The New Parents

Summary: Hermione Granger is now 8 years out of Hogwarts. She has a wonderful job at the minister, a beautiful house and a beautiful partner. But what happens when Harry and Ginny are tragically killed in an Apparating accident and it is Hermione that is left to look after the children? How will her 'partner' take this?

Rating: PG-13… for now atleast.

Authors Notes: Some of you may realise that this story bears great resemblance to the new TV show, Summerland. Well, that's where I got my idea. This is slightly different however, and will continue to get more different as time goes on. I am hoping that I will be able to update this story regularly. Anyway, hope you all enjoy this story. Have fun and don't forget to review.

"What? You can't be serious!" Hermione exclaimed. She was standing in her kitchen and the information Cornelius Fudge had just given her had made her back herself towards the sink. This was her house; she had bought it soon after beginning her employment at the Ministry of Magic. She was Head Minister for Foreign Affairs and it was up to her to make sure that the wizarding world of London never got into trouble with the rest of the world.

"I'm afraid I am being entirely serious, Miss Granger," Fudge continued. "As stated in both Mr and Mrs Potter's wills, you are to be the guardian if the chance should ever arise that both Mr and Mrs Potter die."

Hermione scoffed. "And how old are these documents? Ginny and Harry know that I can't look after children!"

Fudge coughed. "Well, it is about five years old but still very valid. If you don't take the children, Miss Granger, they will be placed into foster care."

She sighed. She couldn't do that to them. However much she didn't want this, it was happening. It wasn't fair to the children that they should be shipped off to foster care. "No, that's ok. They can stay here. We'll take care of them."

Fudge seemed startled. "You mean, you and…"

Hermione's eyebrows lowered in a menacing fashion. "Yes, him and me. We do everything together. And if I can look after children, he certainly can."

Fudge paled. "We are talking about-"

There came a noise of the door opening and closing, which signified that 'he' was home.

"Hey, Hermione. I got home from practice early. I thought we could go out for lunch. Have a romantic afternoon, just you and me, and maybe this new red teddy I bought you…" he paused as he evaluated the situation.

Looking into the den, he saw five children staring back at him. This in and of itself was odd but what made him extra nervous was the fact that the children had luggage.

"Hermione, honey, what's going on?"

"Come into the kitchen."

He made his way into the kitchen, trying to logically think up a reason as to why they would be here. Here. This was Hermione's and his house. They didn't have children. They didn't want children, at least not at the moment.

"Hermione, why are there-" He stopped after he spotted Fudge standing in his kitchen. What was he doing here, as well? He began to get worried. First the children, now Fudge. This could only mean bad things.

"Cornelius," he said, his voice betraying the hatred he felt. "What brings you to our humble abode?"

Fudge glared at him. How could Hermione be with hi? And about her and him looking after the children? Who was she kidding? He wasn't 'father' material. "Well, I suppose Miss Granger will discuss it with you but as per Mr and Mrs Potter's wills, Hermione and her husband or partner, which is you, as the sole beneficiaries of…"

He was getting bored. If Fudge didn't start getting to the point, well, it wasn't going to be pretty.

"Look, Fudge, cut the formal talk. Just tell me what's going on."

Fudge sighed. "Fine. You and Miss Granger are now the legal guardians of the Potter children, after you sign these few forms."

His eyes went wide. So that was why there were children in their living room. "What? That can't be right! We haven't seen Potter and the ex-Weasley in years. Why would they have wanted us?"

Fudge smirked. "Actually, they just wanted Miss Granger, but as she pointed out to me, you come together."

He looked at Hermione. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

Hermione flung him a sympathetic smile. "Of course, we won't do anything, you don't want to do. If you don't feel comfortable taking the kids, we won't."

He looked at her, his eyes incredulous. What was she saying? No matter what his upbringing was, he could never abandon children, no matter whose children. He wasn't a monster. He wasn't his father. "Of course not, Hermione! I'm not going to throw those children out of our house. What kind of person do you think I am?"

Hermione smiled and ran to hug him. "Oh, thank you! I wasn't sure. You do put out the 'confirmed bachelor' vibe."

He smiled. A family man? He couldn't see it but this was the way it had to be. " I guess we'll get to signing those forms."

Hermione signed her name and then he signed his.

"Thank you," Fudge said, to both of them, moving his way towards the exit. "Good day to you, Miss Granger. Mr Malfoy."