Christmas was wonderful. The feelings of it and the excitement. Their group of six was still six for most of the day until Blaise left for a late dinner with his mother. The group of them had been the same as everyday but it had all been extra special.
First she had woken up to both boys crawling into her bed and whispering quietly.
"Christmas is here." Scorp said and she could easily hear the excitement in his voice.
"Of course it is. We've been counting down." Tray answered him logically and she could clearly picture the look Scorp shot him.
"My loves Christmas too." Scorp said if it settled the argument and she smiled into her pillow. She did love Christmas. Just yesterday they had decorated, they looked different here rather than the Hideout and less fit but it felt festive and the boys had a lot of fun decorating and singing carols with her.
They had their first Christmas together last year and it had been the first one the boys had. The first one they celebrated and so it was elaborate and they had spent the whole month of December last year learning about traditions and trying things. Picking things they liked. Treats and ideas. Even colours and if they liked bows on gifts.
This year they had bigger things but the boys had asked several times if they were having a real Christmas and so she had asked Blaise if it was alright and then gone and done it.
The tree didn't have wrapped presents under it now, some boxes and things but it was mostly strewn all over the bigger sitting room and the rest of the house. The boys were in the corner of the room behind a chair and quietly making plans for the fort they had been promised. It was a gift, designing it and then building it with them all. Then having it after. It was brilliant and she was putting on her list of suggestions for Harry one day.
Breakfast had been strawberry pancakes and mint hot chocolate. The boys had laughed and smiled, wearing the silly hats and insisting she wore antlers. It was all silly and fun.
They had played and opened presents and then all sat down to a big Christmas lunch. Everyone dressed up somewhat and they had used the correct amount of silverware and manners. The boys enjoyed it too and the glances around the table by the adults had been mostly ignored unless the boys caught one. It was another great day to the boys, one they had waited for but to the adults it was different and far more emotional.
Now there was a wizard on either couch and she was in the chair opposite the one the two little voices were occasionally heard behind.
"Was that what Christmas always was for you?" Theo asked quietly and she looked at him in surprise.
"No." It came out and she wondered what to say. This involved her muggle parents. Both sets of eyes were on her and they were expecting some answer from her. Seemingly learning she would speak if they really wanted her to.l, which they were using often now. Blurting something out, a question or statement and then waiting for her to respond. It wasn't usual conversations but Blaise seemed to indicate it was what they could do and so this.
"We celebrated Christmas when I was a kid. Presents and books, hot chocolate and special new pajamas. Then my parents started to get busier. They were both dental surgeons and my father opened a private practice when I was eight. My mother though worked for the hospitals and did emergency surgery. Fixing people up after injuries. Accidents and things. It was gruesome but she was amazing. Could rebuild a jaw and craft teeth. It took a long time to heal and so she was with her patients for a long time. No magic and I love it for medicine. Broken bones take ages to heal and some are really difficult. The jaw is like that. Has to stay still. Anyways they were busy and once I went to school too. We celebrated Christmas but it wasn't like this." It was hard to answer questions. The interest and curiosity was easy to see though and she didn't know what they wanted to know.
"My made Christmas for us last year. It was our first one." Scorp spoke and she could see his blonde hair sticking out from the side of the chair and then Tray's popped out above his. It was funny and smiled at the two of them.
"We did so many things and went and seen lots of Christmas things. We picked things. Made Christmas and she showed us." Tray put in and Theo turned back to her with a nearly blank face.
"Christmas is great this way. We got presents and had a stuffy dinner but it wasn't fun like this." Draco spoke to the younger two and they nodded as if they understood. It was a sad moment. A moment of togetherness for them but it was a sad one.
"This is a good time. It feels like a good time." She said this out loud and then summoned two little boxes from behind a vase on the mantel.
"Here." It was all she said and she stood to give each grown wizard a box and then sat back down. Both boys were standing beside their fathers in a second and touching the boxes n
"These are the ones you made My." Tray said and she smiled at him. She had found a paper making kit. It was amazing and so fun. Theirs were in their room but she had made these two little ones and had kept them. One of those brain waves, fanciful but she had done it and now she watched Theo touched the box gently and she was glad she had.
"Open it Dad." Scorp said and he was pulling on his arm. The man was watching her though and she only tried to smile and nodded.
"It's a key." Tray breathed it and Draco stilled before Scorp shook his arm again and he opened it. There was a key in each. That was it and it was mostly symbolic.
"It's for the front door." She said quietly and could see that all four were not sure what this meant.
"Here we use wards for locks. Not doors but it's a key and I keyed your magics into the wards, or it will when you touch them. I thought this could be our place. We could have Christmas' here or vacation here. Whatever. Live here too, that's fine. Just share it. Ours instead of mine." That was all she could think to say and the boys looked at each other while the grown men did the same. She just finished her hot chocolate with some delicious liquor in it and didn't stare at them.
"Thank you." Draco said it and she met his eyes. Then Theo's and none of them smiled but the boys did.
It was January second and Draco was back in the Ministry. It was different this time, though he stood with the same people. This time the man in front of them was seated and staring between them. As if he could read the truth on their faces.
"I would like to state this so it has been said and you can confirm or deny." Jacob Trustin was about thirty five or so and nearly average in every way. His hair was a medium brown and his eyes a medium brown. He wasn't tall or short and wasn't wide or thin. His eyes were a forgettable shade but the intelligence there was clear to see.
"We would be pleased to have someone openly state what has happened." Soppert spoke calmly and they all waited.
"You two had sons during the war. Presented to you with Unbreakable vows. Yours ended but you were in prison with no contact. The ministry took them from your estates when they were seized and kept them in this woman's home, a Mrs Vangal. From the age of less than one to four years of age. January fourth 2000 Hermione Granger found them in the house across the street from hers. Being physically abused. She detained the woman and took the boys home. Then called an Auror and reported exactly what had happened." The man stopped and Folden spoke after a moment of silence.
"Yes. That is all true." Thenlawyer meant it wasn't the whole truth and Trustin looked between them again.
"Please continue." The way he said this made it clear that he didn't actually believe them but that was expected. The man was playing a part, his part and Potter had been sure he would keep asking questions. Eventually the reason they were in his office would be clear.
Blaise took a step forward and Trustin fixed his eyes on him. His friend took a breath and then with calm even tones, spoke.
"I was and am her lawyer. It was fortunate for multiple reasons relevant to this. The first was that she knew the laws regarding lawyer and client confidentiality. Regardless of this when she requested I come to her home she demanded a vow of secrecy. That I would tell no one without her permission and would put the well-being of those involved above my own." The man was intent on Blaise as he spoke. Told the now nearly familiar, if still somewhat unbelievable story, until he got to the part about Potter and the summons.
"Stop." The man stood and with a last look around he walked to the door and closed it behind him. The five of them stood in silence and exchanged glances for the minute or so he was gone. Then he was back and Harry Potter followed him into the room.
Those green eyes scanned them, lingering on him before he watched Potter and Blaise share a long look. Then he stood before his superior's desk and ignored the five behind him.
Draco was amazed at the differences and the similarities in this wizard and the one he remembered. His hair was a disaster and he was wearing trainers. Maybe the scar was somewhat faded but the sheer Gryffindorness was still clear to see.
"Potter, these five come with an interesting tale." Trustin raised both brows and he couldn't see Potter's face but they went down and the look was serious, whatever the Auror showed on his face.
"If they came and told you about Scorpius Malfoy and Traydon Nott being found by Hermione Granger then it's true. I have the memory. A copy and the reports, follow ups, and original are being held in the sealed folder in Records." It was blunt and Trustin was surprised.
"Explain your involvement and lack of making sure the head of this department knew." It was a demand and Potter nodded once before speaking.
"Hermione floo called me at about four in the afternoon. Explained the witch being detained and then why she was. You don't know her sir, but she practically exudes confirmation. I mean, the look on her face and the memory. What had happened. Many things went into her decision that the boys would stay with her but she was firm. I know she had the required qualifications and I had no idea what would happen if I brought them in with me. She wasn't a flight risk at all. I told her I would speak with her the next day and she locked down her wards." Even though Potter was reporting to his superior and at work, the emotions were clear.
"I came back to the office and followed protocol. I filed the report and before I could go to Records myself I was summoned by Plunkett. He actually came into my office and handed me a summons. I took it, not knowing what it was. The envelope was blank and it falls under protocols as well. Then I was in his office and arguing with him. He told me about the Sealed file and because I am a Ministry employee and under the DMLE it required my silence. Eventually I caved and accepted the summons, issued on the behalf of Records and DMLE. Kidnapping two Ministry wards was the listed charge." At this Potter stopped and his shoulders straightened.
Draco could only see Trustin's face and eventually he nodded once and it was clear Potter was being told to speak.
"I knew she wouldn't take it. Knew that there was no way for her to be Summoned if I wasn't the one that took it. Her wards are amazing, all you have heard of her abilities is true and it was her that taught me how to break down and assess wards." Trustin didn't move but his interest was plain and Draco wondered if that was a part of what Potter did for the Aurors.
"I did my job. Spun in the floo until she allowed a single magical signature entrance and she was ready. Wand in hand and Zabini behind her. I told her what it was, following protocol. In a second I was warded into the the floo room and she told me I could floo out or take the time to break down the wards. That she loved me and that a patronus would find her." Now almost no emotion showed in Potter's voice and he wondered at him sharing it, the last part.
"It's in the memory I'm going to submit, all of it. I got a patronus two days later. I gave up asking her to come home at least a year ago sir." Potter was the quintessential Gryffindor. Weasley might be the stereotype and Granger the best of her House but Potter was just the Lion to him. A quick exchanged glance with his friends told him they agreed.
Trustin looked at Potter for a long while and then he looked between Theo and him. Then Blaise and finally the lawyers. It was interesting to watch someone who didn't know them assess them. Draco didn't know if that helped or not, Trustin hadn't been here for the war and it wasn't his conflict.
"I would like to see the memories. Is there anything else you think I should know at this moment." Trustin didn't look at Potter but the three younger Slytherins.
"Yes, February sixteenth 2002 Miss Granger, myself, and both boys were in a muggle park outside of Plymouth. In a suburb there, it was a risk and we knew it, taking them from the safe house. Hermione is passionate and rarely allows others to act against the best interest of whomever she has decided to protect. The boys were four when she found them and had never been outside. They had never seen or experienced anything and she knew it wasn't right. Told me that a bigger prison was still a prison. On that day they came. We don't know which department, in a muggle park in broad daylight they fired spells at her. At least four, all aimed at her. We enacted our plan and they left the country, the three of them. The country that housed them for nearly two years has a record and they were there as accepted citizens and not outlaws or under fugitive status." Blaise spoke calmly and clearly. Trustin held his eyes and then scanned them all again before looking at Potter.
"Speak Potter." It was a request not an order but the Gryffindor was ready.
"My best friend, someone who deserves credit and to have her actions taken into account, was attacked in her own country. Again, by this organization and in an underhanded manner. Even as an Auror I was prevented from acting by Ministry regulations and sanctioned processes. I didn't though, speak to the Head of this Department or the DMLE because I didn't want to. I don't trust them to care about what is right or even those two boys. I'm having a son Sir, as you know. I hope she would do the same. Would take him and prevent him from being punished for my actions." At this Potter did turn around to them and he got a nod and so did Theo.
Blaise and Potter shared another glance before he turned back to Trustin and waited. They all waited while the man thought. Time passed but he wasn't angry or even frustrated. Eventually the unremarkable brown eyes fixed on the lawyers and he spoke.
"All involved are safe and well? Will you sign an affidavit to this effect?" Trustin asked and both lawyers agreed.
"Do you have the paperwork you mentioned with you? Confirmation of identity." Trustin requested and a file appeared on his desk. In front of them and without hiding his actions, the wizard performed an intricate set of spells and charms on the folder silently.
"This file will contain only copies. I will verify each document before accepting the copy and adding it to the folder. Potter will sign as witness and sign a truth contract pertaining to this file." Draco watched Blaise as his shoulders loosened and the lawyers seemed to become taller.
"We are ready. Stand ready to provide any and all proof required with supporting documentation." Soppert spoke and with that both lawyers moved to the long counter along a wall and opened their briefcases.