Warnings: Past Childhood Trauma; Discussions of Child Abuse; Character Death; Violence
AN: Sorry, I meant to post on Sunday but got distracted.
~o0o~
Thankfully, they got back in without a hitch. Draco had ultimately decided that he was going to stay and continue to fight. Hermione suspected that this was Astoria's influence, but she was happy for the help. Thankfully everyone who absolutely needed to get out was, which meant they wouldn't need to make any runs for a while. Hermione was glad about that and she was able to focus more on the fight.
Neville was thrilled that Hannah was back. He practically blurted his feelings for her five seconds after she walked through the door, which Daphne, Padma, Susan, and Hermione teased him about.
The war against Voldemort was at a stalemate. The Death Eaters had run out of people to hold hostage. What worried Hermione the most were the articles about how things weren't that bad and how the days were actually feeling a bit normal. That was a dangerous mindset to be in and one she knew would make it harder to usurp Voldemort.
Even so, she would rather there not be deaths and disappearances every single day to keep the general public terrified. Frankly, she was sure that it was someone who wasn't all that affected to begin with who wrote the article and the real consensus was that you had to walk on eggshells to keep your life from being overturned.
A week after she returned home, she called a meeting, explained the situation, and gathered a team together. She wanted strong fighters just in case, so she got Cedric, Mad-Eye, Harry, Merula, Diego, and Cecilia. Small enough to not attract too much attention, but enough to drive back a potential ambush.
They drove in the van with a plain white glamour placed on it so as to not attract too much attention. They wore coveralls, hard hats, and had clipboards and safety vests at the ready.
Hermione trembled slightly as she turned onto the correct street and found a car park. She procrastinated a little by fiddling with the radio. Cedric placed a hand on her shoulder.
"It's going to be okay," he said.
"You're a brave girl, Granger," said Mad-Eye. "I understand this is hard for you, so we'll be as quick as possible."
She nodded and looked at Cedric. I need you to talk for me.
"I will," he promised. "Okay, let's move out."
They hurried out of the van and headed down the street. Mad-Eye was wearing a large pair of tinted laboratory grade goggles to cover his prosthetic eye. The orphanage was old brick, nestled between two office buildings. It looked like the church next door had been torn down since she was here last. A large sign next to the gate read Rezoning Proposition 8 in large bold letters alongside a FOR SALE sign.
Hermione gripped her clipboard tightly as they approached. She saw a flash of magic inside just as Mad-Eye said there was. Okay. It was okay.
Cedric knocked loudly on the door, sending a few paint chips down to the ground. The door was answered by a volunteer in a bright blue shirt depicting much too happy stick figure children holding hands. 'Wool's Home for Children' was printed beneath them in yellow comic sans. Guess the nuns had to move away.
"Hi, can I help you?" she asked.
"Wotcher," said Cedric, holding up an official looking piece of paper. "Inspection, don't mind us we'll be in and out."
"Oh? I didn't know we were having an inspection," she said, looking nervous. "We had one just last month."
"I understand," said Cedric, smiling charmingly. "But with everything that's happening, freak hurricanes, earthquakes, terrorist attacks, sound structures mysteriously collapsing, we just want to make our rounds to make sure everything is still doing alright."
"Well… okay." She stepped aside. "Just give me a moment to send the children to their rooms."
The place looked the same as it always had with scuffed linoleum floors and dingy beige paint on the walls with a single pastoral mural that seemed to look worse the longer you looked at it.
Hermione looked up and furrowed her brow. Magic? Strange. She didn't see a horcrux, but there was definitely something here.
"Right," said Cedric once they were given the okay. "Spread out, be quick."
Hermione went straight up the stairs and looked around again. Furrowing her brow, she entered one of the rooms that housed the kids. It was a long room with bunk beds lined up against the walls. This one claimed to be for the boys but there were children of different genders sitting around in a circle. About a dozen of them, various ages. All of them, Hermione could tell right away, would be the "undesirables". The kind unlikely to get adopted or even fostered even if they weren't too old.
The young girl, about eight, dropped her hands quickly. The butterflies she had made disappeared and the oldest of the bunch, a boy about fifteen, stood up.
"Just a trick of the light," he said quickly.
Hermione looked at Cedric.
"Anything?" he signed.
"Don't mind us," said Hermione, surprised to have her voice. "Quick inspection."
She walked over to the wall and knelt down, bringing out a flathead screwdriver while Cedric talked to the kids.
"So, why aren't you lot in school?" he asked. "Most of you seem old enough."
"Place got sold," said the oldest boy. "Old Smith wanted us here to meet the new owner."
"Oh? Are you all that's here?"
"Yeah, most other kids got put in foster programs ages ago. No one really wants the uglies." He tapped his crutches to the ground. "Some of us were sent here from other programs over the past few years."
Hermione tried not to think about Mrs. Smith showing up and cracked open the hidden drawer. She slid it open and brought out a chest with the magic inside. Holding her breath, she opened it and wilted in disappointment.
A remembrall, a mouth organ, a dicta-quill, and a bracelet with some charms on it. Guess Tom never dropped his habit of stealing and tested it wherever he could. She clicked her tongue and stuffed it into her pouch, replacing the drawer.
A throat cleared and she jumped to her feet, whirling around. Mrs. Smith. Much older now, greyed, but still as severe as she always was stood in the doorway.
"I did not approve an inspection," she said. "I'll have to ask you to leave, the building has been sold."
"Well, isn't it good we're here then?" Cedric countered, straightening up with hostility. "Don't want the buyer to find anything to back out of the deal."
"It doesn't matter, he intends to tear it down," she said.
"I see. And what will happen to the children?"
"That is none of your concern and only the concern of the buyer. They belong to him now."
"Wait, you sold us?!" said the boy angrily. "You can't do that!"
Hermione looked at Cedric. This was weird, she didn't like this. He agreed and slid off his backpack.
"Well, we're d-d-done here anyhow," said Hermione. Shit. She stuttered.
Mrs. Smith's eyes widened and her nostrils flared in recognition.
"You…" she said. "I know you… you're the little spastic who got away!"
Hermione set her jaw, no use lying. "Why did you lie to my aunt and father?"
A bit of magic flashed behind her eyes. "I had to keep you here."
Ah, it was Harold Portly covering his tracks. Making sure she could never be found and his mistakes couldn't be uncovered. Bastard. Hermione took a deep breath.
Cedric tipped his head. "Who bought this place?"
She tipped her head. "A man named Voldemort."
No… oh no. Hermione drew her wand and swirled it, the badger leaping forth.
"Taboo! Brace for a fight! Apparition won't work right away!"
It took off, phasing through Mrs. Smith and calling out the warning to alert the others in the house.
"What was that?!" she shrieked.
Cedric slid off his backpack and turned to the children.
"So sorry," he said, changing the stairs inside to a slide. "This has now become a kidnapping, please enter the backpack."
"You're mad!" said the boy. Guess he was the leader. The other children were frozen in shock.
Hermione looked out and saw the Death Eaters and snatchers coming their way. She drew her scythe and swiped it up.
"Protego Maxima!"
Just in time, the shield protected all of them as the wall exploded. One of the girls squawked in fright and dove head first into Cedric's backpack, disappearing entirely. The others followed suit, it was going to be slow, half of them had mobility aids.
Hermione stood between them as two snatchers stood before her.
"The Dark Lord said you'd be here," said one of them. "The bounty on your head has tripled."
"Aww, is your widdle boss upset that I cut off his widdle arm?" Hermione cooed.
"You will show proper respect, mudblood!"
"No." She took a deep breath and spat flames.
They were ready, one of them sent a spray of water and the flames evaporated into steam. Hermione spun her scythe and surged toward them, engaging in a fight.
"Enough of this!" Mrs. Smith shrieked. "I'm calling the police! I knew you were a bad egg, Esposito!"
"Cedric, shut her up!"
She sensed a spell cast. She took down both snatchers and turned around to see Cedric send both wheelchairs down into the backpack.
"Got them," he said. "Let's regroup. We're stronger as a team."
They both leapt over Mrs. Smith's petrified body and ran downstairs to find the others in a stand-off. Hermione's blood ran cold. The entire front of the building was rubble and lying on the ground was Mad-Eye Moody. He wasn't moving, his eyes were open, his prosthetic swiveling around in its socket while the other looked at nothing.
"Must be our lucky day!" the lead snatcher gloated. "Potter and Granger in the same place. Might as well surrender now, the Dark Lord is on his way."
Hermione hoped that if none of them spoke the Taboo again, they'd be able to apparate sooner.
"Rule one," said Hermione. "Always finish the fight."
Harry glanced at her and nodded. Sirens were wailing down the street. This place would be crawling with cops within minutes.
Nobody moved. Someone would have to.
"Do you surrender?"
"Never!" Merula spat and fired first.
Things became a mess after that. It was frantic. Neither side could land a spell. Hermione moved in, keeping low, and forced them back. Harry caught the opening and sent several stunners.
Cedric looked out.
"Time's up!" he said and rushed forward. He put his hands on Mad-Eye and apparated.
Hermione waited until Harry was gone before apparating as well. Just in time to see Voldemort's dark shape approach and the police cars and emergency vehicles speed down the street. She hoped they wouldn't be hurt as a retaliation, but she couldn't worry about that now. She put her scythe away and ran over to the others.
"Was there a horcrux?" Harry asked.
Hermione shook her head. "No. Just some magical items. Maybe Tom stole them, maybe he didn't. I don't know."
She looked down at Mad-Eye.
"What happened?"
Merula rubbed her neck and sighed heavily. "It was pretty sudden. He was keeping an eye outside and the wall just… it exploded."
"Mrs. Smith spoke the Taboo," said Cedric. "She was imperiused, I'm sorry, I should've been able to catch it!"
"I saw she was but… I assumed it was leftover from Harold Portly," said Hermione. "I should have known better."
She tapped her bracelet with her wand. Was this something to send over message? There was no other way.
Mad-Eye dead. DTF
She put her wand away and Tonks ran out.
"What happened?!" she demanded and spotted her old mentor. She pressed a hand over her mouth and her carefully crafted looks melted away to her natural form.
"You lot go inside," said Merula. "He was my mentor when I was on the Auror track. Tonks' too, we'll take care of him."
Hermione nodded and grabbed Cedric's hand. She knew this was a possibility but… oh, if she hadn't waited so long. Waffled about going!
"But then we wouldn't have saved the kids," Cedric murmured.
Oh… oh, she forgot about them! Grabbing Cedric's hand, she ran into the house.
"Is it true?" Fred asked.
"Y-yes," said Hermione. "Um… can— can you g-g-get together ssssandwiches?"
"Er, yeah," he said. "How many?"
"Twelve. Peanut butter and jelly is a safe bet," said Cedric. "And some of those chocolate zucchini muffins."
Hermione tapped her bracelet again calling for a meeting at Rosehill in an hour and stepped into the parlor. Cedric set down his backpack and unzipped it.
"Is everyone alright?" he asked.
"Yeah, we're okay," came the oldest boy's voice. "Where are we? Who the bloody hell are you people?"
"You are at Rosehill Manor," said Cedric. "And we are magic."
"Yeah, I gathered that much, Captain Obvious!"
"Tone it down, Lieutenant Sarcasm," said Hermione calmly. "Is it alright if I come in there to help you out?"
"Not much choice," said the oldest girl. She was about twelve.
Hermione slid down, turned the slide into stairs, and helped them up, getting their names in the process. She made sure the two wheelchairs weren't damaged and carefully sent them up. She climbed out and accepted Cedric's help.
"Right," said Cedric, squeezing her hand. "Before we continue, do any of you have family that we could take you to? We can get the paperwork through no problem."
"Don't be stupid, you know we don't," said Jamal. He was fifteen like Hermione suspected and seemed to be the leader of the group. "We're the rejects of the rejects."
"Well, that's not entirely true," said Hermione, speaking slowly and haltingly so as to avoid a stutter. "I was lucky enough to be adopted, no thanks to Mrs. Smith."
Theodore was the youngest of the group and had been shaved bald. He tottered over to Cedric and held out his arms.
"Up, up," he said.
Cedric scooped him up with a soft smile.
"Are there any allergies we need to be aware of?" Hermione asked. "Or other dietary restrictions?"
"Just make sure Lila's food is cut up," said Jamal, pointing to her. "She's got cerebral palsy so she coughs sometimes if she's rushed or the food isn't cut up enough. And Micah is allergic to pine nuts."
Hermione wrote this down. "Any sensitivities? Mashed potatoes used to make me vomit because of the texture."
"Why are you asking all this?" asked Willow, the twelve year old girl. She was missing an arm.
"As it stands," said Cedric. "You are all basically kidnapped. We could just drop you off somewhere but the guy who bought the place, Tom Riddle, will probably find you and want to hurt all of you."
"Sorry," said Hermione.
Fred walked in with the tray of sandwiches and paused.
"Er…" he looked at Hermione.
"Details to follow," said Cedric.
"Yeah, sure." He set the tray down.
"I'm sure all of you are aware of magic," said Hermione. "We saw what Pepper was doing."
Pepper blushed and looked down at her pink trainers.
"Don't be shy about it, I can tell you're going to be very powerful," said Hermione. She swept her hand, making little butterflies. "I couldn't do wandless magic until I was fourteen."
The young girl perked up.
"Theodore has magic too," Hermione noted, looking at the toddler who was happily settled into Cedric's shoulder.
"So, are we prisoners?" asked Jamal, getting them back on track.
"Unfortunately, yes," said Cedric. "Sorry, this is for your safety, but not to worry, there are places we can send you to keep you safe once the heat dies down."
Hermione looked through the house, the other Weather members were arriving. Too much was happening at once. She took a deep breath and flapped her hands.
"Right," she said. "Right. I try not to keep people prisoner, but we'll call this a special case. Our people, magic people that is, are in the middle of a war and the leader of the other side actually lived at the orphanage too. He grew up there, so I thought maybe he hid something important inside. He didn't, but at least we were able to get you out, I'd hate to think about what would have happened."
"It happened how it did," said Cedric.
"What're your names anyway?" asked Jamal.
"Oh, where are my manners?" said Hermione. "I'm Nia, this is my partner in life and in crime, Cedric. This is our friend, Fred. We'll slowly introduce the others as we go along. Erm, if you'll please follow me, I have to host a meeting. We're the resistance."
"Resistance to what exactly?"
"A fascist regime," she said. "Tom Riddle wants to rule the world and we're here to stop him."
"Like a superhero?" asked Micah.
She looked at Jamal and he nodded slightly. Don't scare them.
"Yes," she said. "Just like a superhero. We call our team the Weather and my alter ego is Aurora."
She moved the kids to the library where they got a lot of strange looks. No one asked any questions yet, knowing they'd be answered. Hermione walked to the front of the room and stood on her soap box so she could see everyone. Merula and Tonks both had dirt on their trousers.
"Thank you for coming on such short notice," she said. "Today we looked in on Wool Orphanage, as it was the place Our Good Friend grew up. No horcrux, but we came in just in time to get the remaining children out. According to the woman who ran the orphanage, Mrs. Smith, Tom bought the building and somehow the children as well. I'm uncertain what his goal was, but whatever it was, we stopped him."
She took a deep, shuddering breath.
"Unfortunately, the Taboo was said and we were attacked. Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody was killed in action. Anyone who wishes to stay and pay their respects will be welcome to. He knew, as we all do, that war is uncertain and that death is as much a part of life as it is of war. Take this time to mourn a friend and a fighter and set down your worries. They'll be there to pick up again tomorrow."
"Mad-Eye told me that he did not want any fanfare," said Kingsley. "He requested that should he die in combat to be buried if he was able and for the rest of us to keep moving forward. He always knew this was a possibility."
"I see. Then we will respect his wishes and continue business as usual," said Hermione.
"What are we going to do about the children?"
"Well, we have the room here at Rosehill," said Hermione. "They saw everything, so I worry that will put a target on their backs."
"It is standard to obliviate them," said Dedalus Diggle.
Hermione set her jaw. "Over my dead body. Look, Pepper and Theodore have magic and who would believe a bunch of kids about wixen anyway? They're safer here. I can always move them to the home my family runs in the Dominican Republic at a later date. Until then, I'm not kicking them out or dumping them on the side of the road somewhere. My decision is final."
"Don't the kids have a say?" asked Fred.
Hermione looked at the kids. "True. What do you want to do?"
"You said we're prisoners," said Jamal slowly. "What does that entail?"
"Well, you'd have to abide by the house rules," said Hermione. "Jamal, since you're fifteen you pass the burrito test. Meaning, you can get up at three in the morning and make yourself a burrito and you won't get in trouble, though I do recommend adhering to a bedtime since you're still growing. The rest of you lot, bedtime no later than ten o'clock, quiet time is at 10:30."
"Right," said Cedric. "So if you find a pack of fireworks, you'll have to wait until 8:30 the next morning to set them off."
A couple of the kids laughed at that.
"We have a chore chart, I expect your living spaces to be tidied," Hermione pursed her lips. "I'm sorry, all your things got left behind didn't they. Your toys and books…"
"Old Smith didn't let us have that stuff," said Pepper. "It was all taken when we were moved to Wool's. We just have our scratchy uniforms."
No surprise there. Hermione nodded.
"I always hated those uniforms," she said. "I assume you don't have jackets either? Just wool jumpers?"
"That's right," said Jamal.
"Okay, I'll make sure to go shopping for you," she said. "We eat three times a day, but I like to keep snacks on hand. You're welcome to help yourselves to anything in the kitchen. I do expect vegetables to be mostly eaten before you get dessert, you need a well-rounded diet. I usually show a movie after dinner. I must ask you to not stray from the property. If our base is discovered it will be very bad for us. You can go from here to the barn, but no farther. I'll try and organize outings for you."
Jamal worked his jaw. "So… you're not making us go back to Mrs. Smith?"
"Oh, goodness no," said Hermione. "She should never be placed in charge of children again."
Assuming she was still alive.
"We all go to a school for kids with special needs," he continued. "Though, I don't think any of them are really qualified. Do we still have to go there?"
"No, we'll organize schooling here," she said. "You might just be shown documentaries and given some writing exercises while I get that sorted. It could be a few months so pretend you're on vacation for the moment."
The kids turned into each other and conversed quietly, though every word could be heard, the adults in the room pretended not to listen. Theodore stuck his thumb into his mouth and cuddled up to Cedric rather than participate.
"They seem nice."
"Mrs. Smith tried to sell us, we've got a better chance here."
"And Nia says she was there too, so she knows what it's like for us."
"I don't know, all this is weird. We all knew Pepper was magic, but an entire secret world? And what would they want with a bunch of nobody orphans anyway?"
"Dunno, but this place is nice and look at all those books!"
"Looks can be deceiving!" Jamal hissed. "The timing of all this is really suspicious!"
Theodore, growing bored, looked up at Cedric. He screwed up his face and transformed his nose into a different pointier shape.
"Huh!" said Cedric.
"He makes funny faces sometimes!" said Jamal quickly, no doubt used to defending the younger kids' quirks. "Just a trick of the light."
If he was a metamorphmagus that would explain why he had been shaved bald. Cecilia said she couldn't change her hair beyond the color until she was ten and metamorphmagus children tended to change their hair to whatever color they were looking at.
"We understand," said Cecilia. "Sometimes things just ah… ah—ACHOO!"
She morphed her nose to an elephant trunk, tooting it. Half the kids screamed in surprise. Theodore looked delighted and screwed up his face trying to copy her. All he managed was a piggy-like snout. Cecilia stretched out her arms and took him from Cedric, cooing in Spanish over how cute he was.
The older kids were quiet for a moment.
"What should we do, Jamal?" asked Micah.
Jamal thought about it, then stood up. "Okay, we'll be your prisoners."
Hermione nodded. "Will you be alright sitting tight in the library while we get everything together? I can set up some movies for you."
"Yeah, we're good."
"Okay. Meeting adjourned. Cedric, let's get some disguises on."
He nodded.
"Ceci, stay with the kids, keep the movies going."
"Uh-huh."
It was a lot. She should be honoring Mad-Eye, shouldn't she? But he said to go about business as usual. Besides, those kids needed to be taken care of. They needed clothes, they needed toys. They needed food.
"Rikki, Tikki, Dobby."
The three elves trotted over to her.
"Yes, Nia?" said Rikki.
"Can you please organize dinner tonight?" Hermione asked. "I have the meal selected, but I'm not entirely sure how much more to make."
"Yes, Miss!" said Dobby.
She wouldn't ask Tonks for anything. Her mentor was gone.
"George, Lee, can you get rooms ready for the kids?"
"Yeah," said Lee. "Will you be on the show tonight?"
"Not likely," she said. "Daphne, Padma, want to come with us?"
"Yeah, alright," said Daphne. "What's the cover?"
"Um… Couples, shopping for the kids? I have fake pregnancy bellies, that might throw the cops off. Better to get what we need now before they really start searching for suspicious behavior."
"Yeah, good move," said Padma. "I'll wear the stomach. Guess you're my wife, Daphne!"
She realized what she said and blushed. Daphne did too for that matter. The tension was palpable. Hermione smiled slightly, but didn't tease.
"Okay, we'll leave as soon as we're ready."
She and Cedric went up to their room to get ready. Cedric put on a short, brown wig and a fake beard (courtesy of WWW) and scrubbed off his nail polish. Hermione put on her Selena wig and changed into jeans and a chunky jumper after putting on the fake pregnancy belly.
"Oof, this thing is heavy," she said and looked at Cedric.
His expression was so tender and wistful, it left her feeling flustered.
"What?"
He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. "Just wondering where we'd be if… if the Tournament didn't happen, if I wasn't so stupid and didn't run away, if we weren't in the middle of the war… Sorry, you probably think I'm being weird."
Hermione shook her head. "You've wanted to marry me since you were eight."
His cheeks tinged with pink. "I can't believe you remember that."
"How could I not?" she said, facing him and tucking some stray hairs into his wig. "I remember it very clearly. I was happy to be adopted, but I was still scared Roger and Beatrice would change their minds and send me back and the loneliness was crushing me and I admitted that to you and you said you'd marry me one day so I would never have to be alone again."
He pressed his forehead to her shoulder. "How embarrassing."
"It was cute," she said. "Besides we're halfway to your dream, we just adopted twelve kids."
He straightened up. "I don't think kidnapping counts as adoption."
"'Hermione Esposito' was invented by the government to make a paper trail. She was abducted, and even though the adoption was done legally, Herminia Sanchez wasn't Roger and Beatrice Granger's kid. The right court could legally designate it a kidnapping since a new name and papers were made for her."
"Okay, fine, good point." He looked into her eyes. "And… the other thing? Do you think we might get married one day?"
"I wouldn't want to without my family there," she said. "Even so… I think it's always been you I envisioned in my future. I just… I don't want to rush into anything."
Cedric nodded and kissed her lightly, then looked at her and kissed her deeper. She broke away and hugged him tightly.
"I love you," she murmured.
"I love you, too." He pressed one final kiss to her temple before going over to the bookcase. He took down a battered tea tin and opened it, removing a wad of cash.
"Think this will be enough?" he asked.
"Probably, but just in case…" she took down a book and opened it, unlocking the safe inside to remove cash of her own. "Won't be able to splurge on anything for ourselves, but we'll manage."
"Right."
They put the money into their wallets and headed downstairs. Daphne and Padma were waiting for them in disguises of their own. Weaker disguises, but there wasn't a manhunt for them, so they could get away with glasses or false platform shoes. They looked like regular platforms except they only gave the appearance that you were wearing them to be taller rather than actually give any height.
"Ready to go?" asked Daphne.
"Yeah," said Hermione. "Let's go."
They drove to Bristol to try and keep the trail as random as possible and found a thrift shop. It would have been better letting the kids pick the clothes themselves, but they couldn't exactly do that, could they? Thankfully, Jamal gave Daphne the kids sizes. Hermione hadn't thought of that.
"Three outfits a kid to start," she said as she parked. "See what they have in the way of toys, too. I'm going to make them cloaks, they're fairly easy and we have the fabric. Plus, they won't outgrow them as quickly."
"Yeah, smart," said Padma. "I think I can help with those."
The four of them headed inside and split up into pairs, each grabbing a cart. Daphne and Padma were getting clothes for the younger half while Hermione and Cedric would get clothes for the older half. Hermione would run into a department store for socks and underwear, she knew how embarrassing it was to have to put on underwear that once belonged to someone else even if no one else was going to see it.
She got the clothes slightly bigger, knowing that even though she couldn't sew new like Esperanza, she could hem and let in or out as needed. Most of the designs on the shirts were off-brand or just downright nonsensical, but it was more important they fit and weren't rags or itchy.
"What the hell?" Cedric whispered.
Hermione looked over to see him staring into a large cabinet displaying dolls and figurines. She saw which one he meant right away. It was wearing a red jumpsuit and a hollowed out cuckoo clock-like a hat, the face was painted as the clock face while it's glassy eyes stared out with the torment of trapped souls.
"Ooh, I think I know what my boggart is going to be now," he said.
Hermione giggled. "Come on, let's keep moving."
They met up with Daphne and Padma over by the games and toys.
"I think we oughta look at cute lamps or something," said Hermione. "I'm sure some of the younger ones would still be afraid of the dark, especially in a new place."
"Oh, good idea," said Daphne. "Should we pick toys for a specific child or…"
"I think we should focus more on age group," said Cedric. "They'll have to share, but we'll manage. Maybe Hermione's aunts can send some hand-me-downs to Sirius and he can pass them along."
"Good idea," said Hermione. "I've been meaning to call anyway."
They got some little bedside lamps for £5, each shaped like a strawberry fairy house, a turtle, a mouse next to a mushroom, a unicorn, and a dolphin respectively. Then they moved on to toys and books. Hermione had salvaged her books after the Death Eater attack and couldn't bear to get rid of her childhood books. Someone had gotten rid of a bunch of books by a brand called American Girl and the shop was selling the entire box for £7. They seemed to be a complete collection. Complete enough anyway, so she added it to the pile. They added board games, puzzles, dolls, action figures, and Cedric found a few games to go with the gaming console he'd been trying to get to work for the past few years. Plus some educational and age appropriate toys for Theodore that he wouldn't choke on.
When they finally checked out, they had quite the haul and Hermione was a bit worried they would be over budget or suspicious. The cashier was staring at the television, which was running a news report on the destroyed orphanage and the missing children. Mrs. Smith, alive and furious, was ranting at a reporter. The tab said it was a recording from earlier.
"Damn shame," said the cashier, turning to look at them. She was as glassy and dead-eyed as the haunted dolls in the case. "What sort of sick person would burn down an orphanage and kidnap kids?"
"Things seem to be getting worse all the time," Hermione sighed, stacking everything on the counter.
"According to Mary Smith, the owner of Wool's Home for Children," said the anchorman. "The terrorist attack was carried out by a woman named Hermione Granger. Here is the most recent photo of Miss Granger with her adopted parents Roger and Beatrice Granger D.D.S., and adopted brother, Chester."
CHESTER?! How dare they not use his real name!
They used the obituary photo of the four of them. Their family photo from before her fifth year. Hermione was smiling, her eye covered by a patch.
"However, the Granger family were killed in a terrorist attack nearly two years ago," the anchorman continued. "Was this someone who merely looked like Granger, or had she survived the attack, secretly killed her own parents and brother, and is now the leader of the random attacks of our country?"
"Well that went from zero to a hundred real fast," Cedric scoffed.
"According to our sources, Miss Granger was once a resident of Wool's Home for Children herself. Her adopted parents attempted to sue Mrs. Smith for mistreatment and abuse of the girl, as it was discovered she was preventing the girl's real parents from finding her after her mother died in a car accident in London and she was lost during the chaos."
"Makes sense she'd go bad then," said the cashier. "Seems like a complete loony to me."
"If proof Miss Granger is alive can be found or perhaps a tip to find the missing children, please call our toll-free number. The reward amount is still being decided and we can expect to find out more shortly."
"Blimey, I'd sure like to catch a killer," the cashier continued as she rung them all up. "I bet I could spot her. Seems pretty noticeable if you ask me."
"Well, we didn't," said Cedric sharply.
Hermione grabbed his hand. "Darling, did you forget to eat a snack before we left home again? You know you get cranky when you're hungry. Don't mind him."
The cashier shrugged and stuffed the clothes into big plastic bags before moving on to the toys. Daphne and Padma were tight-lipped while the cashier continued about how awful things were and how vigilant she was and would be able to sniff out a suspicious character a mile away.
After a long rant about immigrants that left everyone feeling uncomfortable, she finished wrapping up the lamps and read out their total.
"No problem," said Cedric, staring her in the eye and handing over a few fivers.
She opened the register and took the notes, stuffing them in the drawer, then handing Cedric £14 change.
"Come back again," she said.
"We won't!" he said cheerfully.
They hurried out to the car with their bags and loaded up the boot. Once they were driving away, Hermione looked at Cedric.
"It's fine," she said. "We didn't have to steal."
"In for a penny."
"I know you're mad about what she was saying about me, but it's okay—"
"No it's not!" said Daphne. "How is it fair that you do all this good and you're still treated like a villain? You're dead in the Muggle world and they still have the gall to drag your name through the mud! Anyone else would turn into the villain the world expected of them by now!"
"Well, I never was one to let society dictate what I do," she said. "Still, if we steal from everyone who insults me, we're eventually going to get caught."
Cedric sighed. "Yeah, you're right. Should we go back and put the cash in her register?"
Hermione sighed heavily.
"No, we still have to stop by a store back home for underwear and socks. Don't want her to wise up before we get out of town."
The time for feeling guilty was long past. She had more important things to worry about than stealing items that had been donated or sold for a pittance. They just shouldn't make a habit of it.
Back home, she removed her disguise and organized the bought clothes into bags for each child.
"Hey, Nia," said Fred. "Some of us put together something for the kids, but I wanted your opinion on it."
"Oh, sure." She followed him to the game room and he slid open the pocket doors.
Harry, Ron, and Neville were finishing up changing the walls to softer pastel colors. The card table and billiards table had been moved, but the foos ball and pingpong table remained, pushed to either corner. Some bookshelves had been moved into the room and there were a few toys, including a mismatched tea set, some Weasley Wizard Wheezes products geared for the five to eight year old range, and a little train set that looked like the Hogwarts express.
"The train set used to be mine," said Neville. "I stopped by my old house and found it. Gran bought it for me but I usually preferred making mud pies in the garden."
"Yeah, I can see that about you," said Hermione.
"Hannah and Susan are sitting with them," he continued. "Tonks needed Cecilia."
Oh… right. How awful that she had forgotten Mad-Eye's absence already.
Taking a deep breath, Hermione nodded and set up the toys. It was obvious several of them were older and used, but hopefully that would be alright. Padma and Daphne stacked the books on the shelves. Once the room was ready, she went through and double-checked that the bedrooms were ready before going back to the library.
"Thank you for your patience," she said. "Dinner will be ready shortly, but why don't I show everyone to their rooms now? I do apologize, but most of you will be having a roommate. Jamal, since you're fifteen you'll have your own room. It's not terribly big, but hopefully you won't find it too stifling."
"You don't have to talk that way," said Jamal.
"What way?"
"Like we're regular kids and not just lucky to be here," he said sourly. "You saw how we were living and you claim you know how we're treated. You don't have to pretend we're normal kids if all you're going to do later is treat us like garbage."
"Sorry," she said. "I'm not trying to be patronizing or… or make you scared that I'm going to do a 180 and turn on you. The truth of the matter is that I'm copying how my adopted parents spoke to me. Granted, I was about five or six when I was adopted."
"Lucky you."
"Yes. I am lucky," she said. "At least in that regard. I suppose someone with my life story deserves luck somewhere. I'm not going to pull a Wicked Stepmother thing on you. I promise. Come on. Follow me."
She led them over to the lift. "We'll go in groups. All your rooms are on the first floor. The ground floor is our community space."
Some of the younger ones clung close to Jamal, or as close as they could without getting hit by his crutches. Kyo, aged six, was blind and accepted Hermione's assistance down the hallway. She wasn't sure how much help he'd had or the extent of his blindness. She'd talk to Tía Constanza and Cássia and see if they had any ideas on how to help since their experiences might help her know what to avoid with him and what might be a better path.
"Right," she said. "This row here are your rooms. Jamal, this one is yours. Theodore, Kyo, yours is here. Micah, Marcus, here's your room. Chandra and Pepper. Abigail and Elizabeth. Lila and Willow. Let me know if you want to trade roommates or if you need assistance to get up in the mornings. I'm sure a few of you might be too old, but we got you some lamps so the room isn't dark."
The younger kids were particularly excited about the bedside lamps. Guess they were just told to suck it up if they were afraid of the dark. Chandra and Pepper traded their unicorn for Theodore's and Kyo's dolphin since Theodore loved unicorns.
"You also have some new clothes and such," said Hermione. "I put them in the bags on your beds. You have shoes too, but they're not required in the house."
"So, you just have rooms ready?" said Jamal. "Seriously, who are you people?"
"Stop being rude, Jamal!" Willow hissed. "Some of us have been waiting years to get adopted!"
"We weren't adopted, stupid," said Micah. "We were kidnapped!"
"Hey," said Hermione firmly. "Be kind. I understand this is a very weird situation, so feel free to call it what you want. Adoption, kidnapping, or even a holiday if that helps, but just know we're going to do our best to take care of you. All the adults in this house are trustworthy. If they weren't, I wouldn't let them stay. Come on, let's go down to dinner."
She didn't blame them for being suspicious. This was going to take time.
She'd make time.