Prologue: Backup Malfoy.
Case file: 07-11-08-1983.
Department: Department for Orphaned Wizarding Children.
Subject: Snyde, Merula. (Female, 3 years of age).
Father: Snyde, Albert. (Male, 28 years of age). Imprisoned.
Mother: Snyde, Aria, née Selwyn. (Female, 28 years of age). Deceased.
Caseworker: Winters, Olivia.
Case notes:
The subject was taken into custody after the incident of 08-08-1983, with both birth parents currently incapacated (Mother deceased, Father sentenced to life within Azkaban.)
Standard Ministry protocol states that a child is to be reunited with family members, whenever possible.
Existing candidates for adoption have shown a number of flaws
Paternal grandparents: Shown signs of advanced dementia. Shown a lack of interest in taking care of the child. Estranged from son.
Maternal uncle: Convicted Death Eater (See Trial of 19-03-1982), sentenced to life in Azkaban.
Maternal aunt: Destitute, has refused to take in the individual. Squib. Potential Death Eater sympathies (see above).
The subject has shown instances of accidental magic (creating snow). It would be unwise to send the child to a muggle family or orphanage, due to the high risk of exposing the International Statute of Secrecy.
Recommendations: Adoption by a wizarding family, preferably not the Weasley household (due to financial considerations). Avoiding a muggle family should reduce the likelihood of the child suffering from parental abuse (See Potter casefile), and eventually better integration into Wizarding Society.
Olivia Winters yawned as she set down her third cup of tea, taking a moment to check the time before she turned back to her endless pile of paperwork.
"Miss Winters?" a female voice asked from the other side of the desk.
Olivia flinched as she glanced up at the tall woman before her.
"Hello there," Olivia greeted, her voice betraying the shock she felt. "May I help you?"
The woman smiled as she removed her kidskin gloves, her hands clasped as she looked down. "I believe you are the caseworker for Merula Snyde?"
Olivia blinked before she turned to a drawer, pulling the manila folder out a moment later. "I am. How may I help you?"
"Ah," the woman smiled. "How rude of me, I forgot to introduce myself."
"No, my apologies." Olivia managed. "I don't usually get visitors, particularly this late in the evening."
The woman shook her head as Olivia transfigured a chair behind her, "It does not excuse me for being rude. Please, forgive me on that."
Olivia frowned as she nodded. "Very well then, Miss- erm."
"Malfoy," the woman stated. "Narcissa Malfoy."
"Mrs. Malfoy," Olivia repeated, as the name rang a bell in the back of her head. "What is it that brings you to my office?"
Narcissa smiled. "Like I said before, I believe you were responsible for the Snyde casefile?"
Olivia raised an eyebrow at Narcissa, "I am. Are you-"
"My husband and I were horrified to discover the news of her parents," Narcissa began, hints of tears in her eyes. "To believe that Albert and Aria would turn out… like that."
Olivia grimaced as she closed her eyes. "Would you like to make an adoption claim for Merula?"
"I do. Our manor is just so quiet some days."
"Ah," Olivia noted as she opened a new manila folder. "Are you… childless?"
Narcissa shook her head. "I have a son, but I was raised in a household with two sisters and many cousins. I would not wish for my son to be an only child."
Olivia nodded as she filled in the details, her eyes still on the woman in the other chair. "Still, so long as the paperwork is in order, I believe you'll have no problems with adopting Merula."
Narcissa bit her lip as Olivia looked down at her papers, "It's merely a bureaucratic measure. I don't believe there should be any problem with the adoption itself, so long as you meet the requirements."
Narcissa smiled. "Is there a time or place I can see Merula?"
Olivia raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure if visitation hours at St. Mungo's extend this far into the evening, but standard procedure encourages the child to meet with potential foster parents as soon as possible."
"Will that be possible tonight?"
Olivia bit her lip before she shook her head, "I'm afraid that I lack the authorization to meet with St. Mungo's staff. Authorization usually comes after at least a background check has been performed."
"And how long will that take?" Narcissa pushed. "Surely Merula is going to be terrified at being alone in a hospital. Especially if this process is going to take weeks."
"I understand your concerns. But unless I have the authorization from my superiors, I cannot help you tonight. I could fast track the process, but it would take at least three to four days before we can set up a meeting."
Narcissa pouted as she turned to the door. "Cornelius? May I ask you to help me here?"
Olivia froze as Cornelius Fudge stepped through the door to her office.
"Mr. Fudge- I thought you had finished for the day," Olivia managed.
Cornelius Fudge shook his head as he stepped forward. "I'm a longtime friend of Narcissa and her family. You have my permission to show her to St. Mungo's."
Olivia began drumming her hands against the table, taking a moment to weigh her options. "Very well then. I'll ask you to follow me. We can take the Floo Network over."
Narcissa frowned, her eyes flickering to the fireplace before turning to Cornelius. "Minister, if you will lead the way."
"So." Narcissa stepped next to the bed of the sleeping girl. "This is Merula."
"It's the first night since she's come here that she's slept so well," a nurse chimed in. "She was difficult before."
Olivia frowned as she sidestepped the black leather shoes by the side of the bed. "Are these her shoes?"
"They are."
"Excellent quality," Narcissa murmured. "A brand I use for Draco himself."
Olivia raised an eyebrow as she turned to the woman, "Must be rather expensive."
"Merely a hundred galleons. Aria must have cared deeply for her child."
Olivia choked at the casual dismissal of a month of her salary. "Mrs. Malfoy, are you sure about this? I can fast track the adoption process once I Floo back into my office."
Narcissa raised an eyebrow. "Naturally, I was determined from the moment I stepped into your office."
"Of course." Olivia turned to the nurse. "The adoption rate per month is-"
"It will not be necessary," Narcissa interjected. "We are not doing this for the money. See to it that the adoption fee is donated to this good hospital."
Olivia and the nurse exchanged a glance before the other woman shrugged.
Olivia muttered under her breath as she stepped from the room, taking one last glance at the sleeping child in the bed. "Right this way then."
"So, how did it go?" Lucius asked as he stood by the fireplace of Malfoy Manor, a glass of Fireball whiskey in hand.
"I doubt there will be any problem." Narcissa poured herself a tall glass of Fireball. "Fudge is rather useful in that regard."
"Still a shame Albert and Aria were betrayed." Lucius's face was grim as he took another sip. "Betrayed by that snake for a few pitiful months."
"I have no doubt that the worm will get his comeuppance." Narcissa replied, sipping the whiskey. "Not even Dumbledore will protect his hide. He's nowhere near as cunning as Severus."
"Indeed," Lucius finished his glass. "Still, with his daughter on hand, Albert isn't going to turn."
"Neither will Selwyn," Narcissa added after a moment of silence.
"Selwyn wasn't going to turn anyone." Lucius snorted as he filled his glass with a half glass of Fireball. "Not his sister, not his brother in law, and certainly not us."
"Still, it is such a disappointment that-"
"Let's not talk about it." Lucius shook his head. "We don't know who will be listening."
"Master?" a voice asked from behind as Lucius finished his sentence. The man hacked up the expensive drink as he turned to glare at the house elf.
"Dobby," Lucius spat, his eyes murderous as he glared down the house elf, a drop of Firewhiskey leaking from the corner of his lip.
"Dobby is sorry!" the elf wailed as he slammed his head into the wall.
"Not there you mindless worm!" Lucius hissed. "Go to the corner and stay there."
"Why did we get a defective house elf again?" Narcissa muttered.
"A handover from father," Lucius growled, his mood soured. "He bought this… thing as a joke."
"Father?" a voice asked from the staircase.
"Draco!" Narcissa cried as she hurried over to her son, picking him up. "Are you hungry?"
"No," the little boy mumbled. "I heard something loud."
Narcissa and Lucius turned to the shuddering form of Dobby as Lucius grabbed his wand.
"Lucius!" Narcissa snapped. "Not in front of Draco!"
"Right," Lucius snarled as he stepped forward, blocking Draco's line of sight, his hands shaking in rage as he glared down at the elf.
"Sectumsempra!"
Dobby shrieked as a dark line of red splattered from his arm, the blood rushing from his wound as Lucius towered over him. "Dobby is sorry!"
"Then be quiet," Lucius growled. "Punish yourself without waking Draco."
Dobby whimpered as the gash leaked red over the floor.
"And clean this mess up," Lucius growled as he kicked Dobby, turning back to his wife and son as the House-Elf crumpled in the corner..
"He's already asleep," Narcissa whispered, sweeping away a lock of blonde hair as she carried her son up the stairs. "Still, I didn't know you knew Severus that well."
"He may not be the most pleasant character, but he has his talents," Lucius replied as he climbed the staircase. "And Sectumsempra is rather useful. Perhaps I will teach Draco one day."
Narcissa gave her husband an irritated look as Lucius fell silent.
"I don't want him learning that spell until he passes his OWLs," Narcissa stated, patting the sleeping Draco on his back. "We don't want him hurting someone until he's ready for it."
Lucius grimaced before he turned to a different room. "I'll wait for you in bed then."
AN: This first chapter was re-edited due to a minor grammatical error.
