Maia watched the wizards and witches file out of the court room, while she remained in her seat out of shock. Hermione had cleared the case so quickly, Maia had been expecting days of interrogation, seeing as she had been removed from her home and locked in a room for days on end.

Hermione walked over to her, and took the young girl's hands in her own, looking grave. "I'm so very sorry that you didn't get to know your parents Maia. They sounded like wonderful people, and I know from watching my friend just how hard it is living without family." Maia nodded, throat tight, unable to portray her thanks to the woman in front of her.

"What's going to happen now?" she asked Hermione, a tinge of fear in her voice.

"Well, you'll be enrolled in a magical institution, most probably Hogwarts as its British. The council may try to place you elsewhere due to lack of places, and as you are not living with family, however I'll do my very best to make sure that doesn't happen. I'm sure you would feel happier closer to your friends." Maia nodded again, feeling silly for her lack of voice, but the circumstances made it permissible.

Finally finding her legs, Maia got up and walked with Hermione out of the room. The Minister stood outside the door, and turned to face the impressionable witch that had gained Maia's respect.

"Weasley, dinner at your house still on then?" he asked. Maia's brow furrowed, but she made not comment.

"Yes Malfoy. Do try to turn up on time, and don't you dare bring another bouquet of Fanged Geranium , Ron was bitten 3 times the last time!" Hermione replied in a scolding voice, yet the smile on her face that caused her eyes to crinkle showed she wasn't angry at all. "I know Scorpius is coming. But will Astoria be joining us tonight?"

The minister nodded his affirmation. "Astoria hasn't got a shoot today, so she'll be able to join us for dinner. I expect to see your famous caramel tart Weasley, I don't come to these dinners just for fun." The minister chuckled before walking off, no doubt to do something important.

Hermione looked down at Maia, and grinned. "Never thought I'd be friends with a Malfoy, but surprising how things turn out eh?" Maia nodded, though she had no idea what Hermione was talking about; the young girl simply felt it would be easier to go along with what the witch was saying.

Maia saw the dragon fountain through an archway, so instinctively moved towards it, assuming that she would be heading home through the fireplace again. However, Hermione gently tugged her down a different route.

"Unfortunately, you're starting Hogwarts in your 5th year, the year where you complete your O.W.L.s" Hermione informed her. "So you've got quite a bit of catching up to do."

Maia felt somewhat disappointed that a world of magic and witches still had exams, but nodded nonetheless. But then something dawned on her.

"How exactly am I meant to catch up on five years of content in less than a month's time?" she asked Hermione in a bewildered tone. She could just imagine the humiliation she would feel if she either had to be in a year group with the 11 year olds just starting school, or if she was deemed as completely stupid for not knowing anything by the people in her own year group.

"It's not an often used method, not really liked, but I suppose we'll have to stretch your mind so that you can absorb information easier," Hermione answered. Maia threw her a shocked look, to which she quickly reassured "I mean figuratively. We'll use witchcraft to broaden your mind."

Maia let out a breath of relief.

"That's good. If we're gonna stretch anything literally, it'll be my height." The nervous girl's poor attempt at a joke wasn't missed by Hermione, who smiled good-humouredly at her.

"I think your height is sweet. Like a little pixie." At Maia's scrunched face, Hermione laughed, throwing her head back. Maia once again was struck by the beauty and elegance of the woman in front of her.

They stopped in front of a door with Maia giggling (in a completely un-Maia-like manner) at Hermione's story of when she had to help her friends put Cornish Pixies back in their cage because they're useless Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher couldn't do it. Hermione rapped her knuckles against the wooden door, and the walked in prompted by an "Enter", followed by Maia.

Inside was a library of grandeur. Maia's eyes popped out of her skull as she stared around at the vast shelves of thick leather-bound books. Sunlight streamed in through a skylight, various window seats by the windows of the large walls. Where this ministry was, Maia was unsure, because the entire place seemed to be huge – too huge not to be noticed by normal people.

A white haired old lady, with a kind look on her face, stood behind a desk that was placed just left of the door. "Mrs Weasley, what can I do for you today?" she asked.

"Hello Muriel. We just need to decided which books young Maia will have to study over the summer, thank you. But first…" Hermione stalked over to a shelf, finding the book she needed straight away it seemed and mumbling to herself, seeming very comfortable in the large library. Maia figured the woman liked to spend much time in this room that smelt of paper and lavender.

Maia was snapped out of her thoughts as Hermione snapped the book shut. Walking over to Maia, she pulled the young girl to a red leather sofa, and sat her down. Hermione loomed over Maia and took out a stick, which Maia figured was her wand.

"Now, this might sting a little. Try to stay still."

Maia gulped, trepidation flooding her body.

"Animo tractum" Hermione stated, tapping Mai once on her forehead, and twice on the crown of her head with the tip of her want. Maia then proceeded to feel something akin to a minor migraine, and wrinkled her face in discomfort. However, the pain receded after a few seconds. Maia didn't feel different at all.

"Now, the spell's in place. Every day, you will be escorted back and forth between your home and the ministry. If all goes well, you will be able to retain all the information you study over the course of the summer. I do hope you'll work hard" Hermione stretched her arms a little, and then escorted Maia to a round table near a window.

"This will be where you will sit each day. We'll make sure this area is left untouched so you may leave the books and notes you make here, ready to continue the next day". Maia sat down as Hermione wandered away.

Staring out of the window, Maia felt excitement, wondering what exactly this new world would have in store for her. She was basically living every fan-girls dream, and she was going to make the most of it; she was going to study till her brains fell out of her ears.

Hermione placed a stack of books in front of Maia, along with a notebook and bird feather.

"You'll have to try and get used to writing with a quill and ink-well" Hermione informed, showing Maia the little pot of ink.

Maia examined the spines of the books in front of her.

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk

A History of Magic by Hannah Abbot

Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling

A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

One Thousand and One Magical Herbs and Fungi by Neville Longbottom

Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

"Those are the books the first years study. If you manage to get through two of those books by the 5 o'clock, you can come to my house for dinner today" Hermione winked at Maia, pointing to the clock strategically placed above the window, which read 10:13am. "Do try to, it'd be good for you to be introduced to the kids. They go to Hogwarts, and can prepare you somewhat."

Maia picked The Standard Book of Spells up, dipped her quill in ink, and began studying; she realised that this would be her summer for the year.