Birthday Surprises Chapter 43

Usual disclaimer: Not mine, don't sue. Please. Wish it were mine though. Ah, if only. Lolly, xxx.

*********************************************************************

Harry wasn't woken at all in the night - the triplets had discovered that they could sleep all night, much to Harry's relief. It was the morning before they woke up, a little earlier than usual, and started crying for attention. That was the reason Harry was a little late into breakfast.

"Hey, we have a new class." Ron told him, pointing to the new spot on their timetable.

"Family classes." Harry read, a feeling of deep dread in his stomach - it sounded something like they would be learning all about how families were made.

"I've got it at the same time - looks like we'll be in the same class." Ginny said, looking at her own timetable.

"Great - this all seems very...well timed."

"Yeah, they've decided that since the Ministry could make any of us parents at any time, they'd better teach us how to look after kids." Ron laughed.

"Well, it'll be different, I suppose." Hermione said. "And quite useful, with us being godparents."

"Oh no - this means that she actually expects me to do well!" Ron moaned.

"Ron, of course you have to do well - you have a responsibility now!"

"Harry mate, please, never die?"

"Well, I can't promise never, but I don't really plan on dying anytime soon. I wonder who's teaching these 'family classes'?"

"It doesn't say. Well, we'll find out. We have our first one this morning."

"Harry Potter Sir!" Dobby cried, appearing from nowhere.

"Hi Dobby, what's up?"

"Professor Dumbledore is wishing to speak to you, Sir."

"Great. Tell Remus I'll be in class when I'm done, will you?" Harry said to Ron and Hermione.

"Sure."

***

Harry came out of the headmaster's office fifteen minutes later, grinning like a Cheshire cat. He knocked on the classroom door and slipped into a seat between Ron and Hermione.

"What was that all about?" Ron asked.

"Later." Harry murmured.

"Ah, Harry. You'll only need your wand this lesson." Professor Lupin said.

***

"Well?" Ron demanded.

"That was just Dumbledore telling me that my resident babysitter is Dobby. Apparently he's going to look after the triplets while I'm in class." Harry said at lunchtime.

"Dobby? You sure? He seems a little.erm.unbalanced." Ron pointed out.

"He's just a little unusual. Besides, I trust him."

"He did break your arm in second year - and use magic to try and get you kicked out of school." Hermione said dubiously.

"Look, I know you're the godparents and everything, but you're gonna have to trust me on this one. Dobby's perfectly capable."

"If you say so, mate." Ron shrugged.

"Did I hear right?" Lavender asked.

"It depends on what you heard." Harry said.

"That Ron and Hermione are the godparents?"

"Yeah, you heard right." Ron said proudly. Lavender and Parvati began to giggle.

"Just ignore them - they haven't talked about anything except the triplets in about nineteen hours." Hermione said. Harry rolled his eyes as his wrist twitched.

"Speaking of, I have to go and see what they want."

"I thought Dobby could do that."

"He can, but I want to. Either of you coming?"

"Nah - just be quick, ok? We don't have too long until class." Ron said. Harry's eyebrows rose.

"You're turning into Hermione." He smirked before walking out.

"Mental." Ron muttered shaking his head while Hermione bit back a laugh.

***

Family classes were more than a little bizarre, they found out. Harry watched as his friends tried to look after screaming plastic babies.

"Your assignments for the next week will be to look after these newborns - Mr Potter, you are obviously excused, having three of your own to look after." Madam Pomfrey, who was teaching the class, said.

"Ah, we do seem to be one baby short. Mr Potter, Miss Patil will be helping you with the triplets." Harry groaned silently. That was all he needed. He sneaked a look at Ginny to find her staring down at her plastic doll in dismay.

"This week is going to be hell." He muttered to her. "Can't you give Parvati your doll?"

"No. I can't. She wouldn't take it if I offered." Ginny replied.

"It was worth a try." Harry sighed.

"Madam Pomfrey?" Hermione asked, looking down at her baby sceptically.

"Yes Miss Granger?"

"What do we do with them during class?"

"Take them with you of course. Mr Potter, you will be expected to take one of your children to class, Miss Patil can take another."

"Oh no." Hermione muttered. "Leah will not like that."

"You're telling me." Harry muttered. Ginny was laughing now, looking over at Parvati, who was giggling excitedly.

"Your babies will be activated after school today. Mr Malfoy, do you have a problem?"

"No, Madam Pomfrey." Malfoy replied sourly, looking as if he was being forced to eat hippogriff dung.

"You will be required to take them to dinner - there will be suitable carrying cots made available.

***

Hermione looked quite ill by the end of the class, and Harry couldn't help but laugh a little.

"Sorry 'Mione, but I don't envy you."

"Why? It can't be that hard - you've managed three on your own for over a month." Ron replied.

"I wouldn't bet on it, if I were you. At least the triplets sleep through the nights now."

"It'll be fine." Ron assured Hermione confidently.

"You may go, and remember - take good care of your new children."

"Hey Harry!" Parvati said, bouncing over to them. Now it was Ginny who looked rather ill.

"Hi Parvati." Harry said, trying not to grimace.

"So, what are we going to do about the triplets?"

"What do you mean?" Harry asked through gritted teeth.

"Well, I have to look after them too, so what's going to happen with the sleeping arrangements. Maybe they could stay in my dorm?"

"No." Harry said resolutely. He knew that in the girls dorm, he wouldn't be able to get to them, and that would cause uproar when they started screaming.

"Why not?" Parvati asked, pouting.

"Because they don't know you. They'd scream the place down."

"They are going to get used to me though, aren't they?"

"I'm sure." Harry said dryly.