The Fifth Sighting
Hermione was holed up in the library, despite the fact that it was a beautiful day outside. All of her friends were enjoying the mid-autumn sunshine, as well as the chance to show off for their visitors from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. Hermione, however, was too caught up in worry about Harry to be outside, and besides, she didn't know how to flirt. She was taking this opportunity to do as much research as possible about the rare Tri-Wizard Tournament.
Everything the young student was reading was making her more and more miserable. The tournament was not without its deaths, and even the tasks that all the contestants survived seemed to take more knowledge and magical skill than even Hermione had, let alone Harry. Every year at Hogwarts had brought its share of dangers, but in this case it seemed like Harry was deliberately choosing to risk his life. He insisted he hadn't anything to do with being chosen, but Ron was so convinced otherwise, and Hermione had to wonder. The boys weren't speaking to each other, the first task was coming up quickly, and not a single one of them seemed to know what was going on. Hermione couldn't understand how they had ended up here.
In frustration, the bushy-haired witch lay her forehead down on the book she was reading and groaned. At that moment, a lithe, dark-haired professor happened to be walking out of a nearby aisle. Professor McGonagall heard the groan, saw the stack of books and a peek of brunette curls behind them, and quickly surmised who the melancholy student was. Despite her concern, she had to smile at the angst.
Hermione jumped when her teacher rounded the stacks.
"Miss Granger? What are you doing in this dark library on such a beautiful day?" Her professor pulled a chair closer and sat gracefully down.
"Oh! Hi, Professor McGonagall. I'm just trying to do some research on this tournament to help Harry. He doesn't know a thing about it, really, and that doesn't seem like a wise way to approach it, if you ask me."
Her teacher smiled at Hermione's ever practical point-of-view. Frankly, she didn't see how anything Misters Potter or Weasley ever did would seem wise to this careful young lady.
"And have you found anything useful?" she inquired, knowing already that Miss Granger likely had not.
"Not a thing!" Hermione through up her hands in exasperation. "Except how often the competitors die! Which is NOT HELPFUL!" She let out another groan and collapsed back onto her books. Minerva smirked, but was careful not to let Hermione see her.
"Miss Granger," she began, firmly but she hoped gently. "Have you found nothing helpful whatsoever? Is there no pattern you can find?"
"Yes, the tasks are all hideous and dangerous." This was mumbled grouchily into the book, the paper absorbing most of the sound.
"Miss Granger, do sit up." Firmly but gently, she hoped. Minerva often questioned her ability to comfort her students. Nurturing wasn't her thing, but she couldn't let one of her favorite Gryffindors wallow this way.
Hermione shook her head, her curls rustling back and forth across the desk and the books.
"No. It's hopeless." More moaning ensued.
Minerva sighed and removed her glasses. She placed her head down on the table, sideways to look at her student.
"It's not hopeless. Nothing ever is, especially for one as resourceful as you are. You are even taking in that book right through your head."
The young woman started, surprised to hear her teacher's voice so close to her. She turned her head and brushed the curls out of her face to find those beautiful green eyes sparkling at her with mirth. Hermione smiled, embarrassed, but also beginning to laugh at herself. The two started giggling, then laughing in earnest, sitting up and leaning back in their chairs.
Minerva tilted her head back, let out a "whoo…" and wiped her eyes. Hermione watched her, shaking her head at her own drama. However, she was also enchanted by this unguarded moment with this amazing woman, and did not want to do anything to stop it. But all too soon, Professor McGonagall put her wire-rim frames back on her nose. While her eyes still radiated amusement, they were once again her professor's eyes. Hermione nodded her understanding, both at the end of the moment and at the encouragement she had just received.
"I'll keep looking. I'm sure I will find something useful."
"You know, you may have already. Sometimes just taking a moment to think over what you've learned is the key to finding the answers. And sunshine often helps with that, I've found." Prof. McGonagall looked meaningfully at the young woman.
"I'll get out there. I will. Just a little more time in here, I promise." Hermione looked back down at her books, finding it suddenly hard to look into her teacher's eyes, even with the barrier of those glasses.
"I shall hold you to that promise, Miss Granger. Have a very pleasant rest of your afternoon." With that, the dark-haired professor rose gracefully, put her chair back to its original location, and walked purposefully away. She was unaware of the eyes that followed her departure, as was the student unaware how intently she was watching.
Hermione blinked and then turned back to her books, determined to research purposefully for only ten more minutes. She did not want to follow her professor out of the library, but she was not able to concentrate any longer.
As she was just about to finish up, however, one thing did catch her eye. A ball, to celebrate the bringing of the three schools together. There's to be a dance!
As Hermione put the books back on their shelves, she pondered that event, wondering if she'd go, if she'd have a date, and above all, if the teachers also dressed up. She'd look wonderful in green…
A/N: Feedback would be lovely! Shall I continue this? I put the events out of order, so as to offer hope to those HG/MM fans - otherwise we'd be hanging out in pre-teen world for awhile. However, I do plan to go back there for a few chapters. Thoughts?