A/N: This story takes place during Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix.
Hermione shadowed Harry as he made his way to Dumbledore's office for private lessons again. She ducked into a side corridor as he turned back, but she couldn't tell whether he had seen her or not. She thought that it was rather unlikely, seeing as she had put a disillusionment charm upon herself.
He continued walking, and Hermione began to follow him again. Eventually Harry stopped in front of a gargoyle and muttered something. Hermione strained her ears to catch what he said.
"Sugar quills," Harry told the gargoyle, and Hermione watched with interest as the stone statue swung open to reveal a moving stone staircase.
She settled down to wait in a niche in the wall that hid her in the shadows.
When Harry came out, he was frowning thoughtfully. Hermione waited until he had passed before she stepped boldly out of her hiding place. She approached the gargoyle with more confidence than she felt, and gave him the password.
The guardian sprung aside once more and Hermione neatly stepped onto the moving stairs.
When Hermione reached the top of the staircase, she knocked quietly on the door. She was considerably more nervous about what she was doing now, and her stomach was full of butterflies. She could barely believe she was about to barge in on the headmaster without and invitation.
"Come in, Miss Granger," a voice called. Hermione jumped - how did Professor Dumbledore know that it was her?
She opened the door shyly and stepped inside the room.
The next morning, a glowing Hermione met Harry and Ron at breakfast. The two boys looked at her curiously; both wondering what had put her in such a good mood.
"What's made you so happy, Hermione?" Ron asked. Hermione beamed at him.
"I've recruited a new spew member," Hermione told them excitedly.
Harry and Ron raised their eyebrows. Both of them had been under the impression that their friend had asked everyone in the school by now.
"Who is it?" Harry asked. Hermione grinned, and gestured up to the teacher's table.
"Look for yourself," she told them.
Harry and Ron looked up to see Professor Dumbledore nod at Hermione. But what drew their eyes was the badge on his chest.
The badge that read S.P.E.W.
"Hermione," Harry said weakly. "Please tell me you didn't…."