            "Even if it’s for a common room party?" she teased, approaching the desk. Whereas Dumbledore had kept all manner of metal artifacts and ancient tomes cluttering the surface, the new Headmistress had every book, parchment, and quill in its proper place. Only the little tree stood out as odd. Hermione wondered if it had been a Christmas gift from Professor Sprout—likely one Minerva failed miserably to refuse, yet felt indebted to keep alive.