Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own Harry Potter or any of these other characters!
Chapter 1: An Introduction
As the bell rang, the 6th years lingering in the corridor tumbled into the Transfiguration room as one laughing, cheerful knot. They took their seats but continued chatting happily about vacation, O.W.L. scores, and summer love. Now that they were beyond ordinary level, the class was comprised of the best Transfiguration students from all four houses. The room fell absolutely silent as Professor McGonagall rushed in looking frazzled. Harry, Hermione, and Ron exchanged a suspicious look. They had hardly seen McGonagall around Grimauld Place, not even for the most important meetings. They had assumed she'd been on a very important mission for the Order. "Good morning class and welcome back. I'd like to congratulate all of you on getting accepted to my N.E.W.T. class. As most of you know, I only take the best. However, I also expect the most from this bunch. I presume you will not let me down. Before we get started, I'd like to introduce you to someone," McGonagall began class. The students murmured amongst themselves about this introduction until she cleared her throat loudly, which made most of her students wince at the memory of a certain High Inspector from the previous year. "Please come forward dear," McGonagall said motioning towards the front of the class. Suddenly a girl in the front row rose to her feet. The same thought crossed everyone's mind at the same time How did I not notice the new girl? She certainly did not blend in with the rest of class. She was lithe and tall, much taller than Professor McGonagall, they realized as she took her place at the front of the room, with long ebony hair and sparkling gray eyes. Her cheeks were rosy, like she'd been out in the sun recently, and her shy smile betrayed dimples at the sides of her mouth. Hermione glanced over at Ron and Harry who were now sitting alert and tall, waiting to find out who this new girl was. She had never seen them pay so much attention in class before, she noticed with a sigh.
"This is my niece, Madeline," McGonagall said putting her arm around the tall, pretty girl. "Some of you may recognize her from a few years ago. Though she was too young to compete in the Tri-Wizard Tournament at the time, she accompanied Madame Maxine and her fellow Bouxbatons students to Hogwarts for the year. Due to some unfortunate…circumstances… she has left Bouxbatons and will continue her education here. I expect you all to treat her with the same respect you treat each other," McGonagall's eyes fell upon Draco Malfoy who was lounging in a desk in the back row, "make that more respect than you treat each other." A chuckle went through the room, but Professor McGonagall remained absolutely stoic. With a nod from her aunt, Madeline bashfully took her seat again. "Alright, please turn to page 7 in your Advanced Transfiguration books where we will begin…"
An hour later
"All right class, that will be enough for today. Please do not forget your essays on the differences between an Animagus and a Metamorphmagus due on Wednesday of this week. Enjoy the rest of your first day back to school. Miss Granger could I have a word with you? The rest of you are free to go," McGonagall dismissed the class. Hermione packed up her book, quill, and parchment slowly, as to let the rest of the class leave before approaching the front of the classroom. Unsurprisingly Harry and Ron hung back too.
"Yes, alright, the two of you can stay as well," McGonagall said, catching sight of Harry and Ron's pathetic stalling attempts. McGonagall turned to her niece who had not left either, "Madeline this is Hermione Granger. Without a doubt Hermione is one of the most accomplished in her year." Hermione blushed furiously. "I have also gotten to know her, and her comrades here-" the boys grinned ridiculously as McGonagall gestured their way, "-very well and trust them highly. That is why I am asking her, well them I suppose" (more clownish grinning) "to help you get acquainted around the school. I know you were at Hogwarts during your fourth year, but things are constantly changing, staircases for instance. Also, they will be able to introduce you to other students and help you get adjusted to student life here. Remember though, I am always here if you need me. As is Albus. Do not hesitate to contact either of us."
"I know Aunt Minnie. You really shouldn't worry about me. I will be perfectly fine," Madeline said quietly, betraying a trace of a French accent. She smiled hopefully back at Hermione, Ron, and Harry, all three of which she knew were so highly regarded by her aunt and Dumbledore. With that, Madeline slung her bag over her shoulder and headed for the door, three blushing, grinning fools following in her footsteps. Minerva watched worriedly as they left.
A/N: This is my first attempt at Fan Fiction so please please please review and let me know what you think!