A/N: I finally did it. I updated one of my stories. I deeply apologise for my absence. Firstly, I have been extremely busy with my studies and I have delved myselves further in art as a side hobby, and secondly, I have been away on vacation and I really didn't want to write while I was there. I have started writing a new chapter for both my two other fanfictions. I wrote half of a chapter for Head to Head, but since I'm nearing close to the end, I was unsure of what to write because nothing felt right, hence why I deleted it all. Fear not, I am cracking on some news chapters and they will hopefully be out soon. Don't worry, I haven't given up!
"Welcome to Parenting 101," said Evelyn Fletcher, the Ministry official, gesturing her arms across the whole class. She paused as if she expected an applause or some form of acknowledgement from the students but continued when she was met with questioning stares. "As I said yesterday, my name is Evelyn Fletcher, or Professor Fletcher, and I am an official from the Ministry. I work in Conflict Recovery and I will be teaching you this lesson for the rest of the year, or until your child has been adopted."
"Before we begin, I have news for you all. A child has an offer for adoption." Hermione's breath hitched. Although she had only had Avery for a day, she felt an immense amount of love for her 'daughter'. "Neville Longbottom and Hannah Abott, Ella has an offer for adoption." Hermione turned around and notice them both freeze. An unreadable expression crossed both of their faces and they gave each other a look. Ella gurgled in her bassinet, arms waving above her head, unaware of the current situation.
"However, you two have a choice." Neville and Hannah sighed in relief, and Neville reached over for Hannah's hand. "You may continue fostering your child until the end of the year where you'll make the decision to adopt or not, or you can allow Ella to be adopted into a new family. I know it's a big decision to make, but-"
"We want to continue fostering her," Neville said confidently, Hannah nodding beside him. Their response was met with a number of claps and cheers with Ron leaning across to give Neville a slap on the back.
"Nice one, mate!" he said giving Neville a wide smile. Although he hated taking care of children, him still being one himself, he had to admit that it took guts for Neville to continue taking care of his and Hannah's foster-child.
Professor Fletcher seemed taken aback by Neville's decision and his newfound confidence, but agreed and continued speaking.
"I will begin this lesson by getting you all into discussion groups," the professor instructed. At the mention of the word 'group', Harry, Ron and Hermione's eyes met each other's across the room, all with the same look in their eyes. "Please break off into groups of six, remaining with your foster partner, please." Draco immediately turned to Pansy and Blaise who sat next to each other with Pansy holding their baby girl, Amy.
"Come on, Malfoy," Hermione said, pulling him away from his friends. "We're going with Ron and Harry." Draco rolled his eyes, there was no fighting with her on this one. The Golden Trio was always glued together.
"Patil, Weaslette, Weasel, Potter," Draco said as a form of greeting, nodding to his respective group members. "I'm thrilled to be grouped with you today." His voice was dripping in sarcasm and the corner of his mouth was turned upwards in a sly smirk.
Ginny rolled her eyes, unfazed by his attitude. "Just hurry up and sit down." Draco leant back in one of the plush chairs, casually using the table as a footrest with his hands crossed behind the back of his head lazily.
"Is everyone in groups?" Professor Fletcher asked and scanned the room to see all the students neatly bunched together in groups of six. "Brilliant. Your discussion topic for this lesson is just to share your experiences so far as a parents and your thoughts on your partner. Be nice, please." Draco and Hermione could feel Professor Fletcher's eyes on the back of their heads as she added her last comment.
"You may begin now." The class was brought to life and loud chatter as the Professor finished speaking.
"Noah's been so easy to take care of," Ginny said happily, coddling the gurgling baby in her arms.
"Lyon, too," Ron said, pointing a thumb towards Lyon who was lying asleep in Padma's arms.
"Only because you haven't been doing anything for him!" Padma protested. Looking at the rest of the group's frightened expression, she lowered her voice and turned to Hermione and Draco. "How's Avery been?"
"She keeps crying all the time," Hermione sighed at the same time Draco replied, "She's practically a rock."
The group turned to Draco, confused with his answer.
"Practically a rock, did you say?" asked Harry and Draco nodded.
"She doesn't do much. Just sleeps and occasionally needs to be fed," he said, shrugging.
"She was crying all night!" Hermione countered.
"Really? I didn't notice," Draco said nonchalantly.
"Don't you recall saying 'make her shut up, Granger?'" Hermione asked, mimicking his tone when she repeated what he had said the night before.
"Probably just sleep talking," Draco said, standing up from his seat. "Here, you take the baby." Hermione was stunned as she watched Draco toss Avery towards her. That's right. He tossed her. She watched in shock as the little baby flew in the air towards her. Avery almost landed on the ground, but thanks to Harry's quick reflexes, he managed to catch her safely, to Hermione's relief.
"YOU GIT!" she yelled. "YOU COULD'VE KILLED HER!"
"But I didn't." Hermione pounded her fist on her chair in frustration.
"SHE'S JUST A BABY!" she yelled and Professor Fletcher rushed over to address the commotion.
"Now, now…" she said, pushing Draco back into his chair. "How about we have a one-on-one discussion between you two, shall we Granger? Malfoy?" Hermione reluctantly nodded and Draco followed suit after receiving a strong glare from her.
Fletcher guided them into a pair of chairs on the far side of the room, and, as Hermione noticed, as far away from the other groups as possible.
"Now, let's begin with you, Miss Granger," Professor Fletcher said once they had both settled down into their seat with Hermione holding Avery protectively. "How do you feel Draco has been so far as a parent and a partner?"
"Well, I think he-" she was interrupted.
"No, don't speak to me. Tell this all to Mister Malfoy," Fletcher encouraged. "We need healthy communication between you two to make this work." Draco scoffed. It felt like he was going to a marriage counsellor, not that he would ever marry Hermione.
"Something funny, Mister Malfoy?"
"No, certainly not," Draco said with a smirk. "You were saying, Hermione?" The way he said Hermione's name sounded sickly sweet. It rolled off his tongue unnaturally and she was taken aback to her him say her first name.
"Well, Malfoy," she began. "I think you've been not the worst as a parent, but a horrible partner. You have a way with Avery that I don't have, but you never talk to me about what you're doing and we're supposed to be a team because I have no idea what the hell I'm doing as a mother." Hermione took a deep breath. It felt good to say what she had on her mind and be able to temporarily silence Draco. He seemed shocked by her words.
"Mister Malfoy. Do you have anything you'd like to say in reply to Hermione?"
Draco opened his mouth about to speak, but paused when his mind wandered to a thought. Snowflakes falling slowly. A quaint bakery covered in fresh snow. A quiet road suddenly filled with the crack of a loud apparition. A silver, skull mask. The cry of a newborn. And suddenly, a bright flash of green.
Avada Kedavra.
He felt like he was about to throw up.
"I have to get out of here," he said suddenly, standing up from his chair. Ignoring the shouts of his teacher, he fled from the room leaving with a loud slam of the door.
The day had finally come to end. Ginny and Hermione sat together by the fireplace in the common room of the special foster-parent wing. Hermione sat with her knees pulled up to her chest, resting her head on them while Avery lay upstairs after she finally fell asleep.
"I'm exhausted," Hermione said softly, blinking her heavy eyes as Ginny took a sip of hot chocolate that Harry had brought earlier. "I can't believe Malfoy just took off. I haven't seen him all day after he suddenly left the Parenting Prep classroom. We were supposed to be doing a one-on-one discussion!"
"I don't know, 'Mione," Ginny said. "He did seem quite distressed, and that's pretty rare. He's usually all cool and collected." Hermione shrugged. What did he have to be distressed about? Diapers?
"I doubt it," she said before letting out a loud yawn. "I should be going to bed now. You should too, it's getting late and we have classes tomorrow. Goodnight, Gin." She stood up, putting her fuzzy slippers back on, but before she could make it to the stairs, Ginny called out to her.
"Hey, Hermione," Ginny said, stopping her in her tracks. "You know when you asked me to give Avery a bath with Noah?" Hermione nodded. She had been thankful that Ginny had given her a big help by giving Avery a bath. "I noticed something odd about Avery's clothes."
"What was it, Ginny?" Hermione asked, curious. She had assumed that Draco had dressed her this morning because when she had woken up, Avery was already changed out of her pyjamas.
"Someone had placed a Cushioning Charm on them. You could drop her from the top of the Astronomy Tower and she would be just fine. Was that your idea? Good thing you did it before Malfoy tossed her to you. You're so maternal, Hermione. No matter what you say, I know you're going to be a great mother." She smiled at the last comment before heading back up to her and Harry's room with a wave, leaving Hermione standing there alone, dumbfounded.
That night, Hermione laid wide awake. Had Draco placed the Cushioning Charm on her clothes? That seemed impossible. She smiled at the thought of him waving his wand and casting a charm on Avery's little socks. It was so unlike him. That night, when she heard the door open and close a click. She squeezed her eyes shut, pretending to be fast asleep. She heard a person who she could only assume to be Draco walk towards Avery's bassinet.
"Goodnight, Aves," she heard him say softly before he tucked himself into his own bed. She fell asleep with a small smile on her face. Maybe she had been wrong about him all along.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed that chapter. It's a tad shorter than the previous one, but I hope it's equally, if not more entertaining to read. I've had so many more brilliant ideas for more fanfictions, but I keep telling myself to stop taking on so many projects at once. It's certainly not one of my strong suits, multi-tasking, that is. I can't believe the days where I managed to update all three of my stories once a week, I really was a legend. See you in the next chapter and please remember to review, I really love reading your positive comments. It really makes me feel a whole lot happier.
Word Count: 1732