An Open Mind
August 4th, 2008
Theodore Nott-Weasley did not sit still. He couldn’t without the feeling of anxiety slowly creeping in. He had been in his office going over Herrmione’s volunteer files, sorting through to see who would be seen first in the trial and who would wait, when a small snowy owl came barreling through the open window.
Aeris landed beak first onto Theo’s desk before getting up and shaking his wings loose. Knocking over the inkwell and sending papers flying in the process. “Bloody owl, I told Mione that you needed a flight training class,” Theo grumbled, vanishing the spilled ink.
Aeris glared at Theo before spreading his wings for flight and then dropping the letter on Theo’s head. “ Hey ! See if I sneak you any more sweets then.”
As Aeris flew back out the window, probably to deliver the other letters, Theo opened his. He was constantly worried about Hermione. Anxiously waiting for the day he received an owl begging for help. It never came; it never would.
Instead, the letter asked for his and Charlie’s presence for dinner tonight because Hermione had news she needed to share. The Potter’s would be there as well, but there was a request that it remain child free. That caught Theo’s attention; Hermione always wanted the kids over.
Which brings up Theo's current predicament. He was tapping one foot on the carpet and nervously biting the skin around his thumb, watching and waiting no-so-patiently for Hermione to spit out whatever news she had. Harry was as nervous as he was, if the nail biting was any indication. Pansy sat with a worried look on her face, arms crossed and staring at Hermione. Charlie sat to Theo’s left. Positioning himself between the room and the floo. Probably waiting for the moment Ron would return.
“Well, um, hi,” Hermione started, “thanks for coming for dinner last minute. I um, wasn’t sure if you all could make it.” Her hands were shaking by now, and it took everything in him to not run up to the shaken witch. “There have been some new, er, developments? In my life that I need to share.”
“Hermione, love, if you do not get on with it and stop the suspense, I think Theo will combust,” Charlie spoke, placing his hand on Theo’s leg to stop the tapping.
Hermione’s face flushed, “Right, sorry. Okay, I wanted to first say thank you. The past few years have been unbelievably hard, and I wouldn’t have made it without you.
“Secondly, I wanted to say I’m sorry. I’m sorry for not listening to you sooner. I didn’t want to believe it, or even deal with it, honestly. I was so far in denial that I couldn’t see the man he was past the boy I knew.” Her voice now matched her trembling hands.
Theo moved to comfort her, but Charlie squeezed his thigh, signaling that Theo should stay put; Hermione needed to do this on her own.
“I now know how bad it truly was. It wasn’t love, it was fear and obligation. And I am so sorry to have put you through all of those years of worrying and frustration. It wasn’t easy, and I appreciate you four more than you know.” Hermione smiled weakly at the group. You can do this, she thought.
“Two days ago, I kicked Ron out. I told him I couldn't do it anymore, and that he needed to leave. I didn’t deserve what he did to me,” Hermione paused, “and neither does my baby.”
Suddenly the entire room froze. A baby , Theo thought, Merlin.
“I can’t decide which is better. You leaving the weasel or me becoming an Aunt,” Pansy joked, breaking the silence. Hermione laughed and the tension in the room dissipated as Pansy launched herself at Hermione.
“I’m so proud of you,” Pansy whispered, which is apparently all that was needed to make Hermione break. The curly headed witch sobbed, clutching Pansy’s blouse as the boys made their way over for a group hug.
“We have you, love. We’ve got you and we’ve got your baby,” Charlie whispered into her hair.
Theo vowed right then to do everything in his power to protect Hermione and the baby. His mind wandered to the pile of names on his desk. He knew exactly what he had to do.
*
August 30th, 2008
The term ‘morning sickness’ is completely misleading , Theo thought as he held back Hermione’s hair for her for the fifth time that day. It was now evening time and Charlie had made Hermione’s favorite meal as of late, although it seems that alfredo will be permanently removed from the menu after today.
“I have an early morning tomorrow, you need to behave,” Hermione chastised her abdomen. It’s a habit the friend group has developed recently. Telling the baby different tales, singing, and even telling the baby to “playnice” as Pansy puts it, whenever Hermione is sick.
“Maybe it would be a good idea to put off the trials until the second semester, love.” Came Charlie’s voice from the doorway, making Theo wince. That’s not going to take well . Theo’s thoughts were confirmed when a yelp came from the doorway as Hermione cast a wandless and nonverbal stinging jinx at Charlie.
“Okay, okay,” Charlie surrendered, “I’m sorry for suggesting such a ridiculous idea.” Hermione chortled, leaning away from the toilet and casting a cleaning spell for her face and mouth. “How rude of you to assume that my entire life’s work will be put on hold.”
“Not put on hold, per say. Just..delayed.” Hermione did not look amused as she leaned against Theo’s chest. “I will have plenty of time after the baby is born to delay my work,” Hermione countered.
With a roll of his eyes Theo kissed her forehead, “Alright, savior. Let’s get you to bed.” Scooping her up and carrying her to her room that was set up in the Charlie-Weasley home for whenever Ron became too much.
The boys had taken to carrying her whenever they were around, much to Hermione’s dismay. Their argument is that they couldn’t properly care for her in the way they wanted for seven years and she wasn’t going to deny them the opportunity to do so however they see fit for the unforeseeable future.
Charlie had taken to making her favorite foods and any cravings she has. Theo cares for her curls and gives foot massages, constantly. Harry has taken to bringing her teas, biscuits, and candy at all times of the day. Hermione is sure that they would even tuck her into bed at night if she were to let them.
Pansy dotes on Hermione in her own way. Buying clothes for Hermione as well as the baby, including toys, and getting started on decorating the nursery. Despite Hermione’s protests to wait until they know the gender of the baby at least. Pansy refuses to hear any of it. And “ as godmother, I reserve the right to spoil Mum and baby as I see fit. Therefore, I deem it necessary.”
She really didn’t know how to handle all of this attention and fuss over her, but Hermione was sure of one thing. Her baby would never go without.
*
August 31st, 2008
It’s day one of her trials. Hermione stares down at her now curse free forearm, her mind going back to the day she showed Theo. It wasn’t even something she meant to do. It just sort of happened. There isn’t even a verbal spell she used. After staring at the scar after she had a particularly bad fight with Ron, where he muttered the word under his breath before disappearing through the floo. Hermione vanished to her office where she sat staring at the horrible word rather than going over new patient files.
She felt pure hatred at that moment. Hatred for the mark, hatred for Bellatrix, Voldemort, and the stigma surrounding Muggleborns. She pointed her wand, did a hand movement, and wished it away. It seemed silly at first, they way the mark slightly faded. She immediately summoned a Pensieve to review the memory. After seeing the wand movements she did, she repeated them over her scar. Slowly and drawing the rune for cleansing afterwards. It faded a bit more, and her magic felt drained, but she couldn’t stop the tears from flowing.
She screamed for Theo who wasted no time barreling through her office door. When she finally was able to show him what she had done, Theo started crying along with her.
It wasn’t long before she tried out the spell on one of his many scars from the monster that had the nerve to call himself Theo’s father. Over the course of the next seven months, Hermione worked nonstop to get the spell just right.
Nine months after she accidentally created something most people are calling a curse in itself, her scar had completely vanished; as had most of Theo’s.
It took them a while to get the patent for the spell to go through a trial period, but they’d finally gotten it. Hermione refused to let her baby stop her from helping other people rid themselves of the remainder of war.
*
It was just past twelve as Hermione’s first trial patient arrived. They would handle their paperwork with Theo first, and once it was complete, the file would show up for Hermione to review. The patient's name was removed, so she had no idea who it would be walking through the door. The board thought it was fair this way, so she couldn’t push a patient back or refuse to see them based on their name.
Theo also used this to his advantage. As Lucius Malfoy sat across from him, Theo fiddled with the quills lining his desk. He wasn’t sure how Hermione would take the news of Lucius being the first patient. But Theo was out of options.
Narcissa went through similar issues during her pregnancy. She was constantly sick and Lucius himself was adamant about him having to be the one to make the potion to help her. The Malfoy men always made sure their witch was healthy and happy. Even if he was under the impression that Hermione was just sick, the potion would still help.
Theo had absolutely no idea what ingredients Lucius used, otherwise he would make it himself. He just knew that anytime someone was administered the potion, any ailment they had disappeared. A certain blonde wizard wasn't giving up the ingredients; and at this point, Theo and Charlie were desperate.
From what Theo’s heard, Lucius and Narcissa have always been quite fond of Hermione and had been wanting to reach out to the witch to apologize. So when Lucius’ file made its way across Theo’s desk, he couldn’t help himself. Hoping that this would not only expand Hermione’s family, but also bring a smile to a certain blonde wizard’s face. But that still would be a while.
“Theodore, dear. If you do not quit, I will not hesitate to slip a calming draught into your tea,” Lucius drawled, not looking up from his paperwork. “I take it as Miss Granger is not aware of my name on her patients list?”
Theo winced, “Uh, no sir. She isn’t. She doesn’t know who any of the patients are. She wanted it all confidential. The files had to go through me for approval before moving on to her. After I redacted information, of course.”
Lucius nodded his head in thought, “And may I ask why my file made it to the top of the list? I can’t believe that it has anything to do with our familial bond, but rather something else.”
There was a pause, “I have no other motives than to help Hermione moving on to this next chapter.” His words were chosen carefully. Theo wasn’t stupid, he knew Lucius would catch on to the things he didn’t say. It left room for imagination; career or personal?
Neither had a chance to respond before a silvery fox emerged from down the hall, “Theo, please escort our patient to the exam room. I am ready to begin.”
“Well, now or never I suppose. I’m sure you’ll hear my cry if I’m hexed upon entry,” Lucius tried to joke.
As he made his way into the exam room, he first noticed Hermione’s furrowed brows while reviewing what he could only assume is his patient file.
“Hello, Miss Granger,” Lucius said.
Hermione froze, nearly dropping the file. “Mr. Malfoy”