CHAPTER TWO – How You Got From Here to There

Hermione Jane Granger and Draco Abraxas Malfoy were not afraid.

They were terrified. They were confused. They were lost at sea without a clue on how to find the shore. And it was all because the tall dark-haired girl in Dumbledore's office said three little words. "I'm your daughter."

While Draco scoffed and shook his head, he for the first time in a long time, found he was lost for words. Hermione, fortunately for her, had never in her entire life found herself in such a situation. She took a slow calming breath and spoke up, "Professor, that's just… it's impossible. I mean she has to be at least a sixth year. This girl is older than us."

"I think," Dumbledore paused and leaned forward, "that you should listen to Ms. Malfoy's story in its entirety. Then we will discuss how it might be possible and finally we will discuss what we are to do about it. One thing at a time after all, Ms. Granger. Although, I will assure you that every word she is about to speak is the absolute truth."

"Yes sir."

Malfoy only grunted and shook his head, "You've all bloody lost it."

"Malfoy, at least—"

"Oh please Granger!" Draco yelled as he stood up quickly. "Are you really planning on listening to someone explain how they are OUR daughter? No way on earth or heaven, do I act kind to you, let alone take you to my bed, let alone give you my name, let alone—"

"Mr. Malfoy!" Dumbledore had now stood up and was glaring at Malfoy with the single most unforgiving expression any of them had ever seen. Until that day, Hermione never would have believed he was capable of such a thing. "You will sit down and listen!"

Draco sat down as if a giant Hand of God had reached down a squashed him into the seat. Dumbledore's expression turned sweet again in a flash and he nodded at Elisabeth, encouraging her to continue.

"Well, he… Dad, never did like fanciful stories. For all he loves the world of magic, he always was a creature of fact. A man who believes evidence over stories. It's what makes him so good at his job."

"What does he do?" Hermione asked, although she didn't quite know why she cared.

"He works with you at the Ministry. He's the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."

"I suppose Granger and Potter are self righteous Aurors?" Malfoy asked. It was the closest to an objection he was willing to raise in Dumbledore's presence at the moment. Hermione was still wrapping her head around the son of a Death Eater running the Aurors. Maybe it means we lose the war.

"No," Elisabeth answered. "Well I mean Uncle Harry is, but not Mum. She's the Minister For Magic."

As Draco's chin dropped several inches, Hermione's eyes shot wide and an enormous grin broke out on her face. Her face turned several shades pinker and her complexion seemed infinitely improved from when she was throwing up in the hallway minutes ago. The idea that she could someday run the entire wizarding world of England was an incredibly pleasing fantasy, even if it was just a fantasy.

"They couldn't find a better one in my opinion," Dumbledore added with a wink to the young Gryffindor. "Elisabeth, why don't you tell us about your family life."

"Actually, nobody called me Elisabeth. I prefer Lizzie. All right, well, I'm the oldest as I said. I was born on May 3rd in 2000. Mum and—well you both, were married a couple of years earlier right after graduation. Alex… he's the second oldest. You guys built the Malfoy Hall in London and we moved out of the loft right before he was born. Alexander Harry Malfoy, he was born four years after me on July 31st. Mum, got pregnant again just a couple of months later and well… sure enough the twins came out the next June 22nd. It…"

Lizzie trailed off and looked at Hermione for a moment. Batting a quick tear from her eye, she explained, "It was a hard birth for Mu—for you. The medi-witch said you would never have children again. Dad was kind of devastated for a long time, but well… Gryffindor courage and all, you moved on. Four children were certainly enough. We just went on. Sure enough, I got my Hogwarts letter and started in 2011. Sorted into Gryffindor obviously."

Lizzie began playing with her tie a bit at that comment and added, "I don't think Mum stopped smiling for weeks when she heard. Drove you right bonkers, Dad."

Malfoy shook his head in disbelief and turned away.

"So, I'm a seventh year now. Term was just starting when we… well when we ended up here. Oh, I made Head Girl, just like you did, Mum."

"I—Oh," Hermione stumbled at even more good news about her future. Head Girl was a position she had been aiming at for the last five years. It had always seemed like this dream she'd fail to accomplish in reality, but now there it was, laid out before her. Except for the tiresome fact that Malfoy was involved, her future didn't seem so bad at all.

"Well, the Head Boy Richie Atkins is right annoying. First Slytherin to make Head Boy since Dad did."

Draco raised his head and smirked at this. Somehow in the span of fifteen minutes he went from the verge of expulsion and losing his prefect's badge to being destined for Head Boy. It might be charming if it wasn't absolute rubbish.

"Well, Alex went Slytherin and that sort of evened things out. He's in third year and the twins, oh I forgot the twins. Well, Grandpa named David and Daniel out of his old family Bible. I think Dad just went along because they both started with the letter 'D'. They're just about to start second year. Both in Ravenclaw, though I suppose some call it unusual since you were Gryffindor and all of Dad's family was in Slytherin. But I always thought it made sense for at least a couple of the children of Hogwarts' smartest witch and wizard ended up there."

"You… Gods this is strange to talk about the future or…whatever," Hermione stumbled. "But you said there were six of you."

"Right, well, you never were one to listen to what a medi-witch told you. 'Damn stubborn, Gryffindors,' as Dad says. Well sure enough, during Alex's first year, we get a letter end of February. A month along and expecting again for early fall. But—"

At this point Lizzie wiped away another tear and looked downward. It seemed her shoes became infinitely interesting and was determined not to continue. Hermione leaned forward and asked, "What happened? What will happen?"

"It… sorry sir, but it went fuck all. She… she…"

"It's alright, Ms. Malfoy, take your time," Dumbledore said. The young girl pulled out a handkerchief and blew her nose loudly. Draco certainly wasn't accepting any of this as truth, but found he was wondering how such a blubbering child could be the product of a Malfoy upbringing.

"Lucy, that's her name; Lucy Ginevra Malfoy," Elisabeth began and slowly raised her head. She was born on Dad's birthday, June 5th. It was… far too early, but they couldn't stop it—not with medicine or magic. She… she was 24 weeks along and… well Dad nearly killed the man who told you she wouldn't last a week. I found out right as I was finishing OWLs. The headmistress, that's Professor McGonagall, she came and pulled me out of my Care of Magical Creatures exam and sent us to the hospital. It was the longest day of my life. But Dad set me right, gave me a job to get me through it. I had to take care of the twins, keep them safe. Grandpa Granger was there and he gave Alex a speech about being brave. Sorry, but we never really got on with him, preferred the wizarding world too much and he is if nothing else vehemently a muggle. That speech was completely unnecessary. I don't know why… never met anyone as brave as Alexander Malfoy. He… he wasn't going to be all right until he saw that Mum was. Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny were there with Jim and Ron, that's their sons."

"She's alright though, right?"

Hermione paled at the question. Not sure if she was more shocked that it was asked at all, or that is was Malfoy that asked it. In fact, even he wasn't sure where the words came from. It just seemed… important that he ask.

"Well, Mum was a mess. Da—Drac—sir, you didn't leave St. Mungo's. Not for a night. Not for a minute. Not for two-and-a-half months. Not until Lucy could come with you. Nobody in this world believed in her as much as you. Wouldn't even hear it when they said she'd never breath on her own. Didn't even listen when they talked about brain damage. Dad…"

"He said, 'She's a Slytherin from the start. Just trying to fool us all into letting her have her way with everything. And we damn well will.'"

Hermione looked away from Lizzie and tried to see that man in the boy in front of her. He was still sneering from disbelief of the entire idea. She always thought him a bit of a mother's boy and a crier. But he wasn't shedding a tear and besides the single question, didn't give a hint that he cared. Lizzie was sobbing slightly and Hermione found herself sitting next to her and wrapping an arm around the taller girl, the older girl… her daughter.

"Well, he was right. She was small, still is. We don't think she'll even grow nearly as tall as Mum. She's three now. Barely looks a day over two, but smart as a whip and a spitfire. Always getting into some type of trouble, just since she knows Dad won't stand for anyone being angry with her. And I think he was right about her House. She's destined for Slytherin. Dad… You call her your Slytherin Princess."

"And the sixth?" Hermione asked.

"Oh… yes well, as much drama and pain as we went through with Lucy, I think we were all terrified when a year later you became pregnant again. I suppose the Gods thought we had enough suffering, so nine months along out pops Diana Narcissa Malfoy. Happiest, healthiest baby you'll ever see. Though she favors Dad a bit too, I think he's trying to stack the deck with Slytherins just to beat us, Mum. Oh, I… well… I suppose I should have asked, but I can call you Mum, can't I?"

Hermione now found herself at that loss of words she had managed to avoid earlier. Against all reason and against all odds, she found herself nodding ever so slightly and the taller girl embraced her.

"Thank you, Hermione… I mean, Mum," Lizzie exclaimed. "I know you'll figure all this out and have us back where… when we belong in no time."

"When are you from?" Hermione asked. "Did you use a Time Turner?"

"No," she answered. "We just… It was September 1, 2017. You and Dad dropped us off at the station as always. You gave us the standard speeches. Mum says don't do anything wrong. Dad says don't get caught doing anything wrong. Mum slaps Dad. He kisses Mum. We all groan in disgust."

"Completely understandable reaction," Draco interrupted. Hermione desperately wanted to slap that smirk off of his face. She noticed the other girl was looking at him with an air of astonishment, as if she couldn't imagine the idea of Draco Malfoy being cruel to Hermione Granger. She looked as if this was some foreign concept instead of an everyday occurrence. At this point, Hermione crinkled her brow and began considering the idea of alternate futures.

Eventually, Dumbledore broke the silence with a cough and Lizzie refocused and continued, "Well, um… anyway, the four of us got on the train, waved goodbye to Mum, Dad and the girls and we were off. Nothing was out of the way strange about the trip. I went to the prefects cabin, we held our first meeting. Atkins did his rounds with his girlfriend Henrietta and I went off with Jim. Jim Potter that is. I joined Alex and the twins just as we were pulling up in Hogsmeade and well…"

"We got off the train, but it felt like… something like a portkey, but stronger and more well… violent. And then we were in the same place and it was still dark, but the train was gone and lying on the ground in front of us was Diana in her basinet and Lucy sleeping on the ground. None of us had an idea what happened, or how we got there. We didn't even have our trunks, so I lead us up the path to school and well… we met a man named Hagrid. I'd never seen him before, but he sort of reminded me of Gwarp. I asked him if he could take us to see Headmistress McGonagall."

"McGonagall?" Hermione asked. "What—what happened to—"

"I'm sorry, Mum. He… well he died in the war."

"Well, some things can't be avoided," Dumbledore explained with a sad smile. "It is nice to know I'll be remembered though."

"Of course, sir. I mean Mum and Dad never talked about the war much. Sometimes Dad and Uncle Harry would come back late at night and a bit tipsy. We overheard some things. But everyone knows about Albus Dumbledore. There's a great statue of you next to the gardens and my copy of Hogwarts: A History calls you the greatest headmaster in the history of the school. It—well besides everything else, it's a real honor to meet you."

"An honor to meet you as well," Dumbledore said. "I am certain we are all tired, but before we adjorn for the night, I would like to know if you wish to help us find a way to get these children home. Ms. Granger?"

After only an instant's consideration, Hermione realized that whether it was true or not, Dumbledore was asking for her help and she couldn't turn them down. Setting her jaw with a familiar steely resolve she nodded.

"Well, I mean… of course, I'll send an owl to my parents saying I have to stay at school for a summer project. I'm sure there must be some answers in the library. I'll start in the morning."

"Oh, not with research my dear. The professors and myself should be able to solve the problem given enough time, but there is a very important role that only you can fill. That of their mother."

"But, Professor, I… I mean I never had to take care of children before. I'm an only child. I don't even have any younger cousins or any experience. There must be someone more qualified than me."

"Absolutely not," Lizzie demanded. "I was the first-born, so I would know, right? You and Dad were naturals right from the start. And… well it has to be you. Alex and the twins might understand, but Lucy and Diana need you both. I promise to help, but it has to be you two. I mean there was never a governess or any babysitters. You two, Uncle Harry, Aunt Ginny and Minnie are the only ones."

"Minnie?" she asked.

"Our house-elf, well the only one left over from before the war," Lizzie explained. "We got a couple more when we moved, but she was the closest to us growing up. But nobody can replace their mother and… well… I need you too."

Hermione shifted in her seat. It really was daunting for her to imagine trying to be a mother for six children, especially at the age of sixteen. Biting on her lower lip, she unconsciously scooted away from Lizzie. A quick glance to see tear-filled eyes told Hermione all she needed to know.

"I'll help," she said and tried not to flinch away when Lizzie sprung up and wrapped her arms around Hermione, grasping her tightly. Sitting across from them, Draco scoffed quietly to himself. Regardless of whether or not the story was true, and it probably is just a trick to get me to betray my family, he had to admit the strange girl was a good approximation of what the spawn of Granger and himself would look like. She was taller than Granger, about his height. While her hair matched Granger's in color, even now the two brown manes were blending together as they held one another, the younger girl's hair was far smoother than the other, almost silky. When she was crying her eyes seemed less blue and… well more a darkened silver. And Gryffindor or not, she knew how to manipulate a situation: when to look at Granger, when to cry and when to celebrate. I wonder if they all have some Slytherin in them. STOP FUCKING THINKING LIKE THAT DRACO! A brief internal battle took place while Hermione was getting comfortable hugging the stranger who claimed to be her daughter. Draco was trying not to let his curiosity overrule the need to get out of this room as soon as possible. There was absolutely no way he could stay. The idea that he play nursemaid to some babies and second and third-years was insane. This was not the action of a Malfoy. What would his father say? No damn way could he do this. He could not even entertain the idea that there were more children in this castle that looked like mixes of Granger and himself.

But Draco had always been curious. Even in first year, sneaking around to see some dragon Hagrid had smuggled onto school grounds, he was eternally curious. Slowly the screaming Malfoy voice was quieting and another softer voice was growing louder. For a moment, Draco's eyes flashed to a seemingly innocuous Dumbledore. He may have appeared to be smiling warmly at the girls, but Draco wouldn't put it past the old man to go mucking around in his brain. Regardless, the voice seemed to be growing more and more persuasive. There are far less attractive birds than Granger to procreate with. Gods, DON'T EVER THINK THAT AGAIN! What are the others like? At least one of them better be a blonde. And if they are telling the truth, what then? I could learn about the future, maybe play things to my advantage and change things. Just shut up and grit and bear the mudblood for a few days and maybe learn something valuable.

One long breath later and it was out of his mouth, "Let's get started."

A/N: Hope you enjoy chapter two. Sorry for the delay, but I continue to spend a majority of my time on "Changed Fates". Don't worry though. As long as positive reviews come in, I won't be abandoning this project. I will try my darndest to have another chapter for this done by the end of the week. Thanks again reviewers and readers! ALSO -- a disclaimer reminder, I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters in this story (except the Malfoy children, I suppose those are mine).