Mairead’s general distrust of adults originated long before her transition to the stratified social structure of Hogwarts.  The distrust had laid down roots in early childhood as an extension of a general distrust of Others; of those outside her immediate group.  From an early age, she had been aware that her traveling group was seldom welcomed with open arms whenever they rolled into a new location.  While the local resident kids could be mean and obnoxious, it was often the adults they were taught to be wary of. 
 
Over the last three years, Mairead had certainly become more familiar with the dynamics between students and professors and her distrust wasn't as comprehensive as it once was.  But, old habits were slow to die.  Seeking out one who was both a professor and an authority figure still felt wholly unnatural.  Especially after spending the entirety of her spring break actively avoiding authority figures in Limerick once she’d discovered her parents had been arrested.  If the coppers managed to grab her, they wouldn't hesitate to take matters into their own hands and Mairead would get stuck with some strangers as a foster brat.
 
Despite a myriad of reasons to avoid adults in positions of authority, Mairead had found her way to her Head of House’s office.  Of her own free will and not because she’d gotten into trouble and a prefect had dragged her there. 

Reluctantly, the young Gryffindor lifted a hand and rapped her knuckles against the wooden office door.  It wasn’t too late to turn and run.

Professor Singh was writing a letter to his friends in Punjab. He and his friend had a school for street children there. In summer Professor Singh would go back and help. He did not mind the knock at his door.
"Come in!" He called. The door opened. It was Mairead. He liked to talk to his Gryffindors. Sometimes he had to talk to Mairead because she was causing trouble. But that was not every time. She did not visit him often. "Hello Mairead. How are you? How can I help?"

Mairead stepped through the doorway and approached her professor and Head of House, feeling a whirling mass of trepidation, doubt and reluctance rising in her throat.  She'd never had any bad experiences with Professor Singh, apart from the various lectures, detentions and point deductions that accompanied the regular disciplinary visit. 

But, even before she'd started to speak and explain her reason for being there, Mairead was already aware this was probably a lost cause.  She couldn't remember wanting something so badly.

"Almasy is graduating," Mairead started to explain.  Once it started, the explanation came quickly and with an almost hint of desperation.  "And I ... I know I'm not the best student.  But, is there any way I might be considered for team captain, next year?  It's the only thing I'm any good at here." 

Professor Singh listened to Mairead's question. He stood up. He did not like to have the desk between them. He was not telling her off. She was hoping to be recognised. He walked to her. "I think it would be considered." He told Mairead. "You are a good team player." He smiled at her. "If you were Gryffindor captain what are your plans?" Professor Singh asked calmly.

At the Head of House's questions, Mairead's desperation was starting to gain just a hint of hope.  Maybe, just maybe, this wasn't a lost cause!  "Really?" Mairead asked, earnestly.  A flicker of a grin tugged at Mairead's mouth as Professor Singh complimented her playing ability; it was exceedingly rare that Mairead earned real compliments from instructors.  This wasn't a surprise, of course, given her generally poor grades and how professors have been known to coordinate their detention schedules. 

Of course, discussions of plans was hardly Mairead's forte.  But, that was part of the role of the captain, yes?  "I'm not really good at planning," Mairead admitted, once again feeling the hope dwindling.  Quickly, she tried to correct herself.  "I mean, I never really need to.  An' wouldn't it depend on who's on the team?  Wouldn't ye want to figure out what the new team needs rather than guess based off the old team?  I mean, the only real thing I know now is some practices need t'be more like real games, you know?  Not just drills and practice skills but copy the length and tiredness of a whole game." 

"I don't-"  Mairead hesitated a moment before continuing.  "I don't really know where I'll be this summer."  She didn't want to think about what was happening back home.  "But, I'll try me hardest to put a plan together.  An' - I'll study." 

Professor Singh listened to Mairead's question. He stood up. He did not like to have the desk between them. He was not telling her off. She was hoping to be recognised. He walked to her. "I think it would be considered." He told Mairead. "You are a good team player." He smiled at her. "If you were Gryffindor captain what are your plans?" Professor Singh asked calmly.

Professor Singh still smiled. He was pleased with Mairead's answer.

"Nobody is good at anything until they try." He told her. "A good leader does not need to write a two foot essay. They make plans but are brave and think on their feet."

Professor Singh brought his hands together. "Do you know the story of Bhai Bachittar Singh?" He did not think Mairead would. "The Hill Rajas were always trying to defeat Guru Gobind Singh Ji. They attacked the Guru's forts and besieged him. They challenged him to duels but nothing worked. So one day they got an elephant. They made armour for it and tied a sword to its trunk. They got it drunk and then herded it to the main gate of the Guru's fort. They thought it would break the gate and rampage inside. They wanted to follow it in."

Professor Singh looked up at the portraits. They were all famous Gryffindors from the past. Some were listening. "The Sikhs found out and told the Guru. He asked the largest and strongest Sikh Dunee Chand to deal with the elephant. He was their own elephant so to say." Professor Singh shrugged. "But when the elephant charged at the gates Dunee Chand was nowhere to be found. He had climbed the walls and jumped off in cowardice. He had broken his leg and been bitten by a snake which killed him. As the Sikhs could not find him the Guru pointed to a petite and slight Sikh called Bachittar Singh." Professor Singh looked at Mairead. "The Guru put Bachittar Singh on his horse and gave him a Nagnee Barshee. That is a spiral lance."

Getting into telling the story Professor Singh gestured with his arms. "Bhai Bachittar Singh ordered the Sikhs to open the gate. Out he raced to face the drunk elephant. The enemy were surprised. How could such a little Sikh take on a rampaging elephant? Bhai Bachittar Singh commanded his horse to rear and plunged his spear into the head of the elephant. The injured and frightened animal turned and trampled the terrible enemy who had drugged it. The guru was very proud and gave Bhai Bachittar Singh a beautiful sword in honor of his bravery."

Professor Singh gave Mairead a little bow. "Read Kennilworthy Whisp. Whatever happens you will have much to look forward to in September."