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"Thank you, dear," said Professor Sprout, taking the box of bulbs from Hope's hands. "Now if you would, that bed of valerian seedlings wants more fertilizer… you'll find some in the corner, there, in the bin labeled 'dragon dung'…"

Hope nodded and made her way to the fertilizer bin. She wrinkled her nose… and really wished she dared to use the Bubble-Head Charm on herself. But not, she told herself firmly, while my minder's watching. She sneaked a peek at Miss Cobston, gamely trying to trim a Venomous Tentacula at Sprout's request, and suppressed a smirk.

Every day this week, there'd been someone from the Ministry, arriving at Hogwarts almost at first light. Ostensibly, they came only to ensure that Hope was being well cared for – but they stayed with Hope throughout the day. Hope didn't know if they were here to protect her, monitor her, or keep her jailed… probably some combination. They certainly seemed determined to "make friends" with her.

McGonagall, needless to say, was on top of the situation. Hope had a renewed confidence in the Headmistress's abilities.

Yesterday, for instance, Manwaring had returned to spend the day with Hope. So McGonagall had arranged that yesterday would be Professor Grubbly-Plank's turn to watch Hope. Hope had spent the day helping care for Hogwarts's magical menagerie… including the thestrals. Grubbly-Plank's discomfort, upon learning that Hope could see the carnivorous horses, was nothing compared to Manwaring's out-and-out horror.

So today, the Ministry had sent Christine Cobston, younger than Manwaring, more athletic… presumably more able to deal with magical creatures. And so today, Hope was with Professor Sprout in Greenhouse Three, watching Cobston reluctantly get dirt under her fingernails.

Nope, no flies on the Headmistress.

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7024025/9/