"S'okay. She let me before bed." The quiet voice woke her and she blinked her eyes open. It took a second to see them in the dim room but she found their heads in front of the tray from last night.
"Go ahead. I'll make breakfast but you can eat what's on there. It's under a spell so it doesn't go bad." She said quietly and they both spun around. Shock and some trepidation. Scorpius showed more of that and his eyes were down. Tray met hers though and waited.
"Go ahead. Can you reach?" She asked them and he shrugged. So she slid out of the bed and yawned as she walked over to them.
"Good Morning Boys. How are you Scorp?" She asked. Looking the boy over when he looked up at her. He looked tired still. He had bags under his eyes but other than that he looked alright.
"M'alright." He mumbled and she smiled at him.
"I'm glad. We will take it easy today and lounge around. You two could go out into the garden though I see it's raining right now." She peered out the curtain and the boys both had fruit in each hand when they crowded her to see.
"It is trees back here. I seen them move and I was right." Scorpius sounded proud and she chuckled. Resting a gentle hand on his shoulder she decided to speak.
"If you want to go out there and get a bit wet after breakfast then you can. A warm bath and maybe a hot chocolate after would be sufficient to warm you up. We will get some rain boots and coats. Other things too." She said and they looked at each other before back outside.
"More strawberries at breakfast?" Tray asked after a minute and she nodded.
"Pancakes with them maybe. It's your first breakfast here and we better do something a bit special." Her words got small smiles but they were holding hands when she came back from using the loo. Standing in front of the window and watching her. They needed clothes but they didn't seem to mind so it was fine for now. Maybe some of those catalogues would work for this.
They perched on the stools at the counter and watched her make the batter. Asking questions and both smiled when she put some flour on her hand and blew it in their direction. Then they watched the pancakes cook and each boy laid sliced strawberries on it before she cut them and then cooked hers while they ate. Scorp smiled at his friend when he drug a piece through the puddle of syrup she had put on the side. They ate mostly porridge and meat. Or so it sounded from their few words about it. Neither asked for bacon or anything but she put out more fruit and watched them pick and choose. Then they decided to share another and she knew that she had to call her lawyer.
"I've got to make some calls. Would you both be alright in the den again? Or would you prefer to be upstairs?" She asked them and watched them exchange glances as she cleaned up with a. Few wand waves. Leaving the bowl of fruit out and a couple glasses of water. When they didn't answer her she looked up and both were watching her.
"Can we go out?" Tray asked her and she could see Scorp hunch slightly.
"Of course. It's a walled garden so no one can get in or out. Wait a moment and we will do something about shoes and coats." Standing still for a moment she thought and then summoned sweatshirts and coats. Then two pair of her trainers. Shrinking them to the right size took a few minutes but both boys were patient and then they giggled at each other as she added the layers. Her socks were too big and bunched above the shoes but neither boy seemed to mind. Impervious charms made it good enough.
"Please be careful alright?" She said when both boys looked up from the thicker clothing on them and they nodded seriously. Then she opened the door and stepped back. It took them a few minutes but eventually they were standing at the bottom of the steps and speaking quietly. Merlin. She wouldn't be able to see them but maybe he would come through.
"I'll be in the same room I was last night Tray. Across from the den. Come get me if you need anything alright." He looked up and gave a nod before bending down beside his friend to look at something.
Standing in front of the floo, she took a breath and then grabbed a handful of powder and threw it in. A last glance at the clock showed it was after nine so she called out the name of his offices.
"Zabini Law Office." She said then stuck her head in and waited for the room to come into view. Blaise was just walking past and looked down then stopped.
"Granger?" He asked and she watched him balance his coffee cup on the files in his hand and crouch down.
"Could you come through? I've got a problem and so do you." She said quietly and watched his face. The olive skin had a polite smile on when she spoke but it fell and he held her gaze.
"Alright. I've got a meeting in an hour." He said and she nodded then pulled out of the floo. Quickly she changed her wards so he could get through and stepped back. Then she ran to the door and could see them under a cherry tree in the corner that currently had no leaves in the January winter.
Hermione was just entering the room again as the floo whooshed and Blaise came through.
"What have you gotten yourself into Granger?" He said with interest as he spelled himself clean and looked around then at her. The way his eyes looked her over told her he was paying attention.
"It's a long story. Sit and I'll tell you then I'll show you. Vow first Blaise." She said quietly and he stilled.
"A vow?" He said as if he didn't quite believe it and she just kept the eye contact.
"It's not for me really but you won't mind. I know you won't after. When I can tell you but if you won't then I'll figure something else out." His dark eyes scanned her and she just waited him out. He wouldn't mind. Would do it voluntarily she was sure but if the Ministry tried anything she wanted to have covered her bases.
"Alright. Name your terms." She could see his uncertainty but he didn't sound as if he thought her crazy or dramatic. She wasn't and he knew it. Having dealt with more than her split from Ron and ending her Ministry employment, he knew her a bit and more than that knew some of her values. He had been incredulous when she came to him but she needed someone who would represent her and not fold to the chosen one and his best friend. To Ron's war time reputation and jovial grin. It had been a wise choice.
"That you won't speak of the involved parties without my leave. That you will uphold their interests above your own and against all comers." She said evenly and watched him realize others were involved. That this wasn't for her really. He swore on his magic and she collapsed into the couch and began to speak. A minute later she got to the first real shock for him.
"So when those grey eyes peered up from the blood and fringe of dirty hair I didn't know what was happening." She continued when he stood and began to pace as she spoke. Eventually she got to the point.
"It's their sons Blaise. Scorpius Draco Malfoy and Trayden Nott. Four years old and in my shrunken clothes in the back garden." She stopped. He was staring at her as if she had gone mad and she could only wait.
"My best friends have sons. Sons no one knows about. That were being abused in the house across the street from you." Like Harry he sounded as if he couldn't believe what she had said and she could only nod.
"I told Harry and I'm telling you. I'm keeping them Blaise. They are staying with me. I'll do whatever. I don't know though. If they had hid them then what the contracts said or the magics sealing the files. It could be anything." She let some of her hopeless feelings out and he seemed to collect himself.
"You said you have the credentials, all of them?" He asked her and conjured a paper and quill. He was writing against the wall as she answered his questions. About the courses she had taken and the mental assessment she had taken. This had all been done when she was working in the education department. So she could see and judge the processes used to educate those responsible for children. They weren't great but not terrible and their changes had been something she left before tackling. As far as she knew it hadn't been done. Which wasn't surprising.
"That's all of them Granger. Merlin's saggy balls woman." He said and turned away from the wall.
"Can I see them?" He asked quietly and she nodded.
"They are in the garden. Don't be surprised if they are scared or whatever. Didn't like Harry much either." She said and he nodded. His face was a mask now and she felt bad. He had left before seventh year and come back months after the war ended. Having taken his NEWT equivalents in Italy. Then he had taken the law exams and opened up a small private practice. He didn't need the money but he liked it and she had worked with him a few times before she went to him for her own reasons. Now she paid the retainer bill and felt better having someone she could just call.
He kept a hand on her lower back as they walked through her house and stopped at the glass paned French door. The two were laying in the middle of the grass with small misty raindrops falling on them. Talking quietly and their hands were clasped tight.
"I can see their hair. Fuck. I didn't know." His eyes turned to hers and she nodded.
"It didn't cross my mind Blaise. I know you didn't. No one did. Harry is an Auror and he didn't know." She said quietly and could see he believed her. Knew she didn't blame him. Wouldn't have called him otherwise.
"Should you?" She asked and he was silent while he thought about it. They watched them and he gave a firm single nod.
"You are my client and through you so are they. It may get dicey Granger." He said and this time he waited for her to meet his eyes.
"How far?" He asked her seriously and she thought for a second.
"If you mean how far am I willing to go then the answer is as far as it takes. This is shit Blaise. Hiding little boys like this. Not letting them leave the house for years. They wouldn't have. Those boys would have been six or whatever and never have been outside. Would they have given them back right away? Made Theo and Draco pay? Exchange what for them? I can't even think about it." She said quietly and tried not to cry. He just waited.
"I told Harry and I'm telling you. I won't face either of them and tell them that I found their sons. Their only sons, being hurt and abused. Then after I saved them and they wanted to stay with me, I wouldn't fight for them or whatever and gave them back to the people who did this to them. Or the organization anyways. I don't trust the Ministry Blaise. I don't trust anyone anymore. Definitely not with them. Scorp is quieter. Tray is more assertive and what if they split them up. No. If I have to run or something then I will. It's only two years. Less than that." She said and watched his face relax.
"Alright Granger. I'm sorry for approaching it that way. I should have just asked you." He said quietly and then looked back to the boys who were standing now and looking at the two of them through the window. She smiled and opened the door.
"Want to come in or we can grab coats and come out?" She asked and watched them meet eyes and then begin walking to the door. She flicked her wand at the kitchen and then jabbed it twice. They were at the top of the steps now. Maybe six feet away but had stopped and both were watching the tall dark man in a suit that could pass for muggle but she knew came from his ancient Italian tailor.
"Give me a sec." She said quietly and didn't look up at him. Wanting to give him a moment. His two closest friends had sons he didn't know about. That had been hurt and were clearly wary of him. He might be a snake but he was a passionate one. Was waiting for them just like their sons were.
Hermione ignored the rain and her lack of shoes. Just spelled her socks impervious and walked out onto the deck. She closed the door most of the way and crouched in front of them.
"That is Blaise Zabini. He is here because he is my lawyer. He's going to help me fight to keep you. More so fight to be able to have people know you exist. That's why I needed to speak with him. He wants to meet you because he was best friends with both your dads. They were always together at school." She stopped. Not wanting to overwhelm them and Tray stepped in front of his friend protectively.
"I will be here and I promise you, I really mean it, that Blaise is someone you can trust. He won't take you away from me or hurt you. He wants the very best for you and now that he knows about you, all he wants is to meet you. To know you are alright. More than anything." She could feel herself getting emotional and Scorp stepped around Tray and toward her.
"Did he make you cry?" It was a demand and it makes her chuckle. That sounded more like Draco.
"No he didn't. He helped me when I needed it and now he's going to help us. I'm crying because I'm mad and sad. That they did this to you. Happy too. Happy you are here and alright. Happy your dads best friend gets to meet you. If Harry had a son I didn't know about, hadn't gotten to love for that time then I would be so upset and want more than anything to meet him." She sniffles and made herself calm down. Her tears were upsetting them and Tray looked stubborn.
"You stay." He commanded and she raised her brows at him. "Please." He added and she smiled at him.
"I will. There is hot chocolate on the table but we can go sit on the couch together if you want it that way." She offered and waited while they whispered quietly.
Then two nods and she smiled her relief. Blaise would have waited she knew but he would have been hurt and anxious. She wanted him paying attention and angry. At his sharpest and most Slytherin. Standing up, she ignored the wet patch on her knee and held a hand out to each of them. They took them tightly and she walked to the door he held open for them. Then Blaise walked to the other side of the table. Giving them room and allowing them to see him.
The intake of breath was easily heard and she crouched again to take off their coats and help with the shoes. Totally unfamiliar with wearing these things. In a Minute the two stood there in jogging pants and T-shirts with socks that were too big and no smiles.
"This is Scorp and this is Tray." She put a hand on each shoulder and looked up at the man. Blaise had a mask on but his eyes roved between them and she waited until they met hers. Devastation. That was what she could see and then a flash of danger. Her smile was small but he caught it and stilled. Then he smiled too. It wasn't his genuine happy one but a sharp one that showed too many teeth. Then that too vanished and there was no mask. He stepped around the table so there was nothing between them and sat directly on the floor. She was surprised but understood. He was making himself small and then he tossed his wand down the hallway toward the kitchen. Defenceless.
He wasn't of course but to the boys it was encouraging.
"Did you make her cry?" Tray demanded of the Italian. Who blinked and then looked up at her.
"No Tray, I didn't. She is Gryffindor and shows her emotions as easily as she breathes." He said and she smiled at his teasing tone.
"You like it." She jibed at him in return. Wanting the boys to know they could tease or even speak.
"It's easy to like you Granger. Do you think so boys?" He asked them and Scorp stepped toward her.
"Let's go sit and you two can warm up. Blaise can't stay long." She said and he looked at his watch and grimaced comically.
"I've got to work but I'd rather stay here and play with you." He said and Hermione knew he meant it. Silently they walked into the den and the boys didn't release her hand until she was sat between them. Blaise handed each boy a cup and then her. His own in hand he sat in the chair closest to them and she watched his eyes trace their faces.
"This is amazing. Little Draco and little Theo." He said and she grinned then.
"I told you Tray. Just like Your Daddy. We can let your hair grow if you want and see if your curls are as perfect as his." She looked down at the boy and he had a small smile.
"Does my dad have curls?" Scorp asked and touched his straight hair.
"No. His hair is fine and straight. Perfect in another way. See how Blaise's has that wave in his. All glossy and shiny. Not a hair out of place?" She asked him. Wanting them to look toward Blaise but not at his eyes. So he would see them clearly. They kept looking up at her or each other.
"Your dad's is the same but straight. He gelled it too much for years but halfway through fifth year he figured it out and then even I had to admit he was very handsome." Her voice was teasing and Blaise grinned at her. His most charming one and she huffed.
"None of that Blaise. You are just as handsome." She admitted and the boys pushed closer to her.
"Not as good looking as these two though." He pouted but then was laughing at the smug smiles she got.
"Vain like them too. Your dad's are my best friends in the whole world. I'm sorry I didn't know about you. I wasn't here for the last year and so missed this." Then he frowned and looked around.
"Where are the elves?" He asked her. All serious now.
"Like you said in the bath?" Scorp asked her. Constellations and magical things had been the topic of the bath. House elves had been mentioned. She frowned.
"Yes, Just like that. I don't know." She said. Understanding what he meant. Whatever elves were left from both families should have come to the boys. They had been hurt and everything.
"Can I?" He said and she nodded. If they were looking then she wouldn't keep them away. Something was though and she hadn't thought of it. Working with them for a year had been educational. She didn't have one but did understand more and this was unusual. In fact it didn't make sense.
"Poppet." Blaise said quietly and they waited. She watched Blaise put his mask on and call three more. He thought they were dead and she couldn't help but put her cup down and put an arm over each small shoulder.
"Snitch." Blaise had his eyes closed and she knew this was Draco's elf. Pop. She gasped and Blaise stood.
"Master Blaise." The elf looked exhausted and was dirty. Immediately she pulled her arm off of Tray and cleaned the elf up. Then summoned a pillowcase and spelled it in place of the rag he had been wearing. The elf stood straighter and then saw Scorp. It froze and then threw itself on the ground.
"Snitch failed. My little master be's hurt." The wail was devastating to hear, she cast a silencing spell and looked to Blaise. Both boys were huddled into her and she waited to see if the man would act. He didn't. Just stared at the elf for a few seconds and so she did.
"Snitch. Please stop crying. Scorpius is here and you can look out for him now. You can't if you don't calm down." Her words were firm but kind and she pulled the spell down when the elf stood.
"Miss lets Snitch stay?" It said but it's large eyes were on Scorpius.
"Of course. I don't know how the Ministry kept you away but this is his magic. Scorp. This was your daddy's elf. He was a seeker, I'll get a quidditch book as soon as I can and you can see. I talked about elves and their families. How they help each other. This one is yours and I'm sure he has been trying to find you." She rubbed the little back gently and eventually he nodded.
"You know my dad?" He said quietly and the elf stepped forward.
"Yes little master. Snitch be's Master Draco's elf. Help him and watch him. Watch him grow. Small like you and then a big wizard." The elf looked as if it would burst from happiness and she looked up at Blaise who had his head in his hands now.
"I don't know their names Blaise." She said quietly and he looked up. There were tears on his face and she could see it sinking in. What had happened and how much worse it was than he had thought when he woke up this morning.
"I'm sorry Blaise. We will keep them though and make it up to them." She said and he sobbed then. Hermione was shocked that he was crying in front of her but understood.
"Thank you Granger. Hermione, thank you." He said when he looked up a couple minutes later. Snitch was telling the boys about their dads flying in the house and being bad. They were giggling and Blaise caught her eye.
"Treacle." He said firmly. Not trying the rest it seemed but going right to Theo's personal elf. The same scene replayed except Snitch being there made the explosion of emotion and failure quicker to clear up. Blaise stood then.
"I have to go. I'll be back though." He looked to her and she nodded easily. He wanted to be involved and she wouldn't keep him away from them.
"Snitch, Treacle, I know they left orders to look after them. It's not your fault you couldn't. No punishments. They would agree. The boys are staying with Hermione. She won't try to free you but will want you to take care of yourselves. Rest and eat properly. You look after them. All three of them and I promise your masters will thank you when they return." The elves had stood and were facing the wizard. She gently rubbed the boys backs and listened.
"We do's as ordered Master Blaise." Treacle looked ready to go to battle.
"Listen to Hermione too. This place is safe but you do what you have to. Make sure the three of them aren't interfered with. Hermione is brilliant. Im sure you've heard your masters speak of her before. Granger, the swot, unattainable, her." He didn't look at her but she knew her question showed. The elves both nodded and Snitch gave a little hop.
"That's her and she has promised to look after them until Draco and Theo can do it themselves. Your loyalty is to her and them. No one else. Understand?" His voice was firm but not hard and both nodded.
"I'll be back Granger. I feel better with them here. I know you don't underestimate them. Make plans in case you need them." He met her eyes directly then and she understood. He wasn't saying she would need escape plans but like her, he wasn't discounting it. Even without having been directly in the war he had plenty of experience and skepticism.