Chapter 3:
After breakfast the following morning, Hermione and Draco made their way to the Headmistress' office. They knocked on her door and entered as they heard her usher them in. "Ah just who I wanted to see," McGonagall smiled.
Hermione returned her smile but Draco merely stared at the large Portrait of Professor Dumbledore that stood behind the desk. He felt guilty even looking at the old man. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he examined the young man before him, "Malfoy stop staring at me, like you've seen a ghost."
"Sorry P…Professor," Draco stammered.
McGonagall gestured for them to take a seat. "We have a lot to rebuild; trust for one thing."
"How do you intend to do that, Professor?" Draco asked, genuinely interested.
"I'm not at all sure," Professor McGonagall replied. "I was wondering if the two of you have any ideas?"
"Ideas?" Hermione asked.
"We need to get people working together," Professor McGonagall continued.
Hermione snorted, "that sounds slightly impossible."
"Don't be so pessimistic Granger," Draco laughed.
Granger glared at Malfoy before saying, "what about study buddies?"
"Excuse me?" McGonagall asked as Malfoy sneered at Hermione's suggestion.
"Each student is given a study buddy from a different house. They must spend a certain amount of time a week with their buddy doing homework and the like. They would always be paired together in class and for projects. What do you think Professor?"
McGonagall smiled, "It's an idea! What about you Mr Malfoy? Do you have any ideas?"
"None as good as Grangers. Although I do think you might struggle to get the students on board. I also have a question," Draco continued.
"What is it, Mr Malfoy?" McGonagall asked.
"Well, how do you pair the students? I mean, it seems unfair if you place a student of great academic success with someone who is, lets say, not their intellectual equal. I can only speak for myself of course, but I do suppose Miss Granger would agree that there would be nothing more devastating for interhouse relations than students grades dropping due to this er… project." Draco smirked, I bet Granger didn't think of that!
"Oh I see… Good point Mr Malfoy," McGonagall nodded.
Hermione grinned. She had already thought of that. "Well, I was thinking that there is only one person… or well thing to be more precise that knows our minds as well as we do; the sorting hat."
"Of course. Very good Miss Granger." McGonagall smiled as the portraits around the study clapped their hands together in applause. Malfoy merely looked irritated. "There is another matter I need to raise with you both. The ministry is becoming increasingly worried about the fall in the wizarding population."
"But that's to be expected after a war," Hermione cut in.
"I quite agree Miss Granger but they feel that something must be done. At first they were considering a marriage law of some description."
"They can't do that," Hermione frowned.
"They've done it before," Malfoy commented.
Hermione frowned; she hated it when someone, especially Malfoy, knew something that she didn't. "Why? When? How?"
"A couple of hundred years ago. People were forced to marry but worse than that they were forced to conceive," McGonagall explained.
"You even got cash bonuses for every child you had," Malfoy added with a hint of sarcasm.
"You can't be serious!" Hermione couldn't hold back a slight laugh.
"Indeed Miss Granger, quite serious. As I was saying, they considered a marriage law but have decided against it. Instead they wish us to encourage the older students to… how did they put it… settle down…"
"Settle down?" Hermione asked at the same time Draco asked, "How do they suggest you do that?"
"By adding a new dimension to the curriculum."
"What sort of new dimension?" Draco asked, feeling nervous.
"Life skills," McGonagall answered, "and more socialising."
"Excuse me? But we don't have time to socialise. We are here to get an education," Hermione replied.
"Hey! Talk for yourself! I like the sound of that," Malfoy replied.
"You would!"
"What does that mean? I'm not that far behind you in class! I'm only second to you as far as academia goes and I still manage to have a social life."
"And by that you mean be a player," Granger muttered.
"That is enough. If you would refrain from insulting one another for a few moments I would very much appreciate it. The social aspect of their request is easy. You will plan several events throughout the year."
"Together?" they both groaned.
"Indeed. We will have two balls; a winter and summer ball that you will organise between yourselves. We will also have several parties for seventh and eighth year students – I think about one every two months should suffice. I would hope that the first would be on the night of the Halloween feast."
Granger held in a moan. She had no idea how she would find time to study with all this extra work. "As well as that you will insist that the seventh and eighth year prefects from each house plan events for their house each month. Perhaps on a Saturday afternoon or something."
"I see," Hermione tried to smile. "And what about the life skills?"
"Ah… well… we are introducing a new class; simply named life skills to the seventh and eighth years' timetables."
"What will it entail?" Draco asked, suddenly looking sheepish.
"It will cover a wide spectrum of subjects. For example finances, housework spells, and of course parenting."
"Er…" Draco interrupted, "did you just say parenting?"
"Yes Mr Malfoy I did," Professor McGonagall smiled.
Draco gulped, "I see."
"How do you suppose to teach those skills in a classroom?" Hermione asked.
"Good question Miss Granger," McGonagall grinned. "I'm not completely sure. Finances and housework spells will be easy enough and we have already created a classroom that is just perfect for the lesson. Classes will have dramatically less students in them and will consist of a mixture of students from each house. There will be miniature apartments around the school. Each will have a kitchen, laundry room, nursery and common room. Each class will have their own apartment, where they can practice their skills and socialise with one another."
"Ok…" Granger smiled, "how do you intend to teach parenting skills."
"With fake children of course," McGonagall answered.
"Of course," Draco replied sarcastically.
"Each student will take it in turn to have a 'fake child' for a week," McGonagall continued.
"A week – well that's not too bad," Draco sighed in relief.
"One week a month," McGonagall corrected the head boy. "Each month the child will grow up somewhat so that the students will gain experience with children of all ages."
"I don't think I like the sound of that," Draco frowned.
"I'm happy so long as I don't have to give birth or get married," Hermione smiled before turning rather pale, "We don't actually have to give birth do we?" Hermione suddenly felt rather sick.
"Of course not dear. We are trying to encourage you to have children not put you off for life," McGonagall laughed gently.
Malfoy was surprised to hear McGonagall use such a term of endearment with a pupil. He quickly shook it off however when he remembered that Hermione Granger was not the average student, she was one third of the golden trio.
"I will have your support I suppose?" McGonagall continued.
"Sure…" Hermione smiled.
Draco laughed, "I guess."
"Good. I like your idea Miss Granger. I am going to entrust you with the sorting hat and a list of students. I am sure the hat will be more than willing to help you in your quest."
"Our quest?" Draco asked, confusion etched across his face.
"Pairing the students, Mr Malfoy!" McGonagall smiled before adding, "and please get planning the Halloween party as soon as possible!"
"Yes Professor," the both said as they made their way out of the head mistresses study. "I'm not sure I like being head boy," Malfoy muttered to himself.
