First Year Observations
As she looked upon her new cubs, Minerva McGonagall noticed the fierce whispering between the Boy Who Lived and Mr. Malfoy. Her first impulse was to intervene on the potential argument, but seeing Malfoy extend his hand gave her pause and a desire to observe Harry's reaction. To her relief and approval, Harry declined the hand. Her gaze continued to examine her charges.
When she came to the brown bushy mane of hair of one Ms. Granger, her lips curved into the most subtle of smiles. The young Muggle-born had a look of amazement as her took in her new surroundings. A look that held the fire of curiosity and a desire to learn. Minerva hoped that Ms. Granger would be sorted into her House.
"Students, please proceed to the Great Hall in two orderly lines!" her Scottish accent apparent in her own excitement for the Sorting. She always found it interesting to guess what House a student would be placed in. She was rarely ever wrong.
It was no surprise that Mr. Potter was sorted in the house of the brave as was his red-haired friend. What was surprising however, was the Sorting Hats comments to Ms. Granger. Minerva caught parts of its ruminations and could have sworn the Hat gave her a choice between where her heart will be found or an easy life of living among books. She choose her heart and the Hat quickly bellowed, "Gryffindor!" With a shy smile directed at her new Head of House, Hermione jumped off the stool and made her way to her table.
As the feast continued, Minerva could not decide if she should smile of be frowning as the sight of Ms. Granger hunched over Hogwarts: A History. After all, classes hadn't even started yet and many of her classmates wouldn't be cracking their books open until the day before their assignments were do. Hermione had managed to make a resounding impression on Professor McGonagall without even knowing it.
Formal Contact
Her feline smile widened when she noticed that as Hermione was reading, she was doodling images with magical ink from her fingers. As her pupil's fingers would gently dance over her scroll, the image of a cat would be seen chasing a ball of string. Such a demonstration highlighted her pupil's innate magic in addition to her passion for the subject. Magical ink only presented itself when the artist was enraptured with what they were doing.
The class let out a loud gasp as she transformed back into her human form. This demonstration of the beauty of Transfiguration was one of her most favorite parts of the year. It also did not hurt that she could observe her class and identify which students she'd need to keep an eye on and which were the studious ones. It was therefore not shock that Ms. Granger had her scroll, quill, and textbook out before her cat form had even entered the classroom.
"Good day class. My name is Professor McGonagall," intoned the animagus.
The first lesson consisted of turning a wooden toothpick into a needle. While basic, it often timed proved difficult as well as frustrating for First Years. As she walked around, she noticed that Mr. Potters needle was shiny, but was not the correct size.
After returning his creation back into its original form, she leaned to be at eye level and whispered, "Mr. Potter that was a great first attempt. However, please try again and emphasize the upward stroke." A quick nod and smile from him signaled her understood.
She continued her examination of her class and her smiled turned into a beaming grin. Hermione. In front her desk was a perfect needle with a Gryffindor red string delicately threaded into the needle's eye.
"Ms. Granger, I am most impressed by your performance on this first assignment!" the green-eyed witch proudly told her student. "Please, enlighten me by how you approached this task."
Hermione had the grace to blush due to the attention given to her by her crush. She chanced a look into intelligent eyes and felt her cheeks heat up even more. "Professor, I have read the whole of the textbook and simply paired your instruction with the chapter 6 lesson that covers transfiguring two items from one distinct item."
Minerva's widened until it could be compared to a beaming sun and Hermione a receptive flower. "25 points to Gryffindor!" With that, she walked toward the front of class to dismiss everyone. She wanted to pen a note to Ms, Granger about extending an invitation for tea with them both to discuss her plans for the future in Hogwarts.
The Shock of the Year
"Albus, what do you mean Ms. Granger is in the Hospital Wing?" said a most panicked Scottish voice. As she made her way toward the door, Albus caught her arm in an attempt to ease his collegue.
"Minerva, your cubs are fine. ALL of your cubs," said Professor Dumbledore with no twinkle in his eye. He continued in a somber tone, "The three only received minor injury due to the measures we put to protect the Stone so please refrain from bursting through the school like a cat dumped into water. You'll frighten the students".
This caused her a brief smile. "You are right Albus," she conceded. However, her smile faded as she turns toward the door in search for her favorite brown-eyed student.