The Granger Son
Harry; Hermione; Dr. Grangerx2
Rated T
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters from the franchise. That honor belongs to JK Rowling
The Granger Son
Chapter 2
The next morning following Harry's appearance in their lives, Robert and Jean fed and bathed him, just like they did Hermione. Because they had no clothes for that of a boy, Jean had left briefly to go and buy some clothes for their new son. Returning, she dressed him and watched him play with Hermione in the floor in their living room, her and Robert watching the two toddlers interacting, taking note of just how comfortable the dark-haired boy seemed to be with the little brunette.
As they watched them play together, Jean said, "We should take him to the pediatrician, make sure he is completely healthy."
Robert nodded and said, "Yes, as well as get official adoption papers for him."
"But that could take time."
"Usually yes, but I have a friend that works at the orphanage in the adoption office. I'm sure he can help us. I'll call him after calling Elizabeth to tell her we won't be coming into the office today."
Jean nodded. "That sounds good. Elizabeth can handle everything with us not being there, she's proven that. And after you make your call, I'll call Dr. Burke to arrange an appointment for Harry. Hopefully she'll have an opening today."
Robert nodded and stood up from his seat, walking to the telephone and taking it off the hook. As he dialed their office's number and placed the device to his ear, Jean returned her attention to the two children to see them no longer playing. Instead, Hermione was looking at one of her picture books, and Harry was watching the cooking show on the television. Jean smiled and laughed softly at the two, amused at how easily they had gotten distracted from each other and having their attention drawn to something else. She could hear her husband speaking on the telephone, explaining their need to come in and fill out official adoption papers; he must have finished talking to Elizabeth and had called his friend while she wasn't paying attention. Two minutes later, Robert hung up the phone and walked back to his wife.
"Well?" Jean asked.
Smiling, Robert said, "He's expecting us. If you go ahead and call Dr. Burke, I'll get the children ready to go."
With a nod, Jean went to take her turn with the telephone while Robert went to get Hermione's shoes and jacket, as well as Harry's shoes and the new coat Jean had bought him that morning. Hermione allowed him to put her shoes on but was determined to put on her own jacket. Robert simply chuckled and watched her struggle until she had it on. She grinned up at him proudly while he gave her a loving kiss on her forehead, then turned to point to Harry.
"Put on shoes," she told the one-year-old.
Harry blinked at the brunette before his green eyes turned to Robert in question. Smiling at the toddler, he said, "Let's put your shoes on now."
Robert grabbed his little trainers and put them on Harry's feet, the little boy giving no resistance. As soon as he was done, Harry suddenly stood up from his seated position on the floor and quickly toddled out of the living room. Surprised at the sudden movement, Robert stood and went after him. Hermione giggled and ran after her father and new brother, thinking they were playing a chasing game. And truth be told, it seemed that way to Robert. Harry was rather quick and was giving him the run-around, especially with Hermione got involved. The two children ran around his legs before running towards Jean who was looking at them all amused, having been done with the phone.
Bending down, she picked up Harry while Hermione hugged her leg. With a giggle she said, "And I thought he'd be a shy boy."
"Well, he's certainly comfortable with us, that's for sure," Robert replied with a slight huff. "But he could still be shy when around others. Though, I am surprised at how quickly he's gotten used to us, particularly since we just took him in last night."
"He knows he's safe here, so there is no reason for him to be afraid. Now come one, let's get going. Dr. Burke has an opening for us, so let us hurry to get those papers to make Harry legally ours."
Agreeing with his wife, Robert got Harry's coat and put it on him before he and Jean left their home with the children. Once they were all buckled in the car, they were on their way to the orphanage to meet with Robert's friend. And hopefully, they would walk out of there with Harry legally theirs.
"I'm so sorry, Professor Dumbledore, sir!" Hagrid cried in Dumbledore's office at Hogwarts. "It really was an accident, I swear!"
Dumbledore held up his hand in a calming manner and said, "Hagrid, you've apologized several times now. I know it was an accident. Unfortunately however, we've no idea where young Harry has ended up, or even if he is alive. But we must remain optimistic that he is alright and safe and will one day be found or appear."
"And how you do suppose that, Albus?" Professor McGonagall asked. "Wait to send him his Hogwarts acceptance letter ten years from now?"
"You are the one that sends out the letters, Minerva. Surely you would know if Harry is alive and well. After all, your list of names fixes itself in accordance to future students, as well as their living address."
"Are you suggesting I look through the long list of names of possible future students to try and locate the Potter boy? I'm sorry Albus, but I'm far too busy to do that right now. And we wouldn't be in this predicament had you not insisted on him living with those horrid Muggles. And if he's alive and well somewhere, then I'm glad that he is, because I can only imagine how Potter would fair with those Muggles after watching them for an entire day."
Hagrid looked down at his large feet, still feeling completely guilty that he had dropped the wee lad, thus making it his fault that Harry was lost. McGonagall looked at the half-giant and sighed. "We're not blaming you for what happened, Hagrid. But regardless, you should have been more careful."
Dumbledore nodded and said sounding weary, "Well, for the time being, let us concentrate on something we can control right now, and that is the Daily Prophet. They are bound to write about not only James and Lily's death, but the fact that Harry is missing, and we don't want to cause any more alarm than necessary."
McGonagall nodded and said, "I suggest telling them he is safe in an undisclosed location for his safety following the ordeal with Lord Voldemort. Even if he has somehow beaten him at his young age, there might still be some of the Dark Lord's followers that could try to find and harm Harry."
"Yes, that should satisfy them for the moment. Alright then Minerva, you and I will head to the Ministry. And Hagrid, I suggest you go and rest. I understand your guilt but dwelling on it won't help the situation."
"Yes sir," Hagrid replied before turning to leave the office.
Once he was gone, Dumbledore and McGonagall walked over to the Headmaster's private Floo and used it to Floo to the Ministry. As they did, Dumbledore couldn't help but hope that he would find Harry soon so he could eventually take him to Lily's sister, as it was imperative he be under her protection. As for McGonagall, she hoped that Harry was safe wherever he was and wouldn't have to go live with his horrid relatives. She knew they wouldn't care for him, so she hoped that he had ended up somewhere where he would be cared for. After the ordeal he had gone through the night before, he deserved to be in a place that would provide him that.
Jean and Robert stepped out of the orphanage with a child each in their arms, large smiles on their faces having just left the adoption office in the orphanage. Robert's friend had been a godsend, and had helped them legally adopt Harry, despite him questioning how they ended up with him. But it didn't matter now, because Harry was their son now, and he was officially a Granger.
Walking to their car, Robert couldn't help but laugh, his brown eyes shining as he said, "We have a son, Jean. We have a son."
Smiling happily, Jean turned to her daughter in her arms and asked her, "Hermione, are you happy that Harry is your brother now?"
Hermione looked at her mother before turning to the boy in her father's arms. They looked at each other before their little faces broke into smiles. Pointing at him, Hermione happily exclaimed, "Harry!"
Harry giggled and hid his face bashfully in Robert's shoulder, causing the man to laugh. Reaching their car, they buckled the children up before heading to the pediatrician to meet up with Dr. Burke. Fifteen minutes later, they pulled into the parking lot of the practice and parked in a parking space. They got out of the car and got out Harry and Hermione before heading inside. Jean checked Harry in while Robert went to find a place to sit with the children. Jean joined him with some papers to fill out all of Harry's information. Not long after she had finished, Harry's name was called by a nurse and the four of them followed her to a room. Once inside, she told them to wait for a moment and Dr. Burke would be in soon.
As soon as the nurse left, Hermione looked up at her parents and asked, "Here for me?"
"No darling, we're here for Harry," Jean answered.
"Harry sick?"
"No dear, he's just here for a checkup," Robert replied. "We just want to make sure he's healthy."
"Perhaps we can also ask about his scar," Jean said. "It's fresh, however he got it."
Robert nodded and looked down at Harry who was looking around the examining room curiously. A minute later, there was a knock on the door before it opened and an auburn-haired woman stepped inside, large spectacles over her hazel-green eyes and a kind smile on her lips. Stepping up to them, she held out her hand to shake saying, "Jean, Robert, it is good to see you again."
She then looked at Hermione and said sweetly, "Hello Hermione."
Hermione smiled and waved at her before pointing at her new brother. "Here for Harry!"
Robert chuckled and said, "Dr. Burke, this is our new son, Harold James Granger."
Dr. Burke smiled at the little boy and greeted him saying, "Hello Harold. My name is Dr. Burke. Can I be your friend?"
Harry stared at the woman for a moment before reaching his arms out to her, silently asking to be held. Robert and Jean were surprised by how easily Harry had reached out to the doctor, but Dr. Burke wasn't surprised; most children took kindly to her as she made them feel at ease. Gently taking him from Robert, she held him and said, "My, you are a big boy! Now, let's have a look at you."
Jean and Robert watched silently as Dr. Burke laid Harry on the examining bed, washing her hands before looking and checking him over with her hands, as well as her stethoscope, and the little hammer to check his reflexes; Harry seemed to like the hammer a lot, giggling every time she used it. She talked kindly to him, making him smile and laugh. She shined a light in his eyes, watching how his pupils contracted and nodding in satisfaction. Dr. Burke then placed him on a scale and told him to stand still while she adjusted it to correctly take his weight. Once she had it, she then took his height and wrote everything down. When she was finished, she picked him up and praised him saying, "You did a great job, Harold! And I think you deserve a sticker. Would you like one?"
Harry smiled brightly and nodded in response. Dr. Burke handed him back to Robert and washed her hands once more before getting her roll of stickers from her drawer. As she took one and stuck it on Harry's shirt, she noticed how Hermione was pouting while she watched her brother get a sticker. Chuckling, Dr. Burke placed one on Hermione's shirt, making the brunette smile and thank her. After putting her stickers away, the doctor took her clipboard and looked it over before turning back to the parents.
"Well, I can tell you that little Harold has a clean bill of health," Dr. Burke began. "Though, that scar on his forehead is fresh, so make sure to keep it clean until it heals properly. He did whimper a bit when I touched it, so it obviously hurts him. Do you by chance know how he got it?"
Shaking her head, Jean answered, "No, it was there when we found him."
"I see. Well, like I said, keep it clean and it should heal properly. As far as his age, I say he's one year old, might have even turned one not too long ago."
"We think him to be one too, but we're not sure about a possibly birthdate. The workers in the adoption office at the orphanage said that once we figure it out, we can right it on his papers," Robert said. "Also, he can walk already."
Dr. Burke nodded and looked at Harry with a contemplating look. "He's definitely one, so that is correct. And children learning to walk happens at their own gradual pace, some learning earlier than others. As for a possible birthdate, I would estimate he was born last year obviously, but sometime between now and…the beginning of July, I'd wager. In fact, I'd say he is either a July or an August baby."
"August or July," Jean said in thought.
"Yes, so that should give you some idea for a possible date of his birth. But after looking him over, he is perfectly healthy, so nothing to worry about. I do suggest however that you bring him back in two weeks so I can look him over once more. After that appointment, I will set a yearly appointment for him to return unless something comes up. So until then, I will see you in two weeks."
Standing, Robert held his hand out to shake the doctor's and said, "Thank you so much, Dr. Burke."
Jean did the same and said, "Yes, thank you so much.
Dr. Burke smiled and shook their hands. "It is no trouble at all, Mr. and Mrs. Granger."
She then turned to the two toddlers and smiled at them. "See you next time Hermione, Harold."
"Bye!" Hermione exclaimed with a smile.
Harry smiled at the doctor and raised a hand, gently taking some of her auburn hair in his grip and looking at it for a moment before letting it go. Dr. Burke smiled at him and bid them all 'farewell' before leaving the room. As soon as she had left, Jean and Robert stood up to leave as well with their children in tow. They stopped by the check-out counter to schedule Harry's appointment in two weeks, and then left the practice completely. Walking back to their car, Jean asked Robert, "What do you think that was about in there? Harry grabbing Dr. Burke's hair, I mean?"
Robert thought for a moment before saying, "Maybe he's never seen red hair like that before."
"Or maybe he has," Jean said in thought. "And it reminded him of something."
"Well whatever it was, he's seemed to have forgotten about it now."
Jean looked at Harry and saw him staring up at a flock of birds flying overhead, pointing up to it and softly saying, "Birdie."
Robert looked at his son before looking at his wife. With a smile he said, "Come, let us go home. It's lunchtime for them, after all."
"That is true, it is lunchtime," Jean replied.
With that, the two of them put their children in their car before getting in themselves. Once they were all buckled in, they began the drive home, happy with the day's progress. And as they traveled, Jean and Robert found themselves looking forward to life with the newest addition to their little family.