Chapter 2: Pairings

Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter would I be sat at home, in my study, writing this!

A/N: Hey you guys! Sorry Chapter 2 took so long! I don't really know what happened – I guess I just never felt like writing! But I got myself motivated the other day and scribbled down Chappie 2! Please read and review, so I know what you thought of the latest instalment!

The class waited in nervous anticipation – the nest lesson would determine who their 'spouse' and partner for the next two weeks (A/N: I changed the time span!) on the Maybe Baby scheme would be. Thankfully, their wait was short and painless, as the door creaked open and revealed a sullen-faced McGonagall ready to usher them inside.

"Settle down, class. As you know, during our Maybe Baby session this afternoon, you will be told who your partner for the scheme will be and detailed arrangements and information about how the next two weeks of the course will run. Listen closely, as the following information is highly important." Hermione sat up in her seat, alert, pen poised over a piece of note paper. Ron and Harry rolled their eyes at each other and exchanged exasperated looks – even outside class Hermione was determined to be to and get full marks or a commendation.

McGonagall surveyed the 6th and 7th years sat before her. "I have here a list of the randomly generated pairings for the programme. I hope," she said, with a slight authoritarian raise in her voice, "that you can all be mature enough to interact," the class giggled, "harmoniously and co-operate with your partner in an efficient way. So, in no particular order…

"Dean Thomas and Parvati Patil." Harry saw Dean, who harboured a secret crush on Parvati, share a high-five with Seamus under the table and send a wink at Parvati, who blushed and started whispering furiously to Lavender, sitting next to her.

"Seamus Finnigan and Lavender Brown."

"YES!" whooped Seamus, who had been exceedingly worried about getting an 'ugly' girl such as Millicent Bulstrode. Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows, but looked slightly amused, as the corners of her lips turned upwards in her characteristic smile.

"Hermione Granger-" there was a sharp intake of breath, "and Draco Malfoy." Hermione turned away, looking visibly sick, indignation evident in her face. Harry turned in his seat to see Malfoy's reaction to the news, but to his surprise, his face was hidden behind a copy of 'Jinxes for the Advanced'.

Thinking no more of it, Harry turned back to the front, in time to see the class silent, staring at Hermione and Draco. "Ahem," continued Professor McGonagall, sounding uncannily like Umbridge, "The next pair is Padma and Neville." Neville, who had been sitting tight in his chair, looked up with an expression of pure relief on his face. Padma was slightly disappointed, judging by her expression (and to be honest, who wouldn't be?) but put on a strained smile for both Neville and the Professor.

The list continued in this manner for the next few minutes, with Pansy Parkinson paired with Michael Corner, Colin Creevey with Hannah Abbot, Susan Bones and Justin Finch-Fletchley, Zacharias Smith and Millicent Bulstrode ("Poor git… serves him right!" whispered Ron to Harry), and Ernie Macmillan and Rose Zellah (a Slytherin girl from 6th year with two long plaits that Harry did not really know).

Then came the next name – "Ron Weasley -" Ron clenched his hands in silent prayer under the table – most of the names had been called now – the only girls left were – "and Luna Lovegood." The colour filtered from Ron's face to his ears, but Harry did not have the time to feel sorry for him, as McGonagall was reading down the list of names again and Harry was anxious to see who his partner was.

"Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle…" spluttered McGonagall. "Um, by default of course… However there is nothing I can do to change the pairings, so you two will just have to cope." she finished. The two boys in question gave a troll-like grunt in response, while the whole class erupted in laughter at the hilarity of the male pairing and Professor McGonagall trying to 'cover up' the situation and provide, in her way, a rational explanation.

"And finally, Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley."

A/N 2: What do you think?
Thank you to everyone who reviewed – I got 8 positive responses in total – that made me very happy indeed! I have acknowledged all the comments, and tried to include many of the things suggested, in this chapter or plans for future chapters. Your words are really valued. The reviewers and comments really put the icing on top of a fiction-cake, so thanks go again to:

supafly09
drunkonlife
Kate Hughes
nikki23nishi
Sous La Lune
chocolate frogs
littlecreek86
CenziaDearest

And finally, I would like to give a massive thank you to my superstar friend Immi… or Gen-Jo, as she is known in the wonderful world of FanFiction. She was the one who really persuaded me to continue with this long forgotten story and she also helped me a lot when we discussed who should be paired with who, and some good bits of description etc. Thanks sooo much – I probably wouldn't have got this chapter out without you! (So you have Gen-Jo to thank here!) Please check out her great story as well!

I will be splitting my time between this fanfic and my latest story, 'This is just not my day'. I will be writing alternating chapters. Please check that out too – as always read and review! If I know people are reading and liking the story it gets me motivated so well! But, before you leave, hit the little blue button in the bottom left hand part of the screen, and write a few words… you know you want to!

As always,

Alex