Penance.
That's what she called it, every year she came to the quiet little graveyard.
Penance.
That's what she called it when she laid a red rose there every trip, a chocolate ribbon tied around the thorny stem. The young woman had faced too many thorns in life to give her more in death.
Penance.
That's what she called it when she dropped to her knees and placed a kiss on cool marble. Her fingers brushing over the inscription gently.
Penance.
That's what she called it when she refused the advances and affections of any witch or wizard who offered them to her. Her heart had been buried five long years ago.
Penance.
"Penance is unnecessary."
Five long years, it had been since Minerva had heard that voice, since its owner stepped in front of a killing curse for her.
"I suppose I can add holding imaginary conversations and risking others' opinions of my sanity onto my list of penance too." The Headmistress laughed humorlessly, turning her back on the hallucination that had spoken without examining it further. The details would only haunt her later if she did…more so than usual. She squeezed her green eyes closed, tossing back her glass of whiskey.
"I am real, Minerva. I am real and I am here." Hermione said softly, stepping forward.
The older witch's white knuckled grip on the empty glass tightened further until the glass shattered.
"Then I am dead."
"No, Minerva, you are not. Turn. Turn and look at me."
With a deep breath to give her the strength to face her mind's tortures, Minerva turned and faced a witch who resembled Hermione Granger but was not her Miss Granger. This one was…older…and a good deal more relaxed.
"Hermione?" The Scottish lilt was only a whisper, barely choked out. "How?"
"Funny thing that, apparently Harry's sacrifice for us meant we were protected. I didn't want anyone to know that there was two people who survived the killing curse." The young witch took two steps forward until she was in arm's reach. "If anyone should be doing penance, it is me for being gone so long while knowing you were suffering."
Minerva placed her hand on Hermione's cheek and smiled at her, her eyes watery with unshed tears. "Putting up with me will be penance enough."