A bespectacled Minerva Gonagall blinked.
"But it's rather late in the year for a new student, Dumbledore!" she said. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Minerva," Albus replied gently, placing a hand gnarled and wrinkled by time over her own slender, pale one, "I have complete faith in this one. And you, might I add. Just give it a try, won't you?"
Minerva sighed and pushed her glasses further up onto her nose. "I suppose, Dumbledore, but you know I'm quite busy, what with Transfiguration. Those pesky Hufflepuff third years are driving me up the wall."
Albus Dumbledore stood up. "I trust you'll find a way to manage, Minerva. Perhaps another student could help Cinda adjust."
His robes swung to and fro against the polished stone floor as he exited Minerva's office.
A student to assist her. Minerva's lips curved into a smile; she knew just the student. Hermione Granger would be delighted to show a new student the ropes.
She unrolled a piece of parchment and began to read the latest disastrous assignment.
"Hermione, come here." The girl set her quill down on the desk and stood up, walking over Harry's legs. He raised an eyebrow at her.
"What did you do this time, Granger?"
Hermione shook her head at Ron and approached Professor McGonagall's desk. "Yes, Professor?"
"Hermione." McGonagall's eyes sparkled behind her wire-rimmed glasses. "I've got a special assignment for you. A new student will be entering Hogwarts tonight. I'd like for you to stick with her, show her around. And, obviously, help her adjust to Hogwarts life, and if she needs some direction with her studies...it's perfectly okay if you'd rather not, I just thought you were the perfect student to help me out."
"Oh – thank you, Professor McGonagall! Of course I'll do it." Hermione smiled widely, pulling at the sleeves of her school robes. "Thank you for considering me!"
"I'll find you after dinner and we'll go greet Cinda. That is all, Hermione," Minerva said evenly. There was a new bounce in Hermione's step as she made her way back to her seat and her class work.
"What was that all about?" Harry whispered when Hermione sat down again.
"Professor McGonagall wants me to befriend a transfer student," Hermione whispered back, eyes shining excitedly.
"What's - " Harry began, but Hermione placed a finger to her lips.
"Later," she mouthed, and focused her attention on her work.
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A/N: So what did you all think? Should I continue? I've got a pretty good plot lined up, so review and let me know!