Next morning came early and Hermione went straight up to her professor's rooms. She didn't bother with breakfast, knowing that she wouldn't keep anything down. She slowly and silently opened the door to Minerva's bedroom and was greeted by a still sleeping Minerva and a tiredly smiling headmaster. "Good morning, Miss Granger," he whispered. "Did you sleep well?"
Hermione slightly shook her head. "Good morning to you as well, and to be honest, no. I couldn't sleep."
The old man knowingly nodded. "That makes us two. Have you come to a decision already?"
"Yes, I think want to do it, if Professor McGonagall agrees." There. Now it was out.
The smile she received now looked almost relieved. "I will talk with her later this afternoon. She didn't sleep well and only fell asleep three hours ago."
"Ok. I suggest I take over now so you can get some rest."
"Thank you, Hermione. I will be back in the afternoon to talk with her about the apprenticeship." The headmaster got up stiffly, thinking for the first time that he was getting too old for nights spent awake in a chair.
Hermione silently sat down in the newly vacated chair and watched over her sleeping friend. She didn't look well. Her face was flushed and her sleep did not look peaceful at all. It didn't take long for Minerva to wake up with a groan. It took a little while until her eyes adjusted to the light and she recognised Hermione, sitting at her bedside.
"Good morning, Minerva," Hermione greeted softly.
"Good morning, Hermione. How long have you been here?" The older woman replied sleepy.
"Not long. Professor Dumbledore left an hour ago. How are you feeling today?"
Minerva waved the question away. "Just fine."
Hermione smirked and decided to let it slide for now. "I know you didn't sleep well tonight. I'd say we had better get you some breakfast and then you can try to rest again. Would you like breakfast in bed or do you want to take it in the sitting room?"
Minerva was too tired and uncomfortable to protest and decided to just give in to her fate. "I will take it in the sitting room, thank you."
Hermione was very grateful her friend didn't protest. "I'll go and get everything ready then. Just call me if you need any help."
When Minerva entered the sitting room clothed in a dressing gown and leaning heavily on her walking stick, it took all of Hermione's will power not to rush to the older woman's side to support her. She knew her friend wouldn't take it well, so she just sat down and watched the older woman struggle.
"Here you go," the young witch said as she placed an already filled plate in front of Minerva, who didn't look very hungry. She only picked at her food and kept shifting in her seat, obviously uncomfortable.
"Minerva, are you all right?" the young witch asked softly.
"Yes, I am fine. I'm just not very hungry today." She knew Hermione wouldn't buy that.
"Would you like to go back to bed and rest for a while?"
The older woman slowly nodded. "Yes, I think I'll do that." She stood up and grabbed the table for support. She took a few painfully exhausting steps then she suddenly stopped and slightly bowed her head, letting out a deep sigh. Hermione took the cue and wordlessly offered her left hand. When Minerva accepted the offer, the young witch placed her right hand reassuringly on her mentors back. Hermione slowly led Minerva back to the big bed and helped her sit down. One look at the older woman was enough for Hermione to see something was troubling her friend.
She knelt down in front of Minerva and placed her hands carefully on the older witch's knees. "You can tell me, you know."
"Tell you what?" They both knew Minerva was only trying to buy time.
"What is on your mind." She didn't want to push, but she wanted her to know that she was there to listen.
"Honestly, Hermione. It's nothing. My back is hurting and I feel uncomfortable," Minerva
said quietly.
The young woman lightly squeezed her mentor's knee. "Isn't there anything you could take for the pain?"
At that Minerva started fidgeting. "Not really."
"What exactly does 'not really' mean?" She knew there was something her mentor didn't really want to tell her.
"There aren't any pills I could take."
"But there is something else that might help?"
"Well, there is a cream to put on the scars." She spoke so softly her voice was barely audible.
Hermione looked at the nightstand beside her. "That one here?" she asked pointing at a small tube.
When Minerva nodded, Hermione helped her out of the dressing gown and told her to lie down. "Hermione, it is not a pretty sight. You really don't have to…" She was cut off by the young woman's look. So she gave in and slowly and painfully laid down on her stomach.
Hermione covered the older witch with the blanket up to her back and pushed the nighty up a bit. She felt her eyes fill with tears at the sight of the angry red marks on Minerva's back. The stunners were cast with so much force they went right through the body. Once again Hermione realised how close she had come to losing her mentor.
Minerva misinterpreted the pause. "It's fine if you don't want to do this, Hermione."
The older woman was about to roll back on her side, but was stopped by Hermione. "No, I'm so sorry Minerva. It's not that. It's just…I was reminded how very nearly I lost you. I'm sorry."
Minerva was very touched by the girl's words and didn't trust her voice enough to reply just yet. Instead she concentrated on the gentle movements she felt on her back. She knew Hermione must have been treating her with much care, because she didn't feel the uncomfortable pain she always did when the nurses in the hospital or even Poppy applied the cream.
"All done. Does it feel better?" The young girl gave her mentor's back a last gentle rub and pulled the nighty down again.
Minerva chuckled slightly at that. "It takes a bit longer than a few seconds to feel better, but it will soon. Help me up, will you?"
Hermione helped her to get comfortable, propped up against the pillows in a half sitting position. The young woman was just about to climb off the bed when Minerva opened her arms invitingly for her young friend. "Come here." Hermione was a bit surprised, but moved up and let her friend embrace her. "You're a darling, Hermione. Thank you for putting up with me."
"No, Minerva. I thank you for letting me be your friend. That is something very precious to me. I know your friendship is never given lightly and I am very proud you allow me to be your friend." She tightened her arms around the older woman for a moment. When she pulled back she discovered that her mentor's eyes were as shiny with unshed tears as her own. "Now, would you like to rest for a while?"
"Yes, I think that would do me good. You look a bit pale as well. There is another blanket in the wardrobe if you'd like to sleep as well," Minerva offered while she slid down into a proper sleeping position.
It is strange how your body reacts to activity. As long as she was busy taking care of her friend, Hermione didn't notice how tired she really was, but now that Minerva talked of sleeping she suddenly felt her lack of sleep catching up with her. "That sounds heavenly, actually." She quickly went to get the blanket, then got comfortable on the big bed. "Wake me up when you need anything, all right?"
Minerva smiled warmly at her. "I will. Now sleep well little one."
"Sweet dreams for you too."
Within seconds both women were sound asleep.
----
Hermione sleepily opened her eyes a few hours later only to find Minerva sitting up in bed, seemingly lost in thought. "Hey," Hermione greeted, her voice laced with sleepiness.
"Hey. I didn't wake you up, did I?" She sounded a bit concerned for a moment.
"No, no. Why are you not sleeping?" Hermione questioned and put her pillow against the headboard and settled next to her friend.
"I couldn't. There is no special reason." Minerva did her best to smile at her young charge.
Hermione didn't believe her. She reached for the older woman's hand and pulled it into her own lap, hoping her gentle caressing would soothe her mentor enough to let go and talk about what was bothering her. "Tell me what is on your mind. We are friends and that is what friends are for, isn't it."
Minerva slightly squeezed Hermione's hand and sighed deeply. "I guess so, yes. It has been such a long time since I have anyone other than Albus to discuss my problems with, that I'm not sure I still know how to do it."
"You're doing, fine. Just tell me what's troubling you."
"I think I will quit, Hermione." The old woman sounded so lost it almost broke Hermione's heart.
"Why, Minerva? I always thought you loved being a teacher." If Hermione didn't knew where this was heading she would have been in tears already.
"I do, Hermione. I have taught all my life, but look at me. I can't cast a spell or go for a walk without ending up sick in bed. Albus needs a transfiguration teacher and not an old woman who is too weak to do her job." The last sentence was lost in a desperate sob.
Hermione quickly pulled the sobbing women in her arms. "Oh dear, come here. Shh…don't cry. You are not weak, you have been attacked and it is a wonder you are as fit as you are now already. You almost died, Minerva. That is not something one can overcome in just a few weeks." The young witch held her mentor close and started to soothingly stroke her hair. "You're not going anywhere. You are deputy headmistress and transfiguration teacher and it will stay that way." Hermione placed a small comforting kiss on top of her friend's head. "Now look at me." The older woman hesitantly looked up and let her young charge wipe away her tears. "I know it won't be easy for you, but Professor Dumbledore has an idea how to help you already. No, listen to me. You are indispensable here. Look at me. YOU are indispensable."
Minerva took a few deep breaths and gave Hermione an embarrassed smile. "Thank you darling. I'm sorry I lost control like that. I don't know why I am so annoyingly emotional at the moment."
"You have nothing to be sorry for. It is perfectly normal that you feel overwhelmed with all that happened recently and I know it troubles you immensely that you can't perform magic the way you are used to, but you will get all your strength back. You just need a little patience."
Minerva smiled gratefully at her young friend. "Thank you. I know, but in case you didn't notice before, I am not the most patient witch in this country." Minerva briefly wondered why Hermione looked as though she was desperately trying to hold back her laughter. "You said Albus has an idea. Why is it that you know about that and I don't?"
Hermione started fidgeting nervously. "Oh…well, that…you know Professor Dumbledore wanted to talk with you about that…and..."
"It is not like you to stammer like this. You sound like your friend Ronald. Come on, out with it."
"Promise me not to get angry." The older woman raised a questioning eyebrow. "Ok, that idea Professor Dumbledore had involves another person. Me, to be exactly."
"You?" Hermione nodded her bowed head.
"Yes, he thought I could be your apprentice. He knows I want to study transfiguration and if you would think about taking me as your apprentice we could teach together. I could take over the practical examples."
"I… what? I mean, Hermione…an apprenticeship? That would be…"