Dragon Seed

Dragon Seed

For once in her life Hermione Granger did not have the answers. And that is why she sat in silence while a small assembly of some of the most powerful witches and wizards she knew planned her future for her.

Ron Weasley was by her side. When she had finally broken down and told him what had happened, he had been the one who had realised the full implications and insisted that she contact Minerva McGonagall, who had been her mentor and guardian since her parents died, and Bill Weasley, Ron's oldest brother who worked in the Department of Mysteries and would understand all the political issues involved.

After initial discussions the circle of the conspiracy had been widened to include several extra people. There was Fleur Delacour-Weasley, Bill's new wife who was Minerva's successor as transfiguration teacher at Hogwarts, Sirius Black, Harry Potter's godfather, Mundungus Fletcher, Bill's boss, and Poppy Pomfrey, the mediwitch at Hogwarts. Eight people guarding a precious secret from the rest of the magical world.

Emotionally this was a difficult time for Hermione. She was only nineteen years old and she was pregnant. Her future and the future of her two unborn babies were at stake. The problem was the paternity of these babies. Poppy had confirmed that, due to an unfortunate scenario of timing and the highly magic charged environment at Hogwarts, the babies each had a different father.

One child was the son of her friend and lover Harry Potter, who had deserted her before she even knew she was pregnant. He said he could not stay in Britain with her as he wished to find a more anonymous life for himself.

The second child however was the son of Draco Malfoy, convicted death eater, who had seduced Hermione using polyjuice potion which convinced her he was Harry. Draco was not in Azkaban with the other Death Eaters. He had been given a suspended sentence due to his youth and was on probation and living back at Malfoy Manor.

The political implications were even more dangerous than the emotional issues. There were many people, ex-Death Eaters, other dark wizards and even Draco Malfoy himself - who would be very interested in the existence of a son of Harry Potter and another Malfoy.

There were several options. Ron was willing to marry Hermione, but they were both so young and it would be obvious that the children were not Ron's so their identity could not be concealed that way. For the same reason no-one considered it a good idea for Hermione to keep the babies, including Hermione.

A Muggle orphanage or adoption by Muggles was quickly ruled out. Given the magical potential of these babies, there was no way anyone wanted to set up the circumstances to create another Tom Riddle. The remaining option was adoption within the wizard community and for that the new parents would need to be in on the secret.

***

Breakfast time at Hogwarts was always mail time. The noise of the students was drowned out for a few minutes by the rustling wings of a hundred birds bringing news and parcels from home.

The tall red haired girl sitting halfway down the Gryffindor table smiled as she saw a familiar grey bird heading her way this Monday morning. She pulled a couple of owl treats out of her pocket and gave them to the bird as she took the fat envelope out of its talons.

"Ginny Weasley, HEAD GIRL, Hogwarts." She grinned as she read the envelope. Ron never got tired of emphasising her position. To everyone else in her family it was a bit of a non-event as both Bill and Percy had been Head Boy. But Ron, who was closest to her in age and friendship, knew that to her it was a big deal.

Before opening the envelope she glanced up to the teachers table to where her sister-in-law, Fleur, was intently reading a letter she had just received. A slight frown, which no-one else but Ginny would have even noticed, creased her ever so perfect face. Even Ginny wasn't sure she had seen it when Fleur looked up again, her face totally impassive.

Even eight months pregnant the quarter Veela looked good. Ginny had noticed that Fleur was using some appearance charms. Ginny assumed that this was why she still looked so good.

Just then Ginny noticed a slight disturbance at the other end of the teacher's table. Sirius Black had risen and was showing the letter in his hand to Headmistress McGonagall. Minerva had looked hard at Sirius's letter and then gave him a small nod. Ginny's eyes followed Sirius as he rushed out of the hall in a tearing hurry.

"Excuse me boys and girls," Minerva McGonagall spoke in a loud clear voice that cut through the morning din, "Professor Black will be having a few days leave to attend to some personal business. There will be relief teachers to cover all DADA classes."

Ginny wondered what Sirius Black's personal business could be? There had been rumours that he had a muggle girlfriend, a thought that Ginny unaccountably was not very happy about. Perhaps the business was something to do with her?

It was lunch time before Ginny finally remembered to open the envelope from Ron. As always there were two letters inside, one each from Ron and Hermione. Shortly after finishing her basic Auror training Hermione had received news that her aunt in Canada was seriously ill and she had taken leave of absence to go and help her only relatives until the crisis passed. Ginny had thought at the time that this was so typically Hermione.

While she was gone Ron had moved into Hermione's house to look after things. That had been five months ago, and it was only in the last couple of letters that Hermione had started to indicate that she might be free to come home soon. .

***

Nothing had prepared her for the pain. Even the Cruciatus curse was no worse than this driving, torturing agony that threatened to tear her apart. It crashed through her body like a wave and then it eased for a moment and she felt a gentle pressure on her hand. She looked up through a veil of sweat and tears into the clear blue eyes of her best friend. In his eyes she could clearly see anxious concern and love.

"Hey, Ron. You're still here?" she whispered

"Absolutely. I won't desert you now," his voice had a tone of grim determination; "you know I never will."

For a moment it was just the two of them alone together on a small calm island in a raging sea of pain. He leant over and whispered soothingly, "you can do this Hermione. Very ordinary women and witches have babies every day and you are extraordinary."

She managed a weak smile but her eyes filled with tears. "I don't feel extraordinary right now."

"But you are. Trust me."

It had been a long twelve hours. Ron knew that Bill and Sirius would be out in the waiting room by now, but he did not dare leave her. She would not let him. With each contraction she tightened her grip on his hand. He was starting to think that his fingers would never recover. Ron knew there were good reasons why they were here in a Muggle hospital, but it made him feel uneasy. Surely it would have been safer the traditional way.

"Hermione," the midwife said, "I need you to really push for me now. The first baby is nearly here."

As the woman spoke Hermione could feel the next contraction start to sweep through her body and as the pain hit her she started to cry out, "Harry! You bastard! Where are you when I need you? Harry!" The last word morphed into a sheer scream of pain.

It was all Ron could do not to flinch and withdraw, but he stood his ground beside her holding her hand, thankful that she could not see his face.

"Here he is." One of the other nurses who had recently entered the room came over and took a red squealing bundle from the midwife who immediately turned her attention back to Hermione. Ten minutes and another series of curses later the second baby arrived.

Hermione looked up at Ron. She was exhausted, but there was also a look of triumph on her face. "We did it!"

"No, Hermione, you did it. You were magnificent."

"I could not have managed without you, Ron. You must know that."

She took hold of his other hand and Ron just stood there with both her hands held in his. Even as she was at this moment, tired, sweaty and pale he still thought her the most beautiful girl in the world and she could see it in his eyes.

"Would you like to hold your babies now?"

Hermione nodded and the nurses brought two blue blanket wrapped bundles over to the bed. She took one on each arm. Ron looked at each baby for just the briefest of moments. "I'll go and get Bill and Sirius." Without waiting for an answer he turned and moved swiftly out the door.

As soon as Ron entered the brightly lit waiting room two men jumped instantly up from their seats. Even dressed in muggle clothes they stood out in the sombre environment of the maternity hospital. Bill Weasley was not quite as tall as his baby brother, but he was impossible to ignore with his long ponytail of red hair and bright green jacket. His companion Sirius Black was more soberly dressed in a fairly normal looking jeans and leather jacket, but there was something faintly wild and untamed about his general manner, which drew attention.

Ron stood wearily in the doorway and as they reached him he put his hand on Bill's shoulder for support. "The babies are here, both safe and well and exactly as expected."

"And Hermione?" asked Sirius.

"She's fine," he grinned ruefully at his brother, "I reckon Mum must be a bloody saint. To go through that six times!"

***

On Wednesday afternoon Ginny had Animagus Transformation with Fleur. Ginny was among the group of seventh years who were considered talented enough to become Animagi. The preparation was gruelling and Ginny could see why the majority of witches and wizards never achieved it. When the eight students arrived Fleur was not looking her normal calm self. She appeared to be pale and in pain. Half way into the lesson she called Ginny over. "Ginny could you please go to Professor McGonagall and tell her that I can't complete the class? The baby is coming."

***

Six hours later, Poppy Pomfrey, school nurse and Fleur Delacour-Weasley, transfiguration teacher, sat companionably together in front of the large fireplace in the small private chamber of the hospital wing at Hogwarts. They appreciated the warmth of the roaring fire as it was a very cold evening, but that was not the only reason the fire was lit.

The door that led to the main hospital dormitory was tightly closed and a trained eye would discern the presence of sound proofing and masking charms that kept all evidence of the activities in the room hidden from anyone outside.

The charms wavered momentarily as the door opened to admit Minerva McGonagall, headmistress of Hogwarts and chief architect of the operation the charms were designed to conceal.

"He's not here yet, Poppy?" she asked as she came over to join them, by the fire.

"Not yet, Minerva. Is Molly here?"

"Yes, she is with Ginny in the outer waiting area," she smiled. "I think she's a bit miffed that you won't let her help deliver her first grandchild."

Fleur choked down a little giggle. "That would be a little difficult." She was quite relieved to have finally dropped the charms that gave an appearance of advanced pregnancy. But she was very tense.

Suddenly the flames in the fire turned green and Bill Weasley stepped out holding a small blue bundle close to his chest. The three women moved towards him as one.

"Here he is." Bill handed the bundle gently to Poppy. "You might like to do a quick check on him. The Muggles checked him before we left the hospital, but that was only Muggle checks." He then stepped back and took hold of Fleur in a short, loving embrace. Then they stood there side by side with their arms around each other while Poppy laid the bundle down on the bed and quickly but carefully unwrapped the small baby within.

The child was a thin, fair skinned little boy, with none of the chubbiness one tends to associate with babies. His head which at first appeared bald was actually covered with a soft filmy layer of silvery blonde hair. He was awake and alert but just lay there kicking gently at the air as Poppy ran her wand up and down, over and around until she was satisfied. "He's in good health." The baby reached up one little fist and grabbed for her wand. "No, you don't. Not yet my boy." She picked him back up and put him in Fleur's arms.

Minerva turned to them with the broadest of smiles. "Congratulations both of you. Now we shall give you a little time alone to get acquainted with your son and I shall go and tell Molly Weasley that Marcus Arthur Weasley has finally arrived." She paused at the door. "Remember I'll give you about fifteen minutes. By then Bill, you should be Flooed out of here, and Fleur dear; you had better be back in bed. After all you have just had a baby.

They both stood there looking at the child in Fleur's arms. "He is so beautiful. But I am scared, Bill. Will he turn out like his father?"

"I am his father now, Fleur, and he will be brought up as a Weasley. We can overcome bad blood by a loving upbringing. I am sure of it. "

***

Babies, thought Ginny Weasley, are the most amazing thing. They are so small and so fragile looking but contain all the potential of an adult person already within them. As the youngest member of her family, Ginny had not actually seen too many babies before and none this close.

At the same time that Madame Pomfrey had come out to where Ginny and her mother were waiting, Bill had arrived. So the three of them entered the room together.

Fleur looked so vulnerable lying there tired with her beautiful blonde hair in disarray, But not as vulnerable as the child in her arms. He was so tiny.

And now Ginny was sitting here holding him. Amazing. Suddenly he gave a funny little yawn and a hiccough and the eyelids flew open to reveal the palest blue eyes that Ginny had ever seen.

"Hello, Marcus. I'm your Aunt Ginny." It sounded a little stupid, but it was all she could think to say.

***

"Are you all organised, Sirius?"

"Yes, I think so? Are you sure little babies need this much gear?"

"I didn't want to forget anything."

Ron was leaning in the doorway watching this exchange. His eyes were twinkling with ill disguised amusement. "Really, Hermione! If there is something Sirius doesn't take I am sure Dobby will be able to procure it."

"There will be two babies at Hogwarts," said Sirius. "I am sure Minerva is fully prepared."

"Yes, you are right of course." Hermione sighed, and stood up from the open trunk into which she had been stuffing things. "I am just concerned because you will be a single father, coping with a baby all alone."

Sirius grinned. "All alone with a house elf, Poppy Pomfrey and the female staff of Hogwarts to assist me."

"Not to mention," Said Ron, "half the senior female students will probably also take an interest. Poor Professor Black spurned by his lover and forced to raise his son all by himself. How romantic!"

"Don't you have Quidditch practice to prepare for or something?" said Hermione rather snappishly.

Ron took the hint and disappeared. Sirius closed the trunk and levitated it into the fireplace. He then walked over to where Hermione was standing next to a small cradle. Looking up at them with a definite air of interest was a cute chubby baby with a shock of black hair. "Do you think he will have green eyes?" asked Hermione anxiously.

"Hard to tell at this stage," Sirius shrugged, "if he does I will just tell people his Muggle mother's eyes were green."

"This is very brave of you, Sirius." Hermione gently lifted the baby from the crib, kissed him on the forehead and placed him in Sirius's arms.

"Not at all. I consider it a privilege to be able to care for James's grandson as I was unable to do for his son." He leant forward and kissed Hermione on the cheek. "Thank you for giving me my chance for redemption."

At that he turned to the fireplace, threw a pinch of Floo powder on the fire and Sirius Black and his son, James Remus Black, went home to Hogwarts.

***

Ginny knew Sirius Black had returned to Hogwarts by the following Monday, because the Gryffindor first and fifth years had Defence Against the Dark Arts on Monday and they said he was there. But he did not appear at the teacher's table for any meals that day.

After dinner, Ginny made her way down to the teachers' wing. Bill and Fleur now had a spacious apartment provided for them in order to accommodate Marcus. When she entered she got the shock of her life. Fleur was sitting in a comfortable armchair on one side of the fireplace feeding Marcus and in a second armchair sat Sirius Black with another baby?

"Professor Black. What are you doing here?"

"Hello Ginny. Nice to see you too. I needed a little adult company." His eyes followed hers to the small black haired baby sucking a bottle on his lap. "Um, Ginny. Meet James Black," he smiled in a funny half embarrassed way, "my son."

Ginny knew she must look and sound like a gibbering idiot. "Your son?"

"Yes, unfortunately his mother wasn't too thrilled at giving birth to a wizard. So here he is."

Ginny collapsed into a seat. She really did not know what to think. When she guessed trouble with the Muggle girlfriend she really was not thinking of that sort of trouble.

Ginny tried to be discreet, but Hogwarts being the tight community that it was, within a week everyone knew the tragic story of Sirius's failed romance with a Muggle and the child he was now left to bring up alone.