In Loco Parentis

Harry and Ginny left to walk back to St. Mungo's.

"What are we going to do? Should we go tomorrow? Mum and Dad were really torn up. I didn't expect Bill to be so hostile to Viktor, though," Ginny mused.

"One of us should probably go. I'll let you decide. I want to talk to Severus again, though. I'll Floo-call him when we get home."

"I'll have Kreacher set up the third floor rooms for Viktor and Hermione and the babies. It is quieter there and they'll have more privacy. You have been wonderful, Harry."

"I know it has been hard on you, Gin, and I'm sorry. I'm just glad you found her. You had the presence of mind to send for Viktor. That was brilliant."

"I envy them, Harry. They were so much in love, even from the Tournament. He was always there for her, strong and caring. Then this happened; it's so senseless. Did you find anything when you went back to look for shards of the locket in the forest?"

"Yes, there were some shards still on the ground around the rock. It almost seemed like the ground didn't want any part of the evil to get into it. They even felt strange to me. I gathered them up and took them to St. Mungo's."

"I hope Mum and Dad can get hold of Lavender. Ron told me he was going to marry her even though she probably can't have children. She really loves Ron and I think he must love her as well. She understands him which is more than anyone else ever has."

"I know she is helping her aunt and uncle out at one of the shops in Diagon Alley. Her parents were killed by the Death Eaters that last year of the war. Ron did behave better around her after the war. I don't think the shard had taken full control of him then."

"We're here. I hope the security stuck around. I want to get Vik and Hermione back to our house and away from prying eyes. Maybe we should invite Luna and Percy over for dinner if Hermione is up and around?"Ginny looked around before they entered St. Mungo's.

"Let's wait and see how she's doing. Good! The security folks are still around. They look pleased about something. I'm going to see what has been happening while we were away. Be with you at her room in a few." Harry strode over to the young man in charge of the security detail.

"Evening, Potter. I think you'll be happy to know the ambassador's wife is doing much better. We caught that sneaky witch, Skeeter, trying to get in here. One of the lads has a bug collection, and he noticed the strange markings on a beetle. He has her tucked into a jar, where she can't make any trouble for anyone. Go on up to the floor. Snape was here looking for you. I told him you'd Floo-call him when you got here."

"You might tell that lad there is a reward for capturing Skeeter while she is transformed and trying to sneak into restricted areas. The Ministry frowns on her behaviour. She'll probably earn herself another stint in Azkaban. Thanks."

Once Harry exited the lift, he found Ginny and Luna talking on the bench outside Hermione's room. Luna had been shopping for baby things to get the Krums through the first few days with their new infants.

The door to the room opened and Viktor stuck his head out. "Please come in. Nin vants to speak vith you." He looked much younger and happier.

Hermione was sitting up in the bed with a baby in her arms. The other child lay in one of the carriers, sleeping soundly. Harry and Ginny entered the hospital room together hand in hand. Luna stayed outside to wait for Percy.

"Oh, Ginny, thank you so much, both for saving me and sending for Viktor. I know Snape removed many of my memories; Viktor and I discussed it. However, I know you were the one who found me. You have seen them before, but let me introduce you to our children. The one sleeping in his carrier is Miko Viktorevitch Krum, and this is Irina Viktoria Krum. We talked about it and decided that the little ones needed two sets of godparents. We're asking you, Harry, Luna, and Percy."

Ginny squeezed Harry's hand and answered for the both of them, "Yes, Hermione, we would be honoured to their godparents. I'm so glad you are better." To emphasize her words, she hugged Hermione tightly.

Harry leaned over to kiss his 'sister' on the cheek and said, "When you are ready to leave here, we have room for you at Grimmauld Place. The third floor is yours for as long as you want to stay. Kreacher has recruited his younger relatives to help out with the little ones."

Ginny noticed the look that passed between Viktor and Hermione. Then Viktor shook his head. "Yes, ve vill take you up on that kind offer. I haff sent owl to my parents to set our house to rights, but ve vant to be here to giff effidence about Veasley."

Luna peeked into the room and asked, "Did someone mention my name? Those are the sweetest babies, Hermione. I had such fun taking care of them last night. Percy just sent a Patronus to say he would be here shortly."

Ginny pulled Luna into the room, saying, "Viktor and Hermione want to ask you something, Luna. Have you ever met Viktor before?"

"No, it is a pleasure to meet you, Gospodin Krum. Percy says you are a Quidditch star. I think perhaps, you are a very unusual man. You'd have to be for Hermione to love you as much as she does." Luna tilted her head as she spoke to Viktor.

Viktor and Hermione both smiled at the petite blonde-haired woman. In answer, Viktor took her hand and kissed it. "I am wery happy to meet you, Miss Lovegood. Ve thank you wery much for your tender care of our babies."

Percy appeared at the door to the room and motioned to Harry.

Outside, he said, "Lavender is adamant that she wants to be there when the shard is taken out of Ron's arm. She has the right. Her handfasting with Ron, though unusual, was duly recorded at the Ministry in a book no one ever looks at, unfortunately. Somehow, we have to get these records to send up a red flag when someone is already married and tries to commit bigamy. Anyway, Snape, Slughorn, Mum, Dad, Lavender, Minister Shacklebolt, and Healers Watson and Ormond are all going to be there. I think you should be as well."

"I will, Perce. Now, come on. Vik and Hermione have a question for you and Luna."

"Oh, dear, whatever it is, I didn't do it."

Harry just laughed and pushed Percy into the room.

Percy took Luna's hand as if his life depended on it, then he faced the Krum couple. "Hermione, Ambassador."

"Please, call me Viktor. Hermione and I vant to ask if you and Luna vill be godparents to Miko and Irina. Vith two babies there should be two sets of godparents, no?" Viktor chuckled.

Luna squeezed Percy's hand and smiled up at him. He turned to Viktor and answered, "Yes, Viktor, Luna and I would love to be godparents to the children. I think a name that means peace is a good choice as well."

Hermione answered, "We thought so, too, Percy. Viktor told me how helpful you were, and that you and Luna worked together to find our babies."

"I was more than happy to help out. I think I may have found more than I thought." Percy looked down at Luna as he spoke.

Hermione looked to Ginny, who was grinning at Percy and Luna. "We will be moving to Grimmauld Place in the next two days or so. Perhaps you and Luna could have dinner with us there. If Harry and Ginny are agreeable?"

Harry chuckled and answered, "A meeting of both sets of godparents with the actual parents. I think we could handle that. I know Gin would welcome them, if you're sure you are up to it, Herms."

"I'll be fine, Harry, now that I have my husband back and my babies. Snape left me enough memories to know that Ron used the Imperius on me. He wasn't acting at all like himself, so jealous and hateful. I tried to run and he cursed me. I thought I'd never see Viktor again."

Viktor took the little girl from Hermione and tucked her back into the carrier. "The Healers say Nin can be released tomorrow afternoon. Ve vill go to Grimmauld Place from here."

Harry answered him, "That is perfect. I think Minister Shacklebolt wants to talk to you tonight, Vik. You can talk to him in the library at the house. I am going home now to get Kreacher to set up the rooms for you and the babies. I need to talk to Severus again, anyway. The rooms should be ready when you get there tonight. Do you want to come home now, Gin?"

"I'll be there in a bit, Harry. I want to talk to Hermione."

"I think we will be off, too. Some pleasant time with a new friend will do wonders for my state of mind," Percy said.

Luna handed Hermione the diapers and clothes for the babies before leaving with Percy.

Viktor kissed his wife and left to go to the house.

Ginny Transfigured the carriers into bassinets for the babies. Then she hugged Hermione, saying, "I am so sorry that this whole thing happened. You were already married to Viktor and Ron was handfast to Lavender. There is a piece of the locket Horcrux embedded in Ron's arm. It is thought that it has enhanced his worst characteristics. I probably shouldn't be telling you this, but you have a right to know. I am willing to bet that he became enraged when you told him you were married to Viktor and pregnant." At Hermione's nod, she continued, "I thought so. His behaviour was always odd around you, and he was exceedingly jealous of your closeness with Harry. His tantrum at the Yule Ball was because he was afraid you would help Viktor win, and he and Harry would be laughed at. Everything was about Ron wanting to be as famous as Harry. The locket Horcrux found Ron's weaknesses and exploited them. There isn't any part of Voldemort left in the shards, but the piece of soul was in there so long that it contaminated the glass."

Hermione hugged Ginny back. "It seemed that he went berserk all at once, Gin. One minute he was thanking me for coming to see him to tell him, then suddenly he went stock-still. When he moved again, he was completely different. I didn't even have time to Disapparate."