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Once they were in McGonagall's office Hermione, Lizzy and McGonagall sat down while Ginny started pacing. Hermione gave her a few more minutes to sort out her temper. When she thought Ginny had calmed down enough she cleared her throat. 'You ready yet love?'
Ginny stopped, her eyes narrowing a sure sign that she was still very mad. 'Give me one good reason why I should not go break that woman's neck right now?' She hissed softly.
Well not too bad if she's still able to talk. Hermione took a deep breathe, Ginny was not going to like this. 'Because 'that woman' as you put it is also just a child.'
'A child! She's a Professor here, she is not a child!'
Hermione's lips thinned. 'Ginevra Weasley do not raise your voice, now sit down and let me finish.'
Mcgonagall found this utterly fascinating, and at the same time she felt as if she was intruding. So she looked at a Lizzy who was nervous and obviously feeling wretched.
Ginny blushed, but sat down. She had learned years ago not to get Hermione really mad. She had a terrible temper when pushed to far. 'Fine.'
'Thank you. I'm going to start by telling you that that girl is only nineteen years old, she's also part Veela. And as you know, because I have told you a hundred times. Veela's are not considered of age until they bond. Up to that point they are seen as children according to the law. I am not exactly sure why she's here, there seems to be some things about her that maybe Professor McGonagall could help answer?'
McGonagall nodded. 'Diane Seville lost her parents in an accident. She was only five years old at the time. Her mother had married a wizard and her family had never forgiven her for that. So when Diane was orphaned the family refused to take her stating that the Seville family would never have a place for half-bloods. So Diane was made a ward of the Ministry. Unfortunately no one really wanted a half-blood Veela so she was sent from home to home to home. Until she turned eighteen then she was simply left to her own devices. Also because of this she doesn't really understand her own heritage, she was never privy to that part of herself. Only what she could find in books, and we all know that isn't that much.'
Ginny frowned, not growing up with her family, the mere thought hurt her. 'The poor girl.'
Hermione nodded. 'How did she get here?'
McGonagall smiled. 'Diane was wondering around France doing little jobs here and there. Where ever they would give her one and on one such job she met an old friend of mine. She took her in, but really didn't have much for her to do. After getting Diane to give her her school transcripts she owled me. Even with her live being what it was she was very talented. Once I met her I just couldn't send her away. So she now teaches the first and second years Herbology and takes care of all our plants in the Greenhouses.'
'All her students love her. She's so good at teaching.' Lizzy said softly. She had known all of this, Diane had told her this, but it still broke her heart having McGonagall tell Diane's story. 'The only one who doesn't know it is she. She's so shy mama, and you scare her to death.'
Ginny actually looked surprised. 'Me?'
'Well yes, she knows who you two are. I tell her about all of us crazy Weasley's and Weasley-Granger's all the time.'
'Oh.'
Lizzy smiled softly. 'She is so curious about my family and how I grew up. God when... when we bonded it was an accident, she didn't know how exactly it worked. I thought she was going to have a heart attack when we realized what had happened. She wanted to do this right. She wanted to wait until I was done here and then get to know you all before she asked for your permission. Since then she's been...I don't know mum, she's been looking ill.'
Hermione's eyebrow arched as she got a worried look on her face. 'How do you mean sweetie?'
'I don't know mum, I've been trying to get her to go to Madame Pomfrey. She doesn't think she's worth the time.' Lizzy ended looking really upset, they had their first real about it.
Hermione took Lizzy in her arms and a second later another pair encircled them both. 'It will be ok Lizzy I promise.' She looked up at McGonagall. 'Professor I need to talk to Professor Seville as soon as she awakes.'
'Yes, of course, but if I may ask. Why?'
Hermione kissed Lizzy on the forehead like she used to do with her when she was still little. 'I have recently come into some incredibly rare books. One is a book on Veela mating and all it entails, it was written by a Veela and is almost impossible to get.' Hermione looked pointedly at McGonagall hoping the older woman would understand that now was not the time to ask questions. 'I just really need to talk to her, if that is ok with you?'
'Of course.'
Hermione leaned back into Ginny and sighed. Letting Lizzy take as much comfort as she needed while she drew hers from Ginny.
'Mum, is...is she going to be ok?' Lizzy asked very softly sounding like a scared little child.
Hermione took Lizzy's chin on her hand and looked her in the eyes. 'She will be ok, she just needs to know some things.'
'But I need to know them too. I want to be with her!'
'Yes you do, but she has the right to know them first.' Lizzy was pulling away her temper starting to flare. Hermione pulled her back. 'Baby she has never had a mum, someone to protect her and tell her all the things that mothers should. These things I want to explain to her are hers to tell you when she is ready. She loves you so she will.'
Ginny smiled, sometimes Hermione just over explained things. 'Lizzy, your girl she needs a mother right now. So is it ok if mum takes that role for a little bit? Gives her a safe place?'
Lizzy nodded, she wanted to be there so badly. But if her mum knew something that Diane had to know then she would let her talk to Diane. 'I'm just so worried.'
'I will keep her safe. I promise.' Hermione turned to Ginny giving her a peck on the lips. 'Love can you take Lizzy to Gryffindor Tower. I'll send my Patronus to get you when we're ready.'
Ginny nodded understanding that Hermione wanted a moment with McGonagall, alone. 'Come on baby lets get you somewhere more comfortable. I'm actually curious about how the Tower looks these days.' Ginny kept talking nonsense as she led Lizzy away.
McGonagall weighed what she should say, if anything. She was a little in the dark, but Hermione seemed to want to talk to her. 'Mrs Granger?'
Hermione sighed. 'This was so much simpler when this was only about the twins.'
McGonagall laughed lightly. 'I have been teaching here long enough to know that with this family things are never simple. And the twins will keep.'
Hermione snorted, McGonagall was being kind. With her family involved things got down right scary sometimes. 'You aren't very good liar.'
'Honest as always. Now I presume you need something more form me?'
Hermione nodded. This was such a personal matter for both Seville and Lizzy, but she had to do it. 'Their bonding isn't complete, they have to complete it. And they will need privacy to do so.'
McGonagall eyes narrowed. 'Diane lives in the Castle, so that will be hard.'
'I thought as much. Professor I need to take them home for a week, and the sooner the better.' Hermione was trying to stay as vague as she possibly could. She didn't want to go into detail.
'If you believe it's what's best I won't stop you. I just ask that Elisabeth not fall behind on her school work.' McGonagall's lips twitched. She knew that there was no chance of that, Lizzy was after all a Weasley-Granger.
Hermione was reading threw some paperwork she had with her when she heard a groan coming from the bed. She put away her paperwork and moved her chair closer. She looks so fragile. How anyone could turn her away is beyond me. Hermione gently stroked Diane's hair.
Diane's eyes opened, but they were still unfocused. 'Liz?'
Hermione smiled, Lizzy would be bright red if she knew that Hermione knew about her obviously having woken Diane up from sleep before. She didn't stop stroking Diane, offering comfort.
Diane's eyes focused a little more and the happy sleepy look was immediately replaced by utter terror. 'M..m..min...'
Hermione was taken aback for a second, Lizzy was not kidding when she told them that Diane was terrified of them. 'Shhh, shhh calm down we don't want you to faint again.'
'Pl..please d..do...don't s..send me t...t..to A..A...Azkaban!' Diane stuttered. How could she ever have thought that she could make things right with Liz's parents. They would send her away. But she couldn't.'
'Oh no, no, no sweetie, I'm not here to punish you.' Hermione spoke softly and tentatively reached out to Diane. 'I promise, I'm not here to scold you, or punish you or anything like that. I'm just here to see if you are ok and talk a little if you're up to it.'
Diane's breathing was getting a little bit calmer. But she still looked so incredibly scared.
Hermione searched her mind trying to figure out how she could possibly calm Diane down. Then it hit her, it was so simple really. 'And I wanted to welcome you to the family Diane. We are very happy to have you.'
Diane could feel tears wanting to slip out and she knew she couldn't stop them. 'R...r...r...really?'
Hermione nodded. 'Lizzy loves you that means we will too. So yes welcome.' Hermione was nearly knocked of her chair when Diane launched herself at her and hugged her tightly, sobbing. Oh if I ever get my hands on whoever hurt you this badly they will wish they were never born. Hermione hugged Diane close to her. 'Shhh, it's ok. You're ok, you're just fine.'
Ginny lay on a bed with Lizzy curled up tightly against her. She drew slow patterns on her back. It had always soothed Lizzy. After they had battled their way threw the Gryffindor Common Room Ginny had locked them in Lizzy's dorm room. Now an hour Later she thought that Lizzy had finally stopped crying and fallen asleep.
'Mama, do you think she's ok?'
Ginny was startled out of her thoughts. 'With your mum looking after her? She's just fine.'
'I'm just so worried.'
'Your mum will make sure she's more than ok.'
Lizzy bit her lip. 'How are you feeling?'
Ginny smiled Lizzy was so much like Hermione sometimes, it was scary. 'I'm getting there baby I'm getting there. Now close your eyes and get some rest. I'll keep watch.' She felt a slight nod on her shoulder. So she started singing a lullaby she had sung to all their children when they were younger. Hoping it would soothe Lizzy.
