Hermione stared out of the compartment window, gazing into the sea of people. There were younger kids staring at the Hogwarts Express with a longing look and nervous first years were saying goodbyes to their parents. She thought back to her parents, who she had barely spoken to over the summer. Over the years, Hermione had gotten so sucked into magic that she had forgotten about parts of the muggle world. That included her parents, who she sent occasional letters to. A part of her felt guilty for letting her relationship with her mum and dad fade.

"You okay, Hermione?" Ron asked. He nudged her with his elbow and frowned.

"Yes. I'm just thinking," she answered softly.

The others decided to leave her to her thoughts. Hermione could vaguely make out the sound of her friends talking about the parenting class. The buzz of chatter kept a constant noise in her mind that made it hard to concentrate. Along with the conversation in the background, there were too many thoughts roaming around Hermione's head: School, classes, family, etc. But she remained quiet, not in the mood to talk. At some point in time, she managed to block the voices out as she closed her eyes. The world around her faded away, till darkness welcomed her with open arms.

"Love, I'm home," called out a smooth deep voice.

A platinum haired man walked into the room. His grey eyes were filled with an undecipherable emotion. He walked towards Hermione and pressed a phantom of a kiss on her cheek. She could hear herself say a response, but the words sounded muffled to her own ears. "How was your day?" asked the man.

"Busy. Your children thought it would be fun to color the walls with permanent markers," Hermione sighed.

"They're our children."

It was then when a child came running into the man's arms. It was a little girl, though she seemed so faint to Hermione. No significant features of the girl could be made out. And when the child spoke, her voice was quiet, just above a whisper. A boy, who Hermione had felt was older than the girl, came running towards the man as well. He stood beside Hermione and held her hand. When Hermione tried to squeeze the boy's hand, it felt as if she had no strength.

Hermione frowned at this. She tried to make out everything that was going on. Her eyes darted around the room, to see that she was back at her house. It was the same house she grew up in with her parents. The same house she had forgotten about all summer. Hermione tried to look at the clock that was usually in the kitchen, but all she saw were blurred numbers. Hermione shook her head and stepped away from the boy.

"It's a dream," she murmured.

"Are you okay, Hermione?" asked the man.

"Dream," she repeated. "It's a dream." Hermione shook her head again and willed her body to wake. There was a pulling sensation that pricked at her mind. "It's just a dream."

Hermione's eyes popped open, startling her friends from her sudden consciousness. Her head was on Ron's shoulder, and draped around her was Ron's robe. Slowly she sat upright and nearly groaned from the stiffness of her neck. Her eyes glanced at the window to see that it was still bright outside.

"Are you okay, Hermione?" Harry asked.

His question sent a shock through her body, and tugged at her memory. Those words...that question...it was what that man in her dream had asked her. Hermione tried to remember more of her dream, but all she could recall was gaining consciousness during the ordeal. The dream was too strange to be real, she inwardly told herself.

"Just a strange dream," Hermione muttered. She flashed a small smile then glanced around the compartment to see someone missing. "Where's Ginny?"

"McGonagall called for her about ten minutes ago," Neville replied. Before Hermione could ask her next question Neville said, "You were asleep for a few hours."

Hermione was surprised. It felt like only a few moments had past since she fell asleep. The compartment door opened and Ginny came walking into the room. She had a dazed look on her face. But what was wrong with her appearance was the badge pinned to her robe. The letter P was on the badge, meaning Prefect.

"Blimey, not you," Ron moaned. Being a Prefect was never something Ron liked. He had resigned after becoming tired of the patrols he had to do. Now that his little sister was a Prefect, he knew that she'd brag about it to their mum. Molly Weasley would be so proud of Ginny. Ron was briefly relieved that he wouldn't have to witness their mum's reaction.

"There were last minute changes with prefects. Since Malfoy and Hermione became Head Boy and Girl, Gryffindor and Slytherin needed new prefects," Ginny said. "I was meant to get my letter, but McGonagall said there was a mix up." She ran her hand through her fiery hair then turned to Hermione. "She wants to speak to you."

Ginny sat down next to Harry and rested her head on his shoulder. She chewed on her bottom lip and stared blankly into space with a lost look in her eyes. Hermione wanted to question her, but got up instead. Her muscles groaned in protest as Hermione gave Ron back his robe and put her own on instead. She rubbed the sleep away from her eyes and tried her best to fix her hair before leaving.

Hermione made her way to the compartment at the front of the Hogwarts Express. It wasn't long until she entered the compartment where the prim woman sat. Professor McGonagall looked as neat and poised as ever. Her slightly greying hair was in a tight bun without a strand out of place. She gave Hermione a tight polite smile upon her arrival.

"Ms. Granger, please sit."

The young witch did as she was told and sat across her professor. "Is there something wrong, Professor?"

Minerva McGonagall pursed her thin lips together. "As I am sure you are aware, you and Mr. Malfoy will be partners in Parenting 101." She paused, as if thinking of something. "I understand that this must be a discomfort for you, given your history with him. However, your pairing is the glue to this class. Do you understand, Miss. Granger?"

Hermione's eyebrows furrowed together. "I apologize Professor, I don't quite get what you are saying."

"What I am saying is- You and Mr. Malfoy are imperative to the outcome of the class. This message comes from Professor Dumbledore of course," McGonagall said stiffly. She wanted to add that if she could have chosen Hermione's partner, she would have chosen someone better suited. As a professor, she was meant to be neutral between students, but she had grown fond of Hermione. McGonagall couldn't believe that the Sorting Hat and Dumbledore agreed to put Hermione and Draco together. She had watched the blonde haired Slytherin torment the witch for years.

"Again I apologize, but I still do not understand. Is there a greater reason for my pairing with Malf- Draco?" Hermione asked, curious as to why she was given this message.

"I'm afraid I cannot answer that question. But Professor Dumbledore would like it if the two of you were to get along. Merlin knows some unity must be shown at a time like this. Mr. Malfoy has been spoken to about this as well by Professor Snape."

Hermione slowly nodded at this. She trusted Dumbledore, more than she probably should, but her mind was telling her that there was a lot more to this class than most people knew. After all, Parenting 101 had caused such a commotion over the summer. Many families had tried to involve the Ministry, on account of the class violating their daughters. Why would Dumbledore want to create a parenting class?...Unless, he was motivated by achieving some sort of goal. A goal that Hermione and Malfoy were somehow a part of.

"Well, is that all, Professor McGonagall?" Hermione asked, still a bit confused.

After a small nod from the older witch, Hermione left, with several thoughts and theories swimming in her mind.

.a.b.c.d.e.f.g.

Hermione sat at the Gryffindor table between Ginny and Neville, across from Harry and Ron. As soon as the feast began after the sorting of the first years, Ron had stuffed his face with food. He ate as if he had not eaten in days. Hermione and Ginny scrunched up their noses in disgust and kept a quiet conversation between themselves.

"So you think Dumbledore is up to something?" Ginny asked in a whisper.

"I know he is, Gin. I can just tell," Hermione said firmly. "But what happened with your talk with Professor McGonagall? You seemed a tad out of it."

Ginny's faint blush did not go unnoticed by Hermione. The red haired witch picked at her meal and shrugged slightly. "I was just a bit shocked to be Prefect, I suppose," Ginny lied.

What she had really wanted to tell Hermione, was that she ran into Blaise Bloody Zabini. Quite literally. She had been rushing to tell her friends the news about her position as Prefect when Zabini had suddenly stepped out of his compartment. Ginny had collided with him, which led to a rather flustered redhead and an amused Italian.

Hermione nodded in understanding, but made note that her friend was lying. Hermione took a bite of her roast chicken and licked her lips. She was going to take another bite when Ginny suddenly elbowed her side. The brunette looked at her friend quizzically.

"Malfoy is staring at you," Ginny hissed.

Hermione looked up, only to nearly choke on her spit. She stared into quicksilver eyes that gazed at her intently. Draco Malfoy was very much staring at her, with a slight smirk on his lips. He leaned over towards Blaise to whisper something into the Italian's ears, then both Slytherins laughed. Draco's eyes remained on her throughout the interaction, making Hermione uneasy.

"They're just trying to make us uncomfortable," Hermione told Ginny.

"Who's making you uncomfortable?" Neville asked.

Hermione and Ginny jumped at the sound of his voice. They had forgotten that he was sitting right next to Hermione. Neville looked at them in confusion, then followed where their gazes previously were. His eyes landed on the Slytherins and immediately in his mind, Neville had come to the conclusion that Malfoy and Zabini were bothering his friends.

"It's nothing, Neville," Hermione said quickly.

"Are you sure, Hermione?" Neville asked. He scowled at the two Slytherins. His grip tightened on his fork.

"What would you do anyways?" Ginny cut in. She raised an eyebrow and took a bite of her roast beef. "It'd be you against Malfoy and Zabini."

Neville's face reddened at that. He knew he wasn't the strongest, but to be called out like that from Ginny... It was embarrassing. Hermione placed her hand on his arm and sent him a small smile to help soften the blow.

"Thank you for worrying though," she said softly. Her honey eyes twinkled up at him and subconsciously, the tip of Hermione's tongue swiped over her bottom lip.

Neville blushed furiously and looked away. He began eating his meal, avoiding Hermione for the rest of supper. Hermione and Ginny shared a look at his reaction, then both of them shrugged.

For the rest of dinner, Hermione and Ginny made conversation with everyone else. Their laughter and snarky remarks joined the sounds of overlapping conversations throughout the Great Hall. Once dinner was over, the professors led all of the students, except for those taking Parenting 101, to their dorms. Whilst in the Great Hall, Dumbledore and Snape stood in front of the remaining students.

"Ladies and gentlemen, before Professor Snape and I explain the parenting class, the sorting of partners will take place. Only the ladies will be called up. Once your name is called, step up and place the Sorting Hat on your head. This will be just like when you were first years. Once your partner has been announced, please sit with them," Dumbledore announced. He smiled slightly before calling up the first name. "Abbot, Hannah!"

A/N And so the sorting begins! Thank you for all of the support so far! You guys are amazing. Sorry for the mistakes. The line break wasn't working so I did the whole .a.b.c.d.e.f.g. thing. I'm not sure if the line will appear once I publish it but the .a.b.c.d.e.f.g. will stay as a break for now I guess.

I'm thinking of creating polls for baby names. What do you guys think? I'll need some names for choices for the poll first, so after next chapter once the pairings happen, think of some names for the story! The main pairings have already been made though, so if you guys want to list some names now, then thank you!

-Hermione and Draco
-Ginny and Blaise
-Ron and Lavender
-Harry and Pansy
-Luna and Theo

~KittyKat