Hello everybody (Hi Dr Nick) Thanks to Imagen99 for all your help, now that i can actually work the DocX thing you can really beta it (Sorry if i've missed anything, Im a real clutse) :D Much, Much, much obliged. Thank you to all the people that have reviewed and favourited this story. I think i have gotten back to you all but if not... very sorry (If your that bothered you can send me another review ;) tehe, cheeky much.

Disclaimer... ive said it already.

Hermione Granger sat at Gryffindor table with her friends; Yes, Friends. Harry Potter and Ron Weasly, the two boys from the train compartment had apologised profusely at once back in the common room. Harry, a thin boy with scraggly black hair and impressively green eyes had been uncommonly kind and she had liked him instantly. Now though his impressively green eyes were absorbing fun facts as he shuffled through his chocolate frog cards absentmindedly. He was done with his breakfast unlike Ronald who continued to shovel food into his face with outrageous speed. Hermione had not been so sure about this boy. He was very sarcastic and didn't seem too eager to share his famous friend but both Ron and Hermione were coming around to one another.

It was surprisingly warm for this time of year in the Scottish highlands and Hermione could feel in her bones... today was going to be a spectacular day. Though it was only the morning after the events of Halloween, for the first time in the girl's school life she was socialising with people her own age and actually enjoying it. She didn't feel uncomfortable or threatened; she was an equal part of this newly formed trio, a trio she hoped would last. Already, on their way to the great hall Ron had defended her from Malfoy's slurs against her blood status and it seemed to have done the trick. No, the ginger haired wizard was not very good at magic however he was loud mouthed enough to startle the bully boy Slytherin into a swift exit. Ron had definitely warmed to Hermione after she gave him a thank you hug for his chivalry.

It had taken longer than usual to arrive at breakfast. Having people to talk to on the way really tamed her usual frantic pace. Harry had made her laugh; as they neared the great oak doors he had closed his eyes and followed his nose towards the stacked platters of piping hot food.

The three kept up their comfortable conversing whilst filling their stomachs; Harry and Hermione between mouthfuls, Ron exuding muffled grunts through his overly stuffed chops. Hermione was the first to finish eating. Although the value of a large and sustaining breakfast had been drummed into her head by her mother she had eaten in excess at last nigghts common room feast. Pulling out her Charms book, she was surprised that the ordinary response, a loud and disapproving groan had been replaced by a light-hearted and friendly one. I could get used to this she thought happily.

Up at the head table the teachers were conversing jovially, all except for professor Quirell who was eyeing Professor Snape dejectedly whilst pushing his food around his plate. There was a symphony of screeches from above as the morning post arrived. Masses of paper wrapped parcels fell from above into the awaiting clutches of the Hogwarts students.

Nothing ever really came for Hermione and so she continued to read her book, only looking up when the sunlight returned to the great hall. The tremendous flock of varying owls no longer blocking it's warm beams out with the span of their beating wings. Gentle chatter was struck up again throughout the hall but it only lasted for a few minutes before an intrigued hush swept over the entire student body.

"Harry…" both Harry and Hermione looked up at Ron and smiled as his sausage fell off of his fork into his lap. He wasn't looking at them however and so they followed his gaze up towards the top window.

Hedwig, Harry's beautiful snowy owl swooped down towards them carrying a long thin package in her talons. Everyone knew what was concealed behind that paper and the excitement, especially that of his fellow Gryffindors grew to a tremendous level as Harry's package was placed (not dropped as the other packages had been. Hedwig was a very gentle and loving creature, preferring to present a package to her master rather than drop it on him which Hermione, being sat next to Harry, was very thankful of.) onto the dark wood of the ancient school table in front of Harry Potter.

"Harry…" Ron's eyes were wide, his blue irises shining wildly against the clearly visible white. "Open it… Open It!" He continued to stare at the package muttering inaudible words under his breath, his hearty breakfast readily forgotten. Harry was equally excited and elbowed Hermione who was looking elsewhere.

"Help me?" Ron definitely didn't need to be asked twice and almost demolished the array of plates and cutlery to get to the string tying the wrappings around the hilt of what was obviously a broom stick.

There was a collective gasp as Ron revealed the golden characters painted onto the far edge of the handle.

"It's a nimbus… it's a Nimbus 2000!"


At the head table Albus was continuing his argument with Poppy from yesterday. Poppy looked to be getting irate at the old wizard, her skin becoming flushed and her fists tightening.

"Albus, it is a well known fact. A tiger would win!"

"But Poppy, Lions have those brilliantly threatening manes. I know from first hand experience…" He reached up and flicked his long white beard over his shoulder to join the large amount of white hair falling untied down his back. "I don't know what it is but people find such long and wonderfully silky locks frightening. I am sure I've gotten out of many a fight because; compared to my opponent I had the superior beard." He smiled at Poppy who continued to fume.

"Everyone knows that the males, who have manes are useless. It is the lionesses, who don't have manes, that are the providers for a pride. A tiger, being larger in size generally and sporting canines that can grown to ten centimetres in length would easily take a lion."

Filius who was listening silently remembered something that a young muggleborn had said to him a few weeks back.

"Miss Granger told me that in some Zoos they have been doing Lion Tiger interbreeding. To produce Ligers and Tigons. Apparently they are amazingly large with white sandy stripes."

Albus Dumbledore clapped his weather beaten hands over his gaping mouth.

"Surely Filius, you speak in jest..."

The convocation was there interrupted as a strange hush came over the crowded hall. Everyone's attentions were focused on the large owl that was flying gracefully trough the top window. Minerva, who was on Albus' right hand side gave a loud tut.

"What is it my dear?" Albus leant towards her slightly, still keeping his twinkling eyes on the package that had just been delivered.

"I told Hagrid Not to send it at breakfast. I certainly didn't want a scene like this." She shook her head displeased but disguised her unease as the snowy white owl flew over to her and landed by her plate. She reached out with her long, willowy fingers and stroked Hedwig's sharp beak. The bird nipped affectionately at the end of her digit and weaved if feathered head happily.

"What's that?" Minerva pointed out of the window making a pleasing distraction so she could steal a piece of bacon from Albus' plate to give to the waiting bird. Having had this trick pulled many times on him by the stern witch Albus knew better than to give the window more than a glance.

"Min!" He grumbled as he watched last piece of bacon be snapped up in that shiny black beak. Minerva gave him an apologetic smile, careful not to let it sit to long or the students might start their rumours again. It was ridiculous, she couldn't even smile at her friend without later hearing a whispered and very dramatic alternate life that some student or other had created for her. Some were shockingly scandalous but then it was to be expected in a place such as Hogwarts with so many gossiping teens that knew so little about her.

"It's not like you needed it. You have already consumed enough this morning to appease a Tiglon."

"Tigon…" Filius corrected her. All the staff were now looking back to Harry potter as he opened his broomstick from its wrappings. 'it's a Nimbus 2000!' the youngest Weasly shouted causing one or two members of staff to turn and look at Minerva who didn't notice, she kept her eyes on her new seeker and his friends.

"The tactics of the woman!" Severus mock glared at the side of her head. "Not all of us are rich enough to buy our quidditch team the fastest broom yet. Headmaster there is surely some rules about this." Minerva sighed dramatically before leaning across the Headmaster and said

"I think you will find Severus… that there isn't. And it isn't the whole quidditch team, just the youngest seeker in a century that doesn't have anyone else to buy him a broom. I doubt the poor lad has much of his own after having to live with those foul Muggles, who obviously didn't care for him and neglected the boy." Albus felt that the last bit was directed the last bit was directed at him but remained silent.

"More tactics! Come on people, don't you see. She's trying to tug on our heart stings! The nerve of some people." He was trying to rally up the other heads of house but was failing miserably as they didn't seem to care in the slightest. Only he thought it a grave injustice to his house and so he gave one last glare before returning to his breakfast.

"Maybe if he didn't spend all his money on hair care potion he might have enough to get his team some decent brooms"

"I heard that!"

Down at the Gryffindor table Hermione watched their head of house closely. As she had been the only one of the three of them, maybe in the entire hall that had watched as Hedwig landed on the head table in front of their transfiguration teacher. Everyone else had been to admiring/envious/excited to pay much attention to anything but Potter and his new toy. Hermione elbowed Harry in the ribs, shocking him out of the trance he had been under and looked towards her with a puzzled face.

"Who do you think it was?" He was a little chocked up having never received a gift like this. He wanted to find whoever was responsible for his new found happiness and hug the life out of them.

"It was Professor McGonagall." Maybe not he thought; he doubted she hugged anyone, never mind a student. Harry looked up the great hall and eyed the woman intrigued. She was chortling quietly with the rest of the faculty over something and he couldn't help but think right now she looked somewhat more huggable than she normally did but Harry wasn't sure if that was him talking or his gift. Suddenly she looked up catching his eye and holding his gaze; not knowing what to go he smiled his shy, crooked smile at her feeling embarrassed at not knowing what he was supposed to do next. Minerva replied with a small incline of the head releasing him by looking away. Her eyes moved to the seat next to him where Hermione Granger was beaming at her with the biggest grin she could have mustered. The deputy head felt a warm feeling growing in her belly and went back to her toast and jam.


There was a soft knock on the door of Minerva McGonagall's office. Her reaction was to agitatedly drop the administrative work she had been doing for Professor Dumbledore and rub her weary eyes. After last night's sleep or lack there of she was feeling run down and ready to fall asleep slumped unceremoniously over her desk. While not a regular occurrence it was not a particularly peculiar one either; Albus, who would always check that she was not still working before he himself went to bed, would be greeted with the sight of Minerva passed out in her office two or three times a year. His reaction had always been to smile sadly before levitate her through to her rooms and she had always been grateful for the act of kindness. Sleeping the entire night in that position often made for a painfully achy morning. Although, she did feel somewhat that it was owed to her since Albus was always palming his Headmaster's duties onto her already full to-do list.

"Come in." Minerva pursed her lips and examined her hands sleepily. After about thirty seconds the door creaked open. She was quite surprised to see Hermione Granger peep her head round the door. Her nose was crinkled into a questioning expression.

"Did you say come in?" Hermione smiled shyly and entered further at her teachers nod. "Sorry, I think I might be deaf from all of Ron's screaming." she scuttled over to the chair in front of the large wooden desk and looked up at her teacher expectantly. Later, on reflection Hermione had been ashamed of herself. This morning she had vowed that she would not let her fear of Professor McGonagall effect her anymore, especially if it was going to have an effect on her studies which no doubt it would as her professor, when on good terms, had allowed her to work ahead and helped her to excel.

"That is quite alright Miss Granger. What is it that I can help you with?"

"Well, I know Harry hasn't had the opportunity to get away from the rest of the quidditch team yet and… I know he will be along to thank you himself but I wanted to say thank you anyway." McGonagall nodded her head in acknowledgement with a small smile tugging on her lips. Hermione also wanted to thank her professor for her actions the previous night but couldn't find the words. Instead she looked about the office as had become custom when she didn't know what else to say. Minerva observed with a small smile, there was a while were they sat in comfortable silence in which she was about to begin with her work again but couldn't with the girl just sat there; she was not Filius Flitwick and did not enjoy being overseen by anybody if she could help it.

"Was there anything else Miss Granger?" Her teacher said kindly taking up her quill again. After sending a short glance at the large pile of papers on the desk Hermione spoke.

"Yes, but I can come back when you are not so busy. I wouldn't want to put you behind it's just there is something I don't understand in my textbook." Minerva to eyed the pile. To tell the truth she was doing it to get ahead, there really was no need to do it now but she couldn't help but feel reluctant at abandoning it. Seeing this Hermione shot her a smile.

"Maybe I could come and see you about it tomorrow?"

"Yes Miss Granger that would be much more agreeable." By then she would have completed this tedious talk and would be far enough ahead to give some time to her first year Gryffindor. Hermione nodded once more and hopped of her seat.

"Thank you Professor" Hermione practically skipped out of the door without waiting for a reply. Odd, Minerva thought before turning hatefully to her paperwork.


Albus Dumbledore walked quickly and quietly. The candles that lined the hallowed halls of Hogwarts had started to extinguish themselves and the first of many house elves had come up from the kitchens to begin cleaning the classrooms. He stepped in time with the ticking of his ever exuberant mind as he pondered many things at once, everything and nothing. Today he wore a lovely pair of red robes with a golden trim, though being Headmaster he was not to show preference to any house he would never abandon his Gryffindor roots. Minerva would aprove.

He had not seen her since dinner, which was odd as she did not have afternoon classes on a Tuesday to occupy her time and would usually be found in the staff room, good and ready for a chess match or, if the day had taken a lot out of her, a card game. That was why he was on his way to her office having already checked her rooms to find them unoccupied.

In a short time he was outside the panelled wooden door about to knock when he heard a sound from within. A sliver of bright light was shining from the room into the now dimly lit corridor alerting the headmaster that the door was slightly ajar. With lines of curiousness etched into his brow the door was pushed open gently, not squeeking as it had been charmed to by Minerva, keeping silent while the wizard muttered a strong silencio under his breath.

Neither witch looked up as the door opened, they were to engrossed in what they were doing; neither did they know the wonderous scene they presented to the entering wizard. Minerva McGonagall sat at her desk, fingers swiping speedily over a fourth year transfiguration text book, thin lips twitching slightly as she read. Reading over her shoulder stood Hermione Granger reaching over Minerva to point at the final chapter with a concerned expression on her little face. The older witch hastily read to where the girl was pointing and nodded, raising her eyebrow disapprovingly.

"You are indeed correct Miss Granger, I will be in touch with the publisher. Ever since they replaced people with that blasted self check spell the abundance of both grammatical and conceptual mistakes has increased exponentially. I shall read through all the transfiguration text books that have been updated this year when I have some spare time, no doubt this is not the only mistake to be found." Hermione held her bottom lip between her teeth, eyes opening wide.

"Oh, Professor I didn't mean to cause you more work. I did try to work it out myself but just ended up very confused, the text contradicts itself on so many occasions I couldn't sift through it on my own." Albus Dumbledore smiled at the twinge of disapointment that appeared in deep brown eyes, she was so much like his friend; perhaps too much.

"Miss Granger, My fourth years wouldn't have notice the mistake at all, never mind being able to disifer what was Lovelliah Kempley's Transfiguration theory and what was Tabius Wespurt's Hypothersis of changing matter. You were right to come to me." Looking more pleased Hermione looked up from the book.

"Professor Dumbledore." She nodded, shocked at his sudden apearence. Minerva looked up only for a second before looking back to the book.

"Miss Granger, how are you this evening?"

"Good thank you Sir. I like your robes. Very Gryffindor." She smiled, top lip curling over her slightly to large front teeth. Albus gave her a wink before giving a little twirl.

"and what do you think Professor McGonagall? Gryffindor enough?"

"Yes Professor Dumbledore they are strikingly Gryffindor, what brings you here? Is there something wrong?" Albus was not put of by her flat, almost bitter tone. She was obviously still angry at the bad layout, grammar and wording of this years new textbook.

"No no my dear, nothing is wrong. I was just looking to see what had detained my chess partner." Hermione cupped both hands over her mouth.

"Oh dear, I'm very sorry Sir, Professor I didn't know you…"

"Do not worry yourself Hermione, mine and Professor Dumbledore's chess games are neither scheduled nor are they particularly enthralling. He is a terrible chess player" The last bit was said with a mischievous smile. One which Albus was very used to but Hermione not so much, she didn't comment on it however. "It is getting on a bit though. Perhaps you should be on your way back to the common room Miss Granger."

"Yes Prefessor. Thank you so much for your help. Good evening Sir" Hermione smiled her goodbyes, hastily gathering her things and exiting the office, pulling the door, which now creaked loudly, shut behind her.

"Why is your first year reading three years ahead Minerva?"

"A week back we began discussing the principals of Inanimate-Animate transfiguration. There is a very brief synopsis available in the first years text book, naturally the girl wanted a broader understanding. I recommended the fourth year text book as that is when the knowledge she sought is actually needed." the witch sighed, carefully tidying her desk back to it's original pristine condition. When Minerva looked up at her friend, confusion grew in her gut at the face he was pulling at her.

"What?"

"You called her Hermione" he said smugly holding in a laugh as her face hardened.

"No I did not! I don't call any of our students by their first names." Not in front of anyone anyway.

"Somebody has gone soft." He trilled in sing-song tune. Instead of waiting for her anger to flare up again he chose to follow Miss Granger's departure out of the door.

"Gone soft" She muttered, shaking her head. Minerva McGonagall had not gone soft. 'Yet' a voice echoed within her head.

Thanks for reading. Christmas is coming to Hogwarts soon :D