the Potters, was a goal most modern witches, especially Muggle-borns, did not appreciate. Snape had decided that despite her birth, Hermione really was worthy of the respect her abilities demanded. That Hermione's motivations were different than the ones Snape attributed to her would have made little difference to him had he known, since the result was the same.