A “Fan Fiction” Based on the Harry Potter Series By J. K. Rowling
Chapter 10 “ Many Changes
Harry and Ginny were sitting on the rocking loveseat in front of the Burrow on the last day of August. The persistent summer heat had turned into a gloomy, misty rain over the past few days and reflected Ginny’s mood. School started tomorrow and her daily visits from Harry would have to end. She was not going to take the train this year, instead she would go to Hog House on the first of September, from there, Harry and Ron would take her things up to school. Ginny had to plead with her mother to do it this way, but once again her father dug in his heals for Ginny and Molly consented.
The last week of August, outside of the weather, had been a wonderful time for Harry and Ginny. They took long walks and did not care if they got soaked in the rain. Sometimes they talked about nothing, sometimes they did not talk at all, and once they brought up what happened the night they were engaged. Harry was, as usual, reluctant to talk about his feelings and was still embarrassed by the entire fiasco. But Ginny approached it more clinically and shared with Harry some “facts” she had discovered. (She did not tell him that most of them came from Hermione.) Harry listened and went through the motions of understanding everything Ginny was saying, but he had detached his hearing from his brain and let the subject drop when he thought Ginny was through. Wedding plans and ideas seemed to interest Harry more and he enjoyed seeing Ginny so completely in her element “ and happy.
Location, invitations, reception, music, dress, gowns, colours, menus, everything had to be decided except the best man and maid of honor. That subject was not even brought up because they both knew who they would be. Harry did take some enjoyment teasing Ginny, with Ron’s assistance, about asking Michael Corner to be best man, but unable to keep a straight face, Ron gave the joke away after only a few seconds.
The date chosen, 14 October 1999, as well as the location, Hogwarts, were quickly confirmed by an owl to the School’s business office. The school would be in recess that weekend and the weather in October was typically cool and sunny. The service would be in the Great Hall followed by the reception. Ron would have to miss a game that Saturday but “he did not care, he had his priorities straight,” Harry joked Hermione.
The details went on and on. Hermione was always popping in and out with one idea or another, and Harry though he had never see two people get along this well again.
Hermione’s “condition” was going to be a problem, and soon. The families had not been notified and only the four of them knew she was pregnant. Ron thought Hermione might be in denial and Harry was inclined to believe him. But despite the pregnancy being only two months along, Harry could tell that her body was changing. She had put on weight, mainly in her chest and hips, but those were easy to hide. What was not so easily hidden was her face, which had become, for lack of a better word, plump - and rose-tinted. Hermione had also stopped traveling to anyplace outside of her office and Hog House after Ron mentioned the changes in her face. She was getting tired easily and was still plagued by morning sickness that often became all-day sickness.
The previous Wednesday evening, as the three of them were eating dinner, Harry decided to bring up another issue that he had not been able to approach with Ron or Hermione individually; marriage. Thinking he had a brainstorm, Harry tried out his plan.
“Say, what do you two think about switching rooms? I can move upstairs and that way you and Ron can be together down here.”
Harry had tried to make the comment sound very off-the-cuff, but Hermione did not bite. In a very Hermione-ish tone she remarked, “Thank you, Harry, that won’t be necessary. Ron and I are not sleeping together and we are not getting married so I do not see any real need.”
“Oh, um, ok, Maya.” Harry had accidentally let “Maya” slip out, even though he liked the name better than Hermione.
“Hermione, Harry.”
“What’s that?”
“My name is Hermione, Harry, not Maya.”
“Sorry.” Harry was watching Ron during this brief exchange; he had not said anything but he was obviously shaken with Hermione’s comment about not getting married. Harry saw this and suggested to Ron that he do something, fast.
The following weekend both of them disappeared early Saturday, leaving only a note saying they would return Sunday evening.
Late Sunday night, after seeing Ron and Hermione give each other a loving good night hug and kiss, Ron shared with Harry what had happened. They had spent the weekend away from all distractions, talking seriously about their feelings and futures. When it was all over they had decided to get married. “Maya’s happy because I told her I wanted to be with her the rest of my life. It just slipped out that way, and when she said the same thing I asked her to marry me. I could not believe it all happened in just a few seconds.” But Harry could now see something in Ron and Hermione’s face that he had never seen before: fulfillment, they had found themselves in each other...it took a bloody long time, but it had happened.
Another decision they had to make, Ron said, was whether they eloped or had a formal wedding. Ron had also confessed to Harry that whichever way they decided, they would almost certainly have to move out of the House. Harry thought about the idea of not being with two of his best and closest friends and it was not attractive to him. But Hermione thought, given her condition, her parents might not even let her marry Ron, reminding them both of her parents’ comments the night they had dinner together. So Hermione was leaning toward eloping.
Finally, on the first of September, as Harry and Ron were carrying Ginny’s things to school, Ron told Harry “We decided to elope, would you be my best man…next Friday night?” Any response that Harry would have made was pointless because at that moment Ginny came running from the house yelling that something was wrong with Hermione.
Dropping Ginny’s trunk, Harry and Ron ran back to the house to find Hermione, pale and obviously in paid, lying on the couch, the front of her dress stained with streaks of blood. Ron went to her and calmly told her she would be all right and that he would take her to Healer Vince. With his face intensely serious and concerned, Ron and Hermione disapperated; the spot on the couch where she had lain was soaked with blood.
Shaking off his shock, Harry turned to Ginny. “What happened?”
“I don’t know, one second she was standing, talking to me and the next she had doubled over in pain. I though she was having another bout of morning sickness, but when she walked to the couch I saw the blood on her dress, that is when I came to get you.”
Harry saw Ron appear with Hermione up the street next to the Healer’s Office and disappear into the door. The entire scene lasted just a few seconds but it was staggering and sucked Harry back to the events of the previous months and years. Hermione can’t die! Hermione, held limp in Ron’s arms, covered with blood… … don’t die on us, Hermione… But it was an unreasonable wish and something Harry had no control over. People were still going to die, his friends were still going to die, even Gin would die someday… The rage Harry felt at his helplessness exploded and he yelled out in frustration. Ginny cringed in surprise and tried to get Harry’s attention but was distracted by the appearance of her parents in the fireplace.
Stepping into the living room, it took Arthur and Molly a second to take in what they saw. A distraught expression on Harry’s face, Ginny looking pale and frightened, but above all, the blood - all over the couch and floor. Molly froze but Arthur looked at his daughter and asked, “Ron or Hermione?”
Ginny choked out, “Hermione, Ron has her at,” covering her mouth with one hand as if not saying the words would make the reality of the situation disappear. She pointed up the street, which was all her father needed to know.
Turning to his wife, Arthur said, “Molly, stay here and find out what happened, I will go and see if Hermione will…” He was going to say “live,” but like Harry the idea of another loved one dying was not in his thought process. Then Harry pushed Mr. Weasley out of the way and ran out of the house and up the street toward his friends. Ginny was so surprised she did not even have time to say stop.
Reaching the Healer’s office in seconds, Harry opened the door and saw the trail of blood leading into the examination room. Ron was standing by the door to the examining room with his head leaned against his arm on the door frame. Turning to see who had entered, Harry saw Ron’s face was streaked with Hermione’s blood, as was most of the front of his clothes. The sheer amount of blood Harry had seen made his heart drop again, but he walked over to Ron and put his arm around him to show his support. He did not know what to say because anything he said would be inadequate. A few seconds later Mr. Weasley ran into the office and saw the scene of blood and his shaken son holding on to Harry. Walking over to Ron, Mr. Weasley put his hand on Ron’s shoulder and waited.
Fifteen minutes had passed. Molly and Ginny had not shown up and no one had come out of the room. Arthur was about to ask Ron what had happened, now that he was calm, when the examination room door opened and Vince came out wearing an apron and gloves covered with blood. Ron and Harry sprang to their feet.
“Who’s the husband?” He asked simply.
For a second no one responded, but then Ron replied that he was. “What’s happening?” In a concerned voice, but without panic. “There was so much blood…” Eyes wide, Ron was shaking a little as the diagnosis approached..
“Well, blood’s like that,” the healer replied calmly, “it always looks like much more than it is, your wife probably did not lose more than a liter, if that. But I do have some bad news, I am afraid…” Here it comes Ron and Harry thought. But Arthur realized that a mortal diagnosis was not what the Healer was leading up to. Harry’s eyes were closed and his hand was still on Ron’s shoulder.
Looking to Ron and placing his hand on Ron’s other shoulder he told him, “Your wife will be fine, but I am afraid there was no way to save the child. I am sorry. You’ll be able to see her in a little bit, she’s just getting cleaned-up. After spending a day or two at St. Mungo’s she will be good as new.” Then returning to the examination room, Healer Vince was gone.
Harry and Arthur were looking at the door shut and failed to notice Ron had fallen to the floor until they heard the thump. He had not passed out, but the quick trip from despair to relief was overpowering and Ron just sat there with his head turned up, eyes closed, and a thankful look on his face.
Two hours later Harry was back in the house with Ron’s parents. Ginny had just returned from Hogwarts where she had found Professor Sprout and told her that she would be late for the start of term feast. When Sprout heard the story she told Ginny not to worry, she would ask Hagrid to bring her things to the school, and she would inform the headmaster. It was not until Ginny was half way back to Hogsmeade that she realized SHE did not know who the new headmaster was, but that information was not very important to her at the time.
Molly had cleaned up the blood and was trying to busy herself to keep her thoughts off of the growing anger with her son. Arthur was sitting and trying to make small talk with Harry, but failing miserably. A couple minutes after Ginny returned, and after a couple very long minutes of silence, Ron came in, still bloody but looking better.
“Maya’s asleep, but I was able to talk to her for a few minutes.” Ron’s voice held little emotion and it was obvious to all that he had been scared to death by the incident. He still shook a little and looked very pale, especially against the bright red blood stains all over his clothes. But he was handling himself well.
Talent & Personality
“Harry, why don’t you walk Ginny to school, didn’t you say you have something to do there tonight? I need to talk to my parents.” Ron’s statement, and it is decisiveness, impressed Harry. Ron then turned to his sister, and with a weak smile kissed her cheek and said, “Good luck, Gin, see you soon.” Harry took Ginny’s hand and walked outside, but she was looking back to her parents, wondering what they were about to say to Ron.
Harry had forgotten all about the meeting he was supposed to have with the new headmaster and the appointment time had long since passed.
Hand-in-hand, down the street toward the gate into Hogwarts’ grounds, silence was all Harry and Ginny could share. The day had been emotional enough before Hermione had miscarried, but now, between school and the day’s drama, both were worn out mentally and physically. As they entered the school grounds, both seemed to perk up with the sights and smells of the school. Walking away from the entrance a short distance, they stood for a few minutes admiring the ‘new’ Hogwarts. There was just enough of the old still standing to give the buildings majesty and history and a sense of “home”, and just enough of the new to add a modern flare for the next millennium.
In the distance Harry and Ginny could see Hagrid leading the new first year students “ and a rather small class this year, they observed “ toward them and the Great Hall. Harry returned Hagrid’s wave and enjoyed the brief rush of fond memories Hagrid and Hogwarts stirred in him. When Harry and Ginny finally walked up the front stairs to the Great Hall, they could hear the voices of the hundreds of other students who had returned, all waiting in the Hall for the start of term feast. The wonderful smell of the House Elves’ cooking filled the air and made Harry’s mouth water; he had not eaten anything since breakfast.
Ginny stopped Harry before reaching the Hall doors, not wanting to be seen by her classmates, yet; Harry could tell she was struggling to let go of him. But before either could say anything a familiar voice called out.
“Potter, I see that advancement has not stopped your interminable disregard for rules.” Turning, both saw Snape approaching. “And Ms. Weasley, we’re happy you could make it. Are you trying to break Mr. Potter’s record from two years ago by starting your house more than 50 points down?”
“Professor Snape…” Ginny did not believe it, Grubbly-Plank told them that he had resigned. “What are you doing here, ah, sir? We heard…”
“Yes, Ms. Weasley, I am sure you heard I had resigned. I did. I will no longer be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts.” Snape let the statement hang, frustrating Ginny with it is incompleteness.”
“Then what are you doing here…sir?” Ginny persisted.
Ignoring the question, Snape snapped at Harry. “Potter, did you receive my letter?” Snape’s malevolence toward Harry had not changed a bit, Ginny thought.
“Yes Headmaster.” Harry answered simply.
“HEADMASTER? WHAT DO YOU…” Ginny started to say, rather loudly, too. Looking between the two men, Ginny was completely confused and felt out of the loop about something. Then Harry spoke up.
“With your permission, headmaster?” Looking to Snape and seeing him nod his head, Harry continued. “Ginny, Professor Snape has accepted the position of Headmaster. I found out late yesterday. You’ll find out about the other staffing changes after the feast. I should go now.”
“No, tell her now, Potter.” Snape spat.
Harry paused and with a very small smile on his face said, “The headmaster has offered me a part-time position here, to help with the Defense Against the Dark Arts classes.”
“Harry... What?...Why?” Then turning to Snape in almost comical disbelief “But you two HATE each other!”
Harry thought he might actually have seen a slight smile on Snape’s face.
“Mr. Potter has displayed some marginal talent in this area. I thought he may be able to impart some of his limited knowledge upon the students.” Snape finished, emphasizing the words a “marginal” and “limited.”
Ginny still could not believe what she was hearing and stood there with her mouth open.
“Ms. Weasley, please close your mouth and go to your table, now.” Ginny looked at Harry who was wearing an odd smile. Giving him a quick kiss goodbye she started walking to the Hall.
“Ms. Weasley, one moment. I understand that Ms. Granger had some problems today. Will she recover?”
This is a dream, Ginny thought, Snape asking about Hermione’s welfare? “Um, yes sir. She will be fine.”
“Very well, on your way.”
Harry watched the exchange between Snape and Ginny with a mixture of interest and apprehension and decided to venture a question.
“Headmaster, Ginny’s right, why the job offer?”
“Don’t confuse appreciation of talent with appreciation of personality, Potter. Besides, I thought this might make me look good to the Board, and…” Then resuming his usual Snape-ish sarcasm “maybe I’ll get an Order of Merlin some day.” Turning to go into the Hall, Snape took a few steps, stopped, and looked back to Harry “Potter! Are you joining us for dinner this evening? You are on the faculty now and have earned the right.”
Again, turning away with a swish of his robes, Snape walked into the Great Hall, and in a few seconds Harry followed after his new boss and saw another surprise waiting for him at the Head Table.
The following day Harry visited Hermione who had been transported to St. Mungo’s where she needed another day to recover and regain strength. Arriving at Hermione’s ward Harry knocked on the door and heard her invitation to enter.
“Hi Maya, how’re you feeling today?” Harry said as cheerfully as he could and bringing out a beautiful bunch of flowers.
“Hi, Harry, I am better, and thank you, these are beautiful.” But Harry could tell she was struggling with her emotions.
“Maya, you know what happened, don’t you?” Harry said “happened” hoping he would not have to break the news to Hermione. But she nodded her head and said “Yes” very quietly.
“I am sorry, Maya, I…” But Harry could not think of anything to say.
“Harry,” Hermione reached her hand out and Harry took it, sitting on the edge of the bed. ”Do not worry, Harry, it was not your fault in any way. In fact, the Healer told me that as many as 10% of all pregnancies end in miscarriages, it is the body’s natural way of eliminating defective embryos.” Hermione was trying to be logical about what had happened, but Harry saw her eyes go watery and she turned away for a moment.
“I am sure he’s right, Maya.” Was all Harry could say.
“I was just getting used to the idea of being a mother. He also told me that apparating during pregnancy was not safe for the…. Harry, I didn’t…know…” And Hermione, who had been hanging in there with her logic, finally broke down and gave into her emotions. Harry held her as he had a month ago when she found out she was pregnant. Even after she stopped crying, Harry held her to let her know he was there for her.
“Maya, what are you and Ron going to do now?” Harry saw that Hermione was about to say something but he wanted to finish his thought. “I wish you could have seen him yesterday, he rose to the task, you should be very proud of him.”
“Harry, Ron and I are still getting married.”
“Ron loves you very much, Maya. You know that, do not you?” Harry was trying so hard to finish his entire thought he completely missed what Hermione had said.
“Earth to Harry…are you in there Harry? Ron and I are still getting married.” Hermione said with genuine happiness in her voice.
“Oh, OH, okay. That is brilliant…Um, you just told me that a moment ago, did not you? Sorry.” Both broke out in laughter. Harry hoped Hermione could get through this quickly.
“My parents still don’t know about this, Harry, Ron made his parents swear they would not tell and I had to tell the hospital that Ron was my husband so they wouldn’t track my parents down. I’m getting used to being Mrs. Weasley.”
The smile that Harry saw on his friend’s face told him everything he had to know. With his questions answered they spent the next hour talking about Ron and how he had changed the past two months, Ginny and what happened outside the Great Hall the night before, and his conversation with Snape.
“Oh, Harry, I am so happy for you. Still, trying to imagine Snape being nice to anyone is so hard to believe.”
“And having the real Moody as the DA teacher will be wicked. I think Remus wanted the job again but there is just too much animosity between him and Snape to ever heal.”
Then looking at the clock, Harry sighed. “Well, Mrs. Weasley, I have to head back to Hogwarts, wouldn’t want to be late for my first lesson, would I?”
“Indeed not, and please send my love to Severus!”
Harry kissed Hermione goodbye and left the room laughing and feeling wonderful; wonderful for himself, but more so for Ron and Hermione. Walking down the hospital corridor Harry found himself looking forward to going back to Hogwarts, this time as a teacher.