A/N: This is another story inspired by Florence and the Machine. The song's name is Mother, from the album How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful. I will post the second (and last) chapter tomorrow. Enjoy and please review.
PS. I do not own Florence and the Machine or Harry Potter.
"And that, children, is the effect of the Lapifors Spell" said Professor McGonagall, turning to face her third-year students. She was holding a fat, grey rabbit. Just a moment ago, said rabbit had been a teacup, but was used to demonstrate the effects of the spell.
"Now, the incantation Lapifors is made up of two parts: lapi, which comes from the Latin word lepus, meaning rabbit, and fors, the suffix used in most transforming spells-" the Professor continued, stopping when Hermione's hand shot up. " Yes, Miss Granger?"
"Lepus actually means hare, Professor, not rabbit" Hermione corrected, feeling rather pleased with herself. It's been a while since she last corrected someone, for she'd been to busy lately to pay close enough attention to do so.
Professor McGonagall looked rather taken aback, secretly feeling very proud, but being rather annoyed just the same. "Well, yes, Miss Granger" she said. "Well spotted." It's been ages since the last time she was corrected by a student; usually they didn't pay enough attention to notice such errors. Of course lepus meant hare, it was the French word lapin that meant rabbit. How could she be so stupid?
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Professor McGonagall was rather surprised when she saw Crookshanks, Miss Granger's cat, in a corridor later that day. It was just past curfew, and she was in cat-form, patrolling the castle. It was strange to see the cat so far from the Gryffindor Tower, and what was even stranger was how the cat seemed to be beckoning her towards the library.
The professor followed the cat, and was led right to a sleeping Hermione. She laid curled up in a far corner of the library, surrounded by books and notes. The girl appeared to have been crying, for she had dried tear tracks on her cheeks. Professor McGonagall reached out a hand to gently shake the girl's shoulder. Hermione startled awake and immediately started apologising.
"I'm so sorry, Professor. I must've lost track of time, I didn't mean to fall asleep" she said in a hysteric voice, scurrying to gather all of her things. Professor McGonagall simply observed from her hunched-over position.
"Are you okay, Miss Granger?" she asked.
"I'm fine, Professor. I just didn't realise how late it was" Hermione answered, still sorting her things.
"You don't always have to be perfect, you know. You are allowed to make mistakes" said Professor McGonagall, sitting down next to the young girl.
Hermione stopped moving and stared at her teacher. "I'm sorry for correcting you today" she said softly, looking down at the carpet. Professor McGonagall simply waved her off.
"I was actually proud. Very few students have paid enough attention to notice such errors" she said with a smile. "What were you crying about earlier, my dear?" she asked, concerned about what was upsetting her student.
Hermione simply shook her head, unable to make eye-contact with her mentor. "Was it about the boggart?" Professor McGonagall asked. Hermione's eyes went wide. How did she know about that? Nobody knew about that, she made sure of it. "I can't imagine your worst fear involves me, you already faced that fear when you corrected me" the professor continued. Hermione had to stop herself from sighing with relief. She only suspected then, but didn't know anything for certain.
"It's not" Hermione said sadly. "But I don't want to talk about it." Hermione's boggart wasn't failing everything, it was something far worse. It was worse because she wasn't sure what it meant or why she feared it. She only pretended that is was failing everything, because that was what everybody expected.
"You don't have to, dear, but I'm here if you want to" Professor McGonagall said. She picked up a book from the pile beside Hermione. "I remember this one. I read it right around when I was your age" she said, earning her a small smile from her student. She was getting worried about her; this wasn't like Hermione. She wasn't sure how she expected the girl to act, but it wasn't like this. Something was bothering her.
"I'm very proud of you, dear. You have a brilliant mind and I know that you are tougher and braver than even you believe yourself to be, and I am proud to have you in my house" said Professor McGonagall. At Hermione's confused expression, she continued. "I know things aren't always fine at home. There's no need to panic, dear, I don't know any details, but I am here if you need me."
A single tear ran down Hermione's face. She couldn't look her teacher in the eye, even though she tried to. She appreciated what the professor was saying, but she couldn't bring herself to show it. After a brief silence, she let out a stifled yawn.
Professor McGonagall hugged the young Gryffindor to her, keeping an arm on her shoulders even after she let go, and opened the book she previously picked up. She read the book for a while, until she heard the girl's soft, deep breathing. She stroked Hermione's hair lovingly before standing up to levitate her back to the dorms. Sleeping in the library might seem fun, but it wasn't nearly as comfortable as an actual mattress.
