Disclaimer: I do not own these characters or Harry Potter.
My Angel
Hermione trod up the step of the Astronomy Tower, being quiet enough that any of the professors on patrol wouldn't hear her, but not taking extra care to be completely silent. She was out after curfew for the first time by herself sure she'd snuck out with Ron and Harry her first and second year, but this was different. She was alone. I'm so stupid, who do I think I am?! I'm not a witch I'm just some stupid mudblood. It was the middle of winter in the Scottish Highlands and Hermione quickly felt her hands go numb, but she didn't care. She didn't feel it. Hermione walked up the last few step and turned through the last doorway that lead to the top. A harsh wind met her at the top, blowing right through her school robes and down to her bones. She could feel the metal of the time turner resting against her chest. Just another failure. I'm a failure, no wonder no one wants me. I'm pathetic. Walking to the edge of the Astronomy Tower Hermione looked out at the castle. It really was magical. A castle in the middle of the Scottish Highlands that teaches witches and wizards to control their magic. I don't deserve to be here. The points of castle suck out against the blanket of snow that had covered the landscape. Snow started to fall around her and she could feel the wet flakes soak her, but again she didn't care. Hermione had given up and she was so tired of fighting. Tired of looking happy when she wasn't, tired of engaging with her professors so they wouldn't suspect anything, tired of smiling around Ron and Harry when all she wanted to do was curl up in a ball and not get up.
Her own parents thought she was a freak and didn't want her, why would anyone here want her? I am a freak and a waste of magic. A stupid mudblood. Hermione thought bitterly. She didn't deserve to live, she didn't have the right to call herself a witch and wield a wand. I'm a fake. A fraud. Hermione slipped off her outer robe and stepped up onto the ledge and just stood there feeling the wind and snow against her skin. It didn't take long for her to start shaking. Tears streamed down her face freezing only seconds later by the winter wind. She couldn't feel any part of her body any more. It felt amazing, not feeling. She could feel all the pain, hurt, self-loathing, and hatred just disappear with the knowledge of what she was about to do. Slowly Hermione raised her foot off of the ledge and stuck it out in front of her. She leaned forward welcoming death like she would an old friend. A pair of strong arms encircled around her waist and jerked backwards, pulling Hermione to the stone floor. Hermione struggled to get free of the arms that held her, desperate to fling herself over into oblivion, but the arms only held tighter.
"LET ME GO!" Hermione screamed still trying to get free.
"Just what on EARTH do you think you were doing?!" The sound of her mentor's voice stilled Hermione's movements. "Why would you do that?!" Minerva asked in her most serious and stern professor's voice.
"Let me go." Hermione pleaded. "Please, let me go!" The arms around her didn't budge.
"Not until you tell me what you were doing." Minerva said. "Goodness you're freezing and soaked to the boned." Hermione could feel Minerva cast a drying and warming charm on her, but it didn't matter she just wanted to be free. "Miss Granger." Hermione still fought against her hold. "Miss Granger! Hermione!" The use of her name stopped Hermione. She turned at looked at Minerva.
"What?!"
"Stop this at once, what are you doing up here?"
"Wasn't that obvious Professor." Hermione sneered. "I was trying to kill myself. I didn't think it took a genius to figure that one out."
"Watch your tone young lady." Minerva warned.
"Or what? You going to give me detention? I don't care!" Hermione screeched. "I just don't care!" Minerva's face only held concern as she stared at her favorite student. Wondering how it had gotten this bad without her noticing.
"Hermione." Minerva said. "Hermione, child please look at me." Reluctantly Hermione looked up into her mentor's concerned green eyes. "What happened to drive you to this?"
"I, I… Why do you care?" Hermione said with as much venom and ice as she could muster.
"Why? Why do I care? Because my favorite student just tried to commit suicide and I want to know why." She said firmly. Liar! I'm a nobody you don't care! "Hermione Jean Granger answer me!"
"BECAUSE I'M NOT WANTED!" That was all it took for the dam to break and sobs to shake Hermione's body. "My parents think I'm a freak and wish I was never born. H-Harry and Ron hate me because of that stupid broom, my professors hate me because I'm a know-it-all and t-they have to read my long stupid essays. Everyone else t-thinks I'm just some magic stealing mudblood. That's why!"
"Oh, Hermione." Minerva pulled Hermione closer and held her as she cried. "You're parents don't realize what a talented and amazing witch you are. You are the smartest and brightest person I've taught for some time now. Harry and Ron will come to see that you were only concerned for Harry, and everyone else is just intimidated by your intellect." Minerva grabbed Hermione's chin forcing her to look at her. "I do not hate you and I never will. You are what every teacher could wish for. A person that genuinely wants to learn and not just pass the next test. You are not hated Hermione. I am so sorry for not seeing your pain earlier and helping. I'm so sorry that it came to this."
Hermione lowered her head and breathed in the familiar scent of her professor. Ginger Newts, parchment, and ink. Her ear was placed over Minerva's chest and Hermione could hear the steady beat of her heart. Several minutes passed where Minerva just held Hermione and murmured soothing words. Hermione finally managed to speak.
"I… I'm sorry. Please don't hate me." Minerva placed a kiss on the top of her head.
"I could never hate you Hermione. Never. Let's go get some tea and talk some more okay?"
"O-okay." Minerva finally let go and Hermione turned to face the ledge almost wanting to throw herself over again, but Minerva made her see that death wasn't the way out. It wouldn't end the pain or the hurt only facing life and giving it your best would do that. Minerva placed a firm hand on Hermione's shoulder steering her towards the stairs. Minerva really did care about her and wanted the best for her. Why would she? Hermione thought. Maybe… maybe because she's my angel.
A.N. This is my very first attempt at any Harry Potter fiction and I would love to know what you think. I've always loved the relationship between Hermione and Minerva, and this idea popped into my head today. Anyway tell me what you think!