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!
The Survivors and A Couple of New Faces
The next morning, before any of them awoke; the house elves began interviewing potential counselors from around the world. It wasn't the tedious procedure that most humans experienced. The interviewing elf put his or her hand on the forehead of the applicant and searched the intentions of the individual. If they were found dishonest in anyway, they were refused. If they were found to be honest and trustworthy with children, they were asked to stay and have breakfast in the great hall.
When the founders arrived at breakfast, the room had seventy-eight new faces. Fourty-nine of them were counselors and the twenty-nine left were pediatric healers, with specialties ranging from birth to age seventeen. The individuals assembled were impressive. The counselors' specialties included post traumatic trauma, neglect and abuse, family deaths, and the lists went on.
Harry wondered for a moment if he should consider talking about his childhood at some point. He decided that he would just write a book some day.
After the adult breakfast, everyone went to the Riddle House to observe breakfast for the 140 people who were over the age of six. Draco suggested that they institute something like the houses at Hogwart's, but it was decided that this would divide the newcomers up too much.
Ron and Ginny, having come from a large family were not surprised when the older kids took care of the younger ones; little things like being sure that the porridge was not too hot for the little ones, or they had milk in their glasses.
The children were a bit overwhelmed at the sheer amount of food that was on the tables. Every older child was nervous. The young ones seemed scared but were hungry.
Katie nudged them and told them to go to the head table, and one of them needed to say something of introduction. Ron was chosen.
As he stood, in the same type setting of Hogwart's Great Hall, he spoke in a booming voice to the children. "I am Ron Weasley, one of the headmaster's here at the Riddle house. This is my fiancé' Hermione Granger, my sister, Ginny Weasley, Madison Lupin Cowan, Draco Malfoy, Mason Black , Katie McRue and Harry Potter.
"Because of the way you were forced to live, we have brought you here. It will be different than what you are used to, but we will try to adapt what we can for your needs and wants. We are impressed with the way the older ones take care of the younger ones. It is great to see the protection you showed regarding food temperature and other small items. For the week we will, as adults, attempt to put names with faces.
"Each child under the age of six will have his or her own house elf available to you. Those dorm rooms will be five to a room plus five house-elves, all boys or all girls, according to age. For the older ones, we plan to set you up four to a room, with a separate room for your house-elf. However, if you have a brother or sister, or cousin or a family member, tell us. We do not want to split families up. Enjoy your breakfast and we will go outside afterwards and play in the sunshine!" Ron sat and the younger group began to clap happily.
When breakfast was over, the elves met the children and took them outside. The others left to work on details and check on the ones who were still under medical care. One girl, about fourteen or fifteen hung back when everyone else was gone. Ron approached her, "Did you want to go outside?" She shook her head no. "Did you want to ask me something?"
She nodded, obviously afraid of the answer. She finally asked "Do you know where my baby is?" Ron, dumfounded, looked for someone, anyone, to help him.
Seeing no one in the room, he said, "Baby?" She nodded again. "There is a nursery full of babies. Let's go look okay?" She followed him quietly out of the dining hall and across the entry way to the door which led to the hospital. They walked a few minutes without speaking, until they came to a 'T' in the hall. "How old is your baby?"
"Almost a year, sir."
"Boy or Girl?"
"Boy"
He looked at the sign and led her to the right then the left. "Let's see if he's in here, shall we?" They entered a room with perhaps twenty children between the ages of one and three. Adult witches held them as they were rocked and fed. Some of the children were already finished eating and being read to by their surrogate care giver.
He watched her face as she scanned the room. Finally, she looked pleadingly to the tall red-head. "He's not here."
He smiled encouragingly, "We'll find him, don't worry." He then led the way to the next area. They searched each room without success. She was trying not to panic. They went back to the Riddle House to the offices. "What is his name?"
"Seamus Steven MacVine". Ron looked at her.
"Er, what is your name?"
"Sarah Oakes."
Ron looked down the list of names of children they had matched with the original list. The baby's name was there. "We took him from the orphanage, so he's definitely here somewhere. Hold on a minute." Leaving her to sit alone in his office, he walked out the door to find Molly, or Narcissa, or well, anyone for help.
He returned with Hermione a few minutes later. Sarah was sitting rocking back and forth without a sound coming from the skinny young body. They watched her for a moment before entering. "Sarah? I'm Hermione Granger. I'm here to help you find your baby."
Sarah nodded without speech.
"I would like to know when you saw him last."
"When they pulled me out of my room at the orphanage, he took him from me, I haven't seen him since I left the healer visit. Maybe yesterday evening."
"He? Who took your baby?"
"Mr. MacVine….his father."
Ron's ears turned pink. "You… had a baby with him?"
Sara nodded, tears threatened to leave her blue eyes as she answered. "Uhm... yes sir."
Hermione reached over to the girl that was just four years younger than she was. "Its okay, can you tell us about it?"
Sarah shook her head. "I'm not supposed to talk about it at all, not ever. Will you still please help me find my baby?" Ron stood and once again walked out of the room.
"DOBBY!" He yelled in the hall. The house elf appeared. Looking down, he said, "There is a baby boy missing, almost a year old. His name is Seamus MacVIne. I want him found and brought to this office immediately. Pull whoever you need to find him for me." Dobby nodded his head and with a crack, left the angry sorcerer.
Dobby returned twenty minutes later, holding his woven hat crumbled in his hand, trembling, he gave his report. "We's cannot finds him sir. We's looked everywhere for him sir."
Ron nodded his understanding. He kneeled down and thanked the elf and asked him to bring the others to him at once. Within three minutes, the seven were united again. "There is a fifteen year old, or younger, girl sitting in my office who...apparently... had a baby with the man who ran the orphanage. The elves cannot find that baby. His name was crossed off the list, so we know we took him from there. What can we do to find him?"
Draco thought for a moment, "I'll be right back." He disappeared and returned a few minutes later with Lucius and Narcissa, holding a baby boy. "Is this him?" Ron did not have an answer for him.
Narcissa took the sleeping baby into Ron's office and they heard a squeal of excitement as Sarah recognized her son. He stretched in Narcissa's arms as she handed him to his mother. "I'm so sorry. I was rocking him to sleep and when he finally relaxed enough to rest, I couldn't put him down. I took him home to show my husband what a wonderful child he was and that's when my son came and got me. I am SO sorry."
Sarah nodded at the blonde beauty before her. "As long as Mr. MacVine doesn't have him, I...am sure you didn't do anything to hurt him."
Narcissa left the office and closed the door behind her. Rounding on the younger group of wizards before her, she asked, "Who is Mr. MacVine? Why is that girl afraid of him? And why is it that, no matter what you tell me, I am going to want to kill someone before you finish your explanation?" She crossed her arms and waited for answers.
Ron spoke in a forced calm voice, "Mr. MacVine was the director of the orphanage. She is afraid of him because he is the father of that baby. And if you are the only one who wants to kill him, I must not still be here either."
Madison and Ginny exchanged dangerous looks. Harry's face was contorted in rage. Mason took Katie's hand and tried to find a calm place before he completely exploded.
Lucius, for his part, said "Excuse me, I will return shortly," and disappeared.
Hermione opened the door of the office and checked on Sarah, asking if she was okay, or if she needed anything. She was hungry and tired. Hermione led her to a private room and summoned the proper bedding for her and her son to sleep for a while.
When she returned, the lead member of the CAC was introduced to her. "I'm Stephen Maples, yes I am American, and no I'm not happy." Hermione stepped back from this man. He was about Sirius' age, around fourty or so, and had piercing blue eyes, much like Ron's, but with dark hair. He was a tall man, over two and a half meters tall (A/N nearly 6 feet 4) or so, and yes, she agreed, he looked not very happy.
"She's resting with her son in a protected safe room. Until she wakes and eats I will not allow you to question her." He nodded his understanding.
"Perhaps, since Mr. Malfoy has brought me here, we should interview the older children and find out what kind of a place was being run over there." They all agreed and led the inspector out into the sunlight of the play park. Rowan joined them a few minutes later, glad for the first time she had chosen to stay at the Estate instead of a trans-Atlantic floo ride. Sirius and Remus both arrived moments after Rowan.
Investigator Stephen Maples, walked with Harry and Ginny, casually through the children. He sought the older ones to speak with them regarding Sarah and Seamus. They were reluctant to speak in front of the younger children and politely ignored any questions regarding Mr. MacVine. Finally he and Rowan walked back without any additional information.
He and Rowan walked back to the office area of the Riddle House. Sirius watched them as he made small talk with Harry about the condition of the orphanage. His eyes narrowed when Inspector Maples opened the door for his wife. They spoke in polite voices without personal questions. Rowan told him finally that she believed that he would have a better time interviewing Mr. MacVine rather than to continue to speak to the children. He disagreed, but upon further discussion decided to leave and return around 8:00 that evening.
He left the offices and before apparating, walked to the group of directors who were now in charge of the masses of youth that covered the area. "Mr. Potter?" Harry drew the crowd to hear what the man had to say. "I want you to know that the Wizarding Laws are a major reason I came to this world. In Texas we have what is called Statutory Rape. Basically, whether the underage participant is willing or not, if one person is under seventeen, and the other one is not, it is considered a crime. However, punishment of the crime can vary anywhere from a slap on the wrist to life in prison without parole."
Harry nodded his understanding without comment. Inspector Maples continued, "In the Wizarding world, the old laws stand. I want you to understand that the laws are specific. If an 'of age' witch or wizard has a sexual relationship with any type of sexual relationship with a witch or wizard under the age of sixteen and is convicted in a court of law, the only question of punishment is fast or slow death. There is no slap on the wrist. There is not possibility of probation or jail time. Simply put, it is death, only the quickness will vary depending on the circumstances."
Sirius entered the conversation and with narrowed eyes, crossed his arms and waited for the rest of the explanation.
"The only way for a person to get out of that sentence is to marry the child in question with the full consent of both parents or guardians. I assume you understand what I mean?" Harry and Sirius, now joined by the others shook their heads. He continued "No? Okay, here ya' go, black and white. If he married her, he will not be put to death. If he fathered a child with her without marrying her, because she is underage, he will be sentenced to a minimum of Azkaban. If he raped or forced her in any way, he will be put to a very slow death." This, the group understood completely.
"Now, how about this part? Because you have taken out most of the truly vile and ruthless people in the world, we will run into a situation of who will put this man out of our misery. Should you be asked about this, the best suggestion I have been able to come up with in the past eighteen months is simple. Give the convicted offender a very potent poison. Put him in a cell without food or water. No sunlight; just a single light bulb that flickers. Eventually, the offender will drink the poison to escape. The prisoner is check on every five days. No more, no less. If he is still alive with the first check, he will not be with the second.
"Bulgaria and Spain are already using this method. There are always people who are willing to brew a poison just to keep in practice. However, how fast acting poison is really the question to be put to the criminal." With that piece of information, he tipped his head and told them he would see them tonight.
Sirius, who clearly did not like this inspector, crossed his arms in a very Mason-fashion, and spoke to the group. "You could just give him to me for about…twenty seconds… and we don't have to worry about him hurting anymore children. Not a problem."
The men were bordering on Alpha Male thoughts about one another. Rowan reached to touch her husband's arm, but nothing softened the stares between the men. Giving up, Rowan went to check on Sarah, who were still sleeping. Rowan walked quietly into the room and placed a single finger on her forehead. Searching through the oldest and most hidden memories, she found the night that Seamus was conceived. By the time she had relived the memory with the child, she left the room and wretched on the floor. Once she was sure the girl and her baby were still resting, she returned to the group to report what she had found. Without any words directed at her husband, she walked out the door and broke into a long run across the open field toward the Cowan Estate.
At 7:55 that evening, Inspector Maples entered the office area of the Riddle House. He was met by Kreena, a house elf who had agreed to be bound to Seamus when he first arrived. She led him into the conference room and asked him to wait. At precisely, 8:00, Draco, his parents, Madison, Remus, Mason, Katie, Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny entered the room.
A few minutes later, Sarah and Seamus entered. She walked and sat between Narcissa and Lucius; Seamus bouncing happily on her knees. She looked around the room and was frightened. Lucius leaned over to her and whispered his assurance for her safety. She nodded and seemed to take a steadying breath before handing Narcissa the playful child. "What can I do for you all tonight?"
Sirius stuck his head in the door and asked if he could join, several heads nodded in agreement. Rowan entered and sat at the table without looking at her husband or her lover. She sat near Narcissa instead. Ron introduced Inspector Maples who spoke next, "Sarah, I would like for you to tell us how it is that you have such a beautiful baby at your age."
She waited to answer. Lucius reached over and patted her arm. She met his grey eyes and nodded. "I am a fifteen year old mother with a one year old child because the headmaster of the orphanage thought I was pretty and pure enough to carry on his family line." Her answer was direct and blunt. She had the reassurance that the powerful wizard and witch between whom she sat would protect her and her son.
The boys' ears turned red. The girls in the room locked their jaws at this declaration. The Inspector sat and stared squarely into her eyes. "Sarah, I guess this won't be as hard as I thought it would be. You seem to be forthcoming with information. Why should we believe you?"
"Because I have nothing to lose; you can't take my child from me. That's against the law. She," she pointed to Rowan, " told me. You can't hurt me anymore than he did, unless you know how to travel in time. He killed my parents and god parents so I would have no where else to go. I know I was supposed to go to Hogwart's, but after the adults in my life were killed, I had no choice but to go there. I was only five years old. I had no one. I could barely read and write." Collecting herself, she continued, "The letter from Hogwarts never came. When I dreamed of leaving on the Hogwart's express my mom had told me so much about, I would cry myself asleep knowing that it had left without me again."
Her gaze was iron against his. He leaned on the table and continued to stare in her eyes. "Would you be willing to tell a judge what you have just told us?"
"Why?"
"Because he broke a very old wizarding law by having a sexual relationship with an underage witch."
She snorted at his statement. "So you noticed that huh? What about the murders? What about kidnapping? What about stealing my birthright away from me and my son? I could have been something. I was smart enough. He told me I was pure-blood. My parents fought You-Know-Who and won. They killed death eaters. But when they were finally killed, I was taken from everything and everyone I knew. No one remembered me. I was… finally…. Just…. Taken…." With those last words, her voice cracked. There were no tears. She ducked her head until she could speak again. "I know you want him to go to trial. But I just want us to be safe. I don't know how to do that. I don't know who to trust."
She turned to lock her gaze with Narcissa, before continuing, "I also know that when he is in danger, my son puts up a shield. He doesn't do that with either Mr. or Mrs. Malfoy. He feels safe in this room with all of you. I have to believe that he knows more than I do when it comes to people."
She nodded to Ron who returned her hint of understanding. "Is there anything else Inspector Maples, from Texas, who is angry too?" Ron said sarcastically.
"Only this," he answered, "I don't make the laws. I only bring those who break those laws to trial. This is huge however. The last person to be caught in this situation was over eighty years ago. If you'll allow it, I'll bring the lead prosecutor out tomorrow to speak with you. We will try to keep you out of court, but I can't promise that," he stood, "I will do the right thing Sarah. I know you don't like or trust me, but I will work my hardest to be sure that what happened to you doesn't happen to anyone else."
Inspector Maples made eye contact with Rowan and she nodded. He turned to leave the room, and she followed him silently out the door. Sirius was studying the exchange. Rowan didn't want to admit that she was thrilled that he was jealous.
After they left, Ginny, however, had to ask one question, "Sarah? What do you have dreams of becoming?"
Sarah answered quickly, "A baby doctor. I want to open my own private office and see children who are sick. I also want to be able to go to the homes of those children who are too sick to travel and help them get better." That brought smiles to every face in the room. Sarah took Seamus to her room for a meal and a nap.
Ron looked to Hermione. "Now, my dear, what the hell do we do?"
Hermione thought for a long few moments before answering. "I believe we should ask Lucius and Narcissa if they would consider having a room set up for Miss Sarah and Master Seamus in their house. Perhaps they could even begin to teach her what she will need to know to attend Hogwart's in the fall of next year. Bring her up to snuff without losing her baby in the process. Then perhaps, as their trust grows, if she decides she is ready to go to Hogwart's, we should then ask if the Malfoy's would consider taking care of that beautiful boy while she studies hard and fulfills her dreams."
Ron looked thoughtfully at his fiancé's face. He nodded.
Lucius and Narcissa spoke candidly to the group about her. "I have never been around a teenage girl. Are they hard?"
Molly and Arthur both laughed having joined them a few minutes before. Looking to Madison, Ginny and Hermione, Molly said "Worth every grey hair we have!"
With that, the Malfoys left to prepare a suite for their new guest.
Rowan did not return from her chat with the handsome American, deciding instead to just go to the estate and lock herself in her room. Sirius, who was waiting for her, left when it became clear she and the Inspector were not coming back. Madison smirked at the thought that she knew her mother so well.
Ten days later, the Wizened Gamut reconvened for the trials of the Otter St. Catchpaw Orphanage. Within three hours, one man was found guilty of sex with an undersage witch and sentenced to death. Five adults were found guilty of injury to children (niney-nine counts) and were sentenced to life imprisonment without possibility of probation and sterilization. Two days later, Harry accompanied Sirius as he handed a vial through the door of into the man's cell and the door shut.
When the sentence was being fulfilled, Sarah was being taught to read a children's book by Lucius Malfoy while Seamus was being rocked to sleep.
The children from the orphanage which had been moved into the first and second phase of the Riddle House were now all out of the hospital wing. They were falling into a routine of breakfast, classes for the older ones, and play. The elves who helped with the under the age of six category were pleased to feel as though a part of something worth while. Human Volunteers continued to show up every day and help with the sorting and sizing the massive amounts of donated items.
There was a separate area for school robes and supplies. These were cleaned, repaired and sized. If the robes were too shabby to be repaired, they were altered for a smaller child's use. Thus, guaranteeing that no child would start their schooling in rags. Madame Mulkin came out weekly to assist in the alterations. She brought her staff every Wednesday afternoon and closed the shops nationwide in order to help these children.
Two weeks after Sarah had moved into the Malfoy's Mansion, Ron looked up to see her walking through his office door. "Hello Sir, do you have a moment?"
He offered her a chair, and returned to his on the other side of the desk. "What can I do for you Sarah?"
"I wanted to take a minute and just tell you thanks for helping me. I was really scared." Ron accepted her thank you with a nod and did not interrupt her. "I also wanted to tell you that Professor Dumble...something has approached the Malfoy's about me attending Hogwart's next term. It would mean leaving Seamus with them. I… wanted to know what you thought of that offer and… if the Malfoys would be good to my son or not."
Ron bit his bottom lip and thought hard. He remembered the horrors that Draco lived through, and then softened when he remembered the questions under verituserum. He drew a deep breath before answering. "I believe that at one point in their lives, I would have to answer very differently that I do now. They have not always been the people you have gotten to know. But the final answer to your question is that 'yes' you should attend Hogwart's as soon as possible. Trust that Seamus will be okay with them, and that we will continue to check on him often.
"Also Sarah, there is something else of which you should be aware of. Because of your age, you will be a fourth or fifth year student, correct?" She nodded. "At times throughout the school year, you will have privileges to go into the neighboring town of Hogsmeade. When you have those weekends, if you will let us know, we can bring Seamus to see you."
Her eyes brightened. "I won't have to wait until end of term to see him?"
Ron shook his head no before admitting, "However, you should be aware that as pretty as you are, you will probably have dates on those weekends. Have you thought how you will explain the fact that you have a baby to those other people in your house?"
"Only to the point of telling them that I do. Not really thought of having to give an explanation. But if I don't tell, it would seem like I am ashamed of him. So, if people don't like me because I have a baby, or if boys think I am some kind of cheap woman, then that's not really my problem, is it?"
"Sarah, you'll be a Gryffindor, I have no doubts at all."
She smiled as she left the office. Ron sent word to Dumbledore to set up a meeting with her, Hermione, and Harry as soon as possible to discuss her entrance after New Year's.
As Sarah excelled in her tutoring, so did the other children. It was decided that each morning, any children who were nine years old and above would attend daily reading classes. Rather than being divided into classes by age, the children were divided by aptitude. The tests were simplistic. If a child could read the alphabet they were put ahead. The process allowed all of the children to continue having daily contact with the others.
Near the middle of October, Minerva McGonagall came to the house to discuss those children which were of school age, had spent one of more years at Hogwart's but had not returned. It was immediately agreed that these children, pending release for medical and psychological tests would be returned to Hogwart's after the first of the year. The group also discussed those children who were eleven and older. Those were the ones who wanted to attend Hogwart's but had never received their letters. Professor McGonagall produced all the letters for all the children which had been returned but were still under the age of seventeen. It was agreed that Hermione and Ron would seek those children out and ascertain what had happened to them.
As the days passed, Ron and Mason began to run early in the morning with Rowan. Sirius, staying at Harry's home on most nights, watched her run across the property as the sun came up.
The October 2008 meeting found Sirius and Rowan at opposite ends of the table as usual. Remus, at Rowan's request had not spent another night with her and was now sitting beside Sirius. He watched Rowan closely, looking for some sign that they were in the same room.
Harry and Madison continued to ignore her presence, speaking only to Remus and Sirius during the meetings. While Katie, Mason, Hermione, Ron and Draco found her presence comforting rather than disturbing.
The meeting also brought out plans of a Halloween costume party to celebrate the opening of the Riddle House. The important people would be invited and the details would be worked out over the coming weeks.