For Her Safety

A/N- Okay. This chapter took me some time. I'm not quite sure if I like it yet, but I'm sure it will grow on me in time as I've been trying to sort this and the next few chapters out for quite some time.

Thank you all for the wonderful reviews. They really do keep me going.

Sampdoria- I've been thinking up ways to tell her and the revenge afterward for quite some time. So I hope that this is what you were looking for :)

and

Moona- You're right. If she gave up the boys (Ron and Harry) she really could cure cancer, and global warming as well. ;)

Please ignore any grammatical and spelling errors. I haven't had time to really give this a once over as I want to post it NOW lol.

Anyhow. Here, as promised is the next chapter. Enjoy, and don't forget to read and review.

much love,
zairaphel
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All eyes in the room were trained on Hermione.

"Surely you must be joking," Hermione said, looking from Dumbledore to Snape, her eyes wide and unbelieving.

"And when have you known me to joke about anything, Miss Granger?" Snape asked her, a slight bit of amusement playing on his features before he expertly masked his face once again.

Dumbledore spoke up next. "The method and ingredients are relatively simple, but the work and thought put into this is extraordinary, really. Apparently all it needed was a simple straight forward approach and a fresh mind..." wonder and pride laced his voice as he spoke.

Hermione took a deep breath. "So, you're telling me I've not created a vaccine, but a cure?" She laughed lightly in her amusement and shock.

There were a few moments of silence whilst the information was being processed by the rest of the room's occupants. It took but only a second for Remus Lupin to spring from his chair and embrace Hermione, swinging her around merrily before kissing her square on the mouth.

"You, Hermione are an angel! Order of Merlin First Class!" he said, as he finally set her down. Both Hermione and Sirius laughed as they watched their friend express his joy. Snape coughed and shifted awkwardly as he watched the display for a moment before slipping from the room, Dumbledore following him out.

"I believe this calls for a celebration. Let's go home, have a late dinner, and a good stiff celebratory drink," Sirius said with a grin.

"That sounds wonderful! And you, Remus Lupin, will most definately join us this evening!" Hermione said brightly, but leaving no room for arguement.

Remus laughed lightly. "And how could I refuse you, Angel? Though I do have a stop to make first. I'm going to pop out and pay a quick visit to Harry, then I shall meet you at home for that celebration. Sound good?"

"That'll be fine mate. Don't take too long. We won't start without you," Sirius told him before escorting his brilliant wife out to apparate home.

_-*-_-*-_-*-_-*-_

Remus arrived at Hogwarts and quickly found Harry, dragging him off to a spare class room without hardly a word.

"What's going on, Remus?" Harry asked as he watched Remus cast a strong locking and silencing charm, and a few wards for extra measure.

"I've meant to come to talk to you for a while now..." Remus sighed as he tried to figure out where to begin. "You probably know Hermione the best of anyone, and I need your advice."

Harry could sence Remus's unease. "Listen, you know I'm more than happy to help with whatever you need, especially if it has to do with Hermione.

Remus took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment. "It's a long, hard to believe story, Harry..." After a few moments of silence he began to relay the story, starting at the beginning with Molly's crazy scheme that she had reveiled to Severus, and ending with this evening's events at Grimmauld Place.

Harry just sat there wide-eyed as Remus finished the story. "So, what you're telling me is that Mrs. Weasley gave Hermione a potion to get her pregnant, and she and Sirius are going to be parents, and they've got no idea?"

Remus sighed, "Yeah, that pretty well sums it up. But what do I do? Severus pretty well put this on my shoulders..."

"You have to tell her. It's as simple as that. She deserves to know what happened, Remus."

"It's easy to say that, since I'm the one who has to tell her... But I will tell her. You're right, Harry. She deserves to know what happened. I'm just not looking forward to it, that's all."

"Well, good luck. Owl me and let me know how things go, alright?" Harry said as he stood, unwarding the room and removing the charms on it.

"Thanks, Harry. I'll let you know how things went... if she doesn't kill me after this."

Harry smiled slightly, shaking his head as Remus walked from the room. He's in for it.


_-*-_-*-_-*-_-*-_

Remus arrived with a 'pop' in the library of Hermione and Sirius' home. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the impending confrontation as he went off to find the happy couple. It took him only a few minutes to find them in the sitting room, their giggling tipping him off as to their whereabouts.

"Hope I'm not interrupting things," Remus said, his tone light as he slipped into the room. Hermione was perched atop Sirius' lap, giggling and blushing madly as he kissed her neck.

"Not at all, mate. Great timing, though. My brilliant wife just suggested we break out a bottle of champagne and start the celebration not more than a moment ago," Sirius said with a smile from over Hermione's shoulder.

Remus took a deep breath. It's now or never... "Actually. I need to talk to you two for a moment... It's kind of important."

Sirius looked at him intently. "Is everything alright? Is something the matter with Harry?"

"No, no. Everything's fine with Harry... Gods, how to start..." He plunked down in a plush chair across from Hermione and Sirius. "Some information has recently come into my hands and I have to admit I wasn't sure quite what to do about it."

"Take your time, Remus. It can't be that bad after all," Hermione said with an encouraging smile.

"Just promise me that you won't interrupt me until I'm finished speaking, alright?"

Hermione agreed readily and after a moment Remus got a nod from Sirius as well, indicating that it was indeed safe to continue.

"I'm sure you both remember the Order meeting that we had the morning after your nuptials. Well, after the meeting Severus pulled me aside. Earlier that afternoon he had an interesting conversation with Molly Weasley, who was enquiring about the side effects of mixing a potion. It seems she mixed a calming draught with a fertility potion. Naturally Severus's curiousity was piqued as he explained that the side effects would be a euphoric feeling. He was shocked however when he found out the dosage used. It seemed that the amount Molly had used was well over the recommended dosage."

Both Sirius and Hermione listened intently to the odd story, a sinking feeling gathering in them as they wondered how this story pertained to them.

"Apparently at this dosage it made conception more than a possibility. As for a side effect, there would only be one. Should a child, or children be concieved, the user of said potion would be physically exhausted for a day or so while the body tried to regain the energy it took to create the child. Severus asked Molly about whom she had given this potion to, as it surely wasn't herself she made it for. After much pressing Molly told him who the recipient was. Hermione, she slipped you the potion, probably in the guise of a normal calming draught at the wedding. Once Severus found out he contacted me, thinking I would be in the best position to do something about it and keep an eye on you. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, but I just haven't known how to broach the subject."

Remus sighed and looked at the couple across from him. Hermione was sitting silent, her eyes, wide as though still trying to digest all she was told. Sirius on the other hand he could tell was upset. His fists were clenched and his eyes were smouldering with rage.

Hermione, however, was the first to speak. "So you're telling me that the reason why I was so tired and lethargic was because of the potion Mrs. Weasley gave me?"

"Yes."

"So, if I'm to understand the explaination of how the potion works... I'm going to be a mum?" Hermione asked quietly, her voice shakey.

"You are."

"But the woman dosed Hermione with a potion. That's illegal, isn't it? To give someone a substance without their knowledge? Why would she do that? And what are we going to do about it?" Sirius said, seemingly ignoring his wife's last comment. He didn't shout, but his voice was low and deadly.

"It seems Molly didn't care for the idea of you two being wed. She wanted to save Hermione from the dangers of 'carnal knowledge' at the hands of the very knowledgable Sirius Black. Apparently from what I can gather, she hoped that it would work on the first go so that Hermione wouldn't have to sleep with you again," Remus said softly.

Sirius snorted and rolled his eyes. "Just like the old cow to go meddling like this. God forbid a grown woman choose to sleep with me. I could corrupt her terribly."

"I know what we're going to do..." Hermione spoke up, a very slight smile playing on her face. She looked calm and thoughtful, but really she was simply storing up her emotions for later.

"What's that?" Remus and Sirius asked eagerly.

"I'm inviting Molly to tea tomorrow."

"You're what? Have you gone barmy, love?" Sirius asked.

"Trust me, Sirius. Trust me." Hermione got up and fetched a few pieces of parchment and a quill. After a moments thought, she wrote out a brief note to Molly, laying it on thick.

Dear Molly,

I have been so lonely at the house without feminine company. I was hoping that you might be able to join me for tea tomorrow. It would be lovely to see you again. We need a chance to catch up. Tea is at 4:15. Please let me know as soon as possible if you'll be able to attend as one of us will have to escourt you here.

Hermione

Quickly folding the letter up she sent it off with Archimedes to find Mrs. Weasley. It didn't take more than 15 minutes before Archimedes landed on the coffee table in the sitting room.

Hermione took the note from the owl, but not before giving it's feathers an effectionate stroke. "Molly says that she will be more than happy to attend tomorrow."

Picking up the quill again she wrote out another note. Hermione folded it carefully and attached it to the tawny owl on the table. "Archimedes, take that to Severus Snape, please." And with a merry hoot, the owl was out of the room again.

"What on earth are you owling Snape for?" Sirius asked, his curiousity overflowing.

"I have a favour to ask of the Potion's Master. I need something from him for tea tomorrow. Anyhow... That's all you two need know about tomorrow. And you will be joining us for tea, you know. The both of you."

Hermione sighed and sat back on the couch, leaning slightly on Sirius' shoulder. The room was quiet again, the occupants once again deep in thought.

Sirius blinked for a few moments as he replayed their conversation in his mind. He was sure he missed something important, but what?

"So, if I'm to understand the explaination of how the potion works... I'm going to be a mum?" Hermione asked quietly, her voice shakey.

"You are."

"You're going to be a mum..." Sirius said in a startled voice as he looked at Hermione.

"It appears I am..." Hermione said, not sure if there was anything else she could say.

"She is," Remus confirmed. "I'm suprised it took you this long to pick up on that tidbit."

After a few more moments of uncomfortable silence Sirius spoke up again. "I say we break out that champagne anyhow. We've got a bit more to celebrate now," he said with a grin.

"Yes. Celebration right now, and pure, unadulterated revenge tomorrow," Hermione said, a sly smile playing over her face.

Both men eyed her warily, thinking that they had better not cross Hermione in the future.