Chapter 12
Disclaimer: Okay all the characters and strange words such as "muggle" and "portkey" belong to JKR. I did not invent them, I am just borrowing them. I have kidnap—borrowed them for a short time. I am making no money off this plot.
Ron: Hey! You have a ransom note, that's profit!
SHUT UP OR I'LL KILL YOU OFF!
Ron: You wouldn't do that.
Okay, maybe not. But I could have Draco kidnap Hermione or something (not really meaning it)…
Ron: NO! Never mind what I said. People, bardlover is earning no profit from this story.
Good Ron.
Hermione never thought she would find herself in the Ministry of Magic again. But low and behold, here she was. All because of Ron.
She was waiting in a particularly long line outside the office of Magical Transportation. Portkeys were very popular now, for the Floo Network had been very unreliable during the war. Far too many people had gotten off at the wrong gate and paid for it. Cho Chang had gotten off one gate too late and run into the Death Eaters. Her mangled body had been found a few days later. Of course, she wasn't the only one. But she was one many people in the Ministry knew personally.
Hermione was just beginning to wonder how much longer she would have to suffer in the line when she felt someone tap her from behind. "Hermione?"
Hermione spun around to face Remus Lupin. He didn't look like she remembered him. In fact, he seemed younger, happier. Of course, that must be Tonks, she thought. "Lupin. Why are you here?"
"Ron sent me to get you out of this line. He's still working through the red tape, but didn't want you to suffer here. I went over all these people's heads and got you a portkey already."
Hermione smiled. "Thanks, Lupin." As they walked away from the line of death together, Hermione paused. "So you know?"
"Yeah. Congratulations, I suppose."
"You too. So you have two children also?"
Lupin smiled. "Yes. Thankfully we had a bit of a break between them."
"Yes, the twins were a bit of a handful." She smiled. "But worth it."
"Oh, I'm sure of it." He paused. "You know, Ron's really hurt about this. You told Harry and not him."
"I never actually told Harry. He just apparated over one day and saw me while I was expecting. He immediately knew. He even pressured me to tell Ron. I just wasn't ready. Then the longer I waited, the harder I knew it would be to explain."
Lupin nodded. "Yes. He's not as angry as I would expect though."
"I know! What happened to Ron's temper?"
"Oh, he still has it. He's just developed a bit of a longer fuse."
"I'm actually really impressed. He did a good job with his family."
Lupin shook his head. "He did the best he could. They didn't have any reserve finances or anything. He was in the hole for two years solid. He just managed to climb out of it completely. Funerals and hospital bills were awful."
"Why didn't you help?"
"Tonks and I tried, but he wouldn't let us. Weasley pride, you know."
Hermione smiled. "Oh yes. I have been ever acquainted with the Weasley pride."
"Do you have a bit of it at your house?"
"Yes. Jane is awful sometimes. She has her father's personality."
Lupin laughed. "Oh Merlin, that will be a treat. Hogwarts will be terrified. A female Ron Weasley!" He looked at her. "They are magical, aren't they. I mean, if one parent is muggle-born, the odds…"
"Oh, don't worry. Molly and Jane both are witches. Molly made a squirrel blow up once. Jane was fighting over a toy with a little boy when the boy amazingly disappeared and was found in the Cairo Zoo."
Lupin laughed. "Yes, definitely Ron. Let me guess, the gorilla cage?"
"Yup."
"I can't wait to meet the little darlings."
"I know. I just need to figure out how to explain Ron to them."
"Oh Hermione, that's simple. Just tell them the truth."
"Well, then they'll think we're a family."
"You are, aren't you? Families don't necessarily have to live together. They just have to care about one another."
Hermione smiled. "Yes. I think Ron wants partial custody of them. I mean, I understand of course, but we're in different countries. I don't know how that will work."
"Just don't make him angry about the situation," Lupin advised. "If you ended up going to court, he'd get full custody."
"Why? I'm their mother!" Hermione cried. No one could take her babies from her.
"Well, to be honest, he's a pureblood. Though everyone has seen he can take care of his family. However, the pureblood versus muggle-born would be the real zinger."
Hermione looked at Lupin incredulously. "That's so prejudiced." She paused. "Do you think Ron would do that?"
"Only if you give him a reason. He just wants to see them."
Hermione smiled. "Well, we are family."
A/N: Well, I hope everyone liked the happy chapter. Yes, I'm making you wait on the custody dispute and such. Muhahaha! Next chapter will be another shorter one. I will digress from the main plot just for fun. You'll see. I think you'll like it.
Once again, thanks to all my reviewers. Happiness will come for all, doubt not that. A special shout-out to jwoods471 and JohnCardy87 for being my betas.
Remember to check out John's story. He would really like someone other than me and jwoods to review it. Thanks!