"Dementors are not readily studied... but what you are saying can't be ignored. And there was a discrepancy with why one was placed on your cell. But to run into the same one on a train far from the prison... it's unlikely, Draco."
                              
"I don't think it was the first time since I left... Azkaban."
                              
"Explain," she said, leaning back in her chair.
                              
"I thought I was just tired... or imagining it... but I almost... it almost got me in the park by my mom's flat one night and then I was forced under another night in my room. It wasn't a dream... they force me to relive my memories. I didn't really connect it until the train when it wasn't just me, slipping under."
                              
"Well... that is most... disturbing. A dementor in outer London and outside of Ministry control? I'm not going to dismiss your concerns, Draco. You are describing very abnormal dementor behavior. They do not target or hunt a particular person. Even when hunting Sirius Black, they knew that they were looking for him, but they weren't tracking him like a boarhound. They're sentries and stay in the shadows. And if someone set one after you, they must be very reckless to allow it to wander freely or are actively controlling it. I will look into the matter."
                              
"Thank you... for believing me," Draco murmured and McGonagall nodded.
                              
"Here is your schedule. You need not see Professor Slughorn at breakfast."
                              
Draco nodded and looking at today's schedule. Transfiguration with all the houses, double Herbology with the Ravenclaw, lunch and then double Defense Against the Dark Arts in the afternoon with the Hufflepuffs. After dinner, he also had Advanced Magical Theory. Thursdays were not going to be fun.
                              
"I will see you in an hour, then," Professor McGonagall said.
                              
Draco looked up at her confused.
                              
She smiled. "I have not been able to find a replacement. I will continue teaching Transfiguration for the time being. I'll be looking for some student assistants like Professor Sprout has."
                              
Draco smirked. "Granger."
                              
"I have considered her, but I do not want it to be a detriment to her education. Mr. Longbottom is planning on staying here and apprenticing with Professor Sprout. I daresay Ms. Granger has higher hopes than just being a Transfiguration professor."
                              
"I'm sure she inspires to be as skilled as you, professor," Draco said, with a quaint smirk.
                              
"Nice to see you haven't completely lost your silver tongue, Draco," Professor McGonagall said, giving him a rare smile back. "But I am more impressed that you speak highly of Ms. Granger, as before it was quite the other way around."
                              
Draco blushed slightly. "I was an as-jerk before. She was always amazing."
                              
"Indeed, very skilled, but I was most curious about Mr. Ollivander's description of your spellwork, Mr. Malfoy. It was not a one-time occurrence, then? If what he explained was true."
                              
"It was true," Draco said, more willing to open up and look at her.
                              
"Nonverbal spells, especially chants or wordless spells are very dangerous, Draco."
                              
"And I can't do them anymore?" he said, figuring that was where it was leading to.
                              
"I did not say that. I was advising caution. As a Transfiguration professor, I will tell you that one might find the most challenge in changing items... without the spell name. Even small Switching Spells. It will be very difficult to get the imagery right in your mind and will require many weeks to get the basics down before one could starting conjuring and manipulating larger items. Most individuals... have issues with only picturing the outside of the object, unless it is hollow... that is where the difficulty lies."