The week went by faster than someone could say Quidditch and Blake was finally able to leave the hospital wing. At first, he wanted Hermione and Severus to be there when he was going to meet with the Grangers and the Minister of Magic, but they argued against that, saying that there would already be enough people in the office. Instead, Hermione would be teaching Minerva's classes of sixth and seventh years and Severus planned on brewing some batches of potions for St Mungo's and the infirmary together with his godson. 

Hermione had finally coerced him into telling the young blonde man that he would be a professor the coming school year. Draco couldn't find it in him to actually be mad at his godfather he so affectionately called uncle. He liked pestering Severus with questions about different techniques and to put it quite frankly, he learned more in those few months with his godfather than the two years of apprenticeship under Slughorn.

After eating his breakfast still lying in his cot in the hospital wing, he made his way to the headmistress' office. 

The first lesson had already begun and so it was a silent and relaxing walk for the young Ravenclaw. The only one he encountered was the ghost of Sir Nicholas de Mimsy- Porpington, the ghost of Gryffindor tower, and he could not get himself out of having to talk to the sociable ghost.

Only minutes later, he was standing in front of the stone gargoyle that hid the passage to the office. He quickly said the password: "Lemon Drop," and went up the spiralling stairs.

Rather anxiously he stood outside the office, trying to muster up enough courage to knock at the door. When he finally did, the headmistress called him in - and on wobbly knees he went inside to find himself facing the medi- witch, his transfiguration professor, the Grangers and Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt himself. 

"Ah, Mister Destler, as punctual as ever. Come, take a seat so that this meeting can commence. I believe some introductions are in order. Mister Destler, this is Minister Shacklebolt who will be taking over your case." 

The tall and authoritative man clad in bright blue robes stuck out his hand for the teen to shake. "It's nice to finally meet you, Mister Destler," boomed his deep voice all throughout the office. 

The teen however just nodded nervously and turned to face his professor again. 

"These are Professor Granger's parents, Jean and Peter Granger." 

The two of them shook his hand, too, and Jean began talking to the teen. "We were really shocked when Hermione and Severus came to us on Monday and told us about your predicament and your state of health. It is good to see you walking around like this." 

The older brown-haired woman smiled warmly at him. 

"Thank you."

"Now then, we've come together to discuss the case of young Mister Destler here. Blake, would you please tell us everything you told Professor Granger last Monday when she talked to you in her office?" 

Professor McGonagall looked at her student who gulped before hesitantly beginning to speak.

"My mother and I have been living with my uncle for as long as I can remember - my father left my mother even before I was born. Everything was just fine until I was around 5 years old and began showing signs of magic. My mum somehow knew that my father was a wizard, but she had hoped that I wasn't magical. 

She kept it secret from her brother and so everything was just fine until I was around 7 years old. My uncle realized that I was not like him, and he wanted to beat the magic out of me, broke my arm for example just because I am left-handed. At first my mother tried to help me, but then he hit her, too. 

That's how things went until I came to Hogwarts. I try to stay at the school as often as possible so that I don't have to go back there. During Easter break this year, he broke my arm again, wanting me to be right-handed. He sees being left-handed as a clear sign of magic. 

I grew accustomed to that, and so I am able to use both hands equally, but that just makes matters worse to him. I didn't want to go to see Madam Pomfrey to keep this secret - I don't need other students finding out, and so I cast glamour charms when Professor Granger found me. I had hoped nobody would notice until it had somehow healed by itself." His voice was small, as though he feared to be hit again just because he told them about his situation. 

Although the Granger's knew about him being beaten at home, they didn't quite know how extensive that issue really was. Everyone was just looking at each other bewildered, except Blake. He just stared down at his feet. 

Kingsley was the first to regain his composure: "No matter whether the Grangers will take you in, you won't ever go back there again except to pick up your personal belongings, Blake." His voice was soft and he tried to keep the volume down, but still it boomed throughout the whole office. 

The teen nodded and one could see a proverbial weight being lifted off of him. 

"There's nothing to argue about there, Minister. You can definitely live with us - if you want, of course. I mean, we're muggles, but thanks to our daughter, we know one or the other thing about your world as well." Jean Granger smiled warmly albeit rather concerned at the boy, who was sitting next to her and lightly patted his hand. 

"That would be great." Blake smiled back at her looking quite insecure. 

"Now that that is settled, you only have to sign this, and then you are free to go to get to know each other better. Minister Shacklebolt, Madame Pomfrey and I will take care of the rest. Thank you very much for your help," said the headmistress. 

While Blake took the Grangers to the edge of the Black Lake so that they could talk without being interrupted, the headmistress kept the mediwitch and the minister behind.

"Madame Pomfrey, I will need his complete file for further investigation against his mother and uncle." 

Madame Pomfrey nodded at the Minister's request and had a house elf retrieve the file for her. He took the file and stepped into the floo after saying his goodbye.

In the meantime, it was time for all the other teachers and students to eat lunch in the Great Hall. The ringing of the bell signalled Hermione that the end of her first day of being a Professor had come to an end. She found it was completely different, teaching without having her supervisor with her at all times. More than happy she made her way into the Great Hall to tell Severus all about it.