The train squealed as it pulled into Hogwarts. Hermione sighed, stood up and grabbed her bag, looking around at the all too familiar things. She felt a hand snake around her waist and pull her against the comforting scent of her boyfriend, Ron Weasley. She looked up and smiled at him, glad he was with her. Ron and Hermione, along with Harry left their train cabin and headed up towards the magical school that was like home to them.
Hermione, Ron, Harry, Ginny and Luna all hopped into a carriage and headed on to Hogwarts. Hermione gazed over to Hagrid's hut when she noticed what looked like a muggle apartment complex.
"Harry, Ron, look over to Hagrid's!" She exclaimed. Confused as to what exactly they were for.
"What the bloody hell it that?" Ron murmured under his breath, loud enough for Harry to hear.
"I haven't the slightest clue." Harry stated, with a similar confused look as all of his surrounding friends.
The students entered the great hall and everyone else had seemed to notice the condo typo building. The hall was buzzing with ideas of what they were for.
"I heard that there's going to be another Tri-Wizard tournament!" Ginny exclaimed as she plopped down next to Harry, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.
"No,'Ron mumbled, while shoving food into his mouth. " The Ministry is sending people to watch out for You- Know-Who."
At that moment the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, stood at the podium, waiting for the gossiping students to quiet down. The students all turned to their headmaster, eager for an explanation that fueled rumor after rumor.
"As many of you may have noticed,' the professor began, 'we have had a rather odd addition to the Hogwarts grounds this year. After years of deliberation and protest, our fine school will allow sixth and seventh years to start a new experience like no other."
All of a sudden, the hall was buzzing with new rumors of what this "new experience" is. Hermione, Ginny, Ron and Harry all exchanged confused glances, and then turned back to Professor Dumbledore, waiting for him to continue and explain further.
"The older students will attend a new class in which they will stimulate a family environment, where they will have a spouse, a house, and a child." The old man looked tired, as the great hall exploded with questions from the students.
"QUIET." Dumbledore amplified his voice, as the hall was filled with different mixes of emotions. Two first years brought a gleaming crystal bowl up to the podium and placed it on the table next to their headmaster.
"This bowl is enchanted. It will give me two names. One will be a male sixth or seventh year. The other will be a female sixth or seventh year. There will be no questioning of the bowl, as it is enchanted to choose the names of people who will bring out the best in each other. You may disagree with the choice, but at the end of the class, I can promise that you will learn more about yourself through the eyes of your partner.
Hermione had stayed silent throughout the entire speech. Only the occasional squeeze of Ron's hand gave any sign of the fact that she was listening.
"'Mione, you okay with this?" Ron asked. A concerned look crossed his face.
"Yeah,' she sighed, 'I guess I'm just scared as to who I'm paired up with."
A look came over Ron's face as he realized a possibility of someone else living with his girlfriend. He grasped her hand tightly.
"Oww Ron!" She whispered. Understanding his concerns, she bent over and kissed him on the lips. "It'll be fine. I promise. I'd be more concerned who you end up with, she might end up getting hexed if she gives you the wrong look" Hermione stated, with a very serious look sketched on her face. She winked and giggled at her beloved Ron, not able to keep her serious façade for very long. The gangly ginger threw his arms around his girlfriend and smiled.
"Can we talk later?" Ron said with a playful smirk.
"Of course, but what about?" Asked Hermione, searching his eyes for some sort of clue as to what he wanted to talk about.
"You'll see." The boy said as he faced the headmaster, who was about to read off the partnering.