AN: You cannot know how bad I feel that I haven't updated in so long. I did add in CH 9's Author's note that my computer had a Trojan/ virus. I was bereft without that access, I tell you! Here's 2 chapters to make it up (the one chapter became twice the length of my usual posts and my Beta also reccod a nice place to break it up for an easier read). The characters in this chapter just insisted on this time and space to be, say and do as they liked.
A gigantic Thank You to the awesome Dixie Charmer, who honors me by taking the time to vastly improve my chapters.
I also need to thank all of you for:
1 your patience with my absence
2 returning to the story
3 your very valuable suggestions and kind reviews
4 adding me to your alert/ favorite lists
Shout out to Jillian in this chapter, as she helped me realize that Hermione would be a lot more invested in the children's lives than just collecting donations. My heartfelt gratitude to the following reviewers for immeasurably brightening my days: Simkey, Okikuchan, fidens, x Dramione4Lyf x, dream-catcher angel9, dakato izumi, Li0n3ss, tarockets1, HarryPGinnyW4eva and nathy7. You guys rock and make me sooooooooooo happy! Evil Tobi - You reviewed almost every chapter, while reading it in one go! I know how tough that is! You don't seem that evil to me :)
Please leave reviews for both chappies? Else I regret posting two chappies together. If you don't like some parts, could you please tell me why?
The Sanctuary
Harry and Hermione met at the W.I.C.H Ashram at noon, piled high with shrunk gifts for the children. Though the youngest wartime victims were now about 8 years old, other, younger children who had lost their parents to heartrending circumstances, found their way into the open arms of the Ashram staff. There were still dark witches and wizards that roamed the lands; Harry and the aurors were kept busy tracking and apprehending them. Unfortunately, the world wasn't rid of all evil and random tragedy, just one morally insane sociopath.
The heart-broken children found themselves counseled, protected and understood, if not always loved, in the walls of the sanctuary. An extensive property, donated by the Malfoys, the domicile was large enough to house an elemental school, a dormitory wing, a quidditch pitch, and a pond that the children used for swimming in the summer and ice-skating in the winter. Hermione had initially planned for a swimming pool, but Draco had vetoed that idea, stating that the natural environment of a pond was much more esthetically pleasing. There was also a playground with a variety of muggle swings ,jungle gyms, and climbing walls for children of all ages. Hermione had insisted on muggle games being incorporated into the Physical Education, to expose the children to the fun aspects of muggle culture at an early age. The quidditch field was often sectioned to serve as a cricket pitch, tennis courts or soccer field, to the delight of the 100 + residents.
Children mostly got along, but there were normal quarrels in the gender-divided dorm rooms… sibling rivalry squared to 100! With gentle disciplinary measures and counseling, most found a healthy balance. There had been older children in the first few years, too deeply indoctrinated in the teachings of their parents, to be able to see past their hate. Hermione remembered them well, they had almost discouraged her into thinking this was a horrific idea that would never work.
The angst-ridden group had lashed out in their anger and been drawn to conflicts habitually. Sometimes it was in vengeance, sometimes in defense, some times while 'looking out for their own'. In the short time they were home from school, there had been clashes and duels where they had fallen just shy of casting unforgivable spells. Draco knew how hostile minds worked and knew they would take Hermione's forgiveness for granted. On witnessing Hermione's constant worry over the situation, he had, in confidence, indicated a solution to an obliging Mr Homewood. The domiciles', considerate, but strict principal had to resort to a veiled ultimatum. He emphasized to the recalcitrant teenagers that if they hurt anyone accidentally, and were then kicked out from the home, they'd have nowhere to go, no food to eat and no place to rest. They might then be expelled from their respective schools too, and then they would have no education to support themselves for the rest of their lives. They would be dependant on the kindness of strangers.
The threat had been empty. Hermione would never have expelled a child from Ashram. Matter of fact, she would have been livid had she discovered that the conversation had even taken place. As far as she was concerned, taking the children in had been an inviolable agreement to shelter them, no matter what. Hermione didn't want another Tom Riddle. She wanted the angry ones under even closer supervision than the others. She wanted to provide them as much counseling, support and structure as possible, to help them be constructive rather than destructive. She also didn't want another Harry, subjected to the intolerance of wary muggles. So, no, she would have never turned out a resident, no matter how big the infraction of discipline.
To make up for the severe warning, Principal Homewood had displayed compassion in other ways. He appealed to their common sense to take responsibility for their almost adult lives. "We don't have to all like each other, but we must learn to coexist. We cannot afford to repeat the tragedies of the past. You cannot wish others to suffer the way you have. I implore you to rise above your past of 16 years, like a phoenix, and lead the rest of your 80 years into a life replete with success and peace. Don't forget, you have the biggest names in the wizarding world backing you right now! You can use that, make a place for yourself in the world, or squander this opportunity forever. Choose wisely. You have all my support if you are willing to try."
The tempers had toned down thereafter, and thankfully, the first few years had been the toughest. Once the older adolescents had come of age or graduated and left Ashram, the younger ones, with natures more resilient and scars less acute, had gotten along better.
Now, besides the normal disagreements of cohabiting children, the Ashram was as intended- a haven for all who had lost too much, too young. The children bonded in their tragedies and triumphs, found solace, comfort and friendship in the smallest of things and stood somewhat happy, healthy and loyal to each other. Mostly. Here they would form bonds that would last them a lifetime; Hermione took much comfort in that achievement.
The children looked forward to the visits by the war-heroes, they were thrilled to have the celebrities a part of their lives. The alumni of Hogwarts often regaled them with incredible stories, plied them with unexpected gifts and generously shared the most precious of their possessions, time. The children blossomed under the attention, their individual strengths highlighted and honed by the varying interests of the different adults.
Luna for example, showed up every couple of months and entertained them with different legends, spoke mysteriously of phenomena hitherto unheard of, and in a contradiction to her apparent eccentric self, impressed them with her latest magical inventions. The almost robotic machine that cleaned up rooms for them had been a big hit, as the underage children were not allowed to use magic. Neville, Luna's doting husband, brought magical plants that surprised the children. With the help of interested children, Neville had turned their garden into a landscape paradise, their vegetable-patch into a supply for homegrown produce and their greenhouse into a resource for endangered medicinal plants. Hagrid's contributions Hermione had to monitor more closely, lest he bring some parlous pet to 'cuddle', but the gentle giant and Fangs were dearly adored by the children, especially the younger ones.
Ron and Draco, both came and taught the children quidditch. They were sometimes accompanied by other quidditch celebrities, which was a treat welcomed with much jubilation. Ron also took the time to teach wizard',s chess to the younger children, archery and tracking skills to the older ones.
Draco advised the near-adults on financial matters, careers and investing wisely for the future. He also participated in and truth be told, initiated pranks that Hermione had yet to officially forgive him for. A classroom that chanted "Red Alert" whenever a Weasely entered had to be permanently locked, because no one had discovered a way to make it stop! She suspected Draco knew, but was too content with the situation to offer the solution. Just this year, on a day that Ron's visit had been expected, all the children's hair had turned long, shaggy, and red. She had thought it a prank from the Weasley twins till a 3-year-old Zara had exclaimed happily, "Dvaco made our hairs Ved. He made our eyes Bvue, see, see. Pvetty, pvetty!"
Fortunately, Ron had seen these as harmless compliments to his "handsome self" and laughed them off. These had been easier to forgive than the time 4 years ago, when during a friendly game of quidditch, the quaffle had started emanating a tune sounding suspiciously like "Weasley is our King", the song Draco had composed back in Hogwarts. Ron had had a conniption, and left to be with "more mature company" so Draco's team had won by default. The children on (and supporting) Ron's team had forgiven Draco when he organized a trip for everyone at Ashram to visit the muggle amusement park, Disneyland Paris.
Hermione had had to research a spell to bind all the children's magical abilities for a whole day! She'd got the idea off Charmed, a muggle TV show popular in the US, about 3 sisters who were witches. (Having refined the spell considerably, Hermione later found it helpful to prevent accidental use of underage magic, caused by the trauma that the children had endured.) The excursion had been a huge success; very enjoyable for the children and blessedly devoid of any disasters to agonize the supervising adults. It would perhaps be appropriate to point out, that Draco had adamantly refused to accompany the large group, lest he be thought of as fun or Merlin forbid, caring! Instead, he sent some of his company's more reliable employees to help Ashrams' staff "shepherd the flock". He had an image to maintain. Letting the holier-than-Merlin Potter and Granger do the hard work, had worked quite satisfactorily for him in the past; he saw no rationale to deviate from norms.
Along with structure and strength for the children, Harry and Hermione embodied for the young ones, knowledge and wisdom, deep and inspiring, from both the muggle and wizarding worlds. They also brought ears for hearing woes, dependable shoulders for addressing situations and provided strong role models, akin to elder-siblings. The children at Ashram surrounded the two with affection and sought their advice; whether scholarly, professional or personal.
Ginny played the agony aunt, guiding gentle hearts through the predicament of adolescence. Molly was the mother hen and Arthur the indulging grandfather. Other Weasley family members, friends and Hogwart alumni such as the Patil twins, Cho Chang, Susan Bones, even Victor Krum also dropped by a couple of times a year, to entertain or inspire. Fleur Delacour was the favorite fashion diva, hands down. Even Hermione's parents contributed, with their dental care and compassionate view of world events. They came to Ashram and acquainted the children with the customs and norms of the different cultures in the muggle world and taught cricket and tennis. They delighted the children by bringing muggle movies and documentaries. Hermione had designated an outbuilding as "No magic allowed" area, where electrical gadgets managed to work with a little extra help. With the support of her family, friends and the generous donations from the wizard world, Hermione had thus created not just a haven but also an extended, if slightly dysfunctional, family for the children, a family that she and the children were much grateful for.
-0-
This January 1st afternoon, as Hermione and Harry entered the Great Common Room, children rushed over to meet them with cheerful greetings and lively chatter. Apparently, Fred and George had visited them a few days ago, leaving behind some of their famous fireworks with the elder, more responsible teens, to entertain the children at New Year's Eve.
"There was one that looked and felled just like snow, and when it touched our hands, it melted just like snow, and it was soooooo beautiful!' This was the contribution from the chatty, adorable 5-year-old Serena. Her wizard father had abandoned her unwed muggle mother when she had mentioned the pregnancy. Unable to support a magical child on her very limited muggle means and in an unforgiving muggle neighborhood, she had given up the one-year-old for adoption. When no one had stepped forth to adopt the baby from the desperate mother, officials at the Magical Family Welfare Program at the Ministry had requested Hermione to provide her a home at W.H.I.C.H. Thankfully, Serena seemed to bear no scars, emotional or physical, to interfere with her natural exuberance for life.
"There were some firecrackers that looked like you. Harry, you were all dressed up and dancing with one of the Patils, we couldn't tell which one. Ron kept falling off a broom, Hermione turned into a cat and Draco turned into a ferret! The twins have the wildest imagination!" Hermione and Harry just grinned, not enlightening the serious and studious 14-year-old Roberto that these events had, in fact, transpired.
Some of the children parted to let a graceful and regal Eva through, who approached them to confidently shake Harry's hand and lovingly hug Hermione. She was one of the older witches here, in her final year at Hogwarts where she had been chosen Head Girl. This was an ambition Hermione had been unable to fulfill, so she was especially gratified; both with Eva's achievement, and her own part in nourishing the girl from the day she had turned up outside Ashram's gate, completely obliviated of her memories. With an exemplary academic record, leadership qualities, affectionate nature and mature disposition, Eva was well respected and much liked. She was also a good guide for the younger children. Harry was confident she would easily be accepted into the Auror training program, as Eva aspired. As Hufflepuff, she made Susan Bones swell with pride.
"She's too smart to be a Hufflepuff. She fooled the cap I reckon, must be a Slytherin in lamb's clothing." That had been Draco's comment on hearing about Eva's sorting, all those years ago. Hermione had punched him in the arm and countered, "She is smart, no doubt, but she is even more fair and just, and that's why the hat sorted her into Hufflepuff. You wait and see, she'll make Helga proud enough to snuff the ego out of Salazar!"
Her words now rang prophetic. Tynen Mcblae had been the sole survivor of a family of pure-bloods that had remained neutral in the war. Like the Zabinis, the Mcblaes had disappeared when the Death Eater attacks had begun and resurfaced when the war was considered over. Perpetrators had killed his parents on the night of their homecoming, as a punishment for their lack of loyalty. Wisely, Tynen had been left behind with his aunt in Scotland, so he had stayed safe. When the aunt had passed away of old age, his young governess had deemed it most healthy for him to grow up with peers, under the careful tutelage of the Ashrams residential school, despite his substantial inheritance. She had taken the 8-year-old boy to the renowned sanctuary and asked him if he preferred this over his current home in Corona, the magical town where they resided. As Tynen had entered the beautiful, large complex of Ashram, the first two persons to greet him had been the warm MS Hermione and the welcoming Eva. Tynen had chosen to stay, never regretting his decision thereafter.
Ty, as his friends called him, had picked up many investment tips from Draco and had considerably added to his wealth by the time he was 16. Now, as the Slytherin quidditch captain at Hogwarts, he had opted to move into his own flat when he'd turned 17. It was common knowledge that the reigning prince of Slytherin had eyes just for the charming Eva. Eva had had no chance of resisting the gorgeous, intense, turquoise eyes, framed by the sleek raven-black hair. The simple but pretty, green-eyed, brown-haired Eva had the Slytherin wrapped around her capable little finger. In private only. The Slytherin in Tynen wouldn't let anyone witness such vulnerability; but smitten he still was, for all to see.
Salazar would be freezing on those flying pigs!
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