On A Silver Platter

The Last Roadblock

Minerva POV:

As we were walking down to the hospital wing Hermione posed a question. "What are you going to say to Madam Pomfrey?"

"My Dear, She is one of my best friends, I will tell her the honest truth and if she doesn't believe me, than she can ask Severus. I am sure that she will help us cover up your pregnancy. She was my best friend during our years at Hogwarts and with the exception of my mother; she was the only person in the magical world who knew that I was pregnant. My situation then was part of what inspired her to become a Mediwitch so that she could help other teenage girls who were pregnant during school so that they would not be expelled, or have to go to a muggle physician."

"So that's why you want me to see Madam Pomfrey instead of any other type of healer because you know that she will lie about my pregnancy?"

"Exactly, Now when we get there I am going to ask that you wait in the corridor until I come to get you. I will be speaking to Poppy about the situation first so that she is prepared. She will offer you her assistance with your pregnancy, and it would be wise of you to accept it, this way you are not suspiciously leaving the school and you will not be left vulnerable to Death Eater attacks. Now wait here." I told her before I entered the hospital wing to find Poppy, busy organizing her supplies and files.

She looked up from her work. "Hello Minerva, how are you?"

"I am okay Poppy, however my granddaughter needs to get a physical so that I can adopt her. I am adopting her because my 'Son' disowned her after she told him and his wife that she had gotten pregnant as a result of being raped. I can't trust anyone other than you with this exam. I need you to help me conceal this so that she can remain at the castle instead of on the streets."

"You met your son? Who is he? What is he like? What is his daughter like? When will I meet her?"

"Yes I did in fact meet my son. His name is Graham Granger, and he is a squib. He is a muggle dentist and he has two daughters, ages 10 and 17. I am working on adopting his eldest daughter. She is a lot like me, and actually I think she is probably smarter than I was when I was her age. She and her two best friends have gotten into a lot of dangerous situations since she was eleven. You actually have met her, if I recall she spent a few weeks here back in 1993 when she was petrified, not to mention in 1992 when she became a human cat. She has been here many times to visit her best friend who tends to get injured a lot. I am actually her Head of House, and I still didn't realize she was my granddaughter until she became pregnant. When Severus told me that the child was Cormac McLaggen's I thought that they both were at fault because of their prior relationship. I didn't even think that there was a possibility that this child was actually the result of Cormac McLaggen raping her."

"Is Miss Granger really your granddaughter?"

"Yes, that she is. She is waiting in the corridor as we speak, shall I go get her so that we can get the examination over with?"

Poppy nodded, so I turned around and exited the hospital wing.

"Hermione, I have briefed Poppy on the situation, and she has agreed to help us out, so that we can guarantee that you pass the physical that the Ministry mandates before I am allowed to adopt you. Come on dear."

"I'm scared."

"Dear, you don't need to worry, Poppy doesn't bite. Would it make you feel more comfortable if I were in there with you?"

She nodded her head to say yes. I opened the door for her and followed her in. As we approached Poppy she started to slow down before she stopped short of Poppy and hid behind me. I gave her a hug and reassured her that everything will be okay. She was unconvinced but she at least approached Poppy with me.