A/N: Thank you all so much for all of the kind words you've already sent my way about this story. I really appreciate it!


It took awhile for Hermione to compose herself, but the tears finally dried and she picked herself up from the floor to settle into the chair set near the head of the bed, obviously in place of the bedside table which had been moved a few feet to the left. Thinking back to when she first saw the castle she conjured a Patronus to inform Harry she wouldn't make it to lunch. She knew he would spread the word to everyone else. The same copy of Transfiguration Weekly that she'd started to read to Minerva -Minerva? No. McGonagall- sat on the nightstand next to the newest issue. She smiled at Dumbledore's thoughtfulness and picked up the earlier copy, continuing where she had left off.

She had just started on the latest issue when she heard somewhat of a commotion coming from the other room. Frowning, she set down the magazine and headed out. She was greeted by a slightly annoyed Headmaster stumbling past the portrait as it swung closed and hit him in the ass.

"And your mother, too!" He yelled at the back of Godric's portrait.

Hermione stared open mouthed at the man brushing dust off his robes with a smile on his face. He seemed to finally realize she was there and grinned even bigger. "Ah! Miss Granger! I see you made it in just fine." He grimaced theatrically. "I would like to apologize once more for the deception earlier, but I really did have important business I needed to attend to."

Hermione smiled shyly. "Thank you. I do appreciate you getting me in to see her. Although, she doesn't look much better."

Dumbledore sighed. "No, my dear. I'm afraid we still don't know exactly what's wrong or how we can help. That's actually something I want to speak with you about." He snapped his fingers, summoning two house elves. He quickly ordered a light lunch and then dismissed them. "Won't you have a seat?"

A brief look of annoyance flashed across Hermione's face at Dumbledore's curt dealing with the house elves, but she schooled her features quickly. "Of course. Thank you for ordering lunch. I hadn't realized how hungry I was getting."

They sat in silence for the food to arrive. Dumbledore thanked the elves who brought their lunch, then settled back into his chair. "What are your plans for the summer, Miss Granger?"

Startled, Hermione almost dropped the sandwich she had been about to bite into. "Er, I'm not sure yet, sir. I usually spend the summer studying my books for the next year, unless my parents have a trip planned. And you, sir?"

Dumbledore seemed amused to be asked. "Very similar plans for me, usually. Studying the books for next term." His eyes twinkled as he winked at her. "However, I believe this year will be quite a bit different as I am not sure what our teaching situation will look like." He glanced towards the door to McGonagall's bed chamber. "I will likely spend much of my summer discreetly searching for a possible replacement."

Hermione bit her lip, determined not to cry. "Is there anything I can do to help? Obviously I know I can't teach, but is there something I could assist with to get things ready for whoever might be taking over for Professor McGonagall?"

"Well, now that you mention it…" With a flourish, he pulled out a piece of parchment from his robes, accompanied by an envelope that was obviously of Muggle design. "I spoke with Poppy and she is still very upset that I refuse to let Minerva be transported to St. Mungo's and she insists Minerva needs round the clock care that she cannot provide. So, my question to you, Miss Granger, is if you would be willing to stay here in the castle for the summer. You would still have plenty of time to study, but you could do so while keeping Minerva company."

Hermione couldn't keep her jaw from dropping and she stammered as she tried to answer. "Oh! Um y-yes? Maybe? I, uh, I don't know?" She took a deep breath to calm herself. "Are you sure that's a good idea, sir? I wouldn't have any idea how to care for her. What if she wakes up? What about my parents?"

Another kind smile graced the old man's lips as he handed over the two items. "I've already spoken with your parents and they agree with me, but they did also write you a letter. Poppy has assured me she is still planning on caring for Minerva medically, but she can't sit with her often. I assure you, my dear, I have thought this through. All that we await now is your consent. Please think about it seriously, but I would very much like an answer by the feast tonight so that arrangements can be made."

"Yes."

"Don't you want to think about this?"

Hermione almost laughed. "No, I don't. If my parents have already agreed, and you're sure this is the best option, then I'm on board."

"Hmmmm…." Professor Dumbledore gazed over his half moon spectacles until Hermione squirmed. "Well then, I suppose that's settled. There is a guest room here in Minerva's quarters that you are welcome to use. If that isn't satisfactory I can easily set up the Head Girl room for you."

"The guest room here is fine, sir. Then I won't have to worry about moving my studies back and forth too much."

Professor Dumbledore regarded the young woman once more with a long look before seeming to make up his mind. "Very well. I believe you have already made friends with Godric out there, so I will allow you to make a password that fits you. Please let me know if there's anything I can get for you. Until then, would you allow me to assign a House Elf to bring your things to the room or would you prefer to move everything over yourself?"

Hermione thought for a moment, not really wanting to accept, but then she thought about all the extra books she had brought with her and gave in. "I think it would be alright to ask for their assistance."

Dumbledore snapped his fingers and an elf younger than Hermione was used to seeing appeared and she was amused to see very large multicolored socks over his ears. "Pippy, would you please go to Miss Granger's dorm room and retrieve her things? Then if you would bring them to the guest room here?"

Pippy smiled nervously. He had heard about this Miss Granger from some of the other elves, but she didn't seem all that crazy. "Of course, Albus sir. Can I bring you anything else?"

Hermione's eyes widened in surprise at the easy speech coming from the young elf, but before she could comment, Dumbledore answered him with a warm smile. "No, Pippy. That will be all. Thank you." Once the elf had winked out of sight, the older man turned back to Hermione. "I'm afraid he got into some of my old things and fell in love with my favorite pair of socks. Alas, I never got them back." Hermione giggled. "In the years following, as I continued to try and retrieve them, he must have picked up on my own grammar." He made a face. "Though I do believe it was only so he could mock me better."

At that, Hermione laughed out loud. She reached for a biscuit off the platter and settled back into her chair. "Back to the subject of school though, Headmaster. Since I will be staying here for the summer, is there anything special I should do to get ready for the new year? May I start on next year's work early?"

Albus laughed at the glint in the young girl's eyes as she discussed learning, a glint he was used to seeing displayed in emerald orbs. The thought sobered him as he was grounded back to why they were having the current discussion. "No, my dear. Nothing special will be needed. As soon as the professors make their finishing touches for the lesson plans I will make sure you receive the appropriate instructions. I may even be able to get you a trip to Diagon Alley." He paused. "Of course, the Transfigurations plans may take a little longer to put together. It's something I'll need to sit down and take care of soon. But worry not, you'll have plenty of time to get all of your coursework going." He flashed Hermione a brief smile that did not quite ignite the usual sparkle. "Now I really must leave. You still have a few hours before dinner so you can think up something to tell your friends. I must insist you not discuss the real reason you are staying behind."

Hermione nodded. "Of course. I can see how it would be detrimental for multiple people if word got out about Professor McGonagall. I can't even imagine the field day the press would have…" She trailed off as her gaze turned to the closed door behind which the older woman lay unconscious. "Would it be acceptable if I at least told them I was staying behind to work more closely with her concerning my interests in Transfiguration?"

Dumbledore nodded. "That would be acceptable." He stood, straightening out his robes. "I'll see you at dinner, Miss Granger. Until then." He bowed slightly before showing himself out of the den.

Hermione sat back in her chair, nibbling on a sandwich. She wasn't terribly hungry, but she knew she should eat something. A light pop startled her and she jumped up from her seat, still on edge after the events of the past year. Whipping out her wand, she slowly made her way to a second door she could have sworn wasn't there when she had arrived. Cautiously, she opened the door and stuck her head and wand in. Her eyes widened. Against the far wall was a huge four poster bed adorned with Gryffindor colors. Her trunk sat at the foot, open, and all of her clothes were hung up in a walk in closet. On the opposite wall of the closet was a massive bookshelf and she was pleased to note that her entire collection of books was already put away in exactly the order she would have put them in herself.

Pippy's head slowly appeared over the edge of the bed where he had hidden when he saw Hermione come in, wand out. "Hello, Miss. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten. Was just doing what Mister Albus asked."

He looked poised to hurt himself so Hermione quickly said, "Oh no, Pippy. It's alright. I just heard a noise and wasn't sure what was going on. I was sure this door hadn't been here before, so I was investigating." She looked around appreciatively. "Did you do all this yourself?"

Pippy nodded. "Yes, Miss. Is it okay?"

Hermione nodded enthusiastically. "I couldn't have done a better job myself. And certainly not as quickly!"

Pippy grinned then. "Oh thank you! I'm very glad you like it!"

Hermione smiled. "Very much." She entered the room fully and sat on the bed, instantly marvelling at how comfortable it was. "Pippy?"

"Yes, Miss?"

"This room wasn't here, was it?"

Pippy grinned again. "No, Miss. Mister Albus made it appear for you so you would have a place to stay next to Mistress Minerva while she's sick." His grin fell. "I hope she is better soon."

"Me, too, Pippy." Hermione smiled sadly at the young elf. "Now, I think I'm going to take a quick nap before dinner. Thank you again for making this room up for me. I really like it."

Pippy smiled widely. "Very glad, Miss! Enjoy your nap!" And with a snap of his fingers, he was gone and Hermione was left alone with her thoughts about the upcoming summer until she fell, exhausted, into a fitful nap.


Hermione woke some hours later, languidly stretching. It had felt good to sleep off some of the grief. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and stood, quickly transfiguring her robes into a clean set for dinner. Tonight she would need to sit down with her boys and tell them her plans for the summer, that she would be staying here to study more closely with Minerva because she wanted to pursue a Transfiguration Mastery once she finished school. She wasn't entirely sure they would believe her, but then again, it's not like they had ever bothered looking into the requirements for Masteries.

Shaking herself out of her reverie, Hermione left Minerva's outer rooms and headed to the Great Hall. She quickly located Harry and Ron near the middle of the Gryffindor table and squeezed between them, happy to be near her boys.

"Oh, hey 'Mione." Ron managed to get out around a mouthful of potatoes. He swallowed. "What's up?"

Hermione smiled as she reached out to full up her plate. "Well, I actually have something to tell you all." She purposefully paid more attention to her food than her friends, not wanting them to see the lie in her eyes. "I'll be staying at the castle over the summer. Dumbledore has asked me if I'd be interested in some extra learning for a Mastery apprenticeship and I am very excited to get started learning more."

She finally looked up after she finished and was amused to see that both Harry and Ron were staring open-mouthed at her. On the other hand, Ginny looked pleased.

"That's great, Hermione." The younger redhead stated. "I'm happy you're pursuing something that makes you happy."

Hermione grinned thankfully. "Thanks, Ginny. I appreciate that. I'm very excited."

Ron finally came to his senses. "You're voluntarily staying at school over the summer?"

Harry closed his gaping mouth. "That's great, 'Mione! I mean, if that's what you want to do, go for it."

Ron turned his flabbergasted expression towards Harry. "Seriously, mate?"

"Yes, seriously. She needs something to challenge her. You know, since she can't take a bunch of classes anymore like she used to. This will be amazing!"

Hermione beamed at Harry, then turned to Ron. "It's not like I won't have time to write, you know. I'm sure McGonagall won't keep me too busy."

Ron glumly turned back to his plate. "I just thought maybe we could spend some time together this summer."

"Oh." Understanding hit Hermione like a ton of bricks. "Well, I don't think I would have been able to anyway. My parents are planning on being on holiday, so if I had been with them I also would have been out of the country almost the whole summer. How about we meet up at Diagon Alley and get our books together?"

Ron perked up a little at that and the conversation turned to what everyone else would be doing over the break. Hermione was happy they would be staying in touch with each other and that they were happy for her. She hugged both of them and Ginny, saying she would see them in no time, made her way over to the Ravenclaw table to say goodbye to Luna, then escaped from the Great Hall, intent on making it to Minerva's rooms without being noticed by anyone.