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Chapter 7: Dear Professor

Dear Professor McGonagall,

I would like to ask for your assistance as my Head of House in a personal matter that I do not want to be discussed with any of my housemates or fellow peers.

It might surprise you to learn that I have been a practitioner of Kendo since a very young age, under the tuition of my Grandpère. During the summer holidays I regularly train at the Université Angers with the elite Kendo club there. Recently during the summer break I was called upon to represent the UK at the World Cup in Paris as a junior member of the team.

As a result of my World Cup performance I have qualified as an eligible competitor for the next Six Nations Kendo tournament, which is being held over the Christmas break. Due to the family dynamics and the location of Hogwarts in comparison to my family home it was possible for me to declare for two of the UK home nations and I ended up declaring for my father's nation, Scotland.

While I am not currently on the team for Scotland, I would need to greatly improve my fitness to make the selection camp performance grading, which is being held over the October Long Weekend. It is a great honour to be declared eligible and I would like to take this opportunity to see if I can be selected to represent Scotland.

To make sure that I am able to put my best performance in, I will need your assistance and that of the Headmaster to attend an elite Kendo club session three times a week at the University of Glasgow for sparring practice. This would include an all-day practice session on Saturdays and two evenings during the week. In addition to the attendance at the Kendo club, I will also need to increase my physical fitness through a number of methods, but primarily for stamina, I need to swim.

Currently to my knowledge there is nowhere local to Hogwarts that has access to an Olympic length swimming pool. I do not think it is appropriate to consider the Black Lake a suitable alternative to an indoor facility, as I do not want to battle hypothermia. I need this pool length as it is part of the exercise programme for the hyperbaric fitness technique. The University of Glasgow sporting facilities have a swimming pool that is suitable and as a member of the University Kendo Club, I would be able to access these facilities. Where I need your help is that I need permission so that I am able to leave the grounds twice a day for training purposes.

Besides swimming training, I can use the Room of Requirement for an appropriate gymnasium to do the requisite hours of daily training that I would need on top of the swimming requirements. I will also require assistance in negotiating with the house elves to get an appropriate diet to support my training metabolic needs.

As you are aware, I have a history of being able to handle an increased workload and since I am not doing the same number of subjects as when I had the time turner, I was wondering if I could get your support with this matter.

If you would like any further information please don't hesitate to contact my father or myself.

Regards,

Hermione J Granger

oOoOo

"Well, Albus, it appears that we have another muggle elite athlete attending Hogwarts who we knew nothing about. We really should do something about providing a physical education programme," advised Professor McGonagall. She was quite pleased that the girl was aiming to represent her own home nation.

"But, Minnie, the girl will require the supervision of a teacher while she is off on these jaunts," countered Dumbledore.

"Oh, don't be such a hypocritical wizard. You know you have the Triwizard tournament and Krum has asked for similar access to training facilities.

"Additionally, I am pretty sure I can find some other members of the Order of the Phoenix who would be able to support this training programme. Just because you cannot see any other sport than Quidditch, at least recognise that there are others out there," she huffed at him.

oOoOo

Dear Miss Granger,

I have spoken to Professor Dumbledore and he has agreed to support your endeavours for the Six Nations. I understand that before your return to Hogwarts, you will be staying at the Burrow and will attend the Quidditch World Cup with the Weasley family. I propose that before you leave for the Cup grounds, I visit you at the Burrow to clarify some of the issues.

oOoOo

"Good Afternoon, Molly. Thanks for helping with this matter," advised Professor Minerva McGonagall as she knocked on the kitchen door.

"Certainly. I understand that the Aurors wanted to meet the Trio, especially if they are providing additional security support during the Quidditch final tomorrow"

"Where are they at the moment?" asked Molly's old classmate, Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"The boys will be up in the paddock playing Quidditch and I suppose that I'll find Hermione somewhere here in the house with her nose in a book," advised Molly.

"Do you think you can call Miss Granger down for us, Molly, and she can lead us to the Quidditch pitch?" suggested Nymphadora Tonks, who was Kingsley's Auror partner.

Molly called up the stairs and in response Hermione quickly came clattering down the stairs. Looking in the direction of the kitchen where Molly was pottering round, she made sure that the Professor was not going to discuss her request in the Burrow.

"Hello, Professor McGonagall. Did you have a good holiday?" she politely asked.

"Yes, I did. I would like to introduce Kingsley Shacklebolt and Nymphadora Tonks from the Auror office. Do you think we can go up towards the Quidditch field?" the Professor intoned, indicating that it was a good idea to follow so that they could have their talk.

About halfway up the hill to the practice field there was a seating area. Sitting down in the shade, Kingsley Shacklebolt cast a privacy charm so their conversation could not be overheard.

"I understand, Miss Granger, you are a Kendoka," stated Kingsley.

"Yes, I am. I've been training with my Grandpère since I was six. I had already started on other forms of martial arts at a younger age in preparation but Grandpère did not feel that I had the correct mental attitude to start until I was 6. My Grandpère was initially trained in Karate-do by The Cat,"

"So your Grandpère trained with The Cat. Are we talking about Jitsumi Gōgen Yamaguchi?" the dark skinned Auror asked for confirmation.

"That's correct. I attended some lessons with him when he would visit at the university club. There was so much more for me to learn from him but he was a considerable age when he died in 1989," advised the witch.

"So, actually, how many forms of martial arts have you studied?" the interested Auror asked curiously in his rich, baritone voice,

"Closely I would say two but I have also dabbled in other styles so I could learn new techniques and approaches. Now, can I ask why this is such an interest to you, Sir, when I thought I would be talking to the Professor about organizing my training schedule?" queried Hermione, who wanted to understand what was going on.

"To support your heavy training schedule that you outlined would normally be very difficult. However, there is an event going on this year at the school that is not yet common knowledge, where there is a visiting student who has the similar needs as yours. Basically they are in training and need to maintain their elite athlete fitness. Due to this person's celebrity status the Aurors office is providing a protection detail led by Kingsley here," advised Professor McGonagall.

"Also we would be willing to support your training endeavours if you spar and train with Aurors who are also members of the Order of the Phoenix," advised Kingsley.

"I am not a qualified trainer and I have only been doing light training since I started at Hogwarts. There is much I have forgotten but if you want some practice we can practice together," the young witch quietly acquiesced.

"I'm fully comfortable about the celebrity knowing the full details about my training. You may call me a swimmer, as I have to be in the pool twice a day. If you do tell them the full details, I would prefer that you swear them to a wand oath. I've never shared this part of my life with the Weasleys as they would never understand, and Harry, like everyone else in Hogwarts, sees me as the bookworm," was the calm request.

Tonks looked at the surprising girl. "I can see how you give that impression but you use it for cover, like I use my clumsiness. Professor, how many of the staff will know about the girl's training?"

"That's a good question, Auror Tonks, as I see that it could be a loose conversation between two staff members who are more likely to spread my personal life through the school. There are certain members of staff who are known for their gossiping habits," stated the student.

"Miss Granger, unfortunately, those sentiments are correct," agreed the Professor.

"From my point of view, we keep it as an Order need-to-know secret. Those who need to know in the Order know, and everyone else doesn't," advised Kingsley.

"Come, let's go and get these Quidditch players and get back to the house," suggested the Professor as Kingsley dropped the privacy charms.