Chapter 12:

November went ridiculously fast and before they knew it they were entering December. Nothing more had happened between Hermione and Draco. They had focussed on their school work and the children. They had also been working solidly on the plans for the Winter Ball that would be taking place on the students first day back after the Christmas break. They sat together in the Great Hall for every meal that they shared with the children. They had tried eating separately but Aurora had almost screamed for her mother and Curtis kept calling dada across the hall. It was hard enough explaining to their friends why their children thought what they did without it happening every two minutes. Aurora had started walking midway through the month and Curtis had not been long behind her. They insisted on walking everywhere. Hermione and Draco didn't mind except for the fact that it meant they were always having to leave earlier as the journey inevitably took longer. On the first of December they had their monthly check up and before they knew it, Hermione and Draco were parents to toddlers. They quickly returned to the dorm room with the two toddlers. They had insisted on running and so Hermione and Draco had had their hands full.

When they arrived, Hermione began reading the pamphlet whilst Draco read the children a story.

What you have missed…

Your child will now be able to feed themselves and will want to dress and undress themselves (whether they can or not).

Your child will enjoy playing and building with bricks.

"Well there's a Christmas present idea. Thanks love," Draco commented.

Hermione blushed at the pet name he had taken to giving her and continued reading.

Things to watch out for…

Your child will start kicking and throwing balls.

"Great! Curtis and I can have a ton of fun playing that muggle sport. What is it called again?" Draco laughed.

"Football?" Hermione laughed. It seemed completely unbelievable that Draco even understood what football was let alone wanting to play it.

"Yeah… me and my dad used to play it. He said it was the only thing the muggles ever got right," Draco laughed before returning to the book he was reading.

Your child will know a range of words and will be able to talk in short sentences.

You should consider thinking about potty training your child (you will find everything you need in your dorm).

Your child will enjoy painting or scribbling with a crayon, paint or pencil.

"Does it say anything about routine?" Draco asked.

"Yeah. I was talking to Harry yesterday and he said that he's never been able to get Ebony into a routine."

"That's strange we've never had a problem with these two," Draco smiled, "maybe our children are just better than his… or maybe we're better parents."

Hermione swatted him on the head, "what's that for?" Draco complained.

"You – arrogant much?"

"Just saying…" he muttered.

"I think it's because we've done it together. It's been easy with both of us."

"Yeah but we've had more kids to look after too," Draco laughed. "I think we're just better."

"You would," Hermione laughed. "I don't think their routine is really going to change much."

7 am – wake up and have milk

8am – breakfast

10am – Snack (fruit/ biscuits/ yoghurt)

12pm – Lunch

12:30pm – Milk and Nap (hopefully – you may find they don't want to sleep)

3:00pm – Snack (fruit/ biscuits/ yoghurt)

4pm – Pick up from daycare

6pm – Dinner

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

Hermione looked at her watch, "snack time!" She quickly cut up an apple for each of them and sat them in their booster chairs at the table. They ate their apple happily whilst Hermione and Draco worked on their homework. After a few moments Hermione gave them both a sippy cup full of water.

After snack, Hermione gave them both some paper and crayons and they quickly began scribbling away. Hermione and Draco were glad that the children were entertained as it meant they had time to work on their prefect duties. It didn't last long though and soon both children were demanding their parents' attention. Hermione let them out of their seats and put them on the floor where they could play with their toys. "What are you planning on doing for Christmas Hermione?" Draco asked.

"I don't know. You?" Hermione answered.

"I don't want to separate them and we still have a lot to do for the party. I was thinking we could stay here," he suggested.

Hermione nodded her head. That had been what she had hoped he would say. "There's a Hogsmeade trip this weekend, I was thinking we could go together. It would be a nice family day out. We could get them some new clothes now that they've grown and some Christmas presents. What do you say?"

"Sounds lovely," Hermione smiled.

The next day Hermione and Draco had health class. They were sat in the common room of their health class apartment. This was the only class that the children were allowed to attend. Aurora and Curtis were playing happily on the sofa between their parents whilst the other children were running around. Professor Sprout frowned. Harry and the others tried to get them to sit down but to no avail. Draco was fed up of the noise so he got to his feet and looked at the toddlers, "that is enough," he began firmly. "Go and sit down children. We need to listen to Professor Sprout now."

Everyone was shocked when the children sat down immediately. Hermione stifled a giggle but Draco noticed and raised an eyebrow at her. She just smirked at him in response. He whispered in her ear, "looks like you've gone and stolen my smirk, Miss Granger."

"Right. Well today I thought we'd discuss how you are finding everything," Professor Sprout said.

There was a silence after her words. Harry was the first to break it, "it's hard work. Ebony never seems to fit into a routine. I'll try really hard to make it work but with quidditch and studies… not to mention that fact she seems to enjoy tormenting me… it just seems impossible."

Ebony was sat on her father's lap. She had big green eyes and long black hair. She was a very pretty child and you could tell from her expression that she was very intelligent. She said one word, "Quidditch." The whole room applauded and laughed. Hermione thought almost aloud, just like her dad.

Ron laughed, "yeah Ilenia isn't much better. She doesn't go to bed when she's meant to and I often find she is awake when I get back from patrol."

Pansy smiled, "Natascia's routine is ok but she can be a bit of a handful. She always wants her own way. I hate saying no to her."

"Gofreddo is a nightmare. He screams at me and hits me when he doesn't get his own way," Ginny complained. "I don't think I've ever seen him obey someone the way he just did Draco."

There was a murmur of agreement. "Enzo is such a fussy eater," Parvati complained.

"Don't even get me started on eating habits. I swear Castore changes his mind daily," Daphne laughed coldly.

"I think Alina would be better behaved it she had two parents. I think a stable environment makes a big difference," Zabini commented.

"What about you two? Hermione? Draco?" Professor Sprout asked.

"Things are going great," Hermione smiled.

Draco grinned, "Hermione got them into a routine straight from day one. Now we just adjust the routine according to their age."

"Draco spoils them. He's always buying them presents," Hermione joked. "They eat everything we put in front of them but I think that's Draco's doing. He can be quite insistent."

"I'm the disciplinarian, although discipline is rarely needed," Draco concluded.

"I see," Professor Sprout smiled. "I think Mr Zabini hit the nail on the head. A stable environment makes a big difference. Hermione and Draco have the busiest schedules in this school. Head Boy and Girl. Draco's quidditch captain not to mention they are taking more classes than most. How do you do it?"

"Er…" Hermione and Draco looked at each other, "well we use our free periods wisely," Hermione began.

"We share the work load. For example when I have Quidditch Hermione looks after the kids."

"We make the most of the time we have with them."

"Yeah, we have specific times in the day when we are completely focused on them," Draco agreed.

"We have trusted friends look after them when we are on patrol."

"But we make sure that they look after them at ours," Draco added.

"As you can see class, it is team work. I will be making a suggestion or two to the headmistress. I may have an idea that may help you all," Professor Sprout grinned. "You'll have the rest of today to spend as a group with your children. Feel free to stay here or go outside."

Before they knew it, the entire seventh and eighth year class had been moved out of their own dorms and placed in smaller dorms much like the head dorms with their study buddies in an attempt to create the stable environment that Zabini had mentioned in class. None of the students were particularly happy about it but they hoped that it would work for the sake of their children.