Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling.

Chapter 6: Rights of the Child

Harry spent Tuesday going over reports of other cases and, where necessary, writing information sheets on all witches and wizards up for trial for the Wizengamot. He also included a note reminding them of his inquiry regarding Lucius Malfoy and asking that his request be extended to include several other incarcerated death eaters.

By Wednesday, he had received no response from them, but Cho Chang walked into his office with a message from Hermione. He regarded her with surprise. "Are you in Magical Law Enforcement now, Cho? Last I'd heard, you were at St Mungo's."

"I'm still there. My primary duty now is to counsel children. Hermione asked to meet with me this morning about child rights laws. She mentioned a suspected kidnapping and I demanded to be involved. Why has there been nothing in the Prophet?"

"They have agreed not to publish on the grounds that such a story would endanger the welfare of the child in question. What did Hermione have to say?"

"First, she wants to meet with you immediately after lunch. Second, she wants me involved."

"Fine on the first, maybe on the second."

"Harry-"

Harry looked at Cho levelly. "I am trying to include as few people as possible. Several of my staff are trained in crisis intervention, especially involving children. As far as I can tell, I don't need anyone from St Mungo's right now."

"You will, though, if you find the child alive. Harry, you are incredibly naive if you believe that child has not been tortured and raped. That's my specialty. After such abuse, the child will not trust anyone, perhaps not even its parents, and its magic will be uncontrollable, never mind the physical scars. It will need treatment and you will need St Mungo's. Please make this easier for yourself and the child and include me now."

"I will consider it. You may join us for the meeting this afternoon."

"Thank you, Harry. I'm off to tell Hermione." Harry watched her leave and when the door closed, he had a sudden, horrible vision of Scorpius beaten, crucioed, and raped and Malfoy wreaking havoc in response. He shook his head to clear it and took out the list of questions he had sent to Hermione.

After lunch, they met in a small, bare room near Hermione's office. Hermione summoned some tea, then poured cups for each of them as Harry summarized what they knew. Cho spoke first when he was finished. "You believe there are many children?"

"That is what my source suspects and the proof is pretty convincing."

"Why have we heard nothing about this before?" Hermione demanded.

"I don't know really. According to my source, a number of the children are from death eater families who may still fear persecution."

"But the Ministry's changed-" Hermione started.

"I know, but they don't. I bounced some of these ideas off Malfoy and he agrees. The Ministry may be unprejudiced on the surface, but when Malfoy goes to Diagon Alley, or when his son attended Hogwarts, people avoid them. When he does something even remotely questionable, even accidentally, he is slandered in the Daily Prophet. Malfoy is not the only one; I've asked Ginny to check the Prophet's archives for several other names. Malfoy does not trust us and would likely not have come to us had Albus not forced his hand. The other children had no advocate to demand justice."

"That's horrible," Cho whispered. "How long have these children been missing?"

"It varies, but up to five years. I have no idea why they were taken, as I said, so I can't begin to guess whether they are still alive."

"Were there girls as well as boys?"

"Yes, ages ranging from ten to fifteen or twenty, assuming they are still alive."

"The girls would be turned into sex slaves," Cho said, "and maybe the same for the boys."

"Or target practice," Harry added. "Not for money though; no ransom has been asked, and Malfoy at least is loaded. When is the last time someone was tried for harming a child?"

"Ten years ago," Hermione said. "A Mr Marius Taylor was charged with repeatedly beating and cursing his son. The boy was sent to live with his uncle."

Cho said, "It's uncommon to catch wizarding child predators. Those who abuse their own children tend to hide the marks better than any muggle could and those without children tend to target muggles. Most also resort to memory charms when they suspect they may be caught. We still have no good system in place to track or report them."

"You don't have any other leads?" Hermione asked quietly, after a long silence. "Nothing else the children have in common?"

"Nothing, but thanks to Cho, I will be having nightmares about my own children for the next week."

Cho smiled weakly. "I have to get back to St Mungo's, but call me anytime and I'll rush over."

"Thank you, Cho." Harry watched her leave and dropped his face into his hands. "I don't know what to do, Hermione."

~O~

2 July 2018

Dear Scorpius,

How are you? I'm okay, I guess, but I miss you terribly. Dad has not told me anything new since last week, but after work, he was more affectionate toward my siblings and me than usual, praising us and telling us how much he loves us. It was weird and James finally fled the house to visit one of his muggle friends. I think his friend might be a girl.

I still haven't gotten to visit your parents, but dad wants to take me over to your house by next week. This weekend, mum's taking us to see the Harpies play the Cannons. She is hoping it will take my mind off you, but I promise Sunday night, I will write all about it for you.

Lily and I spent most of the day flying and she asked me if I plan to try out for the Slytherin team next year. I said only if you are there with me; she has no idea how bad I am since I rarely fly at home. I don't even want to go back to Hogwarts if you aren't with me, so please come home soon. I love you, Scorpius.

Your best friend, Albus

Author's Note: For those of you wondering about the title, it will be explained later.