Chapter Two

Explaining

Hermione woke the next morning to the crying of her one year old son. She opened her eyes and looked around frantically, but was relieved to see that Hayden was just crying for breakfast and a changing, instead of having rolled onto the floor like she had expected. Glancing at the clock on the wall across from the bed she was surprised to see that it was already nine, usually Hayden would wake her up before seven at the latest. Hermione picked him up and went out into the living room to get a diaper and a clean pair of clothes to change him into.

Hayden could eat solids now and she only fed him a bottle at night, so she decided she would just take him down to the Great Hall for breakfast. It was the middle of summer so she knew it would probably only be her, Hayden and Minerva in the large room, but that was all the company Hermione needed. She walked out of the rooms and started making her way down towards the Great Hall. While on one of the moving staircases she laughed and the mesmerized look on her son's face.

"Sure it's cool now, but just wait till you have to get all the way up to the Astronomy Tower and the staircases won't cooperate whatsoever."

When they eventually reached the entrance to the Great Hall Hayden began to squirm on her hip to be let down, "Alright, alright" she sat him down "here you go."

Hayden just stood there a moment looking around at everything before beginning to walk down the main aisle, with Hermione following close behind, ready to catch him if he fell. Halfway down the room he finally spotted Professor McGonagall who was sitting in the middle of the empty staff table reading the Daily Prophet, and began to run towards her. He slowed down a bit when he got to the three stairs leading up to the table, but he confidently climbed up them and crawled under the table.

Hermione laughed, at this age he didn't really understand the idea of strangers and if he had seen someone only once for at least five minutes he acted like you were his new best friend. At least this was how she saw it, but maybe he was just going to be a social butterfly when he grew up, unlike his mother who had her nose in a book at all times.

Apparently Minerva had been so absorbed in what ever she was reading that she hadn't heard them walk in let alone hear Hayden crawl under the table considering the surprised look on her face when he tugged on her cloak.

Minerva laughed at the little boy, "Well good morning Hayden." She greeted him, setting down the newspaper on the table before picking him up and setting him on her lap. She looked up at Hermione, "Good morning Hermione, did you sleep well?"

Hermione walked around the table and took a seat beside her, "Yes, thank you again for everything."

"It's no trouble at all." Minerva studied Hermione as she took a pastry off a plate and began eating. "Hermione…"

"I know what you want me to tell you but could we please wait until after breakfast?" said Hermione not looking up from her plate.

Minerva smiled sadly, "Of course."

"Mama?" Hayden said looking at Hermione.

"Yes baby?" she turned to look at him. He didn't say anything but moved his hand up to his mouth and then pointed at the food on the table. Hermione smiled, "Are you hungry?"

He nodded his head vigorously and reached his arms out to her; Hermione took him and sat him on her lap. She grabbed a banana from a bowl of fruit and pealed it, breaking off a small hunk and handed it to him. Hermione did this several times, all the time knowing that Minerva was watching her intently.

"Ron and I got married a few months after the war." She began, staring at the spots on a pear. "After about a week he started drinking, a lot, and the first time he hurt me I thought it was just a drunken mistake and Ron apologized about a million times. Then it started to become more and more frequent, I know I should have left but I was so scared." She paused as she felt a lone tear roll down her cheek.

"It's ok Hermione." Minerva said softly taking one of Hermione's hands in both of hers.

"When I found out I was pregnant he stopped, so I guess- I guess he had some sort of compassion left in him. But after Hayden was born and I was back home from the hospital he started hurting me again. The day before last I thought- I thought he was going to hurt Hayden, so I left." Hermione began crying, "But then he threw the vase at me and Hayden could've really gotten hurt. I should've- I should've left earlier but I didn't and I don't know what I would have done if he had been hurt. It would've been my fault and…"

"Hermione Granger stop right there. None of this is your fault. Ron is the one who is to blame for all of this, not you." Minerva said.

Hermione looked up at her disbelievingly, "But it feels like it should be my fault."

"Let me ask you a question. Did you ask Ron to hurt you?"

"No but-"

"Did you want him to hurt you?" she continued.

"No but-"

"Were you afraid to leave because you thought he might come after you and Hayden and hurt you again?"

"Yes I was but-"

"Well then it seems to me that none of this is your fault." Minerva finished.

Hermione didn't continue to argue. Deep down she knew that Minerva was right, but there was still a part of her that said different. They sat in silence for a few moments aside from the occasional clink that came from Hayden inspecting the items on the table.

"Hermione last night I was thinking and I wondered if you would like to teach Transfiguration." Minerva said breaking the silence.

"But I thought you taught Transfiguration? Plus I never finished my seventh year so I wouldn't really be all that qualified." Hermione replied.

"Oh please Hermione, we both know that you could have taken your N.E.W.T.S. in you sixth year if it had been allowed." Minerva joked, causing Hermione to blush. "And since I am the new Headmistress it will be easier if someone else could take over Transfiguration. Truthfully I don't know of anyone else who would be better for the position."

"Oh well thank you Professor, I would love to teach here but what about Hayden? Where would he stay while I was teaching?"

"Well I imagine he could stay with you in the classroom as long as he didn't prove to be a disruption. As young as he is now he already he seems like he is pretty quiet most of the time." Minerva answered studying Hayden with a smile. He seemed to know she was looking at him because he looked up and smiled back. "Or if you would rather not have him with you Poppy and I are usually not extremely busy during the day and we could take turns watching him."

Hermione contemplated all of it for a moment. It seemed like a good idea and Ron definitely had no reason to come back to Hogwarts so there was no chance of seeing him again, but she was still hesitant. "Are you sure Professor?"

"I am positive." Giving her a reassuring smile.

Hermione sighed, "Alright I'll do it."

A/N: So I know it has been like two weeks since I updated and I do apologize, but my muse just would not cooperate. Also I know there was absolutely no Draco in this chapter at all but hopefully my muse will start cooperating again and I can get the ball rolling on Hermione and Draco's relationship. Anyways, please review, I appreciate it. :)