Vær så god!
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Hermione and Remus were walking through Diagon Alley shopping for baby supplies. It was the middle of June and she was well into her eighth month. Fortunately, they didn’t have too much left to buy thanks to Remus’ mother.
Mrs. Lupin had taken it upon herself to throw Hermione a baby shower. Since Hermione’s only female friend was Lily, the party was mostly filled with friends of the Lupin’s, but Hermione had been completely touched anyway.
Mrs. Lupin had gushed and fussed over her, not letting anyone know that there had ever been tension between them. Hermione knew she still didn’t completely trust her, but she appreciated that she made such an effort.
Hermione and Remus stopped in front of a small toy shop and looked into the window. “Look at that doll,” she gasped. “She’s beautiful.”
Remus smirked. “I thought you told my mum that you were convinced the baby was a boy.”
“I am,” said Hermione. “But a boy can have a doll.”
“No son of mine is going to play with dolls,” said Remus firmly.
Hermione rolled her eyes at him. “Oh stop it,” she said smacking his shoulder. “There’s nothing wrong with a boy playing with a doll.” She took his hand and pulled him into the shop, while he protested.
The noise level rose significantly when they entered the shop. Children were running around from one area to the next. Hermione pulled Remus to the doll display. She looked at the different dolls, all of whom were winking and waving at her, and Remus put his hands on her shoulders, rubbing them slightly.
“It might be nice to have a little girl,” he commented. “Especially if she looked just like you.”
Hermione turned and smiled at him. “You’re something else. You just don’t want me to buy a doll just in case we’re having a boy.”
He laughed. “No, I was being serious. I’d love a little girl who looked just like you.”
“Well,” she said. “I suppose I wouldn’t object to that, as long as she had your teeth.”
“My teeth?” he questioned.
“Yep,” she said. “I wouldn’t condemn any child to my teeth.”
“Your teeth are fine,” said Remus.
“Yeah, now.”
“I sense a story,” laughed Remus.
“Let’s just say I had some work done in fourth year and leave it at that,” said Hermione.
“No, you have to tell,” insisted Remus.
“No,” she laughed, moving away from him.
“Come on, Hermione, you have to… Ooff…”
Hermione stood in open-mouthed shock as a haze of red plowed into Remus, sending him careening into one of the toy displays.
“Fred, George,” shrieked a woman. “No!”
Hermione stared as two identical red heads scampered over Remus and started to run away. Hermione anticipated exactly where they were headed and her hands shot out grabbing their collars. They tried to squirm out of her reach, but she had a tight grip on them.
“Oh my goodness,” said a ragged looking woman, coming up to them. “I am so sorry. Are you okay? Fred, George, be still.”
Hermione looked into the kind eyes of Molly Weasley and nearly started crying and laughing all at the same time.
“Charlie, be a darling and help the man up,” said Mrs. Weasley.
Hermione scanned the children surrounding Mrs. Weasley. She could see the boy she had called Charlie, he looked about eight, helping Remus to stand. Clutching onto her skirt was a small skinny boy who could be none other than four year old Percy and crying from his carriage was a very red faced Ron.
When she saw Ron, Hermione dropped her hold on the two year old twins. They scampered off and Mrs. Weasley immediately went after them, with Percy still clinging to her skirt. Hermione stepped closer to the carriage. It was like she was in a trance. She just automatically reached for him. She bit her bottom lip to keep from crying as she lifted the baby into her arms and rocked him gently. “Shh,” she murmured.
“Hermione,” said Remus forcefully. He was shocked that she had picked up the baby. It just wasn’t something that was done, especially considering the current state of things.
Holding him was electric. She just kept rocking him, trying to stop him from crying. When one of his pudgy little fists shot out and grabbed her hair she winced. “Oh, Ron,” she laughed. “Let go of my hair, you little imp.”
“I am so sorry,” said Mrs. Weasley, returning with the twins in her iron grip. “These two are completely uncontrollable in public.”
Hermione turned to face Mrs. Weasley, who was shocked to see her baby in Hermione’s arms. Hermione immediately saw the flash of fear in Mrs. Weasley’s eyes and realized what she’d done. But somehow she couldn’t let Ron go. “I… I’m sorry, he was crying. I just… I just thought,” she stuttered.
Mrs. Weasley released her hold on the twins, and gave them a stern look before reaching for her child. Hermione had no choice but to hand him over. “Again, I am sorry the boys knocked your husband over,” she said.
“It’s really okay,” said Remus, stepping up behind his wife. “No harm done.”
“Thank you,” said Mrs. Weasley. “Charlie, make sure you hold George’s hand tight.”
Charlie was staring up at Hermione. “How’d you know his name?” he asked.
Hermione turned red. “Uhh…”
Mrs. Weasley put Ron back into the carriage. At Charlie’s words, she turned back to face Hermione, a look of extreme suspicion on her face.
“It was the red hair,” supplied Remus quickly. “We know your uncles. They talk about their nephews a lot.”
Mrs. Weasley immediately relaxed. “Are you friends of Gideon and Fabian?” she asked.
“We’re acquainted,” answered Remus.
“Oh,” said Mrs. Weasley, but Fred started to sneak from her and she got distracted. “I’m sorry, I really should get the boys home.”
“Can we help you?” asked Hermione eagerly.
“No,” said Mrs. Weasley quickly. “But thank you.” She rounded her boys up and they left the shop. Hermione waited a few seconds before going to the large picture window. She watched the Weasley’s walk down Diagon Alley and disappear around a corner.
“Hermione,” said Remus gently from behind her.
“Can we go home?” she asked.
There was a pause, then Remus took her hand and led her out of the store. Hermione didn’t talk the entire way home. When they got to their flat, she wandered into the kitchen. Remus followed her and watched as she started making dinner.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked.
“No,” she said quietly.
“Honey,” he persisted, but was interrupted by a knock at the door.
“Will you get that?” she asked.
Remus went to open the door. “Who is it?” he asked.
“James,” came the reply.
Remus immediately opened the door. “Hi,” he said cheerfully.
“Hey,” said James. He had a very serious look on his face. “Is Hermione here?”
“She’s in the kitchen,” replied Remus. “Why?”
James handed a note over to him.
“What’s this?” he asked.
“Summons from Dumbledore,” said James.
Remus unfolded the note and read. While he was reading, Hermione came out of the kitchen. “Hey James,” she greeted.
“This sounds serious,” said Remus.
“What’s that?” asked Hermione.
Remus handed the note to Hermione. “Do you know what he wants?” he asked.
“No clue,” said James. “I only know he wants to see Lily and I, and the two of you as soon as possible at Hogwarts. Lily’s going to meet us there. Can you get away now?”
Remus looked perplexed. “What’s so important?”
“He didn’t say,” said James. “Can you come?” he persisted.
Remus looked at Hermione, who shrugged. “Sure,” he said.
“Just give me a minute,” said Hermione. She disappeared into the bathroom and splashed some water onto her face. She stared at her reflection in the mirror. When had she gotten so old, she wondered. She knew she had always been older than her age mentally, but she always thought she looked like a girl. The person staring at her from the mirror was definitely a woman. She tried laughing at herself for being silly. Seeing Ron had jarred her, but that was no reason to turn melodramatic. She dried her face with a towel and rejoined Remus and James.
“Ready?” questioned Remus.
She nodded. “Shall we take the floo?”
“Sure.”
They were in Dumbledore’s office within minutes. They were the first to arrive and not even Dumbledore was there, but they knew he wouldn’t mind if they waited for him.
“James, will you give me a minute with Hermione?” requested Remus.
James looked slightly surprised, but didn’t hesitate to give them some privacy.
Hermione smiled at her husband once they were alone. “I know what you’re going to say,” she began.
“I’m worried about you,” he said.
“Don’t be,” she reassured him. “I’m fine.”
“That baby,” began Remus. “He’s your Ron, isn’t he?”
“He’s my Ron,” she confirmed with a smile.
“That had to be weird,” said Remus.
She nodded. “I miss him,” she said, her voice cracking a bit.
“Oh honey.” Remus took her into his arms and held her close. “It’s okay.” Hermione rested her forehead on his shoulder and started to cry. Remus rubbed her back and let her cry.
“I just wish I could see them again,” she sniffled, “the way I remember them. I never got to say goodbye and sometimes I just miss them so much.”
“I understand,” said Remus. “It’s okay to feel that way. I wish you would…” he was cut off by the simultaneous arrival of Dumbledore and Lily.
They paused when they saw Hermione’s tear stained face. “Are you okay, dear?” asked Dumbledore, his voice full of concern.
Hermione wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “Yes,” she sniffed. “Sorry, pregnancy hormones.”
Dumbledore smiled sympathetically. “Tell me about it,” laughed Lily. “I was a mess the other day. I thought James was going to throttle me for carrying on so much.”
“I thought something was wrong,” said James, clearly not able to see the humor in the situation yet. “She scared the crap out of me,” James confided to Remus and Dumbledore. “She cried so much I thought she was going into early labor or something.”
Lily at least had the decency to look sheepish.
“We’re just waiting on two others,” said Dumbledore, trying unsuccessfully to hide his mirth.
With perfect timing, the door to Dumbledore’s office opened, admitting two other people. Dumbledore stood and greeted his former students. “Please sit,” he said. “Hermione, Remus, James, Lily, this is Frank and Alice Longbottom. Frank, Alice, this is Remus and Hermione Lupin and James and Lily Potter.”
They exchanged hello’s and sat.
“Thank you everyone for coming on such short notice,” began Dumbledore. “Something has come to my attention that allsix of you need to know. A few days ago I was interviewing someone for the post of Divination. The person I interviewed was a woman by the name of Sibyll Trelawney.”
Hermione sat up straighter in her chair. “Trelawney?” she questioned.
Dumbledore shot Hermione a penetrating look, but didn’t address her directly.
“I met her at the Hog’s Head in Hogsmeade. To be honest, I was not impressed to begin with. However towards the end of our interview something happened that changed my mind. Miss Trelawney made a prediction, a rather serious prediction.” Dumbledore paused, looking pained.
“Professor,” interrupted James. “You can’t seriously believe in that stuff. True seers are extremely rare.”
“I do believe the prediction. It was specific and troubling,” said Dumbledore seriously. “This isn’t something any of us can afford to ignore.”
“Well what did this Trelawney person say?” asked Frank Longbottom.
Dumbledore took a deep breath. “The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches… Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies… And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not… And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives… The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…”
Alice Longbottom was the first to speak. “I don’t understand. What does that mean?”
“This is insane,” cried Lily. “You can’t be taking this seriously.”
Dumbledore held his hand up. “Please, I know this is extremely upsetting. The prophecy has officially been registered at the Ministry of Magic. I’m fortunate enough to have a friend in the Department of Mysteries and they were able to take care of the matter discreetly. Now, as for what it means, I’ve been able to deduce several things about the prophecy, which is why I’ve called you all here. First, the child born will be male. He’ll be born at the end of July and his parents will have defied Voldemort three times. Those are the identifying bits of the prophecy.”
“I’m not due until mid August,” interrupted Alice.
“I realize that,” said Dumbledore. “But it is still close enough to err on the side of caution and disclose the information to you.”
“Oh God, James,” gasped Lily. “We’re having a boy. Oh my God.” Lily started shaking like mad. “He’s going to kill our baby.”
“That’s not going to happen, Lily,” said James fiercely.
“Weren’t you listening?” she shouted, almost hysterically. “Voldemort’s going to have the power to kill him.”
“That’s not entirely accurate, Lily,” said Dumbledore. “The exact wording is ‘And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not… And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives.’”
“So you’re saying one of our children will have to kill Voldemort,” stated James.
“Yes,” replied Dumbledore.
“And how could a baby kill Voldemort?” asked Frank. “It would take years to train an adult to kill the Dark Lord. I always considered our best hope at getting that job done to be with you.”
“Which baby?” asked Alice, starting to cry. “How will know which of our children will be the one?”
“Alice, its okay,” murmured Frank. “It’ll be okay, darling.”
“You don’t know that,” cried Alice and Frank put his arm around her shoulders, trying to comfort her.
Throughout the entire conversation, neither Remus nor Hermione said a word. Remus was watching his wife, who was frozen in her seat. Her mouth parted and she whispered something, but Remus couldn’t understand her.
He moved closer to her. “What was that, Hermione?” he asked softly.
Hermione turned and stared at Remus. “He never told us,” she said, her voice strained.
“Who?”
Hermione looked around the room and shook her head. Then she stood. Everyone turned and stared at her. It was clear. Hermione was not handling the news well.
Remus stood with her. “Hermione,” he ventured.
“You don’t understand,” she whispered frantically to her husband. “He never told me. If I had known I wouldn’t have… I… Oh God.”
Remus closed the gap between them. “Hermione, you have to calm down.” He had seen her in this state before and it never ended well.
“How could he not tell us?” she shouted suddenly and Remus involuntarily had to take a step back. “We’re his best friends. He should have trusted us.”
“What is she going on about?” Frank asked James, staring at Hermione.
“Darling, you’re not making any sense,” said Remus. “I want you to sit and take a deep breath.” He put his hand on her arm.
“I don’t want to sit,” she shouted at him.
Remus held onto her forcefully. “You need to calm down.”
“Hermione,” interrupted Dumbledore. “I know this is all very upsetting, but Remus is right, you must stay calm.”
“How can I be calm after what I’ve done,” she replied. “If only he had told me I would have never done it. I would have forced that damn door open and gone straight back.”
Remus stared at her. “What are you saying?”
“I think I’ve…” Suddenly she gasped sharply.
“What is it?” asked Remus.
Hermione took a few deep breaths. “I…” she tried to start again, but her knees buckled.
Remus grabbed her under her arms, propping her up. “Hermione?”
She gripped his arms. “It hurts,” she moaned.
“What hurts?” asked Remus.
Her hands went to her middle and she practically doubled over. “Something’s wrong,” she gasped. “It hurts.”
“Hermione, it’s going to be okay,” said Lily, coming to her friend’s side. “James, go and get help. Remus, help her to sit.”
Remus lowered his wife to the floor. “Just breathe, darling. It’s okay.”
Hermione closed her eyes against the sudden pain. “Remus, I think the baby’s coming,” she gasped before fainting in his arms.
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A/N: Here’s a quick update in honor of Remus Lupin’s birthday, March 10th.
Hugi notar vefkökur til að bæta notendaupplifun á vefsíðunni og greina umferð um hana.
Einnig hefur Hugi uppfært persónuverndarstefnu sína.