Even If...

Chapter 27

After Molly finished attending to Mi, she put the girl to bed in a crib that she transfigured from a unused chest in the boys room. She put the crib in the twins room so that she could hear her if she started to cry. Usually the twins would wake up around 3 in the mornings wanting to feed and be changed. They usually fell asleep around 8. So if she went to bed early enough she could get a good night's sleep before they woke up in the morning. Well on nights that she didn't have to fight with Percy to fall asleep.

Molly woke the next morning with a start, she looked at the clock confused. it said 7:27am, she did a double take to be sure of the time. "Arthur wake up," Molly cried.

"Whats wrong Molly dear," Arthur said groggily, "Didn't the twins wake up in the night for their feeding? What time is it Molly?" Arthur asked laying back down and rolling over on his side to face her.

"It's 7:27," she said, "well its 7:29 now."

"Goodness I need to get up," Arthur said, "why didn't the kids wake us up yet?"

"I've no idea," Molly said, "I need to investigate, I'll get little Mi ready for you, and then I'll get breakfast."

"It's alright dear," Arthur said, "I can get my own breakfast, get the boys to help you with Percy and the twins."

"I will dear," Molly said.

Molly practically ran next door to the twins room expecting to see the worst, because they have never not woken up at 3am for their feeding, Molly was concerned. When she entered the room she was surprised to see little Mi cooing at the duck mobile above her head; it was making a chiming musical noise and rotating. Did I put a mobile on her crib?

No she couldn't remember if she had put a mobile on the child's crib or not. Then she look over at the twins and they were playing with their feet, they had taken their socks of. Fred (at least she thought that was Fred, sometimes it was hard to tell), was sucking on his toes. George was playing with his feet rolling back and forth on his back, until he was laying on his side. Once he was on his side he leg go of his feet and suddenly he was on his belly.

George giggled in excitement, and Fred who was eating his feet looked over at George and smiled, even though his mouth was full of foot jam. Then we was cooing and jabbering in baby talk to his brother who seemed to be talking back.

Molly was surprised, they had slept through the night, and they were occupying themselves. She slowly backed out of the room and headed for the kitchen. When she arrived alone, Arthur gave her a questioning look.

"they've found something to occupy themselves," Molly said with a brilliant smile, "I'm not sure which one but I'm sure it's George. George he's figured out how to roll over, he was so excited that he giggled, it's so cute. We need to get a picture before they decide their too hungry to play alone anymore."

"I'll get right on that," Arthur said grabbing the camera, "what about Mi?"

"Oh I'm sorry," Molly said, "I wanted to get breakfast ready that I totally forgot that I was to get her ready. She was cooing and sighing at the mobile on her crib. I don't remember putting one up."

"I don't think you did," Arthur said, "I will go see if they need changed, Bill and Percy are in the living room playing with Percy's blocks."

"Alright dear," Molly said, "why don't you see if Charlie will take over playing with Percy so bill can help with the twins."

Just as Arthur was going to find Charlie, he appeared at the bottom of the stairs. "Charlie, can you take over for Bill, so that he can help with the twins?"

"Sure," Charlie said, "I like building with blocks." Charlie really didn't mind blocks; but most 7 yr. old boys would much rather watch chess pieces fight and get smashed, flying on brooms outside or hunting bugs and tearing off their wings.

Bill followed his father up to the twin's room to help get them ready so mum could feed them breakfast. He was slowly becoming attached to Mi, and she looked ever so cute in her crib. He watched as his father attend to the baby, he could feel his heart breaking as his father readied her to leave. He switched his attention to the twin and started changing who he thought was George, they were after all so hard to tell apart. Aside from the tiny blue bracelet wrapped around Fred's ankle he could never tell the difference.

After the finished changing the boys and dressed them in clothes that were sure to get dirty again after eating. "I'm going to take the twins down to your mother, can you keep an eye on Mi?" Arthur asked.

"Yes," bill said, "I can watch her."

Arthur turned and picked up the boys, it was a little difficult with them squirming all over the place. Finally after a few minutes he had them both securely in his arms. He left the room and you could hear his steps as he walked down the steps.

Bill turned back his attention to the baby in the crib, she really was very cute, probably the cutest little girl he'd ever seen. She had her little hands in her mouth, she must be hungry, but she was content just to lay there and stare at him. She cooed at him, he thought it was cute, it was like she was trying to tell him something. He turned the music back on for the mobile and it started to turn.

Shortly after he turned to mobile back on his father came back up the stairs and into the room. "father whats going to happen to her?"

"I don't know son," Arthur said, "best not get to attached."

"I think I'm already attached," Bill said, "I feel like she's my little sister already."

"Someday you'll have a little sister to call your own," Arthur said, "give it a couple more years, I feel were almost there. You know your mum won't give up until she gets her little girl."

"OK," Bill said, "but I still feel I could love two baby sisters. Can't we just keep her?'

"'fraid not son," Arthur said, "best no get our hopes up either. They'll just get dashed to hades if we do."

"I understand , I think," Bill said, "but that doesn't mean I'm not sad about it."

"I know son," Arthur said, as they walked from the room and down the stairs.

"There she is," Molly said, as Arthur and Bill walked into the room, "I've got a nice warm bottle for you with your name on it dearie." It took Arthur a moment for him to realize that Molly was talking to Mi. "go ahead and eat Arthur, I've already eaten. Give me a few moments to say good bye to this sweet baby."

Molly took Mi into the living room and sat down on the couch. She tried really hard not to cry, as she fed the quiet girl her bottle. She started to sing a song that she's sung to all her children while feeding them from the bottle. Mi drifted to sleep just as she finished her bottle. Molly had to wake her a little to burp her, after which she promptly fell back asleep. Molly rocked her for a few more moments before placing her in the basket that she arrived in. She sat her on the floor, next to the couch.

"Where's her bag?" Molly croaked trying to hold back a sob.

"It's upstairs," Arthur said, "want me to go and get it?"

"No," Molly said, "I can get it. Can you keep an eye out for her?"

Molly climbed the stairs a bit slow because of her condition, Arthur watched the stairs for her to return. After she had been gone more than a few minutes he had planned to go up and see if she was alright. He didn't make it past the table before he saw her descend the stairs with Mi's bag.

"Sorry," Molly said with a smile, "I had to be sure that she had everything, I'm sending the duck mobile along. I'm not sure where it came from but I think Its hers."

"Alright dear," Arthur said, "well Miss Mi, lets go."

"I hope that everything goes alright," Molly said, "remember what we talked about."

"I will dear," Arthur said, "floo me if you need something."

"We'll be fine dear," Molly said, "be safe."

"Don't worry we will," Arthur said, as he headed out the door, carrying Mi and her bag. With a heavy heart they got into the car. He secured her into the backseat before getting himself into the car and taking off.

The Ministry was a buzz as Arthur walked in with the child. He walked to the desk and checked in and then asked what department to go to for Orphaned Magical Children. The lady at the desk didn't ask about the parcel in the basket, as she told him where he needed to go.

He boarded the lift and pressed the button to the Orphan center which just happened to be on the floor where his office was, in Muggle affairs. He didn't get involved in Muggle affairs, his job was to figure out how things worked, and if they could incorporate them into Wizarding society.

He managed to get to the Orphan center without running into anyone. He walked into the Orphan center's office and stopped at the desk.

"Sir how can I help you?" the lady at the desk asked, as she turned around she recognized him. "Mr. Weasley, is something wrong?"

"Is there someone here I can speak to," Mr. Weasley said, "preferable the person in charge. I've a situation and I'm not sure how to go about solving it."

"Alright," she said, "I will be right back, she's only been here a few minutes. Do you mind waiting?"

"No I don't mind waiting," Mr. Weasley said. He watched as she hurried from the room, she didn't even check to see what the problem was about before rushing out; so she missed the little bundle he was carrying.

About 10 minutes passed, before she returned, "Mrs. Juniper is in a meeting with Mrs. Jones the nice lady who owns the orphanage and they will be finishing up in about 5 minutes. Can I get you anything?"

"Could you sent a note for me to my office. I just need to let them know that I'll be delayed today, depending on the outcome of this meeting. I believe Mr. Malfoy Sr. is in the office today, if you just tell him I've been delayed"

"I can do that," she said, handing him a slip of parchment, "if you want to just write a note address to Mr. Malfoy I can deliver it for you."

"Thank you," he said taking the slip of paper. The note read:

Dear Mr. Malfoy Sr.

I am running a bit late, and will be late. Please excuse my absence.

Arthur Weasley.

He folded the note and handed it to her. "thank you," he said as she left the office in search of Mr. Malfoy Sr. she returned not more than 4 minutes later with not only Mr. Malfoy in tow but also Mr. Diggery.

"How did she do last night?" Amos asked.

"She did well," Arthur said, "she hardly made a sound at all, and was very content and very quiet. Molly had a hard time sending her away."

"I imagine she would," Amos said, "she's darling."

"She is," Arthur said, "she's been asleep since she had her feeding this morning."

"What is her name?" Lucius asked.

Arthur looked at him, he was unsure if he should tell them her name, but perhaps they might have known her mother. "her name is Hermione Granger, that's what the note said anyway."

Abraxas, sat down in the chair next to Arthur in thought. No it has to be a coincidence, they can't be the same girl.

"That a big name for such a small baby," Abraxas said.

"My oldest boy thought we could shorten her name, he suggested Mi," Arthur said cautiously. Arthur knew that the Malfoy's were involved with the Dark Lord. "She cooed at the name so that's what we've been calling her since last evening."

"It's fitting," Amos said.

"Well Arthur take all the time you need to get things settled," Abraxas said, "it's not like the Muggle things in your office are going to grow legs and walk."

Arthur laughed, "quite right," he said, "they seldom do that unless you transfigure one into a rat or something."

"Good to know," Amos said, "if I've ever the need to annoy you I'll turn your scarf into a chicken or something."

"I'll be on the lookout for clucking scarves and hats then," Arthur said, as Abraxas Malfoy walked out of the office. Most of the time the Malfoy's could be conceded and annoying; but sometimes, they could come off as human beings. It seemed that today was one of those days.

After a few minutes the girl at the desk was given the go ahead to send Mr. Weasley back to the office.

Mrs. Juniper looked about to be in her late 3o's, she had dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes, and she looked homely and nice.

"Mr. Weasley how can I help you?" Mrs. Juniper said, "Margarette said that you had a little problem."

"Well in accordance to size she is quite small," Mr. Weasley said putting the basket up on the desk. "I found her last night, left at the entrance to Diagon Alley. there was only this bag, and this here note."

He handed her the note, as both Mrs. Juniper and Mrs. Jones stood to see the bundle in the basket. They both gasped, "she's so small," Mrs. Juniper said, "who would leave such a small child out in the cold like that?"

She took a look at the note, and sighed, "Let me go and send someone to retrieve the child's file," Mrs. Juniper said, "with a name it shouldn't be to hard to find. When a magical child is born a file is sent to the office with the child's name and all the family information. Weather they're born in magical hospital or not. This note here says that her mother was magical, but her brother was not. This suggests her mother was Muggle born, which in this case makes this child also Muggle born but only because her father was Muggle. If she had a half blood father she would indeed have a bit more magical heritage than this."

"Yes I understand that," Arthur said, "my wife explained it all to me last night. What happens to the child now?"

"Well we can decide that after we have a look at her file," Mrs. Juniper said, "it's a good thing you've come when the Director of the Children's orphanage is in for a meeting."

"We don't normally take in children this young," Mrs. Jones said, "we mostly intervene when the children show signs of magical heritage which happens anywhere between ages 4 and 7. Sometimes a child can show signs earlier than this; but not usually. We would need to find a temporary place for her. If a family would wish to keep her until then, then the Ministry will provide funding for her upbringing."

"But we'll have to wait until we look at her file," Mrs. Juniper said, "then we can decide. Now I know that you've a full household at him, but should we need to find a family would you be willing to take the child in?"

"We've already become a bit attached to her," Mr. Weasley said, "I actually had to stop myself from turning around and going back home. The boys were sad to see her go, my two oldest thought it would be neat to have a baby sister."

"I understand," Mrs. Juniper said, "she is quite a dear."

Shortly thereafter the girl that Mrs. Juniper had sent for Hermione's file returned. "Here is the file," the girl said, "I'm sorry it took so long."

"It's quite alright dear," Mrs. Juniper said, "alright, Hermione let's have a look see."

"she was born September 19, 1979. She's not quite four months old," Mrs. Juniper said, "born to one Jane Ann Mercer-Granger, and Gordon Andrew Granger. Her mother was indeed a Muggle born witch, but I believe that her mother was also a Muggle born, so miss Hermione comes from a line of Muggle born witches, that's something."

Mrs. Jones took over the reading of the file while Mrs. Juniper thought about something concerning Miss Hermione's heritage.

"oh listen to this," Mrs. Jones said interrupting Mrs. Junipers thought process, "it says here that our small girl here has exhibited signs of magic already, she's caused the radio to play music as well as the piano in her uncles house to play music. Oh Mr. Weasley you be happy to know that your wife isn't crazy, seems Miss Hermione caused the Mobile to appear on her crib. Says here, 'summoned Mobile', I'm not surprised you'd be surprised how often Magical babies can just cause small things to happen. I'm sure your have cause something small to happen that you've never thought about."

"If she could speak I bet she would tell us all kinds of things," Mr. Weasley said, "but alas she's only a baby. What about her uncle is he listed anywhere in there, it would be nice to try and talk to him about the girl. Perhaps he could tell us why he couldn't keep her any longer."

"It's something to look into," Mrs. Juniper said, "I'll look into it, perhaps a visit from someone non threatening would be appropriate."

"Yes," Mr. Weasley said, "I would surely loose my temper."

"Mr. Weasley, I'll be candid with you," Mrs. Jones said, "what this girl needs for the next few years is a home where she will be loved, and nurtured to grow and learn. Is there any reason you can foresee why you and your wife shouldn't be the one to do it?"

"Only that when it comes time to give her up that we wouldn't be able to bear it," Mr. Weasley said, "but a few years of happiness is better than not getting to know her at all."

"I knew you would be the man for the job," Mrs. Juniper said, "it's known throughout the office that you go above and beyond when it comes to family."

"Very well," Mrs. Jones said, "I will talk to Mr. Jones, and we will owl you about coming to see the child, we'd like her to get to know us."

"That's fine," Arthur said, "if you don't mind my asking how was the Lovely Home Orphanage founded? I think we actually learned about it in History of Magic but it's been a while."

"Wow," Mrs. Jones said a bit shocked, "History of Magic huh? I'll have to tell Mr. Jones that he'll laugh. Well actually it was back in '45. Her name was Hermione Stevens, she was a Muggle born, her parents were killed in a car wreck when she was 8. She stayed at the same orphanage as Tom Riddle, who as you know turned out to be You-Know-Who. She started the orphanage to make it easier for magical children to get the attention they needed. She said her time at the orphanage was downright horrible. She wanted to make their life better and more attainable to the things needed for a magical education. So she worked out something with the minister of magic. He agreed to fund her program, and she wanted total secrecy about the project, for a time, she wanted to protect them, they were in essence her children."

"She was only 23 when she died, it wasn't a horrible death, but it was painful none the less. She knew she was going to die, and she had everything set up for us to take over before it happened. We believe that the last person to visit her was Tom Riddle. I believe that he loved her even though it was against his will; but she was dying and he owed her a service, so he put her out of her misery. That Abraxas Malfoy character visited her once as well. He was just as young a she was and I believe he was in love with her; she died in '49, that's why the minister of magic petitioned for her legacy to be added to the History books. it's such a coincidence that he name is Hermione, just two years or so a ago I met a Hermione, she came and spent time with the children, but she stopped coming. I'm not sure what happened to her, she married that Lupin fellow. He used to come with her, when she visited. I do hope that they are alright."

"Alright enough reminiscing," Mrs. Juniper said, "Mr. Weasley, you will receive an extra amount in your vault each month for Miss Granger. The money will grow as she grows, because she will need other things as she grows. We are expecting the money to be spent on her, the money will also go for food as well, I realize she's only drinking bottles right now but eventually she will eat more."

"You mean I can take her home?" Mr. Weasley asked, "I hadn't expected it to be that simple."

"Mr. Weasley we only ask that you treat her like one of your own," Mrs. Jones said.

Arthur looked at them and nodded, he stood gathered Mi up in his arms grabbing the bag that held her things. "Thank you," he was one last time before departing the room in a rush. He had to get the baby home to Molly before they changed their minds…

A/N: I'm sorry for the long wait, those of you who were waiting for this chapter.

I don't own Harry potter