Thank you again celticwords for being my betareader. you have not idea how much it means to me that you continue to beta for me. thank you.

Hermione and Minvera 2

Minerva marveled at the thought of someone not paying attention to Hermione. The only person that she could think of that was famous was Harry Potter…but he was a wizard; not a witch. She worried about the witch in her chambers as she quietly crept inside. She was startled by Hermione's presence at the threshold. Minerva decided to ask Hermione to please join her in the sitting room.

"I have taken the liberty of owling your parents to let them know that you will not be returning to them at this time. I told them that you were interested in developing your animagus, which could take any where from a week to several months. I thought you could use a week to rest and relax, so you can get back to looking like a healthy person and not the zombie that you have become. Don't think I have not noticed that you are not well. But after the week if you wish to return I will not stand in your way."

"Will you really teach me to be an animagus?"

"I would be glad to help you my dear. But as I said before you must be healthy. It would be detrimental to you to try and teach you this week. I want you to rest and renew your soul. Above all things, I wish to see you well."

"Thank you, Professor. I don't know what to say."

"Just start by getting well. And please call me Minerva." Minvera smiled sweetly as she soothed Hermione's nerves with her touch.

By the middle of the week Hermione was much improved. She eventually become bored with doing nothing. The library was wonderful, but she had already gone through most of the books. Finally, Hermione got up the bravado to approach Minerva and try to persuade her into relenting on her decision to wait a full week.

Minerva looked up from her paper work and noticed the improvement in Hermione's demeanor. She no longer looked pale with bags under her eyes. She knew the young witch had been doing as she had asked, but wondered if Hermione was simply appeasing her because she had asked her to do so instead of doing it for her own health.

"Good afternoon, Hermione. May I help you?"

"Since I already have read most of the books in the library I was wondering if we could start on my training to be an animagus?"

"I believe I said a week," Minerva raised her arm to stop the young witch's protest and continued, "you do look better; but I still have much to finish. I will train you since it seems that you strongly wish to be an animagus." Minerva became distracted within her own thoughts as she wondered why Dumbledore had only given her a portion of her usual paperwork for the summer. She shook herself from her own thoughts and looked back up to address the young witch before her, "Let me finish what I have started and I will assist you."

"Thank you."

"Let us meet after lunch in my classroom."

Hermione left the office feeling elated. During her walk back to her rooms Hermione suddenly had a terrible thought. She realized that she didn't know what animal she would become. She knew which animal she hoped she would manifest, but she really had no way of knowing her animagus form. She knew that she would be revealing a very intimate part of herself to her Professor and was frightened that she didn't have a close enough relationship with Minerva to reveal that side of herself to her professor.

Lunch was a strange affair. Everyone gathered in the great hall. The tables were replaced with one round table large enough to seat everyone who was still there This arrangement allowed everyone at the table the to hear and see all of the people eating with ease. Hermione wondered if the table had been charmed to do have this effect to make communication easier. The other professors had grown used to her presence and no longer held there tongues while eating; and had even begun to ask her opinion on occasion. So far this was the best summer vacation yet. Hermione knew that she would have to find a job and start living in the world of the adults, but right now none of that seemed to matter. None of the world outside of Hogwarts existed to her. She felt as if she were in a time wrap. Things passed differently during the summer here at Hogwarts. This past week seemed like an entire month and each day a week. It wasn't as if time was dragging, but as if it had stopped altogether.

During lunch Hermione even took the chance to mention of her theory of time warping to the staff…but received silence in return. They could not tell her of the healing powers of Hogwarts, nor could they tell her that in actuality a month had passed inside the halls of Hogwarts; but outside only a couple of days had passed.

Minerva took in what Hermione had said and marveled at the witch's intuitive nature. She wondered how Hermione had figured it out so quickly. But she decided not to say anything. She was bound by the rules governing Hogwarts to remain silent about some of its secrets. No one outside the staff was privileged to the powers of Hogwarts' walls. Not even the ministry. Everyone suspected some kind of powers attributed to the school. If any one of the staff were to speak of the powers without permission, or were to give the secret away, they would be terminated from their job, charges would be brought against them, and could even wind up in Azkaban for the reminder of their years. Yes it was a cruel punishment, but a necessary one. The school would otherwise become bombard with people seeking out a return to health and their youth.

After lunch the two witches made their way to the transfiguration classroom. Upon entering Hermione saw that the tables and chairs were gone and had been replaced by cushions. At the end of the room was a table with a gong, a water fountain, and a candle. Hermione was confused by the unusual change.

Minerva noticed Hermione's state of confusion and answered her silent question.

"I have made the room more comfortable so that it is easier to concentrate."

Minerva then turned towards Hermione to start the lessons.