Chapter two
BOOO! I'm back people with another chapter. I want to thank all of you who have left a review, I've found them very helpful and they make me smile I only hope that this chapter will love up to the previous one. Oh and I don't own Harry potter, if I did guess who would be together!
Thank you all
Remorse
"Enjoying the view mudblood?"
Hermione whipped around to face Bellatrix Lustrange, her eyes widening considerably. Bellatrix cackled loudly, her fingers lightly gripping her wand as she moved forward. Hermione shuddered, gripping her own wand tightly.
"Not very wise to be on your own is mudblood? Your dear Minerva made that mistake already." Hermione struggled to control her breathing.
"You bastard. Expellia –
"Crucio!"
A jet of red energy flew towards Hermione, knocking her backwards onto the hard rock's with a sharp cry of pain ripping from her throat. Hermione groaned in pain and frustration when she realized that her wand had been knocked out of her hand leaving her completely defenceless and at the mercy of the death eater hovering over her. The seconds dragged on, turning into minuets consisting of angry stares and the occasional grin from Bellatrix, showing how much she enjoyed watching Hermione struggle with her emotions.
"What are you waiting for?" Hermione shouted, angry at herself for letting this happen. If she had kept her guard up instead of allowing her mind to return to the keeper of her heart then she would not be waiting for a rescuer to step forward.
"You to start begging for your life." The death eater cackled, her grin widening as Hermione spat on the ground in outrage.
"I don't beg, especially to you."
"You have guts...a trait that you will need in the future." Bellatrix muttered, lowering her wand and offering her hand to the very surprised student. She stared at it hesitantly before shyly accepting it. Her skin was warm, surprising Hermione who always believed that death eaters had no heart, therefore no blood supply to warm the body. She was pulled to her feet, both oblivious to the approaching transfigurations teacher who had yet to spot them as she exited the castle.
Bellatrix picked up Hermione's wand and handed it to her.
"She doesn't deserve your loyalty; if anything she deserves your revenge." Hermione flinched at the whispered tone as Bellatrix slowly moved closer.
"And I suppose you deserve my loyalty?" Hermione knew better than to aggravate her, but quite frankly she was done being the studious girl she had a reputation for. Bellatrix snapped, and unfortunately, at the precise time Minerva appeared behind a few trees only a few metres away, she released a sharp backhanded with enough force to knock Hermione to the ground. Blood poured down her cheek from where Lestrange's ring had cut her skin.
Minerva gasped as she watched Hermione be struck down by the bitch who had confronted her a few hours ago. She was about to step forward when Bellatrix whirled round, her wand drawn out.
"Immobulus" She muttered. Instantly, a jet of red struck Minerva, forcing her to remain completely still. Hermione hadn't noticed she was too busy trying to get back to her feet. She gripped her wand, as Bellatrix turned slowly towards her with the same grin gracing her features.
"It never ceases to amaze me, how the human heart can be broken so many times, yet love so easily. What did she say? 'You're just a student?" Bellatrix cackled loudly as pain flashed across Hermione's features as she was forced to remember what her love had said to her.
"Why do you care?" Hermione whispered still unaware that Minerva was watching. She struggle to break free from the effects of the curse, mentally wrestling with her own fear,
"Who says I care? You see, you admitting that you love for her have given me the perfect opportunity to extract my revenge. A few years ago, she killed someone I cared for deeply. It ruined my life, so it's only fair that I do the same."
Hermione couldn't believe it. Minerva had killed someone?
"You're lying. Besides killing me won't ruin Minerva's life." Hermione muttered, tears in her eyes as she realized that her attempts to convince Bellatrix to spare her life were probably true now.
Minerva felt her own tears flow down her cheeks. How could she say that? Hermione meant the world to her, nothing would change that, but she could certainly see why her young love felt that way. After all she had behaved horribly. Then it suddenly struck her. Hermione could die if she didn't do something. Minerva racked her brain frantically trying to find the counter curse in time to save Hermione and tell her how badly she needed her in her life.
'God damn it think Minerva!' She mentally scolded herself, trying to stay calm long enough to concentrate. Of course how could she concentrate when the love of her life was about to die? She watched helplessly as Bellatrix raised her wand, the words of the killing curse on her lips.
"Avada ke-"
"NO!" Bellatrix turned in horror and amusement as her curse began to wear off leaving a very pissed and terrified professor in its wake. Hermione too stared in shock at Minerva. She had never looked so ...scared. Was she worried for her? No, of course not, she was probably just dreading about telling Harry and Ron. Hermione was able to edge herself away from Bellatrix, who thankfully was too busy taunting Minerva.
"Minerva! So good of you to join us." She laughed, as Minerva slowly stepped forward, her normally calm, emerald eyes filled with hate and anger.
"Let. Her. Go." She whispered harshly, her wand pointing directly at Bellatrix's chest. Bellatrix smirked raising her hands playfully, before pointing her wand towards where she presumed Hermione was.
"Why would I do that my dear?" Hermione froze as Bellatrix once again turned to her, her wand raised. She watched Minerva closely, hoping that there would be a single sign that she cared for her, and if there wasn't then she prayed for a swift end. She closed her eyes, willing her mind to let go of the pain and fear and return to a time when she felt nothing but happiness. Her memory consisted of hours spent discussing Transfigurations, laughing over small events and occasionally sobbing over things that seemed so unimportant know.
"She has done nothing to you!"
"But she will. What's the muggle saying? Kill two birds with one stone? The dark lord wants Potter's rebellion crushed, and everyone knows that the mudblood is the brain behind it. " Realization struck Hermione like a lightning bolt; she was only saving her for Harry's sake. She didn't care about her; she only cared about the order.
Minerva raised her wand, finally able to control herself long enough to realize that she should have killed her the moment she threatened Hermione.
"Reducto!" She shouted angrily. Hermione scrambled to her feet and jumped out of the way as Bellatrix stumbled from the blast. She grinned slightly before vanishing in a green flash. Hermione stayed still, waiting for Minerva to make the first move. Minerva slowly walked forward, her emerald eyes now filled with fear and concern. She raised a shaking hand to gently cup Hermione's cheek turning her head slowly to examine the gash.
"It's not that bad." Hermione muttered stepping backwards violently as if the mere touch of her love burned her. Minerva however refused to allow Hermione to shy away from what happened.
"None the less, I would feel better if I had a look."
"I'm fine, really." Hermione was suddenly overcome by an urge to run. To run away from the women in front of her and never look back. How could she rip out her heart one minute then show such care towards her the next? It didn't make sense.
"You were alone with one of the most ruthless death eaters in this world, so forgive me for not believing you." She snapped, regretting it instantly once she saw the hurt in Hermione's eyes.
"Then I will go see Madame Pomfrey if it will make you believe me." Hermione stated, keeping her eyes on the ground as she weaved around her teacher, refusing to show how much Minerva's tone had affected her. Minerva watched her go, knowing that she deserved the women's rage, but it still hurt.
-/-
Hermione walked into the medical wing, grateful that she appeared to be alone for the moment. She was pretty sure that Minerva...no Professor McGonagall would have alerted Poppy by now of what had happened, and sure enough no sooner had she sat down on the edge of one of the beds in a corner of the ward, the doors were flung open as Madame Pomfrey, Professors Dumbledore, Snape and McGonagall charged towards her.
'Oh Crap!'
"Miss Granger what happened?"
"Was it really Bellatrix Lustrange?"
"Can't you see the girls exhausted? Now all of you, OUT! You can ask questions later, after I have given her the all clear. Not so fast Minerva, I want to make sure you're alright as well, please take a seat next to Hermione?"
Albus smiled softly, hopefully this would make Minerva realize that life was too short to let love slip by.
"Poppy I'm fine."
"None the less, I would feel better if I had a look." Poppy glared at Minerva who immediately sat next to Hermione who was smiling slightly at Poppy's words. Poppy smirked successfully before waving her wand over Hermione.
"Hmmm..."
"What do you mean 'Hmmm'?" Minerva asked watching Hermione closely, who refused to make eye contact with either women.
"Apart from a nasty cut, low blood pressure and elevated adrenaline levels she's perfectly fine. Now Minerva, your turn."
Poppy repeated her wand movement over Minerva. Hermione although she still hadn't looked directly at Minerva hoped that she was alright.
"Well your fine Minerva, but that doesn't mean you can act in such a reckless manner again. Now Hermione hold still whilst I apply some stitches." Poppy quickly and expertly cleaned the wound without inflicting that much pain. Minerva resisted the urge to hold Hermione every time she winced but doing so would probably ruin the already complicated and damaged friendship they had, so she was content to wait.
-/-
Luckily for Hermione, Poppy had agreed to allow her to leave as long as she got some rest and a decent meal. She hoped off the bed, refusing to wait for Minerva.
"What did that woman say to her?" Poppy asked as she and Minerva watched Hermione walk towards Gryffindor tower.
"I'm not sure. But I'm going to find out." She stalked out of the medical wing, determined to fix this. Luckily, Hermione had been walking slowly meaning Minerva had caught up with her before she even reached the common room.
"Miss Granger...Hermione please." It was the desperation that made Hermione stop. Minerva jogged towards her.
"Thank you. Hermione we need to talk about what happened...at the lake." Minerva scolded herself for pausing at the worst moment. There was nothing she would rather do than grab Hermione and kiss her senseless, but she knew that she would have to convince Hermione of her feelings before that could happen.
"I'm fine Professor, even Madame Pomfrey agreed with me."
"I don't doubt that Hermione, however I'm more worried about what happened before I arrived. " Hermione stepped through the portrait, closely followed by Minerva. Hermione sat in one of the armchairs around the fire, not at all surprised when Minerva sat next to her.
"Hermione, why were you even by the lake? I mean surely, it was stupid of you to go on your own." Hermione shuddered visibly; of course Minerva had no idea that Bellatrix had said those words to her. She drew her knees up to her chest and gazed into the fire, hoping, willing this conversation to end.
"Hermione? What is it?" Minerva, against her better judgement placed a hand on Hermione's arm.
"It's just...Bellatrix told me the same thing. That I was foolish to be alone." Hermione whispered, her eyes never leaving the fire. Minerva could have slapped herself for her lack of tact; surely she could have waited before disciplining the girl?
"I'm sorry, I didn't know. Hermione, what did she say to you?"
"It doesn't matter, she's gone now."
"Hermione, please. I'm not leaving until you tell me what happened." Part of Minerva hoped that she wouldn't tell her so she could have an excuse to stay with Hermione. However Hermione had other ideas.
"Professor, please." Hermione pleaded finally meeting Minerva's eyes. What the older witch was a woman in complete emotional turmoil and she could not blame her.
"I don't want you on your own tonight Hermione. Somehow Lestrange has found a way to get into the castle undetected. I would feel a lot better if you stayed with me tonight."
"I wouldn't want to impose Professor."
"You wouldn't."
"Ok."
