With that they where back in the office.
Ginny grabbed Harry in a hug. "Wow you where gone forever it felt like."
"Sorry there was a lot to look at and deal with. Hey Ginny do you want Hermione and I to adopt you?" Harry asked sitting down with her between himself and Hermione.
Hermione's expression of shock turned into a smile of happiness when Ginny started bouncing in her chair and started chanting yes over and over.
Madam Bones let them celebrate for a few moments before shushing them. "Ok here is the forms you will need to fill out. Have your elf return them to me and I'll see to it they are filed. Then there will be a brief hearing and if all goes well by the end of it she will be Ginevra Potter."
"No my name is Ginny Potter. Not Ginevra. I don't like that name." Ginny said.
"Very well. There is a place on the form for that if you wish." madam Bones said handing over a folder of papers.
"Is there anything else madam Bones?" Hermione asked. She had a look on her face that there was a thousand questions harry was going to be having to answer when they got back to the house.
"No there isn't you've all been very helpful. And I wish the best of luck with your new daughter. I'll send for Lucksley to take you home."
"Thank you ma'am."
Lucksley came and took them to the portkey point. Making the same rock into another portkey they wound up in Hermione's back yard once again. They thanked the young lady who smiled and gave them a salute as she apparated away.
Harry turned to Ginny, "Hey Gin you wanna see if Luna can come over and hang out today while I go make lunch?"
Ginny smiled at Hermione, "Can she come over mom? I haven't seen my sister in a long while."
Hermione laughed, "its been three days since you last saw Luna."
"I know its been forever."
"ok lets go."
Luna came over and they had a nice lunch. They chatted for a bit then Harry said he wanted to talk to Hermione about something in their bedroom. Ginny started laughing and said they wanted to go have some happy alone time. Luna joined in the laughing and Harry blushing a bit took Hermione's hand and told Ginny to behave. They put a movie in and settled in on the couch while Harry dragged Hermione up to their room.
"I told you Harry I am not ready for sexual relations. Especially at a time like this..."
"Ron is dead."
Hermione's mouth kept moving but her voice stopped. She blinked several times too. Finally she closed her mouth and eyes. Took a deep breath then re-opened them asking quietly. "Ron's dead?"
Harry nodded, "He died from an unbreakable vow he gave Dumbledore. Madam Bone's asked Ron if he knew if Dumbledore knew about Peter Pettigrew and then he died." Harry quietly finished that comment.
Looking down at the adoption papers in her hand Hermione swallowed hard, "And the rest of the Weasley's?"
"Mrs Weasley had the same thing happen. Arthur barely remembers Ginny while Percy and the twins have no idea they ever had a sister."
Hermione sat on the bed hard and started crying. "Why would Dumbledore do all this. What did Ginny ever do?"
"I don't think it was Ginny herself but the diary. Remember it had a spirit of Tom Riddle aka Voldemort in it. I think Dumbledore is afraid she learned something from him. " Harry said as he sat and comforted his crying wife.
"And so he ruined her life, killed two people and messed up dozens of others to keep his secrets" Hermione practically wailed that breathing hard and an angry rage building in her.
"Well I don't think us adopting Ginny will be ruining her life you know." harry said quietly hoping that would help focus Hermione back on the problems.
Calming herself back down she sat there staring at the floor for several moments while harry held her. She stopped crying and glaring and only looked stunned and sad. "I need to take a shower. I'll be down in a few."
Harry started to say something but the look on Hermione's face let Harry know she needed a few minutes to be alone and compose herself. The fact that he was too numb to cry over the death of Ron that he witnessed made him wonder at himself.
Harry turned and went downstairs. He was met by Luna at the base of the stairs. She hugged him. He was confused and concerned but accepted the hug and gave her one back. "What's that for?"
"You where hurting. It is not good to hurt. I take it you and Hermione did not have sexual relations?"
Harry blushed at her frankness. "No we didn't. I told her about Ron's death."
Luna didn't look surprised. "Oh. I suppose it was inevitable. He was not as nice as he liked to think he was."
Harry dropped his head and Luna hugged him again. He stood there accepting the hug this time as he cried on her shoulder. Hermione came down the stairs and stopped watching Harry cry on the young blonde's shoulder. She walked down and hugged him from behind. "Harry?"
Pulling himself together he wiped his eyes. He had to cast a cleaning and drying charm on Luna's shoulder after they pulled apart. "Sorry."
"Its alright Harry you needed to cry. You have too much pain in your heart and it has to get out somehow. Tears are just heartache leaving our bodies."
Harry smiled at the strange idea but he liked it somehow. "Thanks Luna. You somehow see things clearer than everyone else. "
Luna just shrugged, "I have fewer preconceived notions I suppose."
Hermione cleared her throat. "Ok well."
Luna turned and hugged Hermione just as tightly. This surprised the brown haired witch but in a few moments she was returning the hug too. Luna just made people feel better by just being there. After several moments they broke apart and Hermione was smiling weakly.
"Thanks Luna. I guess a hug is good medicine."
"I know. It hasn't removed all of your pain. But you don't have to carry it alone now so maybe its not as heavy a burden."
"Did harry tell you what we found out today?"
"No. All I know is that the two of you had been hiding some very strong pain when I arrived. Fortunately Ginny did not realize it. By the way she is asleep. The movie was not very interesting to be honest."
Hermione said, "Well lets go back up to our room and talk then ok. I don't want her to hear it."
Luna followed Harry and Hermione up the stairs. Making themselves comfortable on the bed Hermione and Harry told Luna everything that had happened. How Ron was dead and had been the one to push Ginny over the edge. Luna just sat there quietly absorbing all of it.
"It is not surprising. He was not a very nice person. His thoughts kept leaking out all over the place. He pretended to care about his sister but was using her. He had rude thoughts about many of the girls including Hermione. His thoughts about harry though where worse than anyone else, and that includes Draco."
Hermione was surprised, "You can read minds?"
Luna sighed, "Not entirely. I can sense emotions better than I can thoughts. At least right now. Someone has to be projecting very loudly for me to hear their thoughts clearly or if I'm touching them sometimes. Unfortunately with so many people at Hogwarts there is a constant buzz of thoughts. Like being in a giant beehive. That's why I like you Hermione your mind is a very ordered and nice one. It feels like comfortable rainfall. Harry's mind is like the weather too. Calm and sunny then a storm and back to the sunshine."
Harry smiled, "oh thanks I guess."
Luna smiled. "You're welcome. That's why I get so distracted sometimes at school."
"I can imagine that I guess. It must be difficult." Hermione sympathized with her at being considered different.
Luna nodded, "yes it is. But please don't treat me differently now that you know that. I enjoy being your friend and hugs. I honestly keep anything I find out to myself as I would never want to hurt either of you. You have been very nice to me. Almost like friends."
Harry hugged the small blonde, "You are our friend Luna. You're Ginny's sister like she calls you."
Hermione joined in on the other side. "Really I like you as a friend too."
Luna smiled and enjoyed the hug. She could feel the warmth of their friendship. "Even though I make you quite upset with my talking about the Nargles and Wrackspurts?"
Hermione pulled back and looked ashamed, "Yeah even then. I'm sorry Luna I shouldn't get that closed minded. The magical world is still too new to me even if I've been in it for the last 2 years. I suppose I don't know everything."
"No you don't and neither do I and that is a very wonderful thing because the discovery is the fun."
Harry hugged her one more time and then pulled back. "Ok Luna. You are officially #1 friend of our family."
Luna smiled so brightly they might have had to put sunglasses on. The hugs she gave Harry and Hermione rivaled Hermione's in the strength. Once the hug was over and everyone could breath again hermione stood up, "Well lets go get these papers started so we can get the adoption moving. I suppose we should wake Ginny. Although I hope shes ok with her taking so many naps."
Luna frowned, "I think she is ok. I feel her thoughts shifting and becoming more ordered. Like she is less Ginevra Weasley and more Ginny Potter. The naps seem to be a rather beneficial healing time."
"Sort of like taking the pressure off a sprained ankle to let it heal?" Hermione pondered.
"I believe so. At least that's what it feels like. So we should let her sleep as it is rather beneficial." Luna agreed.
They went downstairs with the papers. Letting Ginny sleep they where sitting at the dining room table when the Grangers returned home.
"Hey guys. Hows it going?"
Ginny having woken up when the Grangers walked in came up and gave Dan a hug.
"Its going great Grampa. I'm going to be adopted by mom and dad." Ginny excitedly told him.
Daniel Granger looked at the two kids filling out what he had thought was schoolwork but now realized was something far more life changing. Emma sat down by them and smiled, "What do we need to do?"
Hermione took the sheets of parchment and pointed out where the Grangers need to sign, fill out or otherwise mark.
The paperwork was filled out and sent by Dobby to make sure it was specifically handed to Madam Bones. Dinner was a celebratory mood even if Harry and Hermione where not really sure about it. After Ginny and Luna went back to find another movie to watch with Harry, Hermione took her parents in the den for a discussion.
"Mom dad you remember me writing about Ginny's brother Ron?"
"Yeah he was the one you said ate like he was raised by wild animals and was Harry's sidekick in a lot of your adventures?" Daniel said.
Emma could read Hermione's emotions better, "Something happened to him?"
"He is dead. His entire family is either in hospital or dead. " Hermione said shuddering.
Daniel sat down hard on the couch. Emma unconsciously pulled herself in tighter before sitting down beside Hermione and hugging her.
"Do you have..Does it have anything to do with how she wound up like this?" Daniel stammered out.
Nodding Hermione explained her theory that there was something that Dumbledore thought Ginny might have remembered from being possessed or had discovered involving the diary. She had no idea what it could be but it was obvious Dumbledore was willing to kill to keep the secret. She explained that he had protected and apparently known about Peter Pettigrew a known criminal who molested Ginny and was hiding as Ron's pet rat. When she was done both Granger's stared at her in shock.
"This was the headmaster of your school? He crossed so many lines there I'm not sure he's still in the coloring book." Daniel shook his head trying to figure it all out.
"I know but we have people helping us now and doing all they can to fix the problems he caused. Unfortunately because the Wizarding society is so small a lot of it runs on the good old boy network so money and family count for a lot. Fortunately Dumbledore has neither aside from raw magical power and being a war hero."
"That can still cause a lot of issues. But I suppose he stepped on a lot of toes on the way up the ladder didn't he?"
Hermione shrugged but considered it so wound up nodding.
"If he did those people will no doubt remember and work to drag him down just out of sheer principle. I've seen some pretty petty social games at the golf club just because someone got their nose out of joint over something someone else said. The good old boy network is fine when its on your side but when it turns on you it turns on you." Daniel pondered.
Emma looked thoughtful then asked, "Are you going to be in danger?"
Hermione shrugged again, "I don't know. Probably not any more in danger than before since there was a giant basilisk and trolls and the ghost of Voldemort running around. At least this time we have people working to help us."
Emma and Daniel sighed deeply. "Okay well We will trust you as always. But we are getting really worried about things you know."
Hermione smiled in what she was hoping was a reassuring way, "Dad I'm not going to leave the wizarding world We've had that fight before. And you know I'm not going to forget and ignore this world. I want to try and find a balance between both. I'm sure Harry feels the same way. We are responsible for Ginny now too so we are not going to do anything too stupid, even if we are still kids. We just have to grow up faster."
"I know and that's one of the things that worries me." Daniel said taking his daughter's hand.
"I know and as long as Harry is with me I'll be safe. As long as you guys are around I'll always have someone to talk to but I'm having to start taking responsibility for things. I'll always be your little girl dad but I have to grow up sometime." Hermione said squeezing his hand.
Daniel smiled sadly. "I know but I thought I'd have a few more years of teddy bears and bedtime stories."
"Well we can let you take a few turns reading to Ginny. She loves you too you know?"
"I know. But she's still not you." Daniel said giving his daughter a hug. "You're irreplaceable."
They joined the rest of their growing family. Finished the movie and then talked a bit about various stuff going on. When Ginny went to bed Grampa read to her from her story book and everyone was happy. Luna was on a bed transfigured from the chair and enjoyed the reading too. Asking if she could call Daniel Grampa too. He was flattered and agreed.
Harry and Hermione kissed Ginny goodnight and hugged Luna too. Then got themselves ready for bed and where laying there holding each other.
"Harry are you ok?" Hermione asked quietly.
"I guess. What about you?"
"I don't know. I thought I knew Ron. I thought I knew Mrs Weasley. I thought I could trust Professor Dumbledore. I'm having to rethink a lot of things."
"Yeah but there are still plenty of people who we can trust. Professor McGonnegal. She is on our side. Remus, Madam Bones. The healers and those two aurors. We can't loose hope just because a few people where bad."
"Harry the Dursleys beat you, starved you", she spluttered for a moment before she calmed herself, "and Dumbledore did nothing. He actively lied to people to keep putting you there. He let the Weasleys get mind-wiped of their own sister. He knew about Peter Pettigrew. He killed Ron over it. That's far beyond merely bad in my book."
"I know. But I don't want to just run away. Everything and everyone I care about is in the wizarding world or is in my life because of it." Harry smiled at her to let her know he wasn't angry.
Hermione sighed, "I know. I'm not in exactly the same position as I have mom and dad and other family out here, but I would miss the wonder of the magical world. Wizards and witches are not entirely different than anyone else. Its just I trusted authority figures blindly. From dad and my teachers in Primary school. To Professor Dumbledore and its all just a shock I need to adjust to."
Harry wrapped his arms around her, "You can always trust me. I will be here for you."
Hermione kissed him on the lips. "I know. That is one thing I have no doubts about. As for the rest, I'll work it out."
They snuggled in and fell asleep.
Several days went by. The Potter family spent those days working on their upcoming school work. Making plans to help Ginny. Spending time with Luna and Lavender. Even contacting Neville to see how he was and if he had been affected. He replied he was sorry to hear about Ron and was confused because he had always thought there was no Weasley girl. He was also surprised to hear that Harry and Hermione was married because he thought they didn't like each other. Ron always claiming that Hermione was his girl. That hurt Harry and Hermione but they would deal with it.
Minerva stopped by with their class supply list for third year and information. She had been very busy making changes to the school with Dumbledore removed and the Ministry embarrassed by the actions of him and his pet death eater Snape she had the full support and help of the Ministry. First on her list had been the removal of Snape and the hiring of a replacement Potions Master named Stephan Greenleaf. Further the staff had all been cleared by Saint Mungo's of memory charms and compulsions and there would be healers the first week in school to help check and clear all students.
The day of the Adoption Hearing was rather anticlimactic. Arthur Weasley had been interviewed and as he was still gathering his mental faculties in a Saint Mungo's ward he agreed that it would be better for Ginny to be adopted rather than merely fostered. That she deserved a family that loved her and fought for her. The fact that Harry and hermione where only a few months to a year older than Ginny was not a big deal to the adjudicators as this was the magical world, no one would care one way or another about that assuming it to be a spell or potion accident affecting her. So Ginevra Weasley became Ginny Potter. In name, in magic and in law. The three Potters and two Grangers where incredibly happy, so happy they went out to get ice cream and sugar content be damned!
The next morning Harry and Hermione where awakened by a naked Ginny shaking them. "mom. Dad, MOM wake up!"
Hermione was awake before Harry and she took in the state Ginny was in and conjured a bathrobe on her before Harry had his glasses on. "Is everything ok Ginny are you hurt?"
Ginny shook her head. "No. I'm okay. I was getting ready to get dressed when I saw that my hair had changed color. My freckles are gone and my eyes are this really wonderful shade of light greenish brown. I don't look like me but I still feel like me. What's going on? I'm confused and scared mom."
Emma and Daniel came in at this moment. Daniel had a five iron in his hand, "Whats going on? Is everyone ok? Whats all the yelling?"
Hermione seeing her dad in his bathrobe and underwear with a golf club ready to smash heads like Sir Cadogan was still not enough to distract from trying to calm down Ginny. Although she did remind her dad to close his robe.
"Sorry we heard Ginny let out a shriek then run in here." Emma explained coming in to sit on the bed by Ginny.
"I'm sorry for waking everyone. I just woke up after the most wonderful dream and I was going to get a shower and dressed when I saw my hair color changed and then I looked in the mirror closer and saw my eyes had changed color.
Everyone looking at Ginny saw that she had deep Auburn red hair with Hazel eyes. Her freckles where barely noticeable. She looked nothing like a Weasley anymore. She looked a lot more like Harry and Hermione's sister or daughter than anyone else.
"Hermione maybe you could go ask Amanda to come here and check on this. You know your father and I are absolutely underwater in this magic stuff."
Hermione got up grabbing her robe and headed for her night stand to use the mirror. Harry was just sitting looking at Ginny. She was shyly wringing her hands with her head down and biting her lip. "You picked up that lip biting thing your mom does." Harry gently said reaching out to hold her hand.
Ginny looked up her eyes shining in the bedside light. "You're not mad?"
Harry shrugged. "Why should I. You're part of our family right? So of course you looking like us is cool."
"Amanda will be right over. Her and Lavender have to finish a few things."
Daniel shouldered his iron and saluted, "Very well then If there is no emergency I shall return Excaliber to his stone and begin my daily abolutions. My ladies, my lord." And he turned and walked out tucking his golf club under his arm in the most major general way he could.
At that Everyone broke out laughing. "Hermione we have got to introduce your dad to Sir Cadogan." Harry said shaking his head. Hermione agreed.
Emma went downstairs to greet Amanda and Lavender who where soon upstairs with the Potters. A few diagnostic spells had Amanda smiling. "Its okay. Ginny you where really excited about being adopted by harry and Hermione Right?"
"Oh yeah with all my heart." Ginny said with a huge smile.
"And you guys where really happy to adopt Ginny right?"
"Oh yeah definitely. With all our heart too." Harry said
"Well see its nothing to be surprised about just a side effect of the adoption. It happens. Magic can be really wonderful sometimes."
Ginny was really excited. Dancing and jumping around causing her robe to come undone with Harry blushing and turning away. Hermione chuckled and reminded Ginny that clothes where a good thing. She apologized to Harry once she got her robe closed again. Amanda and Lavender went down with Emma to find Daniel brewing coffee and in his office clothes.
"Good morning ladies. I take it our little surprise this morning is not anything to be overly worried about?"
Amanda took the offered cup of coffee and sat down. Emma's cup was handed to her by Daniel and they joined her and Lavender. "Or is it. I don't know."
Amanda shook herself out of her building funk, "No its not a problem for any of the three Potters. But it signifies that she has been rejected by her Weasley family. They broke her bonds with them completely. She registers magically as a Potter and I have a feeling that if we went to do a heritage test at Gringotts she would be able to inherit from Harry's bloodline as a Potter not a Weasley."
"All from being adopted?" Daniel was dumbfounded.
"No from being accepted, loved, and cared about. Magic has a will of its own and sometimes it does things that at the surface don't make sense. Unfortunately when you think about it it does make sense."
Emma was thinking and then nodded, "Because these Weasley's where so easily able to have their memories of her removed, as well as her mother and brother not really caring about her the magical bond with them was broken. Hermione had mentioned that."
Amanda was nodding, "Exactly. It was not very strong in the first place except for Arthur but I would really expect that from him. He wears his heart on his sleeve and loves all his kids."
Emma accepted that, "And with Harry and Hermione basically bending over backwards to grow up fast enough to be mom and dad for her and accepting that role magic turned Ginny into a Potter?"
Amanda took a few sips of her coffee before answering that one. " I believe so. Harry and Hermione are already both very mature for their age. Given what has happened to them its not entirely surprising. Given the need to be responsible for Ginny as she would not be able to take care of herself plus what is obviously an incredibly strong drive for Harry to have a family its no wonder this happened."
Daniel chuckled hollowly, "Well as long as that strong drive doesn't wind up with him in Hermione's pants things will be fine."
Emma took a sip of her coffee rather than correct her husband as while she did agree with him she was not entirely sure that was a worry.
Amanda shook her head, "No I believe the fact that they have Ginny to take care of plus Hermione's sense of responsibility and order will delay that aspect of things. Although judging by the tests I've done they will have no problem in that department when the time comes."
Emma sighed, "Well at least we have time. Although I wonder how we'll explain this to our friends and neighbors that have seen her. As we've taken them out to the movies, the stores, and the office."
Amanda thought for a moment and shrugged, "Well more than likely for most muggles they won't even notice. Things like that tend to just be shrugged off as they misremembered it or got confused. The two of you are insulated from it thanks to them living here and being related to them. The bonds helping protect you."
Daniel and Emma sighed in relief. Breakfast was on Daniel today but Dobby had already started serving before Daniel had even gotten up. "Thanks Dobby you're on the ball."
"You're welcome Mr Granger Sir. Harry Potter said to help out around here but I hope you will not be angry when Dobby goes to Hogwarts with his Potters."
Emma patted the elf's head, "Dobby you're wonderful but we will be incredibly happy and much more comfortable knowing you're at Hogwarts helping them."
Dobby almost vibrated out of phase with the praise he was receiving.
Amanda was chuckling, "So Minerva gave them the married quarters?"
Emma nodded, "Yeah she stopped by a couple days ago with all their information. Hello Ginny how are you feeling?"
Ginny came in dressed for a day at the park. "I feel great Gramma. I had a great dream last night and mom and dad said we can walk down to the park today."
"Oh and just where are the two of them?" Daniel was in a good mood now.
Ginny rolled her eyes, "They where kissing so I came downstairs. They said they'll be down after they shower."
Daniel just shook his head. "Well as long as no woos get hooed."
The ladies at the table found that a lot more humorous than Daniel had meant it.
That two teenagers came in with wet hair and dressed for a day at the park a few moments later put him in a far better mood. After they wolfed down their breakfast and headed out with Lavender along Daniel and Emma sat talking to Amanda.
"So speaking of sex do you think there's going to be any problems with them?" Emma asked gently trying not to get Daniel aggravated. He still thought of Hermione as his little princess and the thought of her being a wife and mother was still uncomfortable. Although he was adapting quickly.
Amanda smiled, "If you're worried that somehow Ginny will become a wedge between Hermione and Harry no. I've been watching them. Harry has eyes for Hermione only in that way. I'm not even sure if Lavender stripped down and did a mating dance in front of him he would take advantage of her. I am pretty sure though that Hermione would blast Lavender into the middle of the North Atlantic if she did."
The adults got a chuckle from that idea in a gallows humor sort of way. "So you don't think their ages will affect things."
Amanda shook her head, "I know its different in the muggle world but Ginny is magically their daughter. Let me ask you this Daniel if Hermione jumped up in your lap wearing only a pink thong and asked you to sleep with her what would you do?"
Daniel's face showed the terror and horror that image gave him. He shoved his breakfast plate away from him and turned a rather interesting shade of pale green. He didn't need to say anything. No one was sure he could say anything.
"Exactly you would be disgusted, repulsed and sickened by the idea. Well magic will ensure that Harry , Hermione and Ginny all feel the same way. When I say she is their daughter now, she is. In magic and name and law and to be honest I would not place a bet against that muggle DNA stuff either showing that. Harry would never feel any desire for Ginny in that way."
Emma sighed deeply. "Well that's one worry gone."
"Just several thousand more." Daniel glumly said.
"That's what being a parent is all about isn't it?" Amanda said.
The three adults bade each other good day. Amanda thanking Daniel and Emma for the coffee and asking them to keep in touch.
As Daniel and Emma drove by the park on the way to the dental office they saw Hermione and Lavender sitting under a tree brushing Ginny's hair while Harry hung upside down from the tree branches above them. All four where smiling and happy. They honked the horn and waved to the happy family who waved back. All was good.