After Hermione passed out, she was transported to Hogwarts and her bloody clothes were replaced with something from the girl's closet. Minerva recounted her encounter with the girl to Albus, and they attempted to figure out what happened in that house. They came to the conclusion that the girl had suffered several years of abuse from her parents and her magic lashed out to protect her. The girl possibly shapeshifted or changed into her animagus and brutally murdered them. However it happened, they agreed that if the girl still showed aggressive behavior based on the events of the previous night, it would be best to wipe her memory. Minerva was iffy on the idea, the girl was so young after all, but they had no other choice. After agreeing, Minerva sat at the girl's bedside, waiting for her to wake. She felt drawn to her eyes, and was reluctant to leave her.
Minerva watched as the young girl tossed and turned. She could feel the panic, fear, and magic rolling off the girl in waves, so she gently pushed out with her own magic. Hermione soon calmed down and the lines on her face smoothed out.
Minerva shook the thoughts and watched as, slowly, Hermione woke. Minerva smiled at the golden eyed girl as she sat up on her elbows and looked around,
"Where am I? Who..." She trailed off and quickly looked at Minerva. "That really happened?" Minerva nodded sadly. Hermione looked away from her and Minerva watched with bated breath. She looked back at Minerva as she fully sat up in the bed. "I hurt you?" Minerva raised an eyebrow and one corner of her mouth lifted,
"I'm fine, lass. Can you tell me what happened last night?" Minerva asked and immediately regretted it. Hermione's face became blank and slightly angry as she looked away. "Hermione?" She asked tentatively.
"They hurt me. Over and over for several years. So, I returned the favor." She spoke with an icy tone and paused to rotate one shoulder without lifting her arm, then the other, and then rolled her neck, her bones popping. "Something in me snapped and well after that, I just saw red." She said and turned to look at Minerva, smirking at her own joke. Minerva shuddered as she was reminded of how she found the girl,
"Hermione, try to relax." A slight tilt of the head was her answer.
"Why? Afraid I'm going to hurt you?"
Yes! Minerva thought, but instead said, "No. I worry you might hurt yourself." Hermione snorted,
"I heard that resounding yes in your head. Don't be so afraid, Minerva." She said as though Minerva hadn't found her in a room with dismembered body parts. At that moment Albus walked in. Minerva looked at him, silently communicating.
"Ah, Ms. Granger! How are we today?" Instead of responding, she merely stared at him. Albus nodded, "Very well. Obliviate!" He cast with no warning. Again, the spell bounced back towards him. Even though he expected this and cast a protego. Unexpectedly, the spell passed through the barrier and hit him. "Albus!" Minerva screamed as he flew back again.
Hermione chuckled and Minerva called for Poppy as she raced over to her unconscious friend. The nurse rushed in and they levitated Albus to a bed, Hermione's chuckle turn into a laugh and as they worked, the girl laughed the entire time. Minerva, annoyed, cast a silencing spell at the girl.
"Is he alright?" Minerva asked. Poppy shook her head as she looked at the diagnostics, "It's like she's put a lock on his mind, and only she has the key." Minerva looked over at Hermione who was sitting up in the bed across the room with a smug look on her face. She marched over to the girl, "What did you do? Fix him!" She yelled.
Hermione merely looked at her with those golden eyes, one eyebrow raised. Minerva rolled her eyes and with a quick wave of her hand, canceled the silencing spell. "Fix. Him. Now!" She said sternly.
I'll make you a deal. I'll fix him if you agree to marry me for at least a year the day I propose to you." Minerva's jaw dropped. What kind of eleven year old...marriage? She pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed, placing one hand on her hip.
"Poppy, what are the chances of Albus waking with his memory intact?" She asked. Hermione answered cryptically,
"That's not what I've 'locked up'." she said and yawned. "Take all the time you need to think over this. You really shouldn't be hasty with marriage proposals Minerva." Lying back down, she pulled the covers over her, "I'm going to bed now. Think carefully. Sooner is better than later, future wife." She said and fell asleep.
Minerva and Poppy looked between each other, shocked. Poppy shook her head. "Marriage, Minerva. What will you do?" Minerva walked over to Albus and sighed.
"Depends on him."
"Minerva..." Albus called as he began to wake up the day after Hermione issued her deal. Minerva and Poppy had been in the nurse's office, discussing the coming school year. They walked to the man's bedside, "Albus, how do you feel?" She asked once the nurse joined her. "Far too old to be flying." He said with a twinkle in his eyes.
The two women smiled at him, glad that he seemed normal. "You remember everything?" Poppy asked. Albus nodded, "I'm fine. It seems Ms. Granger is far stronger than I thought. How is she?" He asked. Hermione's voice rang out, surprising the three of them,
"I'm fine, Albus." She said smiling. Minerva looked between them as they stared at each other. She got the distinct feeling she was missing something.
"I think it best you stayed here for a while Albus. I'm not quite sure what she did to you." Poppy spoke, interrupting Minerva's thoughts. She shook it off as paranoia. "Nonsense. I'll rest in my room. Minerva, I've an idea for young Ms. Granger." Minerva nodded and turned to Hermione.
"The castle is empty except for the professors. Feel free to explore. If you get lost simply ask a portrait or a ghost for directions." She smiled as complete and utter confusion passed over the girl's features. In all the chaos that had ensued over the past few days, Minerva had forgotten that the girl had only been introduced to magic a few days ago.
"Go Minerva. Show her around. I have a feeling she'll be particularly interested in the library." Albus said as he left the infirmary. Minerva's smile grew as she stared at the girl, her face clearly showing excitement.
"Come, Hermione. Welcome to Hogwarts." She said as she walked out of the Infirmary with the girl in tow. Minerva smiled as the girl awed over the castle. She showed her the great hall and the dormitories, introduced her to the ghosts and portraits, and finally, the library. She chuckled as Hermione's jaw practically hit the floor. Chuckling, she placed a finger under her chin, "Flies, dear." She said as she closed the girl's mouth. "I assume you'll be spending the rest of the day in here?" She asked. Hermione nodded emphatically and took off towards the shelves. "I'll come find you when it is time for dinner." Minerva said, and left for the headmaster's office.
A/N: Still good?
