Thank you for all of your reviews. You are awesome! Here is chapter 32… ENJOY!

Disclaimer: don't own.

Hermione was restlessly turning from side to side. She couldn't sleep very well – it was her fourth day of knowing she was pregnant and although she was very happy, there were a lot of thoughts running through her head.

Tom was slightly snoring next to her, his mouth half open. Hermione smiled at the sight. He was becoming the father of their child. It was like a wonder! But she also had her worries. Would he be a good father? Or would he use their child for evil purposes? She shook her head. No, she wouldn't let him. But would SHE be a good mother?

Hermione finally decided on giving up on sleep, it was 5 to 6 after all and she decided to eat some early breakfast. How fortunate that she was in the Head's dorm – they had a little kitchen with various packed food.

Smiling, she pulled on her Ravenclaw uniform, her hair into a high bun, some light make-up and went down to the kitchen. To her luck, Tom was still sleeping and she didn't intend on waking him up.

Chocolate? No. Bread? Puh – no. She absolutely hated the smell of bread. Since she was pregnant at least. Crackers with cheese? Not too bad. Hermione was so immersed in rummaging through the drawers, desperately searching for something that didn't smell or taste weird that she didn't notice a dark shadow creeping towards her.

"Aaaaaarrrrgggghhhhh!" Hermione jumped in shock when she saw a dishevelled Tom standing behind her, his arms wrapped around her middle. "You can't scare me like that!" Hermione shouted. "I'm pregnant!"

"Sorrrrry…" Tom said with so much feelings that Hermione thought he was asking her for the time.

"It is not good." she reprimanded him, finally slicing some ham and putting it gingerly onto a plate. "Remind me," Tom laughed "why are you eating ham and pickles and no bread?"

"I can't stand the smell of bread!" Hermione informed him as if this was the most obvious thing. "When we are pregnant, our sense of taste and smell changes so that we sometimes can't stand food that we usually liked before."

"Like bread." Tom said, smirking. "Or chocolate." Hermione said, wrinkling her nose at the sight of the little chocolate truffles. "Really?" Tom's voice was full of laughter now. "Really." Hermione snapped, shoving the last bit of pickle into her mouth, glaring at her boyfriend.

"Don't be mad at me, Natalija!" Tom said, patting her back. "The whole situation is new for me!"

"And what about me? The whole situation is even newer for me. Besides, I have to suffer from all those pains and cravings." Hermione growled.

"You are excused for being insufferable." Tom grinned. Against her will, Hermione had to laugh as well. "Thank you."

"You are welcome." Tom grinned and pressed his lush lips onto hers, giving her a loooooong kiss.

THTHTH

Draco Malfoy raised an eyebrow apprehensively. It was transfiguration and Dumbledore showed them how to transfigure a mere stone into a beautiful watch. Abraxas and Draco looked at each other, clearly impressed.

"And with that done, we can move on to another interesting topic. Time travel." Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling. Hermione shot Harry an uneasy glance. Why in the world did Dumbledore pick THIS topic?

All the other students looked excitedly at each other. Even Tom raised an eyebrow although he usually thought Dumbledore's lessons were extremely dull. He comfortably sat back in his chair next to Avery and gazed at the teacher attentively.

"This is called a time-turner. It was invented two days ago. By me." Dumbledore showed them a huge hourglass on a fine golden chain. The larger and older version, obviously. Each and every one of the students gazed at the hourglass transfixed. "It allows us to travel into the past and future, but for 3 hours only. It is very dangerous as the future can be changed irreversibly. Also, you MUST NOT be seen!"

"Professor!" Sarah asked, not keeping the excitement out of her voice. "Can we use it?"

"No, Miss Clearwater, I'm afraid, you can't. It's not ministry-approved yet." Dumbledore said, giving the Ravenclaw a sad smile. Sarah though nodded, clearly unconcerned. In a buzz, the other students started talking excitedly at each other. Also, Dumbledore was bombarded with questions and to keep up the charade, even Harry asked one.

Finally, the bell rang, signalling them to get out of the classroom. Hermione quickly gathered her things, on the verge of throwing up. Oh, how she would love to travel into the future of 1 month when the sickness would be gone.

"Oh, Miss Karkarova, would you stay for a minute? I've got a letter from your father, Anatol Karkaroff." Dumbledore said, motioning for Hermione to follow. She stopped at his desk, waiting impatiently for the other students to file out.

Dumbledore closed the door with a swish of his wand. "Now – of course I don't have a letter from Mr. Karkaroff. He doesn't even know of you. Instead, I need to ask you something."

Hermione braced herself for the worst, glancing at her teacher. "I've heard rumours. Let me just get straight to my question: are you pregnant from Tom?"

"Yes, I am." Hermione said steadily. She was already used to curious questions.

"Well, then I must congratulate you on the one hand but on the other hand, I have to admit, I'm deeply worried. How will you go back to the future? It is not safe to travel with a child."

"Yes, that's what I thought." Hermione said sadly.

"I will think of a way, Miss Granger, don't worry." Dumbledore smiled soothingly at her. "Besides, I wish for you to have this. You might need it and use it well. I've got enough to last for a lifetime anyway."

Hermione smiled in awe, taking the large hourglass with the golden chain and stuffing it in her bag. "Thank you professor."

"No need to."

"And uhm, Professor,… do you think… I could… maybe… leave later? You know go back to the present later?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, that was my idea. Good-bye, Miss Granger."

"Good bye, Professor Dumbledore!"

THTHTH

"Oh!" Sarah exclaimed, examining her time table "We don't have to go to potions today!"

"Why not?" Richard asked, spooning potatoes onto his plate in a hurry.

"Because we have career's advice – together with the Gryffindors."

"With the Gryffindors? But they have – "

"Career's advice at 2pm. Right after lunch. In our potion's lesson." Sarah finished happily. Potions was undoubtedly her worst subject.

"That's good. I still have no idea what I would like to be." Hermione exclaimed. What would be a good subject for a woman with a child? Auror was definitely out of the question now. "You haven't? I know – at least the direction. Something in banking – therefore I took the worst subject ever – arithmancy."

"Oh come on, Sarah, it can't be as bad as divination." Matthew scowled.

"Yeah, it is. Divination is useless and tiring." Hermione threw in. The three other Ravenclaws looked at her enquiringly. "How do you know?" Richard asked perplexed. "You haven't taken it a day in your life!"

Hermione realized her mistake – too late. But she covered it up quickly enough. "I took it in Durmstrang. So glad I could drop it here."

Sarah's expression cleared at once. "Good one. I wouldn't have taken it for the world. What's so good about making up stories on how your going to die?" Sarah laughed and the others joined in. So the teacher was as bad as the future Trelawney. Hermione thanked her lucky stars that she didn't have to take the subject in the 40s.

"What's the name of the teacher?" Hermione asked out of curiosity.

"Oh." Matthew's face fell. "Professor Valeria Trelawney."

'The granddaughter of Trelawney – or the daughter. So glad that I took arithmancy.' Hermione thought wryly. What she was really looking forward to was the career's advice lesson, starting…

"NOW!" Sarah said, looking at her watch with wide eyes. "We have to go or we're going to be very late."

The foursome quickly got up and ran out of the hall in a hurry.

"What are they doing?" Abraxas asked Harry, pointing at the Ravenclaws.

"I have no idea." Harry shrugged.

"Don't ask me how the minds of Ravenclaws work. A mystery itself." Draco grinned and Abraxas and Harry laughed as well, though Tom just glared icily at the trio.

"If you had paid a little attention, you would know that they were heading to career's advice. And if you had informed yourselves a bit better, you would know that they are late." Tom's voice sounded smug and cold and Harry almost wanted to punch him into the face. The three boys looked at each other, feeling a bit scared.

"Oh, sorry." Abraxas said, returning to his meal. But that wasn't enough for Tom.

"The career's advice for the Slytherins – for us, Abraxas – starts at 4 pm. With the Hufflepuffs." Tom sneered, still glaring at the blonde follower.

"Oh … good." Harry answered to fill the uncomfortable silence, but Tom's head turned towards him.

"That's right! You'd better be there, Poliakoff!" Tom scowled and walked off, his long cloak billowing behind him, leaving the Slytherins in discomfort.

THTHTH

"I can't believe it! I have to remind myself that I need a job which I can do, when I have a child." Hermione scowled, rifling through leaflets in a hurry.

"Oh, you will definitely find something." Ginny said, picking up a neon green looking one. "Herbologist! Nope!" she grinned. "Come on, Nat, you don't have to end up like my mother – caring for 7 children. You have one, and you can always find something when you have ONE child. Especially in the 40s!" Ginny reasoned.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that!" Hermione exclaimed, picking up a flyer saying "AURORS" in bold green letters.

"I wasn't talking about a career for aurors." Ginny grinned. "Why don't you go into banking? You've taken arithmancy at least."

Hermione shrugged. Sounded like a good option. Ginny handed her a blue leaflet "jobs in the banking sector" was printed in golden letters at the top. Several jobs were listed under the bold headline and every job was suitable for a mother since they were offered part-time as well.

"Sounds not too bad." Hermione grinned.

"No, it doesn't." Ginny grinned, picking up a white leaflet about healers. "You would be a wonderful healer, Katya." Hermione said earnestly.

Ginny nodded. "Yeah, I've always wanted to go into the medical sector."

Sarah grinned, walking over to them. "So, you've decided to go into banking as well?" she pointed to the blue leaflet in Hermione's hand.

"Sounds like a good option, especially when you have a child." Hermione answered.

"Yes, it does."

"Hem hem…" Hermione and Ginny jumped in shock when they heard the familiar coughing. A plump witch was standing in the doorway, wearing a familiar cardigan and smiling toothily at the now silent students. "My name is Rosemarie Umbridge and I will be your advisor for job search. I will call out your names in groups of four and then this group will come to the room next door. First group: Benjamin Allen, Martha Brooks, Gregory Case and Sarah Clearwater."

The teacher beckoned the four students over to her and walked into the room next door with them. "See you later." Sarah mumbled.

"You know who this is?" Hermione rounded on Ginny. "No?" Ginny said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Very funny, Ginny. This is the mother of Professor Umbridge." Hermione said, her face showing distress.

"Well? It's just her MUM. Luckily we don't have to worry about the real thing." Ginny grinned.

"Yeah… well…"

THTHTH

"I was thinking about working in the banking business as this is also a great opportunity when you have a child." Hermione commented, observing the woman critically.

Umbridge was looking through her files. "Yes, indeed, Miss Karkarova. You can leave your child in the childcare centre at Gringotts." She looked up with Hermione, a sugary smile placed on her face.

"I suppose, you have taken arithmancy?"

"Yes, I had an outstanding OWL and I am planning on an outstanding NEWT as well." Hermione explained offhandedly.

The smile on Umbridge's face flickered a bit and she looked at the file, labeling Natalija Karkarova. "Ravenclaw, 7th year. Yes, from what I can see you are an exceptional student." she said, her face softening slightly. "I am of the opinion that banking would be good for you – please fill out that form."

Hermione nodded and took a seat at the table where Elisabeth Joyce was already sitting. "Hem hem, Katya Krum, please." she heard Umbridge's simpering voice call out for Ginny.

'Why am I actually doing this? It's not like we're going to stay here, are we? Just to keep up appearances?' Hermione shook her head and began writing down personal details. 'Oh bugger.' Hermione thought in horror. 'Date of birth. How should I know that?' She decided to use her real birthday, just counting backwards the years.

'Place of birth.' Another tricky question. Well, obviously she had to play along. "Moscow, Russia." she wrote, something Ginny was quick to notice. She had sat down next to Hermione a minute later, glancing at her sheet. "Moscow, Russia?" Ginny whispered bewildered.

"You can pick your own city." Hermione snapped and got up, tossing the paper into the students' file.

Ginny grinned and shook her head so that Hermione didn't notice. Oh, pregnant women and mood swings.

THTHTH

Hermione groaned. She was in the library, surrounded by books, but couldn't find what she was looking for. She gave a frustrated sigh and leaned back in her chair when a familiar, glowering face turned up in front of her.

"Herm own Ninny, vould you like to go to ze ball viz me?" Victor Krum asked. He was wearing his quidditch robes – it was obviously after practice.

"Oh yes." Hermione's cheeks went beetred. "I'd love to."

"Zank you, Herm own ninny." Victor Krum picked up her hand and kissed it. He departed, giving her a final last look.

Hermione smiled to herself. 'Oh. My. God. He really asked me to the ball! I can't believe it! SOMEONE asked me! And it's even the popular quidditch player!' Hermione saw that the girls she had labeled 'Krum's fanclub' were glaring at her with ugly jealous expressions. Giving them a saccharine sweet smile, she gathered her books and walked up to Gryffindor tower.

On her way, she met Ginny. "Ginny, you can't believe what happened!" Ginny looked indifferent, quirking an eyebrow. "Someone asked me to the ball!" Hermione said, grinning widely. "Oh really? WHO?" Ginny asked eagerly. "Victor Krum!"

"NO, you are kidding, Mione." Ginny grinned. "Nope, he asked me. Minutes ago. In the library." Hermione explained.

"Wow, that's wonderful." Ginny said happily. "Who are you going with?" Hermione asked her friend.

"Well – Neville Longbottom asked me." Ginny's face was red and resembled a tomato.

"Well – good…" Hermione was about to add something, when the familiar black-haired, slightly crouching figure of Victor Krum appeared. Again.

"Herm own ninny – ze veazer is good. Vant to go outside for a valk viz me?" Victor asked in his usual thick bulgarien accent.

"Oh, yes, she does." Ginny exclaimed, excusing her with a simple nod.

"Well – okay." Hermione smiled. It was her first date with Victor – and he was heading to the forbidden forest. "Why are we going to the forbidden forest?" Hermione asked, wrinkling a brow.

"Don't vant to be overheard." Victor said cautiously.

Hermione followed him, although some inner voice was preventing her from doing so.

"Can't we talk here?" she asked more or less desperately.

"Yes. ve can." Victor stopped in front of a large tree, only 5 meters from the edge of the forest. He stopped in front of her and lifted her chin upwards so that she was gazing into his dark brown eyes. "Herm own ninny, do vat your heart says. Not vat anyone else vants or expects you to do – your heart. You haff to listen to your heart! Promise me zat, Herm own ninny."

Hermione had tears in her eyes, nodding. "I promise." And then to her utter surprise, Victor Krum changed into the young Tom Riddle, who was holding her in his arms. He gave her a brief kiss and vanished in the woods, Hermione crying after him.

Hermione woke up, sweating profusely. What kind of dream was that?

Dreaming of Victor Krum of all people? And what meaning did that have? Hermione had ditched class for a little afternoon nap and now she was sitting on the edge of her bed, chewing on her nails. This dream had to have a hidden meaning. But what? "Listen to your heart!" Hermione whispered, remembering the advice, Victor had told her.

What did that mean? Coming to no conclusion she decided to take a shower. She had a meeting with the three others afterwards anyway…

THTHTH

The four time-travellers were sitting in the room of requirements laughing their heads off and talking about their day. "I couldn't believe it was Umbridge's mother!" Harry was saying for the 18th time.

"Neither could I. Can you imagine that she actually praised me?" Hermione grinned.

"Difficult. Especially since you are a Ravenclaw. But can you imagine that she liked me?" Harry grinned. The teacher Umbridge had hated Harry to the max.

"No." Draco said, still laughing hard. "And can you imagine that she thought I was a relative of the Malfoys?"

"Yes, that's quite easy actually. Not only do you look like one, but you behave totally like Abraxas Malfoy. You couldn't be less conspicuous. Even Tom suspects us." Ginny sneered.

"It's not my fault that Dumbledore didn't change me as much as he changed you." Draco moaned, looking at Hermione directly.

"Look," Hermione said, feeling her cheeks flame up. "I know that he wanted us all to be as unsuspicious as possible. Why he didn't change you probably had a reason."

Draco just nodded unconvinced.

Suddenly someone knocked. "Wha'?" Harry asked surprised, toppling off the sofa where Ginny had been lounging on his chest.

Hermione dearly hoped that it wasn't Tom. She took a deep breath and opened the door. But to her obvious luck, it was HIM! In all his glory! Hermione swallowed audibly. "Hi Tom." she choked out, standing on tiptoes giving him a small peck.

"What are you doing here with THEM?" Tom sniffed. "You know, just talking a bit about Durmstrang … and our careers… and so on." Hermione easily lied. It was the half-truth after all.

"Yes, there was something I needed to talk to you about, Natalija." Tom said, and suddenly he looked uncomfortable. "I need to talk to you alone!" he sneered at the others, mainly directing his sneer at Draco.

"Okay, Tom, let's go to your head dorm then." Hermione suggested.

"What is it?" she asked when they finally arrived.

"Yes, Natalija." Tom sat down gingerly on the sofa, Hermione standing impatiently next to him, tapping her foot. "I wanted to talk about the future. OUR future…"