Amelia's head jerked up at the knock on her door, biting back a sigh, she called for whoever it was to enter. The day had already been unbearably long and it was barely past lunchtime.
"I was summoned," a soft voice came from the doorway.
"Remus!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock "How fucking fast were those owls?"
Remus blinked back at her, freezing where he stood, "Pardon?"
"Oh, I had the unspeakables contact you, they have…quicker methods."
"Ah," he smiled slightly, moving again until he was in front of her desk. "That explains the parchment that just appeared in front of me. I've spent the last half hour attempting to ensure it was genuine."
"Fucking Saul," Amelia muttered, "He told me it was an owl."
Remus snorted at the genuine look of exasperation on her face. "Why am I here, Amy?"
"Sit down," she sighed, "Sirius Black was, as of this morning, cleared of all charges," she watched Remus carefully, noting how the man paled dramatically, his hands clenching on his thighs. "He is in St Mungos for at least the next week, with what will likely be months of outpatient treatment. However, he was…startlingly sane when I spoke to him earlier."
Remus nodded, wide-eyed. "You are about to be contacted by the Department of Magical Children."
"What?" Remus blurted.
"Sirius' niece might be in need of a home. We…we'll I'm certain but I cannot comment on how the department will rule. Assuming you're likely to be around her, they'll need to speak to you. I think…I think you'd be good for her actually."
"Why does she need a home, Amy?" Remus checked, his face blank but his voice hard.
"Because her adoptive parents are…not the healthiest fit." Amelia hedged.
Remus frowned, "In what way?"
"In a Walburga Black without the violence way,." she replied bluntly. "Too high expectations, intolerance of her not meeting them, despite them being impossible and a belief that their way is the only right way. They…despise her magic and are doing everything they can to punish her for it."
Remus' eyes flashed momentarily, "And where is she now?" he growled.
"With them," Amelia admitted with a grimace as Remus' eyes flashed amber again, a look of patent disbelief on his face that made her feel ashamed to be admitting it. "The father refused to agree to a health check and informed her she'd never be allowed back if she went with me. I wanted more advice. Hence the Family department's involvement. We are…putting things in place."
"You left her there!" Remus shouted incredulously.
"I did." she agreed, "I don't like it any more than you, but I did. I had no idea Sirius had turned himself in when I went to see her, but as it stands, I want something concrete in place. As damaging as the environment is, I don't imagine being rejected by the only parents she's ever known is going to be less so. I will not have her shunted from pillar to post. If Lucia agrees to remove her, I want to ensure it's only once."
Remus sighed, slumping,"I see. When can I see Sirius? Assuming he'll see me."
"Why wouldn't he?" Amelia frowned.
"I didn't do anything to remove him, I didn't try and help. I…I believed he'd done it." Remus mumbled, his cheeks flushing.
Amelia closed her eyes, that complicated things. She'd been relying on Remus' steady presence to keep Sirius from failing. "I'll speak to him. Meet me here tomorrow? Lunchtime?"
Sighing Remus nodded. "Fine."
"Nip up and see Lucia anyway?" Amelia suggested, wondering if it was a pointless exercise. "Might as well get the ball rolling. Ask for Lucia Shannon, tell them I sent you."
Looking apprehensive, Remus left her office and she slumped, why was nothing simple?
Saul," she sighed when he cleared his throat.
"Long day?" he hedged.
Groaning as she stretched in the seat, Amelia glanced at the clock. Eight. Fuck, she'd promised Susan she'd be home hours ago. "Yes."
He hummed, "Mr Lupin found you?"
"Yes. You didn't mention your owl was some sort of complicated immediate communication."
He flushed, "Yes well…department secret you know."
She snorted, before looking at him seriously, "Saul? We need to talk." He looked at her warily as he sat down, "Lucia is concerned about the impact Sirius's recent exoneration could have on his ability to have Hermione. It…we're hoping it will be fine but you're going to have to have a really good explanation for you not taking her."
"The Head of House argument won't be enough?" Saul frowned, "It's usually the preferred option for Heirs."
"I know and It might be, but we don't know. For all he's her Patriarch, he's not her father. Add in the fact he's spent over a decade in Azkaban? It complicates things."
"What do you suggest?" Saul groaned, his fingers massaging tiny circles along his forehead as the headache that had been threatening all day made itself known again.
She sighed, "Stability, possibly. He doesn't work, he can afford not to, whereas you clearly do. In private play up your research and how vital it is to the Minister. In public…I don't know. Family maybe? Sirius is looking to have his godson too, Hermione and Harry are friends."
"Harry Potter?"
"That's him," Amelia agreed. "So…she has a sibling, a more stable unit. You…admit your wish to be involved.
"I do want to be involved!" he protested.
She shrugged, "I know what you said to Lucia but I wasn't sure how serious you were."
"Neither was I," he admitted, "but I find myself….intrigued."
She nodded, "Well then, we play up the fact she's the Heir of House Black, Sirius can educate her, she has a family and you will be heavily involved in her life. It's…probably the best chance we've got."
"And Mr Lupin?"
"We're visiting Sirius tomorrow in the hopes he'll speak to him. There are... unresolved issues I wasn't aware of but Merlin help us I was counting on him to balance Sirius' rashness."
"You'll keep me informed?" Saul checked as he stood.
"Yes," she sighed.
"Go home, Amelia." Saul murmured, "You look done in."
She smiled weakly and decided to take his advice.
"Amy," Healer McCallum sighed, "Did we not have this conversation yesterday?"
"Yes. But….it can't be detrimental for him to have a chat with a friend?" Amelia replied innocently.
The Healer rolled her eyes. "You are pushing the bounds of my patience," she warned and Amelia grinned, slipping out of her office and heading for Sirius's room.
"Back so soon?" he drawled when he spotted her, "any other little Blacks running about I should be aware of?"
"Merlin I hope not," she muttered. "I came to speak to you about Remus."
Sirius frowned, "What about him?"
"Will you see him?" Amelia asked bluntly.
He flushed, "I didn't think he'd want to see me." he mumbled
"Why?"
"I…we chose Peter on my say so. He'd ….been sent to the packs. And I should have known better but I didn't so I…I stopped trusting him."
Amelia hummed, "He said something similar about you. So….kiss and make up? Your niece will likely respond better to his brand of parenting than yours, at least initially."
Sirius slumped. "You're talking like it's a foregone conclusion."
"I think it's likely to be," she admitted, "Lucia isn't but…she hasn't met the witch yet."
"It's that bad?" Sirius asked her, worry creasing his face.
She looked at him shrewdly, "It's not great," she admitted. "I told you that they're not… physically abusive but I have concerns about psychological. And we both know the scars that leaves can be just as pronounced."
He flinched, "I know." he murmured.
"Yes well….your brand of chaos is…can be…something you learn to love. I think Remus's calm might be required."
"I don't even know if he'll speak to me!" Sirius protested, "You can't just….have us play house with two children. Is Harry with him?"
"No," Amelia whispered looking uncomfortable, "It's…Susan says he's with his mother's sister."
" Petunia!" Sirius hissed, It's…fuck, Amy. No."
"I don't know. Getting information is proving challenging. I have Lucia looking into it."
"Merlin Amy, you don't know what she was like! She hated Lily's magic!"
Amelia tamped down her rising fear, "All the more reason to…how was it you put it? Attempt to play house with Remus. He's…gods, I hope you're wrong but if you have two…wary children, you're going to need all the help you can get."
Sirius looked mutinous. "I want out of here. Now!" he growled.
"No," Amelia replied firmly, shoving on his shoulder when he went to get off the bed, trying not to recoil at how frail he felt. "they'll never approve you to have them. Play by the rules you'll be out in five more days. That's it. Five. Five days and we'll figure it out. Maybe Hermione has an exact location for Harry. I'll find out. Now, Remus is outside."
"He is?" Sirius yelped, clearly blindsided.
"Yes. I've spoken to him, Lucia has spoken to him. She's going to speak to Hermione today. I..might be back with paperwork."
He blinked at her, "Immediate removal?"
"Potentially. Even if it's just to get her checked over. Assuming it goes well will you agree to Remus opening one of your houses and hosting her?"
"What? I…fuck Amy," he looked momentarily lost, "I…yes?"
"Good. That's all I need to know. I'll send him in?"
Sirius whined, "I feel like you're doing this on purpose."
"Maybe," she smiled, "But you always were too stubborn for your own good. I know… you're going to have demons, Sirius. How could you not? But maybe let someone help?"
Sirius sighed, exhaustion clearly lining his face, "Piss off before you bring me more news I'm not allowed to do anything with."
Amelia smiled, "Get better soon."
Remus was pacing outside the room. "He's all yours."
His head shot up a startled look on his face. "Right…I…right."
"He feels bad for doubting you too you know," Amelia offered with a slight smile, "Maybe start there?"
"Right," he muttered, clearly gathering himself together.
"And Remus? Where are you staying?"
He frowned, "My… parent's old house."
"Ah. And if I need somewhere for Hermione today?"
"What?" he asked with a frown, struggling to keep up with the thread of conversation.
"Will you?"
"Will I…take the witch?" he asked incredulously, finally catching up.
"Yes."
"Oh…Why me?"
"Because you're our best bet?" Amelia admitted.
He snorted, "I doubt that."
"Don't. Speak to Sirius. An owl will reach me. I'd like…to move her as little as possible."
Remus sighed but nodded, "Fine."
Satisfied, Amelia left to wait on Lucia's judgement.
"Sirius?"
Sirius froze as he catalogued the changes the years had wrought. Scars littered the visible skin that covered a far too thin frame, his hair was liberally sprinkled with grey and his clothing had seen better days. The years had definitely not been kind. Although they hadn't exactly been kind to him either so who was he to judge?
"Moony," he breathed, wanting to cry.
"How…how are you feeling?" Remus asked quietly.
Sirius snorted, his eyes glassy, "Like I'm not sure what way is up. I'd forgotten how formidable Amy on a mission was. It's…merlin she doesn't give you a chance to argue does she?"
"No," Remus agreed with a smile which fell quickly, "Your poor niece."
His face hardened slightly, "It's worrying when a questionably sane ex-convict is her best bet." he muttered.
Remus shrugged, "Apparently a dirt poor werewolf is also an option."
Sirius hummed, "Spoken to you about that already has she? What did you say?"
"I could hardly say no, Sirius!" Remus exclaimed indignantly.
"No…I guess not. Did she tell you she wanted us to play house?"
"What?" Remus yelped. "I thought…temporarily…"
"Oh no," Sirius let out a mirthless laugh, "Apparently your calmness is needed to balance my…what did she call it? Particular brand of chaos. She also said Harry was with Petunia."
"I know." Remus sighed, "Albus wouldn't let me near him. I fucking tried."
"What? Why?" Sirius demanded.
"I don't know, Pads." Remus sighed impatiently. "He stonewalled me at every turn and then asked me to teach this year. I agreed if only so I could check up on him."
"Fuck," Sirius hissed, "That's…fucking concerning."
"I know." Remus agreed before fidgeting, "Look, Pads I…fuck. I'm sorry for not…doing something."
Sirius nodded slowly, "Me too. I…I should have suggested you. I…"
Remus shook his head, "You were meant to doubt me…it was…."
"I shouldn't have though!" Sirius interrupted harshly.
"Me either, " Remus murmured, I should have known you'd never…."
"Me too," Sirius whispered, tentatively reaching for him, almost wincing with the force Remus threw himself at him, squeezing him so tightly he wasn't sure his ribs hadn't cracked. It was the best feeling he'd had in years.
"Miss Granger, my name is Lucia Shannon, I'm from the Department of Magical children and families, may I come in?"
Hermione froze on the doorstep. "I…my parents won't like it," she murmured.
"Miss Granger," the man next to her spoke, "My name is Kingsley Shaklebolt. We really are going to have to insist, sweetheart."
She shook her head, "No. I'm sorry, it's…no. They'll be so cross. Please! Please just leave it. I need to…I've got an exam in two hours. I need to practise, I can't fail this too!"
"Miss Granger, Hermione. We're not going away, we need to speak to you." Lucia replied softly, wincing at her pleading.
"Then...then you'll need to do it as I practise. I can't…I don't have time…."
"Alright." Kingsley soothed, shooting Lucia a look as Hermione bolted into the house, racing up the stairs.
"Well fuck" Lucia murmured as she followed at a more sedate pace, coming to a stop in front of the piano the girl was frantically playing. "Will your parents be taking you to your exam?" she checked.
Hermione shook her head. "Don't have time."
"I see," Lucia murmured.
"One of them phones every half hour," Hermione continued as her fingers flew across the keys.
"Why?"
She flushed, "I…ah….fell asleep the other day and I'm already behind. I…I can't fail this too."
"You're taking a lot of subjects," Lucia interjected.
Hermione shrugged, "It's fine. Muggle children to it all the time. I just need to work harder, stop being so lazy."
"But…you have a magical education too," Kingsley pointed out gently, watching her with concern.
"Doesn't matter," Hermione responded in a flat voice. "It's only til fifth year."
"Why fifth?"
"I can leave then," she whispered.
"And do you want to?" Lucia asked softly.
Hermione's eyes were dull when she finally looked up at her, her fingers never stopping. "Doesn't matter." she repeated, "I should have been normal but I'm not normal. Just need to work harder. Then we can pretend it didn't happen."
"Pretend your magic didn't happen?" Kingsley asked gently, unable to hide his frown.
"It ruined everything," she whispered. "They didn't ask for this."
"Neither did you," Kingsley reminded her.
She shrugged, continuing to play. "But they had other choices. They chose me when they shouldn't have."
"Did they tell you that?" Lucia asked, horrified.
"Yes. They wouldn't have if they'd known. I'm…a disappointment. I've always been a disappointment. I was clever, I…it was the only thing…and I…I'm failing. Can't fail."
Lucia bit back what she wanted to say, "Hermione, this…your magic, isn't an abnormality."
"Of course it is," she hissed, her black-rimmed eyes wild. "Without it, I'd have at least been useful. I'm not pretty, not talented but I was clever. They could be proud of me for that. Instead, they're embarrassed. Ashamed that I've let things slip. I just wasn't working hard enough. I was being lazy, complaining about the opportunities I've been given. I just need to fix it, and then they won't be ashamed. I'll be worth something again. Instead of the lazy, useless lump I've turned into. It's my own fault, I just wasn't working hard enough."
"Ok. I think we've heard enough. Miss Granger…Hermione. I really do need to have you checked at St Mungo's sweetheart." Kingsley interrupted her ramblings.
Hermione shook her head frantically, "Can't. I have an exam. And then I've work to do. Maybe once I've caught up."
"No. Hermione, now.," Lucia interjected gently, trying not to startle her, she could see the magic pulsing in between her curls. The girl was further gone than she had anticipated and the Gods alone knew what would happen if she lost control of her magic. "You don't look well and I'm concerned."
"It's fine," Hermione dismissed, not looking at her, "It's my own fault. I knew what I was agreeing to. I'm the one to blame."
"You are not!" Lucia exclaimed.
Hermione stopped playing and looked at her, "Then who else is?" she asked flatly. "I let the work slip, I didn't do what I was supposed to. I agreed to keep up with the normal curriculum. And I haven't."
"Hermione, you're being asked to do the impossible."
"Not impossible, I just need to work harder." Hermione insisted stubbornly.
"You cannot possibly work harder than you are!"
"Of course, I can. Otherwise, I wouldn't be failing."
"Mother of Morganna," Lucia muttered, eyeing the tiny bursts of magic that were now illuminating her fingers as she resumed playing frantically. "Hermione, I need you to come with me. Now, please."
"No!" Hermione shouted, "I can't! Why won't you listen! I have work to do! I can't just leave!"
Lucia closed her eyes as if sending up a prayer before turning to Kingely who grimaced but nodded. "Hermione I'm very sorry," she whispered before Kingsley took her arm and apparated.
"What….Where are we! Where did you bring me to!" Hermione screeched as soon as she had caught her breath.
"Hermione, Hermione we need you to calm down, sweetheart," Kingsley tried, not quite sure what to do as the sparks in her hair grew bigger and brighter. A healer appeared immediately upon hearing the commotion. Taking in the sight in front of her she summoned a potion and sent it magically into Hermione who slumped so quickly Kingsley barely managed to catch her.
Lucia turned to face the healer incredulously. "What did you just do!"
"Exceptionally mild sleeping draught, she'll be fine in an hour or so," the Healer shrugged unrepentantly. "Now, what is going on?"
"She's never going to fucking trust us again," Kingsley groaned.
"We just forcibly apparated her, I think that we were already breaking the boundaries of trust," Lucia sighed.
The healer arched a brow, "Why did you bring her here?"
Lucia bit back a snarl, flashing her credentials at the witch. "We need her checked."
She hummed, "Her name?"
"Hermione Granger."
"I'll need to run a heritage test to update her notes," she warned, "Standard procedure."
"Fuck," Lucia hissed, turning to Kingsley, "Get Croaker, immediately."
The Healer frowned, "Is she not Hermione Granger?"
"Oh, she is but she's also….not," Lucia sighed, "Look you'll need to sign the Unspeakables confidentiality clause for this one. As will everyone else who works with her."
"I see," the Healer murmured. "What am I checking for?"
"General health."
"Right. I'll begin checking then but I really will need to do the heritage test."
"After Croaker gets here," Lucia agreed with a long suffering sigh. She hated the immediate removal cases, especially when the children were against it. Silently, she thanked the gods that the parents were muggles, it was, unfortunately, infinitely easier to remove a child from them. And while normally she hated the double standard, not having to have a parent present when interviewing the child was an unfortunate bonus in this case.
"Very well," the Healer nodded, before levitating Hermione into a room so she could place her on a bed. "I assume you'll need the results?"
Lucia nodded, watching closely as she lifted her wand and began casting, "Her magic is already reaching out to try and protect her, I know you saw it. We were about ten seconds away from an explosion. She has elevated stress hormones, a severe lack of sleep, dehydration, slight deficiencies in several nutrients, she's underweight, albeit only slightly, is she not eating?"
"We don't know," Lucia admitted, "she was petrified at the end of last year."
The Healer paused in her movements, "Pardon?"
"At school. She was petrified,"
"Ah," she replied faintly, "That might explain some of it to be fair, but her nutrition doesn't look good across the board. The potions I would have expected her to receive should have kept things relatively stable."
"What else causes it?" Lucia asked, quill already in hand.
"Not eating properly," the Healer replied bluntly. "It is only slight. I'd guess at her nutrition declining over the last….month perhaps? Her readings don't indicate anything longer than that."
"Since she went home," Lucia murmured.
"Pardon?"
"What does she need?" Lucia asked instead of answering her.
"Rest,.proper nutrition….some fun."
"Some fun?" Lucia checked, startled.
"Her cortisol levels are… concerning and her blood pressure is higher than I'd like, which goes some way to explaining her magic's reaction."
"Ah. What causes that?"
"Stress mainly, although she's what…twelve?"
"Thirteen," Lucia glanced down at her notes, "almost fourteen."
She hummed, then frowned, "Perhaps we need to look at it closer then, she's really too young for her readings to look like this."
"And if she wasn't?" Lucia asked softly.
"Pardon?"
"We forcibly removed her from her home because of concerns." Lucia sighed, "She…it wasn't a healthy environment."
"I see." The Healer murmured as Kingsley and Saul burst into the room.
"What happened?" Saul demanded, his eyes going automatically to the bed.
"We… apparated her without consent. She was not happy about it but her magic was already trying to protect her and we all know how that can end up," Lucia grimaced, "The Healer spelled a sleeping draught into her because she was so agitated on arrival."
"Shit," Saul hissed, "That… she's not going to take that well."
"No," Lucia grimaced, "She's really not. Regardless, we need the Unspeakable contract, apparently, the Healer needs to do a heritage test to have the results added to her record."
"Since when"? Saul demanded.
"Since always," the Healer retorted. "It's not normally advertised. We only informed Ms Shannon because of her role."
Saul stared at her for several minutes, "Right" he muttered, thrusting the contract into her hands."
"Who are her biological parents?" The Healer checked, signing her name at the bottom of the first parchment before turning to the next.
"Me." Saul sighed, "and Regulus Black."
The Healer's eyes went wide and her quill paused in signing her name on the second sheet. "Pardon?" she barked incredulously.
"You heard me. Lord Black will be acting as her guardian assuming he passes his own health check. I believe he intends to appoint Remus Lupin as his proxy."
"He does?" Lucia asked incredulously. "Why am I only hearing this now?"
"According to Amelia. It has literally only just been agreed. I spoke to her just before Kingsley appeared looking for me," Saul replied.
"I see." the Healer sighed, shaking her head before squeezing several drops of Hermione's blood onto the parchment, grimacing when the family tree matched the description Saul gave. "Right then, I need to confirm this with Lord Black I imagine, however, I need your written consent to speak to him. And probably another document giving him your rights."
Saul blanched, "And if I don't want to give him my right's?" he demanded.
"You just said he was going to be the girl's guardian," the Healer replied looking confused.
"Yes but… can't he have his own rights?"
"Yes," Luciua interjected. "Yes, he can. We'll sort it. We haven't….removed her yet. Not officially. I haven't spoken to her parents, they weren't in."
"Are you removing her?" the Healer checked.
"I can't answer that until I've spoken to the parents. I have concerns. Major ones. But it depends on what they're willing to do with it."
"I…what? Who is this girl living with?" the bemused Healer demanded, having clearly reached the end of her patience.
"She was adopted by muggles," Lucia sighed, "Hence how we managed to remove her without speaking to her current guardians. They're determined to force her into a heavy muggle curriculum to the detriment of her health, you saw how manic she was when she arrived. Some of it can undoubtedly be attributed to our actions, but we did try to convince her to come with us willingly first. And while I haven't met them yet, Amelia Bones has met the father and was more than a little concerned. Having listened to the things Miss Granger had to say about herself, I cannot currently contradict her assessment. It was more than a little painful to listen to."
"I see," she muttered faintly. "Well then. I ah…technically Professor Croaker is her guardian in this world, therefore, he does have the right to grant Lord Black rights as the girl's Head of House, so let's start there."
All of them nodded, Lucia waited until the Healer left the room before turning to Saul, "Are you staying? The Healer said she'd wake an hour or so after the potion was administered…so…under half an hour?"
"Yes," Saul murmured, his eyes on the girl sleeping on the bed. "I'll stay. Where are you going?"
"To file the Healers report and set up a ward to warn us if the parents return."
"Ah," he replied faintly.
"Lord Black?" Sirius flinched at the address.
"Yes?"
"My name is Healer Braithwaite, I've been treating your niece."
"What?" he yelped, "What's wrong with her?"
"Lack of sleep mainly. Her father has given me permission to speak to you, I need to know what your intentions are?"
"In what way?" Sirius checked warily.
"I was led to believe you intend to grant one Remus Lupin interim rights, is that the case?"
"Yes." Sirius agreed.
"Then I need to speak to him," the Healer informed him, noting something down on her parchment, "For how long do you believe the interim rights will be active?"
"I should be able to leave here on Tuesday," Sirius muttered.
"Right. Well then. Send Mr Lupin to me please." The Healer smiled distractedly and headed for the door.
"Wait!" Sirius called, stopping her. "My niece…is she alright? Have they…have they removed her?"
"I believe that Ms Shannon and Auror Shaklebolt were intending to speak with her adoptive parents. However, regardless of the outcome, in this world, you and Professor Croaker have rights."
"I see," he murmured. "How is she?"
"Currently….we'll go with asleep. She was not entirely impressed with being brought here." the Healer grimaced.
"Fuck." Sirius hissed, dragging a hand agitatedly through his hair.
"Indeed Lord Black, indeed," Healer Braithwaite sighed, "Do you have a means of contacting Mr Lupin?"
"He'll be back in…" Sirius glanced at the clock," about an hour."
"Splendid. Have one of the staff send for me then."
"Fuck they're home," Lucia muttered at the sight of people moving in the Granger house.
"Let's get this over with then," Kingsely sighed, feeling a sense of foreboding as they approached the house.
Knocking with no small amount of trepidation, Lucia waited on an answer. Jean Granger opened the door with a face like thunder, her eyes raking over first Lucia and then Kingsley.
"What do you want?" she demanded.
"Mrs Granger, might we come in? It's about your daughter."
"Again?" she sighed, "Very well. I assume you're the reason she's not where she's meant to be?"
"If you're asking if we know where she is, we do," Lucia admitted.
Jean hummed, "I see. It's probably for the best."
"Pardon?" Kingsley asked in surprise.
"Well, it was becoming untenable, wasn't it? She was failing her classes and we were never going to be able to deal with that. It didn't matter what we agreed, she just didn't seem to appreciate the importance of her education. We tried to give her as many opportunities as possible but she just seemed bound and determined to squander them."
"Mrs Granger," Lucia attempted faintly, "your daughter is in the hospital with dehydration, questionable nutrition levels and stress hormones that are through the roof. She was hysterical at the thought of not meeting your expectations and was working herself into ill health. Explain to me how on earth that was squandering anything?"
Jean Granger pinned her with a look, "If she had wanted it more it wouldn't have been too much work. She had ample opportunity to work throughout the year, but she chose not to."
"She was in the hospital wing unable to do anything!" Lucia pointed out incredulously.
Jean shrugged, "What did she do to end up there?"
"Nothing more than being in the wrong place at the wrong time!"
"She was still able to complete her curriculum at that school, " Mark protested, appearing next to his wife. "I warned her earlier if she went then we'd be forced not to allow her back. She knew the rules."
"Are you stating implicitly that you will not have your daughter back?"
"It's for the best, "Jean sighed, "she wasn't what we expected."
"She's been disappointing us for years." Mark agreed, "We tried everything, honestly getting her to play those instruments was the last chance for her to not be one dimensional and she couldn't even take them with her to that school."
"Will you be collecting her things today?" Jean checked, cutting over her husband's rant.
"Yes." Luciua agreed faintly.
"I'll take you." she offered, heading for the stairs, "It's best not to waste any more time. I'm sure you're very busy.
"You haven't asked where she'll go." Kingsley pointed out as Lucia and Jean left.
Mark shrugged, "It hardly matters, she's not ours anymore. She had so much potential as a child. But perhaps we should have cut our losses when the dance and the art classes were failures. We should have known then she'd never meet the expectations we set. Next time perhaps we'll consider a boy."
"Next time?" Kingsley asked, sounding strangled.
Mark shrugged, "We need a child, it's expected. An older one perhaps might be better. One who'll know clearly what we expect."
"Mr Granger….your daughter is thirteen…are you telling me you feel nothing?"
"She had a nanny," Mark dismissed, "we had obligations. We'd always planned on being more involved as she got older and became more civilised. Of course, her abnormality put paid to that. Do you have something for me to sign?"
Kingsley's jaw dropped as Lucia reappeared, "Right we'll ah...right." he stuttered, unearthing the paperwork.
What the fuck was that?" he asked as soon as the door shut.
"A lucky fucking escape," Lucia muttered as they apparated away.
"Ah, Mr Lupin I presume?" Healer Braithwaite smiled at the man from across her desk.
"Yes. I was told you were the person I needed to ask for?"
"Yes, Mr Lupin. Do come in and have a seat."
"And me!" Lucia called rushing in. "We've spoken to the parents. They're relinquishing all rights."
"Fuck seriously?" Remus snarled, turning to look at her
"Don't even go there," she sighed, "It was fucking awful."
"Mind healer awful?" Remus asked hesitantly.
"Probably," she sighed. "I have the forms for you and Lord Black here. I'll speak to Saul after it. She should be waking up soon though so let's get a move on."
"I'll come and witness," the Healer sighed.
"So I just need to sign this and she's mine?" Sirius checked, staring at the parchment in disbelief.
"Pretty much Lord Black," Lucia nodded, before handing him another form "And then this one allows Remus Lupin temporary rights."
Sirius hummed, "Right then," he muttered, signing his name, startling slightly when it burst into flames. "Fucking hell! What the fuck was that?"
"It being accepted, whoever designed it had a flair for the dramatic," Lucia replied wryly.
"So I see," he muttered as he signed the next one, handing it to Remus to do the same.
"Wonderful. One Hermione Jean Black is now yours, Lord Black…well partially. Professor Croaker still retains rights."
"It changes her name?"
"Oh. Yes. It should always have been her name to be fair."
"Fucking wonderful, she's going to love that isn't she?"
Lucia grimaced, "Probably not. Shall we go see her?"
"Can I come?" Sirius checked.
"Oh. I…Healer?"
"Moira will have my head," Healer Braithwaite muttered. "But yes. Under the circumstances, you can."
"Then let's go."
"Why am I still here?" Hermione croaked, her eyes scanning the room.
"Because the healer dosed you with dreamless sleep," Saul replied soothingly, "to be fair you probably needed it. How are you feeling?"
"Tired," she mumbled.
"Then sleep."
"I can't…my…oh! Oh no! My exam!" she wailed.
"Hermione. Stop. It's not important," Saul flinched when she rounded on him, "You…you know you're unlikely to be returning."
"What?" she gasped and he grimaced, realising all too late the hole he'd landed himself in.
"Hermione, it… wasn't healthy," he began gently. "It…you were making yourself il."
"But they're my parents! Where...where will I go? What…will I be allowed to see them?"
"I don't know," Saul admitted, wishing he was better at his. She looked devastated. "But as for where you'll go, Lord Black will be able to teach you all those little niggly family secrets you need to know. I believe his…old friend Remus Lupin is going to be around."
"I don't…I…no. I want to go home!"
He looked at her with pity, "Hermione, it's…."
"Ah, Miss Granger, you're awake!"
Hermione's head shot up to look at the Healer. "I want to go home."
"Ah. Well. Thats…." Healer Braithwaite stuttered, turning to Lucia for help.
"Hermione, this is Remus Lupin and Lord Black," Lucia cut in gently as Hermione's wide eyes went to the man who she recognised from the news. At least he looked sane now. And clean. The man next to him looked…tired. And a little scruffy but he had a kind face.
"Hello Hermione," Sirius greeted softly.
Her eyes flew back to him, "I want to go home." she repeated and he winced. Slowly curling in on herself, Hermione bit back the urge to vomit. "I'm not going home, am I?" she whispered. Gods, she was so fucking stupid. They'd warned her, hadn't they? And she'd failed. Not good enough, not pretty enough, not clever enough. Not able to keep up. No wonder they didn't want her. Who would?
"Hermione?" Sirius hedged as he watched her shut down, feeling entirely out of his depth. "You're going to stay with Remus for a little bit." he tried. She nodded, not looking at him. "And then when I get out you can come and live with me." she nodded again. Sirius shot Remus a look, trying another tact. "Hermione, do you know where Harry lives?"
"Surrey," she mumbled.
"Do you have an address?"
"Why?"
"Because I'm his godfather and I'd quite like to see him."
She hummed, "Four Privet Drive." Attempting not to be concerned about the flat tone in her voice, he smiled.
"Right then, Ms Shannon?"
"On it." she sighed, eyeing the girl on the bed with worry.
"Miss Granger, I am going to insist you stay here overnight." the Healer cut in. "After that, we will arrange your discharge with Mr Lupin." Silently, Hermione nodded again. "Alright, I'm going to give you a week or so of nutrition potions. One a day." when she gave no reaction, the Healer faltered slightly, "Right,...well. Right then. I'll leave you to it. Lord Black, you have an hour and then I expect you back in bed before Moira murders me."
Sirius sighed, watching his niece with concern. He knew that look all too well. "Can I be moved temporarily?"
The healer opened her mouth to refuse before her eyes drifted back to the silent teen. "Yes. I'll arrange it."
"Thank you," he mumbled, utterly unsure as to what his next move should be.