Thank you to all that commented, and thank you all for the ideas. Been mulling over them and in the next chapter... I think, you can all see which one it might be.

Anyhoo hope you all enjoy and as always - Don't own Harry Potter, nor anything to do with Sigmund Freud.

:D


Minerva was busy setting up for her next class which she had been pleased to find was her third years. Hermione had been bugging her to try something more advanced for this year's subject, and as much as she wanted to give in knowing just how good she was, she had a curriculum to abide by and so told her no.

The small mutters out in the hall told her they were waiting and not being one for tardiness. She waved to the door as it opened, waiting for them to come in she frowned a little when none of them did and so was about to move to see what was holding them when she stopped mid walk as the first one in the class – happened to be the first one she had been wondering about.

Hermione didn't bother saying anything. She went right past bypassing the older woman who had been about to say hello, instead was left with her mouth open slightly as she watched the younger girl make her way to the second row of the desks – something she rarely did which. That straight away had her suspicion's up and watched as she flung her bag to the floor and moodily sat in her seat.

Wondering what had just happened. She remained in her spot just watching until movement by the door had her turning to find the others now following suit. With more confusion she eyed the rest as they made their way into the room – slowly and timidly take their seats. She took note of the fact that no one seemed to be sitting near Hermione much less wanting to be on the same row even Harry and Ron, when they got to class, seemed hesitant to take the chairs next to their friend.

That told her all she needed to know. That and they had Divination first thing. It really didn't take a genius; she sighed and made her way back to the front. It may not have taken a lot to know that something – and judging by the way Hermione were sat, coupled with nobody wanting to be near her – she had something to do with it, she just wished that she might have waited until at least the second week before failing in her promise of being nice.

She made her way to the top of the class and waited until they were all facing her before she began.

"Welcome back. I trust you all had a nice holiday?"

She gave a fleeting glance around room taking a few nods and mumbles before moving on, it wasn't in her schedule to ask any more than that and so proceeded to get on with the topic at hand as she fixed them with her well-known start of lesson look.

"This year we shall be looking at the art of switching. Can anyone tell me what switching is?"

She looked around the room as everyone stayed silent. It shocked her to find that not one person had offered her an answer, and even when most of the looks turned slightly to the left to the only person who would have known from instinct. Even then she still got nothing as Hermione had placed her head on her arms and refused to speak, looking to the front without the barest of movement.

"Seriously, no one in here – a third year class, can give me an answer?"

A few shifted in their seats uncomfortably as her gaze pierced them. It was the first day back and so for a lot of them the concept of learning over the break wasn't an option. Only now since they had returned did they bother to even look at a book – they also had the school encyclopaedia in their class who not only knew everything, answered the questions before they could – or wanted to – saving them from being called upon.

But now that she was in a mood, they had no doubt she already knew the answer, but was refusing to give it. It had been left to them to actually have to think – which was what had them screwed.

Minerva was speechless. She gazed around the silent room in disbelief. Making their discomfort all the more stifling the more she looked at them. "Are you telling me? That out of a class of twenty, not one of you have the answer to as something as easy as telling me what switching is?"

Her shock was slowly fading – replaced with derision as she turned to the two boys who had dared take the seats – two over mind, but who were sitting next to the moody girl.

"Mr Weasley"

Ron snapped his head up, surprise clear on his face at having been called on first as she looked at him. "Perhaps you could give it a go and explain to the class what Switching might be?"

The tall boys sat stumped, his mouth opening a few times before closing as his mind went blank. It actually had been focused on anything other than the lesson and it was showing in the form of the redness that was creeping up his neck and face which she took as a sign that he didn't know and was becoming embarrassed on having the attention directed at him and so shook her head a little before turning to Harry.

"How about you, Mr Potter"

The dark-haired boy gazed at her with more guilt. He hadn't been able to study as much as he would have liked and never got the chance to look at his Transfiguration book as he smiled sheepishly at her and muttered.

"No, sorry Professor" Knowing it had only further disappointed the older woman who sighed again. She had never been more ashamed of a class as she had right now, if she had known that it was going to be bad first day back and dreaded to fear how bad it was going to get the further the year went – she would have made it mandatory for them to do the homework she would have surely given over the break.

Closing her eyes, she turned to the only person who she knew would have the answer. Just from her posture alone it was easy to see the younger girl was in no mood to neither speak nor give any sort of inclination she had acknowledged anyone's existence. But she needed to get on with the lesson and so if she wanted any of them to know just what it was they were going to be learning about she had to ask.

"Miss McGonagall?"

She waited a few seconds, in silence for her to turn her head and look her way. To her annoyance – she didn't and so spoke again. "Miss McGonagall."

The second time was more successful – just. As Hermione slowly turned her gaze from the wall to the older woman her face a picture of silent calm but the storminess in her eyes was clear to see as Minerva coughed a little.

"Perhaps you could be kind enough as to tell the rest of your class whose knowledge it seemed, has become somewhat lax over the holidays. Just what Switching is?"

More awkward shuffling occurred after her harsh berating as Hermione gave her a single once over – still never speaking. Until finally she sighed and replied in a dry, bored tone

"Switching is another sub-type of transformation magic. One of four in the overall art, a physical feature from one of the two targets is switched with that of another, for example – a table and chair can be switched – so the table becomes the chair and the chair, table. Hence its name, it also had to be performed simultaneously in order for it to work."

Minerva smiled as she gave her a small nod. She was pleased that someone had actually bothered to pick up a book over the holidays even if she was there in the same room when she did, before turning to the rest

"I hope you all got that because I won't be asking again." She knew that Hermione had gone back to brooding at the wall and so wouldn't be receptive to another question – not that she was going to make her as it was the rest she was angry at. Her pointed look had the rest scrambling to write down the other girls answer as she waited a few minutes before moving on. She had them split into pairs practising the spell as she watched them move to sit next to their friends or people who might be able to help as Ron latched on to Harry.

The dark-haired boy looked to his other friend who was still sat on her own as no one had been brave enough to want to go near her, not even Neville – who was in dire need of the help went over to ask her though she was the only one out of them all who had the most chance of getting it right first time.

For the most part though Hermione hadn't even noticed that anyone had moved, much less take offence that no one wanted to go near her, which was fine seeing as her mind wasn't on the topic at hand, her gaze was still focused on the wall – her thoughts back in the small, stuffy room which held the other woman.

Who did she think she was? Telling her that she had no proper capacity for magic seeing as she couldn't be bothered staring at an empty cup. The whole subject had no worth and she wasn't deluded enough to actually waste her time on something that was still talked about as being nothing more than a fantasy for the near squibs and no hopes. Anger seeped through her veins at the thought of that woman being a few mere levels up and was still walking around… moving.

What gave her the right to insult her and her family and get away with it? Did she think it going to be a regular occurrence… that she could make remarks like that and think that just because her status as a teacher, she was safe?

No.

She would have to come up with a way… something that wouldn't point back to her, but one way or another, Professor Trelawney had made her last prediction.

Sighing she returned her focus back to the lesson and slowly sat up, she glanced around the room quickly seeing the paired up students before a shadow in front of her had her looking to see the older witch standing in front of her.

"Are you ok on your own?" She asked knowing that she had no choice seeing as there was no one left. Hermione nodded and retrieved her wand from her sleeve.

"I do better without being hindered anyway."

Minerva bit her top lip slightly; she really hated seeing her on her own. Like a kid without friends, but it wasn't that Hermione was friendless – it really was her attitude. Something she would have to speak to her about.

"Ok, you remember the spell?" The other girl nodded, "I'll leave you to it"

The lesson didn't go as bad as she had feared. Granted none had gotten hang of the spell save for the girl who had given them the answer, she had been right when she said having a partner only slowed her down when she come out as the first to master it. Harry faired a little having managed to change one in spite of having Ron as his partner.

Neville – who had partnered with Ernie, had failed miserably. Somehow having managed to get his table to attack him… how she hadn't a clue and frankly didn't want to know as she pulled out her wand and changed the table back to its inanimate state letting the poor boy breathe, as the rest of class packed their things away as the lesson came to an end.

She watched as the rest slowly trickled out one by one eager to get to break before the next class as she called out to them. "Remember, I want a two feet explanation and description on the properties as well as the results of the switching spell!"

She chuckled at the chorus of groans that accompanied them leaving as she noticed from the side Harry and Ron lingering. She turned to them as they saw her before looking to Hermione who had once again returned to her morose staring at the wall before nodding to the door.

"You two are better of waiting outside. Or going to take what break you have before the next lesson"

They looked at her for a second before nodding. Harry tugged on Ron's robe and pulled him to the door as it shut behind them once they had left leaving them alone. She waited until the door had shut completely before turning to the younger girl.

"Really?"

Hermione looked up from her spot, brooding to see the unimpressed look the older woman was giving her and sat up straight.

"In my defence. That woman is a complete idiot."

"Hermione" But the younger girl shook her head. "No... You didn't see her, mum. You didn't see the absolute shite she was spouting."

Minerva whirled around shocked at the usage of the word, "Hermione!" The other girl looked to her,

"What"

"What do you mean what? Where did you learn a word like that?" Hermione pursed her lips for a moment before shrugging. "When we went to Edinburgh… overheard someone say it"

"Well regardless of where you heard it you'll not be saying it again you hear me" She gazed sternly at her as Hermione sighed before nodding. Minerva moved to the table and sat next to her, "Look I am not asking you to like her because Merlin knows that woman tries even the most saintly of people's nerves… and her beliefs are well - not for the most… there not…"

She glanced to the other girl and saw the knowing smirk adorning her face before a scowl appeared over her own. "Oh alright, the woman is infuriating and can push the limits of anyone with an ounce of common sense"

She had to hide her smirk at the snort that escaped the younger girl's mouth.

"That saying. She is a teacher at this school and as long as she is then you need to be mindful of what you say, regardless of what you may think." She turned her head to see a mimicked version of her unimpressed look as she took one of her hands that was on her lap and held it in her own.

"No matter what you think. Can I trust you to keep it to yourself… at least out of earshot if you really have to say something?"

It wasn't like she had much of a choice. She had promised to be nice and she had broken it, it wasn't like she was willingly trying to be mean it was just everyone annoyed her, if they weren't so bloody stupid then maybe her tolerance for them would be higher than what is was now – but as it was she just had to try harder to be kinder.

So nodding she couldn't help but feel a bit happier at seeing the smile on her Mothers face as she leaned in to rest her head on the older woman's shoulder. "Thank you, my dear, I know how taxing some people are and so just knowing that you are trying makes me happy."

She didn't say anything merely nodded her head and was content to just sit there but sounds outside alerted them that Harry and Ron had actually waited outside for her and so she stood from her seat. She gathered her bag from its place by her seat and turned back to the older woman.

"So, see you at dinner?" Hermione nodded and gave her one last hug before being sent on her way for what was left of break as she made her way out to find both boys leaning against the wall opposite the door.

You ok?" Ron asked as she stopped in front of them she nodded and smiled. "Yeah just a little misunderstanding…Trelawney before nothing really" He nodded before looking to them

"So where to now?"

Not really knowing they ended up outside in the courtyard sitting on the stone benches. As she took a book she had been reading out of her bag. "Anything good?"

She looked up to see Harry staring at the book in her hands as she lifted it slightly to show him the cover and his eyes widened a little in surprise as he took in what it was.

"Sigmund Freud?" She smiled and nodded. "Studies on Hysteria, I didn't know you knew who he was" Hermione looked at him.

"He's Muggle" Her eyes narrowed slightly on hearing him say that as she placed her finger in the page and set it on her lap before looking at him. "Of course I do… granted I only found some of his books whilst shopping in Edinburgh and then read up on him a few months ago, I find him a very interesting person to learn about"

He nodded at her explanation but she felt like she hadn't fully made her point. "Plus you're forgetting one thing, Harry."

"What's that?"

"I like to learn… to read, whether or not that person or subject might be Muggle of magical" She stared at him waiting for his response as he gave her a small smile. He turned back to Ron who had started talking about something or another leaving her to get back to reading her book before they had to make a move to the next lesson as they trudged back into the castle.

They were extremely glad to find tat – on reaching the dungeons – Snape wasn't in and so the lesson had been cancelled allowing them two hours free as they quickly turned and all but ran back to the surface as Hermione split off from them and made her way back to the common room. She had been eager to read her books more and so on reaching fat lady's picture she quickly made her way inside and to the shared dorms.

Throwing her bag down she glanced around to find Crooks wasn't around so guessed he was off on is travels as she slumped on the bed and shuffled until she was leaning against the headboard as she pulled the book out again and to the page she had left off at.

Since learning about the Muggle man who had dedicated his life to the study of the mind – ultimately coming to be known as the founding father of psychoanalysis, it had attracted her attention and so had bought a few books of his for some light reading for the nights when she couldn't sleep.

To say he was fascinating was something of an understatement – the man was a genius. She had eagerly read through the first book within three days, moving on to the second straight after. The things he had come up with amazed her, and it was times like that she felt like taking a trip to the Slytherin common room and hitting the purebloods around the head with the books describing Muggle achievements.

There had been an agenda as to why she had these books, the brain on a whole – was something to be studied in her eyes, she found it both ironic and amusing that she had found a subject she enjoyed learning about and once more it involved the mind, not in the same way as it were used in Divination which was probably why she liked it better, no more nonsense about inner bloody eyes in this or the others books – it was so complex and she couldn't help but get sucked into how it worked, she wanted to learn all she could about it and so on coming across the books she had to have them.

She had also, been experimenting – another thing that had garnered her interest was spells – how they worked and how to create them which was what she had been reading up on those times in the garden and in the company of Addie as he was the only one to know she had researched and writing up on how to make her own which she was determined to succeed at… she just couldn't help but think something was missing, something important that would add to the components of what information she already did have.

Sometime later a small pressure on her stomach had her waking as she looked around wondering what it was and found herself face to nose with a furry, whiskered one as Crookshanks had jumped on her waking her up as he returned for his afternoon nap.

She sat up straighter as he perched on her lap and idly wondered what time it was, she glanced at the small clock on her side drawer and nearly choked, it was almost time for next lesson. Meaning she had slept for those two free hours and then most of lunch. She looked back to the cat that was brushing up against her body as she wiped away the sleep from her eyes and hurriedly placed him on her pillow as she stood up.

Snatching up her bag she riled through and pulled out her timetable. Looking down she saw that they had care of magical creatures – something new… that also meant getting that horrid book she had come to know about on opening the box given to her and almost getting jumped by the arachnid looking hardback as it tried to make its escape.

She shut the lid back over and was all for burning the disgusting looking thing but knew that if she did that then not only would it be burning a book – something akin to heresy n her eyes though it was hideous, Hagrid – who had given it to her would take it personally and so would her Mother and so had kept it locked safely away in her trunk as she reached in for it and gingerly pulled it from its confines.

The box rattled as the creature book inside felt itself being moved and she wrinkled her nose in distaste at the sounds it made before shrinking it and placing it in her robe bag as she threw on her cloak and made for the door, with it being a new lesson it made her both excited and apprehensive about what it was they would be learning. Having spent time with the large man – she had come to slowly realize that all things big - not including himself was what he liked best and so with that knowledge in mind, and with it being his first day teaching – he would want to make a good first impression.

She made her way out of the tower and back down the stairs on her way outside. She just hoped that whatever it was he did have planned; it wouldn't be something that could, in his tendency to get over excited, backfire on him as it had done in the past – Norbert being just one example.

But they would just have to wait and see as she slipped out the large double doors and into the courtyard, she smirked a little as she thought about this new lesson compared to that of her first and already hated one with the dramatic bug woman hidden in her tower, as she saw a few other Gryffindor's who were making their way down to the class.

Even with books that tried to cause bodily harm which left little doubt about just what the new subject held for them during the coming year with a half giant who thought super-sized was super cute. She couldn't help but think this lesson already had beat Divination even with the slight unease she felt.

And nobody needed a crystal ball to realize that.