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Chapter Text

Severus Snape threw up an automatic shield charm as a blinding light exploded in his classroom. What the fuck had one of the little sods done now? As his eyes adjusted he saw several people he did not recognise standing in front of him. All of them in Hogwarts robes. Odd, he mused for one disorientated minute, surely he’d recognise students? His brain kicked into gear a moment later, sending a jolt of panic coursing through him.
“Oh bloody buggering fuck!” one of them, a boy with slightly wild curly hair in a Gryffindor robe muttered only to be hit by the girl next to him in the same robes, with similar hair. Twins he mused as she hissed “Alexander!”
“Phee! Look at where we are!” The boy gestured around the classroom as he grasped his sister by the shoulders and spun her slowly in a circle allowing her to see the room's inhabitants, a distinct note of panic in his voice. “Mum's going to fucking murder us!”
His companions, a dark skinned boy in Slytherin robes, a boy that could only be a Malfoy, also in Slytherin robes and a messy red haired child that looked like Potter would have if his mother had been a Weasley all looked stunned.
Severus slowly came to the realisation that he should probably figure out what was going on, wrestling with his uncooperative brain that did not want to admit this was happening. His class was gaping at them, which meant their arrival would be all over the school within the hour. The implications of that were terrifying.
“Class dismissed.” he barked, futilely adding, “Do not breathe a word of this to anyone!” before turning to the newcomers. “Sit down.”
All of them looked slightly nervous at that, perching on the vacated seats as his class ran for the door, most of them looking at the new students suspiciously. 
“Explain.” he barked, as he slammed the door shut. There was an immediate cacophony of noise that he struggled to decipher. He caught, “It was all Granger's fault” from the Draco look alike, “Malfoy did it!” from the curly haired boy, “Bloody Gryffindors!” from the dark skinned boy, the red headed Potter and the girl said nothing so he decided to start with them. 
“Silence!” All of them immediately shut up, looking at him with wide eyes. “You.” he said pointing at the girl, “You explain.”
She took a shuddering breath. “Sir….what year is it?”
He frowned at that, “1997.”
“Oh. Oh, fucking hell.” she moaned, surprising him as she began to hyperventilate. “Mum really is going to murder us!”
“Your mum?” The Potter lookalike asked, “What about my dad!”
“Our mum is a damn sight scarier than Uncle Harry, Jamie!” 
The boy seemed to consider that for a moment before he shrugged, “Fair point. Although….what about my mum?”
Three of the children paled. Whoever his mum was, apparently she was able to strike fear into all of them. Severus rolled his eyes. 
“Other than the likelihood of parental murderers, will you please explain what is going on? Who are you?”
“I’m not sure how much we should tell you, Sir. Bad things happen to wizards who mess with time.”
Severus paled,  his suspicions confirmed. He immediately sent a Patronus for Albus, praying to whatever deity was listening that he’d know what to do with this mess... Bloody buggering fuck indeed. 

Albus surveyed them over the rim of his glasses. “Now, I gather you’ve had a small mishap with time?” he asked, clearly amused. 
“Yes, Sir.” the girl answered. 
“Ah. Now, while you are indeed correct about messing with the timeline, I do not think it would be too out of the question to tell us your names.”
“Ophelia, Sir. Ophelia Granger.
“Ah, related to the esteemable Miss Hermione Granger?” Albus asked with a twinkle. 
“Our mother, Sir. Alexander is my twin.”
“I see. And you?”
“James Potter, Sir.” Severus hid his wince. The world did not need another James Potter in his opinion. 
“Harry Potter?”
“Is my dad, Ginny Weasley's my mum.”
“I see, you, my boy look like a Malfoy.”
“Scorpius.” the boy sneered. 
“Your parents?”
“Draco and Astoria Malfoy.”
“Ah…the current Miss Greengrass, no?”
The boy inclined his head minutely, clearly, there was no love lost there. 
“And you?”
“Cassius Zabini.”
“And your parents?”
“Blaise and Daphne.”
“The other current Miss Greengrass I presume?”
“Yes.” 
“I see. Well, I imagine we’ll have to figure out how to keep you away from your parents until we’ve worked out how to send you back, any interactions could be catastrophic.” Albus said thoughtfully. 
“Shouldn't be too hard for you,” Scorpius sneered in the direction of the twins, “your dad couldn't get away fast enough.”
“That is quite enough.” Albus barked, sounding far more like Severus than himself as the twins stiffened. 
The girl, Ophelia, forcibly made her body relax, shrugging, “Don't worry about it Sir, we’re used to it. The entire bloody world knows the story of how our sperm donor left. It's fine. We have Mum and she’s better than that arsehole will ever be.” 
Severus flinched slightly at the uncompromising tone of the girl's voice. She could only have been a third or fourth year at most. Whoever her father was he had clearly hurt them very badly. 
“Might I inquire as to who your father is? In the interests of keeping you separate” He had a sneaking suspicion, he’d seen those eyes before. 
“Our sperm donor is Theodore Nott.” the boy spat. “Don't worry about keeping us away, Sir. We’ve no urge to see him.”
Ah, Severus thought, his suspicions were correct then. That was unfortunate, he actually liked the boy. He wondered what had happened in the intervening years to make him abandon his children. Of all his snakes, Theo was the last one he’d thought would have. The girl rolled her eyes, clearly reading the curiosity on his face. 
“Mum and the sperm donor were together for years but nobody knew.  He apparently convinced her to keep it a secret because of his family's views on blood purity. I’m surprised she went along with it for so long, to be honest, she's usually thought to be intelligent. We don't know exactly what happened, she won't tell us but from what Uncle Harry says, as soon as someone found out he fucked off quicker than a niffler who’s spotted gold. He knows we exist, he demanded a paternity test and then informed her that she’d always be beneath him and accused her of being after his gold. As far as I’m aware she’s never asked for a bloody knut, it's just been mum and us since day one.”
Severus blinked, it didn't sound like the Theo Nott he knew. Perhaps he really had changed that much in the years between timelines but he couldn't help but feel there was more to it.
“I’m sorry to hear that Miss Granger,” Albus said softly. “Let's get you all settled for the night and then we’ll figure out what to do in the morning.” 
The girl tried to laugh but it came out more like a sob. “Perhaps we should just tell mum. We can warn her off that arsehole and her life would be a lot easier.”
“Miss Granger, I’m sure your mother would never want that. You run the risk that you would cease to exist.”
“No? Professor, do you know what the magical world says about unmarried mothers? Especially unmarried muggleborn mothers who have the audacity to fall in love with a member of the oh so precious Sacred 28? My mother loves us, she tells us we will never be something she regrets but let's not pretend that not having us wouldn't have made her life ten times easier. She’s wasted in a dead-end job because no one will promote a woman with such loose morals, we’ll ignore the fact that the sperm doner proposed before he fucked off, that she thought he was her forever, and that he’s worked his way through most of the witches in Europe since then, when I’m not even sure my mother has had time for a date since we were born. She's talked about in the street, even now, and every now and then, some bitch called Skeeter writes an article on the Scions of the Sacred 28 and drags my mother into it so it’s never allowed to be forgotten. So forgive me Sir if I think warning Hermione Granger to stay the fuck away from that arsehole might just be the best thing we could do.”
Albus looked at the girl with genuine sympathy while Severus fought the urge to hex Theodore Nott. He had no real love for Hermione Granger but even he couldn't deny her brilliance, that she was stuck and vilified because she’d kept her children didn't sit right with him, especially with the double standards her daughter had exposed. 
“I think it has been an emotionally taxing evening, let us get you settled and hopefully tomorrow will feel brighter,” Albus said gently. Severus couldn't help but think he was overly optimistic. It appeared the girl agreed as she rolled her eyes.
“Sure, Sir. It’s not like it can get any fucking worse.”
Severus wondered if the Hermione Granger of the future had any idea her children's language was so deplorable. Somehow he doubted it.

Chapter Text

The next morning all of them woke with a feeling of apprehension. The dorm had very much been divided in two, with Ophelia, Alexander and James on one side and Cassius and Scorpius on the other. None of them looked comfortable in the others' presence.

Dumbledore was waiting on them in the small version of a common room he’d created for them the night before. 

“I thought we might begin with what happened. Mr Granger, perhaps you might give us your version?”

“Phee had the time turner, we’re sharing one because we’re taking too many classes and need it to get to all of them. Malfoy was saying some nonsense about the sperm donor to her and cast a hex. It went wild, I reached for Phee, I think Jamie did too. I’m not sure how we managed to end up here.”

“Mr Malfoy, do you have anything to add?”

The boy sneered at him, “Only that it wasn't nonsense. I was merely pointing out that Granger’s father was finally getting married to a real witch and asking if she’d like me to pass on her congratulations. She raised her wand first.”

Dumbledore wondered what the future looked like when this version of a Malfoy didn't seem to feel like he even needed to pretend he didn't believe in blood purity in front of him. He also wondered if he’d be able to get through this experience without hexing him. The look on the Granger twin's faces indicated that this wasn't anything they weren’t used to. Where had it all gone so wrong? 

He thought of this time's version of Miss Granger, the girl was astonishingly bright, to hear that her life was so stunted because of other people's prejudice made him want to weep for the state of their world. Had the last two wars taught people nothing?

“Alright, Mr Malfoy, I think that's enough. Mr Granger, Miss Granger and Mr Potter, I think you should come with me. Professor McGonagall has agreed to oversee your education while you are here. Messer’s Malfoy and Zabini, I shall return for you momentarily, to escort you to Professor Snape.

“Fine.” Malfoy drawled, rolling his eyes. 

The walk to Professor McGonagall's office was uneventful, for which Albus was grateful, his mind already whirling with next steps and theories. 

“Come in and sit down,” Minerva spoke, gazing over the students. “What year are you all in?”

“Third, Ma’am.” James Potter spoke.

“All of you?”

“Yes, Professor.”

“Very well. I shall request the curriculum from the other teachers for your year and we can see where you are. We will begin with transfiguration for today. What are your electives?”

“Care of Magical Creatures and Divination.”

“Very well, Mr Potter. And you two?”

“Runes, arithmancy, care of magical creatures and alchemy.”

Minerva paused, blinking slowly. “Hogwarts teaches alchemy in your time?”

“Yes, Professor.”

“Well unfortunately it does not currently, I shall get you the curriculum for the others. I see you take after your mother in regard to your studies.”

“You’ve always said so,”

“You know me?”

“Of course,” Alex paused for a moment before glancing at his twin, both grinning impishly, “Aunt Min.”

“Aunt Min!”

Ophelia’s smile faltered, “You never held with the way mum was vilified. We see you quite a lot, you’re one of the few, actually. Outside of Uncle Harry and the Weasleys, not many people want anything to do with us. Uncle Nev says it's best to ignore them but that's rather hard when people are clearly talking about our mother in the street.”

“Oh lass,” she murmured softly, taking in the defensive tension that appeared to be a natural state for the twins, each of them held taut as if waiting for yet another blow. How bad was it in their time that this was accepted?

Dumbledore settled in his office, the Slytherins deposited with a visibly unimpressed Severus and sighed. What was he going to do with this? They needed to go back, obviously but part of him wondered how unethical it was to meddle slightly. Perhaps they had an idea of when the hate had become the norm again. Perhaps he could fix it. The wizarding world had a painfully short memory if it had been allowed to rise again within the next decade. 

His musings were interrupted by a knock on his door, Draco Malfoy bursting through it. 

“I came to speak to you last night but no one answered.” he blurted by way of greeting.

“No. I’m sure you are aware I had a slight situation to deal with.”

“Who were those people, Professor Dumbledore?”

“That is not something I am at liberty to discuss Mr Malfoy.”

“No, please Professor. I need to know. One of them looked like me! But they shouldn't have, Mother ensured I know the family tree backwards, it doesn't make sense!”

“Mr Malfoy, I’m sorry, truly, but I cannot answer your question, not without putting people in grave danger..”

“I’ll contact my father!” he threatened slightly desperately, “ I need to know who they are!”

“If you chose to contact your father Draco, there is nothing I can do to prevent it. However, you will get no answers from me.”

He sighed as the boy stormed from his office, beginning to wonder if he was getting too old for this. 

Chapter Text

He’d seen them in the halls twice since they’d exploded into his potions class. Both times they were darting into Professor McGonagall's office, looking around warily. The girl had spotted him once, he wondered what he had done to deserve the look she gave him. Her eyes boring into him with a look of such disgust on her face he took an involuntary step back. Not before he noticed the shade of her eyes though. His eyes. Who the fuck were these children?

It was luck that he ran into them again in an abandoned corridor. 

“For fucks sake Alex, we should not be doing this!”

“I want to see her again! She’s our mum and honestly, Phee, if we’re doing this. If we’re really going to tell her, I want to spend time with her first.”

He watched as the girl's face softened, “We won't know, you know. If we cease to exist.”

“I know.” the boy choked. “Doesn't mean I can't miss her now.”

“I miss her too.” The girl murmured, before she turned sharply, clearly having heard his footsteps, her face closing off as she glared at him. Her twin turned too, the same look of loathing appearing on his face before they turned to move.

“Wait!” he shouted, “Please!”

The boy turned slowly, “Why the fuck should we?”

He paused momentarily, taken aback by his vitriol “What did I do to you?”

They sneered in unison, “Nothing.” the girl spat, ”You did nothing.”

“What? I don't understand?”

“Do you know who we are? Have you worked it out?” she taunted.

“No. I….you’re Nott’s…..the eyes….but…..”

“We’re Granger’s” The boy spat, his face contorted in disgust. “Not fucking Nott’s”

His eyes widened, “Related to Hermione Granger?”

“Why?”

“I…we…fuck. Who are you?”

“You’re with her already?” the girl asked, her mask slipping as she looked at him utterly horrified. 

“Yes, but for fucks sake keep your voice down!” he hissed frantically, his eyes darting around the corridor in case someone was lingering.

“Oh, of course, wouldn't want word to get out that a Scion of the sacred 28 was fucking a mudblood.”

“What? No! For fucks sake, have you any idea how dangerous it is for her? My father….” he shuddered, “Fuck, he’d murder her. I just need to find a way….I’m trying to find a way….”

The twins looked at him with wide eyes. “You're trying to find a way to what?” the girl whispered as if scared she’d break the bubble they were in if she was louder.

“Fix it!” he all but growled, “Take her away where he can't find us. I don't know, something that means I don't need to give up the best damn thing in my life.”

The girl was crying silently as she watched him unravel, he wasn't sure what to do with that, given how much she appeared to hate him he imagined his attempts at comfort wouldn't be welcome. “Who are you?”

He watched them glance at each other, clearly having a silent conversation. “Ophelia and Alexander Granger.”

“You're related to Hermione?” he asked again. 

“She's our mother,” the girl whispered. 

His heart stopped. Fuck. Oh, fucking hell. That explained the conversation about ceasing to exist. What the fuck had happened? How were they here?

“And your father?”

The girl seemed to gather herself at the question, sliding her mask back into place, any sympathy she might have had for him disappearing with it, “You know exactly who our sperm donor is. You ruin her life, you know. If you love her at all, leave her the fuck alone. It’ll be better for everyone. Congratulations on your marriage, Father. You decide to marry Pansy Parkinson in the end, while our mother works herself half to death dealing with the vilification the entire world heaps on her for keeping us.”

He stood momentarily stunned, as he listened to the disdain dripping from the girl’s voice. His girl. His daughter. Fuck, his children. Fucking bloody hell. What the fuck had happened?

“Please,” he begged, as they turned to walk away, not even sure what he was begging for. 

“No.” she spat, “You fucked everything up. She's better off without you. I mean it, if you care for her at all, leave her the fuck alone.”

They left him, stunned and heartbroken in the corridor. How had he managed to fuck it up so badly that his children hated him? Sperm donor, she’d called him. He clearly wasn't in their lives. Apparently, he was marrying Pansy. He shuddered at the thought. Why wasn't he with Hermione? Had someone found out, threatened her? It was the only explanation he had. His father had always been clear with his expectations but he loved her. He hadn't meant to but he did and it was selfish but she was his and the thought of her not being was physically painful. He was going to fix it, he vowed, he had to fix it. He wasn't ready to give Hermione up. She was the only thing that kept him going. Snape, he decided, he needed Snape. If anyone could help him come up with a plan it was him.

Chapter Text

Hermione crashed into a solid body, sending her sprawling along the corridor. 

“Mum! Are you alright?”

Her eyes widened as she took in the two children standing in front of her, taking the hand of the boy offering to help her up. 

“Mum?” she queried softly.

“Oh. Oh fuck. Aunt Min and the Headmaster are going to murder us!” the boy moaned, the girl stood stunned for a moment before she launched herself at Hermione sobbing. 

“Mum, I’m sorry, I'm so sorry.”

Hermione looked momentarily panicked before she wrapped her arms around the sobbing girl, murmuring soothing nonsense as she desperately tried to process what was happening. The boy looked lost as he watched her comfort his sister, a look of longing on his face that she couldn't understand. 

“Do you want to tell me your names?” she asked softly, stroking down the girl's hair, registering somewhere that it was familiar. 

“Ophelia,” the boy choked out, “Ophelia and Alexander.”

“Shakespeare,” Hermione murmured, continuing to attempt to soothe the sobbing girl. 

“That's why you chose them.” The boy, Alexander, replied, sounding close to tears. 

“Me?” Hermione asked sharply. 

“Yes, Mum you. We weren't meant to tell you. Bad things happen to wizards who meddle with time but,” he trailed off uncertainly. “I’m so scared, Mum and usually you have the answers or if not the answers something that makes us feel better but you're not here, not our you and….I’m so scared,” he whispered looking so lost, Hermione's heart broke for him. Refusing to second guess herself, she shifted his sister slightly and held out an arm. The boy looked at her for a moment, several emotions flitting across his face before he too launched himself at her, clinging to her tightly.

She heard footsteps coming towards them as she attempted to process the last few moments, standing in front of her was Theo, an unreadable expression on his face as he watched her with the twins. Professor Snape stood next to him looking utterly exasperated.

“For the love of Merlin.” she heard him mutter as he stalked towards them. “Miss Granger, Mr Granger you were not supposed to interact with anyone!” he hissed. 

Ophelia raised her head, tears still streaming down her cheeks. “I know you want me to apologise, Sir. I just….” she made a helpless little noise in the back of her throat, “I just wanted my mum. I want to go home. I want her to tell me it’s going to be alright. I want to open my eyes and for all this to have been a nightmare.” She straightened her spine, looking the Professor straight in the eye, reminding everyone there forcibly of Hermione. “I very much doubt we’ll still exist by the end of this. I won't apologise for wanting a hug from my mum.”

Hermione felt her arms tighten involuntarily around the children. Her children apparently. 

“What do you mean you won't exist?” she asked sharply.

The girl bit her lip, “Professor, please, can we explain?”

“Miss Granger you know the rules!”

“Professor,” she replied softly, “I won't do it to her. Either you help us now or we’ll find a way. We grew up with Fred and George Weasely as babysitters, please don't underestimate us.”

Snape made an impatient noise as he pinched the bridge of his nose. 

“Fine. For the record, I think this is a terrible idea.”

“Noted Professor.”

“My office. Now. Mr Nott. Return to your common room, we shall speak tomorrow.”

“No. I want to hear this.”

“Mr Nott!” Severus bit out. “It is not optional!”

“They’re my children too!” Theo hissed, noticing that both children stiffened at that. Hermione looked at them warily, clearly having noticed. 

“For fucks sake!” Severus muttered. “Are you trying to get us all killed by buggering the timeline!”

They all blinked at the man, his loss of control highlighting the precariousness of their situation. 

“I’ll take my chances. From what little I’ve gathered, my timeline isn't looking that great.” Theo decided eventually. Hermione said nothing, her mind whirling as she attempted to piece together what little information she’d been given. 

In a whirl of robes, Severus stalked away from them, moving towards his office, wondering whether he’d lost his mind in allowing this. 

Chapter Text

Snape swept into the room in front of them, “Sit down before I change my mind!”

The twins sat on either side of Hermione, clutching her hands like a lifeline, looking impossibly young. It hit him then that they were only thirteen and far away from everything they’d ever known, clinging desperately to the eighteen-year-old version of their mother in the hopes of her offering the slightest hint of comfort. To her credit, she appeared to be trying. 

“Mr Nott, stop hovering!” he barked.

Theo jumped at the sound of his name, not sure where to sit given how he knew the twins felt about him. He wanted to be near them, to anchor himself to Hermione to remind him of the good things in his life, but looking at the children, his children, he couldn’t find it in himself to force them to endure his proximity. He seated himself across from them, all at once seeing the gulf that he knew existed in the twins' reality. He hated it. 

“You may begin,” Snape said pointedly, looking at the twins. 

Alex started. “You fell pregnant unexpectedly, right after what Uncle Fred describes as a brutal breakup, about a year after you left school. You won't talk about it, you rarely mention Him but I overheard Uncle Fred talking to Uncle George. They have an entire line of pranks developed specifically with him in mind, you know? They’re quite protective really. They’re our godparents. Uncle Harry actually pouted apparently, Uncle George says it was one of the funniest things he's ever seen.”

His sister shot him a look.”What did you overhear and why didn't I know?”

Alex fidgeted, “It changes nothing.” he said finally with a shrug.

“Can someone please actually explain what you’re talking about?” Hermione asked, wondering in what world she made the Weasley twins godparents to her children. 

Her daughter smirked, clearly reading the look on her face. “You're really close to the twins. You moved in with them when you were pregnant, Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny had just gotten married, Jamie was a honeymoon baby, and Aunt Lavender had just moved in with Uncle Ron, Uncle Fred says you didn't want to impose on either of them but didn’t really have anywhere to go so they offered. He also says you decided it made sense to make them Godparents because they had an inkling of what being twins was like however, he believes that was just the excuse you came up with to spare Uncle Harry's feelings because you love them more than him. They adore you, Mum. I can't imagine you not being close to them. Uncle Fred says re-introducing Aunt Angie to you and waiting on your approval was the most terrifying moment of his life because as much as he wanted to be with her if you hadn't approved he would have ended it.”

Hermione blinked, not sure how she felt about having that amount of power. 

“Don't worry, you get on with her really well.” Ophelia said laughing, “So much so Uncle Fred says he sometimes wishes you didn't because you always take her side.” 

“I don't quite believe the Weasley twins were the agreed topic of discussion,” Severus cut in pointedly.

“Right, sorry Professor.” Alex cut in sheepishly. “I overheard Uncle Fred discussing how to get away with hexing Draco Malfoy. Apparently, it was him who discovered you were with Nott. He told his father, who apparently told Nott's father. I gather it turned it into a bit of a big deal. Lucius Malfoy is Minister in our time. The laws he gets away with passing.” Alex shuddered. “Well let's just say he's not exactly pleasant and he goes out of his way to make life difficult for anyone who’s not pureblooded. He has the entire ‘Gamot sewn up, you know how well the Sacred 28 close ranks.”

Across the room, Theo’s heart was pounding, the pieces beginning to slot into place. Fucking Draco. He imagined he thought he was doing him a favour, he mused, but the bastard had cost him the love of his life and his children. Fuck it all. He wasn't letting that happen the second time round. 

He vaguely registered that Alex was still speaking. “You are stuck in a dead-end job in the Ministry. Aunt Min and even Professor Snape pushed for you to be hired at Hogwarts about two years after we were born but the parents of the purebloods pushed back, stating that they’d remove funding if a woman of such loose morals was hired to teach their children. Hogwarts just couldn't afford it. They won't promote you because Lucius won't allow it, you are held up as everything that is wrong with muggleborns. You are portrayed as willfully seducing a Scion of an Ancient and Noble house for his galleons, despite there being proof you’ve never received a knut. Our sperm donor's exploits are well known, I’m not sure there is a witch in Europe he hasn't fucked.”

“Alexander Granger!” Hermione bit out, “Language!”

For a moment, the boy's face lit up. “You sound so like her.” he said softly, “I mean, I know you’re her but you’re also not. Not yet. And you were missing the Frederick, by the way.”

“I named you after the twins as well?” Hermione exclaimed.

“Yup. Alexander Frederick and Ophelia Georgina. To be fair, I think those came about because of a lost bet.”

Hermione pulled a face. “Wonderful,” she replied drily.

He rolled his eyes at her, continuing, “He had just announced his marriage to Pansy Parkinson before we ended up here. It was what started the argument. Scorpius likes to remind us we have no father. He and Zabini have an odd fixation with us, I don't know why. Perhaps because they know their fathers will support them, as a result, they’ve never let us forget why you’re a single parent.” he paused, sharing a glance with his sister who looked resigned. “Mum. We need you to know, we understand if you do everything possible to make sure we don't exist.”

Hermione drew in breath sharply, her hands tightening on theirs instinctively. “I….No. No, absolutely not. We are not discussing this.”

“We have to,” Ophelia replied, the stubborn set to her chin mimicking her mother. “Mum, he broke your heart. The things he said…..please. Please don't. It's not that we don't want to exist but we also don't want you to live like you were. You’re miserable, Mum! You try to hide it and you tell us all the time you will never regret having us and we believe you, we do, but without us, you could do so much more. Maybe even prevent that arse from being Minister in the first place. You have to think about it. Please .”

“He doesn't love you,” Alex whispered, refusing to look at her. “I overheard Uncle George telling Uncle Ron that he told you as much, just after we were born. He demanded a paternity test and then vilified you in any publication that will print the story. He essentially calls you a gold-digging whore. And the public eats it up. Our birth is what catapults Lucius Malfoy into power, he uses us and you as an example of the dangers of Muggleborns and people buy it. I can't remember a time when they haven’t spoken about you in the street, Uncle Fred says it started getting worse about two years after we were born, and instead of just attacking you, they attacked all Muggleborns. It’s awful.” 

Hermione shook her head stubbornly, looking between them. “I refuse to discuss you not existing.”  

“I do love her!” Theo exclaimed from across the room, looking ill.

The twins looked at him scathingly, cutting across whatever he had intended to say next. “You have a really funny way of showing it.” Ophelia bit out.

“If my father knew.” he began hesitantly, “If he knew, if it was as high profile as you are saying, he’d have arranged to have her murdered. I can imagine that the only way to keep her, you, safe… alive, was to act like an arse. If he believed it was a fling, a mistake, rather than me having actual feelings for her there would have been more likelihood of him leaving her alone, especially if it fit Lucius’ agenda.”

Ophelia shook her head. “No! I don't care, I really don't. If it's that dangerous for her, then stop! Now. Before it hits the point of no return and her life is ruined. You claim you love her, then prove it. Let her fucking go!”

“If I’m marrying Pansy, I don't imagine it's just your mother's life that’s ruined,” he said softly. 

“She works eighty-hour weeks at barely minimum wage with new taxes introduced all the bloody time by that arse of a Minister. Those taxes are crippling her but she keeps going to ensure we have what we need, even when I’m relatively certain we’re at the point where she’s given up just about everything she can. I genuinely don’t know what she’ll do when the next one becomes law. So please forgive me if I don't give a fuck that you might be a bit upset at having to marry someone you maybe don't want to.” 

“Ophelia! For the love of Merlin, language!”

“Sorry Mum,” she intoned, unrepentant.

Theo dropped his head into his hands, feeling like the world was spinning out of control. He didn't want this. But she was right, this girl of his, if the future was as bad as they indicated, he needed to let Hermione go. The thought made him want to sob. She was the only good thing in his life, the one precious thing outside of his father's expectations. He should have known he wouldn't be allowed to keep her. 

Chapter Text

Severus watched the scene unfold in his office feeling uncharacteristically sorry for his students. The situation was beyond anything he’d envisaged. Lucius Malfoy as Minister. The thought alone was horrifying. He could well imagine what sort of laws the man ensured passed. 

It was the look on Theodore Nott's face, however, that made his stomach clench. He knew the pressures old families put on their Heirs, he knew the expectations, the lack of choices, the threats but to see the result of it in front of him was jarring. The boy looked devastated, glancing between Hermione and the twins with a look of longing that touched even his hardened heart. He loved the witch, that much was clear but none of them could deny the truth of her children's words. He had ruined her life. That he had also ruined his own was still up for discussion, but hers, by virtue of her birth, was worse as she was apparently held to a vastly different standard, with her children also paying the price. 

Meddling with time had drastic consequences, he mused, and they were but two people but there were also other muggleborns to consider. The laws presumably did not just affect Miss Granger, how many other muggle-borns were barely keeping their heads above water? How many had drowned? Perhaps this time the ends would justify the means if they could prevent the rise in prejudice. If they helped Hermione Granger and Theodore Nott in the process….well he’d never admit it was his driving force. 

“Miss Granger, Mr Nott, remain in my office. You two, return to your rooms immediately, while I am aware there is more to discuss and it is clearly futile to keep you from your mother now we have things to discuss that do not currently involve you.”

“Doesn’t involve us?” The girl looked at him incredulously, “Are you actually serious, Sir?”

“I am,” he replied unflinchingly. “Do I need to escort you?”

Hermione stepped in when it became clear they were going to argue. “I’ll come and see you as soon as I’m able.” She said soothingly, reaching for them. “Listen to the Professor just now.”

She pulled a tense Ophelia into a hug murmuring, “If I disagree with his assessment I will tell you what's discussed .” 

Ophelia relaxed into the hug, her mother had never yet lied to her, she had to trust her now. “Ok, Mum,” she murmured back, squeezing her hard. “Will you come tonight?” She hated how young she sounded but as the reality of the situation began to sink in, all she wanted was her mother. 

“If I can. If not, I promise I’ll come tomorrow morning.” the young version of her mother replied, looking so like the one Ophelia knew that she struggled to contain the tears.

“Oh sweetheart,” Hermione murmured, pulling her back to her. ”We’ll fix it. I promise we’ll fix it.”

Ophelia shook her head as she clung to her mother, “You can't promise that.”

Hermione pulled back, taking the younger girl's face in her hands, forcing her to look at her, “Ophelia, I promise.” Against her better judgement, Ophelia nodded, trusting that her mother knew what she was doing. She always had before. “Good. Now go and do as the Professor said.” 

Severus smirked slightly as both twins reacted to the authority they were clearly accustomed to listening to, Alex swooping in for a quick hug as they trudged out the door.

Theo moved the moment the door shut, pulling Hermione to him desperately, “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I love you.”

She pulled away from him, mimicking the movements she’d used on their daughter moments before as she cupped his face. “We will fix this,” she stated like it was a certainty. “I love you too.” 

Nodding, desperately wanting to believe her he leant down, kissing her slightly frantically as if worried someone was going to come and take her away.

Severus cleared his throat, making them break apart minutely, Theo still holding on to Hermione tightly, reluctant to let her go now he knew there was a future where he had been forced to. 

“Shall we begin?” Severus asked, exasperated but without his usual bite. Nodding Theo guided Hermione back onto the sofa she’d occupied with the twins, melding her into his side. Severus rolled his eyes. “No one’s coming to steal her quite yet, Mr Nott,” he said pointedly. 

Theo flushed slightly but refused to loosen his grip. “Do you have an exit plan?”

Theo shook his head. “Not really, I’ve been siphoning off my allowance, I’ve half of it changed to muggle money, in case we need to run there. It's the only place I don't think he’d know where to start.”

Snape's eyebrows rose, “That is surprisingly inspired. Have you discussed where you would go?”

They both shook their heads, “I don't think I truly appreciated how precarious this is.” Hermione said softly, “Theo has mentioned bits but I must admit I didn't take it particularly seriously.”

“Perhaps then Miss Granger, you should now?”

Hermione nodded slowly, “Are there ways to magically mask your signature or change your name so you can't be traced?”

Snape actually smiled “Interesting questions Miss Granger. Yes, there are ways, they are, however, drastic measures. I assume you’re thinking of ways not to be traced while still remaining in contact with others?”

“Yes. And you don't think it will work?” Hermione guessed. 

“I think that changing your names and masking your signatures is a good idea but do you not think that Thoros Nott will be watching your friends and family to see where they go? He’ll likely check to see if anyone disappeared around the same time as his son, all of them would be investigated and it wouldn't take long for him to come to a conclusion.” he softened his tone, “Miss Granger, Mr Nott if you are doing this all of your ties to this world need to be cut.”

Hermione drew in a sharp breath. “Are there other options?”

“Yes. You could fight it, you could claim asylum somewhere, although that would also require ties to be cut or we could always plan the assassination of Thoros…..I am joking Mr Nott!” he added exasperatedly at Theo’s interested look.

“Shame, I liked that plan,” Theo said lightly, wincing as Hermione hit his chest. 

“So we essentially have to leave everything behind?”

“Yes, Miss Granger.”

She nodded slowly, taking a deep breath. “I see.”

“I do not need an answer now, but I need you to decide what you wish to do. I will help you formulate a plan for escape if you need me to.”

“Thank you, Professor.”

“You are welcome. I intend to meet with your children tomorrow, I assume you wish to be there?”

Hermione nodded, Theo silent at her side. 

“Mr Nott?”

“Don't you think it will be easier if I am not?”

“Perhaps but I intend to determine a timeline, so perhaps it would be in your best interests to attend.”

Theo nodded with a sigh. “Ok.” 

Chapter Text

Hermione dragged Theo out of Snape's office. He hastily cast a disillusionment charm over them both when it became clear that Hermione was paying no heed to the fact that anyone could see them as she stormed up various staircases, finally pausing for breath on the seventh floor before dragging him into the room of requirement. Theo blinked as she whirled around to face him, having to fight the urge to take a step back. 

“Sit,” she commanded. He moved cautiously, doing as he was bid, wondering where exactly she was going with this chat. “Why didn't you tell me explicitly how bad it was?”

Theo couldn't stop the flinch. “Honestly? By the time I was thinking straight I was already too far in. Jesus Hermione, you’re the only bloody good thing in my life and I’m so fucking selfish I couldn't give you up”

She frowned slightly, “I think we’ll come back to that.” she said finally. “What are we going to do?”

“That's up to you,” he said softly. “I have nothing to lose, you do.”

She froze, sitting down heavily. “I love you,” she said, allowing him to reach for her hand. “I don't know if I can leave everyone and everything behind. Would we be forever looking over our shoulders Theo? Waiting for him to turn up?”

“Probably.” he choked, pulling her to him, noticing the tears she’d been holding back. Hermione sobbed as she clung to him, the enormity of the day hitting her. Her life in the future was bleak but she also wasn't sure she’d do anything differently now she’d met the twins which left them in an impossible position. 

“There has to be another option,” she said when she was calm enough to speak. ”I don't want to give you up either.”

“We might not have a choice,” Theo said softly, hating himself. “I won't allow you to be trapped in the life the twins describe Hermione.” 

“But then we don't get them either.”

“No. No, we don't.” he sighed.

“Is there any way to convince your father to give up his ideology?”

Theo snorted, “No.” he paused, staring at her face, “Hermione?” he whispered, making her look at him. “What if…..what if Professor Snape’s third option is our only viable one?”

She froze. “Theo…..Sweet Merlin. I….we can’t!”

“He is a horrible man, Hermione. I truly have no idea how he escaped Azkaban after the war. The things he's done….it would be no loss.” He swallowed harshly. “He murdered my mother you know?”

Hermione wrapped her arms around him tightly, shaking her head, “Jesus Theo. I’m so sorry. It still doesn't mean we can murder him!”

Theo sighed, “I thought that's what you’d say.”

“Is there proof he murdered your mother?”

Theo froze as he contemplated her. “My memories, but I was five. The elves but I don't know if they’d be admissible and even if they are, I don't know if he could just order them to lie. He threw her down the stairs so there was no magical residue. I don't know. I imagine Professor Snape might.”

She nodded, “Perhaps we also see if we can figure out how he escaped Azkaban after the war? Maybe there's something we could use there?”

Theo breathed out a long sigh, nodding, it was the best idea they had.

“We can discuss it with the Professor in the morning,” he replied. “Stay here with me tonight? I can't promise not to murder Draco.”

She smiled slightly, nodding as she moulded herself to him, both of them wondering if they’d be able to pull this off before she jerked up sharply, startling him. “I’ll come back once I’ve seen the children. I promised Ophelia I’d try,” she rushed out, seeing his questioning look.

“Do….do you think I could come?” he asked hesitantly. 

“Yes. Maybe we can prove to them you’re not who they think you are.”

He nodded allowing her to pull him up. “Do you know where they’re staying?”

She nodded, “Professor Snape told me just before we left. Come on.”

“Paradox” Hermione muttered when they reached a portrait of a group of children playing in a field, the portrait swung open at the password. Inside, Ophelia was sandwiched between Alexander and James. Scorpus and Cassius were glowering at them from the other sofa.

“Mum! You came!”

All of the children's heads whipped up at the sound of Ophelia's voice. 

“I said I would, did I not?” Hermione responded as Ophelia threw herself at her.

“Why did you bring him?” she asked, letting Hermione go. 

“Ophelia.” she replied softly, stroking a hand down her daughter's head, “He's not who you think he is.”

Ophelia glanced at him, looking utterly unconvinced as Scorpius blurted, “Uncle Theo!” The boy looked utterly flummoxed. “What are you doing here?”

Theo looked at him warily. “I wanted to see my children,” he said finally.

Scorpius gave a jerky nod, his face descending into a blank mask that was eerily reminiscent of Draco. 

Hermione shot Theo a look. “Why do I get the impression there are some things we don't know about?” she said finally. “Some things we probably should know?”

“Because you’re always so suspicious Aunt Mione?” James answered with a grin that fell slightly as he continued, “Although to be fair, you’re usually right.”

Hermione's eyes widened as she took in the boy she'd only laid eyes on briefly. “Dear Gods. Harry's son?”

“Yup.” the boy grinned. “James Sirius Potter.” 

Hermione snorted, “Of course you are. I’m sure Sirius was over the moon with that name.”

James grinned at her, “You told me he cried every time he looked at me for a month, and kept promising to teach me all the Marauder tricks until mum hexed him. Uncle Remus still laughs about the tentacles she gave him.”

“Sounds about right,” she replied with a laugh, allowing Ophelia to pull her down onto the sofa between her and Alex. Theo sighed slightly, feeling the clear divide yet again as he sat in one of the armchairs.

“Is someone going to explain what Hermione believes to be missing?” he asked, looking pointedly at Scorpius and Cassius, figuring they held the answers. Both boys sighed, their previous self-assuredness seeming to dissipate under Theo's glare. “Now.” he barked when it became clear they were reluctant to speak. Scorpius jumped slightly, a jolt of fear flashing through his eyes that made Theo feel instantly guilty. Despite hoping he was wrong, he knew that look, Draco wore it often in Lucius’ company.

“You didn't speak to Dad for years.” he began slowly, “You hated him. You only came back after he apologised on his knees. I must have been about eight, maybe? Uncle Blaise was sort of the link that stopped you both from being completely estranged” Theo blinked slowly, unable to imagine Draco Malfoy apologising for anything. “He was really sorry.” Scorpius whispered, “I….he thought it was a fling in the beginning and then I think he genuinely thought she was lying about you being the twins' father and then as Grandfather got worse……” Scorpius trailed off, collecting himself. “Dad's not stupid. He isn’t a fan of muggleborns but even he admits that Hermione Granger was brilliant. He's well aware of what Grandfather's laws are doing and he doesn't agree. But well….I imagine you know my Grandfather. He used to punish dad every time he lost to Granger. Every time her marks were higher. Second place was not good enough.” 

Hermione watched the boy, absolutely horrified. “Was he ever rewarded?” she asked shrewdly.

Scorpius nodded slowly, “Every time he did something that my Grandfather saw as putting you in your place.”

“And he continued with you?” she guessed.

Scorpius flinched. “Yes. He has eyes everywhere and my mother…..she agrees with him.”

Hermione was off the sofa before she could rationalise it, wondering briefly if anyone would ever believe she had voluntarily hugged Draco Malfoy's son. The boy stiffened in her arms as she pulled him up before he slowly began to relax, his shoulders shaking. “I miss my dad,” he mumbled into her shoulder. “But I don't want to go home.”

The twins were frozen on the sofa across from them, wondering what they were seeing. Their world had already been upended, surely this was too far? Nothing made sense anymore.

“We’ll fix it.” Hermione was murmuring to the sobbing boy, “I don't know how yet but we’re going to fix it.”

“Can’t I just stay here?” he pleaded, his arms tightening around her.

“You know you can't,” she replied softly, “I’m sure your dad is frantic. You have to go home.” 

“Unless you’re murdering my Mother and Grandfather, it's not like much is going to change,” he muttered helplessly. 

Hermione sighed, not having a clue what to respond to that. 

Theo rubbed a tired hand over his face. What a fucking mess. Maybe they needed Draco too. Lucius had also escaped Azkaban, probably with bribery, he wondered if Draco would be willing to help now? 

Chapter Text

Before he could second guess himself, Theo was on his feet, Hermione looked at him quizzically over the top of Scorpius’ head. 

“I think we need to speak to Draco.” he sighed in explanation. 

Both Hermione and Scorpius stiffened before she nodded. “Fine. I’ll trust your judgement. Do not make me obliviate him, Theo.” All of the children swivelled to look at her wide-eyed.

Theo snorted. “Of course not love. I’ll be back shortly.”

“Fuck, Aunt Mione, has anyone ever told you you're terrifying?” he heard James whisper in awe as he left.

Slipping into the common room, Theo cast an eye around the room, spotting Draco and Blaise with Pansy and the Greengrass sisters in the corner. 

“Draco, a word,” he clipped, unprepared for the surge of rage that hit him when Draco looked at him. Draco frowned, rising slowly as he made to go towards the dorms. “No. This way.”

Theo ignored the confused looks on his friend's faces as he spun on his heel and marched back towards the door. He shut his eyes, forcing his breathing to slow as the portrait swung shut behind him. He had to get it together if he wanted Draco’s help. He opened his eyes to Draco watching him warily. 

“Are you going to explain what's going on?” 

“Yes.” Theo exhaled slowly. “But first, I need you to promise you’ll hear me out and you’ll be civil.”

Draco frowned “Why wouldn't I be civil to you Theo?”

“I’m not talking about me. Come this way.”

He led Draco back down to the portrait that hid the children from the rest of the world. Taking a deep breath, muttering the password, he stepped into the room. Hermione was back between her children, and Scorpius was back on his sofa with Cassius. James was explaining something that made Hermione and the twins laugh, the other two boys cracking reluctant smiles. He heard Draco’s sharp intake of breath as an instant silence fell over the room. 

Scorpius rose slowly, turning to face the teenage version of his father, his expression wary. 

“Who are you?” Draco blurted. 

“My name is Scorpius.” the boy hedged. 

“Scorpius what?”

Scorpius visibly straightened his spine before he whispered, “Malfoy.” 

“There is no Scorpius Malfoy!”

“Not yet.” the boy whispered. Draco's jaw dropped as he paled before he whirled to face Theo. 

“What the fuck is going on?” he demanded. 

“Scorpius is your son.” Theo paused, before deciding the whole truth was probably better if he wanted Draco’s help. “Cassius is Blaise’s, James is Potter's and the twins are mine.”

“Then why the fuck is Granger here?” Draco howled, confusion clear on his face as he attempted to process what Theo had just told him. Theo raised an eyebrow, watching as Draco slowly turned to look at the twins properly. “Holy fuck.” he whispered, spinning back towards Theo. “You’re with Granger in the future?” he asked incredulously. 

Out of the corner of his eye, Theo saw all the children stiffen. 

“No,” he replied coldly, causing Draco to frown, unsure how to make that make sense. “You told your father about us, he told mine. I’m sure you can fill in the blanks.” 

Draco’s eyes widened. “Fuck. Is Granger still alive in the future?” he whispered, looking horrified.

“Yes. However, in order to ensure that happens, I apparently act l like an utter arse and accuse her of being a gold-digging whore before I agree to marry Pansy. My children called me their sperm donor.” Draco flinched at the tone of Theo’s voice. “Your father is Minister. His laws are…. well I’m sure you can imagine.”

“Fuck.” Draco sunk down onto the sofa Scorpius had been sitting on, gazing at the boy. “You’re my son.” Scorpius nodded jerkily. “Is it that bad?” 

“You know what Grandfather is like.”

Draco’s eyes widened. “I let him?”

“I don't think you know most of it.” Scorpius admitted, “Mother allows it. You…you bury yourself in work while Grandfather wages war on Muggleborns through legislation.”

Draco flinched. “Fucking wonderful.” 

“I don't want to go home.”

Draco looked at him wide-eyed. “I can imagine,” he murmured eventually.

Hermione shot Theo a look that made him wince. Clearing his throat slightly he sighed when all eyes turned to him.

“How do we fix this?”

“You think we can fix this?” Draco asked incredulously. 

Theo glanced quickly at Hermione. “We had a couple of ideas.”

Draco and the children sat frozen once he finished speaking, each of them slowly digesting the enormity of what Theo and Hermione were proposing. 

“Do you really think it's possible?” Draco voiced, quietly into the silence.

“I don't know.” Theo moaned, running a hand through his hair, “Other than murder, which Hermione won’t agree to, it's all we’ve got.”

Cassius and Draco snorted, “Shame. Lucius is fucking mad.” Cassius voiced, startling them all. He shrugged, noting their scrutiny, “Seemed more of a family affair before, I wasn't sure my input would be welcome, especially considering…..” he trailed off looking at the twins guilty.

“Considering you were an unmitigated arse?” James voiced, wincing as Hermione’s hand connected with the back of his head. “Sorry Aunt ‘Mione,” he muttered. 

“Something like that. I had to be. Old Lucius was less vicious if he thought Scorp was behaving the way he thought he should, my also behaving like that ensured he never made a fuss about our friendship.”

“Jesus Christ. How fucked up is your world?” Hermione muttered. 

“MUM!” the twins turned to stare at her scandalised. 

Rolling her eyes she muttered, “Do as I say not as I do?”

“I don't think I’ve ever heard you swear before. Even when Uncle George charmed your hair Chudley Cannon's orange and you couldn't get rid of it for a month.” Alex breathed, still looking at her with wide eyes.

Hermione snorted. “Apparently future me has more control then,” she replied wryly.

“Given what we’re about to attempt Granger, you might want to work on that,” Draco replied with amusement. “Any ideas where we start?”

“Snape,” Theo replied decisively. “We start with Snape.”

If Draco was confused as to why their potions professor was involved, he didn't show it, nodding his head as if it was a perfectly reasonable place to begin.

Chapter Text

Theo fidgeted beside Hermione as they waited on Professor Snape. The twins sat huddled together, Ophelia leaning into Hermione, with James on Alex’s other side. A subdued Draco sat with Scorpius clutching him, Cassius watching them all with a blank mask beside them.

Severus startled slightly when he realised there was an extra person. “Do you have no intention of preserving the timeline?” he hissed.

Theo shrugged, “At this point, I’m not sure we can make it worse. I thought we’d need his help for what we’re considering.”

“And just what are you considering, Mr Nott?”

“We want to prove they were Death Eaters.” 

Snape froze. “You want to what?” 

“We want to prove they were Death Eaters, and if we could also prove that my Father murdered my mother that would be a bonus. I’ll be honest, I’d be up for just murdering them both but Hermione seems to have some moral objections.”

Snape snorted as Hermione turned and glared at him. “Then mustn't we all be grateful that Miss Granger, at least, appears to have some sense of self-preservation? Do you have any idea what murder does to your soul, idiot boy!”

Theo shrugged, “I’m going to go with something far less damaging than having to live with your children calling you their sperm donor, dragging the witch you love through the papers and watching her live in poverty while single-handedly raising the aforementioned children just to keep your psychotic father from murdering them and that's before we begin to consider a lifetime bound to Pansy fucking Parkinson.”

Snape gaped at him momentarily before sighing, “Christ, I must be going insane. Fine. Outline your plans.”

Draco laughed slightly hysterically, “I believed we just did. We have no idea how to actually go about proving it and we were hoping you might have some advice.”

Severus took a deep breath in, exhaling slowly lest he hex one of them. “Wonderful. We’ll come back to your utter lack of plan shortly. In the meantime, perhaps we should begin with some sort of outline of the timeline.” Hermione and Theo shared a look, it was less promising than they’d hoped for. The twins and Scorpius were similarly tense, all of them realising that Snape really was their only hope and he had hardly been encouraging.

“Now,” his voice interrupted their musings, “Do you have any idea when the rise in anti-muggleborn sentiment began?”

“Um….with Lucius specifically?” Alex began haltingly, “It was when Mum consistently bested Draco in school. We don't know for sure, but Uncle Harry thinks that he began collecting support once it became apparent that Mum was going to continue to beat him. In our time, the rhetoric is that Muggleborns steal magic and that Mum was responsible for more than one squib, that's why she was so powerful. He used that to impose greater restrictions on them, he was pretty close to getting to the stage of removing all muggleborns from work and gifting them to the DOM so they could run tests to show how they stole their magic. There's been some resistance up to this point but given that people are getting desperate because they’re struggling to live, it's been easy to hold up muggleborns who are stealing, begging or dropping out of the wizarding world entirely as proof of their unsuitability.”

“I see. How many years has he been Minister?”

“Um….He became Minister eight years ago? I think? He was lobbying the Wizengamot for years before, I assume it's already happening now, actually.” Ophelia mused. 

“I can check what policies he's trying to pass.” Severus sighed.

Ophelia looked at him shrewdly, “The fact it's already started worries you.” she stated baldly. 

Severus blinked back at her for a moment, wondering how honest to be. “Yes.” he stated finally, ”We have no way of knowing how much support he already has and instead of cutting it off before it begins we’ll essentially be scrambling to regain the ground he's already won. It's….concerning.”

“Fucking wonderful,” Alex muttered, pretending not to notice Hermione's glare. “And Mum and…Mr Nott?” The boy looked at Theo apologetically as if no longer sure how to address him. Theo winced, muttering “Just Theo will be fine.”

Alex hummed, “Right well….what about their plan?”

Severus sighed again, “Honestly? It's a long shot. They will have covered their tracks and they will have ensured the compliance of most of the Wizengamot. I do not wish to discourage you entirely but I do think you need another plan as a backup in case this one fails.” He paused seeing Theo open his mouth. “No Mr Nott, that plan cannot include murder!”

Theo deflated but Hermione suddenly bolted upright, startling them all. “Sirius!” she exclaimed.

Snape froze, “What, Miss Granger?”

“We need Sirius. He's bored, he should technically hold his Wizengamot seat, he could potentially be prepared to if we’re honest with him. I know you don't like him, Sir and I understand you have a really good reason for it but he could get us information that no one else can. And if anyone would be up for some digging in order to put Lucius Malfoy in Azkaban it’d be him and Remus.”

“For fucks sake,” Severus muttered, unable to find a flaw in her logic beyond that he fucking hated the mutt and introducing more people into this mess was dangerous, not only for them but for the timeline that he was now convinced was irrevocably fucked, which he supposed he should have anticipated the moment he agreed to help them. “Fine. Contact the mutt. He’ll need to take an unbreakable vow to ensure he doesn’t tell anyone who doesn't already know.”

Hermione nodded, “Can I borrow parchment, Sir?”

Sighing, he handed over parchment and ink. “Be very careful what you write, Miss Granger.”

Hermione arched a brow, silently asking if he thought she was stupid, but in the interests of self-preservation nodded without actually voicing it. She scribbled something quickly before folding the parchment in half. “Take Sage,” Severus indicated to the giant bird snoozing in the corner. “Be careful, he bites.”

Hermione looked warily at the owl before handing the note to Theo. He huffed out a laugh but took it from her and approached Sage carefully, the owl swivelling his head to watch him. 

“Come on pretty boy,” he crooned, “Just a little letter.”

The bird seemed to glare before he extended his leg, allowing Theo to attach the note. “Take this to Sirius Black.”

The bird nodded once and flew off. 

“I don't think I’ve ever seen him accept mail without biting,” Severus muttered, stunned. 

“I don't imagine you give him many compliments, Sir,” Theo replied with a cheeky grin.

Severus rolled his eyes. “I have a meeting with Professor Dumbledore shortly and we’ve gotten severely off track. I expect you all back after dinner to actually discuss the timeline.”

They all nodded, moving to leave. “And for the love of Salazar, no one else can know!” he shouted at their retreating backs.

Chapter Text

“Sit down, Severus.” Albus sighed, It struck Severus then how old the Headmaster looked. “How are things going with our travellers?”

Severus looked at him warily before making his decision. “How attached are you to the timeline?” he asked wryly. 

Albus snorted, “Based on what little they’ve said to me, I must confess that I’m not at all attached to preserving it,”

“What are the repercussions if we meddle?” Severus hedged.

Albus looked at him shrewdly, “I am surprised it's you.” he commented lightly, “I had expected an argument. What have they said?”

“It's miserable, which you are aware of. Lucius is Minister, which you were also aware of. I must confess I haven't got much further, I was discussing it with them before I came here. The twins purposely put themselves in Miss Granger's path. They believed they would cease to exist and the girl, in particular, wanted her mother. I gather they are incredibly close, she is now aware of who they are to her. They also had a run in with Mr Nott. He is also aware of who they are and the nature of his relationship with them. I do not see the point in keeping them apart now. It was pointed out to me quite clearly that they had the Weasley twins helping to raise them, they are apparently their Godfathers so I can only imagine how insufferably sneaky they are. Miss Granger's intelligence combined with the Weasley Twins' specific brand of chaos is quite frankly a terrifying thought. I gather Miss Granger and Mr Nott spoke to the children, they want to prove that Lucius and Thoros Nott were Death Eaters. I am concerned if we do not, that Theodore Nott will outright murder his father.”

Albus stilled, pinning him with his eyes, “How concerned?”

“I absolutely believe that if we do not fix things, he will murder Thoros,” Severus stated bluntly. “He sees no other way out and he is not willing to have the future his children describe, he was, is , devastated by what they’ve said is the reality that awaits them all should we do nothing. I do not see him giving up Miss Granger without a fight and therefore he will take matters into his own hands if he sees no other option. Miss Granger herself promised her girl that they’d fix it. She has never struck me as a witch to give her word lightly.”

“I see. And her views on murder? Is she also willing to take that route if it becomes their only option?”

Severus snorted, “She wrote to the mutt. I believe she plans to request he investigate the bills Lucius is passing. She refuses to discuss murder.” Severus paused, considering if what he was about to say was useful. “She loves Mr Nott and, in an incredibly short space of time has become attached to her children. I believe that if they truly are backed into a corner she will allow Mr Nott to do as he sees fit, even if she finds the idea abhorrent and is not yet ready to admit that to herself.”

“Sirius?” Albus asked, surprised, his wizened face creased with worry at the thought of his students feeling their only option was to take a life.

“Yes. She thinks if we’re honest with him he’ll take his seat on the Wizengamot. She also believes that both he and the wolf will be willing to investigate Lucius.”

“She is likely right.” Albus mused. “Although we cannot just keep involving people.”

“She agreed to request he take an unbreakable vow.” Severus paused. “Mr Malfoy has also met….the younger Mr Malfoy.”

“And the outcome?”

“I do not know exactly how he came to be involved but he appears to have thrown his lot in with Mr Nott and Miss Granger.”

“Genuinely or to gather information?”

“I believe that it is genuine. Lucius is an…unforgiving parent. I do not know if that is the younger Mr Malfoy’s reality also. You saw his reaction when the younger Miss Greengrass was mentioned; he was at ease with Draco which makes me suspect she supports Lucius’ brand of parenting where Draco does not.”

“I see.” Albus mused, plans swirling in his head. “Very well. Put together a timeline. I will be bonder for Sirius’ vow should he agree. Tell him nothing until he does.”

“And just who is the mutt bonding to?”

“Miss Granger or Mr Nott I think.” Albus mused. “I would suggest Miss Granger, he is fond of the girl. I believe she has spent a significant amount of time in his home thanks to Mr Potter. He told me once she reminded him of Remus and that he completely believed Harry needed her to balance out his particular brand of parenting. Certainly, the girl has been the voice of reason over the years where Sirius has not. I gather she has more than once also scolded him for encouraging Mr Potter into situations he should have avoided.” Albus twinkled.

“Why does it not surprise me that a teenage witch is more mature than the mutt,” Severus replied dryly.

“Ah well, our Miss Granger is not entirely the norm.”

Severus snorted, “She's less unique than you would like to believe, she’s just less obvious about it and therefore seldom gets caught. Her academic prowess means that she is often overlooked when there is mischief happening and she plays on it. Let us not forget that the witch apparently makes the Weasley Twins her children's godparents. That is not the act of a witch without a significant amount of mischief in her, even if it happens to be less than Sirius bloody Black.”

Albus laughed, “Perhaps, Severus, perhaps.”

“Are you any further forward with a way to return them?”

Albus lost his amused look, “I am concerned about what we’d be sending them back to. We are contemplating decimating their timeline.”

“They can't stay here!”

“No. No, they cannot.” Albus sighed. “I have reached out to a contact at the DoM, he is discreet. There will be a way but I must admit I’d feel better if I knew we had a plan in place.”

“As would I.” Severus sighed.

Albus nodded, “Then perhaps it is time to compile that timeline. Let me know when you have, I’d like to be part of the planning.”

Severus nodded, standing. “I hope this doesn't end in disaster,” he muttered.

“By the sounds of things, Severus, we cannot make it much worse.”

Severus snorted, acknowledging the truth of his words. “Very well, I will let you know when we are finished.”

Albus nodded, his focus falling back onto the broken time turner on his desk. Perhaps there was a way to bring the children back to them if the time they sent them forward to was unlivable. Slowly he brought out a sheet of parchment to compile a list. It was going to be yet another long day. 

Chapter Text

Severus surveyed them all where they sat, in an exact replica of the formation they had previously. “We need an accurate representation of your timeline so we can make a plan and so we can get you home. The Headmaster would like to be involved in the planning, so the sooner this is done the sooner we can begin.” They all nodded. “I ask that you allow whoever is speaking to speak without interruption. At the end, if anyone can fill in any gaps or misunderstandings we may have, then you can let me know. Mr Granger, I believe I’ll start with you.”

Alex flinched slightly before he spoke. “I’m not altogether sure what information you want. I…” he hesitated, breathing deeply. ”Draco found out about Mum's relationship with…Theo not long after they found out she was pregnant. He abandoned her as soon after that. Phee and I were born on 6th November 1999, obviously, we’re thirteen, we came from March 2013. Once Lucius found out, Uncle George said the articles started. He said it began small and didn’t directly mention Mum, questioning the morals of witches who fell pregnant out of wedlock, comparing the views in the muggle world to the wizarding one, questioning the validity of single parents and showing how much more accepting the muggle world was. They then began questioning how right that view was, there were lots of pieces on old families and their stability and they began questioning whether muggle borns were a threat to family life. Apparently, after that one it was revealed that….Theo, was our…fuck….um….biological father?” he ventured, clearly uncomfortable. “They ran a series of articles directed at Mum specifically. They questioned why she would keep us on her own, and accused her of being in it for the money, Uncle Harry and Uncle Sirius stepped in directly on that one. They’d been trying, along with Uncle Fred and Uncle George and some others to get the articles stopped, but with that one, they pointed out that Mum had the Lords of two old families among her close friends, she didn't need Nott’s money. That only made it worse though, they accused her of seducing Uncle Harry and attempting to destroy his marriage. They also accused her of sleeping with Uncle Sirius and attempting to get her claws into the last Black Lord. Uncle Fred describes it as a complete shitshow. After that, they ran with the idea that mum had consciously decided to seduce Theo just for the money and intended to ruin his family. 

We lived, live, with Uncle George, as I said. Uncle Fred lived with us until he moved in with Aunt Angie, he's around a lot. Uncle Sirius is around quite a bit as well and so are Uncle Harry and Aunt Gin. I don't know for sure but I’m pretty certain all of them are helping us out financially, especially more recently. I think Mum fights them on it quite a bit. Uncle Ron and Aunt Lavender are definitely responsible for feeding us, along with Grandma Molly at least twice a week.”

“You never moved out from the Twins flat?” Severus asked. 

“No. Mum never explicitly said but I don't think we could afford it. There are restrictions on where Muggleborns can live, most landlords increase the prices for them and as we’ve already said, there were taxes and limitations put on them in terms of work. Skeeter runs a regular “Where are they now?” sort of affair for prominent families, mainly sacred 28, which obviously brings up our birth and Mum's supposedly loose morals and greed. It’s usually at least yearly unless one of them does something particularly noteworthy.”

“I see. Does anyone else have anything to add?”

Cassius and Scorpius shared a look. “We’re pretty certain Grandfather is blackmailing Skeeter. That's why the articles were so specific. I’m not sure what he’s blackmailing her with though.” Scorpius muttered.

“Wonderful,” Severus replied caustically. “What laws were passed?”

“Um, there was the one where muggleborns had to pay a higher tax rate to cover the cost of their education. The logic was that it took longer for them to assimilate and therefore they needed to pay for the increased time people took to educate them.” Ophelia answered hesitantly. 

“And the muggleborn living areas, they weren't allowed to buy a house so they were managed by landlords that I’m pretty sure Lucius personally chose,” Alex added.

“And there was the law that meant muggleborns couldn't hold a position higher than entry level. Their wages are lower too, in fact, I’m pretty sure they’ve been steadily lowering them for years. Grandfather got that one through similarly to the education tax, he said they didn't know our ways so couldn't legitimately hold any power. He said it took Muggleborns longer to learn what was expected of them because they hadn't been born in our world and because of the increase in the time it took to train them, giving them a lower wage made sense.”

“All of the laws sort of came in small pieces from what my Dad says.” Cassius cut in. “Lucius just sort of built them up bit by bit.”

Severus nodded, “That makes sense. How did we go from there to Muggleborns are stealing magic and should be rounded up as lab rats for the Department of Mysteries?”

“Well, people were feeling sorry for muggleborns” Ophelia began hesitantly, “A lot of people thought the laws were unfair, Uncle Sirius thinks Lucius wasn't getting the results he wanted quickly enough, so he changed the story. Before that muggleborns and their families were steadily just leaving our world, there were obviously those who wanted desperately to stay so they begged or they stole to make ends meet if they didn't have help like Mum did. Mum stayed because her entire family was there, although I know she considered leaving more than once. I think we were pretty close to it when we came here. She took her muggle exams when things got really bad a few years ago and I know she has muggle money in another account. Gringotts isn't allowed to exchange it anymore so she only used it for food. I think the only reason she stayed so long, other than not wanting to leave family, was that she was worried about what Lucius would do. She didn't think he’d just let her disappear, and obviously, as Minister, he has a lot of resources. I know Uncle Sirius got really angry the first time she suggested moving, he pointed out that if she stayed where she was she had lots of wands who would defend us, whereas if she moved to the Muggle world, she’d be more vulnerable. He was determined that they’d find a way to get rid of Lucius. I think they were all working on it in the background. I know they got more than one Muggleborn safely set up somewhere.”

Alex nodded along with his sister, “Squib rates are rising and the births are falling because the Purebloods are closing ranks and they’re so interbred it's unsustainable. So Lucius decided to blame muggleborns. Uncle Percy still works at the Ministry, I overheard him telling Mum that the birth rates amongst muggleborns and half-boots are steady, or steady in comparison to the pureblood rates and all of them have had magic. Lucius used that to accuse muggleborns of stealing magic from those he considers better. He hired a new head of the DoM, it was a huge thing because obviously the DoM is outwith Ministry control and he was definitely meddling. He kicked Professor Croaker out and put in Sidney Travers. The man’s as thick as two short planks, Mum rants about him often.”

“Sidney Travers is the son of Lionel Travers….Lionel and my Grandfather have known each other for years.” Scorpius said hesitantly. “I overheard them talking, they want to use muggleborns to test to see if it’s possible to transfer magic. Not because Grandfather truly believes they’re stealing it but because he wants to do something about Pureblood Squibs. He was also talking about using them to test different curses and potions, to see what they do to the body. It was….it was beyond disturbing, to be honest.”

“Did you tell anyone?” Ophelia asked horrified. 

“Dad. I told Dad. I believe he had arranged a meeting with your Mum just after we were due back at school.” Scorpius said softly.

“Oh.” 

“Ye. Dad's a bit of an arse at times but even he didn't think any of what Grandfather was doing was right. He promised he’d try and fix it.”

“What role does Thoros have in this?”

“He's Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, only he has more power than previous Chiefs. He can overrule votes if he chooses to, and he can introduce legislation without warning. He is also head of the Muggleborn Registration Committee. He’s responsible for the team that obliviates all new muggleborns. They’re no longer allowed in our world at all and obviously, he's also responsible for the team that monitors the adult ones left. They were also putting forward laws that would give them rights over children who were half-bloods if they had a muggle or muggleborn parent. I think the plan was to oblivate the muggleborn and take the children if their magical parent was absent or didn't want to leave their partner. There aren't many, but there are some…..Ophelia and Alex included. There were a couple of Carrows, I think and an Abbott, there were another few I can't remember, a Fawley? And I think Selwyn twins. None of them, bar the Granger twins, were from the main family line so they’d been watched less closely, hence the muggleborn parent.”

“Fucking wonderful.” Severus muttered, “How much did he have to do with Lucius' smear campaign?”

“I don't know for sure, but he and Grandfather are close. I imagine he had something to do with it.” 

Severus hummed. “Well, that was thoroughly depressing.”

“Try living it, Professor,” Ophelia replied wryly.

“No thank you. Now, does anyone have anything else to add?” They shook their heads. “Very well. I imagine I'll be asking for more information later, but this is enough for now. Return to your common room….I suggest you take your parents, I imagine this afternoon was an unpleasant reality check, perhaps tell them some things from your childhoods that are not horrific?” he suggested wryly. “I will update the Headmaster. Miss Granger? Do let us know when the mutt gets in touch.”

“Yes, Professor,” Hermione murmured, as Theo pulled her upright and hugged her close, both of them needing the comfort. Alex and Ophelia watched the scene with fascination, having never thought they’d see their parents in the same room, far less as obviously together as they were. Seeing it made some of what they had considered their mother's unusually poor judgement make sense.

Chapter Text

The children led their shell-shocked parents back to their new common room silently. Once there, Hermione curled into Theo, her hands gripping his robes tightly, his arm pulling her firmly to him to the point of pain, his face was pale as he saw Hermione being used as an experiment by faceless unspeakables playing on a loop inside his head. The thought alone made him want to vomit. Draco sat alone, shaken and haunted as he tried to comprehend what havoc his father had wrought. If he had had any remaining doubts about working with Granger, they were gone now. His older self had gotten there in the end, he wouldn't be making the same mistakes and waiting until almost the point of no return. Briefly, he wondered if he could stomach going along with Theo’s preferred method of dealing with their fathers. He wasn't sure. But he also wasn't sure he was completely against it either. The thought should have terrified him as he sat casually contemplating murder, but he wasn't sure it did. 

“Um….do you want to hear about the time Uncle Fred tried to teach us to fly?” Alex awkwardly broke the silence. 

Moving slightly, so her back was pressed close to Theo’s chest, his arm banded tightly across her stomach, Hermione contemplated him. “Go on then,” she replied softly. Anything to give respite from the horrors of the last few hours. They had described her life. Her life. Why the fuck hadn't she just taken the children and ran? Was Lucius’ reach so long that she couldn't have emigrated? Australia looked lovely. New Zealand perhaps? She wanted to vomit. Break something. Lucius Malfoy's face sounded ideal. Anything so she didn't have to deal with this unrelenting grief. Grief that her life had ended up like that. Grief that her children had never known anything else. 

“Um…we were two. You were furious.”

She snorted, trying to focus on Alex’s words rather than her own overwhelming thoughts. “I can imagine,” she replied drily.

“Yeah well, he didn't wait on anyone else, took us both up with him on the wrong brooms, grabbed the junior brooms, not the toddler ones. Phee broke her arm after flying into a tree. I ended up on the roof and he couldn't persuade me to come down. He had to send a Patronus to Uncle Harry begging him to help. Which, apparently he did, after laughing at him and listing all the ways you were going to murder him. Apparently, Uncle Fred took Phee to Hogwarts and Madame Pomfrey because she was less likely to tell you. Only you came home earlier than he expected and he was still there and Uncle Harry was chasing me over the roof because I thought it was hilarious. You hexed him bald and spelled idiot over his face in spots for that one. We have pictures. Uncle George said it lasted a month and you refused to leave us alone with him for three months. Uncle Harry and Aunt Gin taught us to fly in the end. I’m pretty good. Phee still has issued with trees.”

Ophelia stuck her tongue out at him. “Rude. What about the time our accidental magic turned Uncle Sirius’ hair blue? Gods I’ve never seen a grown man cry like that. We were…six? Maybe? He’d assured you he could handle us. He’d transformed into Padfoot to play with us and for whatever reason, we decided he would look better blue. I can't remember why but when he changed back into Uncle Sirius all his hair stayed in colour. He wasn't too fussed about the blue beard, in fact, he kept it for months thinking that was funny but his hair….well you know how he is. Uncle Remus tried to help him but he kept laughing. I just remember both of them crying. Uncle Remus because he found it funny and Uncle Sirius because he was devastated. Uncle Remus gave us two chocolate frogs each for that.”

“Uncle George once gave me a test product to use on Mum, I could only have been seven or eight and she was pregnant. I snuck it into her tea and she spent the day speaking in riddles. By the end of it, she was ready to murder someone but because Uncle George and Uncle Fred hadn't been around she couldn't blame them. So she blamed Uncle Ron.” James giggled, “She gave him tentacles for hair and bat bogeyed him until he cried.”

Alex snorted, “Gods I remember that. He came to see Uncle Geroge after it, raging at him because he knew it was one of his latest test products. It took them ages to reverse the tentacles. Aunt Gin is terrifying, especially when she's pregnant.”

“My favourite Quidditch player used to be Ginny Weasely.” Scorpius smiled. “I had all the figures, posters and a signed quaffle that I got when I convinced you to take me to a meet and greet. I have never seen you look so uncomfortable. She just laughed, muttering something about ferrets. You didn't explain that one, actually.”

Draco winced. “We had an insane Professor in fourth year. He turned me into a ferret during a demonstration in class it was fucking awful. I was this little albino ferret that he then used to demonstrate the effects of the imperius curse. He had me tap dancing and giving Goyle ferrety kisses.”

Scorpius gaped at him before he threw back his head and laughed. “Oh, my Gods. That explains why you look so annoyed every time you have to cast a Patronus!”

“My patronus is a ferret?” Draco yelped.

“Yes!” Scorpius giggled. 

“Remember when Dad finally learned?” Cassius asked impishly. Scorpius snorted. “He was so pleased with himself, he’d been struggling with it for years. His is a stallion. You actually had a tantrum, Uncle Draco. It was hilarious.” 

Draco pouted. “Where are the nice memories?”

“Um….You and Uncle Blaise, and eventually Uncle Theo used to take us to Quiddich regularly. I made you take me to all the Harpies games for years, although it's the Tornadoes now.”

Draco nodded, satisfied. “I wasn't totally absent then?”

Scorpius shrugged, “No.” he sighed, “When I was little you were about more. You taught me to fly and to ride the abraxans. We used to go on adventures in the orchards and swim in the lake. As Grandfather got more….ruthless? You withdrew more. I don't know what you were doing, I had wondered if you had been helping the muggleborns once I realised you didn't hesitate to contact Hermione when I told you about Grandfather's plans to use them as test subjects.”

Draco nodded slowly. “Perhaps. Especially given that she agreed to meet me. I would have thought in the circumstances she would be suspicious, maybe I had already proved myself.

“Dad?” Scorpius voiced hesitantly as a horrible thought occurred to him. “What are we going to do about Mother?”

Chapter Text

A large eagle owl swooped down towards Hermione at breakfast several days later.

“Why’s Sirius writing to you?” Harry asked curiously. 

Hermione shrugged, “I asked him a question about a problem I’ve been having.” she replied vaguely. “He seemed the logical choice surprisingly. I imagine this is his response.”

“What problem?” 

“Nothing you need to worry about.” she smiled placatingly, kicking herself for not coming up with a story beforehand. Briefly, she wondered when she had become this ridiculous, she had been known for always being prepared and she was slipping at the worst possible moment! Silently resolving to up her game immediately, she resumed her breakfast. 

Harry lowered his voice, glancing around them quickly to ensure they couldn't be overhead. “Is this to do with your thing with Nott, Hermione?”

Hermione froze. “What?”

“Come on. You’re my best friend, you didn't think I’d notice? And…if you had to speak to anyone about surviving disownment, Sirius makes sense.”

“Oh my Gods.” she breathed looking at him in stunned disbelief. “Who else knows?”

“What? No one! I figured you’d tell us when you were ready.”

“Harry,” she replied urgently. “You cannot mention this to anyone. His father….well let's just say his father would see me as a removable obstacle.”

“Removable obstacle.” Harry repeated faintly before understanding dawned “You mean he’d murder you?” He hissed, his face paling. “Merlin Hermione, what the fuck are you doing?”

“I can't talk about this here! Meet me in the room of requirement before dinner. And Harry. For fucks sake, keep your mouth shut until then!”

Harry blanched at her tone and unusual use of profanity, before nodding. Whatever this was it was serious.

Theo caught up with her before lunch, hauling her into an alcove when no one was looking.

“What happened with Potter at breakfast?”

Hermione closed her eyes and resigned herself to the inevitable. “We haven't been as discreet as we thought. Harry knows about us.”

“What?” Theo yelped.

“You heard me. The most unobservant boy in Hogwarts knows. Fuck Theo what if other people know?” Her breath began coming in small pants as terror swept through her.

“Hey, hey. It's going to be alright. We just need to be more careful. If anyone else knew they’d have said something or my father would have said something. Maybe Potter is more observant than you give him credit for.”

Hermione tried to breathe slowly, logic returning to her as she remembered the fucking map. She was going to murder Harry for scaring her like this. “Or he has a fucking map of the castle and its inhabitants.” Hermione snarled, “How the fuck could I have forgotten the map?”

“Hermione, sweetling.” Theo began hesitantly, “What map?”

“Gods I don't have time to explain this now, we need to get to lunch.” she snapped, “I’m meeting him in the room of requirement before dinner. Meet us there, I’ll make him explain. For fucks sake though, be discreet.”

Theo nodded, wide-eyed, wondering what had happened to his usually composed girlfriend. He could only imagine the matching looks of astonishment on the twin's faces if they could hear their mother cursing. The thought almost made him smile.

“Right, Hermione, are you going to explain now?” Harry asked impatiently as Hermione paced.

“In a minute,” she murmured, almost sagging with relief when Theo crept through the door.

“Nott!” Harry exclaimed, his face hard, “What the fuck is he doing here? Were we not just discussing how his father would fucking murder you at breakfast?”

Theo held up his hands placatingly. “As true as that probably is, we’re working on a plan.”

“With Sirius?”

“Hopefully.” Hermione supplied, “You threw me off so much this morning that I haven't actually opened his letter.”

“Well opening it now!” Harry demanded, “I’d feel better if someone was helping.”

“Someone is helping,” Hermione replied softly, “Professor Snape and Professor Dumbledore are aware and have agreed to help.”

Harry slumped with relief. “Jesus Hermione, could you not have led with that and spared me the heart attack at the thought that my best friend was about to be fucking murdered?”

Hermione shrugged, “Perhaps don't blindside me in the Great Hall in future.”

Harry glowered at her, ignoring him, she opened Sirius' letter. It was short, two lines long stating that he’d be arriving tomorrow at Hogwarts, bidding her to meet him in the Headmaster's office at two and asking her to request Albus open his floo. 

“Well?”

“He's coming tomorrow,” Hermione replied, her mind whirling as she considered how best to play their next move. 

“I’ll come with you,” Harry stated as if daring them to argue. Theo shot her a panicked look. 

“You can't,” Hermione said softly, reaching out to squeeze his hand. “We would all be conspicuous in our absence.”

“Less than if you two just disappeared on your own, they’re hardly likely to accuse us of forming a triad.”

Theo snorted. “You’re very much not my type Potter. Although, he has a point sweetling.”

Hermione's eyes flew to him. “What?”

“How much is Black going to push to include him regardless?”

Hermione hesitated. “What about Blaise?”

Theo frowned, “Blaise?” Hermione raised her eyebrows pointedly waiting until she saw comprehension dawning on Theo's face. “Snape’s going to fucking murder us you know?” he groaned.

“We can't just leave out one.” 

Theo hesitated. “I think we need to sound out Draco. He’ll have more of an idea of how he’ll take it. It could put it all at risk.”

“Is someone going to explain what the fucks going on?” Harry interjected. “What the fuck have Malfoy and Zabini got to do with anything?”

“It's…complicated.” Hermione hedged. “Fine, sound out Draco. Perhaps there's someone else we need to speak to?”

It took Theo a moment before he nodded, “Tonight?” 

Hermione hummed, “You, I think, rather than me.”

“Now?” he sighed. 

“I think it's best, don't you?” 

“Very well. Meet me back here after dinner and hopefully, I’ll have some answers.”

Sighing Theo dropped an absentminded kiss on her forehead and left in search of Draco and Cassius. 

“Right, so, you’re going to explain that right?”

Hermione sighed, “Look, this thing is bigger than Theo and I and I can't currently give you answers until Theo has spoken to who he needs to speak to. I don't like lying to you but….if anything got back to the wrong person, a lot of people could get seriously hurt.”

“Hermione?” Harry asked with concern, “How bad is this?”

Hermione let out a slightly hysterical little laugh, “Gods Harry, worse than anything you could ever imagine.”

Harry reached for her as the tears started, pulling her to him and murmuring soothing nonsense. He loved this girl like a sister, the thought of anything happening to her sent jolts of fear through him like nothing he’d ever experienced. She was going to be alright. She had to be.

Chapter Text

“Draco!” Theo shouted over the crowds heading to dinner. The blonde whipped round to face him frowning slightly as he sent everyone else on to the Great Hall. 

“Is everything alright?”

Theo ushered him into an alcove and silenced it. “Lord Black is coming tomorrow,” he murmured. 

“Ok….”

Theo sighed, “How do you think Blaise would take this?”

Draco blinked. “Pardon?”

“You heard me. Potter knows about Hermione and me and demanded to be there when Lord Black visits. Not that he knows why he's visiting. I think Lord Black will push to allow Potter to be involved once he knows about James, Hermione pointed out that if that happened, Cassius would be the only one without a parent here.”

Draco hesitated. “Honestly? I think it's too risky. He keeps nothing from Daphne and I have no idea what Astoria’s views are now, all it would take is for Daph to mention it to her and we run the risk of everyone knowing.”

Theo sighed, “I was worried you’d say that. Want to come and talk to him with me?”

“Can I eat first?”

“Ah….not really. It's going to look more suspicious if we wolf down dinner and run, this way we can say I needed help with an essay and so we went to the kitchens.”

“ Can we go to the kitchens?” Draco asked hopefully.

“Sure. Once we’ve spoken to Cassius. Although maybe the elves are feeding them in their rooms. I never actually asked what they were doing for meals.”

Sighing, Draco nodded. “Fine. Let's hope we can have dinner with our children. Sweet Salazar that sounds so fucking wrong.”        

They arrived at the children's portrait and whispered the password. Draco's eyes landed on the plates of food and he grinned. 

“Dad!” Scorpius exclaimed. 

“Ah…hi. We need to borrow Cassius for just a moment then we’ll stay for dinner?”

All of them frowned but didn’t speak as Cassius rose and led them to his room. 

“Right, so what's this about?”

Theo and Draco shared a look, silently commanding the other to speak first. Theo lost. 

“Lord Black is coming tomorrow. We think he’ll push for Potter to be involved.” he blurted.

“Ok. I don't understand why that meant you had to speak to me.”

Theo sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Draco isn't sure if your dad would be able to keep this from your mum.”

Cassius snorted, “Dad has never been able to keep anything from Mum. She always knows when he's hiding something.”

“Which would put you, us, everyone, at risk.”

“Ah,” Cassius replied, finally understanding. He was silent for so long Draco had started to fidget before he sighed, “Look. I'm not going to say it doesn't suck. It does. But I’d like not to be responsible for ending time or unexpected murders. I’ll live if I can't see my dad right now.”

“For what it's worth, we are sorry,” Theo murmured.

Cassius shrugged, “I’ll see him when we get home. It's stranger for Scorp and the twins, they’re getting parents they don't know at all. I don't think I grudge them that.”

Both Draco and Theo winced at that assessment, Cassius recoiled, realising what he had just said, “Sorry that was blunter than it should have been.”

“You're not wrong.” Theo replied softly, “Hopefully we can fix this and get you home soon. Thank you…..for being more grown up than you should have to be.”

Cassius gave a lopsided smile, “It's fine, you’re explaining it to Dad though if we remember any of this. He's going to be so pissed off.”

Draco grimaced, “Yeah, thanks for that.”

“Any time Uncle Draco! Now, are you actually staying for dinner?”

“Merlin, yes! I’m starving!”

Cassius laughed, heading back through to the common room. Theo and Draco wandering in his wake. Both privately wondering if maybe they’d gotten off just a bit too lightly.

“Right, so can you explain now?” Harry asked his eyes darting between Hermione and Theo.

Hermione sighed. “I need you to listen. No, Harry, actually listen. You can't tell anyone about this conversation. Not Ron, not Ginny. We cannot discuss it outside pre-agreed rooms, if the wrong people heard of this people will die. Quite honestly we shouldn’t even be telling you. Professor Snape is probably going to strangle us.”

Harry looked at her in horror, “What are you mixed up in ‘Mione?”

Hermione sighed. “Remember that odd explosion in potions?”

“With the people?”

“With the people,” she confirmed.

“Right so…..”

“They were time travellers.”

Harry gaped at her for a moment before he laughed. “Right, right, hilarious, really. Now seriously….” he froze looking at them, both Hermione and Theo stared back unsmiling. “You….fuck. Mione. Tell me you’re joking?”

“No,” she replied softly. “Not joking. It was a mistake, an accident with a time-turner. Two of them were trying to rival my third year schedule.”

Harry gaped at them, “So why were you told? It doesn't seem like something Dumbledore or Snape would want to get out.”

“It wasn't. Two of them came to find me.”

“What, why?” he asked bewildered. As much as he was aware he didn't often follow Hermione’s conversations, this one was more confusing than any of the others. 

“Because they’re my children,” she replied softly.

“You have kids!”

“Twins. They’re thirteen. They came through with Malfoy's son, Blaise’s son and….yours.”

“MINE! What? Why are we here then? I want to meet him!” Harry jumped up, heading for the door.

“HARRY!” Harry whirled to face her with a slightly wild expression. “There is more we need to discuss and then we’ll take you to meet them. But remember what I said about people dying.” Harry's eyes widened as he slowly moved back to his seat. 

“I’m listening.”

“The world they come from is….beyond awful. Lucius Malfoy is Minister and he's trying to rid our world of muggleborns. Me in particular.”

“Why you in particular?”

“He found out about Theo and me and wasn't happy.”

“The twins are his?” Harry interrupted.

“Yes. If you actually let me finish I’ll explain what we know,” she replied impatiently, suitably chastened, Harry shut his mouth and remained silent. “Right,” Hermione began, “This is what they told us…….”

Harry was pale at the end of the explanation, clutching her hand like someone might appear and steal her away the second he let go. Theo could sympathise. It was even more horrifying to hear the second time round. “Fuck….Mione. Just….fuck.”

“Exactly. Now, do you understand why we have to be careful?”

“Yes, at least I think so. It's quite…a lot to wrap my head around, to be honest. But….Mione…..you know that regardless of what we’re doing, you’ll always have a home with me? I…I know they said you had the twins and it sounds like they were great, really it does. But, I can't believe you thought we wouldn't want you!”

“To be fair it sounds like Gin was pregnant and the Twins didn't have that commitment. You taught them to fly you know? You were still around, and based on how James treats me, you were around a lot.”

Harry nodded, wrapping his arm around her and hugging her close before he grinned impishly at her, “I’m impressed you allowed them on a broom before Hogwarts.”

“Yes well Fred took them first and Ophelia broke her arm and Alex ended up on the roof and you had to chase him,” she replied wryly. “I imagine allowing you and Gin to teach them seemed like the lesser of the evils.”

Harry's jaw dropped before he threw back his head and laughed. Theo watched on in amusement, thankful that Harry was on board with this, Hermione needed someone else to bounce off in the way he could with Draco, hopefully, Snape wouldn’t murder them for it later.

Chapter Text

Hermione and Harry carefully picked their way along the corridors to the children's room. Harry had thrown his cloak at Theo, pointing out that him and Hermione being together would hardly be unusual. Theo had gaped as he realised what he was holding before disappearing under it, acknowledging the truth of Harry's comment. 

They entered the common room silently, Harry freezing at the sight of James.

“Dad?” the boy asked, confused. 

“Uncle Harry!” the twins chorused. 

“Um…oh hell… this is really fucking weird Mione,” Harry responded, looking at her helplessly. “That's my kid….those…those are your kids! I….fuck how are you two so calm with all this?”

Hermione rolled her eyes at him. “We’ve had a couple of days to come to terms with it. It's still strange.” Turning to the kids, she tried to smile reassuringly, “Sirius is coming tomorrow, we thought he’d insist on….Harry's involvement, so we got there first. Prevents him from blowing up the Headmaster's office with his dramatics. And it means that when Sirius has a meltdown before listening, it's just him and not two of them” 

“Oi!” Harry protested as the children giggled.

“She’s not wrong, Dad.” James grinned, “ Only Uncle Sirius is more dramatic than you!” he paused for a moment, “And maybe Uncle Ron. Now come and sit down and stop being an idiot.”

With wide eyes, Harry complied. “Tell me everything,” he begged, his eyes never leaving his son's face. James and the twins grinned before launching into a convoluted story that focused on happier memories than the ones they’d originally shared with everyone else. Hermione smiled as she listened to them, watching Theo talking quietly with Scorpius, Cassius moved to sit beside her to give them some privacy. 

“How are you doing?” she murmured.

The boy shrugged, “I…it's all really strange, to be honest. I mean it’ll be a wonderful story to tell someday, assuming we remember. But.” he paused, looking far younger than he had up until now. “Miss Granger? What's going to happen to Scorp?”

Hermione let out a long breath. “I don't know,” she replied softly, refusing to insult him by pretending she didn't know what he meant. “I can't imagine your Uncle Draco not being willing to do anything possible to ensure he exists and I know what Scorpius has said about his mother but from what little I know of Astoria, I can't believe she started out that way.”

Cassius hummed, “Can I ask….” he trailed off looking unsure.

“You can ask,” she prompted. 

He looked at her, his eyes sad, “They’re all working to help you and Uncle Theo so that you don't have to live the way you did.” he exhaled slowly, “He’s my best friend. Can I ask that you help Scorp, not only to exist, but please make sure he doesn't have to live the way he did either?”

Moving on instinct, Hermione wrapped an arm around him. “I promise I’ll do what I can.” she murmured, “But Cassius, I can't imagine your Uncle Draco allowing things to play out the same way either.” 

Cassius nodded, sinking into her embrace. “Thanks….Aunt Hermione,” he muttered with a slightly cheeky lilt, startling a laugh out of her.

“Hermione?” 

“Hmmm?” 

“Can we talk for a bit?”

Hermione glanced around the empty common room before casting a little bubble of spells. “We can now.” she agreed.

“The kids….they’re awesome.” Harry began slowly, “But that life, Mione. Are you really sure it's not best just to…cut your losses?”

Hermione ran a hand through her curls before she could stop herself. “Look at me and tell me that you won't do whatever you can to ensure James exists now you’ve met him,” she demanded.

“I….fuck, Mione.” Harry groaned. “Fine. Fine. But…do you really think we can stop this?”

Hermione hesitated. “Theo will murder his father if we can’t” She whispered.

Harry's jaw dropped. “Are you serious? Mione. Fuck. Are you actually serious?”

“If you had no other option, what would you do?”

“And you’re just ok with it?” he asked pacing, “Fucking hell Hermione, we're discussing fucking murder!”

“I know,” she whispered, looking close to tears. “And I really hope it doesn't come to that but….Harry, I can't live with the life the twins described. If you’ve any other suggestions, I’m all ears but, what if we have no other choice?”

He stopped pacing and pulled her into a hug. “Let's hope Sirius has something,” he muttered. “I…fuck, Mione. I don't like it but I don't think I can live with you having that life either. I’ll…help. I’ll help if we have no other choice.” 

Sirius was waiting in the Headmaster's office when they arrived, Snape's eyes immediately zeroed in on Harry before they flew to Hermione’s.

“Are you determined to kill us all?” he groaned, looking surprisingly resigned.

Hermione shrugged, “You know we’d end up here anyway.” she rationalised.

“For fucks sake, all we need now is the Weasley twins and self-destruction is guaranteed,” he muttered, not contradicting her. “No!” he barked when she went to open her mouth.

Hermione rolled her eyes and sat down primly with Harry and Theo flanking her. 

“Going to give me an explanation, Kitten?” Sirius asked before she could greet him properly.

Severus rolled his eyes, “Once the Headmaster is here, Black, surely even you can wait until then.”

Sirius sneered before turning back to Hermione. “Who’s he?”

“Ah…Theo Nott.” Hermione hedged as Sirius stared back in surprise. 

“Thoros’ Nott's son?”

“Yes.”

Sirius nodded slowly. Right….right. I really hope this story’s a good one, Kitten.” he said finally, making no move to hide the appraising look he was giving Theo.

“Oh, it is,” Harry muttered.

Chapter Text

“Ah, splendid!” We’re all here!” Albus beamed as he entered his office, “Well do sit down.”

Both Sirius and Severus shot each other a glare before moving to sit down as far away from each other as they could get.

“Is someone going to explain now?” Sirius sighed, “You were very vague, Kitten.”

“Why is Black calling you Kitten?” Theo muttered.

“What's it to you?” Sirius barked, glaring at Theo.

“Sirius.” Hermione growled, “Bad dog!” Harry stifled a laugh as Sirius pouted. “He’s here because what we need to ask concerns him,”

Sirius sat up and looked at her seriously. “Kitten? What the fuck is going on? His father was a Death Eater. Please don't tell me this is what I think it is?”

Hermione sighed, “Pads, please don't be cross.” she all but pleaded. His face softened as he looked at her, clearly reading something in her expression before moving to crouch down in front of her. 

“You, Kitten, have been family from the moment Prongslet brought you home when you were still all hair and books. I can't promise I'm going to be pleased with what you're about to tell me, I'm almost certain I'm not, but at the end of it, you’ll still be family.”

Hermione nodded, biting her lip as she tried to stop the tears from falling. Sirius sighed, moving to stand, pulling her to him to hug her tightly. “You’re ours, Kitten. Nothing you do will ever change that,” he murmured into her hair.

“Promise?” she whispered.

“Always, Kitten, always.”

Severus watched the scene with interest. Perhaps he had misjudged the relationship Black had with Miss Granger. They were far closer than he had realised. A by-product of him being the closest thing Potter had to a parent, he assumed. It was uncomfortably reassuring. He didn't like Black being a positive thought. It went against everything he believed in but in this instance, perhaps they were lucky, he clearly adored the girl and she was going to need that if they were going to pull this off.

Returning Hermione to her seat slowly, Sirius sat back down, not taking his eyes off of her. He had never seen her look so rattled and it scared him. Of all the things he had expected, none of them had included anything that made her question her place in their lives. She was Harry’s closest friend, they were almost siblings, exactly the way he and James had been. That made her family. Nothing she could possibly have done would change that. Especially not something as ridiculous as an unsuitable boy. There were ways, after all, to get rid of those if need be.

“There…there was an explosion in potions…..” she began.

Sirius was completely still once she finished her explanation, his eyes wide on his shocked face. “Fucking hell, Kitten,” he whispered. 

“It's…quite a bit to take in.”

He let out a shocked bark of laughter, muttering, “You could say that. Do I get to meet them?”

Shooting a quick look at Dumbledore, Hermione answered hesitantly, “If you want to. The twins and James clearly know you well.”

Sirius nodded, visibly steeling himself before turning to look at Severus. “Thank you.”

Severus blinked. “Pardon?”

“Thank you. For helping them. For trying to change it so she doesn't live in that hell.” Severus nodded sharply, not entirely how to respond to that. Visibly gathering himself, Sirius turned back to Hermione, “Now, what I don't understand is what you need from me?”

Theo and Hermione shared a look, communicating silently before Theo sighed. “Hermione thought you might be open to taking up your familial seat and looking into the things Lucius is trying to get passed as well as the things he's already managed.”

“We also thought you and Remus might be open to doing a little bit of discreet digging.” Hermione cut in before he could speak, clearly interpreting his displeasure that Theo was speaking to him at all, “We could use some proof that Lucius and Thoros really were Death Eaters. It's not much of a plan but it's the best we’ve got.”

Sirius groaned, “Detective work…fine. But Kitten, do I really need to sit on the Wizengamot?”

“We don't know how else to get the information,” Hermione admitted. 

“Merlin, Kitten.” he sighed, “It's a bloody good job I love you.”

Hermione stood flinging herself at him, muttering “thank you” on repeat until Theo took pity on him and prised her off gently, ignoring the other man's glare.

“There is of course the small matter of a vow.” Albus cut in once Theo had settled Hermione onto his knee, earning a slight growl from Sirius.

“A vow?”

“You must understand how precarious this is, Mr Black. If anyone was to find out….”

Sirius blanched, “I’ll take the vow but Remus has to be told.”

“Mr Black….”

“No. he’ll ask too many questions otherwise and if I even hint to being bound by an unbreakable vow he’ll suspect something nefarious. He’s immune to legilimency anyway, due to the wolf.”

Dumbledore froze. “I had forgotten that,” he murmured. “Very well. Request he comes here, the floo will be open.”

Severus rolled his eyes. “At this rate, everyone will bloody know,” he muttered into the silence as they waited on Remus.

A visibly shaken Remus moved towards Hermione, pulling her off Theo’s lap and hugging her tightly once she had finished speaking.

“Remus! Remus! Moony! I can't breathe!” 

“Right, right, sorry,” he muttered only letting go fractionally until Sirius persuaded him to release her.

“You’ll help?” Harry asked once Remus was seated again.

“Of course, we’ll bloody help! She's not living through that!” Remus almost growled, his eyes flashing gold as he fought for control. 

“Wonderful.” Albus intoned from the background. 

“What's your plan if this comes to nothing?” Remus asked, ignoring him.

Hermione, Theo and Harry stiffened. “It took less time than I expected for you to get over your moral objections, Miss Granger,” Severus commented, watching all three of them intently.

“What?”

“There are very few foolproof options.” Severus offered. Remus’ eyes went wide as he caught what the other man wasn't saying. 

“Fuck!” he snarled. “You’re not doing it!”

“If we have no other choice,” Theo protested, his voice hard.

Remus’ eyes shifted again, making Theo flinch when they focused on him “I said, you’re not doing it.”

Beside him, Sirius nodded. “If it comes to that, we will,” he said with a finality none of them dared argue with.   

Chapter Text

“Are you sure this is wise?” Severus asked with the air of a man who knew he was fighting a losing battle. 

Albus looked at him intently, “Not in the slightest but we both know they’ll find a way around it and at least this way we remain slightly in control.”

Remus and Sirius had the grace to look slightly embarrassed. 

“Very well,” Severus sighed. “I expect to be told when Black owls with information, Miss Granger.”

She nodded before watching him sweep out of the room. Remus and Sirius took it as their cue to disillusion themselves quietly, while Theo hid himself under the cloak again. 

“Be very careful,” Albus cautioned as they moved to leave his office. “There are often eyes where one least expects them.”

“Of course, Sir,” Harry murmured, glancing nervously at Hermione. They walked silently in the direction of the children's rooms, attempting to not look suspicious as people milled around them. Harry's grip on Hermione's hand was tight, both of them terrified that someone would bump into one of the others, becoming even more scared when the crowds began to thin out. All it would take was one person to question why they were heading off into an unused corridor and they’d be put in an uncomfortable position with more than one Weasley.

All of them let out a sigh of relief when they reached the portrait and climbed through. 

“Malfoy!” Harry stopped abruptly causing everyone else to bump into him. 

“Potter.” Draco sneered back.

“Enough!” Hermione glared at them both. “Your children are here, it's time to grow up! Harry, Draco is helping. Draco…Harry also intends to help. Do not make me hex you!”

Draco’s eyebrows shot up at the genuine flash of fear that shot across Harry's face when she pointed her wand at him. The twins and James barely repressed their laughs.

“It's nice that some things are consistent, don't you think?” James asked nonchalantly. 

Alex snorted. “To be fair, he has good reason to fear her wand. Do you remember that time our mum and yours teamed up?”

“I’m pretty sure Dad still has nightmares about it.” James laughed before his jaw dropped. “Uncle Pads! Uncle Moony!” 

Ophelia turned sharply at his greeting before she launched herself at Sirius who despite his surprise managed to catch her. “You look like you!” she sobbed. “You're the only one who really looks like you.”

Sirius's eyes softened with understanding. “You mean I remain this handsome, Mini-Kitten? Good to know.”

She let out a strangled laugh that was half sob. “That's what you’ve always called me, how did you know?”

Sirius laughed, “I didn't, but you look like a mini Kitten, so I went with it.”

Hermione looked like she was fighting tears next to Theo who was watching his daughter hug Lord Black with a blank expression. 

“Let's sit down, shall we?” Remus suggested, his eyes darting around the room, taking in each of the players. 

Theo immediately pulled Hermione onto a sofa, Alex settling himself on her other side, Harry and James squashing themselves into the small space beside him. Remus rolled his eyes, enlarging the sofa pointedly making Harry flush. Draco sat with Scorpius and Cassius watching them warily as Ophelia curled herself into Sirius’ side. 

“Right, so, I gather some of you know us but perhaps you’ll indulge me and introduce yourselves.” He smiled slightly as they did so, his heart giving a slightly painful squeeze at the proud proclamation of “James Potter,” from the boy who looked so very like his namesake. “Right, why don't you tell us something interesting?” he ventured, a slight hint of amusement on his face before he zeroed in on a startled Scorpius. 

“Me?” The boy squeaked. 

“Why not?” Remus shrugged, smiling slightly as the boy began to speak. The kids would need each other while they were here, maybe he could help strengthen some of those bridges they’d been forced to build. And maybe, he could convince some of their parents to build some bridges of their own.

“Kitten? A word?” Sirius cut through the conversation several hours later, all of them full from dinner, the house elves having clearly been informed of their presence. Hermione's eyes flew to him before she nodded.

“Can we borrow your room for a moment?” With her eyes darting between her mother and Uncle, Ophelia nodded slowly. She caught Theo stiffening out of the corner of her eye. 

“Out with it,” Hermione commanded once the door shut behind them. Sirius looked at her, running his hand through his hair.

“Kitten.” he began softly, “You know that we’ll support you whatever you decide to do, right?”

She nodded slowly, not really sure where he was heading with this. “Kitten, that story….I asked the kids, they added some bits….I…I know you think you love him now but the man they said he became.” he trailed off looking at her pleadingly. “He still has the capacity to be that man. And I know we all sort of discussed murder, but….he’s very sure it's a route he's willing to go down, Kitten and that worries me.”

“It worries me too,” she replied softly. “But, it worries me more that I’m not sure I disagree with him. Pads, I can't live that life, not now I know it's a possibility. I can understand how it creeps up on you but to walk into it willingly is madness. I….I can't pretend that I’m ok with not having the twins though, you’ve met them.” she made a helpless gesture towards the door letting out a humourless laugh, “Gods how could I not want them? And I do love him. I know what you’re saying, I know that things change but….it feels right. And that’s all I’ve really got to go on at the moment.”

Sirius sighed, pulling her into a hug, attempting to marshall his thoughts. The day's storytime had rattled him more than he wanted to admit. He loved this girl like family, she was family. Not quite a daughter, her own parents filled that role well. A niece perhaps? The closest he was ever going to get to one anyway. Thoughts of how her life turned out made him want to vomit. And let loose some of the darker impulses that he constantly fought against. It terrified him that he might not be able to help, that maybe he’d let her down and history would repeat itself. If he was honest, he wanted to take her out of the country for the next twenty years, far far away from Theodore Nott, his father and Lucius bloody Malfoy, to ensure it could not. It was an instinct he was struggling to fight.

“Kitten, you know that there's no guarantee you’ll get them?” he murmured into her hair, not daring to look at her. She stiffened in his arms. “If we change things,” he continued, “You might not get them, you might get twins, you might not, they may be completely different, they’re likely to be completely different, their entire life will change.” He hugged her tighter as he felt her sob, his own heart hurting as he listened to hers break. 

Chapter Text

“Sorry,” Hermione whispered into Sirius's chest, his arms still tight around her. “It's been…a brutal few days.”

“You don't need to apologise to me, Kitten.” he murmured, “I think I’d have been more worried if you hadn't had some sort of breakdown.”

She huffed out a laugh, “Bold of you to assume this is my first one, Pads.”

He laughed at her, squeezing her tighter before releasing her. “What are you going to do, Hermione?”

His use of her given name startled her into silence, sinking down onto the edge of Ophelia’s bed as she gave his question genuine thought. He sat down next to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as he allowed the silence to fall.

“I love him.” she said finally, “And I’d be lying if I said I didn't want some version of the twins.” Pausing she took a deep breath, “But. But even if I didn't. Even if I choose to walk away from Theo, I need to do something. Because it wasn't just me, Pads, it was every single muggleborn. And I might have been the scapegoat in the twins' time but let's not pretend that if I’m not there they won't find another one. Maybe not as quickly, maybe quicker, who knows? But their views and their means to manipulate won't change because I happen to not give them a convenient excuse. I don't think I could live with myself if I allowed that to happen. This is so much bigger than Theo and I and maybe we’ve lost sight of that a little bit because we’ve had people tell us directly how fucking awful my life became….becomes? Terminology is difficult! But ultimately, it shouldn't be about us, not really. It should be about every muggleborn whose life was ruined by policy, who had to flee, or who was left to beg. I can't pretend I don't know, Pads. Please don't ask me to do nothing.”

Sirius closed his eyes letting out a noise close to a whine. “Fine, Kitten. I can hardly argue with that without sounding like a dick now, can I? I reserve the right to murder the little fucker if he hurts you in any way thought.”

She smiled, kissing his cheek, “I wouldn't expect anything else.”

He huffed out another laugh, pulling her to her feet and into another hug. “Come on then, let's go and reassure them all I haven’t forced you to leave the country.” 

She smiled, “I’d really like to see you try, Pads.”

He snorted, “If you don’t think Moony and Harry would help me, love, you don't know us as well as I thought you did. We’d manage. We still might.”

Hermione shook her head exasperatedly. “Ridiculous puppy.” 

He quirked his lip into a smile at her inability to hide her fondness. 

“I need to see them!” Ophelia whispered tersely, finally breaking the terse silence she’d maintained since Sirius and Remus had left the night before. “Seeing Uncle Sirius….Look I know we can't talk to them, I know we can't let them see us, but I need to see them.”

“Phee!” Alex whined, “We can't! What if we’re seen? What if someone questions us? Have you any idea how risky it is?”

“Is it?” she countered, “We’ve fucked the timeline! Does it actually matter at this point?”

“It does if we’re fucking dead, Phee!”

“I’m going!” she declared a stubborn tilt to her jaw that made her look painfully like their mother. “You can't stop me!”

“For fucks sake.” Alex muttered, “Fine! But I swear to Merlin, Phee, if this gets us killed I’m going to make sure you never fucking forget it!”

Ophelia rolled her eyes. “Terrifying, I’m sure. Now, do they have the Hogsmeade shop yet? Damn it, I can't remember!”

“No,” Alex replied slowly. “Not yet or….actually, it's not open yet.”

“But they were in the process of getting it ready?”

“Yes, at least I think so. It’ll be obvious, won't it?” 

Nodding Ophelia sighed, “Passage to Honeydukes?”

“Like we’ve any other choice.” he scoffed, “If any of the professors….or Mum , finds out we’re doing this, they’ll murder us.” 

Ophelia paled slightly at the thought of her mother finding out before she straightened her spine. “Let's go.” 

They crept along quiet corridors, keeping their heads down before slipping behind the statue of the one-eyed witch. Both of them breathed a long sigh of relief when they reached Hogsmeade unscathed, their eyes darting around the street only now considering how much they stuck out given that it wasn't a Hogsmeade weekend.

Alex’s breath caught as he spotted his Uncles shoving each other playfully as they walked from the Three Broomsticks towards what used to be Zonkos. Ophelia made an involuntary sound of distress as they approached. The twins stopped walking, swinging around to face them in confusion.

“Fuck.” Alex breathed as their Uncle's eyes zeroed in on them frowning, “Phee! Phee, we need to go!”

Before they could move, Fred and George were heading towards them. 

“What's this then?”

“Two ickle students sneaking out of school?”

“I think it might be Gred.”

“Hmmm what to do Forge?”

They stopped, noticing Ophelia's tears. Alex had frozen, genuine fear of what would happen because of this coursing through him. Snape was going to fucking murder them. Their mother was going to fucking murder them. He’d take Snape any day of the week. They’d seen their mother's vicious streak when she was dealing with their Uncles. There was at least a chance Snape would make it quick.

“Are you alright?” George asked softly.

Ophelia shook her head before she launched herself at him. Both the twin's eyes widened in shock.

“Did something happen?” Fred asked slightly desperately watching his twin try to comfort the near hysterical girl.

“You could say that,” Alex muttered. “Look, we’re sorry, let me just….” he ineffectually began attempting to pry his sister off his bemused not quite uncle. “Phee, come on!”

Gasping slightly, his sister appeared to attempt to pull herself together. “Sorry. Sorry…we…we’ll just.” she moved, planning on getting back to the school as quickly as possible before this got worse. Fred frowned, placing a restraining hand on her wrist.

“Why do you look like Granger?” beside him George stilled, taking in both of the teens standing in front of him.

“You both do.”

Ophelia turned to look at her twin with a look that could only be called terrified, making the twin's eyes harden.

“What the fuck is going on?” Fred growled, refusing to let go of Ophelia's wrist.

“Oh, gods they’re going to be so fucking angry.” Ophelia whimpered. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”

Both twins looked alarmed now. “Look, whatever is going on we can help, yeah? Nothing can be that scary.”

Alex scoffed, his own heart hammering as he attempted to figure a way out of this. “We have to go back to school.”

“No.” George crossed his arms, his eyes not leaving Alex’s face. He couldn't remember seeing such a hostile look on his Uncle's face, not directed at him. It was jarring. “You look like Hermione Granger. Why?”

“We don't. We don't, please….” Ophelia began struggling against Fred's hold.

“You do.” He glanced at his twin, silently communicating something before either of them could react, they pulled out their wands and immobilised them. Alex’s only thought as they were carried towards the shop was that if nothing else, their mother would be spared having to murder them because their Uncles were surely going to get there first.

Chapter Text

The twins propped the teenagers up against the sofa. “We're going to release the body bind,” George spoke. “If you attempt to attack or run we will stun you and call the Aurors. Once the bind is off you are going to explain exactly what is going on and what you want with Mione.”

True to their word they released the spell watching impassively as the twins crumpled onto the sofa. Ophelia was crying again, Alex wasn't sure he was anything other than numb. He had warned her this was a bad idea. 

“We don't want anything with Hermione,” he said stiffly once they had righted himself.

“Then why the fuck is that girl a near copy of her!” Fred growled.

“Because she's our mum!” Ophelia screamed. 

Fred and George blinked, their eyes darting between the twins.

“Pardon?”

Alex closed his eyes, “She’s going to fucking murder us.”

“She knows about you?”

“Yes,” he replied stiffly. 

“Forgive me if we check,” George growled.

“Contact Uncle Sirius,” Ophelia said quietly. “He’ll confirm. If you go to the school too many people will ask questions.” 

Fred and George shared a look before Fred lifted his wand and sent his Patronus to Sirius.

The man was there within ten minutes.  

“They say they’re Mione’s kids,” Fred said in lieu of greeting once he was there, looking around him, Sirius’ eyes landed on the twins sitting on the sofa.

“You’re really fucking lucky Albus didn't insist on that vow once he decided there was no one other than Remus I would tell.” He growled, “What the fuck were you thinking? Have you any idea how fucking badly this could have gone? How many people you’re putting in danger?”

“Hold on.” George interrupted, his face pale, a slight amount of sympathy showing for the cowering twins on his sofa. “Are you telling me these are Mione’s kids?”

“Lock the floo and ward the room,” Sirius growled, the twins curled further in on themselves in the face of his clear rage. It wasn't a look they associated with Uncle Sirius. Ophelia was beginning to shake as it sunk in just how badly they had fucked up. Alex reached for her, gripping her hand tightly. Fred and George looked torn between rabid curiosity and the urge to comfort the twins. As if reading their intention Sirius held up a hand. 

“No. No, they are going to sit there and fucking listen until they understand.”

Fred and George nodded slowly, settling on armchairs flanking the sofa the twins were cowering on as Sirius paced.

“What the fuck were you thinking?”

“It was me,” Ophelia admitted in a small voice. “Alex didn't want to come but everything is so…..fucked up and I…I was selfish and I wanted to see them. They’ve been the closest thing to Dads we’ve had.”

Sirius sighed, scrubbing a hand down his face as the twins visibly startled in their armchairs. “I can't imagine how difficult this is.” he said in a softer voice, “but surely you know that this puts us all at risk? Not just you, but your mum. There is a very real chance that if anyone finds out, after they’d tortured you for information they’d murder her outright to stop you existing and polluting an old line.” Both sets of twins went impossibly pale at the mention of torture. “Come on!” Sirius growled, “You know what they did in your time, it cannot be a surprise that they’re capable!”

“We….I….wasn't thinking. All I was thinking was that we’d already fucked the timeline and so it wouldn't matter.” Ophelia admitted softly.

“And they say you're intelligent,” Sirius muttered, making her flinch, he looked immediately apologetic. “Sorry, that was uncalled for.” He moved, pulling her into a hug that after a few moments she slumped into. “I’m scared,” he admitted into her hair. “I’m so fucking scared. Not for me, but for you, for your mum. We have no idea if we can manage this but I can't let you live the way you did. You….you just can't. I know it's hard, I get that I don't really know how fucking hard but you can't keep just doing whatever you want. You're putting us all at risk. Too many people already know” Ophelia was sobbing muttering “I’m sorry, I’m sorry” into his chest. Alex looked frozen until Fred moved to sit beside him, destroying his composure. Looking panicked, Fred pulled the boy into a hug, hoping that one of them was going to start explaining soon because he couldn't figure this out. Were these Hermione's children? What the hell had they meant that he and George were as close to Dad's as they had? None of this made any fucking sense.

Fred and George sat in the stunned silence following the twins and Sirius’ explanation.

“I…I don't really know what to say.” Fred muttered, his arm still around Alex.

“I think I want to see Mione,” George answered, looking intently at Sirius.

“I don't know how wise that would be.” the man cautioned. 

“Look, we won't get caught, we snuck around that school for years. I…I need to see her. Check-in. Make sure she's alright.”

“And not imperiused? Under a love potion? ” Sirius asked with an arched brow. George flushed “Think I haven't already checked, Weasley?”

George slumped, “Then what the fuck was she thinking?”

“That she loved him,” Sirius said softly, “And then….when she stopped loving him, she loved them.” he indicated to the twins. 

Fred and George exchanged a look and nodded. “Fine, she acted of her own free will but what the fuck is she playing at this time?”

“She loves him.” Sirius reiterated, “And them.” 

“For fucks sake.” Fred growled, “And you’re just going to let her?” He turned to the twins, softening his tone. “Look, I don't mean any offence if you're anything like Mione I’m sure you're lovely but this…..this is a lot. And I don't doubt that we love you….in your time. I don't….I don't doubt that we did all those things with you that you’ve said but now….right now….we love her and that….that fucking abomination of a reality you just described scares the fucking shit out of me”

Sirius snorted, “When was the last time you tried to get Mione to do anything she didn't want to do?”

George paled, his hands gripping the arms of his seat. “Then what the fuck do we do? Because she's not living that again! I won't fucking let her even if we have to lock her in a fucking room for the next five years! I’d rather she was fucking furious with me but safe than whatever the fuck it was she ended up being!”

Ophelia sat in stricken silence, clutching Alex’s hand, moulded into Sirius' side, her heart breaking hearing her favourite Uncles try to plan a way to ensure they didn't exist. 

Chapter Text

“Spend some time with your godchildren,” Sirius said softly, noticing the looks on the twins' faces.

Fred and Geoge looked instantly guilty. “Fuck. We didn't mean……”

“Christ, Mione’s going to have our balls for this isn't she?”

Fred let out a strangled laugh, “They’ll be attached to our chins before we can blink.”

George moved, crouching down on the floor in front of them. “Hey. We didn't mean it to sound like we didn't want you. I’m sure you’re awesome. It's just….quite honestly it's terrifying to listen to, I can't imagine how much worse it was for you to live it. And, I must admit, it's a little startling to be faced with thirteen year olds who clearly know us really well but we don't know at all. So why don't you tell us something?”

Slowly, the twins began to talk, Ophelia losing some of her haunted look, although she remained visibly wary. 

“Your mother left you alone with us after that?” Fred laughed as Alex recounted their first flying lessons.

“It took a while,” he shrugged. “But she trusted you and she remembered that once she lost some of her anger.”

“She sounds like a good mum,” George said softly.

“The best.” 

Fred and George looked at each other briefly. “We really are sorry, you know.” Ophelia met his eyes warily. “Your mum has been like a little sister since she was this tiny first year. She…she was the one who convinced our mum that we weren't wasting our time with the shop, you know?”

The twins looked slightly less hostile as they listened, “No.” Ophelia replied quietly, “We didn't.”

Fred snorted, “She did. Mum was ranting about our lack of OWLs….how we were wasting our time and Mione had come over with Harry. She sat herself down at the table and waited until Mum paused for breath before she started asking all these questions about the inventing process and telling us how brilliant it was. She turned to Mum at one point and asked if she’d ever heard anything so clever. Of course, Mum couldn't argue with her. And then….the thing that cinched it really, she offered to help us. She was already helping but Mum didn't know that. Your mum was known for being ridiculously clever even then, and Mum adored her because she got Ron to study. It was the last time Mum ever told us we were wasting our time. She actually helped with a few of our products and obviously, your Mum has helped with loads. We’re sure it was her that suggested Sirius and Harry invest….not that she’ll admit it.”

“The point Freddie is trying to make is…she’s family and we got a bit blindsided that her life was so awful. She’s…she’s one of the kindest witches we’ve ever met, she’s stupidly intelligent and she could run the bloody world if she chose to. Not that we need to tell you that. It just….it makes us furious that she was limited like that, that her life was on the line because she fell in love with someone people thought she shouldn't. And we meant it, she’ll have our bollocks removed if she ever finds out we upset you. We didn't mean to….forgive us?”

Ophelia sighed. “I’ll try,” she said softly.

“It's a start,” George replied, still looking uncomfortable. “Tell us your favourite prank?”

“To do or that we’ve seen?” Alex asked, his eyes lighting up slightly, despite the death grip he kept on his sister.

“Either,” Fred replied with a grin.

“There was the time Mum and Aunt Gin charmed Uncle Harry's shoes to squeak ‘inconsiderate arse’ when he walked. I can't remember what he did.”

“Wasn't that after he had Kreacher watch them when they were out without telling them?”

“Nah, they gave him snakes for hair for that one.”

“Oh. So they did!”

Fred snorted, “Gods I’m so proud. Actual living snakes?”

“Yup! They kept trying to bite his nose.”

Sirius sighed as he watched the Wizengamot file in. Three sessions in and he was fucking bored. The most excitement he’d had in weeks had been the twins breaking out of school to visit…the twins. He was glad it had ended better than it had begun, even if he had wanted to hex sense into them. There was no doubting they were Mione’s kids. Stubborn, headstrong little idiots. He only wished they had some of her common sense.

“Bill number four for today.” The Chief Warlock called, “Request to track all muggleborns from first accidental magic with a view to absorbing into our world if incidents prove them to be a risk.”

Lucius Malfoy rose to speak, Sirius turned his attention to the man waiting on how he was going to spin this, noting the members who were nodding along.

“We know that Muggleborn accidental magic is a security risk,” Lucius began, his voice resonating around the room, “What we are proposing is that those muggleborns who are particularly powerful are….relocated into our world with a suitable family in order to protect the Statute.”

“And their parents?” A witch called from the back….A Gamp maybe. Hera? Sirius shook his head focusing back on Lucius.

“They would have to be obliviated.”

“Why not just tell muggleborns' families what's happening?” Augusta Longbottom called, “By all means bring them into our world, educate them as we do those who have access to a magical parent, but you cannot tell me that stealing these children is best!”

There was a murmur around the room and a flash of annoyance on Lucius’ face. Sirius smirked, settling in for what was sure to be an interesting debate. It seemed as if the tide wasn't completely on Lucius’ side just yet.

Kitten!

Hope you’re ok. Give my love to those miscreants of yours. Some activity of note from my Wizengamot sessions. I’ll remind you that I do love a decent bottle of Odgens if you feel like rewarding me for the hours of boredom I’ve had to endure. 

Lucius introduced a bill that would allow us to take powerful muggle-borns from their parents. It didn’t pass but it was uncomfortably close. There is talk of more formalised schooling, earlier but there is a fraction arguing against it based on cost.

Along those lines, Nott introduced a bill that would charge muggleborns a nominal fee for Hogwarts. His argument was they were less prepared and teachers spent more time with them, he proposed an entirely separate class so as not to hold back Purebloods. It also failed to pass, but the margin was even less. I think with some tweaks they’ll manage to get it through.

There was also a bill proposing that muggleborns should have a lower starting wage to allow for their superiors to get them up to speed with our world. It was introduced by Yaxley so we need to look into him I think. It passed. There is currently a caveat that it's only for the first year to allow for the increased training they’re claiming they need but we all know that can change.

Pads.

Chapter Text

“I'd like to help them.”

Theo’s head shot up. “What?”

Draco looked nervous. “Black and Lupin. I hear they’re doing some digging into how my father and yours got off. I might be able to help.”

“Oh. I’ll owl them then. Have you thought about what you’re going to do about Astoria?”

Draco shook his head slowly and sighed, “It doesn't make sense! Nothing about her gives the impression that she agrees with my father's views. What if…what if she didn't? Not really?”

Theo frowned. “I don't follow.”

“What if he ensured she did to keep me in line?”

Theo paled, wanting to deny that Lucius was capable and realising that he couldn't. “Fuck. that's….really fucked up.”

Draco snorted. “It's hardly a surprising conclusion though is it?”

“No.” Theo agreed softly. “Maybe we should talk to Scorpius….even if he doesn't know, maybe we might pick something up in what he says?”

Draco hummed. “After dinner then?”

“After dinner.” Theo agreed torn between hoping that Lucius was not that cruel and wanting there to be a reasonable explanation for Astoria’s behaviour. 

“Scorp?” Draco voiced hesitantly, “I wondered if you’d tell me about your mother?”

“What about her?” the boy frowned. 

“I was wondering if perhaps the views and behaviours you saw were not her own.” he voiced carefully. “It seems….out of character for what I know of her now.”

“Oh. I..well…I don't really remember her being any different.” Scorpius said with a shrug.

“No odd behaviours or habits?” Draco asked, slightly desperately.

“Beyond an overdeveloped love of shopping and her obsession with her mid-morning tea? No.”

“Mid-morning tea?” Draco queried. 

“Oh, yes. She gets irate if the elves don't give it to her at exactly eleven. It's happened for as long as I can remember.”

“Is it a whole tea service?”

“What? No. it's just a cup. It's the only time she takes it black and sugarless.”

Draco froze. “How does she drink it the rest of the time?”

“Milk and one,” Scorpius replied with a shrug.

“Every other time?” Draco pushed.

“Why are you asking?” Scorpius frowned.

“Because…fuck. You don't think it's strange that she drinks that cup completely differently from any other? Is anyone else with her when she drinks it?”

“Um…me sometimes. I’m sure Grandfather has been there when it's been delivered.”

“Me? Your Grandmother?”

Scorpius’ frown deepened. “I…I don't know.”

Draco hummed. “Don't worry about it.”

“You think there's something in the tea?” he asked quietly.

“Maybe.” Draco sighed, “It's…suspicious. Especially if you don't remember your Grandmother or I being there while she drinks it but you definitely remember your Grandfather.”

“Oh,” he replied in a small voice. “So I might not cease to exist after all?”

“What?” Draco barked.

Scorpius sighed, “I’m not stupid. You're not going to willingly tie yourself into a loveless marriage just for me.”

Draco gaped. “I…fuck. When you put it like that….” he ran his hand through his hair, “Look, there wasn't ever a plan that didn't involve you, ok? We’ll….figure something out. Granger’s good at that sort of stuff.”

“She seems nice….Hermione, I mean.” Scorpius ventured.

Draco winced. “Maybe she is.” he sighed, “It's…difficult. Ignoring the things your grandfather taught me. I’m trying. Theo seems happy with her…and Salazar knows she's been more than fair with trying to sort out this mess.”

“You could just admit you were wrong and you like her Dad.” Scorpius grinned at Draco as he scoffed.

“How likely is it that the goblins will talk to us, do you think?”
Remus looked at Sirius like he was insane, making him wince. It wasn't too far from the truth. They’d been looking into several of the Wizengamot members, some of them, like Yaxley, Crabbe, Goyle and Travers were clearly with Lucius of their own accord, others though, like Ezra Greengrass, Solomon Carrow and Lucinda Fawley, seemed to be offering their support reluctantly and he wasn't sure if it was blackmail or bribery keeping them in check. Silently, he handed over the list as it stood. The numbers were too close and in the last month they’d been getting closer. 

Remus ran his eyes down it and sighed, “I think we both know it's unlikely.”
“What if we offered them proof? You know what they’re like, the removal of Muggleborns, the rules the twins said Malfoy placed on them in terms of currency exchange…..they’re not going to like it. It cuts down their profits. It might just be in their best interests.”
Remus groaned, “For fucks sake, Pads. You can't believe that's a good idea!”
“It's the best we’ve got!” Sirius argued. “I’m so fucking scared we’re not going to manage this. I have no idea how the fuck else to prove what hes doing!”
“And if it's blackmail not bribery?”

Sirius let out a long, slow breath. “Then I’m taking her and moving us all to a private island. I’ll take the Nott boy if I have no other option; I’d prefer her to come willingly, but I will not allow that life to be the one she has.”

Remus nodded carefully, “And the other option?”
“I’ll do it if I have to.” Sirius replied finally. “It’s not as if he’d be any loss.”

“No.” Remus sighed, “Have the Weasley twins come up with anything?”

“No. There's no bloody proof!”
“We knew it was likely.”
“I know but fucking hate it! The legislation is getting worse. They passed the bill to charge muggleborns for Hogwarts, did I tell you? The one to segregate them from Purebloods was seriously fucking close last time. They're also talking about trying to introduce a mandatory length of time before a muggleborn can be promoted, I think it was ten years, Moony! Ten years in an entry level job so they can ‘fully immerse themselves in our world and understand it completely’. And people are buying this bullshit!”
“I know.” Remus sighed, “Its fucking terrifying and I know.”

“It's more than terrifying! They almost passed that bill to remove muggleborns from their families in the interests of safety when it was reintroduced. There was barely anything in it!”

“Fuck,” Remus hissed.”The twins didn't indicate that it all happened this quickly.”
“No.” Sirius agreed, “But…he made Minister, I suppose it must have. These things take time to implement properly and he had to have had significant support..”

“Ok.” Remus exhaled,”Let's go speak to some goblins.” Sirius blinked at his rapid change of heart. “I love her too, you know.” Remus murmured by way of explanation.

Nodding, Sirius stood. “Let's go.”

“I wish to speak to Garlang.” Sirius announced, “House business.”
“Very well, Lord Black.” the goblin agreed, eyeing him suspiciously, “This way.”

They followed him into a small, stonewalled room. Inside was dominated by a desk with a large spear prominently displayed behind it, the two seats in front of it were the rooms only other furniture.

“Lord Black.” the goblin greeted, settling himself behind the desk.

“Garlang.” Sirius bared his teeth in an approximation of an acceptable goblin greeting. Garlang nodding his approval. 

“You requested this meeting Lord Black,” the goblin prompted.

“I did.” Sirius admitted, “But I find that I’m not quite sure how to go about starting it. If..If I had a way to prove that at some point in the future, the Ministry began interfering in Gringotts, stopping the exchange of currency, limiting who could use the bank, would you be able to help us prevent it?”
Garlang sat in silence for so long Sirius began to fidget. “And what help would you be expecting Lord Black?”
“I…I don't know exactly. We think that perhaps there is some bribery involved but we can't prove it.”

“You wish to see transactions from another's vault?” Garlang sounded scandalised.

“Ugh, yes but I gather that isn't happening.”

“What is your proof?”
Sirius froze, weighing up his options. “If this got out it would mean the death of innocents.” he warned, desperately hoping this was not a mistake.

The goblin inclined his head. “It will not get out.”
Sirius nodded, “Students had a mishap with a time turner. The picture they paint of their lives is bleak.”
“I see.” Garlang mused, “I will discuss it with the Horde. We do not usually involve ourselves in Wizarding matters but if it also affects us….I will be in touch, Lord Black.”
“Thank you for even considering it.” Sirius murmured, allowing Remus to drag him from the room. 

Chapter Text

“The Horde is considering helping us?” Albus checked with a frown.

“Considering, but I wouldn't hold your breath,” Sirius muttered. “We’re…there's just nothing! We can't prove a bloody thing!”

“I know it's frustrating my boy….”

“Frustrating!” Sirius shouted, “It's not frustrating, Albus it's bloody terrifying! Lucius is on course to enact the future exactly as the twins remember it! The Wiznegamot are buying his Thestral shite! The laws they're passing….”

Albus looked at him from behind his desk, once again wondering if he was too old for this. He didn't think he had ever felt so exhausted in his life. “What do you suggest?”

“I don't know Albus! But we can't fuck this up. How many lives were lost…either literally or because they left our world? They said squib rates were up, how long until magic died completely?”

Albus barely repressed a shudder. He wasn't wrong. “I don't know,” he admitted quietly.

Sirius sighed, “Are you any closer to sending the kids back?”

“Yes. But we’ve not worked out how to bring them back here.”

Sirius frowned at him, “Pardon?”

“We can't send them back without a contingency, we have no idea what we’re sending them back to. It's proving rather tricky to have a timed memory spell work with the time turner. Of course, if we send them back and everything has worked as we wish, their memories will need to assimilate. Usually, that would happen simultaneously to their arrival in their own time. However, in case things are worse, we need to delay it to allow them to activate the time-turner to bring them back.”

“Merlin's ballsack.” Sirius cursed looking at him helplessly. “What are we doing?”

“Hopefully making things better for them…Miss Granger, Mr Nott…muggleborns.”

Sirius hummed, “Gods, I hope so.”

Theos head jerked up when Draco burst into the common room. “Mate…I thought you were going home for Christmas?”

“I need Black. Now.” he barked, looking terrified. 

Theos eyes widened. “Draco… what's going on?”

“I…fuck Theo…I stole a book from Father's study, it was blood warded…I….I need Black. Now! Before he fucking notices. The wards…no one else could have touched it. Even Mother, he’ll know it was me! Where's Granger?”

“I have no idea, but with the children is a reasonably safe bet.”

Draco paused in his panic, “Why aren't you there? I thought things were better between you?”

“They are,” Theo sighed, “But they don't really know what to do with me. And they're missing Christmas with their mum…they just wanted Hermione.”

“Gods when you put it like that….”

“Exactly." Theo replied briskly, shoving down how much it hurt, "Come on, let's go and see if she's there. I imagine Potter will be there too. Cassius and Scorp were doing something with Snape this afternoon.”

Draco nodded sharply, and turned on his heel, practically running out the door, Theo rushing after him. 

He almost screamed the password at the portrait once they were outside the children's rooms, stumbling through the portrait hole in his haste as it hit him once again how precarious a position he was in. 

Five heads jerked up in surprise at this arrival. 

“Malfoy!” Hermione looked him over, he looked deranged. “Are you alright?”

“No! No, we need Black now. Right now. Before my father fucking murders me.”

“Ok. OK, we’ll sort it.” she soothed, deciding that questioning him further was a bad idea. Wordlessly he thrust a book at her. “Take this. He's going to notice I’m missing.”

“Malfoy, wait!” she shouted after him as he turned to leave.

“What?” he yelped. 

She cast quickly, before handing him a copy of the book. “Take this back.”

He let out a long, slow breath before laughing slightly hysterically. “Fucking hell, I should have thought of that.”

“I assume whatever this is came as a bit of a shock.” she shrugged, “Go then. And…let Theo know you're alright?”

He nodded abruptly and ran from the room. 

“What is it?” Harry asked quietly. 

“Only one way to find out,” Steeling herself, Hermione opened the book. Inside the pages had a name at the top, underneath were notes. “Holy fuck,” she breathed “This is…this his bloody blackmail material!”

“What?” Harry yelped, as Theo forcefully tugged the book from her hands, his eyes darting over the page rapidly.

“Fuck…fuck…I…sweetling, I think this is it! Or part of it anyway!”

“Part of what?” Ophelia asked. 

“This should be enough to get Lucius investigated. We have a very good chance of getting his bid for Minister thrown out.” Theo murmured.

“But?” Alex prompted.

Theo sighed looking at his children, and admitted quietly, “Unless he has my father's dirty little secrets in here… it doesn't solve the issue with him.”

The twins nodded slowly, as Hermione wrapped her arm around Theo's waist, dropping her head onto his shoulder. “It's more than we had this morning,” she murmured. 

He twisted to kiss the top of her head, the twins watching them in fascination, “That it is, sweetling.” he agreed. “We need to get this to Black.”

“I’ll contact him.” Harry offered, “I’ve still got the mirror.”

Nodding, Hermione moved towards the door, “Meet us in Professor Dumbledores' office. We’ll go get Professor Snape first, so you shouldn't be too far behind us.”

“On it, Boss." he saluted, ignoring her eye roll, "See you soon.”

Hermione turned to the children as soon as the portrait hole slammed shut, “Stay here, all of you. We’ll be back once we know what's happening.”

“We’re coming!” Ophelia protested.

“No. Not this time you’re not.” Theo shook his head. “I know you won't like it but…your mother is right. We’ll come back, but right now, you need to stay here. Fill the other two in. There are going to be enough voices at this meeting. Once we’ve made sense of it, we’ll arrange something. We're not cutting you but..." he trailed off helplessly

“No! You can't tell us what to do!” Ophelia cried into the silence.

“Ophelia,” Hermione warned. “That's enough! You are thirteen! I might not technically be your mother yet, but I'm still your mother. Stay here. We don't even know if we’ll be allowed to stay. I promise we’ll be back. I promise we’ll tell you what's said. No one is going to cut you out, this is your reality we're playing with. But you need to stay here just now. Promise me.”

Ophelia glowered, looking mutinous. “Fine,” she growled. “I don't fucking like it, but fine.”

“Remind me to have harsher punishments for profanities next time round,” Hermione muttered as she let some of the tension go at Ophelia's capitulation. 

Against his will, Theo snorted, ignoring the way his children glared at him, “Sure, sweetling.” he agreed. 

“Professor Snape!” Severus’ head snapped up at the sound of Hermione’s voice, as did the room's other two occupants.

“Miss Granger?”

“We need to speak with Professor Dumbeldore. Now. We assumed you’d want to come?”

He blinked, taking in her agitation. “Of course.” he turned to Cassius and Scorpius, “Return to your rooms, we will resume later if we have a chance.”

“Is no one going to tell us what's going on?” Scorpius asked incredulously.

“The twins will fill you in,” Hermione replied, ushering them quickly out of the door. 

“Aunt Hermione!” he whined before he flushed, realising what he said. Hermione paused, looking up at him in surprise. “He's…he's Uncle Theo.” Scorpius shrugged self-consciously. “And we’ve been spending time with Po…James. He…he calls you Aunt Mione.”

Hermione nodded slowly, “You can call me what you want.” she replied softly, before she snorted, “Within reason. But now you really do need to go! Now!”

The boys huffed but complied. “It appears you have a future successfully wrangling teenage boys, Miss Granger,” Severus muttered, a brief look of amusement flashing over his face.

She shuddered, “I want to say I hope not but…actually, I suppose I should be hoping that I do.”

Severus snorted as they turned towards the Headmaster's office.

“Miss Granger…Mr Nott…” Albus froze looking at them in surprise before ushering them in. “Have I forgotten a meeting?”

“No, Professor.”

“Severus, too. Interesting.”

“We're just waiting on Harry and Sirius,” Hermione explained when he looked at them expectantly as they sat down.

“I see. You have news?”

“We think so but it's probably best not to explain it twice.” she twisted towards Theo. “Have you heard from Draco?”

He nodded, “He got it back in. He doesn't think anyone noticed. Thank Merlin for your coins sweetling, or we’d still be waiting on an owl.”

“Thank god for that.”

She jumped at the roar of the floo. “Kitten? What going on, Pronglest said it was urgent,”

Slowly, Hermione released the breath she hadn't been aware she'd been holding as Sirius and Remus appeared in front of her. They’d know what to do with this. “Hermione?” Remus prompted. 

“Harry should be here in a minute,” she muttered, standing up to hug them both. 

“You're scaring me, cub.” Remus murmured into her hair.

“It’s…good news. We think,” she replied softly.

Theo watched, his face blank at the sight of them, he knew neither man was fond of him and unfortunately, he was beginning to realise that he was going to have to win them over. Like a pair of bonus parents, he really didn't want to have to deal with. Remus’ eyes narrowed slightly at him over Hermione's head, smirking as the boy paled slightly. Satisfied, Moony released his cub and allowed her to sit back down as Harry barreled through the door. 

Severus’ eyebrows rose “Is someone going to explain now?”

“Draco brought us a book.” Hermione began. “It was held under blood wards in Lucius’ study. We haven't looked through all of it but…we think it's what he used to keep track of his blackmail material. Because of the wards, the only people who could access it were him and Draco. Even Narcissa wouldn't have been able to. I don't imagine he thought for a minute it wouldn't be safe.”

Severus hissed through his teeth, “Where is Mr Malfoy now!” he barked. 

“Home again. He rehid a copy of the book.”

Silently he let out a relieved exhale. “Good thinking Miss Granger,” he replied wryly. 

She shrugged, “He’d have thought of it himself if he hadn't panicked.” She handed the book to Sirius, glad to be rid of it. It made her feel slimy. “Is…is this enough?” she asked hesitantly.

Silently Sirius flicked through the book. “Perhaps.” he murmured, “We’ll need to read it. Have you?”

“Only the first few pages.”

He nodded, flicking through it before inhaling sharply. “Who is Margarite?” he barked, looking at Theo.

“My mother.”

“Fucking Morganna.” Sirius hissed, handing the book to Remus. “He murdered your mother in front of you?”

“Yes,” Theo replied, his voice utterly devoid of emotion. 

“I think this is enough.” Remus voiced softly, running his wand over the book. “Did you feel the magic?”

Sirius frowned. “No.”

Remus hummed, handing the book over to Severus who merely raised his eyebrow before mimicking Remus' actions. His eyes widened as he realised what Lucius had done.

He flicked to a name that wasn't Thoros Nott's in case his hunch was correct before placing the book on Albus’ desk. Methodically he began placing his wand on each word along the first sentence under Ezra Greengrasses name, muttering a quiet revalio until he hit the keyword. Suddenly Ezra's tired voice filled the room, “I don't know what to do Lucius! She's bloody pregnant! I can't have a bastard child, Vivienne will never forgive me! Add in that it’ll be a bastard half-blood and I’ll never survive the shame!”

Everyone looked momentarily stunned. “He recorded everyone's secrets.” Theo breathed. “Sweet Merlin!”

Lord Black,

At this time the Horde cannot fulfil your request. However, should we be presented with a mandate from your DMLE, we would consider cooperating. Perhaps something to pass on? 

Garlang.

Chapter Text

“Amelia.”

“Lord Black,” Amelia's eyebrow rose as she watched Sirius in amusement. 

“Stop it!” he hissed, “I had no choice! Kitten bloody asked and you know how hard it is to say no to her!”

Amelia frowned, “Hermione asked you to take up the Black title? Whatever for?”

Sirius sighed, “It's a bit of a long story.” Sighing, Amelia gestured for him to continue, her face turning paler as he began explaining what was going on. 

“Sweet Mother of Circe! That's…it's…”

“Fucking unbelievable?”

“Yes!” she hissed. Silently he handed over the book. 

“It's not like we can't produce the children to prove it,” he muttered.

Silently Amelia flicked through the book. “Sweet Helga. This is…this is all fucking insane.”

Sirius snorted. “Yes. It is and yet here we are. So, can you help?”

Amelia hummed, “Gods Sirius. Yes, we can help but you have to know that it's not going to be easy. These people, they're not going to want their secrets to come out!”

“I imagine not,” Sirius agreed, “Did I tell you he recorded them though?”

Amelia's head shot up as she looked at him. “What?” she hissed.

“Go to Ezra Greengrass, third sentence down, fourth word in, tap it with your wand and say revalio.”

Amelia paled as she complied and Ezra's voice filled the room. “He's done the same with others?”

“We haven't tested all of them and we can't work out the pattern but there's a recording embedded in every one we tested.”

“Holy mother of Morgana.” she breathed. “This is…Merlin Sirius, this is going to get you murdered.”

He grimaced. “Hopefully not.”

“Leave it with me. I’ll…go through it, with a couple of people I trust.” she paused. “After I’ve checked they're not in here. And then we’ll come up with a plan.”

“Thanks, Amy,” he replied, relaxing finally. 

“And Sirius?” he looked up at her warily, “I’m going to need your cooperation with this.”

“Fine, on one condition?”

“Oh?” she arched a brow at him. 

“That was under blood wards that could only be lifted by a direct line, blood Malfoy. I need his kid protected.”

“Fuck.” Amelia hissed, “It's not possible for anyone else to have touched it?”

“No. And we all know his reach is long. He has associates that he wouldn't think twice about using to punish his son. Reading between the lines he's already rather fond of turning his wand on the boy. Apparently, it carried on with his grandson. There also seems to be some queries as to whether he was potioning his daughter-in-law in order to keep her in line.”

Amelia looked at him incredulously, “Is there anything good about this man?”

Sirius shrugged, “Unlikely, so the boy will need protected. The minute it gets out you have that, Lucius will know what he did.”

“Alright. I’ll sort it.” she looked at him shrewdly, “You might be his best bet you know.”

“What?”

“You're Lord Black, head of his mother's house. He's family. Just think about it.”

“Fine.” Sirius sighed, “Fine. Amelia?”

“Yes?” she sighed, beginning to sound impatient. 

“The goblins said if the DMLE sends them a mandate they’ll consider cooperating.”

Amelia's jaw dropped as he darted from her office before she hexed him.

“Ah, thank you all for joining us!” Albus smiled at the group, the children all shuffled looking wary.

“Have you more information?” Sirius checked.

“No, no my boy, nothing like that but now that the book is in Amelia's capable hands, I thought it was time to discuss you all going home.”

All of the children gaped, “And if it's not safe?” James asked.

“It should be, but we’ve built in protective measures into the time-turner. It gives you an hour to determine how things are. If you say your goodbyes, we can activate it this afternoon.”

“Oh.”

“Albus, are you sure?” Sirius frowned. 

“Yes, it's time, Sirius.” None of them looked convinced. 

“What will actually happen?” Ophelia asked warily.

“You will be transported to this office. You said Severus was headmaster did you not?”

“Yes,” she agreed reluctantly. 

“Well then, he’ll know to expect you.” 

Severus sighed. “How do I send them back if nothing has changed?” 

“Oh, we’ll discuss it once the children have gone. I assume there is a plan in place?”

Hermione and Theo exchanged a look before Hermione's eyes darted to Sirius.

“There will be by the end of the day,” Remus confirmed. “Actually, if you wouldn't mind Severus, we've had some thoughts and we’d like your opinion.”

Severus’ lips curled in displeasure. “Very well. Once they're gone.”

Remus nodded quickly, “Thank you.”

“What are we going to do?” James asked hesitantly.

“What do you want to do?” Harry countered.

“I ah…I don't know.”

Hermione hummed, “We can't take you out into the grounds but…we can take you to the room of requirement. Flying, picnic….”

“Yes, Aunt Mione!” he exclaimed. 

Hermione turned to look at Alex and Ophelia, “Sure Mum,” Alex smiled despite it not reaching his eyes.

“It's going to be alright,” she reached for his hand, squeezing it.

“What if it's not?” he whispered.

“It will be,” she replied, her tone brokering no argument. “There'll be a plan in place if we don't manage to fix things. It’ll be fine.”

“Promise?”

She smiled sadly, “Promise.”

“Aunt Hermione?” Scorpius asked hesitantly, “Can my dad be here?”

“We'll contact him,” she soothed, darting a look at Theo who nodded, reaching for his coin.

“Right, let's get the room set up,” Harry voiced bracingly, “Nott can go and commandeer some elves for the picnic.”

“Why me?” Theo protested.

“Do you know how to work the room?”

“Yes!,” he muttered petulantly

“Huh. ” Harry froze. “Regardless off you go.”

“I don't know how to get into the kitchen!”

“Ugh, I’ll go,” Hermione muttered turning sharply and stalking off in the direction of the kitchen

“Right,” Harry muttered, “To the seventh floor.”

They spent the afternoon doing as they’d promised, flying in the grounds, sending Hermione's blood pressure soaring as her children competed with Harry and Draco doing increasingly risky stunts, the boys joining them as they egged each other on, before settling down to a picnic in the conjured sunshine. It would have been idyllic if there hadn't been an air of fear and sadness overshadowing them. Each of the children appeared to be attempting to memorise faces, and while none of them admitted it, their parents were all terrified they’d fail and the children would have to return. 

“Right,” Harry uttered finally, coming to a halt on the ground with a windswept Cassius not far behind him. “It's almost time to go back. Will we get this over with?”

Silently, they all stood, Ophelia and Alex automatically reaching for Hermione's hands to clasp them tightly. 

“Can't we just stay here?” Ophelia begged suddenly. "We can be distant relatives, it’ll be fine.”

“Ophelia,” Hermione murmured sadly, “You know you cant.”

“But we could!” she begged, tears starting to fall, “I don't want to go back to that life! It was awful and….”

“And we’re going to fix it.” Draco cut in looking pale.

“But you don't know that!” 

“They’ll have a plan in place to return you if we fail.” Hermione soothed. “Professor Snape will have it all figured out.”

She opened her mouth to object again but shut it with a clack when she caught Alex’s eyes. “Right let's go,” Harry muttered. 

The walk to the Headmaster's office was silent and tense, none of them daring to admit that they had doubts.

“Ah good, you're here!” Albus smiled cheerily as the door slid open. “Now, we’ve modified the time-turner. Fifteen turns should do it.”

They nodded silently, making Severus sigh exasperatedly, “Well, say goodbye, if it all goes well you’ll see them in less than a minute.”

“Mum,” Ophelia whispered, throwing her arms around her mother as Hermione squeezed her tightly before opening her arms for Alex. 

“It's going to be fine,” she promised, wondering who she was trying to convince. 

Beside them, James was squeezing Harry quickly, moving to stand next to Cassius who was leaning slightly into Theo. Scorpius was the last to let go. 

“Into the centre,” Albus instructed, waving them forward. “Now, make sure the chain is around you all. Mr Granger if you’d like to do the honours?”

They stood silently, their fear palpable as Alex turned the dial and they disappeared from the room.

Chapter Text

They landed in the headmaster's office looking around warily. Severus eyed them back. 

“Sir?” Ophelia ventured.

“Sit down. Your parents will be here momentarily.”

None of them commented as they did as they were told, all of them terrified that nothing had changed. The wait seemed to last hours until eventually, several adults burst into the room. 

“You couldn't knock?” Severus demanded. Ignoring him, all of the students found themselves wrapped in their parent's arms. “Apparently not,” Severus muttered, eying the scene in front of him. He’d deny it if ever asked but a small quirk of a smile twitched his lips. 

“Mum?” Ophelia breathed, her eyes scanning her mother. She looked…healthier than she’d ever seen her as an adult, behind her, stood Theo. 

Hermione smiled gently, running a hand over her head, “My brave girl.”

“Mum!” Launching herself at her mother, trusting that she knew what she was doing, that she was now safe. It hit her how much she had missed this version of the woman. Shifting her sobbing daughter to one side, Hermione held out her other arm to her son, bracing herself for impact, glad that Theo stood at her back or she’d have toppled. “Hush now,” she murmured, squeezing them tightly. 

“I missed you so much,” Alex whispered into her neck. “I’m so sorry. I’m sorry.”

“Hush.” Hermione commanded again, “Come and sit down, we’re on a bit of a time constraint and I’m sure you have questions.”

Sniffing, they both nodded but didn't move. “Come on.” Hermione released them, taking their hands to tug them into a seat. 

“Who's going to start?” Draco muttered, his eyes glassy and his grip on his son tight. 

“What happened with Lucius?” Cassius started, his hand clasped tightly in his mother's.

Harry smirked. “It was rather clever actually.”

“I’ll say,” Sirius beamed as he strode through the door, dragging Remus with him. “My acting was superb.”

Severus groaned, “I was not aware you were invited,” he bit out.

“Of course, I was invited!” Sirius protested, settling himself in a seat, ignoring the way Severus’ eye twitched. “You love us really. Now, where were we? Oh…old Lucy. Well, Remus and I began by polyjucing ourselves as Thoros at regular intervals. Popping up in places, planting some seeds that he wasn't entirely…sane or sober. We also might have made some pointed comments about some of that blackmail material Lucy had. Which was fun. People were understandably furious, thinking Lucius had told him things he shouldn't.”

Scorpius gaped at him, “Never mind people, Grandfather must have been furious.”

Remus snorted, “Oh that's one word for it. People started refusing to back him in the Wizengamot which did not go down well. Eventually, we had Thoros show up at the Hogshead, seemingly drunk out of his mind, spewing all Lucius’ secrets, including his plan for controlling his daughter-in-law.”

Scorpius sucked in a breath at his pointed look, twisting to look at his father “He was potioning her?”

“Yes, well…certainly based on some research we found in his study, he was planning on it. We assume that in your time he did. He wanted to make sure the continuation of the Malfoy line happened exactly as he wanted. 

“Ah,” Scorpius murmured, looking sick as Draco smiled sadly at him. 

Sirius waved him off, “We fixed it, don't worry.”

“How?”

 A slow smile travelled over Sirius’ face. “Fred and George came up with a poison based off of muggle antifreeze. With the help of Hermione, obviously. Undetectable, painful, with no cure. We broke into Nott Manor with Snape. Remus was polyjuiced as Lucius and managed to be…overheard admitting he had a meeting with Thoros that night. We had a  confession admitting to the murder of his wife, complete with how he did it and where to look for proof in Lucius’ diary, but we found another one in Thoros’ study under similar wards to old Lucy's, which was nice, made things simpler anyway, especially as it mentioned that Lucius had helped cover things up, amongst some other delightfully incriminating information. Apparently, he decided he needed a bargaining chip should Lucius ever decide to reveal his secrets.  Lucius was taken in for questioning when Thoros’ body was found the day after. It went to trial but he was let off, he knew too many secrets unfortunately and at the time we assumed he’d blackmailed half the Wizengmaot. It was a very public trial though and it not only dented his appeal, people began watching him much more closely. A month later, a house elf found him dead in his bed. The official ruling is suicide by poisoning following the dramatic drop in his influence and the Goblins providing evidence that he was bribing officials. Of course, it also helped that some of the diary content leaked, alongside some of his other secrets. Did you know he was bribing the DOM to kidnap muggles and muggleborns even back then? He wanted to see if he could pinpoint the differences. It was horrific if I'm honest, but it meant that we could use the horror to our advantage.”

“So you actually did it?” Alex breathed.

“Complete peace for years,” Sirius confirmed. “Your mums spent those years shaping the wizarding world to our vision. We helped of course, but she's terrifying and unstoppable and didn't really need us, so there's now a wizarding culture class, decent muggle studies and a wizarding primary or ten so muggleborns are integrated early. The goblins helped move some money around for reparations. My slightly irritating cousin, your irritating father and my delightful godson have revamped the Wizengamot.”

“And forced you to help,” Hermione murmured, looking amused.

“Yes,” Sirius pouted, “I’ve still not forgiven them.”

“So it's safe to stay?” Scorpius checked. 

Draco nodded, “Yes, your mother would very much like you home.” he paused, “So would Altair and Cassiopeia.”

“Who?”

Draco fished a photograph from his pocket. “You have siblings.”

Ophelia turned sharply to look at her mother who met her glare with an amused look, “Three.”

Ophelia's jaw dropped, “What?”

“Nathaniel and Sebastian are three years younger than you. Viola was a bit of a surprise, she's only three.”

Alex swivelled to look at Theo, “You're actually a dad this time then?” he demanded.

Theo winced, “I know you don't remember now, but yes.”

“What will happen?” James asked suddenly, “Will we remember this?”

“We don't think so,” Hermione replied gently. “Which is probably best.”

“Five minutes,” Severus cautioned.

“Are Uncle Fred and George still…”

“Uncle Fred and George?” Hermione asked with a laugh. “Yes. We made sure of it.”

There were several sharp intakes of breath as a gadget on Snape's desk chimed and the teenagers were assaulted with memories they had no recollection of before blackness overtook them.

“Mum?” Ophelia frowned looking up at her mother whose eyes were scanning her face with concern. “Dad? What's going on?”

Theo smiled, pulling her into a tight hug, allowing the relief to ground him, “Nothing, Princess. Just a small potions accident.”

Across the room Draco snorted but wisely kept his mouth shut as he fussed over his son.