=== August 11 1995 ===
"Happy Birthday!" Harry says as Ginny comes through the floo.
"Thanks!" Ginny says as she hugs him. "Are you coming to the Burrow?"
"If we did, the twins would get all the attention instead of you." Harry says.
Ginny nods. "I don't mind, Ron though…"
They both chuckle. "We'll come if you want, but we wanted to give you your birthday present now." Harry says.
"I can wait and get it with the others." Ginny says.
"It would be better if we gave it to you now." Harry says.
Hermione comes in carrying a long, thin box. "Happy birthday, Ginny!"
Ginny takes the box and opens it. "Seriously?" She pulls out the Firebolt broom they had bought her.
"Good luck with Quidditch try-outs." Harry says.
Ginny hugs them both. "Thank you, this is awesome! No wonder you wanted me to open here."
They both hug her back. "You're welcome."
=== August 31 1995 ===
Harry and Hermione are playing with the twins when the chime sounds announcing an incoming floo. Hermione carefully watches as McGonagall comes through. "How are my two favorite Gryffindors?" McGonagall asks.
"That doesn't seem fair." Hermione says, "assuming that our children will be sorted into Gryffindor."
"Personally I think they'd make great Slytherins." Draco says from the doorway.
"Mister Malfoy, I didn't see you there." McGonagall says.
"I'll forgive you this time Professor." Draco says. "Even I'll admit the twins are distracting."
McGonagall nods. "They are of course part of the reason why I'm here."
"You came to see if we would be riding the train?" Harry asks.
"I was hoping you would be up to it." McGonagall admits.
"Can we modify a train car?" Hermione asks.
"As long as you return it to its original state when you leave." McGonagall says.
"Then we will be riding the train." Hermione says.
Harry nods. "Our friends have all visited us during the summer, but it'll be nice to have everyone together again."
"Good to hear." McGonagall says. "Now, let me hold one of the twins."
=== September 1 1995 ===
Harry and Hermione were very glad to have access to magic. Without it they weren't sure how they would have packed all of their school supplies, and everything they needed for the twins into their trunks.
Thankful that they are all early risers, they arrive at the train station early in the morning. "You two have everything?" Richard asks.
"Probably not," Harry admits.
"Are you two sure about this?" Helen asks.
"We'll be fine." Hermione says. "We have Dobby, Winky and all of our friends."
"Then good luck." Helen says. "We'll see you during winter break."
They get out of the car, and unbuckle the twins from their car seats before transferring them to carriers that they both are wearing. When each of them has their respective infant secured Harry reaches into the car and pulls out a diaper bag. Once he has the bag on his shoulder the two of them head into the station. 'Mum!' Loki calls out as she bounds from the car and runs to them.
Hermione's eyes go wide. "Loki, I'm so sorry." She says as she carefully bends down to pick up her now full sized familiar.
'It's okay.' Loki says as her new collar glows, and she shrinks back down to kitten size so she can climb onto Hermione's shoulder. 'The twins rely on you and Dad for everything. I know you didn't mean to forget me.'
'Thank you.' Hermione replies then turns to Harry and they all head in. A pair of teenagers each carrying an infant draw everyone's attention. 'Perhaps we should have used a notice-me-not charm.' Harry sends to them both.
'I know, I'm not sure I can safely cast one now.' Hermione replies.
'Just keep walking,' Harry says. 'Hopefully the novelty will wear off.'
Hermione nods as they walk towards Platform 9 ¾. Unfortunately the crowd moves with them. 'The muggles are still watching us. I don't think it's safe to cross over.' Hermione observes.
'We need a distraction." Harry says.
'Any suggestions?' Hermione asks.
'Happen to have a singing anthropomorphic frog with a top hat and cane handy?' Harry asks.
Hermione rolls her eyes. 'You've been watching too many cartoons.'
'Only when I sit with Rose when she's colicky.' Harry replies.
'I got this.' Loki says with a sigh. She jumps down off of Hermione's shoulder. Once out of sight she returns to her full size and teleports herself into a trash bin. She starts rustling papers, even tossing a few out. This quickly gets the muggles' attention.
As soon as the muggles turn their attention to the bin Harry and Hermione go through the entrance. Once beside the Express again Hermione whispers the command. "Return."
Loki instantly appears at her feet. 'It worked."
Hermione nods. "Sure did. Now, let's go get our cabin."
#####
Hannah wasn't used to being at the station this early, but her new mum insisted on dropping her off before heading to Hogwarts. She steps onto the train and heads for the compartment they usually occupy. "I'll finally be the first one here." She says to herself as she opens the door.
Hannah stares at the cabin transfixed. The cabin was completely transformed, it was now the size of one of the common rooms. The room even has comfortable looking couches. One such couch has Harry, Hermione and the twins.
"How is this even possible?" Hannah asks.
"Um… magic?" Harry replies.
Hannah chuckles. "True, true." She walks over to them. "May I?"
Harry hands Rose to Hannah who then sits down nearby. "So how are you doing?" Hermione asks.
"Great!" Hannah replies. "I've spent most of the summer mastering Hufflepuff's gift."
"What is it?" Harry asks.
"Chlorokinesis and chloropathy." Hannah replies with a grin.
Harry and Hermione look at each other and start laughing. "No wonder Professor Sprout teaches Herbology."
Hannah nods. "Yeah, easy choice there."
"Aiming to get your mastery now?" Hermione asks.
"I was debating that already." Hannah admits.
"I'm not surprised." Harry says. "After all you and Neville spend all your free time in the greenhouses."
"True." Hannah says.
The cabin door opens and Neville steps in. "Hi," He walks over and kisses Hannah before sitting next to her. "I missed you."
"I missed you too." Hannah says. "Seeing you does remind me. Hermione, will you be my matron-of-honor?"
"Really?" Hermione asks and Hannah nods. "I'd be honored."
"Good, then Harry has no reason to turn down being my best man." Neville says.
"When you put it that way…" Harry grins then they all laugh.
"Also, Hermione, I was hoping to go over the prefect patrol schedule with you." Neville says.
"Congratulations Neville." Hermione says, "but I'm not the girl's prefect."
"Really?" Neville asks.
Hermione nods. "My cousin is, and Draco is the Slytherin boy's.
"Mum had picked me to be Hufflepuff girl's before everything." Hannah says.
"Sounds like someone might need to make sure the prefects aren't sneaking into broom closets." Harry teases.
Draco and Amanda enter the cabin. Draco whistles, "I like what you did with the place."
"Why, thank you." Hermione says.
"Find this spell in your book?" Draco asks.
This was their code. Draco was asking if he could tell Voldemort something Hermione did. Hermione nods, "sure did."
"You'll have to teach me that someday." Amanda says as they take up a couch.
"I'm surprised you two are just getting here." Hannah says. "I thought you lived in the same house as Harry and Hermione."
"We spent last night in Malfoy Manor." Amanda says with a slight blush.
Hannah nods. "That makes sense."
The door opens and Lavender enters, followed by Ginny, Luna and Ron. Ginny goes over to Hermione. "Let me hold one of my nieces."
"Of course." Hermione says as she hands Iris over to Ginny.
#####
At last the train arrives at Hogwarts. Everyone starts to get off the train. As usual Hagrid summons the first years to him.
Harry and Hermione carry the twins like they did on their way to the train, except Ginny has the diaper bag. They enter the castle and head to the Great Hall where they see McGonagall who approaches them and speaks. "Harry, Hermione, a moment please."
They pull away from the group. "How can we help you Professor?" Harry asks.
"I wanted to ask you to take your children to our daycare. So they don't interrupt the welcome speech." McGonagall offers.
"Hogwarts has a daycare?" Hermione asks.
McGonagall nods. "It does now."
Harry and Hermione make their way to the daycare, which is right next to the Infirmary. They go inside only to find Pomphrey inside. "Madam Pomphrey?" Hermione asks. "Surely you're not running the daycare."
"Heavens no!" Pomphrey exclaims. "I'm here to help with registration. We've added wards to this room so only specific individuals can leave with each child."
"How's it work?" Hermione asks.
"The wards register the magical pattern of the individual. Even the polyjuice potion doesn't change your magical pattern." Pomphrey explains.
"That's brilliant." Harry says. "We'll of course need to register plenty of people, due to emergency circumstances."
"I'll register whomever you choose." Pomphrey says. "Let's start with yourselves and your elves, then one of you can bring anyone else you wish to register."
#####
"You're set up." Pomphrey says. "Go on and meet the daycare operator. I'll be waiting for you in the Infirmary when you're done."
They head in and find a woman who doesn't look too much older than them. Her dirty blonde hair cascades down to her mid back, she turns and a pair of kind, blue eyes looks at them through a pair of wire-thin glasses. "You must be the Potters." She says with a voice that reminds them of a singer.
"I'm Harry, this is my wife Hermione."
"Actually, we've met." Hermione says. "Maria, right?"
"I'm surprised you remember me." Maria says.
"When did you two meet?" Harry asks.
"When you were unconscious, first-year." Hermione answers.
===June 7 1992===
Hermione sits by Harry's bed, a book in her hands when a female voice says. "Excuse me?"
Hermione looks over the book only to see an older girl. Her eyes go to the badge pinned on her robes. "You're head girl!" Hermione says excitedly as she puts her book down
"My name is Maria."
"Hermione." She says as she stands up and holds her hand out to shake the older girl's hand.
Maria shakes her hand. "Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?"
"Go ahead." Hermione says as she practically squeals inside, the second she heard about the position of Head Girl she knew this was what she wanted to strive for, and now the current one wanted to ask her questions.
"Are the rumors true?" Maria asks. "Did you beat obstacles set up by all the professors?"
Hermione nods. "It took all 3 of us to do it."
"Where's the third?"
"Ron is probably eating." Hermione says. "If you wait he'll come sit on the other side of Harry until curfew."
"Can you tell me about the obstacles?" Maria asks.
#####
"You're a first-year, you shouldn't have even known how to unlock the door." Maria says.
"It's a good thing I like to read ahead." Hermione says. "I had actually skipped a grade in primary school and would have skipped another had I not been told I was a witch."
"Tell me what they taught you in primary school." Maria says.
Without missing a beat Hermione lectures the older girl's about math, science, literature and whatever else she can think of. During this Ron comes in, but hearing Hermione's lecture voice is enough to send him back to the common room.
===Present Day===
"Your stories about your primary school inspired me. I want to do something like that for the wizarding world. I want to make sure young wizards and witches are ready for Hogwarts." Maria explains. "So when I heard that Hogwarts was looking for someone to run a daycare I jumped at the opportunity. It sounds like a good start."
"That's fantastic!" Hermione says. "I'm sure our children will be in safe hands."
"I will do my best." Maria says. "Now you two should head on. Don't want to miss the welcome speech."
They leave the daycare and go into the Infirmary where Pomphrey is waiting for them. "Follow me." She leads them to the back of the infirmary then through a false wall into a small room. In the room lies the girl Amanda rescued from Malfoy Manor asleep.
"How is she?" Hermione asks.
"Physically she's fine." Pomphrey says. "Mentally, I'm not sure. Since you asked me to take care of her I wanted to get your permission to bring a mind healer I trust to look at her."
"She's in your care." Harry says. "We trust your judgment."
Pomphrey nods. "Thank you."