True Colors Chapter 2

September 9, 1994

Hermione Granger had been in and out of consciousness in the hospital wing for a week now. During her lucid moments, which were becoming more and more common she would cry out for her mother and weep. For the first few days, her sleep was wrought with nightmares Despite Poppy Pomfrey's vast medical knowledge, it was becoming more and more difficult to calm the girl during her episodes. It seemed the only person who was able to get Hermione calmed down was her Transfiguration Professor and Head of House, Minerva McGonagall. After a week in the hospital wing, Hermione was physically much healthier after a week in the hospital wing than she had been in months. Emotionally she was a nervous wreck. Unfortunately, the new Defense Professor, Dolores Umbridge, was very interested in where the Gryffindor student was. Due to Madame Pomfreys strict rules about visitation, the vile woman was kept at bay while Hermione was in the Hospital Wing. However, everyone was on high alert today, because the young girl was going to be released today. Instead of going back too her dormitory, Hermione would be residing in the guest chamber's of her Transfiguration Professor for a few months, and it was of the utmost importance that Dolores Umbridge did not learn of Hermione's new living situation. In a normal situation, Poppy would have no problem letting the girl go back to the dormitory, however after what happened on September 6, there was no way she was releasing the girl anywhere but to Minerva's quarters.

Flashback: September 6, 1994

Hermione was not sleeping and was eating next to nothing. Poppy had been able to get her to eat a little bit of chicken broth during the day, and she had fallen asleep around 7:30. Minerva came to visit and sit with her student around 8, and she stayed grading papers until she eventually nodded off. Later on that night, Minerva was awoken from her less than peaceful slumber by the most terror filled screams she had ever heard. Hermione didn't seem to be truly awake. Her eyes were open, but she wasn't seeing. Minerva impulsively reached her arms out towards her student and was taken aback when the girl lashed out at her. After realizing what she had done, Minerva pulled back and thought for a few seconds. Hermione was now sobbing and curled into a ball at the top of her hospital bed. After thinking for a few moments, Minerva went to the other side of the bed, and cautiously moved to stroke her pupil's hand. While the light touch startled the girl, she didn't pull away. Taking that as a sign to continue, Minerva began to softly sing , "Feasgar ciùin an tùs a' Chèitein, Nuair bha 'n ialtag anns na speuran, Chualaim rìbhinn òg 's i deurach, 'Seinn fo sgàil nan geugan uain', Bha a' ghrian 'sa chuan gu sìoladh, 'S reult cha d' èirich anns an iarmailt, Nuair a sheinn an òigh gu cianail, "Tha mo ghaol air àird a' chuain." Hermione gradually calmed as she listened to her Professor's soothing Scottish burr. As she calmed Hermione gradually began to lean into her Professor. Minerva climbed onto the bed next to the little girl and gathered her close in her arms, softly singing and rocking back and forth until the girl was lulled back to sleep. After she fell asleep, Minerva made to move off the bed, but was suddenly stopped when a small hand reached for her own. "Please don't go." Hermione said in a small voice. Minerva raised her head to meet her pupil's eyes which were barely visible in the dark light of the Hospital Wing where the only light was that of the moon streaming in through the windows. As she looked into the girl's eyes, she saw a need in them that made every maternal instinct she had scream. She was debating whether to do what was proper or to do what was right, but before she could reach a conclusion, a hand reached for hers and pulled her closer. Her mind had been made up for her. As she climbed into bed with her pupil, she felt a calm relax over her that confirmed she was doing the right thing. She stayed the whole night. The next morning, Minerva was awakened by her friend Poppy Pomfrey, who was staring at her with a tear in her eye. As she was alerted to her friends consciousness, she said "That's the first time she's slept through the night without a potion the whole time she's been here, and I don't think I've seen you look so well rested since before…" When her friend trailed off, Minerva's feelings of calm and relaxation began to slip away. "Yes thank you Poppy. I thought we had agreed to never speak of that incident again. " Minerva said defensively. Poppy apologized quickly, but added " I know what you went through was hard, but you two are good for each other. You're going to be a great help to this girl, and I won't let you push her away." Minerva was about to offer a rebuttal, but found she didn't have a response. She had no argument. Hermione was good for her, and she was obviously good for the girl. It was like finally having a child of her own. As Hermione stirred in her sleep, Minerva stroked her hair and the girl was lulled back to sleep while Minerva left to begin her day.

September 9, 1995 CONT

Hermione was both terrified and excited to leave the Hospital Wing. While leaving would mean that she could begin studying and reading again, it would also leave her exposed to Dolores Umbridge and some of the undesirable people in her classes (aka all Slytherins). The thing that terrified her the most was moving in with her Professor. Although she had been very kind to her, Hermione was terrified that would all change when she moved in with her. She was also afraid that after a few nights with her night terrors, Minerva would change her mind and decide that she didn't want the hassle. If that happened Hermione didn't think she'd be able to bear it. She had begun to put up a normal façade, mostly for her friends and Professor's sake, but inside, she was still terrified that her father would find her. In the Hospital Wing, she knew she was safe, but how would she know in Minerva's rooms? What if her found her and made her pay for telling? As Hermione thought these scary thoughts, Minerva had entered the Hospital Wing and was on her way to collect the girl. As she reached Hermione's bed, she noticed the girl was sitting silently with tears running down her face. She gently tapped her shoulder, which shook the girl out of her thoughts, but one look at her eyes and she knew she wasn't ready to talk about it. "Hermione," Minerva said softly, "It's time to go. I've set up a room just for you, and I'm sure you'll love it." Hermione calmed while listening to Minerva's soft voice and gradually her tears stopped and she got up and made to follow her Professor. She was going home.

...TBC

A/N: I am soooo sorry this took so long to get out! I had almost all of this chapter written, and then I got the worst case of writer's block ever and my life got super crazy. This is my most favorited story, and thank you to everyone who has put it on their story alert list! I am so sorry that it took so long to get to you guys, but I hope you enjoyed, and I definitely won't leave you hanging for this long for another update! In other news, I'm about to post a Hermione/Rose oneshot and I hope you all check it out :) Please Review!

-Dar 3