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Harry thought that things at Hogwarts were very much the same as before. Yet, they were also very much different. With Voldemort’s defeat on school grounds and the end of the war, Hogwarts was able to reopen to teach its students properly. Because of the reign of the Death Eaters, many of the classes had been sabotaged which meant that, once the new school year began, many students had to retake some of their classes to ensure they did not find their education lacking in the future.
Harry was not one such person.
Despite not having attended Hogwarts the previous year and now being eighteen, he was still allowed to come back to school to complete his education. The same offer had been given to his best friends and everyone in their year, no matter if they attended or not the previous year. Some – like Ron – did not take the offer for one reason or the other. In Ron’s case, it was because he was offered a spot in the Auror Academy and took it. Some others – like Harry and Hermione – took the offer and willingly went back to Hogwarts to complete their schooling. As Hermione kept telling him, it was very important they graduate when they still had the chance. You never knew when it could become useful in the future.
However, the return of half of the students who should have graduated the previous year led to a few problems inside the school. For once, it meant that the Seventh Year group was nearly twice as big as was expected, causing issues for schedules and dorm placements. Second, not all students needed to take every classes. Some already knew the year’s curriculum, having learnt it the previous school year. To ensure nobody wasted time on subjects already learned, every student in the Seventh Year group was forced to take a rigorous exam for each class they signed up to. If you passed, you would be given the opportunity to take your N.E.W.T.s now. If you didn’t, you would have to take the class again, whether for the first or second time.
To his surprise, despite not having taken any Seventh-Year classes, Harry passed the exams for Defence Against the Dark Arts, Charms and Astronomy – of all things. Less surprising was Hermione’s own results, where she passed Charms, Transfiguration, History of Magic, Astronomy and Defence, coming just shy of the passing grade in Herbology. It meant that, for their final year at Hogwarts, Harry only had to take Herbology, Potions and History while Hermione had to take Herbology, Arithmancy and Ancient Runes.
Harry still remembered Hermione’s expression when she got her results. It was the only time he’d ever seen Hermione disappointed to have passed an exam.
Having only three classes in his schedule meant Harry and Hermione had a lot of free time on their hands. Most of it was spent studying at Hermione’s instance, though they also did many other things – like patrol the corridors and help younger students.
Because Harry had another surprise when he received his Hogwarts letter. He was made Head Boy. Hermione had been ecstatic when she found out, especially since she was named Head Girl. Harry understood why she got the badge – but not why he did as well.
“But why me?” he remembered asking her.
“Why not you? After everything for the school and its students, you more than deserve it!” she’d told him. “And, like it or not, but you’re the hero of the Wizarding World. I wouldn’t be surprised if parents wanted you as Head Boy to ensure their children are safe at school.”
In the end, Harry decided he would do the best job possible to ensure Professor McGonagall did not regret giving him the badge.
And, everything went well! Harry and Hermione's "seventh" year was set to be the calmest and most normal school year the duo ever had so far.
But, to their surprise, a very unexpected element thrown their way made their last year of schooling a very unique a memorable one. And that all thanks to Headmistress McGonagall and the rebuilt Ministry of Magic.
Two weeks into the school year, Harry and Hermione were summoned to the Headmistress' Office. Harry had been worried he had done something wrong as Head Boy, and that McGonagall was going to revoke his badge. Hermione's reassuring words partially calmed him.
But he was wrong. The reason for their summon was very much unexpected.
"Wait - wait - wait. Let me repeat what you said to make sure I heard correctly. You want me and Hermione-"
"Hermione and I-" said girl corrected.
"You want Hermione and I to foster a five year old girl for the rest of the school year?"
"Correct, Mr. Potter."
"But... why?" Hermione asked. "I don't understand."
Headmistress McGonagall sighed tiredly. "Historically, it's been known that the end of major wars led to booming births of children."
"Baby booms." Hermione said.
McGonagall nodded. "Last time it happened, there were a lot of issues with parents not being ready to raise their own children, which led to them being neglected, something the Ministry wish to avoid this time. And, with the number of war orphans seeking homes, it was decided to launch a new program for Hogwarts sixth and seventh years to allow them to take care of an orphan for the duration of the school year. It is a good way to teach students how to take care of a child while giving young orphans an opportunity to experience family life."
"And you want us to do it because...?"
"As I said, Mr. Potter, you and Miss Granger are our Head Students. You are meant to be an example to your fellow students, and role models for children." she said, her nostrils flaring. She was starting to sound rather annoyed.
"But Harry and I aren't dating." Hermione said, her cheeks turning pink for a moment. "Didn't you say that the program was only available for couples?"
"In theory, yes. But, in practice, a young man and young woman who are close friends can also take part in the program should they wish so, even if they have no romantic relationship. And, as our Head Students, you have no choice but to participate no matter what."
Harry let out a sigh of defeat. He could tell nothing would change the professor's mind.
"What about our exams, though?" Hermione asked. "We will have to study for our NEWTs and won't have time to take care of a child at the same time!"
"And that's not even mentioning our classes." Harry added.
"Worry not about your classes and exams." the headmistress said. "During the day, the children will attend their own classes in the Hogsmeade's School for Children. As for your NEWTs, the program will end two weeks before the exams begins, giving you plenty of time to study. Now, if you have no more questions, I would like for you to return to your rooms and prepare for your foster child's arrival tomorrow evening."
The head students sighed. "Yes, Professor." Hermione said as she and Harry stood up.
When they were back in the Head Prefects' common room, Harry immediately made his way for the sole sofa in front of the fireplace and collapsed on it with a tired sigh. Hermione followed after him, sitting next to him.
"What am I going to do?" Harry moaned, rubbing his face. "I don't know how to be a dad! I only have Vernon as a "paternal role model" and I don't want to emulate him! Whoever end up in our care deserve better than me." he said with self-loathing.
"Stop it, Harry." Hermione said, grabbing his forearm. "You won't turn like your uncle, and he's not your only role model. You also have Mr. Weasley and Sirius! And, I believe you have the makings to be a great father. Any child would be lucky to have you as a father." she told him.
"Really?" he asked, looking at her.
"Really." she nodded. She saw Harry give her a beaming smile, his eyes full of adoration.
"Thank you." was all he could tell her. He surprised her when he leaned toward her and gave her a hug. She didn't hesitate to reciprocate it, though.
"What about you?" he asked after breaking the hug. "How do you feel about becoming a mother for the next few months?"
Hermione sighed. "Honestly, I'm afraid." she admitted.
"Afraid? Of what?" he asked. He sounded surprised.
"Of not being good enough." she said, looking down. "The orphan we will care for, they just lost their parents. I'm afraid the child will be unhappy, that they'll compare me to their real mother and think I'm lacking." Before he could protest, she added. "I'm also afraid that I won't be as present as they need to. I really want to do well for my NEWTs but I'm afraid I'll have to chose between making the child happy and keeping my grades high. And, I'm scared I'll disappoint and hurt the child when I inevitably chose to study."
"Stop it, Hermione." he said, repeating her earlier words. "You won't be a bad mother. In fact, I think you'll be the best god damn mother any child could ask for! You are the least selfish person in the world and I know you won't hesitate to put the child first even if it lead to you getting Trolls across the board in your NEWTs. Not that you will since your the most brilliant girl around and could easily pass the exams blindfolded." he said, making her blush. "You told me I have the makings to be a great father. Let me tell you in turn that you have the makings to be an amazing and fantastic mother."
Hermione jumped him, hugging him with a strong grip. "Thank you, Harry." she whispered in his ear, making him shiver.
"You're welcome." he whispered back, rubbing her back. Hermione slowly disengaged from her hug, leaving two blushing teenagers behind. "Now, why don't we start planning for the arrival of our child?" he asked. Hermione nodded.
The next evening saw the couple walk to the Headmistress' office, feeling very nervous. They spent the previous evening planning and preparing to have a child in their care. Hermione revised all the schedules she worked on to allow them to have ample time with their war orphan, while Harry - with the help of Kreacher - went on a bit of a spending spree by transforming his bedroom into a child's bedroom.
Since he kicked himself out of his own room by doing so, he decided he would sleep on the sofa for the rest of the year. But Hermione shot that idea down and instead suggested he simply move his own bed to her room and place it next to hers. It would make her bedroom look like a motel room, but she didn't mind if it meant Harry could get comfortable nights of sleep.
Together, they also tried to come up with interesting activities to do with their child, knowing they would want to play and have fun. It was something that greatly interested Harry, who wanted all of their time with their child be spent doing games. He was disappointed when Hermione reminded him the child would have to do their homework as well.
They were ready - or as ready as they could be. They were nervous wrecks in class that day, waiting anxiously to meet the child to be put in their care.
Finally, the time came and the duo entered the headmistress' office. "There you are!" McGonagall said with a smile. "Are you ready to meet your foster child?" she asked.
"As ready as we can be, I suppose." Harry answered nervously as he and Hermione took their seats in front of the desk.
"Good." she said. "Your charge should arrive in a few minutes. In the meantime, let me introduce her to you."
"Her? Is it a girl?" Hermione asked, a hint of excitement in her voice.
"Indeed, Miss Granger." McGonagall said. She took a roll of parchment from her desk, unrolled it and began reading it. "Your charge's name is Roxanne Patrickson. She is five years of age. Her parents died when she was two-year-old. They were both muggleborns and some of the firsts of You-Know-Who's victims after his return became public."
"Merlin." Hermione gasped. Harry felt his heart wrench for the young girl. He knew what it was like to lose their parents so young. His determination to be the best foster dad he could be increased tenfold.
A small bell-like sound was heart across the office. "Ah! I believe they will soon arrive." McGonagall said.
At her words, Harry and Hermione jumped to their feet - not that they had any reasons to. They were so nervous they couldn't sit straight.
Then, the fireplace flared green and an old woman stepped out. The teenagers didn't look at her, for their attention was entirely focused on the tiny waif of a girl who shyly held the woman's hand. She was small - very small - had long black hair and coffee-coloured brown eyes. Freckles adorned only her cheeks.
Little Roxanne Patrickson's eyes turned to Harry and Hermione. Her cheeks immediately turned red, embarrassed. "Hi!" she squeaked, trying to hide behind the woman's leg.
Harry and Hermione looked at each other with beaming smiles. They felt their hearts melt at the sight of the tiny girl they would care for for the rest of the school year. They immediately fell in love with her.
Hermione gripped Harry's hand and crouched in front of Roxanne, Harry following after her. "Hi, I am Hermione."
"And I am Harry." said boy added.
"'m Roxie." the girl mumbled, still bright red in the face.
"It's nice to meet you, Roxie." Harry said with a smile, feeling Hermione squeeze her hand.
"Roxie, these are Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. They will be your foster parents this year."
"Really?" she asked, peaking out of the woman's leg.
"Really. If you will have us, that is." Hermione said, also smiling.
Roxie was silent for a moment. Then, she nodded. "Okay." she said.
Beaming, Hermione extended her hand to her. There was only a slight hesitation before Roxie stepped toward the teenagers to grab Hermione's hand.
"We made you your own bedroom. Do you want to see it?" Harry asked before he and Hermione led their tiny charge out of the headmistress' office. The woman who came with Roxie soon departed, leaving a smiling McGonagall behind.
She turned to Dumbledore's portrait. "You know, I was worried yesterday when I saw their reactions. But now? I think they're going to be just fine." he said.
Dumbledore's portrait smiled. "I couldn't agree more. I believe this is what Harry and Miss Granger need to fully feel their love for one another."
"Still thinking they will be together, Albus?" she asked in faint amusement.
"And you don't?" was all he said before going to sleep.