Disclaimer: It's JK Rowlings... I'm jealous, but its all hers. I am just glad we get to play in the wonderland she created!
Author's Note: First, you have to know that anyone willing to love Sirius AND Remus AND Severus isn't 100 anyway. Also, Between the guilt of her mother turning her back on her when she chose to stay in England to be with Sirius, seeing him "kill Peter" and the other things that happened... she just is a bit off. The training and the fight just added to her insanity. But then again, can you see either Remus or Sirius loving a woman that isn't slightly...off?
October 2008
Just after Sirius had left for the island, and Rowan left for Texas, the eight were notified that the first phase of the construction was nearing completion. Soon it would be able to house the first phase of children. Whether their mentor was there or not, they still had business to do. It was decided that they needed to start the rescue part of their mission. A copy of the list of all Magical children born was brought to the team upon completion of the first three stories, and underground research facilities of the hospital. The list, magically updated itself when the student turned the age of an adult for the country in which they lived. Transferring the name of the now adult to a different list.
Hermione looked over the vast numbers. She waved her hand and said "calculatoum". A voice rang out: 63, 498 names.
She concentrated again. "Deathious Parenetious"
"24,820 as of noon." TWENTY FOUR THOUISAND PARENTS WERE DEAD? Ginny and Harry walked in as this number began sinking in, Hermione's face clearly showed shock at this information.
"Hermione? Are you okay?"
"How many will this orphanage hold when complete?"
"About 3,000 children. Why?"
"The war totals. World Wide, according to this list is just over 24,000 parents dead. That could be as many as 12,000 children."
Hermione sat for a moment. "But how many of those 12,000 still have a parent or caregiver? I mean someone who wants the child, not like Harry's situation."
"I have no idea how to even go about finding out." She said simply.
Hermione grinned. "I do." Holding her wand out over the stack of papers, she muttered "Dangerie"
The voice rang through the room after the papers ruffled. "4,809"
Putting her hand out again, "Dangerie Underious Sixous"
"1, 012"
"Okay, so there are one thousand children under the age of six that are in danger of some kind. That's a start."
"Where do we start though? How do we find out who and where they are? What is the definition of Danger anyway?"
"Danger is defined as any consistently unhealthy situation for the child. Either by the people they are living with, or the conditions in which they are forced to live."
"Oh."
"We need to get the names and current locations of those children, broken down by region." Ginny studied her for a moment, letting her finish her thoughts. Hermione began muttering possibilities of way to find out. Harry suddenly opened his eyes wide as the muttering turned into incoherent babbling. Suddenly, as if someone threw on the lights of the football field at midnight, Hermione shrieked. "I know! We need to ask the parchment to transfer the names and addresses off all the children in danger to another parchment. Or regroup them on this parchment."
Hermione waved her hand over the parchment. "Dangerie Underious Sixous Listorium" looking at Ginny and Harry, she said "Have I ever thanked Rowan for showing us how to do research in the old texts?" They smiled and shook their heads, "I should have. There is LOADS of stuff down there,"
The looked down as they heard a ruffle of the stack of papers, the names began appearing on a clean sheet of parchment on Hermione's desk. When full, another piece magically appeared; this step repeated until complete, "Okay, now we need to rearrange the names into location or area." Waving her hand over the parchment, she said "Arious," once again, the parchment shuffled and named rearranged.
Harry looked at the parchment. "I suppose we should start with the closest ones first. Work out way out from Ottery St. Catchpaw."
Hermione was startled at that revelation. "What? This village has a child that has been orphaned?"
He nodded, "Maybe we need to handle these ourselves. Would you like to go on a little reconnaissance mission?" Hermione nodded and they left the room.
Ottery St. Catchpaw's Orphanage
Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Ginny apparated near the street under a large tree in the front of a building. The grass was dead and the swings were broken in the play area. The sign was battered from years of weather and the paint was peeling on the outer walls. It almost looked deserted. Ron, squaring his shoulders, led the others to the front door. They all entered carefully and quietly.
A lone baby cried somewhere in the distance of the building. Harry bristled when the shrill voiced attendant yelled at the child to "SHUT UP!" followed by a single slapping child and the quiet. Harry clenched his fist, but did not move to defend the child, yet. Ginny felt his tension as she held his hand.
Ron loudly said "HELLO? Is anyone here?" They heard a scraping of a chair as someone rose from a seat, followed by the shuffling of feet towards them. "Hello, I am Ron Weasley, this is Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasly and Harry Potter."
The little man looked at the three with his mouth wide open, recovered quickly and asked them to follow him into his office. "How can I help you?"
Hermione spoke first. "We have been given information that you have magical children here and they are in danger."
The man looked shocked at first, but covered it quickly. "Yes, we have magical children here, but what kind of danger?"
"We're not really sure, but if I were guessing, I would say neglect and abuse." Ginny met his eyes for a brief moment before he dropped his head to avoid her stare.
"Nothing like that is going on here, I assure you." He said quietly. "Our staff is very good with the children we have been brought."
"Who would bring and leave children to this place?" Ron asked, inching forward in his seat.
"Uhm, people who either found the child after an attack of some kind; or maybe those that did not want the child… there are many reasons."
"No, he means why would anyone leave a child in this type of squalor?" Harry clarified.
The man was offended. "Squalor? Who are you to call this orphanage squalor?"
"I have already introduced myself. I am RONALD WEASLEY. But let me clarify, Sorcerer Ronald Bilious Weasley; you may have heard of me?" the man nodded, "Good, now let's not waste any more of our time. I want to see a complete list of all children who currently reside in this home. I also want my friends here to be allowed to walk freely through this hovel you call an orphanage and determine just what type of place it is and how the children are treated. It would be best to just agree and not continue to anger me."
The man nodded again, and pulled out a large ledger. Hermione handed Ron the list of children in the town to check names against before leaving with Harry and Ginny. Ron methodically marked the names of every one of the children in Ottery St. Catchpaw; comparing who was under the age of six and in danger off the main list. Narrowing his eyes at the man, he asked his name. "Rubilious MacVine. I have been over this facility for eleven years."
"How many employees?"
"Five, plus the freed house-elves who can not find employ elsewhere, there are maybe 14 of them."
"How many children total is your facility currently responsible for?"
"Just over 200, including the infants that were brought in last week."
Ron stood, leaning over he put his hands flat on the desk, glaring at the old man; "Exactly how is it that five employees and fourteen house-elves are taking care of 200 children?" The man said nothing, "You are out of business. I am going to contact the magical law enforcement regarding the treatment of these children." Ron raised his wand and sent a small puff of smoke straight up. Seconds later, they both heard the cracks of people apparating outside. He escorted Mr. MacVine out the front door.
Ron explained the situation to Kingsley Shackelbolt. Who in turn agreed to bring in the Magical Law Enforcement's Special Division Unit 'Crimes Against Children, to investigate. He also pledged to help relocate the children if they were found to be in danger. He left for a moment to bring in the CAC members.
Within the hour, 223 children, ranging in age of two weeks to sixteen years, and five adults were removed from the crumbling facility. The adults were charged with physical assault on children under the age of eleven, preventing adoption from qualified family members, refusing medical treatment to children under the age of eleven, and refusing Hogwart's letters in order to prevent learning of the older students. Fourteen house-elves were questioned and released; each immediately offered and accepted a position at the Tom Riddle House.
Settling in 223 children, all of whom needed some type of medical care was a tremendous undertaking. All of the Weasleys, Malfoys, every member of the Order, staff of Hogwart's, Beaubatoux, and Pediatric Healers came as soon as the call went out. Mason sent a message to his parents and Remus as well. The house-elves were sorting the children by age and sex after they were given medical treatment. Proper food was given within the hour to those well enough to eat. Most were very malnourished and some had injuries.
Harry stayed away from the injured students. His many years living in that type of situation made it difficult to see again first hand. He would help with dinner instead.
Rowan entered the Riddle House less than thirty minutes after Ron had sent the message to the Aurors. She had shimmered to the front door of the Riddle House, took her potion for her headache she would soon have from using her magic, and met Remus. While she was busying herself with food and other preparations, Remus was overseeing the room placements.
Sirius too responded to his summons. He stuck his head in to the kitchen for a moment to ask a question, saw that Rowan was already helping and closed the door without a word. Harry walked into the kitchens, surprised to see her, but said nothing. There was too much work to be done, and working next to Rowan seemed to help him accomplish it faster.
When the last of the children were settled in for the night, the dining hall filled with the adults who had spent the better part of twelve hours settling the children into rooms.
Molly sat numbly next to her husband. "I can't believe that was happening here, in this village. I knew Mr. MacVine. He always seemed so… nice." Sirius entered quietly, sitting at the end of the table away from the teenagers; while Rowan entered a moment later, took one look around, feeling the anger and hurt, left the room and waited on the front porch until Remus came out.
Harry said quietly, "So did my aunt and uncle to everyone but me."
Addressing the group of people, Ron stood and got everyone's attention. "This is only the first step. These children have lived this way a long time. According to the ledger, there were more. Some died or left the orphanage. Not one went to school or was adopted in over six years. This is pretty much going to continue to happen until word gets out about this facility. We have set up a plan for these kids.
--Names, dates of birth etc.
--Coordinate that information with the lists for Hogwart's: who was supposed to attend, who their parents were, etc.
--If the child has suitable family, request them to come and visit. We all feel the children need one another for a bit in order to accept a new way of living.
--The house-elves will have one on one duty with all of the children. Including the ones that came with the children today, we currently have just over 500 free house-elves; apparently Dobby has been out recruiting. That number also includes the ones from the Potter, Cowan, and Malfoy estates that requested to work with the children.
"Contrary to anything Hermione tells you, these elves have come of their own free will to help these children. Some are bound to other houses and have been sent by their masters to assist this project. Depending on the length of the length of the elf's stay, that will determine who that one goes to. The elves will be responsible for helping the child through nightmares and report on any behavior that indicates deeper problems.
"Pediatric Healers are now applying in droves for the positions here. Madison and Draco are going to do those interviews beginning in the morning."
"Mason and Katie have agreed to oversee the day to day running of the facility. Kind of dual Headmasters as it were. Since Rowan seems to have turned her back on us… agaom." Had he not been so upset by his Godmother's absence, he would have been a bit surprised to see both Sirius and Remus both bristle at his accusation that Rowan had turned her back on anyone, when she had just worked almost twelve hours by his side preparing food.
"Harry and Ginny will travel to various places world wide. At first, we wanted to seek out children by region. After seeing the living conditions of those children today, we believe that we will rearrange the list by need. They will contact us when needed. Hermione and I will continue to oversee construction and organize the donated goods in the warehouse. And we will also consult with the CAC for further criminal action against those that mistreat our children." He seemed to think for a minute, before adding. "Oh, on a lighter note, Hermione and I are getting married." He finished with a huge smile; "Saturday afternoon at 2:00." He grabbed Hermione's hand and squeezed as the crowd, instead of shouting, were suddenly quiet.
Everyone missed the hurt in Harry's eyes. Just as Ron looked at him, he covered it with a smile. You could have heard a pin drop in the room because of the vast silence.
She stood and said "You are all invited, of course! It will be at the Chapel of Harry's Estate." That's when the party started. But everyone was so tired, it was short lived.
Whoops and applause went up from the crowd. Hermione blushed and Ron's ears turned a perfect shade of pink. Everyone having gone home or to bed, found the eight friends sitting quietly in front of the fire. Harry finally spoke, "So, Ron, what would you think of a double wedding? I think I know another red-head that would LOVE the thought of getting her wedding over with."
Ron opened his mouth to answer, but Draco interrupted "Double? I was thinking a triple."
Mason stopped her "Triple? Now, now, gentlemen, why not a quadruple wedding?" The three fiancés yelled and threw themselves into the arms of the man they love most. Hermione and Ron sat open mouthed at each other until Madison noticed.
She motioned for Draco to look at their friends. He drawled "Or not; we could wait and do it another day, if you don't want us to be that big of a part of it."
Hermione broke into a grin, leaned in and whispered in Ron's ear, who nodded. "Nope, a quadruple, super fantastic wedding of the century of four sorcerers, three sorceresses, and a Muggle would be the best thing I could have ever thought of. Bit if we are going to do it, then it will need more planning than a week."
They agreed, but did not set a new date. Happy and contented, three couples strolled off into their rooms. Tomorrow, they would start the healing of the children they had dedicated themselves to save. Mason waited for a minute with the hopes of talking to his dad. Sirius shook his head slightly and left the room as well.
Remus left the party first, walking out the front door, he saw Rowan sitting in rocking chair in the evening breeze. Walking he saw that she was in pain. "Can I take you home?" She nodded once as he lifted her and apparated to the Cowan home.
Once there, he lay her in her bed, retrieved her potion and waited for it to work. She begged him to hold her for a bit, which he did. When sleep finally claimed the sweaty couple, Remus was still firmly inside of Rowan. Both lost in the feel of the other.