Chapter 364

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-Professor McGonagall's Office-

In our favorite feline teacher's office there were two people sitting talking, with one of them obviously being the stern Head of Gryffindor.

The other occupant in the room was sitting in a chair in front of Professor McGonagall's desk, with some books beneath him on his seat, helping him reach the height of the desk so he could drink his tea.

That other person was Professor Flitwick, who was on one of his many regular visits to his work friend's office, where they usually talked about a variety of things, from school, students, and teaching, to research, personal life outside of school, and some gossip.

"So Minerva, how are preparations for the Yule Ball going?" Professor Flitwick asked, taking a sip of his tea.

"They are doing well. I've already managed to hire a band, and the list of dishes that will be served at the banquet is ready" she replied.

Professor McGonagall then sighed, setting down her cup, "The only problem I'm having right now, or at least the biggest problem, is the main seating order."

"Hmm, I can see how that's a problem," Professor Flitwick said, rubbing his chin lightly, "The champions were supposed to be the main attraction at the ball, but I doubt that would be possible because of the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Flamel"

"Exactly my thoughts" Professor McGonagall said, pursing her lips a little when Penny was mentioned.

She then started to open her mouth to say something, but a knock on the door cut her off, catching both of their attention.

"Professor McGonagall?" the person who interrupted their conversation said, and from the voice they realized that whoever was on the other side of the door was the lions' brilliant student, Hermione Granger.

"Come in Miss Granger" Professor McGonagall said, and then the door opened, with the girl entering the office and blinking in surprise to find the half-goblin professor.

"Hmm... Am I interrupting you?" she asked, but Professor McGonagall shook her head slightly.

"No Miss Granger, we were just talking," she said, before looking at the girl curiously, "So, what brings you to my office?"

"Oh, well... I came to return the Time-Turner" Hermione said, taking the magical item in the form of a golden necklace with an hourglass from her coat pocket and placing it on the table, in front of the two teachers.

And seeing this, Professor McGonagall looked at her with an eyebrow raised in confusion, with Professor Flitwick also looking at Hermione unsurprised by the fact that she had a Time-Turner with her, as Professor McGonagall had already discussed this with he.

"And why are you returning it? Do you no longer intend to use it to participate in your elective classes?" Professor McGonagall asked.

"I'm still going to participate in my elective classes, but I'm dropping some so I can have more time" she replied, a little crestfallen about dropping some classes but with a determined gleam in her eyes.

"But if you need more time then wouldn't it be better to keep the Time-Turner, Miss Granger?" Professor Flitwick asked, chiming in as he looked at the Gryffindor girl curiously.

"Yes, but I don't think you'd be happy to know that I'm using it for anything other than classes," Hermione replied, looking away.

"So it's not about classes?" Professor McGonagall asked, looking with a raised eyebrow at Hermione, "In that case, then why do you want more time?"

"Well, I want to help Harry survive the tournament, and I can't waste my time with classes... I have to do research, help him train, and I won't be able to do that if I have to participate in all my elective classes" she said, with a conviction so strong that it surprised the teachers in front of her.

"Wait, you dropped some classes… so you could help Mr. Potter?" Professor McGonagall asked pleasantly surprised, with Hermione nodding her head.

'Hermione 'love studying' Did Granger just say that classes are a waste of your time?!' Professor Flitwick thought, shocked and a little offended, 'And all this just because she wants to help Mr. Potter?'

'How the hell hasn't she realized she's in love with him yet?!'

And it wasn't just Professor Flitwick who was thinking this. Professor McGonagall was equally shocked, looking at her student with her mouth slightly open.

But she knew Hermione very well, and she knew that if she was determined to do something, then she would go ahead and do it. And knowing that all of this was to help her friend/passion made a feeling of pride arise in the feline teacher's heart.

She then looked at the girl in front of her, before looking at the Time-Turner with a thoughtful look.

And after a few seconds, with Hermione looking nervously at Professor McGonagall wondering if she was disappointed in her, the transfiguration professor spoke.

'I understand your feelings and respect your choice Miss Granger" she started to say, picking up the Time-Turner.

Professor McGonagall then surprised Hermione by taking the girl's hand and placing the magical time travel item in it, closing her hand over the item.

"But I think you'd have a better chance of helping Mr. Potter if you kept it with you" she finished, smiling slightly at her student.

"Professor... That... I..." Hermione began to say, not knowing how to react or speak, looking confused and surprised at Professor McGonagall and the Time-Turner.

"You don't need to tell me anything, Miss Granger, just remember to use it well so you can help Mr. Potter" Professor McGonagall said, picking up her cup and drinking some of her tea.

Hermione then looked at her, realizing that the Head of Gryffindor was also worried about her friend, and that she did this to help him indirectly, and with a grateful look Hermione brought the hand that was holding the Time-Turner to her chest.

"You can leave it to me Professor, I won't disappoint you" she said resolutely, and Professor McGonagall shook her head in exasperation, but happily.

And Professor Flitwick, who was watching the whole scene, nodded his head, and even though Hermione wasn't from his house, he couldn't help but feel proud of this student of his who could very well be the reincarnation of Rowena Ravenclaw.

Realizing that she had nothing left to talk to the teachers and already being excited to use the Time-Turner and help her friend, Hermione began to turn to leave.

However, as soon as she turned around, she caught a glimpse of a book on Professor McGonagall's desk with a violet cover with black details, which had a large dark raven holding a silver dagger in its claws, moving while flapping its wings and cawing.

And when she saw this book she blinked, noticing that she had already seen the cover of this book before in one the many advertisements for future releases in her favorite bookstore in the Muggle world, but without the magical part that gave movement to the drawings on the cover.

"Wait a minute… Isn't that Night's new book?" Hermione asked with narrowed eyes, turning back to the teachers, "I thought it wouldn't be released until May next year!"

And listening to the girl in front of her, Professor McGonagall looked at the book on her desk, remembering that this was the book I gave her as an apology for stressing her out with the whole putting my name in the Goblet of Fire thing.

And Professor Flitwick after listening to Hermione also looked at the book, noticing it only now, before turning to Professor McGonagall with envy, 'He gave this book to her but he didn't give it to his Head of House!?' he thought indignantly.

"Oh, well…" Professor McGonagall started to say, but Hermione cut her off.

"And you still say you don't know Night!" she accused, "If you didn't know him then how would you already have this book? And I bet it's signed by him too!"

And seeing her student look at her accusingly, Professor McGonagall just blinked.

'Huh?' and now Professor Flitwick was confused, looking between Professor McGonagall, Hermione and the book, 'Why is she talking as if she doesn't know who the author of the books is?' he asked himself, with a strange look on his face as he looked at Hermione.

And seeing Professor McGonagall still silent, Hermione snorted, crossing her arms.

"Okay, don't tell me who he is then. I'll find out for myself!" she proclaimed.

And the two teachers couldn't say what was more impressive. The fact that she didn't know who Night was, the author of the books, or her personality change compared to when she was talking about the Time-Turner.

'Apparently she really likes these books' Professor McGonagall thought, somewhat amused.

And Hermione, who didn't know what was going on in her teachers' minds, just snorted again, looking with another kind of determination at Professor McGonagall before turning and leaving.

And as soon as Hermione left, Professor Flitwick turned to Professor McGonagall with a confused but amused look.

"For someone considered one of the brightest students Hogwarts has ever seen, she can sometimes be a bit..." Professor Flitwick began to say, trying to think of a word that could describe Hermione or at least her situation.

"A little slow?" Professor McGonagall completed it for him.

"Yeah, I guess this'll do" he nodded, huffing lightly.

End.

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