Let me start by saying I don't own Harry Potter or the character. The credit goes to J.K. Rowling.

Chapter Twelve

Deciding it would be too late in the day to see the children, Sirius and Hermione agreed to wait until the next morning. They had decided to spend the day with the children – to get to know them better – before returning to Malfoy Manor for the week before the wedding. Everyone agreed that the children should have some role to play in the celebration. Hermione wanted to make the children feel as welcome as possible.

Saturday morning dawned clear with no chance of rain. Hermione was in her room doing her best to dress for the meeting at the Ministry. Discarding yet another outfit as a resounding no, she was standing in nothing but her underclothes when she called a soft, "Come in," in response to the knock on her door.

"As much as I love seeing you in nothing but bra and knickers, I think the Ministry would disapprove. However, if you insist, I can't stop you." Sirius sprawled himself across Hermione's recently made, and clothing covered, bed.

"Sirius," the younger woman growled softly, "I am trying to get dressed here!" Too caught up in her need to find the perfect outfit, she didn't bother to scold him properly.

She had just thrown another outfit on the floor when Sirius asked, "What's wrong with that one? The green looks wonderful on you." Sitting up on the bed, he began to de-wrinkle and return the clothes to their rightful places; all except for the forest green short green shirt with the scoop neck and khaki trousers and walked over to his fiancé.

"I can't wear that. It's too casual. No, I need to show them that I am old enough to do this." Still muttering to herself, Hermione went back to throwing clothes out of her wardrobe.

Grabbing her from behind, Sirius threw her onto the bed and pinned her. When she stopped trying to throw him off, he urged her to understand as he planted kisses all over her face and neck. "You are an amazing, beautiful woman who has more love in her heart than most people I know. What makes you think they won't accept you as you are?"

She sighed and rubbed her hands over her face. "I'm not even twenty two yet. I don't even think I can do this, what makes you think the Ministry will?"

"Hermione, do you love unconditionally?"

"Yes," she replied, wariness coloring her tone, unsure of where he was going with this.

Kissing her nose, he placed a hand on her forehead and smoothed away the worry lines. "Do you care about a person's bloodline and their past?"

"You know I don't. Where are you going with this?" She tried to move from beneath him, "Come on, Sirius, I need to get ready."

"All in good time, my dear, all in good time." He crooned. "Now, where was I? Ah… A child is the most important being in this world."

"I really don't-"

"Yes or no." He persisted.

"Of course. Now will you tell me where you're going with this?"

"Just proving to you that you'll make a wonderful mother. Sure, we'll have our share of problems but what parent doesn't... Well, except for Molly. I think she was born to be a mum."

"But think about it, Sirius. When most parents start out, they start with one and they are there from the beginning. What if I screw this up somehow? What if-"

Sirius silenced her with a hand over her lips. "We can "What if," ourselves until the new millennium but the fact remains; we are going to be wonderful parents and what we don't know we have Molly, Arthur, your parents, James, Lily and a plethora of aunts and uncles for the little ones. Remus will be here to help as well as Severus and Lucius. Okay?"

Hermione sighed from her position on the bed and locked her chocolate eye with his sparkling blue ones. "Can you please tell me what I did to deserve you?"

He only smirked, "I could tell you but I'd rather show you and I know we'll be late. Come along, I suggest the green top and khaki bottoms. You can add your brown coat since it is a little on the chilly side today. I have a feeling we are going to be busy and I want you to be comfortable." Pulling her off the bed, he kissed her, handed her the specified clothing and left.

The young witch just smiled and prepared herself. Clipping her hair back, she took a couple cleansing breaths and left her room. Walking down the stairs to the entrance hall, she kissed her parents on the cheeks.

"We'll see you both at supper." Emma said, hugging her daughter and future son – in – law. "Fred and George have offered to come with us to London to pick a few things out for the children. We'll pick up some catalogues on the way back so we can start decorating the house."

"Mum," Hermione said in warning. "Please don't go overboard. The transition will be hard enough."

Edward stepped in, "Don't worry. We're just going to pick up a few things to make them feel more comfortable. We were thinking possibly some games from when you were little. Good luck." Giving his daughter a kiss, Edward Granger grasped his wife's hand and followed the Weasley twins out the door.

Hermione grasped Sirius' hand, gave Lucius and Severus a smile and said, "Let's go… Dad!"

_+_+_+_+_+

Upon Apparating to the Ministry, the group of four made their way to Marital Affairs to make the engagement between Hermione and Sirius official and to inform the office of the wedding date.

Once the paperwork was squared away, Lucius led the others to the opposite end of the building and entered a hall with animated photos of children up for adoption. Shivering at the sight of mournful faces, Hermione pressed closer to Sirius and gave him a shaky grin when he looked down at her.

Before he could do more than wrap his arm around her, a door opened and a small, pinched faced man in robes a revolting shade of green stood at the entrance.

"Ah… Mr. Black and Miss Granger." The adoption agent, Cornelius Stone, said. "Please, come in. I'm afraid the children and their foster parents have not yet arrived. I apologize for the mess. Would anyone like tea? I was just about to brew a pot." When his guests nodded their ascent, he returned his attentions to the bubbling water.

Despite the initial perceptions, Cornelius Stone was quite the easy going – though color blind – man, perfect for the job of finding homes for needy children. At five foot six, he moved silently across the floor and spread an aura of calm when he passed out the tea. His slightly graying hair was cut short, but a lock dipped onto his forehead, brushing across his piercing gray eyes. Moving about the cluttered room, he was giving the couple more background on the children when he heard a knock on his office door.

"Come in," Cornelius called, walking to open the door.

Needless to say, the sight of their guests horrified the occupants of the room; three disheveled children in ill-fitting clothes shuffled quietly in front of a sour looking couple carrying a toddler and a baby. The couple, both with pinched faces and shifty eyes, sneered at the occupants. The male pinned a look Hermione's way, making her skin crawl.

Feeling the fear radiating from the three older children, Hermione and Sirius shared a look as she felt Severus tense behind her. Even the toddler, a little girl who couldn't be any more than two years old, was trying to pull away from the man holding her.

Cornelius Stone, a small man with a quiet air, broke the stunned silence of the room. "What in the name of all the Furies' Hell is the meaning of this? Look at these children! What have you done to them?"

"We disciplined the little monsters as we saw fit. It isn't our fault they behave like animals." The male, later identified as Tyranneas Gulch, answered in a cold voice, tightening his grip on the small form trying to escape. Though well groomed, his hatred and maliciousness made his pale face cruel and his blue eyes glitter with malice.

Cornelius Stone drew himself up to his full height, stomped forward and poked Gulch in the chest with the tip of his wand. "You had no right to do what you did. They aren't monsters, you are!" Turning to the still silent, dark haired woman, Prudence, he confessed, "I have never thought about hitting a woman, but I would have no problem killing you."

After calling on Harry and James with one of her enchanted coins, Hermione tuned out the fight going on behind her and crouched in front of the terrified children. Watching them quake with fear, she shrugged out of her chocolate brown jacket, transfigured it into a large, soft blanket and beckoned them forward with a small smile.

After venturing as close as they dared, Hermione used her wand to wrap the blanket around the three terrified children. Rummaging through her purse, she pulled out a bar of chocolate, snapped off pieces and handed them out. "These will make you feel better," she said quietly.

The sound of a door slamming open drew Sirius' gaze from Hermione and the children. "Well hello there, Harry, James. Fancy seeing you here. Have you come to join the party?"

"Aurors Potter, how did you know to come?" Cornelius never moved from where he had the Gulchs pinned.

"Hermione sent us an invitation." Harry replied. He turned to the offending couple, "I am going to tell you once to hand over the children in your arms. Should you refuse, you will be bound and taken immediately to a holding cell to await trial. Understood?" He nodded when they silently handed the infant and toddler over to Lucius and Severus. Instantly secure, the little girl in Severus' arms reached up and began to tug on his nose, cooing all the while, much to the chagrin of those in the room.

After binding Mr. and Mrs. Gulch, James inclined his head, "Hermione, Gentlemen. We'll see you at home; we shouldn't be late. Mr. Stone, I bid you a good day." Trailing after his father, Harry flashed one last grin before leaving the room.

Shutting and warding the door, Cornelius crouched next to the children and held his hand out. "I am so very sorry, young ones, but I can assure you you're new home will be much safer. You have heard of young Miss Granger, have you not?" At their slight nods, the adoption agent continued. "She is to be your new mother." Their eyes widened as they lit on Hermione; two hazel and one green.

Wriggling away from her brothers, the green eyed brunette crawled over to the woman sitting on the floor. Tentatively placing a hand on her knee, the five year old looked at Hermione with a question in her eyes. Smiling, Hermione opened her arms a little wider and waited. Taking the invitation, the little girl clambered into the older woman's lap.

Wrapping her small frame around the sweet smelling woman, Anne Marie Benton relaxed for the first time since her parents died. Letting her tears fall, she fell into a dreamless sleep feeling warm and secure.

Looking up, Hermione's eyes moved to each man until she saw her fiancé. "I think we should go home. We can go shopping another day. I'm sure Draco still has some of his old clothes in the attic and I can shrink some of my things to fit the girls." Smiling at the boys huddled together, she asked gently, "Are you hungry?" At their fervent nods, Hermione smiled and replied, "We're going home and you'll be able to eat and get into something that fits better."

Helping her stand, Sirius took off his jacket and slipped it around Hermione and her burden. "Mr. Stone, what will be done with these two?" He gestured to the infant and toddler, both fast asleep. "I don't think there would be a problem if we took them home, too. If Lucius agrees, of course."

"I don't see why not. It seems Severus has found a new fan." Grinning at the darker man, he saw the way his friend wrapped his arms around the blond headed, blue-eyed creature who trusted him so completely. "Rest assured, Mr. Stone, with the Weasleys in residence, these children will want for nothing. Come," he shifted, careful not to wake the infant, "if we hurry we can still catch Arthur. We'll need his help to Floo everyone home and to tell him of the change."

Saying their goodbyes, Sirius transfigured little coats for the boys and held onto their hands as they walked down the hall. Feeling their fatigue, he had the older boy, Thomas, climb onto his back as he carried Andrew in his arms. Adding a sticking charm, he ensured Thomas wouldn't slide off in case he fell asleep. The slightly larger group walked to the new Minister's office in time to hear the outraged cries of Harry Potter.

"You should have seen those kids! Scared, underfed, not to mention the marks on their bodies and those were only the ones I could see on their arms! We have no idea what their backs and legs look like. There's no telling how much physical, mental and emotional damage has been done. I just-"

"I know, Harry, but the children will be fine once they are brought to the Manor. Under our families' care, they will heal."

Lucius lifted a hand and knocked softly on the door when there was a lull in the conversation. "Come in. Ah, welcome, welcome." Arthur walked over to the door and herded everyone in. "Harry was just informing me on the condition of the Benton and Carmichael children. The Gulchs have been imprisoned and await a speedy trial by the Wizengamot. They face the snapping of their wands, Obliviation, and exile to the Muggle world. On your way home, then?"

"Yes," Severus spoke softly, "We were hoping you would be ready to leave. We have more children than adults and don't think it would be wise to Floo with more than one child. Or perhaps Mr. Potter would like to accompany us home."

Nodding, Harry walked to the fireplace but stopped when he heard Hermione's voice. "Harry, could you go through first and make sure someone is there to help us as we arrive? This will be hard with sleeping children and a baby."

"She's right." Lucius stepped forward, "I suggest you carry the infant and have one of us go through with you. You are the smallest and easily shielded."

Hermione nodded, handed Anne Marie to Arthur and cradled baby Grace Carmichael to her chest. Moving back from the fireplace, Harry took Andrew as Lucius took Thomas.

Arthur sent an owl to his receptionist informing her of his departure as, one by one, his office emptied leaving Hermione and Sirius alone.

Eyes sparkling, Sirius placed a kiss on the smaller woman's head, wrapped her in his arms and hugged her close. Their quiet contemplation was broken by the crackle of the Floo.

"Are you two coming or not? We left you almost ten minutes ago." Fred's, or maybe it was George's, face came through the fireplace.

Grinning back, Sirius tightened his grip around Hermione. "Hold you're knickers, we're coming. Are you ready to catch her when we come through? We don't want to risk the baby." When Fred nodded, Sirius positioned Hermione in front of the fireplace, grabbed a handful of Floo powder, gave her one last kiss and called out her destination.

When the flash of green subsided, Sirius waited a moment, grabbed more powder, and followed through. Brushing away soot, he grinned at his welcoming party. "Well, is Molly going to feed us?"

Tee hee, Dear Sirius, always thinking with his stomach. I need suggestions. I wasn't planning on putting the Carmichael children in the story. Now, who else should adopt a child. I'm already leaning towards one person, but I'm looking for input.

Enjoy the chapter and leave any kind of feedback.