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Chapter 16 – Law and Order
It was a long grueling day for the counsel members as the new laws and restrictions were decided on. Werewolves gained their rights after years of prosecution while the muggleborns and the unwiting muggles faced a new injustice – the marriage law, which forbad purebloods from marrying and procreating with muggleborns and muggles. While the law was not retroactive it was still a blow to Hermione and to Ginny's sense of justice. And of course Hermione blamed Ginny for the law even coming up for debate. The only saving grace that Ginny saw was that more segregation was not added on law – much to Greg's chargrin. She only hoped that in the years to come enough peace could be established so the law could be oblivated.
The Dark Arts would be instituted as an elective at all educational facilities, with their own Owls and Newts for examinations. They would be considered a optional prerequiste for occupations such as Aurors, Potion Masters, and Unspeakables. The use of Dark Arts was determined to be for the sole purpose of benign reasons and any misuse of the Dark Arts would leave the user wishing that Askaban was an option. The use of unspeakables by any one other than the top aurors would be a charge for certain death. While Hermione did not approve of Dark Arts and was strictly against the implementations in schools she knew that it was a lost battle form the go and wisely stuck to the battle that she could win, which of course with the help of Ginny was the unforgivable curses.
A triumph for the previous order members came when the Death Eater's rights were discussed. Not only were Death Eaters subjected to the same rights as the the regular populace, but their crimes against women and children were to be evaluated using truth serum. If a Death Eater, or any individual, was accused of harming a woman or child the consequences would be dire. The punishment would be worse of the crime was committed against a magical person rather than a muggle, but it was still a victory.
The final topic of debate for the evening was Hogwarts – more specifically the new Headmaster or Headmistress. Hermione was automatically discounted simply because she was a muggle born. It was just another offense which Hermione held against Ginny as she refused to even consider the alternative and Hermione refuse to listen to her rationale. The real surprise came when Percy refused the position when Ginny offered it to him. He stated that he declined for personal reasons and favored Ginny with a small smile. Instead he suggested at the position should be used as a method to mend bridges between the two previously warring factions. In a move that shocked the entire congregation and caused a swell of pride in Ginny for her brother Percy nominated Remus as the Headmaster of Hogwarts.
Remus for his part was shocked, while Hermione looked fit to be tied. Due to his condition he was never able to hold a proper position, save his one year stint as a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor when Ginny was just a second year student and here he was the new Hogwarts Headmaster with very little strings attached. Infact the only strings attached seemed to be positive, at least for the general populace. The shelter in Hogwarts was to remain open, a new division for the school was to be opened for ages 3-10 for primary school for the children of the shelter and any other child who wished to attend, and finally character tests would have to be used to evaluate the entire staff so that the safety and well-being of the women and children under his care could be assured. It was an enormous responsibility, but Ginny knew he could handle it.
As the meeting adjourned Hermione noticed something perculiar about Ginny. Seeing this as a time to obtain her well deserved revenge, she jumped to action immediately.
"Ginny you are absolutely glowing!" Hermione said in false cheerfulness to Ginny. "You also seemed to have gained some extra weight dear."
Ginny stopped in her tracks and pivoted on her heel. "Excuse me?"
All the men in the room took to the sides to watch the encroaching fight. Remus just hoped that Hermione survived it.
"Really dear, I understand that losing your murderous husband was a bit of a set back, but you might want to lay off the comfort food." Hermione said with a slight sneer.
The men sucked in a breath. Severus put a hand on the small of Ginny's back and began to rub the area in small circles. "How dare you insult your Queen in such a manner!"
Greg moved to forcibly remove Hermione from the room, but Ginny stopped him with a raise of her hand. "No Greg, it's alright. Bill and Remus deserve answers and I suppose this twit can come along for the ride after her disgraceful stunt." Ginny turned her head towards the scowling Hermione. "Really, I expected more from you." Ginny then turned her attention to rest of the group. "Please sit back down."
The group followed her directive and Severus led Ginny to her seat. Bill could not help but take notice of the action. Instead of objecting he smiled to himself. It was nice to know that someone was taking care of his baby sister.
"Since Hermione as kind enough to publicly point out a few of my symptoms I might as well let those aren't already aware that I am pregnant." Ginny said as she released a breath that she didn't know she was holding.
There was silence for a minute before Bill calmly asked, "Is Draco the father?" Hermione wisely kept her tongue due to a look from Goyle that promised pain and Remus was gulping like a goldfish.
Ginny looked at Bill in surprise before she registered what he said, "What? No! Draco is not the father. My husband, Severus Snape, fathered this child. We found out about the conception just before the final battle." Ginny answered. 'Draco' squeezed Ginny's hand in support. Ginny gave him a greatful smile.
Bill shifted uncomfortablely. He knew that Severus was technically innocent of the murder of Dumbledore, but it did not sit well with him that her 36 year old Potions Teacher sought to deflower his innocent 16 year old sister and then leave her widowed with a child on the way. He looked at his sister and knew that he would be there with her for this – not even hellfire could keep him from her side. Then his gaze shifted to Percy who instead of being properly shocked as any good brother would be, he was instead studying Bill carefully as if judging whether or not he as good enough to be involved in Ginny and the baby's lives.
Hermione on the other hand exploded. "How could you do this to Harry! How could you disrespect his memory in this way with that abomination in your womb!"
Ginny rose form her feet along with 'Draco'. The looks in their eyes promised certain death. "How dare you!" Ginny said with a cold voice and hard eyes. Bill cringed. He never wanted to see his sister like this again.
"How dare I? You whore! Tell me where you having a good laugh in bed with your lover as Harry was risking his life for freedom! Is this how you repay his sacrifice?" Hermione shouted as she leaned over the table prepared to strike Ginny at any moment.
"Enough!" Bill roared. "Hermione sit down and shut your trap! You will not speak to my sister like that, Ever! In case you forgot your place you are only alive and in this counsel because of her mercy and from the look in her eyes I am sure that clemency is coming to a swift end. Harry may have fought bravely, but in the end he was a murderer who left my sister a widow at the age of 16! No matter what you think my sister loved Severus! Hell she loved him for years! I use to see the looks they would discretly give each other around headquarters and dismiss it as a flash of the light. Personally I don't care who or what he was, whether he be an angel or the most feared Death Eater. He was my sister's husband and he is dead! So stop disgracing him and my sister or she will be the least of your worries."
Hermione sat in her chair dejected. She looked around the room and gulped. Her outburst may have been the biggest mistake of her life.
Bill took a deep breath and then addressed 'Draco'. "'Draco' may I ask what is the relationship between you and my sister." Bill held up his hand before anyone could speak. "I realize that she has grown up, too fast in my opinion. This war robbed her on her childhood, just as it did to you I imagine. Over these past few meetings I could not help but notice the closeness that you and Ginny share. I was just wondering what your intentions toward Ginny are."
Ginny looked from Bill to Severus. Severus's face betrayed nothing, but in his eyes were flickers of respect and resolve. "I love Ginerva. I plan to be there for Ginny and the baby in the capacity of husband and father respectively. If she will have me that is." Severus replied with a small smile in Ginny's direction.
"I would like nothing better." Ginny replied. They sealed the tentative deal with a small chaste kiss. Percy and Greg remained impassive, this was nothing new to them and were glad that most of the cards were on the table. Remus and Hermione looked on in shock at the display. Bill broke the silence by clapping.
"Excellent. Now that this is settled perhaps it is time for a family meeting. Ginny, do you have anywhere that we can speak privately?" Bill asked with a large grin on his face.
Ginny smiled at her brother. "Of course, follow me. There is a private lounge that we can use as I am sure that Remus would like to explore his new office." Ginny said the last bit with a smile in Remus's direction.
Remus walked around the table and took Ginny's hands in his own. He laid a kiss on her forehead and said "Congradulations Ginny. You are going to make a wonderful mother."
Ginny smiled at Remus with unshed tears glistening in her eyes. "Thank you Remus. I am sure you are going to make a fantastic Headmaster."
Remus thanked her as she let go of her hands. He stepped back to allow Bill to take his place.
Bill threaded Ginny's arms through his and began to walk out the door when he realized that no one was following him. He turned around and looked towards Percy and 'Draco'. "You are coming aren't you? After all you are family."
With that said the Bill, Ginny, Severus, and Percy left the room. Remus followed shortly after to explore his new office and the castle. Hermione set off to leave when a voice stopped her.
"And just where do you think that you are going?" Goyle said as he loomed over Hermione with a promise of pain shining in his eyes.
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