Dear Miss Granger,
By now you have received your marks for your first year at Hogwarts School. A Gryffindor student at the top of her year would impress anyone, but such excellence from a muggleborn is simply unheard of.
I have sought special permission from the Ministry of Magic which will allow you to attend more classes than there is time for. Your academic record ensured that permission was granted. However, should you choose to accept, your workload will increase tremendously. Absolute discretion will also be required of you.
For details of the opportunity, join me in my office at the end of the Welcoming Feast. No matter your decision, I am proud to have you in my house.
Yours sincerely,
Professor McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Hermione folded the letter and put it neatly back into its envelope. What could Professor McGonagall have meant by "more classes than there is time for"? What was so special about taking extra classes that the Ministry needed to be contacted?
The other nine times Hermione had read the letter, she had beamed at the praise. But there was nothing but talk of Harry and Ronald being expelled for crashing a flying car - the Anglia! Her eyes got even sadder as they fell upon an untouched treacle tart. What would she do without the boys? The rumors seemed to confirm themselves when Professors Snape, McGonagall, and Dumbledore excused themselves rather briskly.
She was almost in tears when the first years began to assemble to be escorted. At that moment, Percy tapped her shoulder.
"I'm to accompany you to McGonagall," he said suspiciously.
Hermione was too depressed to come up with an excuse to satisfy Percy's curiosity, so she simply nodded. Apparently burdened with more pressing responsiblities, Percy did not dawdle after successfully delivering Hermione to the door of the office.
"Miss Granger!" Professor McGonagall said affectionately as Hermione entered.
"Have Harry and Ron been expelled? I'm sure they didn't mean to crash the Anglia. I'm sure they used their best judgement! They probably panicked -"
"Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall repeated. "You needn't worry about your classmates. They have not been expelled. However, if their actions tonight serve as an example of their best judgment, perhaps a positive influence is in order," the professor repeated in her breathless "sheer dumb luck" voice.
Hermione nodded gravely.
"Now," said the teacher brightly, "why don't you sit down?"
Hermione looked around but there was no place to sit.
"Oh, how thoughtless of me. Tsk," said Professor McGonagall, and immediatey transfigured the large chalkboard near her desk into a beautiful Rococo chair with a red velvet upholstery. "Come, come."
Hermione eagerly sat in the chair, which adjusted the length of its legs so that it suited her perfectly. "Professor, I don't mind the discretion, but aren't my timetables full?"
"Yes!" said Professor McGonagall, producing a tiny box from her robes. "But, if you are willing, you may add more tables."