Taking advantage of the night, when the students had gradually gone off to bed, Hermione slipped out of the common room with Su Er in her arms.
Of course, for safety, Hermione used a "simple" Disillusionment Charm.
"Who's there?" The dozing Fat Lady was stirred awake. As though a pleasant dream had been interrupted, she called out irritably, "You little wizard sneaking around at night, if I find out who you are, I'll tell McGonagall!"
But no one answered. Only faint footsteps receded into the distance.
The journey from Gryffindor Tower to the Room of Requirement on the Seventh Floor was short, and naturally, there was no danger.
"What did you say?" Hermione looked at Su Er in surprise, excitement in her eyes. "Did I hear that right?"
"Mm, yes." Su Er took out a small cloth bag, which jingled as he moved it. "Everything you wanted is ready."
"Never mind that for now." Hermione took the bag and stuffed it into her little shoulder bag without even looking. "Did Dumbledore really agree to be our instructor?"
"Unless I was hearing things, I believe so." Su Er nodded.
"Wonderful! That's really exciting news." Hermione's little face lit up. "As far as I know, Dumbledore hasn't taught students for a very long time, ever since he became Hogwarts Headmaster."
"I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, Hermione. Headmaster Dumbledore has no intention of revealing his identity." Su Er recalled their conversation in the Headmaster's Office the previous night. When he had asked Dumbledore to be their instructor, Dumbledore had readily agreed without thinking about it for very long.
For a teacher who had been away from teaching for years, nothing could make him happier than returning to the classroom to indulge himself.
But Dumbledore had also laid out his own conditions.