Tolkturn looked at her across the desk and she just waited.
"You are an interesting client Miss Rosier." He said and she chuckled lowly and then coloured slightly.
"I just want to make sure that I have it all nicely straightened out and in order. I assume this is the reason people have to go to court in these cases. The money." She answered and he nodded while scanning the list in front of him.
"The usual signed agreements have been made and so his trust vault is replenished to a thousand galleons every two years until he comes of age. The Ministry guardianship agreement allows sanctioned withdrawals for preapproved reasons so it shouldn't have been a problem for school preparations." The goblin said and she thought this over. What he knew without access to the boys actual information was staggering. So much was usual contracts or agreements. It was enlightening and complex.
"The entirety of the Lestrange accounts will go to him though. When that finally makes it through the Ministries hands." It wasn't a question but she meant it as one. A sharp glance then and she straightened.
"I'm sure the vault keys and some of the holdings would be left to him as is his right." Was the reply and she sat back at that.
"Are you saying that they would strip it?" She asked him and the dark look was surprising. Previously reserved for Voldemort.
"Perhaps finance is not discussed at your dinner table. With the Minister anyways." It was more grating than his usual conversational tone and she let her mind turn that over. Kingsley couldn't speak about some things and the goblin too was hampered by oath and custom. It was integrity that bound Kingsley. His determination not to begin this new era with dishonesty or more back alley dealings than needed.
"You would like me to look into this? Further than Sinclair, I mean." A straight on look that was fathomless in that way of goblins.
"Do you think I shouldn't? Is there a reason that my brother or betrothed would be harmed by my doing this?" She asked the goblin and waited for a reply. He had been good to her when they first met and even after she had broken into his bank. She thought he had spoken for her and he had stood beside her facing the line of goblins at her sentencing.
"No monetary reason not to. The Lestrange account manager will no doubt visit me promptly." Was his eventual reply and she nodded.
Sabrina had wanted to come and so she waited with the younger witch beside her. Trying not to think too much about what she was doing, she thought about Parkinson instead. This was the only place she had seen the witch since that night in the Great Hall. Blaise said he hadn't seen her and nothing else. What did that mean? It was only a letter so he wouldn't say much but still.
"Miss Rosier." Stolford called and they both stood. Introductions made, Sabrina gave her a look and she straightened in her seat.
Then pulled the papers from the bank and the potion results out of her bag and held his eye as she passed it to him. A moment passed and then he took them. Speculation on his face and she wondered at him showing it. His mask was excellent even if he had been a Ravenclaw so he wanted her to know.
The Gringotts papers got his attention first and then with eyebrows raised he scanned the family tree and her notations. He scanned it again and then looked up at her. Now she could see nothing and Sabrina shifted beside her.
"You are certain you want to do this?" He asked her outright and she shrugged. Then dropped her glamours.
"It has mostly healed and Tolkturn says they will drain his vaults and there isn't a reason not to. Harry says he's being hurt at school and it's another kid without a family. Sabrina says do it and I don't know. Do you think we shouldnt? Is there a reason not to? Narcissa wants him I think, but her probation is two years. Do you know where the Ministry wards are housed?" She asked him her most important questions and then waited. Sabrina grabbed her hand and she looked at her. Surprised by the tension on her face and the lack of colour on her face.
"It's alright. We need to know." She murmered and received a squeeze in response and her face looked a bit less tense. This was important to the younger witch and Hermione had been surprised by the immediate yes when she asked what Sabrina thought of finding out what they could and maybe taking him in. Of course she had back tracked and talked about her not giving up more of her life and things like that.
She had owled the bank and the lawyer immediately and then wondered at her life. Then she had sent an owl off to Macintyre incase that needed doing. All three had replied within two hours and she now had appointments. Immediate ones or the next day at least and so she went first to the bank and then got Sabrina who had wanted to come here. Then they were going to tea. It was a lot after weeks spent more in quiet study. Avoiding adding to the scandal her life had become.
Now she was asking her lawyer about taking in another ward. Or something. Sabrina wasn't like that but this would be another sensation and she couldn't even ask anyone that would be involved as they were in Azkaban. His face was still a blank mask as he looked out the window and thought. Eventually he turned to her and looked at her with as much speculation as before.
"I see no reason not to move forward from a legal standpoint." He said finally and Sabrina took a breath beside her. She just waited. Hoping he would share something of his thoughts. It was clear he had many.
"As an advisor or if you would like my opinion then I will give it." Her patience had paid off and she nodded. All of her attention on this wizard and she watched him steeple his fingertips and then his eyes met hers intently.
"Do Not do this if it will overtax you mentally. You haven't spoken to me of your war experiences outside of relevant questions. It is known that you were harmed by his family. Your brother will be released and then your betrothed. I do not know Rowle but I do know your brother. He will not be pleased to find you tethered from guilt." He would have said more if Sabrina had not taken a ragged breath then and Hermione nodded her acceptance of his words. Then listened as he explained the protocol and what steps could be taken to expedite the issue.
"Are you sure you want to come to tea?" She asked Sabrina when they met on the landing after changing.
"Yes." She said and then looked down. This wasn't alright and she didn't want to take their issues into an already fraught tea.
"We have a few minutes. Can we talk about what is upsetting you before we go? I'd rather be late then have this between us." She asked quietly and waited for Sabrina to meet her eyes. The girl didn't show much but she nodded and they moved to the bench she always laughed at mentally. So tired from one flight of stairs that you might need a rest. Now she was glad of it and they faced each other and she waited.
"What would you be doing if you didn't take me?" The girl asked directly and Hermione blinked and then considered it. Sabrina meant it.
"The same. Except I probably wouldn't be doing as well. After, maybe an apprenticeship. That I don't want to do because of the restrictions on my time. Otherwise it would be similar." She admitted honestly and then waited.
"I didn't think about you. I mean I did but not like that. You made it so easy to come here. I know he would be better here than Ministry custody if Thor thought Aunt Cypress better. I've talked to him. I told you that. Not much and he doesn't stick around but he seems nice and it's sad. So hard all the time because it's everyone. I don't want you to do this though. If it will be hard for you or you don't actually want to. He's right about Thor and Josh too. They won't like it, if you don't. I know you don't know what to think about that but I know they will both be protective and worried. Just don't. Please don't if you don't think it's right." She said and held her gaze. It was so honest and so the girl meant every word.
Hermione felt so much as she listened.
"I probably wouldn't be doing this or be as okay with it as I am, without you. It's been like getting a sister, having you. I'm glad you like being with me. Family. If he can have that too then we should. I want to that way. I just don't know him. I knew you and it's another thing I did to your brother. Another decision I made that affects him. Or will eventually. What do you think?" She answered honestly and meant her question.
"Don't worry about Thor. Not about this. Thank you Hermione. You don't like it when I say it but I mean it. I've never been so happy at home. Unless Thor was there but even then, father was around. I want you to be happy too." Sabrina answered and then was crying. Hermione hugged her and let a couple tears fall.
"We will try then and hope it's alright. Narcissa wanted him and maybe if we aren't what he needs then she can help." She said and Sabrina nodded into her shoulder. A minute passed and then she called Patter to erase their tears before they went to floo to Andromeda's.
Ten minutes later they were seated on a settee in Andromeda's parlour waiting for Narcissa Malfoy to arrive. Andromeda had laughed once when she caught her eye so they were all looking out the windows or at something else. Then finally the low musical chime sounded and they all straightened before watching Andromeda walk to the floo. There she was. Tall and icy blonde with the same grey eyes as the rest of her family. The navy robe she wore was simple if beautifully fitted and she glanced aroundthe room before her shoulders dropped slightly and she looked to her sister.
"Narcissa." Meda said calmly and waited.
"Andromeda." The witch returned, Sabrina and her watched avidly and tried not to stare.
"Tea?" Andromeda asked and then they moved. Each to chair facing the two younger girls.
"Miss Rosier, Miss Rowle. It is good to see you both well." Hermione thought that sincere and smiled a polite smile at the witch. Assessing how she felt, in front of this witch. Seeing her for the first time since that day, or really looking at her for the first time since she had been in her home. The witch looked similar but not, the absolutely expressionless face and nearly wild eyes were gone. Instead great eyes had scanned them, with interest and some wariness.
"Here you go Hermione." Andromeda brought her attention away from her sister and Hermione caught her eye. The witch gave her a small grin and Hermione relaxed. It had gone the preferred way apparently. Meda knew her sister well enough to know what tack she would take upon seeing her so it would be more relaxed and not hostile.
"Is Draco alright?" She asked, wanting to know. The grey eyes held hers for a moment before she answered.
"Yes. He was. It a better without those creatures and he expected it." Was the answer and Hermione thought about that.
"I'm glad. Glad he is okay and that it won't be too long." She replied and thought Narcissa relaxed some at that. Meda did and Sabrina smiled at her. Then the two watched Narcissa look at her sister and wait. Four small sips passed before the darker haired one huffed.
"We will begin again. Or go on. However it happens." Was the brisk reply to the look and Narcissa Malfoy smiled. Not a wide one but it looked sincere.
"How have you all been? The public has been voracious in regards you Miss Rosier." She said and then looked to Andromeda before her.
"Yes. She has been very helpful in armouring me. Enjoying it more certainly." Hermione returned and Meda laughed then caught her sisters eye. The smile was small again but they shared it and she smiled at Sabrina. The small talk continued until Narcissa called her Miss Rosier for the fifth time and she grimaced.
"Could you call me Hermione? It seems so formal and here you needn't be so. I'm not asking to return the informality." Sabrina laughed lowly beside her and she nudged the girl. Who knew full well how ridiculous it felt to be referred to thusly.
"Certainly. If you are okay with it. Perhaps you will want to call my by my name one day Hermione. I understand though. Has anyone spoken to you of Sinclair?" All of them had been expecting this and after a Teddy had been promised at the next visit, she knew it wouldn't be long.
"Yes. We need the Ministry open so tomorrow I will go and get a hearing date. Or preliminary custody until we eat one. My lawyer has been very helpful lately." Her dry tone seemed to amuse the witch but the direct eye contact said other things.
"Thank you." Was said quietly and she nodded once. This witch was not comfortable to be around but Meda said she could be. They would try for it one day. She had been polite today and included Sabrina as well.
"I can't believe I'm doing this." Hermione mumbled and Kingsley elbowed her. The door was opening and the boy followed the headmistress into her office. Sabrina, Kingsley and herself were in three seats with a space between them and the two for the ones who had just entered.
She couldn't help scanning the boys face and more so his eyes. Looking for something. Something to tell her if he was twisted in some way. Her heart was beating a bit faster and she didn't have long to look before his eyes were down and staring at his shoes.
"Sit down Mr Lestrange and we can begin." Mcgonagall put a hand on his shoulder and did as bid. The woman looked up at her then and Hermione wasn't sure what the direct stare meant. The bowed head of dark brown curls wasn't similar to hers or Josh's waves but not different enough either. It was far darker and the curls were looser. It reached his shoulders and he looked small. Only eleven but his face had been thin, she thought so anyways.
"Sinclair, this is Hermione Rosier and maybe you know Sabrina Rowle from school?" Kingsley said I'm his deep and calm voice.
The boy looked up at him then and Hermione could see a difference in his face. More open or at least he met her friends eyes. Nothing scary showed. No flash of calculation even. Just watchfulness. Kingsley looked to her then and she just tried to take comfort in his steady calm demeanour and then looked at the boy again.
"I only found out who I was recently. Similar to your being found. Until I read your tracing potion results I didn't know I had a second cousin. Your mother was my father's cousin." She had to take a breath then. Thinking of Evan Rosier as her father was foreign and she didn't know him at all. Only pictures. This boy didn't look like him and she thought he would have a thinner face than either of the Lestranges that she had met. His eyes were blue and that was startling too.
"So now that I know of our connection and after finding some things out. I petitioned for custody and was granted interim guardianship until our hearing date." The eyes flicked to Kingsley beside her and then Sabrina before back to her.
"Why did you do this?" He asked and she watched his face. Wondering what to say and seeing only confusion.
"Lots of reasons but I think the most important one for all of us is that we don't have parents. None of us in this room have parents. We have people to help us though. People we trust. You are only eleven and though your English is very good, this is a foreign country for you. If you want, you can stay here for the few days left of this break and think about coming for Christmas. Please don't feel like we are snatching you away. It's just that if you want to then you can and for summer break you will come to our house." She answered and wondered at Sabrina's huff from beside her. When she looked over at her, the girl had a wry smile on her face.
"You do better when you're blasting into a house and rescuing someone Hermione." She said and Kingsley laughed his low chuckle. She looked up and McGonagall had a smile on her face which was surprising.
"Tell him what you told me this morning." Sabrina added and Hermione looked at her again. The girl smiled and then gave her a stern look that made Hermione smile a bit too. Sabrina thought she was brave and then encouraged her to be so. It was funny and so her. That decided her course and she turned back to the young boy who was watching them attentively.
"You have a home with us. It's called the Dale and to me it's huge. I don't know where you lived but it's also kind of comfortable and we are working on that. Mostly just that you can have a home with us and family of some kind. We can build our own bonds and it's maybe a bit odd. Sometimes there's a baby there and sometimes we do weird things but it's a home and we'd like to have you." She knew her cheeks were pink and she wanted to huff but the boy was watching her so intently.
"You want me to live with you. And her. Instead of the home I was at before school?" He said and she nodded.
"No one else?" He asked and she looked her question.
"Are you married or something? I read in a paper that she is your husband's sister." The question was interesting and revealing.
"My brother is in Azkaban. So is hers. We can tell you about it. I know you weren't here and some of us have explained some things. Others have said more things to you I'm sure. She means it though. I picked a room for you. Beside mine." Sabrina stopped and waited. The boy looked between them all and shrugged.
Hermione didn't know what to do. So she just waited. Kingsley spoke next and she watched the boy watch him.
"I think it's a good idea. You should go with them for these few days. It's unexpected for all of you but it will be good for you all. Fun too." The boy smiled a bit and Hermione looked at her friend who was grinning at the boy.
"Alright. If you want me to come." He didn't sound sure and she smiled at him then.