Metamorphosis Through Anguish
Chapter 2
When Hermione woke, she was in an unfamiliar place. She tried to recall what had brought her to her current location. The memories from the night before came crashing in on her. She felt a lump rise in her throat, but the hot tears that had previously burned her eyes, didn't come. She had drained herself of tears, but not of the painful emotions that were still stabbing at her heart and mind. She shifted slightly and realized that a warm arm was still resting around her back and that a warm shoulder lay under her cheek. She peered up through her hair to see the face of her favorite professor beside, her face relaxed in sleep. Something warmed her heart to learn that the woman who was so strict in her classroom had spent all night make sure she had the comfort she had so desperately needed.
Hermione sat up and looked around, taking in the room. It was tastefully decorated in creams and chocolate browns, with small splashes of color in the form of red and purple. There were bookshelves in one corner, near a large bay window with a window seat, and surrounded by plush wingback chairs. There was a blazing fireplace across from the bed, and a table big enough to seat four in the far corner. She saw doors on either side of the bed, and another two on the far wall, one near the fireplace and one behind the table. Hermione paused her perusal of the room and disentangled herself from the blankets and Minerva's arm. She rolled gently off the bed, so as not to wake the older woman and went to see which of the doors led to a bathroom. The first held a closet, but on her second attempt she found a sumptuous bathing area of cream and gold marble. She made quick use of the facilities, but not quick enough to return before Minerva woke. The Professor sighed in relief to see her emerge from the bathroom a few minutes later.
Professor McGonagall took in the Hermione's features with a sad gaze. Her eyes were still red, and full of emotion, but she'd scrubbed the dried tear tracks from her cheeks. She watched as she went over to stare out the window onto the castle grounds.
"Professor?" Her voice was still soft, barely above a whisper.
"Yes, Hermione?" She answered coming to stand next to her charge.
"What will happen to me? I have no family to go to. I don't know how to arrange for a funeral or what to do with our house, or their business. I'm so scared!" The tears that had been absent when she first woke came rushing back in a torrent. Minerva gathered her into her arms and held her close as she sobbed. When her tears had subsided, she ushered them over to the chairs, near the fire.
"I have three options for you, Hermione, if you think you're ready to hear them." The girl nodded, gazing at her through her anguish. She held her gaze for a minute as if to gauge her readiness for herself. "The first option is to become a ward of the Ministry, and they will place you with a family, much like the Muggle foster system."
"No!" She said vehemently, the first forceful and strong thing she'd said since the news of her parent's death had first reached her. Minerva nodded. She didn't think that Hermione would choose that option anyway.
"The second option is for Mrs. Weasley to become your guardian." She looked thoughtful over that one, but didn't agree or disagree with it.
"What is the third option?"
"The third option is a little unorthodox." She nodded, begging her to continue. "Your third option is me." The girl looked stunned. Minerva briefly wondered if she'd gone too far. She feared rejection just as much as the next person, but it seemed so much more poignant at that moment.
"You really want me?" Her voice had lost its force and returned to its meekness. Her question, and the look in her eyes, said she was unsure if she should believe this particular option.
"Yes, I really do. I know that Molly is a good mother, and that she would take care of you very well. I understand if you would rather choose her…" A flying body suddenly coming to rest in her arms cut off the rest of what she was going to say.
"I choose you." It was the first happy moment for Hermione, since the evening before. It felt wonderful to be granted that small control of her life, as it seemed like everything was spinning away from her. She snuggled deeper into her favorite professor and mentor's arms, feeling the warmth and comfort surrounding her. Minerva placed soft kisses the top of her head, much the way her mother had done when she was sick, or hurt, and in need of comfort. She rubbed small circles on her back. It was so soothing when everything else felt like she was being shredded.
They sat that way for what seemed like hours before a knock sounded on the door. The Headmaster joined them in the chair that Hermione had previously occupied. Both ladies turned to look at him, his grim features once again making him appear every one of his many years of age. He sighed softly seeing them there. He loved his wife so dearly, and Hermione was the type of girl that he wished they could have had.
"I have some contacts in the Muggle world, for situations like this. I have contacted a solicitor who specializes in the affairs of children. I am gathering that have chosen Minerva to be your guardian." She nodded. "Good. We will take you to meet with the solicitor this afternoon, and tomorrow there will be a court date. You've been excused from your classes for the remainder of the week. Your assignments will be waiting for you when you are ready. I'm sure Minerva would be happy to help you practice, and when you're settled, professor Snape will allow you to use your free period to catch up on your missed lessons. Is that satisfactory?" She nodded again.
"Very well then. Let's have some breakfast." Sitting with the Headmaster and her new guardian/favorite professor allowed Hermione to relax and forget for a short time. She could enjoy just being, instead of enduring the constant ache that had taken up residence in her chest.
Later Professor McGonagall escorted her up to Gryffindor Tower to gather her belongings for London, and some fresh clothes. Hermione showered and charmed her hair into tame ringlets and put on some jeans, a t-shirt, and a hooded sweatshirt. She felt the tears prick her eyes again over the sweater. Her mother had picked it out for her. It was black, with bright white letters on it that spelled out "Who's Magic?" on the front. It was their private joke. She choked back a sob as she packed a set of nice clothes for the court date, as they would be spending the night in her house, as well as a few other things she thought she would need.
Professor McGonagall waited patiently for her in the Common Room. She had shuffled the boys off to their classes, so they wouldn't be hanging around. She was thankful for that small measure of peace. Harry she could handle. She wouldn't have to say anything and he would understand. Ron would try to be a comfort, but would only stifle her because he really had no concept of loss. Professor McGonagall escorted her to the Headmaster's office. Dumbledore met them with a portkey. He would meet then the next morning for her court date. Minerva, who was also familiar with the solicitor, Mr. James, led her up to his office once they arrived in the alley behind the building. The solicitor was an older gentleman with bottlebrush white hair and sea-foam colored eyes that held some restrained sparkle. She gauged this man to be one who laughed a lot and enjoyed his life as much as possible.
"Miss Granger, I'm most sorry for your loss. I wish we had met under better circumstances." Mr. James said gently. She nodded slightly toward him. "We have many things to cover with you, and they will not be easy. Are you ready, or would you like a few minutes?"
"Lets get it over with." She answered quietly. Her tone was breaking Minerva's heart. This was a girl who had no problems what so ever making herself heard, and she had been reduced to a barely audible whisper in her grief, as though anything louder would shatter her.
They discussed her parent's will, what she would like to do with the house, their business, as well as their various investments. They spent several hours at it, as she had to stop and re-compose herself many times. When they were finished, she felt shredded by the afternoon.
"Do you have any questions for me, Miss Granger?" He asked. She nodded.
"We have discussed all of the things to take place, but not one has told me how my parents died. Even the letter I received at school didn't say. What happened to them?"
"The report that I received states that they were in a car accident. It seems as though there were two cars, driving on either side of your parents. They boxed them in. It's unfortunately a common way to commit insurance fraud these days. But things didn't go as intended for the planners. Your parents tried to stop before they rear-ended another car, and managed it just, but there was a tanker truck behind them that could stop in time and it hit your parent's car. The impact of the truck killed them instantly. I'm so sorry, my dear." She nodded, tears welling out of her eyes. She could feel the sobs building again and turned to her mentor. The professor soothed the girl as best she could, holding her close and rocking her gently, rubbing warm circles on her back. Mr. James looked on in sympathy. Cases like Hermione's were always difficult because the child had no family of her own to turn to. She had no support system to get her through the worst part of her grief.
Professor McGonagall waited until Hermione's tears quieted before she stood them up to head to the Granger's house. Mr. James nodded at them, reminding Minerva softly that he would meet them at the Granger's house and escort them to the courtroom. She nodded and led Hermione out and back into the alley so that they could use the other portkey Dumbledore had given them.
