Going Under

Going Under

Chapter 4: Uneasy

The future is not a result of choices among alternative paths offered by the present, but a place that is created--created first in the mind and will, created next in activity. The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating. The paths are not to be found, but made, and the activity of making them, changes both the maker and the destination. ~ John Schaar, futurist

Small hands brushed the hair gently from her eyes as another pair pushed her softly back into her bed. She stared up into soft brown eyes as the teacher tipped a potion into her mouth. It burned slightly, making her know that it was a Calming Draught. She drank until the container was half empty, before the other put the bottle on the nightstand.

Hermione reached up and took the older woman's hand, who shook her head at the girl.

"You can't kill her, Professor," she whispered, pleadingly, eyes bearing into her. "You can't take her away from me."

"Are you aware of the power of the child you are carrying?" Madam Pomfrey asked in a hushed voice, looking across the room to where Draco, Snape and Dumbledore were in deep discussion.

"Yes..."

She let go of the hand she held and turned her fingers inward to feel the scar on her palm. She looked up into two knowing faces. McGonagall sighed and took the seat closest to her pupil. She slowly leaned over and took the girl's hand, facing up. She stared for a long time at the white ring in her skin.

"It is an Infinitas Bond." (1)

"Silly children, these days," muttered the mediwitch as she leaned forward to administer the rest of the potion to her patient. "...Not aware of how dangerous magic can be."

Hermione's painfully swallowed the rest of the potion in one gulp. Wincing, she asked quickly, "What about my baby?"

"Under Wizarding Law, your baby would be killed for having a father with the Dark Mark or any evil incantation on his body. As I am aware, you know that the child would be killed only if an Unspeakable would be able to confirm that your baby is a Veneficus and the baby would not be disposed of until after its birth... However, we will not allow that to happen." (2)

"What?" she murmured, relief flooding into her soul.

"You will be placed in the hands of the Order."

"The Order will... help me...?

"Yes."

"So she... my baby will live?"

"Yes."

"Will I be able to stay in the castle?"

Minerva's eyes became sad as she looked off to the small group on the other side of the room. "That, Ms. Granger is for the Headmaster to decide."

***

"Draco, it is for the best."

"No, you just want to take her away from me."

Dumbledore sighed, silently studying the boy. His long fingers were curled into tight fists as he gazed over at the girl. He watched her for a while before he growled and stomped away. The old wizard walked over to him and put a gnarled, wrinkled hand on the young man's shoulder, who tensed under his touch.

"She will be under my protection. She will be tutored by Severus and Minerva in her N.E.W.T. Potions and Transfigurations classes. She will be able to live mostly as a Muggle, except for her studies. She will be attending night lessons at a small magical academy in London used mostly for teenage mothers who are unable to focus on schooling. There she will be able to complete her N.E.W.T. level Herbology and Arithmancy and I know someone that would be willing to train her in Defense against the Dark Arts."

"Who would that be?" Draco asked suspiciously.

"Remus Lupin, you had him for a teacher in your third year."

"You are letting her be trained bloody effing werewolf! You crazy sod -" He was cut off as Snape restrained him.

"Despite, what you or I might care about Ms. Granger being taught by a beast, he is the best teacher in that subject since you have started this school. It is just as well that he would not tell others what you are. He is one of the few you can trust until you make up your mind as to which side you want to belong."

The older Slytherin was greeted with stony silence by the younger as Dumbledore continued in his quiet, calm voice.

"She will be able to contact you via Floo either in mine or Severus' office. You can write to her as well as I have become informed that her parents bought a family owl this summer."

Draco looked up, a broken, defeated look in his eyes. "Where will she be living? I don't want her to live in a Muggle community as it could be attacked. A pregnant teenage witch not even out of school - even one as smart as Kitten - won't do much good against twenty Death Eaters."

"Really," Snape drawled sarcastically. "You should have thought about her safety before you went and gave her a child."

A dark sneer erupted over the boy's face, making his features sharp. "Shut it, Professor."

"She and her parents will be staying in an undefined location and Severus will be in touch with her."

"Will I be able to see her or the baby after it's born?"

"We'll see, Mr. Malfoy."

Draco, while not pleased with what he had heard, glanced at the Headmaster out of the corner of his eye. When Dumbledore nodded in answer to his unspoken question, Draco sighed and took a deep breath. "...When will she be leaving?"

"I believe a week is long enough for her to say her goodbyes."

***

(1) Infinitas is a Latin word meaning eternity, infinity, or endlessness. It is referred to as the Forever Bond in later chapters.

(2) Veneficus is a Latin word meaning poisonous. It is the correct term for a Dark Child.