Professor Sinistra had passed out a sheet of runes for them to translate and Hermione took hers with a sigh. Next to her, Luna was eagerly beginning, writing, crossing out, and writing again. Her quill moved back and forth between her fingers as she thought, then met the parchment again as she copied down her answer. Hermione looked at quiz with boredom. She'd spent so much time deciphering The Tales of Beedle the Bard that the runes were second nature to her now. With a halfhearted attempt at enthusiasm, she thought 'This really is just too much'.

When McGonagall had told her she really didn't need the schooling, Hermione had known she was right, had known she could find a job anywhere and be satisfactorily qualified. However, she had also assumed that there would be something in school to challenge her; something she hadn't seen yet. As it were, it was the beginning of October and she was completely, and totally, uninterested. Feeling ashamed and yet honest, she knew it wouldn't take much cajoling for anyone to talk her into skiving off classes. And, in another breath of honesty, that also made her groan in frustration, she knew she wouldn't suffer any for it.

As the bell rang signaling the end of class, she handed in her perfect, completed sheet and slung her bag over her shoulder. Luna was gabbing about one she thought she might have mixed up but Hermione was too focused on her racing thoughts to really comprehend any of it. She was trying to think of how to best approach McGonagall with her problem. Waving goodbye to Luna, she headed for Gryffindor tower and a book to take her mind of off things until after dinner.

Curled up on the couch in front of the fire with a book about the founding of the ministry, she did her best to concentrate on the words in front of her. Ginny found her with her head in her hands, the book forgotten on the cushion next to her, mumbling incoherently to herself.

"Hermione?" Ginny placed the book on a footstool and sat down next to her harried friend.

"Hi Gin."

"You okay?" Hermione sat up, throwing her hair back and huffed.

"Yeah. A bit stressed is all."

"Are you thinking school was not a good idea?"



Hermione sighed, sitting back against the soft cushions. "I don't regret coming here if that's what you mean, I think it was the right decision, I needed – need – to be here. But…"

"I can see how bored you are." Hermione shot her a look of disbelief coupled with dread. Ginny giggled. "Really, I think a lot of people have. But the teachers can't say anything 'cause your grades are still the best."

Hermione groaned. "That's just the problem. I don't know what to do. Only I am bored. Out of my mind. But I did ask to be here, and McGonagall did warn me."

Ginny shrugged. "Just talk to her. I'm sure she'll understand just fine." Hermione snorted. 'Understand just fine' was not something usually used in the same sentence as 'tell McGonagall you're reneging on a rather important and fixated decision'. Picking up her book, she nodded her head.

"Guess there's nothing left to do. This is rather horrid."

After dinner, McGonagall was to found in her office marking over the second years' latest essays, a look of staid longsuffering on her face. Hermione poked her head in the partially open door and knocked softly. "Professor?"

"Come in Miss Granger." The head of Gryffindor didn't lift her eyes until Hermione was standing directly before her.

"What can I do for you?"

"Er – ehm – well…" One of McGonagall's eyebrows raised and she sat back, setting her quill down on the essay she had just been reading through. "I've got a bit of – well…"

"Is this about your recent lack of enthusiasm in class?"

Hermione sighed in relief and nodded. "Yes. I was just wondering if there was anything I could do to – er – challenge myself more."

The stern woman nodded in understanding. "Yes, I have been putting some thought into it. Forgive me, but this schoolgirl nonsense is a waste of your brains. However, in light of recent events" Hermione knew she referred to the battle that had seriously damaged the castle. "I think there is something you 

could do that would be most helpful, and, I believe, give you a bit of involvement in the reconstruction. Each of us does what we can, but there is a lot to do. I would be most grateful if you would take the position of assistant to the staff. Whether that be marking essays, helping with the patrolling duties, setting lessons, or setting things to right."

Hermione beamed. While she had been thrilled with the prospect of returning to the school and making it her home one last time, this was the answer to the nagging doubt that had been bothering her. Not being a helping hand. This way she would really be able to apply her skills to making a difference. With all that the teachers had done to let the school reopen, she firmly believed they deserved a break and a bit of help.

"That would be brilliant professor."

"Excellent. Come to my class after breakfast, you can start by helping the first years." Beaming, Hermione headed back to Gryffindor tower in high spirits. She was eager to try out her new status, which was… Huh. Determining to give that some more thought, she made for bed.

Ginny looked ridiculous as she gave Hermione a puzzled, thoughtful look while chewing her oatmeal the next morning. Hermione surmised it was something of a cross between Ron gaping with a full mouth and a lazy heifer chewing the cud. A small giggle escaped her at that mental image.

"Something funny?" Luna asked, sliding in next to Hermione, Dean right behind her.

Ginny swallowed and Hermione smiled, shaking her head. "Not sure." Ginny replied. "We're trying to determine exactly where Hermione stands."

"Er…" Dean gave them a look. "Standing where?"

Ginny rolled her eyes and poured herself some more pumpkin juice. "Not literally Dean. How, not where."

Dean looked to Hermione for explanation, but Luna asked a question first. "Is this about your boredom?"



"Yes, it's that. You could tell then?"

"You were bored?" Dean said. Luna patted his hand patronizingly.

"I was Dean, yes. With classes and such." He looked at her as if she had suddenly grown tentacles out of her head and started speaking mermish. She had to admit that, in years past, such an admission would probably mean a trip to the hospital in search of a mental doctor. Hermione Granger loved her classes and did not get bored in school. Not that Hermione anyway. But the new Hermione, post war and searching , was most definitely dissatisfied with her course work.

"So you talked to McGonagall?" Luna prompted. Dean just went to work on his breakfast, apparently deciding that girls and the workings of their mind was a task best left for other girls. Probably a wise choice on is part.

"Yes, after dinner last night. She didn't react exactly like I had expected her to." Meaning she hadn't given Hermione a lecture that rounded out to 'I told you so' and then said she simply would have to live with what she had decided to do. "I'm… well, she said assistant to the staff, but we were trying to think of a proper title when you joined us."

"She'd basically a glorified Head Girl I think." Ginny said, after making the effort to swallow her toast and not copy her older brothers' habits. "I mean, she helps the teachers and is above everyone else, only difference being she won't be a student, not taking classes and all."

"So… Any ideas yet?" Luna asked.

Hermione sighed and took a sip of pumpkin juice. "Assistant to staff just sounds too long and a bit stuffy really. Only, I can't think of anything else." The three girls sat and pondered for a minute, each one ticking off ideas mentally, each really worse than the last. Ginny grinned secretly but berated herself for 'Teacher's Elf', knowing Hermione would not find it funny.

It was Dean who finally piped up. "Why not junior staff? Same thing right?" Luna beamed at him, Ginny looked surprised and Hermione seemed thoughtful.

"That's – really good Dean." He grinned, showing off a bit of sausage and then went back to his plate full. Musing over her new position 'Junior Staff', Hermione gathered her things, waved a quick goodbye, 

and made for the transfiguration classroom. McGonagall was just entering from her office when she walked in.

"Good morning Professor."

"Miss Granger. To begin with, I wanted to outline what exactly your position as assistant to the staff entails. I talked it over with Professors Vector, Sinistra, Hagrid, and Slughorn last night. We agreed that you will indeed have an elevated position, thought not, of course, on equal with the regular staff."

"Junior staff."

"Hmm." McGonagall gave a thoughtful look. "Yes, well put."

"Dean's idea."

The older woman nodded. "Very well then. As a junior staff member you will be able to give detentions, take or give points, avoid such things yourself and have authority over the students. As a former prefect, you know how the rules work. Out of bed or bounds, detention or points off, something more serious usually is a referral to their head of house. I know the rules say no magic in the corridors but we generally let it slide as long as it's not sinister in nature. Cursing, hexing, or jinxing other students is not tolerated, obviously. You will be given your own private room." Hermione began to protest at this point, but McGonagall held up a hand to stop her. "I know you are perfectly all right where you are but it would simply serve to establish your position of authority. Your quarters will be on the sixth floor, just down the stairs from Gryffindor tower and of course your friends my visit at appropriate times. You have no rules to follow according this, they do. Because of your proximity and because the duties of headmistress are, admittedly, much to deal with, I will be giving many head duties to you. I would appreciate the help."

Hermione nodded her agreement. She could see the tired lines that formed around McGonagall's eyes and lips from months of strain and left over from grief. "That sounds good."

McGonagall nodded once, sharply, then handed her a stack of papers. "Now, this is the third years' essays and I would like you to look over them and mark them. I did the first, as a bit of a guide. Of course, the younger they are the less harsh I try to be, and also take into consideration what the essay is on. I trust you are quite capable of doing it. The other teachers will have such things for you as well, 

thought we decided it would be best if you started out with just my class, to let you settle in. The professors are pleased with your decision dear, we all quite agreed that you were wasting your time in class. So, welcome to Hogwarts staff." McGonagall gave her a genuine smile as the students began to enter. "Oh, and you don't have to wear that uniform." Hermione smiled and sat at the corner of McGonagall's desk to read essays.

She knew she drew curious looks from each year as they passed through, but no one asked any questions. Hermione Granger, the Chosen One's best friend, had the right to do whatever she pleased. It wasn't until the next afternoon when the seventh years came through that McGonagall bothered to say anything.

"You may have noticed that Miss Granger is no longer a part of the student body, she now, after deliberation of the staff, has been made a junior staff member. You will address her as Miss Granger unless she gives you permission otherwise, outside of class of course. She does have the authority to give you detention and take away points." The slight edge to her voice left no room for dispute, Hermione was grateful, knowing that the sevenths were the only ones she would have had any sort of trouble with. The sixth were still really too young to have any sort of camaraderie with her. She gave a small smile to the class, stifling a giggle when Ginny gave her quick smile and a mock salute. Contentment soothed her as sense of rightness settled over her.