Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K.R. I am simply playing with them and promise to do no harm.


Chapter One

For the second time already that term, Minerva was sat in her classroom whilst Harry and Ron served their detention for being out after hours. Of course Hermione Granger was with them, but taking recent events into account, Minerva let her off, and she was sat in her office awaiting her return. Half an hour later and the boys had finished their lines and were sent back to the common room. It was already late and after having seen the boys off, Minerva went to see to Miss Granger.

Hermione was curled up on the window seat that she occupied during her extra lessons with Minerva. Tears were streaming down her face as she silently cried while she watched over the castle grounds. Minerva walked behind the girl and placed a reassured hand on her shoulder.

"What am I going to do now, Professor?" her voice was quiet, unsure, weak. It tore Minerva's heart to see the girl so upset. Her mother had passed away at the beginning of the summer holiday and now her father had passed on. With no other family left, Minerva was at a lost as to what to say to her. Knowing it would be best, Minerva kept her thoughts to herself for the time being.

"I have no-one left. No-one who cares for me. No-one to hold me when I'm scared or upset. Not even anyone I can turn to." Hermione pulled her knees to her chest and began to rock back and forth.

"You have me Hermione. You also have your friends." before Minerva even had time to think, the words had already rolled off her tongue 'no going back now'. She kicked myself mentally for saying what she truly felt.

"Really Professor?"

"Yes. You can come to me whenever you need to. Day or night. For whatever reason." Minerva sat next to the girl who had managed to slow her tears at Minerva's words.

"Thank you, Professor." Minerva extended her arms to Hermione. She hesitated for a second before pulling herself into her Professor's embrace. Minerva ran her fingers soothingly through Hermione's brown locks, while Hermione rested her head on Minerva chest and listened to her heart. She sat there, just as she used to with her mother when she needed comforting. And this is how Albus found the pair, almost three hours later.

His wife had said she would be back no later than nine o'clock. It was now midnight and he had started to grow worried. She'd never been this late before. Albus stepped silently into Minerva's office and his heart skipped a beat when he saw the two women curled up on the window seat. Miss Granger was sound asleep in his wife's lap, while Minerva switched from watching the sleeping girl to starring at the starry night sky. Although she seemed content, his wife's face was sunken.

"My love." Albus whispered so not to wake the sleeping girl.

"Albus." Minerva smiled weakly at her husband and looked at Hermione. "I can't bring myself to wake her." A tear slid silently down Minerva's cheek.

"Wake her Minerva. You need to rest too."

"But -"

"She can stay in the spare room. That way you'll be near her and you can both get the well deserved rest you need."

Minerva nodded and moved ever so slightly, causing Hermione to wake with a start.

"I'm ever so sorry, Professor."

"There's no need to be, Hermione. Would you like to stay in my spare room for a while?"

"I don't want to intrude."

"Believe me Hermione, you wouldn't be intruding. You're more than welcome to stay. I could have your things moved over if you would like."

"I'd like to stay with you." Hermione stood and smiled slightly at the headmaster before following a weary Minerva to her rooms. Albus quickly followed knowing that Minerva would really need him once she had tucked Miss Granger in.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed it. Please let me know if you wish for me to continue.
Take care X