Disclaimer: My name is not J.K. Rowling, though I do wish it was...
Warning: Rated T for subtle hints of where babies come from… And a few bad words… I think it could be K+, but I don't wanna get in trouble…
Semi-In-Depth Summary: Dumbledore starts a new program; Parenting 101. Yeah, you heard me. So, you'll have to read to find out how and all that, but the students get paired up and have a baby (No, not the traditional way) and raise it for the entire year!
Okay, that wasn't really in-depth, but whatever... Onwards!
See if you can figure out whose PoV the Preface is in…
- - -
"Honestly, Ron," I sighed exasperatedly as he actually ate a candy Fred and George gave to him. They said it was a toffee, but it was an Acid Pop in disguise. The seventeen-year-old redhead that I happened to currently be in love with was drinking about two gallons of water to stop the candy from burning through his tongue. As if that would work.
Harry sat beside me, laughing at Ron's predicament. I chuckled as well. It was pretty funny. "Weren't you the one who said never trust Fred and George? Sorry, Professors Weasley and Weasley." He then made an inappropriate hand gesture that would have Molly reeling with anger for sure.
"Shut up," he said between gulps of water. I looked at Harry. He was red in the face from laughing so hard, as was Ginny, who sat across from us. I could hear the twins up at the High Table, telling Hagrid the prank they played on Ron. To our utter surprise, when the two graduated, they were offered jobs. Fred as assistant gamekeeper and George as caretaker, to replace Filch. We were all shocked that they didn't try to get their joke shop up and running.
I was about to reach and snag the last piece of bread in front of us when all the food abruptly disappeared and was replaced with dessert. I shrugged, and grabbed two scoops of chocolate ice cream. Everyone else went for the more radical flavors that came with the wizarding lifestyle, but I was still a chocolate girl.
Ron eventually extinguished the "fire" on his tongue. I think the ice cream really helped. We all had just finished when the plates were cleared and Dumbledore cleared his throat.
"Ahem," he said, trying to get the attention of the entire house of Slytherin. He had a mischievous twinkle in his eye as he lifted his wand to his neck and shouted, "Pardon me!" Well, that got everyone's attention. He lowered his wand. "Thank you. Now, seeing as we have finished our first meal of the term, I would like to discuss a few other issues." He paused dramatically.
"First off, I must remind the students - and some professors - to stay out of the Forbidden Forest. There are dangerous creatures in there and we wouldn't want you to get hurt.
"Secondly, we are starting a new program here this year." The corner of his mouth turned up a little bit as a murmur went through the students. The old professor held up his hand for silence. "We are adding a mandatory class-" At this, groans rose from all four tables. Silently, I cheered... Dumbledore held up his hand again. "A class that will teach you all the skills of parenting. Home ec, if you will...
"And now, seeing that it is very late and you all have class tomorrow, I bid you goodnight." And with that final note, he spun and took his seat as the prefects began ushering students to the dormitories.
I paused as the meaning sunk in. A baby? But how? Oh, boy. I had to remember; Dumbledore has his ways.