Chapter 1

Hermione Granger sat on a bench outside of Quality Quidditch Supply deep in thought. She didn't care for Quidditch but she did care for Harry and Ron and they loved it. She dragged them to the Flourish & Blotts, so she didn't complain when they dragged her to the Quidditch shop. Well not much anyway. She rarely went in though. It was always so crowded and she hated that.

She sat outside, watching the crowds. Since the defeat of Voldemort two months before, the Wizarding world had become free. People who had gone into hiding had returned. The shops in Diagon Alley that had closed were reopened. She watched the people walk by with a smile on her face. It was because of this that she saw a young woman carrying a Muggle baby car carrier. She was struggling through the crowd and kept dropping her things.

Hermione stood and went to her side. She picked up the various dropped items. "Here, come sit down for a moment. Maybe we can get your stuff situated." Hermione said and led her to the benches. The young woman looked relieved and nodded. She set everything down and sat with a sigh. Hermione saw that she was not any older than Hermione, herself.

"Thank you, Miss. It's not easy getting around with everything I need." She said in a weary voice.

Hermione nodded and began to rearrange the young woman's things in a way that would be easier to carry. She knew how to organize. In moments, she had one bag ready for the woman to carry. She looked at the sleeping baby.

"Oh he is so adorable. How old is he?" she asked. The young woman sighed.

"He is two weeks old. He isn't mine. My sister died in childbirth. There was no one else to take him so I did. It isn't easy."

Hermione nodded sympathetically. She didn't have any experience with babies but she knew it wasn't easy. She looked at the baby again. He really was adorable with pink cheeks and black downy hair. He was sleeping with one chubby hand curled up against his face and a pacifier in his mouth.

"You don't have anyone to help you? That must be awful." Hermione commented, still gazing adoringly at the baby. She had always wanted to be a mother but she wasn't ready for children yet. She didn't see the woman's considering look.

"Oh yes, it can be. I love him dearly though. He is a delight. Could I ask you a favor?" She said more cheerfully. Hermione nodded absently.

"Could you watch him while I run into the Quidditch shop? I need a new broom kit and it's always so crowded."

Hermione gave her a surprised look. "You would ask me to watch him? You don't even know me." She said incredulously. The young woman shrugged.

"I know you are Hermione Granger and I don't believe you would hurt a child. It will only be for a moment. You can hold him if you like." She said reaching down and unbuckling the straps. He squirmed and murmured when she picked him up but didn't open his eyes. She handed him to Hermione.

Hermione smiled nervously. She had never held a newborn before. Most of her cousins had been at least a year before she felt comfortable enough to take them. He snuggled against Hermione.

"See, he likes you. His name is Alexander. I will only be a moment." The young woman disappeared into the shop.

Minutes passed and the young woman didn't reappear. After almost a half hour, she was growing frantic. Finally Harry and Ron came out of the shop.

"What the hell, Hermione! Where did you get a baby?" Ron said. Hermione quickly explained the situation to the young men.

"I think you have a problem, Hermione. The girl you described was in there but she apparated away. The shopkeeper had to do an inventory to make sure nothing was stolen. It wasn't but…" Harry said reluctantly.

Hermione scowled. "There has to be some information in her things. Look for it." She demanded. Harry and Ron began to search the bags. There were bottles and clothing, toys and diapers but nothing that would lead them to discover who the young woman was. Suddenly Hermione looked down and saw a letter in the bottom of the baby carrier. She pointed it out to Harry, who picked it up and read it.

To Whom It May Concern,

The child is Alexander. His mother is dead and his father unknown.

There is no one to care for him, no one to love him. I have done

my best as his aunt but am unable to do more. Please care for him or

send him to the orphanage for I do not want him.

Sincerely,

Alexander's guardian

The trio stared at each other in horror. Who could give a baby away? Who could just leave the child with someone on the street and walk away?

"What are you going to do, Hermione?" Harry asked in a subdued voice.

"I don't know. I think an orphanage would be just awful." Hermione sighed. She didn't know what to do. She didn't want the child to go to an orphanage but she wasn't ready to care for him. She hadn't wanted children until she was finished with the University. The baby began to fuss and she stared at him in complete horror. What did she do?

Help came from an unexpected quarter. Harry took the fussing baby out of her hands and began to bounce him lightly. He unwrapped the blanket and checked his diaper.

"He isn't wet so he must be hungry. Give me one of those bottles, Ron." Ron didn't move but Hermione grabbed the bottle and thrust it into Harry's hands. The baby had begun to wail and it was catching attention. He held the bottle up to the baby's mouth and smiled when he began to suck vigorously.

"Blimey mate, where did you learn that?" Ron asked incredulously.

Harry blushed. "I have been spending a lot of time at that orphanage. There are a lot of kids there and I don't want another…" he didn't finish.

"So you volunteer? How sweet Harry. So the orphanage is a bad idea?" she asked. He nodded.

"There are a lot of kids there who won't be adopted any time soon. The children of death eaters or kids that have been abandoned, people won't adopt them anytime soon. There may be bad blood." He said the last a little bitterly and Hermione had the feeling there were quite of few children Harry had come to care for.

"Blood doesn't mean anything. I know that more than anyone." She said consolingly. He gave her a wry smile and thought she always seemed to know what was bothering him.

"Well, I could take him until we find his father. I know there are paternity potions out there but I never thought I would need one." Hermione said with a short laugh. Ron sighed.

"Snape's right there. Why don't you ask him?" he said. They turned to find Snape standing outside the apothecary blinking in the bright sunlight. Harry turned his head away. He hadn't quite forgiven their old Professor for killing Dumbledore, even though they now knew he had been forced.

Hermione bit her lip and grasped her courage. "I'll be right back" she said and crossed the street. Snape had seen her cross the street in his direction and wondered what the little know-it-all wanted. She had driven him crazy in every class and now she was bothering him on the streets. Curiosity made him stay where he was though. She did have some wonderful arguments.

"Professor, I have a question." When he didn't answer, she continued. "How long does it take to brew a paternity potion?"

He stared at her in consternation and couldn't help but glance down at her stomach. She noticed the direction of his look and blushed but before she could deny his assumptions, someone else interrupted.

"Well, well, Granger, did you get into trouble and don't know if it is the Weasel's or Scarhead's? You should just wait and see what it looks like."

She stiffened at the sound of that hated drawl and turned to face Draco Malfoy. "I'm 3 months along and you know who I was with then." She retorted and was amused to see him flush. Three months before they had a week long fling before decided the shagging wasn't enough to keep them from killing each other. Actually, the breakup had been her idea but he had agreed with her at the time. After that, he had been even colder to her and she wondered if he really hadn't wanted to break up.

She laughed at the look on his face. Crabbe and Goyle were a few steps behind him ready to catch him whether he lunged at her or fainted.

"As amusing as this is, I have things to do. Miss Granger, the most reliable potion takes six weeks to brew. It is a complicated potion and uses some rare ingredients. If you need anything let me know." Snape said before walking away. He chuckled under his breath. The look on Malfoy's face had been worth more than what any of the potion ingredients was worth.

Hermione and Draco both stared at his retreating back in wonder. He never offered help or his ingredients for anything. Finally Hermione turned to face Draco again.

"If it is mine, I will be there to raise it, Granger. Don't doubt it." He hissed at her before turning and walking away. She started to call after him but then decided not to. He wouldn't likely believe her anyway. She walked back to Harry and Ron, who had been watching the scene with interest. The baby had fallen asleep again.

Ron was grinning. He hadn't been happy when Hermione had gotten with Malfoy even though he and Hermione were only friends now. He didn't quite hate Malfoy with as much fervor but the dislike was still there. Harry was ambiguous. He knew Draco had helped them when it most desperately needed so he kept his resentments and thoughts to himself. He didn't want Hermione mad at him.

"He said it takes six weeks! What am I going to do? What will the Headmistress say?" Hermione exclaimed when she reached them.

Ron shrugged. "That you have your responsibilities. You have to decide what is important. He needs someone."

Harry handed her the baby. "If you decide to keep him, I will help you when I can. Its not easy but if anyone can do it, you can Hermione."

She looked down at the little sleeping angel in her arms and sighed.

"I'll do it then. Professor McGonagall will have to allow me to keep him at Hogwart's. At least until I finish the potion and find his father. " she said decisively.