Taking care

Hermione Granger took a deep breath.

Freedom and silence.

Finally! Christmas holidays had begun, and all Weaslys' and Tonks had left headquarters for Christmas shopping. Hermione had insisted upon staying at Grimmaulds Place, for too tempting was the prospect of one quiet afternoon all to herself.

Slowly making her way to the only properly heated room in the house, the living room, the young which was greeted by loud voices shouting in what seemed to be a heated argument. Bracing herself, Hermione opened the door to find her favourite Professor sitting on the couch while Albus Dumbledore, Sirius Black, and Severus Snape occupied the other one, opposite her. Hermione could tell by the way Professor McGonagall was holding herself and the foul mood she was in that she was in pain.

The girl with the brown hair chuckled slightly, seeing how pale Sirius and Professor Snape were. They even looked a bit scared by their former transfiguration teacher. The Headmaster tried bravely to calm his friend, but every attempt to soothe her ended in just another outburst from the annoyed woman.

Unnoticed, Hermione closed the door and shook her head. How could it be that not one of them seemed to see why the older witch was so upset? Not even the all-knowing headmaster?

Stopping her train of thought the girl prepared a cup of Minerva's favourite tea and added a mild pain relief potion. Satisfied with her work she went from the kitchen back to the living room, whilst being careful not to spill the hot, steamy liquid.

As she reached the door she was heading for, Hermione saw a very angry Sirius leaning against the wall, obviously trying to get his emotions back under control.

"I wouldn't go in there if I were you," he sad as he recognised her.

"Oh, Sirius. Watch and learn." And with a smile and a pat on his back she opened the door, waiting for her friend's godfather to follow her.

Unaffected by the yelling around her, the girl made her way to the older witch and handed her the cup in the middle of the shouting.

"Here, that will help," she said almost tenderly. Minerva was clearly surprised, but seeing her favourite student's knowing and reassuring smile she took it and drank. It had been a very hard day. Her stomach and back were hurting badly, she didn't get much sleep last night, and now she was stuck here with three men, all while desperately trying to hide how she felt. Of course she couldn't fool Hermione! The girl seemed to know her better than anyone else. It was a complete mystery to Minerva how the young witch always knew what to do to make her feel better. Looking up to thank the girl, she was a little disappointed to see that Hermione had already left the room.

Albus Dumbledore watched in amazement how easily Hermione acted around his stern colleague. Wondering what would transpire next, he stared at the door. His young student entered again, this time with a hot water bottle in her hand.

On her way to Minerva, she took a pillow from one of the armchairs, which she placed on the sofa where her teacher was currently drinking her tea.

"Here Professor, lie down. You need some rest," the girl whispered gently.

After a moment of hesitancy Minerva decided to let the young woman take care of her. She really was in no condition to resist any longer and so she lay down obediently. She felt herself being covered with a soft blanket and tucked in. Now Hermione placed the hot water bottle against her abdomen and sat down on the edge of the big sofa.

Minerva moved a little to give her more room, when she was painfully reminded that her back was still hurting.

Feeling her teacher's muscles tense in pain, Hermione started rubbing Minerva's back in soothing circles. The older woman let out a sigh of relief and closed her eyes while she searched for Hermione's other hand, already drifting off into a light slumber.

Hermione smiled gently down at her and gave her what she wanted, then turned her head to face Sirius and her Professors, finding them staring at her in utter disbelief. The headmaster was the first to recover and smiled at her, his eyes twinkling madly.

"Now gentlemen, I think we should leave now," he said while ushering the two other men out of the room. Hermione could hear Snape's "teacher pet" and Sirius' "that girl is bloody brilliant" before Professor Dumbledore turned to her with a very serious expression. "Thank you Hermione. It's good to know you are able to take care of her. Please don't stop. She'll need you." And with a last nod he was gone, leaving Hermione with the most important woman in her life.

Please read and review. It is my first try, so please be honest but nice. And thank you to my dear beta readers artemissan09 & Butterfly.Rainbow!