T R A I N E D T O S I N | dramione

One

Authors note: the first few chapters of this book are short and not very exciting as I wrote them a lot earlier than the rest. There is a plot that develops around chapter nine, as well as the quality of writing improving. Some chapters will be edited as I continue to update. - t

Hermione made her way down the vast hallways, smiling to every face she passed- which wasn't many as most students were still in class in which she had been called away from. The walk to mcgonnagals office wasn't far but although she hadn't been walking long, her legs seemed to ache and she let out a sigh of relief when her eyes grazed over a familiar large, dark oak door.

"Miss Granger," the old witch smiled sincerely, opening the heavy door for Hermione and gesturing to a seat on the opposing side of her desk. Hermione tried to put on a smile accompanied with a nod and she nervously took a seat.
"I suppose you want to know why I called for you." Mcgonnagal cautiously sat down, her kind but nervous smile never fading.
"Yes, I was told you wanted to see me." Hermione toyed with her wand, eager to find out what was so important that she was taken out of class and the inside of her lip turned red and sore as she nibbled at it.
The older witch sighed and leaned forward slightly.

"I have noticed how well you have been doing this year and some students are not so fortunate to be able to maintain high grades during... these times." She paused and Hermione frowned while slowly nodding to indicate to carry on.

"Dumbledore and I think that it would be a good idea for you to start tutoring for a while." Hermione sighed, relaxing her sore shoulders that she didn't realise were slightly tensed.
"Just until the students can get back on track and it will also prove as a good distraction for you, considering everything going on."
"Of course." The brunette tilted her head forward and smiled sweetly. She wondered why Mcgonnagal had seemed so cautious and almost regretful to tell her. Hermione was expecting much worse than to requested to become a tutor, anyway, she enjoyed studying - not to mention helping others whenever she could. Mcgonnagal knew that, which worried the witch even more.

"So when do I start?" She carried on, picking up her bag and swinging it lazily over her shoulder. "Tomorrow." Hermione hadn't expected the change to be so sudden. "Seven, after dinner. I'll request a classroom to be left unlocked." Mcgonnagal said, rising from her seat and walking to the door to open it. Hermione rose from her seat, neatly tucking it under the desk after herself. As she reached the door Mcgonnagal spoke again.
"And Hermione , go relax, it wouldn't be much use attending the last 10 minutes of class." Hermione offered the old witch one last smile before leaving the office and heading down towards her dorm.

As she paced down the lengthy corridor, she couldn't help but wonder. She had never thought to ask the professor who it was she would be tutoring. Her mind wondered and she frowned to herself. She wasn't aware of anything that would cause problems for students. Mcgonnagal had said that at least one particular student was struggling under circumstances but Hermione wasn't aware of anything that would distract someone's learning to such an extent they would require a tutor. She wasn't even aware Hogwarts provided extra help, she had certainly never received any. Then again, she had never needed it. She attempted to push her queries to the back of her head. Mcgonnagal was a lot of things but she was most definitely not stupid so Hermione didn't waste anymore time on the matter.

When she arrived back at her dorm, she was met with a constant clatter on the window. Her bag slumped to the crease of her elbow before she dropped it carelessly to the floor She huffed, trudging towards the window before wrenching the curtains open and staring downwards near her window sill. Even after Hermione had clearly acknowledged the tapping, the owl was persistent, retreating its head before swinging it ruthlessly at the glass again. Hermione rolled her eyes, the tendency to pester that most of the owls possessed aggravated her. It was only when she tugged the window open, that the bird paused. It cocked its head considerably to the side before jutting out its neck, attempting to draw her attention to the letter clutched tightly in its beak.