Chapter 8:

The first month with the babies went really fast and before they knew it the babies were due their first check up and growth spurt. They had gotten themselves into a sort of routine. Ginny or Pansy would look after the babies whilst they were on patrol or they would bribe one of the younger prefects into doing it (that had been Malfoy's idea). Hermione always looked after Aurora whilst Draco had Quidditch practice, even when he had his early morning sessions twice a week. They took it in turns to pick the children up and they had even managed to plan the Halloween party. They had somehow made quite a good team.

Hermione absolutely adored Aurora and Draco loved Curtis to bits. Draco and Hermione were even getting on reasonably well. They rarely argued. Mostly because they didn't want to upset the babies but even so it was strange all the same. They were miles ahead on their homework and were making the most of it by spending time with their children.

Hermione and Draco made their way to the hospital wing together for Aurora and Curtis' check-ups. Soon they were exiting once more but something was different. Aurora was sat up in her father's arms and Curtis was trying to pull on his mother's hair. Aurora's hair had grown into beautiful long blonde locks that fell down her back and Curtis' hair had thickened into a messy mop on the top of his head. Aurora started making gurgling noises as she smiled happily up at her daddy.

Hermione was reading a pamphlet that the matron had given them about their childrens' developmental stage.

Here is what you have missed…

4 – 6 weeks your child would have started to smile.

4 – 12 weeks your child would have started lifting their head while lying on their front.

3 – 5 months your child would have started reaching for objects.

4 – 6 months your child would have enjoyed making new and different sounds.

5 months your child would have lifted objects up, held them and sucked on them.

Now that your baby is six months old, here is what you should expect…

Your baby will learn to pass things from one hand to the other.

You will need to start introducing solid food to your baby.

Your baby will begin sitting on their own now (6 – 8 months)

Your baby will start teething (6 – 9 months)

Your baby may learn to crawl (6 – 9 months)

Your baby will begin to use furniture to pull themselves up (6 – 9 months)

"If they are going to be learning to crawl, we will probably have to make sure the whole dorm is safe," Hermione commented.

When they arrived at their common room, they noticed several things had changed. There was a letter for them on the table. Hermione quickly opened it and read it aloud as Curtis tried to take it from her.

Dear Mr Malfoy and Miss Granger,

We have added certain things to your dormitories that your children will need, for example a stair gate.

We have also added an extra room. We thought it might be nice if Curtis and Aurora had a nursery.

Looking forward to the party at the end of the month.

Professor McGonagall.

Hermione smiled, put the paper down and looked around for the new objects. The first thing she noticed was a large play cot in the common room. Draco had already placed Aurora inside so she put Curtis with her before looking around once more. She could see the new stair gate. She followed Draco up the stairs to see the new nursery. It was a lovely room, full of toys for the children. Their cribs had been replaced by larger cots and there was loads of teddies around the room. There was a rocking chair in the corner with a bookshelf full of baby books.

"Well, this is nice," Hermione smiled.

"One of the perks of being head boy and girl," Draco smirked.

"It would appear that way," Hermione nodded. Hermione and Draco returned downstairs. Hermione sat down and began reading the new schedule they had been given. Draco was watching the babies play together. They weren't really playing together at all but sitting near each other. Aurora was trying to pull herself up whilst Curtis was making gurgling noises. Draco gave them both a toy to play with, "so what's the new schedule like?"

"Interesting," Hermione replied.

6am – wake up

6:30am – Milk

7 – 8am – Nap

"So we can use that time to get ready for class," Draco commented. "Although one of us is going to have to have a really early shower."

"Bagsy not me," Hermione laughed.

"Crap – I landed myself in that, didn't I?" Draco rolled his eyes.

8am – breakfast for us and then take them to daycare.

10am – baby food

10:30am – Milk

10:45am – 12pm – Play time

12pm – 2/2:30pm – Nap

2/2:30pm – Milk

4pm – Pick up from daycare

5 – 6pm – Naptime

"Time for us to catch up on homework and head duties," Draco commented.

6 – 7pm – Dinner in the Great Hall/ Baby food for them

7:00pm – Bathtime, Stories, Milk and Bed

"Seems simple enough," Draco nodded.

They had the rest of the day off of classes to spend with their children. Hermione looked at her watch, it was coming up for 12pm. They were due to go to the Great Hall for lunch but the babies were due a nap. At that moment Aurora let out a big yarn. Hermione got to her feet and picked up the small child, "Draco, I'm going to put these two to bed. If you want you can go to the Great Hall for lunch. Just make sure you bring me something back."

Draco smiled at her. It amazed him how happy he was to watch Hermione carry his daughter up the stairs to bed. He didn't want to go to the Great Hall for lunch, not if Hermione was staying here. He wouldn't have anything to stare at. He called for a house-elf, "could you get us some sandwiches or something for lunch please."

"Yes Mister Malfoy," the house-elf bowed before vanishing.

Hermione returned to collect Curtis. His head was drooping as he was falling asleep in her arms. She put him in the cot and then left the nursery. She left the door slightly ajar so that she would be able to hear them if they cried. When she returned to the common room she was amazed to see lunch on the table, "Malfoy…"

"Yes Granger?"

"What did you do?" She asked.

"I asked the house-elves," Draco answered.

"Oh… thanks," Hermione smiled. They sat together eating their sandwiches. They discussed the Halloween party they were planning.

"Have you thought about a babysitter for the party?" Draco asked.

"No. You?" Hermione frowned. She knew there was something she had forgotten to do. In fairness they still had a month.

"I was thinking we could put them in the day centre for an hour or two and then use them as an excuse to get away," Draco told her.

"Since when has Draco Malfoy needed or wanted an excuse to leave a party?" Hermione was taken aback.

"Since when has Draco Malfoy had such a beautiful girl waiting for him at home?" Draco replied with his own question.

Hermione was sure he meant Aurora but she felt herself blush regardless.