CHAPTER NINETEEN: THE INTERVIEWS, PART TWO


"You are being a most annoying student this year, Malcolm."

"I can't help it, Professor Dumbledore. I'm trying to get things organized in my life and then I get all these idiots trying to tell me what to do."

"And that is why I never try to tell you what to do," Dumbledore said with a thin smile. "I am smart enough to know it will do no good."

*

Enid knocked on the door of the address she was given. After a second knock, the door opened.

"What do you want?" Lois demanded. "Are you that adoption lady. You're two days late."

Enid apologized. "I forwarded a message. There were unforseen circumstances and I was detained in Scotland."

"What's his name?"

"I beg your pardon."

"I was just asking. Most of the times, unforseen circumstances have a man's name. I've had a few of them myself."

Enid tried to look professional and failed. "Fine. His name was Hector. I had a bad fall and he came to my rescue, and we began talking, and I don't know why I should tell you any of this. I'm supposed to be asking you about your life."

Lois smiled. "Fine. My unfortunate circumstance is Hal. That's why I never made it to the Senior Prom. That's also the reason I have four kids, five if you have your way. Come on in, I'll get you a drink."

Enid blushed as she walked in. "I don't drink alcohol."

"I don't have any. Your choices are orange juice, coffee, milk and water." Lois looked in the refrigerator. "Forget about the milk. They put the empty carton back in the fridge and left the full carton on the stove. I'm out of orange juice as well. I'm down to water and coffee."

"Coffee will be fine."

Lois poured two cups of coffee and offered Enid a seat at the kitchen table. "Go ahead. Ask your questions."

"Are you always this brusque?"

"I have to be. I only have two kids running around the house now, and it's still as bad as when I had four. I don't have time to chit chat."

Enid nodded. "I was talking to Malcolm about the adoption procedures and he told me that your husband handled the paperwork so that he could surprise you. It seems unusual."

"Hal? Hal couldn't handle a subscription form. It may have been his idea to surprise me, but Malcolm did all of the paperwork. If you have any questions about the forms you have to ask him."

"He didn't mention that."

"I'm not surprised. He never takes responsibility for anything."

Enid nodded again. "Are you looking forward to adopting Nob?"

Lois looked up in surprise. "No, I'm not. I'm looking forward to being done with all this bureaucratic red tape. This is Nob's home regardless of whether he is my son, the neighbors kid or somebody else altogether. All I want is to get on with my life. It's hard enough without having to make time out for stupid interviews, then the reviews, then the hearings, until somebody decides to say okay."

Enid smiled for the first time. "You'll be happy to know that I the one who usually does the final reviews of adoption cases. Because of your situation, we've managed to bypass much of the 'red tape'. Baring unforseen circumstances, we are only going through a formality."

"Oh, thank you," Lois said carefully. She would talk to Malcolm later.

*

Enid phrased her question carefully to ten year old Dewey. "How do you feel, inside, about adopting Nob?"

Dewey thought back to all the ruined birthday parties, all of the fights, the lies his brothers told him and the indignities he had suffered.

"I'm looking forward to it. I'll finally have a little brother I can share things with. I think it'll be fun."

Enid was happy to receive such a healthy answer to her question.

*

"How do you feel about adoption. I was told that this was your idea."

Hal looked confused. "Well, I wasn't really thinking about adoption. Not that I have any objection to it. But I was reading somewhere that you pay people to foster children and I was wondering if we could do that."

Enid gave him a strange look. "Are you referring to supplemental income? But that is only for professionals who engage in short term fosterage. In your case fosterage is long term and a predecessor to adoption. The only way I could pay you for Nob is if you agreed to give him up."

Hal shrugged his shoulders. "I guess we'll go ahead and adopt him, then. I was just hoping for some extra money. It's not cheap raising kids these days. Do you realize how much they eat? They're like scavengers."

"I'm sure many parents have money concerns."

"Many parents? Do you know what it's like. I have six kids expecting presents for Christmas and if I shortchange one of them it's on my head. I know Francis is on his own, but he'll still expect something."

Enid did some quick math. "You said six? I know about Francis, Reese, Malcolm, Dewey and Nob. That makes five?"

"Yes, five. That's one less than six. There's also Dewey."

"I've already mentioned Dewey."

"There's the problem. I counted him twice."

"Um, Yes," Enid said, unsure of where the conversation was going. "And you have no objections to adoption?"

"None at all," Hal said confidently. "I want my wife to be happy. I'll do anything for Lois."

"And for Nob," Enid reminded him.

"Why Nob? He's already happy. He has brothers to play with. He can play in the neighbor's yard with their kids. He even goes to school. Well, he's not to happy about school but that's your fault. You say he has to go, and I can't change that. And it's the only time Lois can have a break."

"School can be difficult," Enid admitted.

*

Miss Pembroke stared at Enid as though she was crazy. "They're not normal. You do understand that. None of them are. And that boy, Nob, is just like them. I asked him what he wanted to do when he grew up. He said he wanted to curse at people. Then, at the very first arithmetic lesson I asked who knew the answer to one plus one. He told me ten. Do you believe that. I've had a few clever children say eleven but never ten. I have never been given an answer that wrong, and he actually looked surprised when I told him so."

"I'm sure he thought he had a good reason."

"That isn't the worst of it. Look at this picture."

Miss Pembroke showed a simple drawing of a man, a stick figure, with a crown and sword, and several stick figures standing around him. The ground rose and a few other stick figures were standing near the top of a hill with many more behind the hill.

"What is this?"

Miss Pembroke pointed at the stick figure with the crown. "I told Nob, and everyone else, to draw a rainbow."

*

Hector Filch was at odds with himself. He had the student file for Reese on his desk all week. He had memorized the phone number the very first day, and he knew she was in the vicinity, but he did not call. He was always afraid that she wouldn't be there, or that she would. And he did not know what to say. He reached for the phone for the tenth time that hour.

*

"There are complication," Enid explained to Lois. She told Lois of the interview with the teacher and showed her the picture that Nob drew.

"What does this mean?" Lois asked.

"I don't know. There seems to be a pattern in the way Nob is acting, but I can't make it out. I will have to put the adoption on hold until this issue is resolved."

Lois was trying to think of what to say when the phone rang. She answered and looked at Enid in surprise. "It's for you."

*

"What?" Malcolm screamed. "She wants to interview me again? Why?"

"Stiff upper lip, Malcolm," Dennis teased. "Show that English spirit. Take the bulldog approach."

[You should know, over the holidays Dennis went to the video rental and watched every fifties movie made in America that was supposed to take place in England. Today he decided to drive everyone up the wall by using all the new phrases he's learned.]

"Be the Jolly Fellow, Malcolm."

[And he's been enjoying it.]

"Dennis, if you don't stop it, I swear I will tear out your tongue."

Professor McGonagall frowned. "I think we have heard enough from both of you. It seems, Malcolm, that there is a problem with the forms and that you were the one who filled them out."

"Fine. When do I go?"

"I was told Saturday, before lunch. And you have to take at least three people with you."

"But that's tomorrow. Why?"

"Ask not why. Do it for love of the Queen."

"DENNIS!"

"That's one," McGonagall said. "Pick two more volunteers."

Malcolm looked around as everyone quickly left the common room.

"Why am I picking people to go with me?"

"It seems the lady who is coming to interview you would like to interview some of your friends as well. Friends who have met your family."

"Then Draco should come."

"Dumbledore has said no. Anyone who goes with you must be muggle born, so that they will be familiar with the muggle world."

Malcolm frowned. "That narrows the field quite a bit. I don't have that many friends. I could ask EJ, and Hermione, but that's about it."

Dennis cleared his throat. "EJ can't make it. I saw him in the hallway between classes and he told me there was a small accident in potions class. It will wear off on it's own in a couple of days. He's quite blue."

"What happened to him?" McGonagall asked.

"I told you. He's Blue. I don't know what wizards call it but muggles call it robins egg blue. I know because it's the color of my bedroom at home."

"That leaves Hermione," Malcolm said. "No one else will even talk to me."

Everyone turned as someone walked into the common room. Professor McGonagall smiled.

"Good Afternoon, Mr. Potter. Are you busy tomorrow?"

"I have Quidditch practice, Professor."

"Yes, but you will be done by mid-morning?"

"I will," Harry said carefully. "May I ask why?"

"Professor," Malcolm interrupted. "Potter and I aren't exactly friends. We tolerate each other and that's about it."

"Nonsense. You are both in Gryffindor. That should be enough. Mr. Potter, do you truly object to Malcolm being in Gryffindor?"

"Well . . . No?"

"He objects to my brother and my cousin being in Slytherin."

"I didn't say that," Harry protested.

"Why couldn't you have been put there as well," Malcolm quoted.

McGonagall arched an eyebrow. "Did you say that, Harry?"

Harry nodded. "I was coming back from detention with Umbridge. I wasn't in the best of humor. It was a harsh judgement, and unfair."

"Then you will not object to doing him a favor."

"I suppose not." Harry's expression showed that he would love to object.

"Then it is settled. Tomorrow, after Quidditch practice you, Dennis and Miss Granger will accompany Malcolm to his brother's school to be interviewed. You will describe Malcolm as a wonderful person and you will describe his family that way as well."

"Won't they realize I'm lying?"

McGonagall frowned. "Mister Potter."

"Potter's right," Malcolm told the Professor. "It would be better if he just told the truth."

"We'll have a ripping good time," Dennis said as Malcolm lunged at him."

*

"This is stupid," Harry said as he adjusted his tie.

"Tell me about it," Malcolm frowned. "It was supposed to be over. I don't know why she came back."

[Unless Nob did something.]

"What is it," Hermione asked when Malcolm stopped.

"I think I know what happened and it isn't going to be good. I think she found out about magic and wants to meet friends of mine to confirm it."

"Who is she? Maybe you should tell us what is going on."

"I promised McGonagall."

"Good, that means she knows you're going to tell us anyway."

"Hermione, remember last year when I got mad and asked if you wanted us to adopt Nob?"

[I like the way her mouth fell open.]

"But he's . . ."

"He's still like he was in the picture I showed you."

Harry started laughing. "This is all so that your family can adopt a house elf?"

"Yeah."

"A tad cheeky, don't you think," Dennis added, then opened the door to the Headmaster's office before Malcolm could react."

"Oh, hi Headmaster Filch," Malcolm said cheerfully.

"That isn't . . ." Harry asked.

"Twin brother," Hermione whispered back.

"Here they are, Enid," Filch said. "As I promised."

[Filch arranged this?]

Malcolm cleared his throat. "I was told you had a question about the forms?"

"Hector took care of that."

[Hector? That clears thing up.]

"Oh. Anyway, these are some friends of mine."

"It's nice to meet you," Enid said politely.

"Then you don't really need to see us?" Harry asked.

"There is one problem I do need to resolve before I can continue with the adoption procedures."

[I knew it.]

"Malcolm, Nob was asked by his teacher to draw a rainbow. He drew this instead. Everyone tells me that the two of you have a close bond. I was hoping you could explain it."

Malcolm looked at the drawing, and shook his head. "Harry?"

Harry laughed. "None of this makes sense to me. That drawing seems to fit in with what a brother of yours would do."

"It's good for someone his age," Dennis offered, "but it doesn't look anything like a rainbow."

"Hermione?"

"I like the little details," Hermione said. "It's obvious that Nob looked at that book on Heraldry I sent Dewey for his birthday." She looked pointedly at Malcolm. "Before I found out I had to buy him a second present."

Enid looked up. "Heraldry?"

"It's not very well done but see this group here, around the king. That's the insignia for the House of York." Hermione smiled. "It is the House of York. And the king would have to be Richard III."

Enid was not the only one to look at Hermione in surprise. "How did you know?"

"It's all here," Hermione said excitedly. "This small group at the top of the hill has a banner from the House of Lancaster, and the soldiers hidden behind the hill have the standard for the Royal house of Tudor. Nob did draw a rainbow."

"I see," Enid said, but she did not.

"It's a crudely drawn portrait of Bosworth's Field," Hermione continued. "It shows the king going into battle against his enemy, but not being aware that he was vastly outnumbered. It would be a useless battle."

[Huh?].

Hermione looked smugly at everyone else. "Don't you see. Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain."

[Hey. Nob drew a mnemonic picture.]

Filch grinned. "That was very clever. But, isn't Nob in his first year of school?"

"Yes," Hermione acknowledged. She turned to Enid. "You mentioned that Nob and Malcolm have a special bond. Didn't you ever wonder why?"

Enid looked a Malcolm curiously. "Do you happen to have the highest average in the school?

Hermione couldn't help but grin at Malcolm who was smiling at her when he answered. "I only have the second highest."

Enid nodded her head. "Then I did have a need to come here again. I will have to interview Nob after all, to confirm my suspicions, but there should be no further problems."

*

"It's obvious they fancy each other," Hermione said as they left.

"Not that again, Hermione," Harry laughed.

"They what?" Malcolm asked.

"They like each other. I think they made up an excuse so she could come back here."

"They made it up?" Harry was stunned. "Do you mean to tell me that we had to dress up and come here, so that Argus Filch's twin brother can go out on a stupid date?"

[That's about right.]

"Yes," Hermione replied.

Harry bristled. "It's Malcolm's fault. I know that. As far as I'm concerned, once we get back, I'm never going to mention this to anyone. And I don't want anyone mentioning it to me. It didn't happen."

"Fine."

"Not a problem."

"Whatever. I know a place that has old fashioned fish and chips."

"I'm for it," Hermione agreed. "Harry?"

"What do they mean by old fashioned? Malcolm?"

"I have no idea. I'm the American. It think it might be a trade name, like Worlds's Best (TM) Cheesecake."

"Hey," Malcolm said suddenly. "I could have asked Colin. I never thought about him."

"Do you mean to say," Harry fumed, "that you did not need me? I don't appreciate hearing that."

"Neither do I," said an old lady sitting on a bench they were passing. "I was supposed to be free this weekend."

"Tonks?"

"You're NOT welcome."

*

"Nob, do you know why I'm talking to you."

"No."

"You do know that your Mommy and Daddy are not your real Mommy and Daddy, but they want to be. They want to be your real Mommy and Daddy very much. I wanted to know how that made you feel.?"

Nob's eyes lit up. "Do you mean that they've applied for legal adoption? Has the process been completed already to the point where you're finalizing the paperwork?"

"Yes, and yes," Enid answered, surprised at the response she received. "And I wanted to ask how you liked school and things like that."

"School is nice," Nob said as he hung his head.

"What's wrong, Nob?"

"The teacher hates me."

"She hates you? That can't possibly be true."

"It is. She always says mean things to me and accuses me of giving her the wrong answers deliberately."

"Why don't you give me an example?"

"She was teaching us numbers and how to add and she asked how much was one plus one and another boy answered two."

"And what did you do?"

"I told the teacher that the answer could be ten, and she told me ten was the wrong answer, but I checked and I would be right if we were using base two."

Enid smiled as she confirmed the little boy's secret.

"I was thinking, Nob. Maybe you don't have the right teacher. After all, she couldn't see the wonderful rainbow you drew."

"You saw my picture?" Nob asked quizzically. "She wouldn't hang it up with the others."

"I know. She didn't believe me when I explained it to her." Enid looked at the brown haired boy. "Nob, I do need to ask you one more question. Did you tell the teacher that you wanted to curse people when you grow up."

"I asked if I could shout curses at people when I grow up. But she got all mad at me."

"Perhaps shouting curses at people isn't a good idea."

"It's fun though. Malcolm taught me how. May you grow a camel hump. May you have children just like you when you grow up. That's Mom's favorite. May you grow a third left foot. . . Would three left feet be a left yard?"

"I have no idea," Enid admitted with a laugh.

*

Enid was smiling when she left Nob's bedroom. She found Lois waiting for her.

"I see no problem with finalizing the adoption. I should be out of your way except for the hearing. Once the judge hits his gavel, you will not hear from me again."

Lois returned the smile. "And I was getting used to you, Enid. Would you like some coffee before you go?"

"I would. There is another matter I need to discuss with you."

Enid waited until after they were seated and the coffee was poured. "Nob has an interesting grasp of numbers."

"That's because of Malcolm. Whenever he was stuck babysitting Nob, he would play number games with him. Kids just soak things up at that age. Of course he was already able to read when he first came to live with us."

"I'm sure he would like Shakespeare. He seems advanced enough to understand it and Shakespeare is perfect for children his age. Lots of bloody battles and sword fights, if you pick the right plays. Nob should also go to a different school. I made a list of the advanced education programs available in this area."

"I don't think so," Lois explained. "I know Nob is smart but I do have experience in this. Malcolm started special schools at ten. That gave him a chance to make normal friends."

"And Nob told me that Malcolm is his role model. Malcolm has already shown him that he can be smart and Nob has already lost his chance to have normal friends, but he does have a chance to make special friends. Friends who are gifted the same way he is."

"I'll look at what you're giving me," Lois agreed.

"That's all there is, then," Enid said.

"Then you'll be going back to Scotland.?"

"I live in London."

"Then I'm confused. You interviewed Malcolm and Reese first because you were already there?"

"I was on a holiday. I had planned it long before your case came up and I stopped by the school on my return from Edinburgh. Otherwise, I should have seen you first. Although things would have happened differently if I had."

"And you can make the government pay your travel expenses. I think you could try to see Hector again."

Enid smiled.