Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
"Tom, let's go! We're running late as it is-we don't have the time for you to lollygag about!" Harry was determined to ensure that everything with the orphanage went off without a hitch, and Tom running late wasn't a part of his plan. Luckily, Tom was ready in record time and they apparated to Hermione's office.
The woman in question was already there, filing away last minute paperwork and explaining how things were done. The young girl would only be there until Hermione finished her schooling and then would be leaving to move back with her family in Switzerland.
"Hermione! How's everything?"
"Morning Harry, I just finished showing Heather how the paperwork needs to be filed for you. Is Tom coming?"
"Yes, he was just behind me. No doubt he's being coddled by an anxious Molly." They laughed and the three of them gathered at the bottom of the main stairs.
"All right, is everyone here?" A chorus of voices called affirmatives back at him. "Right, we officially open in a few minutes. There could be a ton of people coming all at once or none at all. Regardless, I'm so happy to have each and every one of you here to help me see this come to fruition."
"First things first, when children arrive they will be transferred into Molly's care. Anyone looking to adopt will be referred to Hermione and Heather. Just so everyone knows, adoption applications can be filled out but we will not be accepting or denying applications for at least another week while we get these kids settled in a bit. Since only Daisy and Willow have uniforms you will only call on them if you need a house elf for anything. I know you've gotten used to calling on some of the other elves, but they don't have uniforms made up quite yet. Molly?"
"Yes, Harry dear?"
"You remember the plan for different age groups versus siblings right?"
"Of course dear. I'll do my best to ensure that none of the siblings are split up and keep everyone in the same age groups from there." She beamed when the grandfather clock struck the hour. "It's time, oh I'm so excited to have a house full of children again!" Tom rolled his eyes at that.
"With any luck we'll be able to keep up with the pace of things." It was several minutes of everyone milling about and talking to one another before the floo flared to life and a young woman stumbled out. She was entirely too thin, dirt was smudged on her face and she held a small bundle of tattered blankets. Harry smiled at her and held out his arms for the baby.
"Do you need a drink, or a snack before you go?" She shook her head but held his gaze with grateful eyes.
"His name is John Perkins. I know you'll take care of him." Her voice cracked with underuse and she fled back to the floo without waiting for an answer. He handed the still-sleeping baby off to Poppy for a health screening and Heather went to document the results before he would be given a crib. Just as the blankets left his arms, the floo came to life once more.
The rest of the day was a steady stream of children either coming on their own or single parents to drop off those too young to make it themselves. Some of the parents didn't show any emotion other than cold detachment or relief with not having to take care of the children anymore, and some burst into tears before leaving. It broke Harry's heart seeing how many children were either orphaned or just not wanted.
Towards the end of the day, when the floo had been silent for almost half an hour, Harry turned towards Hermione.
"How many?" She rifled through her stack of parchments before looking at him.
"Thirty seven. Most of them only need nutrients potions, a shower and a good rest after dinner. Some though…" Heather stepped forward.
"Some of them need time with Poppy before they can be released to their own rooms." He nodded.
"Thank you. I'll have Molly gather all the kids before dinner so I can sit down and talk with them and then I'll come see the ones with Poppy afterwards." He felt Tom's arms around his shoulders as the adults left to gather the children and finish filing paperwork.
"You've done incredibly well, my love. Severus went around to each room and engraved all the name plaques on the cribs and doors for the children and Poppy has been incredibly happy that it was only a few that needed her attention for more than a checkup. And Molly seems delighted to be spending so much time with kids again."
"Go ahead and take a seat anywhere dears."
"Sounds like Molly has the lot of them in the living room. Let's go meet them all properly this time." He wasn't surprised to see all of the kids were sitting on the edges of their seats or nervously bouncing from one foot to the other.
"Oh, there he is! Everyone, this is Mr. Harry and Mr Tom." A few shy hands waved at them. "They run the orphanage."
"Hi guys. Do you all know why you're here?" A small girl raised her hand.
"Well, I'm here be-because my mummy isn't here no more. I'm supposed to find a new mummy while I'm here." She was clearly struggling to enunciate her words, but she looked happy with how it came out when she was done.
"That's right. It's my job to look for mummies and daddies that want someone like you in their families. I want to make sure that you all know you can talk to me about anything. And I truly mean anything." He pointedly looked at the handful of older children standing in the back. "I know this is a big change for some of you, but I want you all to feel welcome and comfortable here. If there's anything you want or need, please tell Mrs. Molly or one of the other adults here. And they'll be going around and asking you what kind of family you'd want to have as well as the things you like and don't like. Please be honest with them. Now, who's ready for dinner?" The group of kids were herded to the dining room in short order.
Salutem Orphanage a Resounding Success!
Salutem Orphanage officially opened its doors to orphaned children last week and have contacted us at the Daily Prophet to inform us that applications for adoptions are officially being accepted and reviewed. At the time the orphanage reached out to us, they had 40 children of all ages who were looking for their forever homes.
For more information on adoption, and the official adoption application, see page 4
"Well, the paper seems to have gotten a lot of people interested in adoption. Hermione's even sent me a letter asking for more help and Molly has already hired two extra women to handle the kids during the day." Tom smiled and was just about to say something when a house elf popped into their living room.
"Master Harry, Mrs. Molly is wanting Daisy to ask you if you will come to help out today." Harry noted that the uniforms now had the orphanage crest on the breast pocket.
"Hi Daisy. You can tell her that Tom and I both will be there today to help them out. Tom's planning on spending some time with the kids and I'll be helping Hermione and Heather with the applicants today." Daisy nodded and popped away once more.
"Harry, I've been thinking."
"Oh no, that only spells trouble for me," Harry laughed. "What's on your mind?"
"Let's go out tonight." Tom stood and practically swept Harry up into his arms. "I've never really done the whole relationship thing before, but I would be honored if you'd consider going on a date with me." Harry beamed, butterflies suddenly taking flight in his stomach.
"I'd like that very much Tom."
Five Years Later:
"Harry, what did I do with that application for Charlie? I could swear I had it right here just a moment ago!" Hermione's hair was threatening to come out of the clip she had it in and she looked so flustered she might start crying at any moment.
"Hermione, it's right here." He plucked it out of her hand and guided her to one of the arm chairs in her office. "Listen, you're overwhelmed. It's not good for the baby, just relax." Hermione nodded and cradled her swollen midsection.
"You're right of course. I really don't know where my mind goes these days. Thanks Harry."
"Quite alright. Now, are you going to be okay for the rest of the day?" She nodded, looking both happy and slightly offended at the same time.
"Of course I'll be fine. I always am. Are you and Tom going on another one of your infamous dates soon?" She wiggled her eyebrows at him and he blushed. Their dates had become the talk of the staff after they found out that Tom had a tendency to take Harry across country lines to extravagant hotels and world famous restaurants. The women had all swooned when they heard about their last date-they had gone to a private island for a long weekend in the tropics.
"Yes, tonight actually. I've asked him for something quiet this time. After the last one, I'd like to have some peace during dinner." They laughed and Molly called for Harry's help setting up an activity. After he left her office, Hermione went to find Tom.
It didn't take long to find him. He was in nursery room eleven, gently rocking the newborn to sleep. Smiling, Tom looked up at her as she lowered herself into the other rocking chair.
"Has she named her yet?"
"No, Margret wanted whoever adopts her to be the ones to name her. Poor thing just wants to go home and forget it ever happened. She's been sleeping well?" He nodded and she leaned back in her chair. "So, I've been meaning to ask you a few things." Tom raised an eyebrow at her.
"Oh don't give me that. I know you filled out an application. I'm pregnant, not stupid." Tom blushed, but didn't look away. "I'm curious as to why you put it in the 'hold' file. Did you not discuss this with Harry?"
"Not yet. But I know he's happiest when he gets to see these kids. We've talked about our relationship and what we want for the future. He did say he wanted children, and the orphanage just keeps gaining more and more kids that need homes. I think it lines up with his values and with what he wants pretty well. I didn't put it with active applications because I wanted to do it right." She tilted her head curiously and gestured for him to elaborate.
"Tonight we're going to a small town in Holland for a picnic dinner. I'm going to ask him to be my bonded." Neither one of them could have predicted the quiet squeal of happiness coming from her lips, nor the hug that followed.
"Don't stress over it Tom. He loves you, he has for years. Now, about that application-just for curiosity's sake-did you have one in mind?" Tom smiled and looked down at the baby in his arms.
"You know, I didn't before. But I think I might now."
"Where exactly are you taking me that I need to be blindfolded?" Tom chuckled and wrapped his summer cloak around Harry's shoulders.
"You'll see in a moment. Now hold on." Tom wrapped his arms around him and apparated. When they landed, Tom guided him a few paces away and gently removed the silk blindfold. He gasped.
They were in the middle of what appeared to be a field of roses, complete with tiny fairy lights smattered throughout the flowers that sparkled in the evening air. A large blanket was laid out with every kind of fruit imaginable as well as wine, tea and a plethora of other delicacies.
"Tom?" The unsaid question hung in the air. He could hardly contain his curiosity as this sort of date was completely different than usual. If he were honest, he loved it more than the expensive meals around the globe.
"Harry, I love you. I have for a long time now." Tom turned Harry to face him and smiled at him. "It's hard to believe the orphanage is already coming up on its five year anniversary. I've watched you grow into your own skin, as it were, and then I got to see you grow as an adult with the orphanage. And I want to see us grow too. Together-"
"And with others, if Nagini finally gets her way. She's far too demanding for how long she's been pestering us. You'd think she'd give up by now, or at least reel in her hints a bit."
"Yes, together and with others." Tom sank down to his knees, his scarlet eyes never leaving Harry's. Harry loved it when Tom's eyes were red, the violet color he used in public just wasn't the same. "I love you Harry, like I've never loved anyone else. You managed the impossible-you captured my heart. I'm a better person because of you, and I've managed to-somehow-convince Severus that this is a good idea. Would you bond with me?" At some point Tom had procured a small box with a ring in it and Harry's eyes started crying on their own.
He was speechless. Never in a million years had he ever expected to hear Tom asking him to bond with him. At some point, he realized that his hand was over his mouth in shock and that he hadn't actually given an answer even though his mind and heart were screaming affirmatives.
He nodded and dropped the hand over his mouth as Tom beamed up at him while placing the band around his finger. Small rubies glinted as light reflected off of them as Tom stood. The next thing he knew, Tom's lips were against his own and he was hoisted up into the taller man's arms. Automatically, his legs wrapped around Tom's hips and he vaguely noted the gentle spin as they kissed.
Needless to say, this was Harry's favourite date so far.