For Her Safety

A/N- Another update!!

equinehermione- Don't for one minute think that I haven't given any thought to Hermione's health. Everything is worked out. And at this point, there is nothing else to do to "fix things". What's done is done. But I promise, it will end well, naturally :)

I had a bit of a hard time coming up with this chapter, or rather how to lay it out, but I think that, all in all, it went rather well. Please let me know what you think. Feedback always makes things a bit easier for me. Enjoy the chapter.

Much love,
zairaphel


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Good afternoon, everyone. I am pleased to see that you all could make it. Today Mr. Potter and the young Mr. Weasley as well as Miss Weasley will be joining us, as our meeting is also of concern to them concidering their great friendship with Hermione."

Harry smiled at Hermione from across the table, giving her an encouraging smile. Hermione smiled slightly in return. She was clearly still half asleep, leaning her head against Sirius' shoulder, his arm wrapped warmly around her.

Ron however had a disapproving frown plastered across his face as he surveyed the closeness of Sirius and Hermione.

And Ginny, well Ginny just grinned brightly at the couple's closeness and couldn't help but think that perhaps it had been a splendid match. After all, she thought, both of them are decidedly passionate people in their own ways, and they will probably compliment each other... and then there will be the moments when they are like oil and water, I am sure...

"Now, to the matter at hand," Dumbledore started. "Perhaps it will be easier to entertain a few questions from Mr. Potter and the young Weasleys to begin with," he said, looking over at the three in question.

"Yeah, so what will Hermione be doing about school, being married and all?" Harry asked outright, glancing over at Hermione who was once again asleep on Sirius' shoulder.

"Well, straight to the point as usual, Harry..." Dumbledore said with a slight smile. "In regards to your question I feel that you know a bit more about Hermione's situation first so that you better understand the course of action the Order is taking...

As you know, we were able to keep Hermione from harm by having her marry Sirius as soon as the law went into effect. However, the day it went into effect, there were over 30 petitions and inquiries into Hermione by suspected and known Death Eaters looking to marry her. From what our intelligence has found, Voldemort wished to have Hermione brought to them to use as a bargaining chip with you, Mr. Potter. Needless to say, when it was found out that Hermione had already been spoken for, Voldemort was quite displeased..."

Everyone was silent, listening intently to Dumbledore as most were eager to hear the story that led to today's events.

"When it was found that Hermione could not be that easily brought to him, Voldemort then decided to put a price on her head. The Death Eater who brings Hermione to him stands to gain a lot in his service.... Now, naturally we refuse to allow this to happen, so it has been decided that Hermione and Sirius shall go into hiding. Hermione will not be attending Hogwarts this year. She will however, be able to sit for her NEWTS in the spring, so that when this is all over she may once again join the Wizarding community as is intended."

"You mean that they'll be going into hiding like my parents did? With the Fidelius Charm?" Harry asked.

"Yes, that is exactly how it will happen, Harry. I have already appointed a most trustworthy secret keeper that I know both Hermione and Sirius approve of," Dumbledore explained and Sirius nodded in confirmation.

"I suppose that sounds alright. I mean, right now what matters is that Hermione is safe and out of harms way, even if it means she won't be able to go to school with us. I'd rather have her safe than at school where something could happen. Besides, I know that Sirius will make sure that nothing happens to her," Harry said with a grin.

Both Ron and Molly Weasley seemed to go ill at Harry's statement, Molly looking rather guilty and Ron turning his typical shade of red.

Harry couldn't help but notice Ron's reaction. "You okay, mate?"

"Yeah, fine," Ron replied, his tone leaving no room for talk.

"Well, now that we have covered that, are there any more questions?" Dumbledore asked.

"Um, yeah," Ginny spoke up. "So after I found out about this ridiculous law that they forced on Hermione I decided to read up on it and find out just what they were imposing..." She glanced over Hermione, who was still soundly asleep before continuing. "What is going to be done about the 'mandatory procreation' clause that was so neatly hidden in there? The one that says the married couple has one year in which to concieve?"

Sirius visibly stiffened. Sure he was known as a playboy in his day, but the idea of suddenly having his sexlife talked about in front of the Order made him a bit more nervous.

"Hermoine has yet to be informed of that clause," Dumbledore answered. "Hopefully this law will be repealed before we have to worry about that. For now we have our people working hard at the Ministry to have the law taken off the books. Until then I believe that Sirius and Hermione will be taking the proper precaution to prevent such an event until they are ready. We are leaving that much up to their discretion."

Severus narrowed his eyes and watched Molly Weasley fidget as she realized that perhaps what she had done had not been needed after all. Idiot woman. She didn't think about a thing when she hatched that bird brained scheme of hers.

"That sounds logical enough," Ginny nodded. "After all, it is their decision as to when they want to have a family, if at all."

Dumbledore smiled at Ginny, pleased that she seemed to keep a cool head, concidering who her mother was. "Again, I ask are there any questions?"

"Hermione's been asleep for the whole meeting... I thought the idea of this was so that she would find out just what was happening?" Ron finally spoke up. It was very clear that he was angry and he was measuring his words clearly in order to sound just a bit more reasonable.

"I did notice that, Mr. Weasley. However, I believe that she must need the rest, so I am trusting her husband to make her aware of the current developments. I have no doubts that he can handle this." Dumbledore said in a most reasurring voice that seemed to do nothing to assuage Ron's mood.

"Now, I believe if there are no other questions or orders of business, we can call this meeting to an end. Alright then, meeting adjourned."

As the room cleared out, Dumbledore walked over to where Sirius was still sitting with Hermione. "I thought you should know that your wards have been keyed so that only you, Hermione, and your secret keeper may apparate in and out."

"We appreciate it, Albus. And also, thanks for finding that house for us. I'm sure when she's feeling a bit better I'll never get Hermione out of that library," Sirius laughed quietly.

"Yes, I thought she would like that. It might help to make her transition from schooling to homelife a bit easier. Now, I suggest you take your sleeping wife home and let her get the rest she apparently needs," Dumbledore said with a smile, his eyes twinkling brightly.

Sirius nodded and scooped Hermione up into his arms and made their way out to apparate.

Once home, Sirius took off Hermione's shoes and outer sweater and tucked her into bed. He couldn't help the smile that played across his lips as he watched his pretty young wife sleep. Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. This marriage really does have it's upsides...

Meanwhile back at Number 12 Grimmauld Place

Remus Lupin sat in front of the fire in the library, staring into the flames, deep in thought. That is, until a cough startled him out of his reverie.

"Lupin."

Remus didn't even turn around. "Severus. To what do I owe this dubious pleasure?"

"I have some news for you concerning Hermione."

"Why not go to Sirius, then?" Remus asked, turning around to face Snape.

Severus gave him a most disgusted look before continuing. "This matter requires discretion, Lupin, and I think that if it were made known to Black it would do nothing more than exacerbate the issue."

"Well then, go on."

"I found out this morning that Miss Granger has been dosed with a rather potent fertility potion. Potent enough to possibly put her health at risk."

"It's Mrs. Black now, and just who in their right mind would be stupid enough to put Hermione's health at risk with a fertility potion?"

"Molly Weasley, although she did not realize that what she had used could harm Mrs. Black, she was also dimwitted enough not to research what the effects could be."

"Just how did you come across this information, Severus?" Remus asked, slightly skeptical that Molly would do such an unwise thing.

"I had a most interesting discussion with Molly this afternoon while you were in the living room with Sirius and Hermione. She told me what she did and what she gave Hermione. Though her intentions were somewhat good, her actions were regretably stupid..."

Remus was silent for a moment. "So, would I be correct in thinking that Hermione's sudden lack of energy and spirit would be the result of the potion that Molly slipped to her?"

"You would, indeed, Lupin."

"So just what is it that I am supposed to do in this matter?"

"Keep a watchful eye on Mrs. Black. This tiredness and lack of drive is an indicator of pregnancy, and it will continue for perhaps another day at most. Urge them to seek out a Mediwitch should it continue longer than that, or if any other strange symptoms should arise. Be observant, be cautious, use your discretion," Severus said before turning to leave.

"Why tell me though?" Remus asked once more.

"Even I have a conscience," Snape said softly before he slipped from the room, leaving Remus to think about the information that had been imparted to him.