Well here's chapter 3, hope you enjoy :)
Confused chocolate eyes met emerald ones full with emotions.
« What happened ? » Hermione Granger cringed slightly at how hoarse her voice sounded. And the pain in her back and limbs hurts too as she tried to sit up.
« Stay where you are » came the icy command from Minerva McGonagall as she puts her hands on the young woman's shoulders, setting her back in her lying position on the floor with her head on her lap.
« Minerva I... »
« Yes, explain to me what in Merlin's name you think you where doing ? » came the thick Scottish brogue.
« I...I don't know.. » came the timid reply.
« Yes, you don't know. That's why you're whiter than the Grey Lady and you almost got yourself badly injured or worst. »
Hermione shamely turned her head on the side, tears starting to fall on her cheeks. She heard a deep sigh and felt a hand starting to stroke her head.
« You know how dangerous it is to transform into your Animagus form alone as you didn't master it yet. Why did you do it ? » Minerva asked with softness in her voice. She didn't want to be angry at Hermione and let her temper have the better of her but the girl juste gave her a heart attack.
The war with Voldemort has ended three years ago. Hogwarts reconstruction was almost done as the Wizardy world has been helping to restore the school. Harry and Ron decided to chase the remaining Death Eaters with some Aurors and Kingsley, who was now the new Minister of Magic. Hermione for her part had her own demons to fights. The memory of being tortured by Bellatrix at the Malfoy Manor still haunted her dreams. She had decided to stay at Hogwarts to help to rebuilt the castle as she didn't have her parents anymore. Yes, they were still alive but the Healers from St Mungos couldn't give them their memories back. Molly had offered her to stay with the Weasley but she declined as she didn't felt family like Harry as he dated Ginny. Ron had kissed her during the battle but she had slapped him as she didn't love him like he love her. He was like a brother to her and nothing more. Her heart belong to another since her fourth year.
It belong to a woman.
The most powerful and beautiful witch in the world. Which woman who was staring down at her as she held her in her arms.
Their relationship changed from student/teacher to friends over the years as being in the order and their late night meetings came almost every days. Hermione knew how she truly felt during the run with the boys.
« Hermione ? »
« Ah...Yes.. ? »
« Are you alright, dear ? »
The young woman blinked a couple of times as she looked at the older woman's face.
« Yes.. I.. Sorry. I know it was foolish of me but I wanted to try.. Are you mad at me ? » she asked timidly while Minerva helped her to get back on her feet.
Minerva stared at her a little more, searching for something into her brown eyes.
« I'm not angry at you dear. But I don't want you to danger your life again like that. It's not the first time. »
« I'm not.. »
« Don't lie to me, Hermione. » It was asked in a Professor McGonagall tone that put Hermione into silence immediatly. « I know what you... »
« No you don't. »
Emerald eyes widened slightly at the sudden switch in the brunette's voice. It was deep, angry and full of sadness.
Hermione lifted her gaze as she stared at the woman in front of her, a fury in her eyes, ready to explode. Minerva could even sense Hermione's magic around her.
« Everyone said they know. They know how I felt, what I felt at that time. But they don't. I don't felt. I feel, I dream about it every night. » She abstently gripped her scarred forearm. « They know nothing. And you know nothing either, Professor. » She spatted with venom in her voice, tears freely running on her cheeks.
She didn't want to speak like that to Minerva but talking about it was very painful for her as she didn't find any help while talking about it. She had talked with Ginny, Harry and Molly. Even Dumbledore in his portrait couldn't ease the pain from her chest and head. She couldn't find any answers in any books as to ' How to get better after you got tortured by a psycho witch'.
Before she could open the door of Minerva's quarters, she felt soft yet strong finger on her wrist.
« Let me go. »
« No. »
« I said, let me go, Minerva. »
« I won't. Not until you let it go. »
Before she could react, Hermione felt her body being turn around and was pressed in a tight embrace. She tried to move but her breath got caught in her throath as she felt Minerva's magic around her. Soothing her. It was warm and strong. She felt safe and light at the same time. She heard a gentle voice in her ear.
« I won't let you go. Breathe. »
And she did. As she took a deep breath, she felt something snap in her chest and she couldn't stop crying. Her hands gripped the black and green emerald clad strong shoulders of her mentor as she break down in her arms. She felt Minerva's arms tightening their hold around her back, her magic still surroundig her, caressing her face, her heart and her soul. And at that moment, she knew. She would be better.
After calming down, Hermione lifted her head from her place on Minerva's chest, her eyes red and puffy looking up into warm emerald ones.
« What... What did you do ? » she asked after clearing her throath.
« I told you I knew. Sometimes, a good hug is all you need. »
Hermione looked in her friend's eyes, searching for something.
« How did you know ? »
Taking a deep breath, Minerva's straightened her back. Hermione could see doubt in the older witch's eyes.
« You put your trust in me when you show me your scar. » The older witch began as her fingers removed the sleeve and glamour from Hermione's arms. The letters were not as red as before but it was easily readable.
« I've always trusted you » Hermione whispered as those fingers started to caress her skin, sending shivers along her spine.
« I know. And I you... »
With that, she waved her hand in front of the right side of her face, removing the imperceptible glamour charm.
Hermione couldn't help the gasp from her lips as a scar appeared on Minerva's face it started from above her right eyebrow, through her eyes, which was white and not emerald like the other, through her cheek and ending near her jaw.
Minerva's breath itches as she saw soft fingers tracing the scar on her face even if she couldn't feel it.
« It happened during Grindewald's war. I got captured with my younger brother Malcolm. » She closed her eyes as a thumb stroke her cheek « They tortured us, for weeks. Two months I believe. He didn't make it. I did. » she took a deep breath. She watches as chocolate eyes looked at her.
« You're still beautiful » she heard Hermione whisper.
Truly, looked at her.
« I've lost the sight in my right eye »
She held the hand against her face in her own, cuddling into it.
« I can't feel when you touch this side of my face. »
She smiled slightly when she saw Hermione kissing her cheek.
« Or when you kiss it.. » She whispered, her voice getting deeper before she captured Hermione lips with her own. It was slow, gentle. She put her hands on Hermione's waist, bringing their bodies closer as she felt arms being wrapped around her neck. Their tongues danced for the first time together and both witches felt the other's magic caressing the other.
Breaking the kiss for oxygen, Hermione opened her warm chocolate eyes and smiled seeing love and affection into emerald ones.
« I hope you did feel that » Her smiled got bigger as she heard Minerva's soft laughs.
« Aye, I did Dear. »
Hermione sighed happily as she puts her head on Minerva's chest, listening to the beating of her heart and the soft purring.
Yes, Minerva knew. And she will be better.