Severus held Hermione for what felt like hours, it was an odd feeling he was not the type of man that many would seek comfort from, but he wanted to give his little girl as much comfort as he could. It had not been long since Hermione had fell asleep, her small hand gripping tightly to his robe.
'Whilst Hermione is asleep, we need to discuss the particulars of the adoption, we know there are two available rituals for adoption which would the two of you prefer familial bonding or guardianship bonding. Albus and I know which we would prefer you to choose but it is completely up to you. Just please take into consideration that she needs stability.' Minerva smiled encouragingly at the couple.
'Familial, there is no doubt about it she will be our little girl! She may develop darker hair and it may become more unruly than it already is. We need to decide on a number of different things we need to create stability more than anything, but she is just a little girl. We need to set rules and expectations, Hermione is hurting but children strive on structure and that is what we must do, we raise her as if we would have raised our own daughter.'
'I agree with Bella, Hermione needs to have a loving home which she can strive and grow in. For the foreseeable future she will remain in our rooms, I am removing her from her dormitory, she will sleep in our rooms until she is healthier. I will not speak to her about it at the moment but I noticed cuts across her wrist which were self-inflicted, she has been cutting herself therefore I do not trust her to look after herself at the moment. Furthermore, as her parents we need to decide how we are going to discipline her and set boundaries, I am old fashioned and we all know it therefore I believe Hermione will benefit from spankings when she misbehaves, I believe it will help her to learn the difference between discipline and abuse. I am in no way suggesting that we do this from the start we need to wait until she has healed and given her guidance. When can you arrange for the adoption to take place Albus? The sooner the better so that little one knows she will never have to return to that place.'
'I will floo call Amelia Bones and Kingsley to ask them to arrive as soon as possible we need two people to preform the ritual, two to witness and you will also have to name her god-parents, she will need them to grow and develop. I suggest you choose three males and one female, people who you trust and who will love and protect Hermione. It is tradition for a young girls to have four male magical guardians and two female, her parents and four godparents, I would advise to you to choose wisely and people of your own age, Minnie and I are adoring Grandparents.'
'Bella, who do you wish to choose?' Minerva asked exclaimed excitedly.
'I know exactly who me and Sev would choose: Regulus Black; Antonin Dolohov; Thorfinn Rowle and Andromeda Tonks.' Bella smiled at Severus the three males were the closest thing he had to brothers none of which agreed with him being a spy, and all of which refused their fathers orders to become death eaters. All four boys had less than ideal fathers and it had created an unbreakable bond, they had performed blood magic when they were teenagers legally in the eyes of magic making them family their own type of familial bond.
'Thank you, my love, I would ask why Andromeda and not Narcissa, but I believe I know the reason for your decision. Would you please contact my brother and your sister to ensure they arrive as soon as possible; I am going to place our little one in her room and will come back to explain to them what is going on.' It did not take long for Severus to place Hermione on her bed or for him to transfigure his handkerchief into a lion teddy bear for her to cuddle into, he tucked her in tightly and cast a detection charm which would alert him to any movement, nightmare or if she woke up. With he descended the staircase to meet his brothers.
'Sev, you better have a good explanation for summoning us all at midnight. What could you have possibly have down this time, Bella is not pregnant again is she I could not possibly take the grey hairs again,' Regulus smirked at his brother and cousin, many found it odd that he felt closer to the three other males in the room than his own cousin or even his brother, Regulus was slowly trying to mend his relationship for with his brother but it would never compare to the kinship he currently felt.
'We need to talk; I need you all to stay calm and if you cannot commit to what I ask. Bella and I have decided to adopt a child, we discovered a child is being abused and in need of a new home. They were brutal with her unbelievably bad, it makes all of our childhoods look like a walk in the park, we want to adopt her with a full familial ritual but we need four godparents and we would like the four of you to stand in that capacity if you are willing.' Severus paused and was uncertain it was difficult to ask anyone for help, with his sibling's he knew that it should not feel like a hardship to ask but he hated to feel so dependent on others.
'Sev, I know I speak for us all when I say of course we will! Anything to make our new princess safe and secure, although I would like to hear the full unedited story. Do not think we will be skipping past that. Tell us her name.' Severus suddenly felt the wards in Hermione's room alerting him to a nightmare he knew the poor girl was struggling to breath and took off in a run without a second glance, he knew that his brothers would follow, Bella was still trying to retrieve Andromeda that woman could sleep through a war and not be disturbed.
He was shocked at the state Hermione was in she was writhing and silently screaming she had clearly silenced herself in order to not disturb anyone, it broke Severus' heart, did she honestly believe they would rather she suffered.
'Little one, wake up for me, your safe it is me; no one is going to hurt you. You are safe and loved.' Severus gently shook Hermione's shoulders, trying desperately to wake his little girl from the horrors of her past whilst her new found Uncles felt helpless.
As Hermione stirred she threw herself into the waiting arms of her new found protector and held on tightly, she felt herself starting to calm down and her lungs to fill with air as she looked up she noted three strange men in her room and clung more tightly to Severus, hiding her face into his robes.