A/N. This is my first attempt at writing, any constructive criticism will be welcome if youd like to send me a message. I cant promise regularities as i stumble through this but il endeavour to reply to anything i receive. I also have a tumblr; asterialunacy, if a nudge is required. Anyway thankyou and enjoy.
Inception
The air was thick with dust, the aftermath of the battle. Watery eyes surveyed the scene as she picked her way through the corridor, her mind singularly focused on her destination. Footsteps echoed, the castle empty. She reached the door, a light silhouetting the frame.
"Come in Miss Granger". She started, and exhaling opened the door. Within it stood her venerable headmistress Minerva Mcgonagall, looking exhausted and defeated, a decanter of scotch on the desk beside her, a tumbler of the amber liquid in hand.
Something broke inside of Hermione, and she rushed over, embracing her tightly, gasping as she realised what she was doing. But surprisingly thin arms wrapped around her shoulders, and they stood there for an immeasurable amount of time, finding comfort within each other.
"Thankyou...Hermione. If i may ask, what are you still doing in the castle? Surely Mr Potter and Mr Weasley are at the burrow?"
"I...I wanted to be here professor. I want to help with the repairs, this was...is my home. So, if you'll have me i'd like to stay, and help the staff".
She pondered the request, on one hand the castle was in such a state of disrepair that she could use every volunteer she could get. On the other however, was the question of sleeping arrangements. Although this was her favourite student, one she had grown closer to the past few years due to her natural keen intellect, there were very few places safe enough to house her during her immediate stay. One being her quarters, which had mercifully escaped the damage bestowed across the rest of the castle.
"Come Hermione, il show you to your quarters, i have a room adjacent to mine you can use whilst you stay here, if thats agreeable to you."
"O of course professor, that will be fine."
She was elated. She followed her figure up a narrow staircase into a room littered in bookcases, and watched as she transfigured a bed.
"Goodnight Hermione." She watched as Professor McGonagall crossed the threshold into her bedroom and released a breath she didn't know she was holding, shook her head and wondered why she felt such an odd, draw towards her, since it had become apparent over the years the reverence in which she held for her professor had involved into something she couldn't fathom.
Slipping under the sheets she resolved to dismiss the notion for the time being, she was being silly and it must have been the strain coupled with her glimpsing her only hours ago duel against Voldermort with Kingsley and Slughorn while she struggled against Bellatrix before Mrs Weasley barrelled into the fray. And with that she quickly fell into an exhausted sleep.