Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. All credit must be given to J.K.
The Cradle Will Fall
Chapter 1
'Here I am. It is September 1st. Daniel is one and I'm on the train to Hogwarts. Thanks to Dumbledore, we have a compartment to ourselves. Daniel is currently running rampant. Ever since he had learned to walk, he never really settled down.' Hermione slammed her journal shut and sighed.
"Daniel, sit here with your mum." Hermione patted the spot next to her.
"No! Wook!" Daniel squealed and pointed out the window at the fast moving scenery passing by. He began to laugh loudly, jumping up and down. Hermione smile.
"You're so cute." She pulled him into her lap and caressed his chocolate brown hair. 'He has my hair. But those eyes…I don't know anyone with eyes like that.' Hermione looked down into Daniel's Neptune blue eyes. They were gorgeous.
"No." Daniel kicked and squirmed his way off her lap. He didn't want to be held.
"Danny, don't kick." She raised her voice then sighed. 'Spoiled brat. That's Mum's fault.' She thought to herself. Daniel opened his mouth wide in disbelief then glowered at her.
"Do not give me that look, Daniel. Is it bed time for you already?" He shook his head and continued to run rampant.
Hermione handed him a bottle of milk. "Here." He quickly threw it to the ground.
"Fine." She put it back in her bag and pulled out a bottle of juice, which he grabbed quickly out of her hands.
"Now settle down and try to be quiet, all right?" He nodded. Smiling, Hermione pulled out her nearly abandoned wand and did a locking charm on the door, just in case. Sprawling across the seats, she closed her eyes.
Hermione awoke to the screeches of the train stopping. She sat up in her sat as she rubbed her blurry eyes clear. 'First day back and I'm already behind schedule.' Frantically, she threw off her clothes and pulled on her Hogwarts' uniform and robes.
"Where's my badge!" She searched through her trunk quickly, but could not find it. She needed to be at Hogwarts before the other students. 'I'm screwed. What an impression I'll make!'
"Shit. Where—" Hermione smiled.
Daniel was sprawled in the middle of the floor, her head badge clutched tightly in his hand. The badge was a choking hazard, but the sight was adorable.
"Come on." She picked him up and draped a blanket over his head. It was raining outside.
"I'm hope someone can get these." She gave her heavy luggage one last glance before jumping out of the compartment door. Holding Daniel tightly, she ran towards the nearest carriage.
Hermione sighed.
"Home sweet home."
Arms aching, Hermione let out a breath of relief as she quickly drew closer to her private dorm room. Everything looked as it used to be. Nothing had changed.
"Password?" A very pregnant youth asked.
"That's not funny." Hermione frowned at the portrait's belly. 'The last thing I want in the world right now is for someone to be taunting me.'
"Oh chill. I was jokin' around." The girl pushed her belly in and began to giggle. "Can't take a joke?"
"Apparently not. Bonetmal." The portrait slowly creaked open, revealing a very large, very stunning room. The ceiling extended up so far up you could hardly see the end. The circular room appeared to be woven with gold and books lined the shelves all the way around the room, appearing to reach towards the ceiling. A fire flickered at the side of the room, splashing flecks of light over the gold, creating a bizarre yet stunning glimmer. It was not normal at all.
Hermione noticed three doors in the room, two appearing wide open, one closed. 'I wonder if the head boy is in?' She could feel her cheeks begin to burn as she realized she was still holding Daniel. Taking a large breath, she finally found the nerve to approach the rooms. She checked the one furthest to the left first.
Hermione walked through the doorway slowly, gasping when she was able to view the entire room. A small tinkling lullaby sounded as little trinkets ticked and turned.
It was a nursery. There was a golden rocking horse, a crib, and many toys. There were at least a dozen clocks that lined the walls of the room, ticking to their own rhythm, unaware of one another. They all read different times, which confused Hermione.
In the corner of the room someone was rocking slowly in a chair.
"A house elf?" The elf stood up very suddenly and bowed low.
"Dumbledore said I would be your ninny while you are at school." The squeaky voice of the elf said.
"Ninny? Oh, you mean nanny, don't you?" Hermione placed the sleeping Daniel inside the crib. Walking out of the nursery, Hermione approached the middle door and popped her head in. It was her room. There was a very large bed, an old hand carved work desk, and another beautiful golden crib.
"Well, that leaves the last room." As she approached the room furthest to the left, her hands began to sweat. 'I wonder who it'll be.' She knocked on the door firmly and waited for a reply. Nothing. She knocked once more. Still no answer. 'Maybe he's not in.' Gathering up her courage once more, she took hold of the doorknob and slowly turned it, pushing the door open.
"Oh Merlin!" She gasped, nearly laughing, knowing her bulging eyes must have been a sight to see.
"Dumbledore, you fool. You said I would receive a private room!" It was the restroom, meaning not only did she receive a room, but everything she had seen had been for her and Daniel. She would not be sharing anything with the head boy. 'Thank Merlin.'
Hermione left the bathroom and walked swiftly towards the nursery. "I'm sure he'll sleep until I get back. If you'd just watch him while I'm gone." She said quickly to the house elf in an apologetic tone. The elf bowed and shoved Hermione out of the room.
"Go. You're late."