Chapter 22
"Take a seat, Miss Granger," Kingsley's deep voice rumbled as he gestured at the chair across from his desk. Since the war, she had gotten to know the Minister of Magic rather well. He was of course the person who helped her make her job.
She knew this meeting was a mere formality, seeing that it was the adoption agency who would really decide her fate. Kingsley's job was just to make sure that the person adopting the child was not some sort of person with a bad agenda, seeing that Jamie was an orphan of war. There was a slight bonus involved in adopting those children, so quite a few shady witches and wizards had tired simply because they wanted to get their hands on the money involved. Finally the Minster had decided that he would personally be in charge of checking out the intentions of those who wanted to adopt the children to ensure that they would be placed in a good home.
"So I hear you want to adopt a child," Kingsley said, as he smiled at her kindly. "What made you come to this decision?"
"I got to know him as I worked alongside his Healer in trying to find a cure for him, and I've grown to care for him. He deserves to have a family, and I want to be the one who gives that to him," Hermione said, reciting the same speech she had given so many others.
"I think you'll make an amazing mother," Kingsley said as he appraised her. "Obviously I doubt you're doing this for the money, seeing how well you've done for yourself since the war ended. However I am obliged to tell you that the adoption agency did a complete background check on you just to make sure you will be a suitable parent."
"And?" Hermione breathed, unable to wait for what he was about to say. She wished Draco was here with her, but there had been an emergency at work with a patient brought in early that morning, so he had to rush off. He had felt so guilty about not being there for her, but she had kissed him and ensured him that she understood, because she did.
After Draco had taken them back, her parents had talked to her. She knew that they probably weren't going to be coming back to England anytime soon, but they had connected their home to the Floo network so she could go over anytime she wanted. It made her feel closer to them than they had in a while.
She had a talk with them, and they had wanted to know all about why Draco was divorced with a child. They were old fashioned like that where they didn't believe in such things, but when she had told them how Astoria found a way out of their marriage and signed over the rights to her child, they were astounded. She knew that they liked Draco, far more than they ever had liked Ron when she was in school, and it meant a lot to her that they approved of him.
"They have found you more than qualified," Kingsley said, giving them a big grin. "Of course, it might have been a slight problem if you were still with Ron Weasley, given his tendency to attract media attention, but they found that you could create a perfect environment in which to raise a child."
She smiled at that, "Thank you so much!" she said, as she gave him a hug. She was ecstatic that they had deemed her to be worth of raising a child, and she just wanted to prove to them that they were right.
"One last thing while I have you here. How is the murder case going?" Kingsley asked, as he changed the topic. "Are you any closer to finding out who could be behind them?"
She shook her head, "Whoever is doing this is very good. They found a way to cover up all their steps. We think it could be Dennis Creevey, but the only thing that ties him to the murders is a hair. All the other evidence, like his mental state, his lack of alibi, his intentions, is all circumstantial, and it would never hold if it went to trial. We could easily just try to manipulate everything to close the case, but then the true murderer would still be free to commit more, and that's the last thing I want."
"Good work with what you have so far. Hopefully you'll be able to collect more evidence leaning towards anybody. I wish you good luck with the case, and also as your new role as a mother."
"Thank you sir," Hermione said with a smile on her face.
"I'll let you go now," Kingsley said, as he stood up to see her out. "I'm sure you have other things to do now, such as going to tell a certain boyfriend."
His eyes twinkled at that, and Hermione blushed. Of course the Minister would be keeping up with the Daily Prophet and the ridiculous amount of articles dedicated to expressing their opinions about the couple. Seriously, did it really matter that she was with him? Hogwarts and the days of the war were long behind them, yet every single article seemed to be focusing on one thing: what would Lucius Malfoy say?
In all honesty, she didn't know. She barely talked to him about his parents, and she knew that she ought to. Even if they didn't have a say in her relationship with him, she figured he may want to still talk about them.
She bid the Minister goodbye, as she flooed to the hospital. She found the receptionist's desk, and made her way over. On the nametag, she could read the name Donna, before looking up to see the tall redhead behind the desk. Draco had talked about her a few times in passing, and she recognized the name from him doing so.
"Hello, I was wondering if Draco Malfoy was still with the patient he was paged in to heal?" Hermione asked politely.
"And you are?" Donna asked, lowering her glasses slightly to give Hermione a once over.
"Hermione Granger, his girlfriend," she said with a smile.
Donna nodded, "He's still with the patient. But if you want to take a seat, I can tell him to come see you when he's free."
"Thanks," Hermione said. "I really appreciate it."
She walked away from the desk and sat down at a chair in the lounge. She wondered what her life would have been like if she had decided that she wanted to be a Healer. Back in fifth year when trying to choose possible careers, she had considered it briefly, but had quickly decided that it would be something which filled her with too much stress. Then there was the anguish and guilt that she would feel if she weren't able to save a patient. At the end of the day, while she could have done it, it wouldn't have been right for her. But she had to admit, it suited Draco brilliantly. He was so calm under the pressure, and he rarely let it get to him.
"Hermione?" she heard Draco's voice call her. She looked up to see him standing there in his white Healer robes. She blushed as she realised that he also looked really hot as a Healer.
She wrapped her arms around his neck. "They approved me!" she said excitedly.
He broke out into a wide grin, "Hermione, that's amazing!" he said, as he pulled her in for a kiss. "I'm so happy for you. I have a bit of a break now; do you want me to come with you to tell Jamie?"
Hermione frowned, "Draco, what if Jamie doesn't want me?" she asked him, sounding unsure. "I want to give him the choice; I don't want to force myself as his mother if he doesn't want that!"
"I'm sure he will," Draco assured her, as he rubbed her back. "Besides, you won't know if you don't talk to him."
"Will you come with me?" she asked him, sounding worried.
He caressed her face, "Of course." He held his arm to her. She held on, as they walked to Jamie's room. He spent the entire time reassuring her, and telling her that everything would be alright, but she felt as if she were about to take the biggest test of her life. When they finally arrived at the room, Draco held the door open for her to go through.
"Hermione?" Jamie asked when he saw her. He scrambled to get up, clearly excited that he had a visitor. "I didn't know you were coming by today! Healer Malfoy, why didn't you tell me she was coming?"
"I wanted to surprise you," Hermione said somewhat nervously. She sat on the edge of the bed, and listened as Jamie started telling her about the latest book he was reading, and she could tell from his voice that he was completely excited by it.
When there was a moment, she spoke, "Jamie, do you ever think about your parents?" she asked gently.
"Sometimes," Jamie said truthfully. "I want to know what they were like. But I don't really miss them as much, because I never even knew them. But it would have been nice to have them with me, especially considering," Jamie said, as he gestured around the room, to imply his situation.
"Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be adopted?" She asked, wondering what his thoughts were on the matter.
"I used to," he admitted. "But when I first came to the hospital, I pretty much gave up hope. Everyone knows that no one wants someone with my condition."
She squeezed his hand, "Jamie, I want to tell you something. I talked to your adoption agency about adopting you, and I got all the permissions I need in order to do so. But I haven't signed the papers yet, because I wanted to talk to you first. While I want to adopt you and give you a home and a family, I want to make sure that it's something you want first before I do it."
Jamie looked stunned, "You want me?" he asked in a small voice. "Why?"
"You remind me a lot of myself when I was younger," Hermione admitted. "I had very few friends, and all I really cared for was reading and learning more things. I just want you to know you are loved, and if you want me, I will always be there for you. You mean a lot to me, and during all the time we've spent together I've come to care for you a lot."
"But I'm going to die," Jamie said. There was no sadness in his voice, or anger at his state. Instead, he had a tone of acceptance.
"Jamie," Hermione said as she took his hands in hers. "I've been working with Draco, and we found something. I can't promise you that it will work, but I can assure you that I'm going to try my very best to save you. Please don't give up yet."
He smiled at her, "I would love for you to adopt me," Jamie said, as he threw his arms around her neck. She pulled him in tightly and smiled so brightly. Draco placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Do I call you Mom now?" Jamie asked as he pulled away slightly.
"Only if you want to," Hermione said, sounding slightly unsure. She didn't want to push too much too soon and scare him away. He had grown up his entire life without any parents, and he probably wasn't used to that sort of attention.
"I want to," Jamie said excitedly. "Does that make Healer Malfoy my father now?"
"Unfortunately not, Buddy," Draco said softly. "Don't get me wrong, I really want to adopt you but if I do then I can't be your healer anymore, so I couldn't help you medically."
"That's okay," Jamie said. "I really like you as my Healer."
"I know you have to stay here in the hospital, but I'm going to come here every night after work to spend time with you. I can bring you more books and if you want a few beginner potion kits and things too. Oh! And I can get you any other thing you could possibly want, including some items from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes; I know they have a lot of items which you might like," Hermione said, getting excited.
Jamie grinned, "That sounds wonderful! I can't wait. Mom, do you think you can get me some books on history? And on Potions, and charms, and anything else?"
She felt herself melt slightly when he called her mom. Yes, if he was older it might have taken a longer time before he did so, but
Draco laughed, "I can tell that the two of you will be a good fit together. You sound exactly like her, all excited over learning and education. Trust me, Jamie; by time you get to Hogwarts, you'll be the smartest kid in the entire school, especially since Hermione will be raising you."
Hermione stuck her tongue out at her boyfriend, "You're just jealous you weren't as smart as me," she teased.
"Obviously," Draco said in a dead beat tone. "How could you tell?"
Jamie laughed, "This is going to be great! Do you think I can see Scorpius again? I had a lot of fun last time he came over."
Draco smiled, "Of course! Scorpius wouldn't stop talking about you. I can bring him over in a bit." He excused himself a few moments later, saying that he would have to continue his rounds, but told them that they would check back in a little a little later.
Being a mother scared her a bit still; she was so worried that she would do the wrong thing and that she would end up doing more harm than good. But she cared more about Jamie than she ever thought possible, and she knew that she would always fight for him. She stayed a few more hours with Jamie that day; she had taken it off of work specifically for this. Jamie talked to her happily about what had been happening with him since the last time she saw him, and she told him how she would bring him home cooked food when he was sick of that served at the hospital. She told him how she was reunited with her parents, and he asked innocently about her and Draco. She told them that they were simply dating at the moment, but how she also loved him a lot.
She knew she would have to start experimenting soon with the potion, but she still was trying to look at the theoretical side of it first, without trying to put together a potion. She was glad the hospital had a few samples of his blood which she could easily duplicate and use to try and find a solution which cured him, because she hated the idea of him having to be pricked and prodded any more than necessary.
She stayed with Jamie until about eight, when it was time for Jamie to fall asleep. She kissed his forehead and assured him that she would visit the next day.
New Golden Couple Heats It Up
By Parvati Patil
I still can't get over them! They've been together for nearly three months now, but this couple still has all the fire of a brand new passionate couple. Why just the other day I saw the couple out to lunch with Draco Mafoy's young son. Does Astoria Greengrass know, or even care, about her ex-husband's new beau? The boy looked perfectly content in the middle of the couple, holding both of their hands. Can someone say family?
My inside source says just the other day Draco surprised her with flowers and lunch while she was at work. Très cute. They are quickly becoming my favourite famous couple! Like seriously, what girl doesn't want flowers spontaneously when she's at work? Someone tell me where I can get one of him, please?
Apparently the couple has been spotted several times with war hero Harry Potter, and his wife Ginny, Hermione Granger's good friends. Well at least she has one friend who supports her. From what I hear, Ron Weasley isn't taking her moving on too well. That's what you get for dumping someone like her. But let's be real; what couple has ever successfully managed to stay friends when they split up? Sources say that Ron Weasley has taken to sleeping around with several models to try and get his ex out of his mind.
I would love to get a personal interview with this couple and get you the exclusive on it, see keep watching to see it soon!
Ron threw his glass against the wall. He had taken to drinking more and more firewhisky lately to try and quench all the feelings he had been having. How dare Hermione get close to that Death Eater? Clearly he was using her as a surrogate mother for his child because even his wife didn't want him. Couldn't she see what he was doing? When his child grew up he could be a complete murderer with a pureblood mania, but no one would suspect any wiser, seeing he was using her name as a cover.
For someone so smart she was so desperate that she couldn't even see the truth, even though it was right in front of her. And Harry was so desperate to try and see the good in everyone that he ignored the obvious.
He got out a quill and some parchment. It was time to take some action, and the only way to do that was to get an ally who would want the two of them apart just as much as he did.