Love and Parenthood

Love and Parenthood

Disclaimer: All canon characters are the property of JK Rowling and those with whom she has agreed contracts. This story was written for practice not profit.


At the Ministry


“Morning Severus,” cried Arthur jovially. “I got your message.”

“I wouldn’t have troubled you but Hermione felt it necessary,” sniffed Severus.

“And you’re too indulgent to say no,” observed Arthur gleefully. “I never thought I’d see the day!”

“A little softness towards one’s wife is acceptable, as long as she doesn’t abuse it,” he replied stiffly. “Hermione has had a great deal to come to terms with lately and it is not as though she is incapable of giving wise counsel.”

“I’m teasing you Severus. There’s no need to be so formal. I’d think you a fool if you didn’t indulge your wife. Merlin knows, I indulge mine all I can and I’ve never had cause to regret it. There are plenty who would look down on me but my Molly and all the kids are worth more to me than a vault full of galleons and I don’t care who knows it.”

“How is Molly?”

“She’s very well. To be honest I was worried that a pregnancy after such a long gap would tax her strength but she’s coping as well as she ever did. We’ve decided we will lend a hand at your Annexe. Molly told me to confirm it with you. Albus said we might bring Angelina and Alicia with us. They’re due a couple of weeks ahead of the main batch.”

“Yes, I’ve agreed to take other women in who are due around that time because we’ve enlisted so many birth attendants. We’re putting them in the cottages in pairs. We might find room for Penelope if needs be.”

“Penny has decided to follow the Muggle traditions. She has legal status as a Muggle so she’s going to a private hospital near her parents.”

“I see.”

“I know it’s not the done thing but really mothers organise these things for daughters and as she’s a Muggle I didn’t feel I could interfere,” he said sadly.

“Hermione’s parents are going observe the Muggle tradition for the birth but then they’re going to come and stay as soon as they can travel. Hermione will need her mother when the twins are born.”

“Twins. I don’t think I could have gone through that again.”

“What do you mean?”

“They were hard work. Two babies more than doubles the workload. Mind you you’ll have helpers and elves. When Fred and George were born I was up and down the country at all hours of the day and night and poor Molly had all five boys on her own. The thing is when a baby cries you pick it up and tend to it but when two babies cry it takes two people to tend to them and I remember we couldn’t calm either twin if the other one was upset as well.”

“Is it acceptable to cast ‘Silencio’?” asked Severus in all seriousness.

“They all tell you not to, but sometimes it’s the only way,” confided Arthur. “Just try not to do it in front of witnesses.”

“I have a feeling that Hermione won’t approve. Choosing the easy path is not her style.”

“Wait until the sleep deprivation hits. She’ll turn a blind eye.”

“We really must go and face that ghastly woman. I shouldn’t be encroaching on your time in this way.”

“I really don’t mind. I must admit I was surprised that she was proving so difficult. I’ve only met her a couple of times but she was always civil, even when she outranked me.”

“She wasn’t civil with us. It’s like my Trial all over again whenever she puts in an appearance.”

“Well follow me. Her department isn’t far away.”

Arthur led the way to the lift and up to the correct floor. When they got out of the lift the Family and Heritage Department was straight opposite.

A bored looking receptionist guarded the doors. Severus remembered her as an extremely incompetent Hufflepuff Seventh year student in his first year of teaching.

He strode over to the desk and loomed menacingly over her. She let out a squeak of fright but Severus didn’t allow himself the luxury of a smile.

“I am here to see Mistress Fletcher,” he said coldly. “Kindly show me through.”

The woman had to struggle to reply to him.

“I….I’m afraid that won’t be possible,” she stuttered.

“And why is that?” he sneered.

“She’s not here. She hasn’t been in since last Friday.”

“Where is she?” he enquired sharply.

“I don’t know,” replied the woman. “She hasn’t arranged a holiday or notified us that she’s sick. It’s most unlike her.”

Severus was as a bit of a loss at this news, as was Arthur.

“This is most inconvenient,” he said smoothly. “I would have hoped this department could have organised a more professional representative to liaise with Hogwarts over the upcoming births.”


“Madam Minton is going to do that. It was decided yesterday. She might be available if you wish to speak to her.”

“Are you certain of this?”

“Yes. I wrote up the minutes from the transcript before I went home. The Department were quite happy with the submission from Professor Dumbledore when the matter became public.”

“Let me get this straight,” said Severus. “You are telling me that no one has authorised Mistress Fletcher to visit or inspect the facilities at Hogwarts.”

“Yes sir. Madame Minton was intending to Owl later this week to see if we could offer any assistance but there has been no other contact. Do you want to speak to Madam Minton?”

“No….. I won’t disturb her. It appears there has been some kind of misunderstanding. I understood that Mistress Fletcher had called on me yesterday but it must have been someone else. I am a busy man and I will take it no further. Tell Madam Minton that she is welcome to come and visit the new annexe when she can find the time. Good day.”


Severus and Arthur both made their way back to Arthur’s office in silence. When they got there Arthur said,

“I think we need to investigate this.”

“I know. I’m going to relay this to Albus straight away. We’ve been stupid. None of us recognised this woman and we just believed she was who she said she was. Hermione was alone with her. Anything could have happened.”

“Maybe we’ve relaxed too much since the war ended.”

“Maybe so. I have since Lucius went. We need to think through the security of the Annexe. The woman may have just been an opportunistic journalist or given her interest in the bloodlines of the babies, it ma som something altogether more sinister. Perhaps we should send the girls home after all.”

“No Severus. How many of them have secure homes? Albus showed me that Prophecy. You and Hermione are linked to all this. We’ll keep all the girls together and keep them as safe as we can. If we are starting a new age with these babies then we owe it to them to give them full ceremony, whatever it takes.”

“And if it takes more lives?”

“I don’t know….. but there are things worth dying for. We both know that.”

“Indeed we do,” sighed Severus and closed his eyes. “Is there any chance of a decent coffee before I go home?”

“I’ll see what I can find.”

Thanks to all my reviewers. Your support is very much appreciated. I apologise for not posting at the usual rate but I am having difficulties with my computer and I've lost some of my edited chapters.