By Reason Of Birth

The Encounter

Hermione and Theo remained quiet as they read over their menus and only began to talk after the waitress had taken their orders. Theo moved his chair so they were sitting next to each other rather than across from one another to keep their conversation quiet. "So this must have come as a bit of a shock to you," he commented.

"Kind of, yes. I've always known that I was adopted and four years ago I was told that I would be returned to my birth family, but until I received the letter from Mr. Fry I didn't know who they- you- were. I was slightly horrified at first, but then I realized that you had never once been mean to me or my friends, and your- our- father hadn't tried to seriously hurt any of us at the Ministry. So, while it's going to take some getting used to, it could be worse. I could be a Malfoy," she responded with a shudder that caused him to chuckle. "Have you always known?"

"Pretty much. Mum and Dad really wanted to take you back after the Dark Lord disappeared when we were babies, but the adoption agreement was iron-clad. When he came back, they were grateful they hadn't succeeded and you were still safe."

"But then why was I given away and you weren't? You were in danger, too."

"Well, when Dad became a Death Eater right out of Hogwarts, he pledged his first-born child to him. By the time Mum was pregnant, he was having second thoughts. But as you know, no one just stops being a Death Eater.

"When they found out Mum was pregnant with twins, they made the Healer take an Unbreakable Vow to never let anyone know. We were born at home, with that same Healer delivering us, and you were whisked away to the Granger's. They didn't want either of us to serve the Dark Lord, but since he had known Mum was pregnant, they had to produce a child. Had he known there were two of us, he would have considered it a two for one deal and you would have been pledged to him as well."

Hermione looked at her brother in shock. So it hadn't been a lie that she had been given away for her safety. Before she could respond, though, their food arrived, smelling heavenly. For the rest of the meal they only spoke about trivial things, getting to know each other better. When it was time to pay, Theo realized that he only had Wizarding money on him, making Hermione laugh as she paid the bill.

As soon as they made it back onto the street, they were accosted by Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, who had been watching the two from across the street for the previous five minutes. After defeating Voldemort, Harry had moved into Grimmauld Place with his godfather Sirius Black, no longer needing the blood protection of the Dursleys. The night at the Ministry had scared Harry very badly, having almost lost Sirius to the veil and Bellatrix's wand. Thankfully, Sirius had been able to dodge the curse just in time, and Harry had wanted to be around him as much as possible since then.

It was a nice day, and the two teens had wanted to go for a walk around Muggle London. After having walked only about ten minutes from home, they had heard a familiar voice carry in the wind. Looking over, they had seen Hermione sitting very close to Theo Nott looking like they were having an engaging conversation, and an intimite one with how close they were seated.

"Hermione, what the hell are you doing hanging out with him? He's a Slytherin and his dad's a Death Eater!" Ron greeted them before Harry had the chance to open his mouth. Harry shook his head, his eyes rolled upward. He may not have liked seeing the company Hermione was keeping, but he knew there must be a reason for it. He also knew Ron was taking the wrong tactic to figure out the reason.

"Really Ron? I had absolutely no idea Theo was sorted into Slytherin," Hermione responded sarcastically, not commeting on the second part of Ron's outburst. "Theo, did you know you're a Slytherin?" she asked, tuning to her brother.

"None whatsoever," he replied, his eyes dancing with mirth.

"Ha. Ha," Ron responded dryly. "Really, though. Why are you here with him?" He gave the other a decidedly dark glare. Theo was tempted to put his arm around his sisters' shoulders and foster the idea he knew was in the redhead's mind, but he also knew his sister would hex him for it.

"Hermione, Nott," Harry greeted in an effort to cut off Ron's ranting. "How are you doing?"

Hermione gave her friend a wide smile for his asking. "I've been better but I've been worse," she said.

Theo pulled a piece of thin metal from his pocket that looked a lot like a credit card, staring at one side of it. "As much fun as this conversation is, Hermione and I have to go, prior engagement."

"How do you know they're ready?" she asked before Harry or Ron could cut in. Theo handed her his piece of silver. The words, 'Come back to the office,' were scrawled across it in elegant script. "Protean Charm?" she asked. He responded with a nod.

"Ron, Harry," she addressed her two best friends, "We really must get going, but I promise that the next time I see you I'll explain everything."

"You'll be coming to the Burrow in a couple weeks, won't you?" Ron inquired, his eyes darting between Hermione and Theo.

"I- I don't know. I doubt I'll be allowed-"

"No, you won't. I'm sure you can visit, but there's no way they'll let you stay anywhere other than the cottage. We have to go now," Theo interrupted.

"Oh. Okay. Well, I'll try to get over soon. You two behave yourselves now," she said, giving Harry a large hug before moving to Ron, who stepped out of her embrace. Hermione's face turned into a pained expression, but it was quickly gone as she turned to Theo and the two started walking away, him leading her into a nearby alley as her friends watched them leave.

"Apparate! But we can't Apparate! Neither of us are registered!" she exclaimed when he informed her of how they were going to get back.

"Speak for yourself. I took my test this morning and passed with flying colours." She stood there, dumbfounded, as he took her hand, lacing their fingers together. An uncomfortable moment later, they were in the hallway right outside the door to the room where the meeting was taking place.

They walked into the room and saw that all of the adults seemed content, like they had come to a mutually beneficial agreement. "I'm sorry it took so long," Theo apologized at the hard look from their parents. "We ran into a couple of Hermione's friends." The explanation was accepted and the two teens sat back down in their chairs, Hermione's face curious, Theo's betraying no emotion.

Mr. Fry cleared his throat. "We believe that we have worked out an agreement that will suit everyone. Miss Granger, you will change your surname to Nott but you do not have to deny the Grangers' hand in raising you. You will be allowed to visit them six separate days during the remainder of the summer holiday, and one day of every school holiday in the upcoming year. After you leave school, it will be up to you how much time you spend with them, but Nott Cottage will be your primary residence."

"What if I want to live on my own?"

"Hermione, I'm sorry, but that won't be possible. I don't know about in the Muggle world, but in the Wizarding world, it isn't acceptable for a young woman to live outside of her family home until she is married," Caoilinn said in a soothing voice.

Hermione narrowed her eyebrows. She had a feeling that they would never budge on that, so she tried a new tactic. "What if I wanted to live on my own, but with Theo as a flatmate? He's my family, and therefore it would be considered a family home."

"We'll talk about it when the time comes," Brisco answered with quiet authority.

"Is there anything more to this contract?" she asked Mr. Fry, turning back to him, choosing her battles.

"Yes. Once you are relocated to Nott Cottage, you will join the proper social circles for a woman of your age. That is all."

Hermione sighed. "I suppose that is acceptable," she responded before reaching over to sign the parchment. As soon as she did, a warm red glow surrounded both the contract and herself, binding her to it. Once she had signed it, all four of her parents followed, the glow encircling them as well.

"I will leave you to your personal business. It was nice to work with you all today," Mr. Fry said before shaking everyone's hand in farewell, leaving the six of them in the room.

Once everyone was out of their seats, Hermione glanced back to the Granger's and walked forward to the Nott's. Caoilinn immediately pulled her into a hug. Not knowing how to react, Hermione hesitantly patted the woman on the back. When she was let go, she was immediately swept into the arms of Brisco, her eyes wide and surprised as Theo watched on in amusement.

Once the hugging was finished, Brisco took command. "Hermione, you will be permitted to go back to the Granger's home with them so you can utilize the driving time for your farewells. Theo and I will be waiting for you there to help pack your belongings. Once we are through there, we will Apparate home and you can settle in and get acclimated."

"I'm sorry, Brisco," Hermione said. It had been decided that in a private setting she would be allowed to call her birth parents by their first names until she was comfortable calling them Mother and Father, or Mum and Dad, as she was to always refer to them in public.

"I can't go with that timetable. I'm sorry, Mum, Dad," she addressed the Grangers, "but I can't drive home with you, it will take too long. I have to pack and everything, but I think I'm going to have to Apparate there and have it done before you get home. We ran into Harry and Ron, and I didn't get a chance to explain anything to them before we had to come back. If I don't do it tonight, I don't know what Ron will do, you know how bad his temper can get, and I don't want to fight with them, not now when everything else is already so stressful."

Turning back to the Nott's, she continued. "I have to go to Harry's. He lives with his godfather now, so I can Apparate straight there. Then I can come back to the cottage when I'm through talking to them."

Brisco looked at her sternly while Caoilinn seemed sad. "I don't think so. You can see your friends next week once you are settled in."

"Okay," Hermine responded, taking a deep breath. "Apparently I haven't explained myself properly. I WILL be going to pack my things and then I WILL be going to Harry's and I WILL come back to the cottage when I am through. I am not asking permission. Since today seems to be my birthday and I am now seventeen, thanks for the birthday wishes by the way, you can't stop me.

"Harry Potter and Ron Weasley are my best friends, and you being my parents aren't going to stop that. It may put a wrench in the works since I haven't physically been able to tell them, but I need to see them tonight."

"Fine," Brisco relented. "But you are taking Theo with you and we will talk about what you will be allowed to dictate and what you won't when you get home. This is a one-time deal. I cannot allow you to go gallivanting off whenever you feel like it, it wouldn't be appropriate for a witch of your status and age."

"Fine," Hermione echoed, her voice as steely as Brisco's had been. She then turned back to the Grangers to say her farewells.