Chapter 9: Ms. H's Rose Tinted Glasses
Another 4 months later
Hermione had never been so frazzled in her life. It was Halloween and it had been one of her more eccentric ideas to take the kiddos trick or treating.
They had loved the idea like peanut butter loved jelly.
And that was how Hermione had stuck her foot in her mouth yet again and was stuck with 5 sugar hyped kids and 1 sullen toddler in a rented SUV that felt far too small for 7 people.
"How many of these pretty balls can you stick in your mouth?" Chris asked, a wicked gleam lighting the one eye that wasn't covered by an eye patch—he'd chosen to be a pirate.
"More than you can!" Evan exclaimed, reaching into a bag full of multicolored gumballs. As soon as he'd realized Chris would be a pirate for Halloween, he demanded to be a police officer so he could throw his twin in jail
"Think you can stick this up your nose, Mason?" Evan, who was dressed as a ninja, asked, swinging a twizzler in front of his face. Mason's eyes went wide and he made a grab for the stick. He'd chosen to be the ninja trainer cum samurai to Evan's ninja.
Cleo moaned, holding her stomach with one hand, shoveling in the last piece of chocolate into her mouth with the other, her tiara hanging lopsided on her head—she was, unsurprisingly, Cleopatra.
Seraphina was quiet, looking at all of the kids with wide eyes, head swiveling back and forth, which looked rather ridiculous in her bright orange Nemo costume. Personally, Hermione liked Seraphina's costume best, and mind you, it wasn't because she elected to dress as Dory for Halloween.
"Listen up you brats! No one is going to eat anymore candy! Save it for later before we end up at St. Mungo's. Got it?" Hermione glared at the kids through the rearview mirror, the effect lessened by the bright blue makeup on her face and her crazy hair piece. Never let it be said that Ms. H couldn't roll with her kiddos.
A smattering of grumbled "yes" could be heard in the car just as Hermione pulled into the rental return lot. "Fantastic. Now, once I park, gather around so we can get back to PHOC." She put the gear shift into park and muttered a spell to send all the candy home, ignoring the indignant yells of the children. "You'll get it back soon enough. Settle down and let's get home."Hermione opened the back door, reaching for Seraphina as the other kids scrambled out of the SUV, the pitterpat of their feet warming Hermione's heart.
"Come on, come on. Portkey's about to leave, passengers left behind will remain behind in the Muggle world…" Hermione trailed off and grinned as the twins fell over each other to try to get to Hermione first. She waited until Mason finally placed his hand on the worn shoe and activated the portkey to PHOC.
Not even a minute after landing in PHOC did the kids run off to their rooms, screaming and shrieking from their sugar hype. Seraphina remained behind as Hermione locked the door and hid the candy. She whisphered a spell to send the candy out in different areas of PHOC and she grinned when Seraphina gasped at the disapprearing candy. Hermione threw her a wink and grabbed a handful of candy before making her way back to the little girl. Tugging on her hand, she ushered Seraphina forward.
"Come on upstairs, sweetheart. The rest of the kids will be awake for awhile but you, missy, need to be in bed soon." Hermione paused dramatically and then, in an exaggerated whisper, murmured, "after you eat some candy with Ms. H."Her heart warmed at Seraphina's shy giggle and Hermione fervently hoped this was a step in the right direction for getting Seraphina to talk to her.
"Have you come to a decision, young Malfoy?"
Draco rolled his eyes and glared at the man in front of him. "Fuck off, Dolohov. I said no earlier and I meant it. You're begging for Azkaban again, and no fucking way am I going back." The fool had a plan that was positively aching for aurors to swoop down on it. Any resurgence of pureblood supremacy activity, neo-death eater or otherwise, was constantly red flagged.
Dolohov smiled, sure and slow. "If you're certain, Malfoy. We've got many younglings on our side. Disposing of you would be," Draco rolled his eyes at the dramatic pause, "undoubtedly easy, but wasteful. I'll let you sit and think on it." Dolohov nodded to his guards to bind Draco and he struggled to control his anger.
"How much longer do you plan to keep me here? I don't have any fucking information, I don't plan to be an inside man, and I'm bloody well not going to help you. So, you may as well fucking get on with ki—" Draco groaned as Dolohov smashed his fist into his nose.
"I'll not tolerate your insolence, Draco. I will not hesitate to kill you."
Draco didn't bother responding, as he struggled to control the river of blood flowing down his face. He glared at Dolohov and spit in his face, bracing himself for the impending blow. When it didn't come, he moved to break away from the guards, but what Dolohov said made his blood run cold.
"Do not provoke me, Malfoy. I know of the little girl and I will find her. Do not think yourself so clever to have her hidden away. I will find her; think of it as an incentive for cooperation. Some of the men here…" Dolohov trailed off and threw Draco a smirk over his shoulder as he left the room.
Draco allowed the guards to shove him into his cell as he tried to reign in his anger and fear. If they found his baby girl, all would be for naught. He knew Granger would protect her, but from what he'd seen, she was a completely different person than the prudish, quiet, nerdy Gryffindor from Hogwarts. Nevertheless, his escape here depended on Granger keeping his baby girl alive until he returned. And he planned to return very soon, especially after what Dolohov had just said.
He'd been listening closely over the past few months and while he was in the states in some nondescript town, he knew there was a train station nearby. The guards were rather verbose after they'd had a few drinks and he managed to overhear them discussing the short road that led to the train station. He could figure his way back to London where Fi was as soon as he stole the key from one of the guards. There was no way to trick them so he'd have to use brute force and be quick. He'd bided his time, waiting for the right moment, and for Fi, it was now or never.
His vision turned red for a moment at the thought of not getting to Fi in time. He let loose a primal growl and punched the cement wall.
He'd get out. And he'd fucking do it tonight.
Hermione winced as the twins' shrieks filled the burrow. She could see Molly bustling around in the kitchen as Ginny lazed about in a nearby chair. Mason and Evan raced behind the twins as Cleo shrieked and ran towards the kitchen for Ginny. Hermione moved through the floo slowly, mindful of Seraphina slumbering on her shoulder. The little girl had another nightmare last night, running into Hermione's room with tears rolling down her face. Hermione had allowed Seraphina to share her bed and they'd both had a restless night. The past week at PHOC had been uneventful but Hermione had constantly felt eyes on her and the kids. She wasn't stupid or paranoid, but her war training had kicked in and she knew something was off. Thus, a Saturday afternoon picnic at the Burrow—surrounded by people she could trust had been her only solution. It would also give her the chance to bug Harry about Seraphina's father.
"Hermione! Glad you made it." Ron ambled towards her, all long limbs and broad shoulders. There had been a time where she would've dropped everything for Ron but now, now all she felt was the warm feeling of platonic love, just as she did with Harry.
Hermione smiled and reached on her tiptoes to place a chaste kiss on his cheek. "Of course, Ron. Wouldn't miss an invite. And the kids were itching to get out of the house." She stopped talking when Seraphina shifted and Ron quirked a brow.
"Any word on the father?"
Hermione sighed and shook her head. "All I have is that cryptic note. Is Harry here yet? I want to see if he's found anything yet."
Ron shook his head. "He's here but he hasn't found jackshit. What are you going to do about the girl?"
Hermione glared at his back as he began to lead her towards the yard. "I'm not going to do anything about the girl, who has a name , you know. I'll draw up the paperwork and we'll keep her at PHOC."
Ron nodded and was quiet for a moment. "And if the father shows up, a year or two from now. What then, 'Mione?"
She didn't want to think about that and her arms tightened around Seraphina's small form. "I don't know. I'll play it by ear. My focus now is getting Seraphina to talk."
Ron's head swiveled towards her from where he had been eyeing Luna's arse in her tight dress. "Talk? The little chit still doesn't talk?"
"Watch it, Ronald. She's traumatized and she'll say a few things, but only if it reminds her of her father. I've hardly gotten anything out of her." She ran a ringed hand over Seraphina's curls and dropped a kiss on her head. "I need to put her down. Can I use your old room?"
Without waiting for an answer, Hermione climbed the stairs slowly, careful not to jostle Seraphina. Ron's comment had shocked her, brought her back to reality. What if Seraphina's father did come back? She knew, without a doubt, that if her father returned, Seraphina would go home with him. But what if it wasn't safe for her? What of the kids at PHOC who loved her like another sibling? And what of herself? Hermione would hardly be able to stand it if she lost Seraphina. They'd become close, even though the little girl hardly talked. But Hermione loved her all the same.
She slowly placed Seraphina in the bed and pulled the covers on top. She waved her wand and muttered the spell that would alert her when Seraphina woke up. She hoped the little girl would sleep through the picnic—she'd hardly gotten but a few hours of sleep last night. Dropping a kiss on the girl's forehead, Hermione made her way downstairs, and followed the laughter outside. She spotted Harry lounging with his arm around Ginny, who had Cleo perched on her lap. She moved towards them, intent on questioning Harry about his leads.
"Harry. Have you found him yet?" She asked without preamble.
Harry smiled and rolled his eyes. "Well, hello Hermione. I'm fine, and yourself? You look fetching in the jumpsuit today. I didn't think checkered was your style."
She smacked his shoulder and gave him a stern glare. "Harry James Potter, do not mess with me. I want to know what you've found. And for your information, I like checkered. So?"
Harry chuckled and patted the empty seat next to him. "Sit down, Hermione. I think I found something, but that note you gave me was so damn cryptic."
Hermione motioned for him to continue, wringing her hands together, hoping it was some good news.
"Based on her age and the little tidbits she's disclosed, he's got to between the ages of 21-35. She said yellow hair, long enough to be tied back. I'm assuming very little greying. She's hardly four years old and she hasn't got the upbringing of a spoilt child. This guy lives comfortably, knows advances magic based of the portkey and dragon pendant. And he knows you personally Hermione. Her father sent that note to you, don't you see? He must've gone to school with us!"
"That doesn't really narrow it down, Harry. Did the initials help at all?"
Harry shook his head. "No way to tell; he could be using an alias. But I've compiled a list of potential people. But I'm not acting on it unless you want me to. Finding him means losing Seraphina, Hermione. He can return to her quite easily, you know. The complex tracking spell I found surpasses any of the tracking spells the Ministry uses. He'll be back for his daughter, Hermione. Can you deal with that?"
Hermione didn't answer, letting Harry's thoughts wash over her. Goosebumps rose on her bare arms at the thought of Seraphina leaving her, but she wouldn't deny her the right to live with her father. "We'll figure it out when the time comes, Harry. I don't want to know the possibilities. I'll keep her safe and if her father returns, he'll know I kept my promise." If her voice broke and sounded weak, Harry didn't comment. He simply nodded and turned his gaze towards the chaos in the yard.
"You know, we'll all be here for you, whatever happens."
Hermione nodded and turned her attention towards the kids. She could see the twins pestering George, while Mason and Evan were playing along with Victoire. Cleo was nodding off on Ginny's shoulder and little Seraphina was still asleep.
She finally had time to think, without wondering about the kids and looking over her shoulder at fleeting shadows. She didn't dare tell Harry about the uneasy feeling she'd had for the past few days; he'd set up patrol and that would worry the kids. She knew her way around a wand and the wards around PHOC were stronger than ever. There was no reason to worry, the kids and her would be just fine.
Just then, Molly bustled in, hands laden with trays, with the kids, save for Cleo, trailing behind her holding pans of food. "Let's eat, dearies! While it's all still hot!"
Hermione grinned as her kids rushed to the table with their pans and began plating anything they could get their hands on. She walked over, pausing Chris's spoon mid air. "Eat what you can actually stomach. There's always more." Chris nodded and Hermione ruffled his hair, turning her eye on the other kids. She gave Mason a stern look and he slowly lowered the hand filled with peas he'd been about to shove up his nose.
She was about to sit down when a piercing shriek filled the air. Her wand began to vibrate and Hermione rushed from the table and bolted up the stairs. She could hear Harry and Ron behind her just as she reached the door. She threw the door open and rushed to the bed, where Seraphina was crying, fat tears rolling down her cheeks. She was calling for her Da under breath as Hermione picked her up and began to quiet her down.
She locked gazes with Harry and Ron, both of whom were staring at her, brows furrowed. Hermione shook her head and stood, intending to carry Seraphina outside. She was crying silently now and Hermione knew some food would do her well. "Another nightmare, sweetheart?"
Seraphina nodded and sniffled, tucking her nose into Hermione's neck. One hand clenched the gaudy beads on her neck and the other grasped her bare shoulder. Hermione rubbed her back and moved past the boys, walking downstairs. She ignored Harry and Ron's rapid whispering behind her, keeping her attention focused on Seraphina. "You hungry, darling? Molly made some food."
Seraphina shook her head and hiccupped, making Hermione's heart clench. The Weasley's continued eating, barely pausing in their ruckus when they saw Hermione carrying a sniffling Seraphina. Hermione took a seat and piled food onto her plate, moving over when Harry nudged her shoulder. She ate quietly and saved some leftovers for Seraphina. She could feel Harry staring at her and she struggled to tamper down her irritation. She glanced at him and muttered under her breath, "It's fine, Harry. Another nightmare."
Harry shook his head and ran a hand down Seraphina's back. "Don't give a damn. It's not healthy. Cleo told Ginny that Seraphina sleeps in your room a lot. Especially this week. What's happening at PHOC, Hermione?"
Hermione groaned and shoveled warm bread into her mouth to keep from spilling her guts. She could hardly keep a secret but she didn't want Harry to freak out. "Nothing. All is well."
Seraphina shifted and turned her body towards the table. Glad for the disruption, Hermione pushed a small plate of chicken towards her. "Eat up, sweetheart." Hermione smiled as Seraphina tackled her food with quiet tenacity, vehemently cutting the pieces and chewing slowly. Hermione kissed her head and turned to Harry. "We're fine, Harry. Just fine."
