Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter nor the characters.
Summary: Hermione and Minerva bond post-war. They are mentor-student, friends and more. They spend time together and slowly acknowledge the feeling they share between them.
Chapter 5 New Term
The new term starts with various new arrangements.
New professors come with new teaching styles. The new DADA professor has a very structured teaching curriculum, unlike all the chaos in the past seven years when the school has suffered from constant changes in professors. Professor Wagner strikes a nice balance between theoretical understanding and practical practice. Despite his sternness by nature, he is welcomed by all years and all houses. It is far better than anyone could expect from their years of chaos in this subject. Not a Voldemort-in-disguise, not a falsely-claimed adventurous wizard, not a Death Eater-in-disguise, or any more dark wizards… As much as Hermione loves Remus personally, she would agree with Professor Snape that Professor Dumbledore was crazy about letting a werewolf into the school. The night in the Forbidden Forest in her third year had caused her a fair amount of nightmares.
For Transfiguration, Hermione is still under the lead of the Headmistress, so nothing major changes. The seventh and eighth year will have classes together, which is reasonable as the number of students at the NEWT class is fairly small. Having students from all four houses and two years in the same class might be turbulent, but they are mature enough not to make a scene in the advanced class. Hermione doubts anyone at school dares to misbehave in front of the stern professor slash headmistress. Back to the new professor, from what she heard from her junior fellows, Professor Howell is doing a decent job. No one can possibly beat Minerva McGonagall, who is one of the best in the field, but catching up would be a good start.
Here comes the next new arrangement, the dormitory.
Hogwarts used to place students of the same year to share a dormitory, considering they would be in the same class. Since this new term, roommates combine students from different years. Old roommates would be assigned to the same room, but any absence could be filled with other years who are either new or singled out. Number of residents in a dormitory is now fixed to four.
There, Hermione shares her room with her old roommate Parvati and two other year-one girls. The cross-year communication is awkward at first, but it gets better as time goes by. Students of the same year still bond over the classes they share, while junior students can benefit from help from senior years who usually seem intimidating to start a conversation. Hermione actually enjoys answering questions from her housemates, not that it is anything new to her though. Students in the same house are not only linked for the House Cup but with real connections with people.
The last arrangement is also the most earth-breaking one. Students are no longer bound to their house table but are allowed to freely sit across the Great Hall. Sure, everyone is hesitant to make the first move. Then, siblings from different houses decide to give it a try. Parvati and Padma switch across Gryffindor and Ravenclaw houses. Followed by D.A. members chatting with their old friends. The most remarkable move is when Harry sits next to Draco Malfoy. After that, everyone feels at ease to take whatever seats that come across their mind.
It is interesting to break some of the traditions. Hermione and many others understand the motives behind all these changes, which aim to lessen the tension between houses, especially between the Slytherin House and the others after the catastrophic war. Rome wasn't built in a day. But it is never too late to start.
Hermione's respect and admiration towards the new Headmistress rises again. It takes real Gryffindor courage to break old norms, and the older witch pushes forward so much in her first year in place. It demonstrates a well-calculated ambition.
/ OoOoO /
It is Friday afternoon.
The seventh and eighth year just finished their two-hour Transfiguration class, which is also their last class of the week. Students storm out of the classroom, preparing themselves for the coming weekend.
Hermione lingers in her usual seat in the first row, shifting from one foot to another with a thick notebook in hand. Harry shoots a questioning look at Hermione but leaves the classroom with others without a word.
When the last student closes the classroom door, Minerva breaks the silence, "Ask."
Hermione is startled by the sudden request. She looks up to her professor and yet says nothing.
Minerva rolls her shoulders to relax after the teaching position, "Ask what is on your mind. I can sense it running at full speed throughout the last section of the class."
Slightly blushing, Hermione speaks up, "I have read the Lives in Transfiguration and found one spell about turning a dead transfigured fox into another living thing. I wonder about the theories behind the lifespan of a transfigured living thing."
The young witch always tries to get to the bottom of things. Unlike many of her peers, she rarely stops learning the spell. She researches thoroughly to understand the magic theories and principles behind the spell. Minerva always admires the persistence of Hermione. This time is no exception.
"You have a good mindset of a scholar. That is a theory covered in Level 3 Transfiguration Mastery. I am impressed by your thrust in knowledge, Miss Granger."
Minerva gives Hermione a small smile, "If you wish, we might discuss it over some cups of tea. It is too complicated to be explained in a few words."
"Sure. I have no plans tonight or over the weekend. I just have to finish some essays but it should be completed before dinner. I can do it anytime," Hermione adds, "at your convenience."
Minerva recalls her schedule and decides, "Join me at tea tomorrow at three."
Nodding eagerly, Hermione waves the professor goodbye not wanting to take up any more time from the busy witch, "See you tomorrow, Professor."
"See you tomorrow, Miss Granger."