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Count Your Blessings	By : LadyOfTheNight Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Lucius/Hermione Views: 39948 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 5
Disclaimer: I do not own or make any money off of this fan fiction because Harry Potter belongs to a Ms J. K. Rowling and not me! ^_^

Chapter List
- 11
- 12
- 13
Count Your Blessings

<><>{Chapter Twelve: It’s a Family Thing}<><>

Mr. Draco Malfoy,

We regret to inform you that your petition for a parole hearing regarding Prisoner Number 9274 has been denied as of today November Fifteenth of this year. We encourage you to petition again next month if you feel that the prisoner in question is still deserving of a parole hearing and requires that we review the case again. We thank you for your interest in the prison system and ask that you direct any further inquiries to the Appeals office of the Magical Law Enforcement Department.

From the Office of the Parole Commissioner

John B. Greengrass

Department of Magical Law Enforcement

Mr. Draco Malfoy,

After reviewing Prisoner Number 9274’s files we, the members of the appeals department, have found that we are in favor of the parole board’s ruling to deny said Prisoner a parole hearing. We at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement have a responsibility to the Wizarding Community to keep violent offenders behind bars until they are successfully rehabilitated. Considering that Prisoner Number 9274 served under both of the Dark Lord’s reigns and admitted to committing numerous acts of violence towards his fellow magical and non-magical beings, we have decided that said Prisoner is ineligible for parole at this time.

Wilma H. Rodham

Office of Appeals

Department of Magical Law Enforcement

That was the fourth month in a row that Draco’s petition for parole was denied. He was starting to really hate that John B. Greengrass and Wilma H. Rodham. It seemed that each letter felt more condescending and pious than the last. He could just imagine the evil smiles on their faces as they wrote those cold, harsh words that were the same every month. They couldn’t even call his father by his name; it was always Prisoner Number 9274, like he wasn’t even a person and that truly disturbed Draco.

Draco couldn’t deny his father’s past deeds but, he also couldn’t find it in his heart to abandon him either. He knew his father had joined and returned to the Dark Lord willingly but he also knew that he was pressured into doing his most horrible deeds: turning your son over to a psychopathic dictator, torturing and raping young girls were all things he did while being but under a huge amount of stress and pressure.

Draco had felt that stress and pressure as well when his father was incarcerated the first time. The only reason he agreed to join the Death Eaters in the first place was to vindicate his father and reclaim honor for their family. When he was offered the chance to kill Dumbledore he thought he was so lucky for a chance like that to prove himself, and at the same time prove his family was not worthless. Draco did not like Dumbledore but if he thought about it, he really didn’t want him dead and certainly didn’t want to be the one to do it which is probably why he had chosen such half-hearted methods to try and kill the old man. If his godfather hadn’t disclosed the truth about Dumbledore’s plan and eventual death either way, then Draco would still have that weighing on his conscious too.

The last time he had visited his father Lucius had sat quietly, slumped over at the table with his eyes closed. Every time Draco would speak his father would just sit mutely as if unaffected by the conversation Draco was trying to have.

“Don’t come back…” Was all his father had uttered, just as Draco was leaving.

“What? Why?” Draco asked as he looked at his father’s face to see if he had his eyes open; they were still closed.

“Being here, in this place… it is what I deserve; the very least. I don’t deserve your visits.” Lucius croaked out of his barely used vocal chords.

“But Father, I… I can’t leave you here alone…” he started but the guard had interrupted him.

“Time’s up.” And Draco felt a hand come down on his shoulder to nudge him out of the room. Right before the door was closed he saw that his father had opened his eyes and he had a determined glint that Draco knew better than to argue with him.

He hadn’t been back to visit him for the last two weeks, mostly because he feared his father would do something rash if Draco persisted in visiting him. Draco knew what the guilt felt like and he was lucky to have his charity to relieve some of his own. Not to mention he had the company and his father to worry about; he wondered what it must be like for his father being left alone with his guilty thoughts and feelings. No wonder he was severely depressed; Draco just hoped that his father didn’t do anything rash like his mother did.

Looking back down at the stack of rejection letters he quickly came to the decision to pay Mr. Greengrass a visit without an appointment. He wanted to catch this man before he had time to prepare a Ministry of Magic approved answer to any questions Draco might ask. He wanted to know exactly what he needed to do to get his father out. Draco might be a reformed criminal but in the case of his family he was willing to negotiate a little quid pro quo.

Draco grabbed the Floo powder out of the crystal bowl on the mantle and was quickly transported to the underground headquarters of the Ministry of Magic. He knew exactly where to go, having been through these parts of the ministry many times. He ignored the curious stares he got as he walked through the ministry halls and almost laughed when one older lady actually turned around to walk the other way instead of pass by him in the hallway.

The Daily Prophet had made a grand show of publishing pictures and names of all the convicted Death Eaters and when he had been released on house arrest and then released from custody all together it was all that was printed in the papers for weeks. He was the first convicted Death Eater released and he was a Malfoy; both of those things made him news worthy. If he hadn’t been in such a foul mood already he would have cared that all of these people’s natural reaction to him was negative. Right now Draco could care less what anyone thought of him mostly because he knew that his mood was evident to everyone who looked at him.

He entered the lobby of the Magical Enforcement Department in the Ministry and quickly located the parole hall, searching the directory to find the Commissioner’s office number. He effectively navigated the narrow hallways, still trying to remain oblivious to all of the stares he received, until he reached the desired office number. After entering, he walked past the rows of cubicles till he reached the secretary’s desk that sat in front of the office he was looking for. Without waiting for any instructions or greetings from the man’s secretary Draco went right up to the door and opened it abruptly to find the man he was looking for entertaining two young women. They all turned to look at Draco with shock, the secretary’s protests filling the stunned silence that Draco’s entrance brought.

“He just barged in Sir…” They heard the secretary call from the doorway but Draco watched as the man held a hand up to silence her excuses.

“Pardon my interruption sir,” Draco apologized while quickly taking control of his anger. “but I believe we have some business to discuss…” Draco drawled out boredly as he looked about the office with an air of indifference. His indifference was his only defense as he navigated these unfamiliar waters. He looked over at the two young witches sitting across from Mr. Greengrass and recognized them as fellow Slytherins. The older woman was in his year, Daphne Greengrass and he guessed that the younger one was her sister but he honestly couldn’t remember her name. The two women were staring at Draco with interest and quickly looked back to the man on the other side of the desk.

“Daphne, Astoria, why don’t I meet you at the restaurant, it appears I have one more meeting after all.” The man told the two women and they quickly got up and curtsied to the man.

“Alright Uncle John, may I order you a drink?” Astoria asked her Uncle as her sister left the room.

“No thank-you darling, I have no idea how long I will be.” He replied and young woman gave Draco one last curious look before exiting her Uncle’s office.

“Now what business do you and I have Mr. Malfoy? I believe I have been very clear in our correspondences…” Mr. Greengrass told his unwanted office guest with trepidation.

“Let’s cut the crap; what is it going to take to get my father out of Azkaban?” He asked with all of the indifference turned to determination. The older man looked over at the younger man with a pensive look but remained silent.

“Do you have a favorite charity or cause that I could donate to? Or do you need any favors?” he asked desperately trying to fill the awkward silence that had fallen on the two.

“I am confused by your constant inquiries into your father’s release. Did you not place the blame for your misdeeds during the war on his shoulders? That is what you disclosed to the parole board when we placed you under house arrest…” he asked of the young man who began to tightly clench his jaw together and decided to remain silent.

“If he were to blame for all of your misdeeds then you can understand my confusion at your persistence to have him released…” he trailed of pointedly and looked at the younger wizard with a challenging glint in his eye.

“Unless you were lying to the parole board… Being lied to is my biggest pet peeve…” he trailed off hinting that Draco was annoying him. “Being interrupted is my second…” Draco swallowed down some of his nerves before carefully answering the man.

“I am sorry again for this rude interruption Sir, but to answer your questions I should think the answer would be quite clear…” he paused for dramatic effect before continuing. “He is my father; no matter what he has done to me or others he is still my father. I can’t stand to see him wasting away in that place.” He told the man across from him truthfully but with a slight steel edge to his voice, as if he was daring the man to try and negate his statement.

“My father is all I have left… and Azkaban’s solitude is killing him.” Draco disclosed sadly and felt his shoulders slump forward. His false bravado was deflating quickly before the older wizard’s eyes and he could see that Draco meant what he said.

“I hardly think Azkaban is killing him… Perhaps he is merely pretending or putting on a show, so as to procure an early release…” Mr. Greengrass suggested but was answered by a swift pound of Draco’s fist making contact with his desk.

“NO!” Draco cried out in protest before taking a deep breath to calm himself. “No, that is not what is happening.” He assured Mr. Greengrass who was watching Draco intently, as if he was looking for the lie to manifest into a tell-tale sign on Draco’s face.

“His guilt over what he did to me, and others weigh heavily on him; I think he is severely depressed.” Draco admitted in a pleading voice. “I had to lose one parent to a severe emotional state, I cannot sit by while I lose the other too; no matter what he has done in his past.” Draco told the man who was still unwavering in his gaze.

“Go see for yourself…” Draco prompted the man, feeling like his hopes for his father’s release were quickly slipping away. “You will see that I am telling you the truth.” He finished determinedly. After letting the silence flounder between them, Mr. Greengrass finally spoke.

“We have many prisoners that are depressed, after all Azkaban is not intended to bring joy, however if he is truly contemplating self-harm it is my duty to investigate these claims. I will visit you’re the Prisoner soon and send you the results of my findings.” He replied indifferently as he moved to stand up from his desk. “Now if you will excuse me, I am late for lunch.”

<><>{Chapter Twelve}<><>

The walls of their new home were echoing the joyous shouts of Hermione’s son and his friend as they ran around the empty home. They were enjoying the freedom that the lack of furniture provided them and Hermione and Andromeda were allowing it, just this once.

She had moved into what appeared to be a small two bedroom house in Muggle London located on Primrose Hill; the house overlooked the whole of Regent Park. It was a beautiful neighborhood and the main reason she chose this house over the many others she saw, was due to its close proximity to the park and zoo. The relator had taken her into Regent Park to show her how to access the magical part of the park that had a full size Quidditch field and a smaller one that looked to be for children to use. She was told that the zoo in the park also had a magical section that catered to the more exotic animals, something she knew her son would love.

The house itself was magical and had been expanded by the last owner to fit five bedrooms, three upstairs and two downstairs. She already had plans for one of the downstairs bedrooms to be an office and the relator assured her that she could always add more rooms if needed. The house had been empty since the end of the last war so she ended up getting it for a bargain price; the mortgage was lower than anything she would pay to rent in the area so she felt very good about her purchase. There was even a private, fenced in garden in the back that would be a perfect place for an apparition point. So she had signed the paper work and today was move in day. Andromeda offered to come help her with the move even though Hermione had developed her own type of packing charm and everything in a room could be packed or unpacked as easy as a flick of the wrist. She appreciated the offer just the same; when Benny and Teddy were together it was always a good idea to have an extra pair of eyes.

“Wow this place is huge!” Andromeda called from the kitchen as she continued to inspect her friend’s new home. “Did you know there is room in here for at least three House Elves?” she called again from the kitchen.

“No way am I EVER enslaving a House Elf!” Hermione called back as she inspected a hall closet only to hear the boys crash into something on the second floor. She waited a moment and then heard their wild giggles signaling that they were not hurt.

“Boys, I don’t want to see anything broken up there…” Hermione warned them ominously only to be answered by more giggles as the two boys suddenly appeared on the landing with matching grins.

“Do you both like the house?” she asked them interestedly and they nodded enthusiastically. “Good, now you need to pick out which room you want Benny, so I can unpack it and you both can have a place to sleep tonight…” Before she could finish her sentence both boys were gone in search of the perfect room for Benny. Hermione smiled and was glad that Teddy was going to be helping Benny with his first night in the new house. She went to find her friend who was still inspecting the kitchen. The box containing all of her kitchen stuff was sitting on the counter waiting for Hermione to say the spell to release its contents. When she spoke the words all of her stuff magically left the box and expanded to its original size.

Both witches watched in awe as her belongings settled into cabinets and they had to duck as her table and chairs appeared and finally settled down in the middle of the kitchen.

“No, not there, in the dining room.” Hermione told her dining furniture bossily and with another flick of her wrists the table and chairs were sent into the appropriate room.

“I see your education is not going to waste.” Andromeda teased as she marveled at the complexity of Hermione’s moving spell. “Speaking of your education… Why is Severus not helping you with your move?” She inquired as she politely pointed out his absence. Hermione was rearranging a floral arrangement and stilled her hands for a moment before deciding to just come out with it.

“Well, Severus and I are… well we… broke up.” She told the other witch for lack of a better term and quickly faced away from her. It always sounded so juvenile to describe her and Severus’ relationship in terms of Boyfriend and Girlfriend. He was no boy after all and she found that verbalizing their break up was proving to be just as difficult as defining it.

“Really?” Andromeda asked interestedly before tentatively going on. “Are you okay… with everything?” she inquired worriedly after watching the witch continue to adjust objects around the room as if she had just commented on the weather.

“Oh stop, I am dealing with it just fine. Am I hurt that things couldn’t work out, yes; am I going to sit around a weep over what could have been, no. You should know that I am too practical to sit around and mope, at least not for long.” She told the other witch with her back still towards her, trying to convince both herself and her friend that what she just said was the truth.

“We just want different things out of life…” she trailed off tiredly and could feel her emotions bubbling to the surface. She quickly blinked back a few tears she felt forming before turning towards her friend with a shaky smile. Andromeda on the other hand was not buying what Hermione was selling. She came over to her younger woman and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“What happened?” she asked quietly with a tenderness that was not inherited from her family. The one comforting gesture was all Hermione needed to find herself in silent tears again. She quickly threw her arms around her friend and buried her head in Andromeda’s shoulder.

“He doesn’t want to have any children…” she told her friend who had begun rubbing Hermione’s back in a very comforting and soothing fashion.

“But you want more.” Andromeda supplied and Hermione nodded into her shoulder as Andromeda sighed at the sight of her young friend in tears.

“Yes, I always wanted to have at least one more child and that’s not something you are able to compromise on…” a silence fell on the two of them as Andromeda comforted the younger witch. It wasn’t until they heard another loud crash that Hermione pulled out of the comforting embrace to give a shaky laugh.

“Although with those two about, I must be mental to want more.” She teased herself and Andromeda gave her another quick squeeze before releasing her grasp.

“You never cease to amaze me. I just wish you didn’t have to grow up so fast.” Andromeda lamented to her as she watched the young witch with a noticeable sadness in her eyes.

“Harry and Ron used to always tell me I had a forty year old witch trapped in a Hogwarts inside…” She said laughing fondly at the memory, despite the stray tear that was still trying to escape.

“You are going to be fine. Trust me.” Andromeda said with so much confidence that despite her mopey feelings Hermione couldn’t help but feel slightly better. How was it a woman raised in such a dismal family environment always knew exactly how to cheer her up? “Now let’s get this place unpacked…” Andromeda suggested as they were interrupted by another loud noise coming from the upstairs; Andromeda rolled her eyes at Hermione.

“Boys.” She commented. “I thought I escaped them when I had Nymphadora but alas…” she trailed of pointedly and Hermione felt her sadness waning.

“Maybe if we unpack Benny’s room we can distract them with toys…’’ the younger witch suggested only to be met with a cheeky smile.

“That sounds like a marvelous idea.” Her friend told her while grabbing a box that was labeled Benny’s room and heading upstairs.

“Andromeda, do you think I made the right decision?” she asked her friend with trepidation as they ascended the staircase.

“Absolutely. No question about it.” She replied easily. “The question is do you think you did the right thing?” She asked of Hermione as they reached the top of the staircase. Hermione thought about it as they walked down the hall and nodded her head in agreement.

“Yes I did what was best for me. Merlin, that sounds so selfish.” She laughed and Andromeda joined her.

“And what’s wrong with that?” She questioned as they rounded the corner to find both of the boys in the middle of a friendly wrestling match.

<><>{Chapter Twelve}<><>

Mr. Draco Malfoy,

After reviewing the new information regarding Prisoner Number 9274’s state of mind, the Parole Board has decided that said prisoner no longer poses a danger to the Wizarding Community and therefore will be released into house arrest for a time no longer than one year. During such time the Prisoner’s wand will be held at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement until the house arrest is complete. A condition to the Prisoner’s release is that he carries out his hour arrest in your residence. If this is a problem for you or you do not wish to take on this responsibility than you may refuse. If that is the case than Prisoner Number 9274 will carry out the rest of his sentence in Azkaban.

As a condition to the Prisoner’s release, we at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement reserve the right to randomly visit the residence to check that the residence is complying with all the conditions to the Prisoner’s parole. I have enclosed a list of items and actions that are prohibited from being in the residence with the Prisoner. By allowing this Prisoner to reside in your residence you are also in turn taking on the responsibility of his care. As soon as we can give your residence a thorough check, we will release the Prisoner into your custody.

We look forward to your response in a timely manner and next time you wish to see me, make an appointment.

From the Office of the Parole Commissioner

John B. Greengrass

Department of Magical Law Enforcement

Draco had a look on his face as if he were a small boy and was told Christmas was coming early. He glanced around the board room and noticed a few disapproving glares from some of the older board members at his failure to pay attention. He was in the middle of a meeting for his family’s chain of apothecaries when the letter arrived. He caught the inquisitive glance that Dobbson sent his way and returned it with a gesture that indicated he needed five minutes. After letting the man who was speaking finish his thought, Draco quickly called for a bathroom break and a few of the older board members were chuffing their agreement. When the two men were alone in a deserted office Draco told Dobbson his good news.

“They are letting him out! My father will be one step closer to freedom.” Draco’s happiness was practically radiating off the younger man; Dobbson had never seen the man look so lively but couldn’t help feel a slight bit of trepidation at the thought of his father being back under the same roof while he was still rebuilding his image. Draco did not need any type of bad press and Dobbson was sure that Lucius Malfoy’s release from Azkaban would be front page news, and not the good kind. Dobbson read the note and when he reached the end he looked up and raised an eyebrow at Draco’s nerve.

“You stopped in on John Greengrass without an appointment?” He inquired of the smirking boy warily. Dobbson could not help but be secretly pleased that Greengrass had seen the move as that of a desperate family member and not that of an entitled rich brat who is not used to hearing the word no.

“You must have said something right because that man is notorious at holding a grudge, one that your father may have deserved if I remember correctly… I think your father was under suspicion for the murder of his brother; this was just after you were born. I think it was right before the end of the first war. No one could ever prove it, of course, and your father claimed to only do You-Know-Who’s bidding the first time under the Imperius Curse so he was never formally charged for any murders.” Draco frowned at that piece of information. Lucius was always a proud man and kept his misdeeds away from Draco so much that Draco found he knew very little about his father. Most of what he learned was not anything to be proud of, but then Draco’s own past was not littered with good deeds either. He also did not put much stock in idle gossip and chit chat. He believed what he knew to be true and did his best to ignore the things he heard that couldn't be proved, but in this case he made a mental note to ask his father about that particular incident at another time.

“Of course John Greengrass never forgot and I suspect he never let his nieces forget either.” Dobbson told the man morosely and Draco had a pensive look on his face.

“Why didn’t you tell me about this?” Draco queried and the older man was quick to respond.

“Because, it is not your burden to bear. If your father is coming home then you need to hear what I have to say. Draco, you may be responsible for your father’s care but his transgressions are his and his alone. You are not responsible for his choices.” Dobbson told the younger man firmly and Draco considered his mentor’s words carefully.

“You do not want me to help him right his wrongs, the way you are helping me?” Draco inquired of Dobbson with a tone of warning clear in his voice.

“No, I am saying that you shouldn’t assume that he will want to do anything about his past.” Dobbson told him calmly and Draco couldn’t help but listen and reflect over his words. The truth was that the only thing his father had shown remorse over was how he had negatively affected his family members. The man seemed perfectly content to wallow in Azkaban and Dobbson brought up a good point that Draco had not thought of.

“Will you ever tell me the story behind Miss Granger?” Dobbson asked quietly and Draco just stared at the wall pensively. This had become a common topic of discussion between the two wizards and Draco always refused to answer these types of questions. Draco gave an exhausted sigh and looked at the man tiredly.

“If I was going to finally talk about the one thing I refuse to speak of, here and now would hardly be the settings I would choose to do it in. Just because I have told you some of my past doesn’t mean you get to know all of my darkest secrets.” Draco snapped coldly but Dobbson was so used to these tirades and sudden mood changes that he ignored his tone and focused on his words.

“It’s that bad?” Dobbson asked and again Draco remained silent. His previous good mood was ruined by Dobbson’s damn curiosity although Draco had to give him props for being persistent.

“We should head back, the break is almost over.” Dobbson reminded Draco and that was the end of that conversation.

<><>{Chapter Twelve}<><>

Just as Hermione was opening the last box, she felt the tingle of her wards indicating that Harry and Ginny had arrived. “Boys, Uncle Harry is here!” she called up to the two children; their only response was the sound of them scrambling to get down the stairs. They arrived at the bottom just in time to greet their godfather as he entered through the front door.

“Uncle Harry!” The boys called out in unison as they almost tackled him to the ground. Before Hermione had a chance to scold the boys for their lack of manners, she saw Harry was laughing and returning their hugs with the same disregard for manners that the boys had shown. She shook her head at the sight of them and quickly met Ginny’s gaze to see the same infectious smile on her face; her arms were full of Chinese take-out.

“Mrs. Potter…” Hermione greeted her friend with a big hug and then took the food into the kitchen while Andromeda said her hellos. Once they finished their greetings the group of hungry witches and wizards followed their noses into the dining room were Hermione had the take-out feast assembled on the table.

After dinner the boys were glued to Harry’s hips as they gave Harry and Ginny the tour. Hermione noticed the twinkle in Ginny’s eye as she watched Harry interact with the young children. She still hadn’t disclosed her good news yet even though almost everyone already knew, thanks to George. Harry and Ginny were sickeningly cute to watch as they gave each other loving looks when they thought no one was looking and after the evening was over she decided that their relationship was not something to be jealous of, but rather something to aspire to have.

Harry spent the time after dinner and the tour telling the boys stories about his adventures but when the boys started yawning the adults knew it was time for bed.

Harry volunteered to put the boys to bed and Ginny watched fondly as he chased the two young children up the stairs; she did not realize it but she was holding her flat stomach while she watched.

“What’s the matter Ginny? Is your stomach acting up?” Andromeda questioned her obliviously after noticing the hand gesture. Hermione discerned that Andromeda knew nothing of the Potter’s impending arrival and decided to have a little fun at Ginny’s expense.

“You know, she does have a funny look on her face…” Hermione supplied and Andromeda had to nod in agreement.

“Do you want me to do a status charm Ginny?” Andromeda offered innocently and Ginny was so quick to say no that Hermione couldn’t hold in her small giggle. Ginny quickly caught a look at Hermione’s barely contained mirth and narrowed her eyes suspiciously before watching Hermione squirm under her watchful gaze.

“George told you. Didn’t he?” She asked her friend seriously and she just gave a quick nod just as Harry was coming down the stairs. “Hermione knows…” she called out to her husband who quickly walked over looking awkward and slightly sheepish.

“You are never allowed to go drinking with my brothers again.” She told him menacingly while Andromeda still stared on curiously.

“What does Hermione know?” she queried to the group and Ginny just gave a loud sigh.

“Harry and I are going to have a baby.” She snapped rather unceremoniously and quickly went back to glaring at Harry. “There, are you happy? You can tell whoever you want.” She grumped at her husband before turning towards the two somewhat confused women to explain.

“I find out about the baby and tell Harry. Then the next night he goes out with my brothers for a drink and ends up telling George all about the baby. I went over the next morning and made George promise not to say anything but I knew that wanker wouldn’t be able to keep his mouth shut.” Ginny finished by placing her arms across her chest with a slightly pouty look on her face.

“I don’t understand why you wanted to keep it a secret in the first place.” Harry told his wife lovingly as he kissed her cheek.

“It’s not that I NEVER wanted to tell people… I just wanted some time to get used to the whole being pregnant idea.” She responded and got an understanding nod from Andromeda before looking over at Hermione for support.

“Don’t look at me. My adjustment period involved breast feeding.” Hermione joked and Ginny blanched.

“How far along are you?” Andromeda tried to change the subject, something they were all thankful for.

“Just six weeks but we have only known about it for two; I haven’t even thought about names yet.” She admitted and Hermione came over to give her friend a huge hug.

“Your Mum is going to be so happy…” Hermione started only to see all the color leave her face again. “What is it?” Hermione asked worriedly.

“She doesn’t know yet right? Of course she doesn’t, otherwise she would have sent the howler already…” She thought aloud as the other two witches watched on in amusement.

“Molly would never send a howler over a new grandchild, even if she is the last to know.” Andromeda told her reassuringly. “But just to be safe you should go and tell her… right now…” Andromeda suggested and Harry and Hermione were nodding in agreement.

The happy group was interrupted by the sudden appearance of a silvery corporeal lynx. No one from the Order had used their Patronus to send messages since the war ended and the fact that anyone had used it meant something important was going on.

“That’s Kingsley’s Patronus…” Hermione commented knowingly and they all gathered around to hear what it had to say.

“Urgent news Harry, prison break. Report to Azkaban immediately.” They heard Kingsley’s authoritative voice echo from the corporeal lynx and Harry looked to his wife first with worry on his face.

“Stay here with Hermione and Andromeda. Keep each other safe, just in case some pissed off Death Eater comes knocking.” Harry told the women who were waving him off for even having to suggest it. Ginny quickly pressed her lips to his before pushing him out the back door toward the apparition point Hermione set up in the garden.

“Just go, so you can come back to us.” Ginny told him as she rubbed her flat stomach with a large smile on her face. Harry nodded and ran out the door only to leave a pop behind him to let the woman know he was gone. The rest of the night was a somber affair as all three women tried their best to wait up for Harry’s return. Eventually they all decided to head up stairs where Hermione led her house guests to the one sparsely decorated spare room that had a bed. When Hermione awoke the next morning to the smell of bacon cooking in the kitchen, she could not help but smile. After doing a quick room check she found that only Andromeda was still asleep so she quickly headed down stairs to find Ginny making breakfast with the boys attempting to help.

Ginny was frying the bacon but had Teddy and Benny set up in chairs each in charge of their own task. Her back was turned to the boys and they were taking full advantage of their lack of supervision to make a huge mess. Teddy was beating the eggs a little too roughly and raw egg was flying all over the counters and cabinets. He had a very determined look on his face as he franticly whipped the whisk around the bowl that only made Hermione smile wider. She noticed that Benny was dropping blueberries into a bowl of pancake batter and doing his best to make the batter splatter. He watched the batter and giggled as the liquid flew into the air and then landed on the counter and chair he was standing on. Having always been a very neat and tidy child, Hermione was always amazed at her tolerance when it came to her son’s messes now; maybe her new tolerance came from her own new habit of being untidy or from the knowledge that it only took one flick of her wrist to clean it. Either way she decided it was time to interrupt the children’s fun to offer her assistance.

“Good Morning!” She called to the room only to have all three of them look up at her and smile. Hermione noticed Ginny’s eyes were red puffy and she looked like she got very little sleep. She looked over at the boys and noticed the huge mess that they had made and quickly looked back at Hermione apologetic.

“Don’t worry about it...” Hermione said preemptively and went over to inspect the boys’ work. “Teddy these eggs look great… and Benny I think that we have enough blueberries, why don’t we get you both cleaned up so that Aunt Ginny can finish cooking.” She suggested to the two boys but before they could protest, the morning post’s arrival interrupted them. Hermione watched as Ginny grabbed the Daily Prophet only to gasp at what she saw. It was an article all about the prison break and it only took Ginny s few seconds to begin reading the article out loud.

Multiple Prisoners Escape Azkaban Last Night

Late last night it was confirmed that five of Azkaban’s more dangerous Prisioners have escaped. Aurors recovered four of them within the hour but one Fenrir Greyback’s whereabouts are still unknown.

Auror Harry Potter and Minister Shacklebolt are seen above discussing the case with a sense of urgency this reporter has not witnessed since the last war. The Minister and Aurors believe that Greyback was working with one of the guards and coordinated the release of the other Prisoners as a way of distracting the Aurors. Minister Shacklebolt wants to assure the public that the Department of Magical Law Enforcement is working around the clock to locate and apprehend the escaped Prisoner as soon as possible.

Fenrir Greyback is known for being both a convicted Snatcher and Death Eater sympathizer and if you encounter him use extreme caution. Being afflicted with Lycanthropy, Greyback knowingly places himself in populated areas during the full moon to increase the likelihood of biting someone. It is this reporter’s suggestion that everyone stay indoors on evenings with a full moon until this fugitive is caught. Next full moon is two weeks from today, December fourth, so mark your calendars.

Fenrir likes to target women and children, and most of the people he has infected with Lycanthropy were bitten at a very young age. Remus Lupin, known war hero, martyr and werewolf was bitten by Greyback over a land dispute Greyback had with Lupin’s father. The sweet, innocent boy was bitten at the tender age of five and cruelly cursed with a horrible illness for the rest of short life…

Ginny stopped reading here because the rest of the article was a lot of background information they already knew. Hermione was breathing shallowly at the news of which prisoner was still at large and noticed Ginny staring at her worriedly. Hermione could tell Ginny was worried about Harry but Hermione couldn’t help but shiver when she thought of Greyback’s involvement in her rape. She had never disclosed the details of exactly what happened to her, mostly because she hadn’t wanted to relive it again so vividly and also because she knew that the details would only distress her friends and herself. She knew it was silly and self-centered, but Hermione could not help feeling like Greyback was after her. Something about the way he looked at her that night always seemed to haunt her worst nightmares and cause her to wake in a hot sweat on more than one occasion. She quickly rationalized that it was natural to feel paranoid given her circumstances but that she should try and ignore it. Hermione reasoned with herself that an escaped convict had much more to worry about than one Muggleborn witch, but she still felt a great unease.

Teddy and Benny noticed the attention the newspaper was getting and drew closer until Teddy had snuck under one of Ginny’s arms and pulled the paper down a little to see it for himself. His eyes were drawn to the pictures first and he quickly recognized a familiar face.

“Daddy!” he cried out excitedly while pointing at the picture; Benny was sneaking under Ginny’s other arm to get a better look at the daddy in question. Hermione watched her son inspect the image of his friend’s father and then looked over to her expectantly, as if he was waiting for her to show him a picture of his Daddy. Unfortunately for the young wizard, Benny had no Daddy just an unwanted sperm donor.

“Look, there is Uncle Harry!” she told the boys, trying to distract them from the Daddy subject once again. She knew she could not keep distracting them forever but she was going to try as long as they let her. “Let’s get you both cleaned up.” Hermione told the boys while pushing them towards the sink and away from the paper.

<><>{End of Chapter Twelve}<><>

A/N: Thanks to all the readers, reviewers and raters! It makes my day to receive your feedback!

Special thanks to HarryGinny4eva for her comments. They inspired some of my dialog in this chapter! All input is always appreciated.

This chapter took forever because I kept rewriting it… lol I put too much fluffy filler and the main plot was being pushed back again so I had to edit this like a fiend. Maybe after the story is done I will post little drabbles of fluff that didn’t make the final edit; like deleted scenes…

I also have been distracted by sooooo many ideas for new stories but I refuse to post the in depth, multi-chapter ones till I have more direction with where I want them to go. I also want to wait until I have completed this story to post anything other than PWP... just for my own piece of mind lol

Oh and there is something up with my e-mail account so I am sorry for not being able to notify those of you who have asked me to do so!

X/

Have a lovely day!

:D
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