I Fell Into Your Arms

Chapter 27: Transfiguration Exam

Hermione was bent over three different textbooks early the next morning.

There was a knock on the window, casually Hermione flicked her wand to allow the window to open.

In came three owls all with letters to Hermione. The young witch was curious. She only had a few people, the Potters, The Weasleys and her few friends.

Hermione scanned the first few lines of each letter, and tossed them into the fire. She did not need Dracos love letters or words of forgiveness.

She cracked open her book again and continued to read. Her days went between reading, observing the teacher and resting.

"Ugh!" Hermione groaned 2 months later.

Suddenly her fire flared to life. "Hermione?"

"Ginny?" Hermione scrambled up to the fireplace.

"Merlin, you look terrible! How many hours of sleep have you been getting?" Ginny asked

"Shut it. Minervaa not complaining , so why are you?" The brunette yawned.

"Come on, I want to take you out for dinner. Harrys with the twins right now. Please! You need a night off!" Ginny begged.

"Let me ask Minerva first." Hermione waved her wand as she summoned her patronus; a phineox. "Is it ok if I take tonight off?"

"When did your patronus change?" Ginny asked.

"Since I found the truth behind Dra-Dr. Swanns lie." Hermione replied shortly.

"Meet me in Diagon Alley in 5 minutes." Ginny squealed

A silver cat appeared in Hermiones room. "Go have fun, you deserve it. Your books will be here when you get back." Minervas voice replied.

Hermione waved her wand as her Muggle clothing was replaced with sparkly purple dress robes.

Hermione went through the floo and brushed the soot off of her. "Ginny? Oh hello Luna, Blaise, Daphane! This is a surprise!"

"We gathered here today to ask if you are happy. We havent heard from you acept that you are Minervas apprentice." Daphane stated.

"I am fine. I got hurt by Dr. Swann. He lied to me about something big." Hermione answered

Blaise choked on his food. "Oh sorry, went down the wrong way."

Hermione ordered tea as she settled back to listen to her friends. "So did you hear that new transfer, Emma? Shes becone Harry's new prodigy."

"What is her name?" Hermione asked

"Emma Jones I believe? Hmmm...by what Harry says she reminds him of you." Ginny shrugged. 

Hermione became silent, so Draco wasnt lying about his sister, hmmm..

"Did you hear, apparently Malfoys back in town." Luna said.

"He is, by whos word?" Hermione demanded.

"Ritas apparently."

"Shes lying." Ginny said flatly

"No she isnt. I caught a glimpse of Draco two days ago. He was going into Gringotts, but I was busy with something else." Daphane said

"With what?"

"Transfering the gold from Astorias vault into mine." Daphane hung her head.

"Im sorry again." Hermione said placing her hand over Daphanes.

"Ill be fine. Its just hard is all. Is Minerva drilling you hard?" Daphane asked

"No, she just insists that I observe her teaching four hours each day." Hermione shrugged. "Minervas also been letting me grade a few essays based off a checklist of what each essay needs to include."

"Sounds tricky." Luna made a face.

"It can be at times, but I find it very rewarding." Hermione beamed.

"Like when?" Ginny asked

"Like when a kid finally understands a concept. Or they thank you for your guidance."

"Tell me, I heard soe news that you saved Malfots lide when he was 16. Is that true?"

"What?!" Ginny demanded

"Yes. Not that I ever told anyone. How did you find out?" Hermione asked

"A snarky bat told me the message." Daphane winked.

"Of course he did. Next time tell him to keep his nose out of my business." The brunette hissed.

"Wow Hermione, Im insulted." A amooth voice said behind the group.

Everyone but Hermiones jaws dropped at seeing their dead potions professor in a portrait.

"Sir, how-how are you?!" Daphane sputtered.

"By Hermiones wand of course. The know-it-all invented a spell that she casted on my portrait so my esence can leave Hogwarts anytime I wished." Severus Snape answered.

"Please, I only combined a travel spell with the portrait making spell, not something to marvel at." Hermione blushed.

Luna scoffed, "you need to learn how to acept compliments."

"Miss Lovegood is right about that one." Severus rolled his eyes.

Hermione smiled as the conversation turned to other topics.

*

"Thanks again Ginny. I really needed a night out." Hermione said before returning to the castle.

To Minervas surprise, Hermione requested to take her exams early. "Are you sure about this?" She asked for the millionth time.

"I didnt sacrifice all the time and energy to not take the tests. I will be fine. I know it." Hermione smiled.

Minerva shrugged, "you can always retake it if you want ro." She added before leaving the room.

"You may begin." The test examiner stated.

The theory exam had about 300 questions and an essay which had to be completed within 3 hours.

Hermiones quill never stopped moving as she circled each answer. When the essay question came she almost ran out of room. She put her quill down with half an hour to spare.

She looked up at the examiner. "I finished."

"Ok please excuse me for ten minutes to grade your exam." The examiner stated and stepped out. While that happened, Hermione took her practical exam demonstrating all of her Transfiguration skills.

"Ok, Ive seen enough. I need to grade you." The examiner replied.

After an agonizing 20 minutes, Hermione waited on pins and needles to her her results.

"Miss Hermione Granger-Black, we are ready for you now."

Hermione had to control herself to stop her shaking as she walked into an adjoining room.

The faces of both examinees were unreadable. "Miss Granger- Black you have...passed the exams with a perfect score! You even beat Minerva McGonagalls score!"

"What?!" Tears of joy ran down her cheeks. "I passed?!"

"You sure did. Congragulations Professor Black."

Hermione left the room holding her certification behind her back. She approched Minerva who was pacing back and forth.

"Well? Am I to hire you or not?""

Hermione broke into a grin as she pulled out her certification. "You can! They said I got a perfect score!"

"Im not surprised Hermione. Now what will your name be? Black or Granger?"

"Black, Minerva. I want respect from possible Malfoys to be." Hermione stated.

"Ok then. Until the new school year, you are welcome to deduct or add house points and have the same privillage of being a teacher until next year. Enjoy it Hermione, Im very proud of you." Minerva smiled giving the young woman a motherly hug.

"Thank you Minerva and I will." Hermione smiled.