Severus settled back into his chair, holding his little girl warmly and tightly to his side; she had subconsciously snuggled into his side and was slowly drifting in and out of consciousness. The adults had fallen into a harmonious stillness and quiet conversation. They did not want to wake their sleeping child, and each knew the most minor sudden movement could startle the abused child. He felt grateful that she felt settled enough to fall asleep beside them. As an individual who knew what living in an unsafe home felt like, he could only hope or dream that they would eventually help Hermione settle into her new life.
How, why, not a single adult in the room could come up with an idea as to why someone would take a child and place her in a less-than-ideal home. Each man was developing a plan to ensure all school children were safe. They couldn't change the past for any of the students of Hogwarts; however, they were confident that they could change the future. Each child would visit the hospital wing for a complete check-up, and they would draft in additional help to ensure the process was efficient. Children were to be assessed quickly to ensure each child had a magical guardian.
Although the standard protocol was that any child from a muggle-raised household with no magical parent/guardian in the home, Albus was automatically appointed as their magical guardian as headmaster of the school; however, this wasn't working, not for lack of trying. Albus was doing his best, but he was a busy man; they needed to devise a plan to appoint a set number of children to eligible witches and wizards to ensure they could check in on their young charges regularly to stamp out abuse and neglect in the home.
All four men sat like the aristocrats they are, posed, upright and waiting for an appropriate amount of time to speak after their child fell fully asleep. Little did they know Hermione had danced this dance with her parents often and knew how to make adults believe she was drifting off to sleep. She was not a rebellious or disobedient child; she just loved listening to the quiet drawl of adult conversation and feeling included.
She had heard them discussing the importance of children being with family and believed they would send her back. They weren't her family and did not need to care for her. She needed to escape, but the grown-ups needed to retire for the night so she could make her plan come into play. She knew even adults needed to sleep; it was already close to midnight. Indeed, they would not be up for much longer; all she needed to do was fight the urge to fall asleep where she was surprisingly safe.
'Let's get little one back to bed, and then we can all relax and devise a plan.' Severus drawled. He knew his girl wasn't fully asleep; however, he hoped she was far enough gone to sleep peacefully. Many in their society would think it improper for Hermione to leave her room late at night. However, Severus was among the few who believed that children should be seen and heard by their parents; he cared little for propriety and more for the well-being of his child. Yes, there are times and places where propriety needs to be in play, but not between a scared parent and child.
Severus moved through to Hermione's new room and tucked her in tightly as though he knew her plan. Many Hogwarts students had been heard complaining, and it was like he could hear their thoughts. He hoped his brothers would retire for the night, and they could complete their plans in the morning with the help of Bella and Andy.
A little after three, Hermione finally heard the adults retire for the night; she knew she only had until sunrise to be as far away as her little legs could carry her. She had already packed her backpack with an undetectable expansion charm, her wand up her sleeve and a tent she had found in her new room, likely forgotten by the professors.
Hermione snuck out of her room and crept across the living room to get out of the professor's living quarters, and she had minutes to escape. She tried pulling the door, but it appeared to be locked. Then Hermione attempted to floo out of there, but the floo was also closed. She needed to find her way out here and quickly.
Her next thought was to see if she could leave the professor's quarters and out the school's main door undetected. She was unsure of how many charms/spells were on the door. She might need a new plan, and if she set off the wards, she would likely need to bide her time hiding whilst the professors assessed who had disturbed the wards. She did not have much of a plan from there: find somewhere remote to hide in the tent and ride out life until adulthood. She had saved enough money to last her a little while.
As she turned around, she found that the adults were observing her, including five pissed-off men and three pale women. She didn't know about the charms the men had placed in her family for protection. All the adults knew it the moment she had stepped out of bed. She was too young to understand or comprehend their need to protect the woman in their lives.
"Little one, where exactly do you think you are going at this time of night?" Severus almost hissed out. He was furious and couldn't wait to hear her excuse.
"I w…was going to the library, and I wanted to pick up some new books to read." Hermione stammered back, and it was clear that she was lying. The young girl could not lie to save her life.
"I believe Bella has already said if you are going to lie, at least make it convincing. Why would you go to a closed library at 03:30 in the morning with a packed bag?" Severus asked, never taking his eyes off the shaking girl.
"Come sit with us and explain your thoughts and plans?" Regulus motioned for Hermione and his brothers to join him in the lounge.
