Chapter One: Understanding Comes Through Acceptance

Ron eyed the two twins with a mixture of apprehension and annoyance.

They had to be the second most annoying creation next to George and Fred.

Hermione bounced one in her arms and it gurgled happily. Well, than again, they were actually pretty cute when you thought about it.

"Ron," he smiled as he stroked the baby's face and replied with a noncommittal sound of 'hmmm?'

"What are we going to do? I mean," Hermione faltered, eyes still trained on the infant she held in her arms.

"I know." Ron stood, arms now clutched protectively around the baby in his arms. "We'll just have to keep them and raise them as our own along with the rest of our brood if that's all right with you." Hermione blessed him with the biggest smile he'd seen since their wedding day.

"Oh! Ron!" She paused suddenly and looked up to stare at him with a look that was half amused, half annoyed. "What do you mean 'the rest of our brood'?'"

Hermione stretched and glanced at the clock. It was nearly three and that meant the rest of the Weasley family would be home soon. Besides George upstairs taking a nap, she had the whole house to herself. A wail that set up from her room made her wince and correct herself. Herself and the twins. Hurrying to her room, her plucked the wailing child out of the crib before it could awaken its sibling and carried it into the kitchen.

As she was turning the heat off the stove she thought she heard a noise coming from the back of the house, near her room. Wary, she silently activated the house alarm system that would awaken George upstairs. If something was amiss, better to have backup.

Creeping around the doorframe, she peered into the hallway and a gasp caught in the back of her throat. Lucius Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy, was in the house and in his arms was her other child. Rage filled her and she stepped clearly into view, wand at the ready.

"Lucius Malfoy!" Her clear tone rang out, effectively making him stop and turn to regard her carefully. "Give me one reason why I should not curse you where you stand." His patented sneer appeared. Hard grey eyes looked her over disdainfully.

"This child," he replied coolly, "Is mine by right. Not to be touched or handled by the likes of a filthy little mudblood like you!" Hermione hissed, noticing George out of the corner of her eye on the stairs, stealthily moving towards her and Lucius.

"That child is not yours. It is the offspring of your son and-"

"-and therefore mine! I have a better blood claim to it than one you could ever hope for." Furious, Hermione raised her wand.

"You shall not take her from this house! She is not yours!" Lucius smirked.

"Ah, but that is where you are wrong." As three curses flew towards him, he apparated. In shock, Hermione stared at the ruined rug and tried to organize her thoughts into something coherent. As a second wave of rage and frustration crested over her shock, she ran to the door. George restrained her, telling her something about the Malfoy mansion and how he'd get her daughter's twin back if it was the last thing he did. Suddenly feeling chilled, Hermione knew. She knew with every bone in her body, as certain as she was alive, that her daughter was gone.

"No." It was hardly more than a whisper but George heard it anyway.

"Hermione?" He took a step towards her and stopped.

"Don't you think he's ready for you to go over there and try and storm the mansion? There isn't- We can't-" she choked. George was there, holding her against him as adrenaline left her a sobbing heap, still gently cradling her daughter in her arms.

"Don't worry Mione, we'll get her back. We'll get her back."

Arthur Weasley shut the door tiredly and hung his hat on the hat rack. As his family came to surround him, he found he couldn't face them. It was the last day of court and the decision had been made. Molly took one look at him and her hand flew to her mouth.

"No, it can't be." Arthur felt their gazes meet and he saw her blue eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Maybe it's just a temporary thing, maybe-" He grabbed her hands and held them, silencing her rambling.

"Molly. Hermione. I, I'm sorry I couldn't do better. Malfoy's blood ties were too strong a claim to be denied. I tried." He swallowed and felt himself enveloped in a hug by everyone. His son's gruff voice spoke softly.

"It's all right dad. You tried. That's the best anyone could do." Hermione nodded in agreement, clutching the baby in her arms protectively.

"I don't believe I could have asked for a better family." Ginny laughed shortly and wiped her eyes.

"Well, I have to go get ready for work. If you'll excuse me." Running upstairs, they could hear her throwing things in an effort to keep her own grief at bay.