Chapter 6

Hermione was having a wonderful day. Just getting out of her bunny slippers was a treat. It was gratifying to be useful again. To be able to do good in the world, even if it was only paperwork. Each folder that she reviewed was another witch or wizard that had been helped by her efforts. Minds and souls now at peace or on the road to recovery. The folders poured in from all over the country. Their stories of attack and abuse all eerily familiar.

She had sent her patronis to Severus and then got ready for her lunch date with Ginny. They were meeting at the café across from the ministry, and greeted each other with hugs and smiles. "So how was your first day back? Are you feeling okay?"

Hermione huffed, "Did Severus make you ask that question?"

Ginny laughed, "No, believe it or not we're all a bit worried about you."

"I'm fine Ginny! I was a little run down before, but I had a great nurse. He wouldn't even let me walk into the living room on my own. Now I feel like I could take on anything."

"Anything but Severus." Ginny laughed again.

"You're not kidding. I have to report in to him every hour or he threatens to come and hunt me down. He still may do it if I don't come home exactly on time tonight. But I'm tired of talking about me. How have you been doing? It can't be easy raising a rambunctious potter with a career." Ginny had a few years on the quidditch courts before getting pregnant with James. Now she was an assistant coach on the sidelines. She had given up much to be a mom. Hermione hesitated to ask her friend point blank if she regretted it. "Ginny. The baby, well, she's a bit of an accident. Don't get me wrong. I love her and wouldn't change a thing, but I'm really not prepared for motherhood. All the decisions you have to make. What if I do something wrong? My kid will be scarred for life. And do I quit my job? I love my job, but I want her to feel safe and loved and cared for. Ginny what do I do?"

Ginny looked at her with patience. "Hermione don't pretend you won't read every book available on raising children. I did, thinking I could do better than mum. What a waste of time." Hermione had near panic on her face. Telling her that a book won't help was like cutting a lifeline. "In the end you have to go with your gut. And don't forget you have Severus to help make those decisions." She quietly nodded, seeing the truth in Ginny's words. "Just how many perfect kids do you know anyway? We lived with hundreds at Hogwarts and I didn't meet one. We all have something to mess with our heads, put there by loving parents who only want the best for us. Accept that you're not going to be a perfect parent or have a perfect kid. That's too much pressure to put on anyone. All you can do is give them the basics. Tell them when they have crossed a serious line. Let them make small mistakes, and let them know how much you love them every day. They are going to be, who they were born to be, and there is nothing you can do to change it. Children are like people that way."

Hermione understood what her friend was trying to say and it did help. She knew her and Severus would give the baby all the love they had and hopefully, that would be enough. "Thanks Ginny. I feel better." She laughed, "Must be hormones." The rest of lunch was great as they chatted like a pair of parrots. Hermione was so happy to have someone to talk to about the changes going on in her body and advice on what else to expect.

"Herms you know I'm always here to talk if you need me. Seriously. Anytime."

"Thanks Gin, you are a great help." Hermione realized the time had flown by. "I've got to get back to the office." They stood and hugged. Promising to do it again soon.

oopOqoo

Lisa wrote a letter to Hermione. Robert was doing much better. His nightmares had lessened and he wasn't so shy around people anymore. Lisa had promised him a trip to Diagon Alley, to the toy store there, for his seventh birthday. He had many pleasant memories of going there with his family.

When they arrived Robert's eyes were the size of saucers with all the magical things going on. She told him he could have anything we wanted, as long has he could hold it in his hands. That ruled out the more expensive items without having to disappoint him. In the end he chose an airplane that flew in a circle and had a pilot that moved and waved at him. Robert would laugh and clap his hands as it swirled in the air.

Lisa had the salesman wrap it in pretty paper. She wanted Robert to open it up at his party that afternoon. Taking Robert's hand she was about to turn down the lane to the ice cream shop, when Robert became very agitated. He whimpered and tried to hide behind her, pulling at her full skirt to make her go the other way. Lisa was perturbed at first until she looked down at his little face. He was trembling. Terror was the only adjective she could think of. Pure, absolute and complete terror.

She picked the boy up and he immediately began to cry quietly and try to hide behind her. Lisa rushed them into the back of the nearest store. It happened to be a clothing store and so she went into a changing room and closed the door. "Robert honey, what is it? Why are you so frightened?"

Robert's breathing was very rapid and he could hardly speak. "The Bad man! The Bad man!"

Lisa's blood ran cold. "What do you mean, 'the bad man' Robert?" There was really only one conclusion. "Do you mean a bad man from your nightmares?"

Roberts sweet face was still contorted in fear and he clung to her whispering. "Isa, the bad man, in the street. Don't go there. Bad man hurt Isa too. Make bad man go away!" Robert whimpered and was trembling again, his eyes full of tears.

Lisa had to know. If it was the Death Eater who had killed his family, he should be locked up in Azkaban. But she had to be sure. "Robert. You are seven years old now. Almost a man. If I stand with you in the window, will you point out the bad man to me?"

Robert cried harder and shook his head, clinging to her with all his might. He didn't want to see him again. Lisa held him tight. "Robert, I know you're afraid, but I promise you, he will not see you. You must be very brave and do this for me, so that I can have the bad man taken away forever." She held him tight until he stopped crying. "Your mum and da and sister were so very brave. So I know you are too. Please help me Robert. I need you to be brave."

The little boy looked up at the woman who had taken the place of his mother. He would be brave for her. Robert let go of her shirt. "For Isa I will be brave." Tears of pride started in her eyes, but she held them back to not confuse the boy. She picked him up and slowly went to the front window, careful not to be seen from the street.

She crouched down and put Robert on her lap, holding him tight. "Do you still see the bad man Robert." The boy began to tremble again and nodded his head. "It's okay, he can't see you. Which man is it?" Robert pointed to a man who was leaning on the corner of the store across the street. He was dirty from head to toe, lanky brown hair, ragged clothes as if he was living rough and hungry on the street. The way he was leering at the women who went by made her shiver. Her own fears kicked in as she stared at the monster.

"NO!" She didn't realize she had said it out loud until she felt Robert jump. "I'm sorry Robert. I wasn't talking to you. I don't like that man either." Lisa Smiled "What do you say we play a little trick on him?"

Lisa used her wand to empty the rainwater from the awning over his head. He jumped and did a little dance as the cold water went down his shirt. "Is that the man Robert? The one who got wet?" Robert looked up and grinned at her, amused by the man dancing. He nodded his head. "Are you sure Robert? You must be very, very sure if I'm to send him to prison. This is the most important thing you've ever done, and you must be correct." Robert studied the man and nodded his head, "I sure Isa." Lisa memorized the man's face. She would know him in a crowd now.

Lisa and Robert backed away from the window. She knew she couldn't do anything with Robert there and the two of them sneaked out the back door. They went back to the home and Lisa told Irene what had happened. "Robert was such a brave boy." He looked up at her adoringly. "I need to get to the authorities before the scum disappears into the streets." She kneeled down and gave Robert a hug. "I'll be back for your party as soon as I can." She kissed his cheek and left. He looked after her with fear and worry in his little face.