Chapter 13: Guardianship Hearing

Harry and Hermione faced each other perpendicularly in front of the large, oaken double doors. Hermione's shoulders lifted as she took a deep breath.

"You ready?"

"If you are, poppet."

Harry held out his arm to his best mate. Smiling in amusement, Hermione gladly looped her own through his and they pushed open the doors to the courtroom.

It wasn't the same trial room down in the depths of the Ministry where they had gotten the locket and inadvertently rescued the Cattermoles, but the tall dais that now yawned above them caused Harry to flash back to that moment all the same, as he and Hermione headed up the narrow court aisle. He felt her turn to peer at him, looking concerned.

"Harry!"

"Fine, I'm fine…. Just a flashback, is all…"

"Your scar isn't hurting you again, is it?"

"Nah, it hasn't since early on the 2nd…. of May," he amended quickly, at the look of horror coming over her face, lest she think he met the 2nd of this month, as it was August already.

Hermione was wearing a simple, conservative dress for today's guardianship hearing on behalf of Edward Remus Lupin, who was not even four months old. Harry had borrowed a suit from Ron that Mrs. Weasley had insisted on helping him shrink down using magic – a rather complicated spell that had involved shrinking the fibers of the suit itself, just as what might happen naturally if the outfit were sent through too hot a cycle in the dryer.

The pair of best friends eyed the Wizengamot judge hovering over them on the dais.

"Should one of us do most of the talking?" Hermione whispered to Harry.

Harry felt touched that she had presented this in the form of a question rather than immediately asserting that she'd do most of the talking. They were meant to be a team, after all.

"He'll be asking questions of both of us, most likely." Harry appraised her up and down. "You…. look nice," he offered lamely. "A dress of your mother's?"

Hermione turned slightly pink. "She helped me pick it out, actually."

Harry snorted. "I'm surprised they even let you out to attend this hearing."

"Oh, honestly, Harry, it's not as though I'm under house arrest!" The beautiful witch snorted, scoffing. A beat and then: "Well…" Hermione nibbled on her bottom lip. "Dad wasn't exactly keen. Once I explained the situation, he was concerned, you know, about the potential responsibility. But then I showed Mummy pictures of Teddy and she went head over heels, so Daddy had little choice but to follow along." She paused. "We're trying, Harry, me and my parents…. on both sides. But I think you were right: studying things from the other person's point of view is prudent, but what we have to repair…. It's going to take some time."

Harry was now starting to regret that he had encouraged Hermione to sneak out of her own house to meet at the Burrow following her father's blow up there the previous week. "Well, you asked to attend this hearing, and they said yes. Maybe… you can keep finding moments to ask if you can come round? I know Ron would like it, and you wouldn't be risking breaking down trust with your folks any further."

Hermione nodded, then elbowed him in the ribs. "Ssssh!"

They were nearly at the head of the courtroom. Andromeda Tonks embraced them both warmly and Hermione slid into the wooden bench, holding out a finger to Teddy, who was clearly enamored with her.

"Hullo, love." She held out her pearl necklace to him. "Like my beads?"

As if in answer, Teddy took one of the pearls in his mouth and began to gnaw at it.

Harry and Hermione both greeted the lawyer representing them for this hearing, Hermione quietly whispering questions to the gentleman until a sonorous voice called:

"All RISE! Court is now in session. The Honorable Sir Joseph Porter, Order of Merlin, First Class, presiding….."

"I didn't know judges could receive the Order of Merlin…." Harry whispered to Hermione.

"For maintaining the rule of law, they can, yes. Now ssssh!"

The judge appeared older – there were set lines in his face. He was shuffling papers upon what seemed more like a throne than a jurist's chair, for how high it was. When the man spoke, there was a slight, barely perceptible stuttering to his timbre.

"The Court calls upon Mr. Harry James Potter, in the matter of guardianship of one Edward Remus Lupin…."

Harry nervously shuffled out of the bench.

"Would the gentleman so named please approach the court?"

Harry did so.

"Now, my fine fellow – for you are a fine fellow, are you not?"

"Yes, Your Honor."

"And a first-rate wizard, I'll be bound?"

"Yes, Your Honor," Harry affirmed, even as he inwardly squirmed with bafflement as to why this judge might never have heard of him.

"Very gooooood….." Judge Porter drew out the 'oooooo's in his words. "Now, tell me, can you vouch for the character of one Miss Hermione Jean Granger, the woman whom, this petition tells me, has been named as godmother designate to this here wee babe?"

Harry beamed. "A cleverer, more caring witch doesn't wave a wand, Your Honor! Though I say it, who shouldn't?"

"Who shouldn't what?" Porter blinked.

"Say it," Harry in turn blinked, befuddled.

"Oh! Oh! Well, never mind it, doesn't matter! You have vouched for her character, excellent! ….. Now, Mr. Potter, I have here a sworn affidavit attesting to the fact that, prior to the untimely death of one Remus John Lupin, you were appointed by the aforementioned deceased with the title of godfather to the child?"

"Yes, Your Honor."

"Very well. And, now, can you attest, Mr. Potter, that you and Ms. Granger, should your request of godparenthood be granted, that you both shall give this child a good home, in the event that his current guardian, a Mrs. Andromeda Tonks, is unwilling or unable to provide for the little one?"

Harry glanced back to Hermione. "Please, Your Honor, it is thus-wise…."

"Which-wise?"

"Thus-wise."

"Ah."

"You see, Ms. Granger and I are currently both in romantic situations – not with each other, mind. Separate, yet linked."

"Indeeeed… Explain."

"We are each currently romantically involved with partners who are siblings to each other, and Ms. Granger and I anticipate that we shall thus be family by marriage one day. Siblings-in-law, you see. Under those familial circumstances, I expect we would be in a grand position to provide Edward with a good home."

"I seeeeeee. Very, well, then. Ah – would one Ms. Hermione Jean Granger please rise and approach this court?"

Hermione did so, whereupon she was asked similar questions vouching for Harry's character. When it came to the matter of a godmother request being tendered, she answered truthfully:

"Your Honor, I never had such a conversation with either Remus or Nyhmphadora Lupin, per se, though Mrs. Andromeda Tonks has made it clear that I would have been in contention for the honor."

"I see. Well, then, I suppose all that's left for it is:" And Judge Porter now fixed his gaze upon Andromeda: "Mrs. Tonks: do you trust these young people to provide a good home for your grandson, in the event of your death or otherwise incapacitation?"

Andromeda beamed at both Harry and Hermione. "With my life, Excellency," she confirmed.

The small group left the court minutes later, a gurgling Teddy happily squirming in Hermione's arms. Harry was quiet, contemplative and staring straight ahead.

"What is it?" Hermione murmured.

"Nothing. Just…. I wonder if there was a court process like that for me? With my parents and Sirius and…" He shrugged. "Well, I don't ruddy know if I ever had a godmother. I never met her, and Sirius never mentioned one. For all I know, if there was a godmother, maybe she's dead, cause the Death Eaters got her….."

Wordlessly, Hermione hugged him, rubbing his arm. "He would have given you a good home, godmother helping or not. Sirius always seemed quite capable at handling things alone. Still….. you both were so cheated, weren't you, lad? If Peter hadn't framed Sirius, you would have been sent as a baby to him and maybe never even been with the Dursleys…."

Harry sighed. "Yeah, I know….."

The group Side-Along Apparated together, back to Devonshire.

Too late, Hermione cringed. "Oh, dear, I'm not altogether sure if it's safe for babies to Side-Along Apparate this young…."

"He'll be fine, pet," Andromeda, taking Teddy from Hermione's arms and turning to head up the path one way, kissed the young witch on the cheek, and then Harry. "Bless you both. I'll be sure to bring him by in his little suit for the christening!"

Harry and Hermione waved goodbye, heading in the other direction towards the Burrow, arm in arm.

Ron met them at the door. "Wotcher! How was the big hearing?" He gentlemanly helped Hermione off with her handbag, before leaning in and kissing her chastely on the mouth.

"Fine. Harry and I were granted guardianship."

"But that's wonderful!" Ginny cried, coming down the stairs to meet them. "So….. when shall Andromeda want to have the christening?"

"Soon, I should think," Hermione prattled. "Before the wedding, and certainly before we have to get back on the train to Hogwarts, isn't that right, love?"

Ron, distracted and glancing away from his girlfriend, nodded absently, his jaw tight. Watching the exchange, Harry frowned. The bastard needed to man up and tell Hermione now that he wouldn't be on the Express with her come September 1st.

"Do you reckon I could come to support you? At the christening?" Ron asked Hermione.

Hermione smiled shyly, tucking a lock of brown hair back behind her ear. "I suppose that would be fine, love…. Andromeda was thinking of holding it in the Black Lake, you know, on grounds near where his…. his parents died…."

"Let's hope the giant squid doesn't catch him, then!" Ginny cracked. When no one took to the joke, she awkwardly cleared her throat. "What about me?"

"What about you?" Ron blinked.

"Can't I come?"

"On whose arm?" Ron chuckled.

Harry and Ginny made a concerted effort not to look at each other, though Ginny did rationalize vouching for her own attendance by pointing out, "You're bringing a date. I could be Harry's plus one."

Ron's eyes narrowed in suspicion. Harry worked with all his heart to keep a flat affect. Then he turned to Ginny and shrugged as if it were of no consequence to him. "Sure, thanks, Gin. Why not?"

It clearly took everything in Ginny not to hug him around the neck in thanks.

It was a humid day near the middle of the month as a small delegation gathered on the shores of the Black Lake.

As Hermione conferred with Andromeda and the priest, Ron wiped at his brow and stared at the sky with concern. "Bloody hell! I hope Perce and Audrey's big day isn't this hot!"

"How's that going, by the way? The wedding plans?" Harry wanted to know.

Ginny snorted. "If they get down the aisle, it'll be a miracle."

"They're not getting cold feet, are they?"

"No, nothing like that. It's just when I get married, I'm not going to be so stark raving mad enough as to try and get the whole thing over and done with, proposal to vows, in only two and a half months time! They might set a record for quickest wedding turn-around, those two!"

Harry grinned. "Well, if anybody can manage it, it would be Percy and Audrey. Type A that they are."

The priest now approached Harry and the Weasley siblings; Hermione was holding a squirming Teddy in her arms. "Mr. Potter – we're ready for you now."

Harry nodded, adjusted his shirt collar and approached the shores of the Black Lake. He winced as he kicked off his loafers, then peeled off his socks. His dress trousers wouldn't be so fortunate as to escape the fate that awaited them, as the fabric now was doused when Harry waded into the Black Lake. Hermione followed, the waters swallowing up her creamy legs and making the skirts of her dress fan out like flower petals around her.

Holding their godson between them, Harry and Hermione slowly lowered Teddy down to the gentling lapping waves, as the priest anointed water over his head to baptize him.

"Edward Remus Lupin, I christen you in the name of the Father and of the Son…."

Tuning out the intoning, Harry glanced back to his loved ones on the shoreline: Andromeda was wiping her eyes and beaming with pride. Ginny was smiling softly, even with a touch of sadness, no doubt thinking of Remus and Tonks. Ron, meanwhile, had eyes filled with wonder and love only for Hermione, who now glanced back to her lover, caught him staring at her with a baby in her arms, and she smiled brightly at him.

The water pouring over his head woke Teddy up from a perfectly fine nap, and he began to cry.

"Oh, sssssh….. Ssssssh…." Hermione cooed. "It's all right there, love, we're sorry…."

Harry smirked. "Who do you reckon he sleeps more like?"

He was surprised by Hermione's ready answer. "His father. Definitely Remus."

The proud godparents shared small smiles and a laugh.