A Compromise
"The Wizengamot has decided…that it is impossible to honor your request," Barty Crouch said. "Between your less than exemplary past and your husband's…condition, it would be unwise to place the boy with you, as he wouldn't be safe."
"Safe?" Alyssa asked incredulously, "What about me or my husband makes you think we are not qualified to raise a child? Because I was a Death Eater when I was seventeen? I turned spy a short time later, along with my brother, and was cleared of all charges. And what could you possibly have against Remus?" She knew, of course, what Crouch was suggesting, but she wanted him to say it.
"He is a werewolf," the man replied in a bored tone, "Meaning that he is unstable, able to snap at the slightest provocation. He is a beast in human form." Laughter from his right had Crouch looking at the American Minister. "You have something to add?"
"Yes I do, as a matter of fact," Minister Hall said dryly, "I've met both Lupins before now, and I can tell you Alyssa is more likely to snap than Remus is. Most people who stop by her apothecary know better than to disrespect or threaten her family, because she has a fiery temper. Her husband, on the other hand, is known for his calm and even temperament and is one of the best Healers I've ever met."
Remus blushed at the Minister's praise, recalling when the woman had brought her daughter to the hospital. The child had been crying, and he had been the only one able to attempt to heal her without a catastrophe. He didn't realize that she had remembered that.
"But he's a werewolf," Fudge spluttered from his place, "He's dangerous. What will they do with the boy during the full moon?"
"The same thing we plan on doing before our son or daughter is born," Alyssa retorted angrily, "We'll take Draco over to stay with Severus and Sirius, then go to a secluded clearing in the middle of the wilderness, several hours away from human habitation. Even with his Wolfsbane, we don't take chances."
"You currently do this?" Barty Crouch asked, eyebrows raised.
"Yes," Remus replied, looking the older man steadily in the eye, "My wife makes my potion flawlessly, yet I'm still cautious in case something should happen. I know how dangerous I can be during the full moon, make no mistake of that."
"And yet," Severus interrupted, leaning forward in his seat slightly, "He managed to complete his schooling at Hogwarts with many of the students none the wiser and with no accidents. Once in America, he was able to study as a Healer and is currently employed at a good hospital, and still no harm has been done."
"But…" Fudge started, but Sirius cut him off.
"He's not Greyback, who looks for any excuse to kill, and he's not some mindless beast that kills for pleasure. He's never killed or bitten anyone, or ever been in danger of doing so." That last bit was a slight lie, but it was his fault more than Remus's, and he doubted Alyssa and Severus were going to bring that up.
"What if I could offer a compromise?" Minister Hall asked, eyeing the two most vocal members of the opposition. It astounded her that after these people heard what this couple had done for the little boy, they would overlook all of that because of a condition that they had no control over.
"What do you have in mind?" Barty Crouch asked warily.
"Allow the boy to go with them for a time, say six months? During that time, I will have people from Child Services come and observe them from time to time. If Mr. and Mrs. Lupin pass their inspection, then they will have full approval to adopt young Mr. Malfoy. If not, then he will become a ward of your ministry, to be placed where you see fit."
"But I wanna stay with Mama an Papa," a small voice said petulantly. Everyone looked at Draco. "They're nice, so are Uncle Sev and Uncle Sirius and Harry. Mama and Papa are good parents, and I'd be a big brother."
"The boy seems happy with them," Amelia Bones spoke up from her place, "So maybe it would be wise to follow Minister Hall's suggestion? If there is any sign of trouble, the boy would be removed quickly, but if he is happy he would be allowed to remain."
The others in the Wizengamot glanced at one another. None of them were particularly fond of werewolves, but angering this particular werewolf would be unwise. The families in question were held in high regard for their help defeating Voldemort and now for neutralizing the threat that the Malfoys had posed. If the public found out that a hero, werewolf or not, was being mistreated, they'd be up in arms. There seemed to be only one decision.
"Very well," Crouch grumbled unhappily, "Mr. and Mrs. Lupin, you have temporary custody of young Malfoy. If your behavior is acceptable by the end of the probationary period, then you will be allowed to adopt the boy. Case dismissed." With that, the officials and spectators began to file out of the courtroom. Minister Hall nodded to the Lupins before she left.
"I will owl you with the details within a week," she promised before she left, followed by her legion of Aurors.
Alyssa and Remus could only stare at each other for a moment, before both smiled down at the petulant blonde.
"It'll be alright cub," Remus said benfing down and picking up the little blonde, "We'll show them what a good family we make."
"And then I can stay with you and Mama," Draco replied, smiling slightly.
"Of course Dragon," Alyssa said, ruffling his hair slightly as they went to rejoin the others, "You're part of our family now." Small and odd though it may be, it was a family nonetheless, loving despite the challenges they faced and were continuing to face. Nothing worth doing is ever easy, and that would hold true for the future of this unconventional family.