Author's note: Thank again to all for the encouragement. Please see my list of "authors I adore" in Chapter Two for more good stories. For the rest of this story, when Hermione is under the influence of the Dark spell (that is sometimes referred to singularly as "It" and "It" is semi-sentient), she will be referred to as Dark Hermione. Yes, I know I did not kill Moody and Charity Burbage as in the actual stories, I liked them and thought they deserved to live. Big thanks to CherriiMarina for being a very wonderful beta and to MegaNerdAlert for the cover image.

I own nothing. All credit is given to J.K. Rowling.

Now I See

Chapter Four

Talon McGrieves dove into the Forbidden Forest never looking back at whatever might be following him. After casting a "Lumos" spell so he could see, he made sure he put some real distance between himself and the edge of the forest for quite some time. Later, he slowed in pure exhaustion, adrenaline rush wearing off, and started to be more careful about leaving signs of his passing. He wanted to apparate out of here, so first he needed to calm down and collect himself. No need to splinch himself with a bad apparate. He also did not want anyone to be able to trace it later, so he needed to try and hide his tracks so no one could not find either the physical or the magical signature. He backtracked, leapt trees and bushes, and walked quite a distance in a small stream, making sure to not use any magic for a few kilometers.

The battle plans had called for the Hogwarts attackers to meet back with Stonehenge Dark Ones at a hideout called Applewood. It was an abandoned muggle farmhouse in southern England, magically expanded on the inside, which was backed up to an overgrown apple orchard. It was of course well warded to allow only Dark Ones. It had a strong Repello Muggletum on it and several layers of spells and shields to make sure it would be difficult to penetrate or even find magically unless you got close. That set of enchantments was the standard used for all the Dark One hiding places. They had improved them since the Dark Lord's demise and it seemed as if the new procedures were working. Very few hideouts had been found by Aurors or Order Members in the last two years and they were usually found more by tracking someone headed to it that was not being careful.

Talon finally felt secure and apparated to Applewood. He stood there in the dark, just outside the apparation shield and felt his sense of accomplishment return. He felt great! The concern over whatever may have been on the bridge was replaced with his own gloating and self-congratulations. He had really nailed that old half-blood witch. Former War Hero, former Headmistresshe snickered. He was going to be the able to hold that accomplishment over all their heads. He felt the Applewood wards let him through and he sauntered into the hideout with an evil grin on his face. What he found there was not expected.

About 20 enraged Dark Ones were thrashing about in small, arguing groups. Many were disheveled worse than normal. Some with injuries being tended, some just sporting the blood and abrasions without care. Most were already drinking heavily he could tell. All eyes snapped to the door when Talon walked through. This did not look good. Twenty sets of eyes went to the only leader they had seen in hours. Three smelly, battered men that had been just behind the door immediately jumped Talon, collapsing him to the ground and taking his wand. Forget magic, they were going to beat him senseless with their fists.

"No, just hold him down for a sec guys." came a yell from SectoWilkes. The three grabbed Talon from the floor and flung him onto the table in the middle of the room where others helped hold him down. Talon had been caught off-guard.

"Wait!" he yelled. "Get your hands off me. We had a success. I nailed her... Just like we planned. Why did you grab me?" Talon tried to kick his legs and get out of the holds, but it was to no avail.

Wilkes started up a thunderous tirade spitting in Talon's face as he spoke, "Well we were defeated Talon. Potter and the Order were down there instead of at the school where you thought they would be. The plan stunk and we knew it. You leaders were just thinking of yourselves. Sounds like you started LATE so the Order did not get diverted before we marched. We lost HALF our guys to Azkaban you shite. There was no ceremony. There was no enlightened one born. Success – your team? Well Crags, Bulls, Scone, and Lucinda from over here," Wilkes points at four Dark Ones to his left, "are all of your team we hadshow up here so far. They said many were captured or cannot be accounted for and that you led an infiltration team and then they saw you diving into the Forbidden Forest at a full run. Sounds like you left your team to fend for themselves you backstabbing coward. They don't know anything about McGonagall getting injured as you think. That's what all you leaders do. Always thinking of yourselves, always the first to hide tail and run."

Talon glared right back at him. He needed to look strong and confident. He needed to push back and get them to release him. "Fuck you Wilkes. You know I was one of the last off the field at Hogwarts with the Dark Lord. Where were all of you then? I've stuck to the movement when most of you cowered in caves until we dragged you out. We attacked late – which we did NOT - and that caused half your guys to get captured. Screw you – you were all grouped up like it was a picnic probably – once again secure in a mass mentality. You probably let them catch you unawares and scrambled. Right… That's the way it was… wasn't it."

Talon was making his point. The room got quiet; the various low level Dark Ones looking at each other. There was a ring of truth to what Talon said. A few of the Dark Ones holding him down started to loosen up their hold. He was gaining control of the situation and just about to be able to get free. He hit them with one more volley, "and here you all are. Why are you here so quickly? Did everyone take the effort to hide their physical and magical trails before apparating or flying here or should we all just wait for the Ministry and Order to show at the door?"

More Dark Ones glanced around at each other, a few taking a good look outside. The ones holding Talon down continued to slowly be distracted from their tight grips by the words ringing through the room.

"Now let me up. Give me back my wand and let's make a real recovery plan before we all land up in Azkaban." said Talon authoritatively. The Dark Ones holding him looked at each other and then Wilkes. Wilkes nodded and they let loose their grips. Talon bounded off the table pushing them out of the way and grabbed his wand out of the pocket of one of the original three that had decked him. He glared around the room. What a worthless bunch of idiots. Not a single brain here and very little brawn even. I'll not let them lead the authorities to me. – hethought. He came up with a scheme. He ordered all of them to split into 3-4 person teams headed in five different directions. Get lost for at least a week or more. No use of magic, don't be seen, cover tracks. Then and only then – head towards the western hideout called Sandys Island. It was an invisible small island in the River Wye that actually led downward to a cavern they had created.

"So where you going Talon?" Wilkes asked when he realized everyone was in teams except Talon.

Talon spat back his response with a glare, "As if it were any of your business Wilkes. But I'm going to go find more of our people. Maybe some of them were smarter than all of you here and actually accomplished their missions like I did."

The Dark Ones were going to leave in three hour intervals in their small groups. Talon did not want to wait around given he was definitely not sure that they all had covered their traces. He left after bolting down some food and drink and resupplying. His real plan: slowly head north and leak a message to the Ministry in about three weeks about a Dark One group cowering on an invisible island in the River Wye. Well, there goes Christmas and New Years. That should keep the Order and Ministry distracted and concentrated in the western side of England. Cover his tracks, keep the magic to a minimum to hamper detection. Definitely no apparating. Head north, to his homeland. It was going to take weeks, even if he covered 30 to 50 kilometers a day. Head north, closer to some of the few family and friends that would still have anything to do with him and maybe some Dark One friends who he thought might head for the northern cave hideout near Assynt favorited by the Dark Scots named Uaimh Anam.

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By the time Dark Hermione had flown on Hooch's broom into the valley leading to the edge of the Forbidden Forest, her target was none to be found. He was bound to be deep within the forest by now. The only magic she could pick up was a tiny, fleeting, disintegrating trace – perhaps a Lumos spell she reasoned given the darkness of the forest. Too little to really be able to track him. She needed to prepare for a hunt, and to get some ideas of where he might go. It came to her easily. The Order, with her help given she had been doing so much repairing at the school, had restored Number 12, Grimmauld Place as their Order headquarters. Of course they had to move it to a different part of town, but they had decided to keep the same name to confuse those looking for it. It had been re-hidden and re-warded. It was empty right now, Dark Hermione was sure of it, everyone would be out fighting. More importantly, it was full of the supplies she would once again need to live in the wild. It had three other things she would need as she was still one of the best researchers around. A list of the known and even "maybe" hideouts of the Dark Ones, a map of approximate locations for them, and a file of Dark One names/faces. She copied all three, careful to replace the originals.

Two weeks later, Dark Hermione was not having much success and not doing well. "It" could feel it. Winter cold had settled in although there had been no snow. Christmas had passed without Dark Hermione even realizing. Keeping the young witch under the influence was stressing her, removing her ability to think and act. As she got near the first chosen hideout location, she waited hidden for days – trying to catch someone entering or leaving. Wards had been improved. Her magic was unable to find the hideout, even if it was right in front of her. Hours were spent staring at campfires, images of revenge and previous killschurning and regurgitating in her head. "It" noticed she did not relish and enjoy those images as others had. Hermione would have shrunk and brought some books to study, but "It" had not allowed her those thoughts when she was packing. She had minimally attended to her health or appearance. Hair all ratted, dirty face and hands, her school robes now torn and dirty, losing weight. Her fitful pseudo-sleep under the spell seemed to give her no mental rest. She would not leave the hunt though. Sunken bloodshot eyes stared at the sky. "It" relished being in control, but must address this host's needs somehow. Enough time spent here, no one could be in this hideout nor seemed to be headed for it. Dark Hermione moved to another location and began the cycle again.

After taking just short of a week to zone in on the next location, it was day three of staking out the area where there was supposed to be a hideout somewhere along a set of older row houses. Everything looked like low income housing and mugglefamilies, but much like the Order could hide Grimmauld Place in "plain sight", the Dark Ones could hide their locations also. "It" noticed Dark Hermione continuing to degrade. She tended to zone out in a stupor during some parts of the nights when she was to be watching for Dark Ones revealing the house. Figuring most would not try to enter during the day; she would lie in her well hidden and shielded tent during the day, but not sleep soundly. Tense, cold control seemed to keep the wheels of her mind turning, reliving the revenge driving her, but the lack of mental relaxation was driving her mind and body towards debilitating exhaustion.

Then the breakthrough came on day four. In the middle of the night, Dark Hermione became aware of movement down the street. Muggle families had not been up and around at 2 am she found, so any movement was something to observe. Dark Hermione tapped her strength reservoir and snapped into full control mode once again finally exerting the powerful presence that she had on the bridge. She had been waiting almost four weeks but not idle. She had prepared a powerful, concentrated spell to shatter many wards, given she knew exactly when and where to strike. It would be best if she struck just as Dark Ones were penetrating, when the wards were letting them through. She quickly cast a Disillusionment Charm on herself and quietly paralleled three surly figures with backpacks headed down the otherwise vacant street.

Crags, Bulls, Scone had stuck together, as they had done in childhood and coming through the ranks of the Dark Ones. They had followed Talon's direction, except they had decided after this long during which they had used very little magic and not been spotted, that they could get some reasonable sleep and eats by heading to the hideout in their own town. They had covered tracks coming into town, but the sight of their old hideout and comfortableness with the lifestyles of the simple muggles on this street after yet another night of walking had made them careless. They walked as a group rather than spreading out. One of them should have stayed well hidden, the other two separated on opposite sides of the street allowing the one closest to the hideout to open it. But no, they did not do those vigilant things. Scone walked up and started the incantation to reveal the hideout. It slid out from between two other row houses, seeming dark and uninhabited. He pushed through the wards, followed by Bulls. Just as Crags was comingthrough, a bolt of red flame and lighting hit him square in the back sending him flying forward, passing Scone and Bulls, and he hit the brick front of the hideout with a sickening crunch and a single exhale of his last breath, collapsing in a heap on the front porch.

Scone and Bulls had both dove to the ground soon as they heard the lightning hit. While scrambling to make it into the hideout, they turned to see a visible crack in the ward expanding outwards and a dark figure racing forward from across the street along with a wave of frigid cold that surrounded the men. "Do Not Move" – came the forceful words to their ears but also into their minds from the dark figure. A command – and it was hard to fight it. It slowed them down just enough. Dark Hermione knew she was tired and that the ward breaking spell had depleted her magic quite a bit. She did not have time to waste. This needed to be done fast as she did not have magic to spare to protect anyone who may have been awakened by the lightning. Besides, they were all to die anyway. Dark Hermione threw the Dark spell at Bulls. It was so simple. His and Scone's hexes bounced off her due to the automatic shields and Scone watched and heard his friend disintegrate in front of his eyes. Dark Hermione threw an Expelliarmus and disarmed Scone whose wand flew off to the side, then a Petrificus Totalusto immobilize him. Scone was horrified and confused. He had never seen or heard that first incantation before. It had to be dark magic, so why were they being attacked? The air grew cold and still. The dark figure came closer and appeared to be a young female, dirty and disheveled, in what looked to be torn up school robes. He was confused beyond belief. Where did that power come from? Who was she? What was she? The figure approached, wand pointed, and if he had not already been turned to stone, he would have been by the eyes that now looked at him. He jerked and squirmed, unable to break the spell, in absolute terror.

Dark Hermione's deep, calm voice penetrated through his fear. "You will answer my questions, or die as your friends did. Do you know who was at the Hogwarts battle four weeks ago?" Scone blinked his eyes quickly to indicate that he did know. Dark Hermione waved her wand to allow the man to speak, but not move anything else. "Who was on the Forbidden ForestBridge?" asked the dark womanly figure.

"Talon, Shank, Tobias, and Murphy" he replied in a shaky voice.

"Have you seen any of them since the battle?" she asked.

Scone replied without hesitation hoping it would save his life, "Just Talon. He showed up at a hideout just after and formed us up into teams and told us to leave to head off being caught." Dark Hermione reveled in the progress she had just made. Only one had made it off the bridge, she now knew his name.

"Where did Talon go?" she asked raising her tone menacingly.

"He said he was off to look for others." he replied, again, without hesitation. Not good enough, Dark Hermione thought. This Talon guy sacrificed others. He would be saving his own skin.

Pressing all the force and influence she could into her questioning of the man, Dark Hermione asked, "Doubtful. Where might Talon really go? Where might that specific Dark One go for safety or security?" She waited but a second to see a blank stare and lack of response before she started to position her wand and start the incantation.

Scone jerked his leg and screamed out, "No, No, NO, wait. He might head home. He's a Scot. There's a cave hideout up there near Assynt that his people used a lot called Uaimh Anam. He might head there. That is all I know. It's the best guess I've got. Just leave me and I'll tell no one about this." Dark Hermione nodded. She had a name and a place to head to. He had fulfilled her needs. Without remorse, without feeling, she finished the incantation to get rid of the witness and watched his torturous death.

"It" fueled on a beautiful memory of one of the first year broom classes that she had convinced Minerva to assist in. Hermione had decided to join her on this sunny day to ease the suffering of both Minerva and the students. Hermione made it so fun and easy and gentle. She had a few of the students taking their baby broom steps just barely kicking off the ground and settling back down in no time. She instructed like she was the "master of all brooms". Minerva noticed she did all this without ever actually mounting a broom herself of course. After helping a particularly backwards Hufflepuff, Minerva flew over and came up behind the "masterful" Hermione. She grabbed the girl pulling her sideways onto her broom, getting one arm around each side of her, and zoomed up into the sky. Hermione screamed her head off while grabbing Minerva so hard around the neck she was almost choking her. The students starting giggling and then broke down into full bore laughing as they rolled around on the grass watching Hermione's obviously terrified jaunt around the broom practice field. After a minute, Hermione quit screaming and started to relax. She enjoyed the feeling of being pressed against Minerva's neck and abdomen. Minerva smiled as Hermione tentatively pulled back just enough to look down and see how high they were and also the noted to her dismay, the students pointing and waving.

She shook her head and said, "Not fair. You know I hate flying."

Minerva smiled and let out a small laugh, "I know. I couldna help taking you down a peg since you are the one that got me into this."

Hermione decided to get Minerva back by taking advantage of the situation that Minerva's arms were occupied. With a sheepish grin, Hermione cozied back up into Minerva's neck and started to nibble just a bit. This caught the Assistant Broom Instructor quite unprepared, she blushed furiously, and suddenly the broom jerked unevenly a few times before she decided to quickly land and end the attack on her sensitive neck. Hermione walked away, a sultry grin on her face. She knew she had gotten to the older witch. Then there was blackness. The memory gone. The smile gone. That piece of her soul gone.

She had a new goal, but the event had finally driven her magic, body, and mind beyond exhaustion. She was barely able to make it back to her hidden tent and collapsed. "It" knew something had to be done. She was physically down on the ground, but the brain was still churning. Within minutes, the witch's eyes would once again open as the cascade of dark thoughts rotated in her mind, keeping it active. If the spell's host did not rest, the body would die taking the spell with it. Let her be back in control in her dreams – "It" reasoned. She could then rest. Take control back when she awakes. Dark Hermione was still out as "It" slunk back into an almost dormant state in the corner of her mind. Carefully monitoring for any sign on consciousness, but otherwise allowing her thoughts and body to return to their normal condition. Immediately, Hermione's body shuddered relaxing muscles that had been tense for weeks. Her mind finally drew a quiet sigh finally able to accept blackness as "calming" rather than "cold and calculating". Exhaustion led to a naturally dreamless sleep, and Hermione slept for the next 18 hours.

Dark Hermione awoke more refreshed and alert than at any timein the last month. It was evening again. After refreshing herself, even doing some robe repair and eating, she quietly packed for the long journey north that she would start tomorrow morning. She would go some on broom and some on foot to minimize the chances of being spotted either way but wanted to travel during the day to increase the distance she could cover. She retrieved the list of Dark One names and faces and after some time, found a "Talon McGrieves". She memorized that scarred face until she would know it anywhere and under any disguise. She checked the list of hideouts and the map, and indeed a cave near Assynt was on it – although the name was not known. The Dark One had said Uaimh Anam, something like "Soul Cave" - she thought. Hermione, as a surprise to her Minerva, had started studying Gaelic before she left the school on this hunt.

The following night after having crossed a number of kilometers, Dark Hermione laid down to rest in her hidden and warded tent. It was going to take just under a week to safely and slowly get up to Scotland she realized. Once again, "It" waited until she was asleep and then released control, slinking into a small corner of her mind. Hermione's freed mind and body once again relaxed and replenished. For the first time in four weeks, she started to dream. In her dream, Hermione saw a light way off in the distance that she could not seem to quite reach. But the search led to feelings of warmth and then fuzzy images solidified into thoughts of tea with Minerva. She dreamt of Minerva and herself having tea, reading books, and ushering first years down the ever changing staircases. Off to her side, Hermione's wand glowed with wisps of green and brown twined around it.

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Minerva asked Poppy to have Filius come at 7:45 for breakfast in her office. Poppy agreed and left. Minerva sat contemplating her plans until right at 7:15, Tinky popped back into the Headmistress's private suite.

"Headmistress, it be 7:15. What may Tinky do to help?" the devoted elf asked nodding approvingly at the green glasses that now graced her Headmistress' face.

"Please, help me with my ablutions, lay out a black under robe, my green robe with the gold weaving on the edge, my stockings and boots, and then prepare a breakfast for two in my office for Deputy Headmaster Flitwick and myself. He is expected at 7:45." Minerva responded in staccato order.

Tinky aided when needed and simply mentioned where things were or helped changed their positions as Minerva indicated. The elf went off to clear the coffee service and setup the breakfast while Minerva changed. She Acciod a bra to match the underwear she had put on last night and after a bit of fumbling, had put the clothing on. She wanted to be able to do things both with and without magic when possible. Her long black with grey hair was an exception to that thought though. Fortunately, she could put her hair up in its tight bun and hairpins with a spell she had developed years ago that she always used now. She placed her normal glamour charm on her face which provided the rosy cheeks and lips. She had never done much more than that except on special occasions. Minerva adjusted her green eyeglasses and made her way down to the Headmistress' office.

This was the first time in a month that the portraits of the previous headmasters and headmistresses were able to spend any time with the current Headmistress. There were no frames they could pop into in the medical wing. They had heard through the other portraits and ghosts of Minerva's injuries, but had yet to have really seen her except when Poppy whisked her through last night. They saw the Headmistress head down the stairs, taking special care to feel her way along the banister and confirm tentatively with her toe when she thought she had reached the bottom. She realized she had not navigated the office blind yet. She knew the basic layout of course, but every foot mattered now. She took some steps forward, knowing she needed to get by the bird stand, and then went to the right, reaching out with her hand thinking she would touch the desk. Albus, watching from his portrait, could tell she was too far forward and would miss it.

"Tabby, it's more to your right and two more steps." he said understandingly.

Minerva shook her head a bit in self-scolding, but turned a bit more right, took two steps to indeed touch thedesk, and navigated around it to sit in the main chair. Her sense of smell told her that the breakfast was all laid out and that she was indeed hungry after such a trying night and morning. Her ears picked up the room candles were going - Thank you Tinky she thought - and the ears and her skin told her the fireplace had a comforting fire going. Albus spoke up once again, "From all of us Headmistress, welcome back." Minerva nodded, a little too overcome with emotion to verbally reply. Indeed, could she really be able to stay Headmistress? She was thinking of all the portraits of previous great Headmasters and Headmistresses now looking at her. There was a moment of worry, then she once again steeled her will. She would find a way. When Deputy Headmaster Flitwick arrived, she could hear his short steps tickling across the floor, he found Headmistress McGonagall sitting regally at her desk.

"Thank you for coming Filius." Minerva opened.

Filius quickly studied his boss. He noted she looked a bit tired and of course the green eyeglasses over the eyelids, but overall, he saw that her bearing and continence seemed restored.

"Good to see… have you back Minerva." he stammered. Minerva understood, but wanted to quickly get everyone past being conscious of having to worry about words that would emphasize her blindness.

"I'm blind Filius, but I can say that it is good to see you without being offended or think I'm lying or hiding. I'll learn to compensate all I can with everyone's support. But please, just treat me as you always have." she said supportively.

"Agreed, my old friend. How about I escort you over to breakfast?" he offered. Minerva nodded and stood. Filius took her left elbow, led her over to her chair, and walked around to pull it out for her as she sat down. He then elevated and widened a footstool and climbed on it so he could access the topof the table better. She could feel the warmth coming off the plate in front of her now besides the fire from the fireplace. Tinky must have placed a warming charm on the food, how nice. – she thought. But what is the food and where is it? Did not work that out yet with her.

"May I pour you some coffee and pumpkin juice Minerva?"Filius asked.

"Yes, that would be fine, with cream please. Also, please tell me what is on my plate and the table and where everything is. Then please seat yourself and eat." responded Minerva. Filius was happy to aid giving her the contents of her plate laid out in four quadrants and that there was additional fruit and toast on the table. She asked for an additional piece of toast to help block things on the plate and aid in scooping them up, and they both started to eat.

After a few minutes to start the digestion going, she started into the business part of this meeting, "Filius, I cannot imagine what the last month must have been like for you. Tell me how the school is and what changes you have had to make to compensate for me being gone." she queried.

Filius then proceeded to bring the Headmistress up to date. The students had mostly left for the Christmas and New Year holiday as planned although the atmosphere had been substantially tame. All had returned, plus a few more additions. To help him be able to temporarily take on more duties as Deputy Headmaster, he had made the librarian, Irma Pince, a Ravenclaw in her school years, the temporary Head of Ravenclaw. He had called in Septima Vector to aid him in Charms, mostly with grading as it was not really her best subject outside her specialty of Arithmancy. Firenze was kind enough, and scary enough to the students, to be aiding in nighttime rounds and detentions which helped all the faculty. Once Minerva had taken on the position of Headmistress, she had turned her Transfiguration classes over to Pyreen Fortune, a brand new Transfiguration Master from Merlin University. Professor Fortune had taken on a seventh year as an assistant for the early year classes, which was allowed, and was doing well with that aid. Filius related that the defeat had bolstered the student and wizarding population although everyone was quite shaken by her injury and therefore, no one felt the victory was really complete, tension had remained, no one really felt the battle was over until they could see her. Filius continued on with status on each class and profession, each house, the building, the funding, supplies status, correspondence, and the Quidditch rankings. He admitted he had been unable to keep up with everything. Minerva had finished what she wanted of breakfast and had sat back listening in earnest.

"Filius, I don't know how I can thank you for how much you have taken on. You have kept the school going my old friend." Minerva paused. "You are going to need to continue with discipline and basic school operations. I'll retake the correspondence, budget, supplies, and ministry interactions and I'm going to have Rolanda help me as a reading and writing assistant. I need more time to heal, more time to figure out the right balance of abilities magical and non-magical that will compensate for my blindness. I'm also going to meet with the Order today on their status and determine roles and responsibilities. Lastly, … I'm going to find Hermione."

Deputy Headmaster Flitwick paused the fork that had been scraping on his plate as the words of her last sentence rang through the room. He looked up, but did not see any change in emotion visible on the Headmistress' face.

"Why is that your job Minerva?" he asked. "She disappeared that night. I know Harry and the Order have been looking for her. No one has heard or seen her in over a month." He paused, worried whether he should continue with his thought. He thought back and realized that the Headmistress had become close to Hermione. He remembered seeing their teas and them walking through the castle more and more. It dawned on him that perhaps their relationship was no longer just student and teacher. Nevertheless, it would be foolhardy for Minerva to think it was her job to find Hermione when she might not be there to be found. "Minerva, you have to accept that she could have been killed in the attack just as you were so grievously injured."

Minerva responded, emotions carefully in control, "No Filius. I would know if she were dead. I feel she is alive and that I can find her. I'll not leave her alone fighting the demons that had been plaguing her since the Battle of Hogwarts. I made her a promise and I'll keep it if I have to leave this position."

Filius pondered the controlled response that had been laced with conviction. She was not to be deterred he realized.

"Understood Headmistress. I hope you find her and I'll help in any way I can. I'll transfer correspondence and other paperwork back to flowing through your desk." He lowered his chair and stepped out. "As part of my temporary job running basic school operations though, I have a favor to ask."

"What is it?" Minerva asked.

"Please let the students and other staff see you." there – he had said it this time. "We are just at the end of breakfast in the Great Hall. Please come and take your seat at the front table and dismiss the cloud that has been hanging over everyone since your injury. Then all will accept the great victory that you, the faculty, the Order, and the Ministry have won over the Dark Ones."

Minerva was apprehensive about appearing in force so early. She couldn't see to even walk down a hallway. She could not see their faces or the enchanted ceiling, both of which she lovedso dearly. Would they be turning away from her or whispering quietly to each other in pity? Her shoulders bowed a little, as did her head as her fears and regrets flooded her mind. Could she afford to continue and let the world see a less than perfect Minerva McGonagall? She realized her tear ducts still workedon one side as a tear went down her face.

"My friend, I did not mean to upset you." Filius apologized reaching out to take her hand.

Minerva shook her head. Be strong. Just like you said to Hermione, "Don't give in." But in this case, don't give in to your self-doubts and fears. – she scolded herself. She grasped Filius' hand comfortingly and wiped the tear away. "No, you are right. I want to feel them and hear them again, even if I cannot see them. Filius, please escort me to the Great Hall."

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Deputy Headmaster Filius Flitwick and Headmistress Minerva McGonagall stood outside the doors of the Great Hall. Inside they could hear the hustle and bustle of more than 200 students and staff finishing up breakfast. Minerva knew the basics of this room layout. They were coming in the end door, which meant the direct walkway went straight down the middle of the room between the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw tables. Then there were stairs leading up to the main faculty table overseeing the room. She took a deep breath, composed herself, placed her left hand on Filius' shoulder, and nodded for him to go ahead and lead them in.

The door to the Great Hall opened and they stepped in just a step or two, when the room went totally quiet and they stopped. All attention had flown to the tall, green robed Headmistress being led in by the Deputy Headmaster. She looked regal and confident but a bit tired, and had green circular spectacles on over her closed eyelids. If they only knew that in her apprehension, she was actually grabbing the short man's shoulder a bit hard. The sounds of breathing and gasping and indeed, a little bit of whispering, were all that could be heard for a few seconds. Filius prayed that something would break the silence. Then, there was a clap from the right, and a few followed from the left, then more and more erupted from all over, and the sounds of happy cheers started echoing through the room. She had to concentrate some on blocking her hearing for a second while Filius smiled at the greetings that were erupting, at the warmth he felt pouring their way. He took another few steps forward until they were finally between the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw tables at which point he had an idea. He raised Minerva's hand from his shoulder and held it out for the students on the left to help guide her. Minerva was uncertain what he was doing until she felt two or three small, warm hands gripping her arm. The normally quite formal and stoic Headmistress was startled at the touch but then she smiled just a bit in acceptance. They needed to touch her. They wanted to help. She could feel the magic and warmth emanating from the students. It was rejuvenating. She reached out her right arm and the other table of students eagerly took hold. The clapping and cheering continued as the students handed her down the aisle, student-to-student, to the end near the faculty table where the Deputy Headmaster once again put her arm on his shoulder and led her to sit at her seat.

She asked for a glass of pumpkin juice and stood with glass raised, "To Hogwarts and all who believe in her. We shall never be defeated." The students and staff raised their glasses, drank, and cheered in response; hardly a dry eye in the room. I can do this! – Minerva thought.

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After breakfast, Minerva had called for Tinky to help guide her around the school as she owled Bill and Moody some requests including to floo to her private sitting room at Hogwarts at 10 am. Normally, she would conduct Order business at Grimmauld Place, but she would have to forgo that given the circumstances. She had asked Tinky to lay out three chairs facing each other without the table for the meeting. Alastor Moody and Bill Weasley arrived just after ten, making sure that they cleaned the soot from themselves before moving out into the Head of the Order's sitting room. Moody was a large, course red-haired gruff sort of man with a wooden prosthetic leg and a magical eye replacing some of his injuries from fighting the dark forces his whole life. He was cautions, suspicious, and a bit harsh for an Order member. But he also never backed down and was absolutely critical to the movement now. Moody spent 100% of his time with the Order for now which aided greatly given Minerva's injury. When the owl had arrived, Bill had quickly made arrangements at Gringotts to get off for an early lunch. He was the oldest Weasley son and the only one married and he balanced Moody's rapid reaction thinking with a more methodical look at things. They both agreed though, thatMinerva was still the Head of the Order and privately, they all knew she was the Heart of the Order also. Even grumpy, gruff Moody had happy glint in his eye when he saw Minerva sitting calmly in the chair.

"Hello Minerva. Glad to see you up and around." Alastor started. Bill Weasley felt the relief of seeing Minerva up, but also the apprehension of noting her green glasses and closed eyes and wondering if she was really going to be able to function. He walked over closer, carefully placed a hand on her shoulder, and chimed in, "Good to have you with us again Professor."

Minerva winced just a bit as she did with any touch coming out of the blue, but reached up and patted his hand in appreciation. She was going to have to get used to something. It seems since she was blind that people needed to touch her more. They knew she could not see signs, signals, and body language, so people were all tending to touch her hands, arms, shoulders more than before her injury. She was going to have to simply get used to it.

"Thank you Bill. Please be seated gentlemen." she stated. Both men sat down making themselves comfortable, Mood taking a pouch from around his neck. "I'll keep things quick. For now, I cannot obviously lead the order from Grimmauld Place. I need more time to heal and cope with my situation and the school. However, I'd like weekly coordination between us and immediate contact if there is a hint of any Dark One activity. I want to thank you for what I hear was a truly stunning victory down south. Please fill me in on activities since that time and on any lingering issues such as injuries or missing personnel."

Moody started up, "It was great Minerva. Never seen a more overly confident group fall apart faster. Harry and I, the Order, and the Azkaban warded Aurors really cleaned their clocks. No one was throwing killing charms though, on either side. No one died there Minerva. No one was even injured as bad as you were. Our worst injury got out of St. Mungo's weeks ago. The number of new prisoners at Azkaban has tapped the overall Ministry Auror population pretty hard. They are having to use them as backup guards until more are trained. That leaves the Order doing most of the looking for the remnants of the army although the Ministry has let us keep Harry. Now here, we found one dead body off the end of the bridge and two puddles on the bridge, all Dark Ones according to their clothes and we used the name/faces list to ID the one body also. The only unaccounted for person from our side is Hermione Granger."

Moody kicked out his wooden leg a bit, working his arse into the chair to make himself a bit more comfortable. He then continued, "About a week ago, the Ministry got a tip that some of the Dark Ones were re-gathering in the west of England at a hideout on the River Wye. We have a rough idea of where it might be, but we have not found it yet and they seem to be a lot more careful about leading us straight to the places. We captured three more in that area, two males and a female, so we think the lead is credible. With your permission, Bill and I have worked up a plan. We grabbed some hairs from two of the three we just captured and want to use polyjuice to try and link up with some other ones headed to the hideout. Minerva, we could complete the rout of the Dark Ones if we can get this last large group. In the meantime, Harry and a couple of others will be here to respond if we call or for anything else you need the Order to do. Other Order members are spread checking hideouts."

Minerva thought Moody was making things sound less like asking permission and more like "this is what we are going to do", but his plan was sound. "Bill, are Fleur and you okay with you going on this dangerous mission with this cantankerous man?" she asked seriously, but with a hint of sarcasm.

"Yes Professor. I want to do it. Alastor and I make a good team actually and I think we can maybe end the Dark Ones forever if we do this right." Bill replied.

Moody continued, "On to Hermione. Minerva, Harry and other Order members and most of the Weasleys have looked for the last month with no success whatsoever. We know where she is "not" is what we can say right now. Harry has continued the looking the most. No one here at the school remembers her too much after the battle started. Do you remember seeing her?"

Minerva was careful to appear caring and concerned but hide the shear level of loss and emotion traveling through her right now, "She was aiding in setting Intruder charms. As a seventh year and with her fighting background, I had let her do that. I feel responsible therefore that she is missing. I don't remember seeing her and was totally unconscious after the bridge incident."

"Do you know more of what happened on the bridge?" Moody asked. "Rolanda only says she pulled you out of a fight and got you back to the hospital. But that is the only location anyone was killed and two of them were killed in the way we saw at the Battle with Voldemort where the bodies were turned to mush. We don't even know who is doing that and how. That is what is worrying me the most. Then on top of it, it was Dark Ones killed. Don't mind that, but need to know who and how still. Bound to be a danger to us or rile up the Dark Ones to killing again if they think we are killing. Since then, just a couple of days ago while some members were headed to the River Wye, we found a Dark One hideout that had been cracked and left open, at least to wizards. It was still hidden from muggles. There was one decomposing Dark One, maybe a day old, and two puddles there, so whoever is doing that is still out there."

Minerva straightened up in her chair at the news of more Dark Ones being murdered, "Last thing I really remember from the bridge is the spell blasting the door behind me and the hexes hitting the eyes. I did catch just a glance at the face that sent that blast though. Which hideout did you find the murdered Dark Ones?"

"Small town called Richer. It was a known hideout location. Here – it is actually on the list and map you told me to bring you a copy of." Moody started getting out the copies of the Dark Ones faces/names, and the hideouts list and map that Minerva had asked them to bring from his bag before he realized she would not be able to read it. "Why did you want these?" Moody asked.

"As I said, I feel responsible for Hermione being missing. I know she is alive. I'm going to aid in finding her. I also want to figure out if that face is on our list. I'm going to enlist Rolanda, who needs to be added to the list of members of the Order, and probably Harry to help me with this. Leave the paperwork here and good luck on you mission gentlemen." Minerva answered curtly and dismissively. She wanted to stop any further questioning. In her mind, she was adding up the clues of new Dark One murders, the hideout list, Hermione's intelligence, and her participation in the Grimmauld Place refurbishment. She realized that Hermione probably had the Dark One's hideout list herself and was using it to search for them and probably especially for the scar faced one that had injured Minerva. She also realized that Hermione must still be under the control of the Dark spell. How many more pieces of her soul had disappeared in the last month? – Minerva worried.

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By midafternoon, Minerva was in her office, exhausted and her headache had indeed manifested. A month without exercise including in her animagus form had indeed weakened her physically. Her stamina was shot. She was going to have to figure out how to get some exercise. She winced and fought back a stab of deep regret. She would never be able to transform into her animagus again which was a key way she had kept such a trim but strong figure. While the Headmistress could logically handle the conflicting sensory inputs of being blind, her cat animagus would be terrorized and confused without the full control of her human logic. Her animagus could panic and run around uncontrollable possibly causing great injury and she was unsure that she could be in control enough to transform back. No, she had reasoned with herself that never again would she be able to transform. In all her studies on Transformation and animagus mastery, she realized that there had never been a blind witch or wizard.

Via a combination of reading and dictation spells and the portraits that were more than happy to help read things out loud and offer suggestions also, she had tried to start reestablishing a baseline of her knowledge of the budgets, correspondence, and supplies needs. She had dictated a substantial parchment on her status to Shacklebolt including the various roles and responsibilities she had worked with on the school and the Order. She also asked that he send Harry to meet with her infour days on something she would like to talk to him about. Rolanda arrived after teaching her morning classes to aid. Many of the correspondences were inquiries on her conditionand she also had a pile of Christmas presents to go through and send thank you notes for. She had Rolanda start up a standard, supportive answer to send out copies of. This would serve to bolster the wizarding world's spirits as news spread. Perhaps there would be some way for Hermione to hear also. Other queries were from worried parents and she wanted to address them as a priority also.

As she opened up her presents, Rolanda would describe what they were and who they had come from. There were several books and a nice empty journal; various powders; small articles of clothing such as gloves, and perfumes; several tins of her favorite ginger newts; and a few bottles of wine. A last gift, a small box, was marked from Hermione. She must have sent it before the battle. It contained a beautiful brooch. A sideview of two golden phoenixes rising from ashes, red wings brushing each other, one phoenix with a brown eye and one with a green. The symbolism was obvious, a statement about Hermione and herself and the new lives they had been forming. Minerva carefully felt the brooch, memorizing with her fingers every outline, every stone, every inlay and she pinned it to her outer robes.

Rolanda noticed the rapid degradation of the Headmistress' stamina and that her face was grimacing in obvious pain. "Minerva, let's take a break for tea and please, if it is time for a pain potion, let me bring it to you." Minerva agreed to both offers and they retired to her private sitting room for tea. It would also provide a good time to talk to Rolanda on what she had found out from Alastor and on how to prepare to go look for Hermione. After having called Tinky to bring a tea service and relaxing in front of the fire for a few minutes to let the pain potion kick in (she had gone more than ten hours without one, continued improvement she was happy about), Minerva started relating the information.

"Ro, the Order discovered two more puddle bodies of Dark Ones two days ago at a hideout that had been cracked. They had been dead at least a day before that they estimated. It means Hermione is still out there under the influence of the Dark spell. I've got to get strong quickly, find a means to protect myself and not be a burden in an altercation, and we have got to go out and find her. I believe she has a map of Dark One hideouts and she must be trying to still find the man from the bridge. I've got the same map and list and also any pictures of Dark Ones that the Order had. I saw the man on the bridge for just a flash. I want to describe him to you and have you search the pictures for me to see if he is there. It could give us a clue as to where he might retreat to. I know it has only been a day, but any thoughts on whether you can track your broom?"

"I can't believe she is still out there doing that Minerva. It has got to be eating her up alive." Rolanda lamented. "No, I've not been able to think of anything yet. I'll start working in the library tonight. Best for me to go late. It will be unusual for me to be in the library and I want to minimize suspicion and anyone looking over my shoulder." Roland answered shaking her headand started another statement with a nuance of regret in her tone. "Min, I'm terrible at research and you know it. I'm terrible at paperwork too. I'm terrible at being covert in general. I'll do my best for you but I'm worried I won't be able to live up to your needs."

Minerva understood she was throwing Hooch into the deep end of the pool and appreciated her honesty. She took a sip of her tea and finished off a ginger newt formulating her answer.

"Ro, I trust you and I have confidence in you. You are brave and strong and clever, just what we need. I know I'm asking you to step out of your comfort zone, but I also know you are stubborn and will refuse to give up on our quest, just like myself. Beat back your self-doubts, you can do more than you know my friend. Besides, I have another area that is more up your alley you will need to help me with. I can no longer transform into my animagus which was a key way I exercised and worked on strength, flexibility, and stamina. Before I can venture out safely, I know I need to get stronger. I need a workout partner… You up for it?" Minerva asked with a slight nod of her head and twitch at the corner of her lip.

Rolanda laughed, "Well, we do have the best bodies in the school between us and I've had to try and keep up with you the hard way. Yes, I'll help you. I usually workout early, 5 am to 6 am in the Room of Requirements then I prepare for the day. Would that be alright?"

"Yes, I'll meet you there just after 5 am then." replied Minerva. Then a thought occurred to her and with a smirk on her face she continued, "Madam Hooch, if you usually workout in the mornings, how come Tinky woke your naked arse out of bed this morning at 6:15?"

Rolanda grimaced and tried to figure out a convincing lie while slowly making sipping sounds with her tea to delay answering as long as possible. At least I was alone in bed this morning – Rolanda thought raising her eyes to the ceiling. Nothing convincing came to mind so she stuck with the truth. "Aww Min, been tough around here and needed to escape. I had a few too many at the Three Broomsticks last night." Roland answered quietly.

Minerva nodded with a slight grin but also needed to make sure she got across the seriousness of the situation to Rolanda, "Understood and forgiven, but from now on, we will both need to keep our wits about us at all times. No more escaping, okay?"

Rolanda sighed; she knew it was going to be work morning, noon, and night for who knew how long. But she also realized how important her role was and that there was a time to be serious and this was it. Rolanda reached out and gently touched Minerva's arm. "I'm with you Minerva. We will get her back and cure her. We will also help the school and the wizarding world finish the defeat of the Dark Ones. But know this, I'm also here to protect you now and I'll give my life if it means saving yours. So you have to let me in on everything at all times for both our sakes. No "escaping" by yourself either my Headmistress."

Minerva was humbled by the spikey haired witches' new protective note and she put down her tea cup to pat the hand holding her arm. "Understood Ro. I appreciate it very much. I'm going to have Harry help me select some defensive spells and fighting techniques in a few days to see if I can operate at all. I'll not endanger you unnecessarily." Minerva said as she nodded her head.

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The next few days flew by as routine, recovery, and plans of action started to form in the Headmistress' life. Her sleep was the deep dreamless sleep of the exhausted. Still recovering from the month in the medical wing and now starting up morning workouts with Rolanda Hooch, her physical body was rebuilding but then also needing replenishment.

The Headmistress took advantage of her position and had been apparating to key locations as she needed within the castle. Yet she had also promised herself to work without magic as much as she could. On one occasion, she needed to traverse a distance down a straight hallway between the staff room and the faculty witches' loo. She had counted the steps a previous time when Charity had led her there. Sixty seven steps - she remembered. Minerva had made it up into the forties on the step count when she felt a sharp tap on the outside of her arm just above her left elbow.

She stopped. She had not heard anyone traversing the hallway.

She spoke, "I beg your pardon. Is anyone there?"

Silence. She frowned. Had she imagined the tap or could someone be playing a trick on her? She took a tentative step forward and felt it again, the tap on the outside of her left arm. She slowly raised her left hand upwards and to the left and was very surprised when her fingers scraped a hard concrete wall. She placed both palms against the wall figuring out that as she had been walking down the hall, she must have been slightly veering to the left and would have landed up scraping against the wall or running into a table or a suit of armor sooner or later. So where had the tapping come from? Had it been a warning that she was about to run into the side of the corridor?

Keeping both hands on the wall, she spoke, "Hogwarts, are you trying to help me? I'm heading to the loo."

She waited and sure enough, she felt small taps against both her palms. Minerva smiled and emitted a sigh warmly rubbing the wall. It was well known the school was semi-sentient. It could rearrange walls and wards as it felt the occupants needed and deserved especially the Headmistress or Headmaster. It had hidden rooms and people for their own safety during trying times and even sacrificed parts of itself forming walls where there had been none to save the students inside. Now it appeared it wanted to help the Headmistress navigate. She took four large steps backward and turned to continue down the corridor. Just as she reached her count of sixty seven, she felt a tap on her arm - confirmation from the school that she had arrived at the loo door. Over time, Minerva and the school quietly worked out a code of taps and signals that eased her navigation issues greatly.

After her workouts with Rolanda and refreshing herself, Minerva continued starting off the student's days by having breakfast in the Great Hall. She had to be absent the rest of the meals due to her other activities, but she started the day with her students. The portraits read correspondence to her in the mornings and she used magical quill and parchment to dictate responses. Rolanda would come after a light lunch so they could continue with school business. Everything took longer than when she had sight, but it was getting done nonetheless. At teatime, they would switch modes into discussing preparations for finding Hermione and anything that had come via owl from the Order. Rolanda had taken Minerva's description of the scar faced man from the bridge and had found a couple of candidates in the Dark One pictures. Both men had scars on the face and near the right eye and black shoulder-length hair. It had been dark and Minerva could not pull out any more features to differentiate between the two men, so the Dark One that had hurt Minerva was either not on the list or was Briston Summersby or Talon McGrieves. Minerva owled the Order to see if they had any additional information on either of the two men informing them that they may have been on the bridge during the fight. In parallel, Rolanda had found a very old object tracking charm but practicing with her backup broom had led her to understand that it only worked if you cast it before the object was far away. After a light dinner, Rolanda would stoically head off to the library to continue the research. She was missing being able to let loose just a bit already.

The one thing lacking in the current plans was how to continue the research on extracting the Dark spell from Hermione once they got her back. For now, Minerva did not want to burden Rolanda with any more research and besides, the only ones allowed in the restricted section of the library were herself, Filius, and Moody. Minerva was not sure she wanted to expand that list nor did she want to let Filius and Moody in on Hermione's situation yet. Minerva reflected on her actions and for the first time, she understood Albus just a bit more. She had always hated that it was clear he manipulated everyone at times, even herself. Now here she was, manipulating her own Deputy Headmaster and her own Deputy Heads of the Order. She now understood how Albus might have felt justified when he had to do the same type of thing.

Other issues continued their slow improvement. Minerva had started taking a half pain potion at dinner time. It would dull her senses less while still dulling the pain enough and get her through the night a bit better. Then she only had to take another half pain potion first thing in the morning to do the samealthough she did not like starting off the day that way as much.

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The day arrived when Minerva had asked Shacklebolt to have Harry visit. Initially, Minerva had considered letting Harry in on Hermione's entire situation but then she got more hesitant. Harry, it seemed, had grown more and more abrupt and slightly tempered even. She was a bit worried about his reaction to a Dark spell infused into Hermione by Bellatrix Lestrange. Bellatrix, who had killed the one person Harry was closest to, his godfather and Bellatrix's cousin, Sirius Black. No matter what Harry's great accomplishments had been, he was still young and still somewhat caught up in fighting. He could be over-confident, confront Hermione and if she landed up killing him – it would destroy her. Minerva let all these reasons lead her to not informing Harry about Hermione's condition unless she knew he was getting close to finding her. Then she would tell him for safety reasons. Therefore, Minerva wanted Harry to come over so she could get him to reveal his search status. The second reason Minerva had wanted Harry to visit was to go over her thoughts on a more defensive set of fighting spells that she wanted to practice since she was too apt to miss targets with offensive spells.

Harry arrived in the Headmistress' office. He was relieved to see Headmistress McGonagall sitting regally at her desk full of correspondence, seemingly in control of the school once again. Harry noted she looked the same as he had always remembered her save the green circular spectacles sitting over closed eyelids. He walked over and sat in the chair in front of the great desk, "Headmistress. It is wonderful to see you."

Minerva wanted to keep an authoritative, but cordial tone with Harry to maximize her chances of getting answers from him without him questioning her. She started in, "Thank you Harry and thank you for the great victory at Stonehenge. Alastor informed me of the events and your magnificent leadership. I've asked you to come here for two reasons. One, Alastor said you were the primary person searching for Hermione and I'd like to know the status of that and two, given my situation, I'd like your review and suggestions for a defensive set of spells that I could best benefit by in a dueling situation. I cannot afford to be a total burden on those around me if danger occurs."

Harry nodded, realizing Minerva would not see that body language, he quickly spoke up, "Thanks Headmistress. Yes, I'm still searching for Hermione but I've not been able to find anything since the night of the battle. Not a real magic trace to be found, she must not be apparating or using much magic. No visuals and her face is rather well known so we would have expected someone to have seen her, it having been almost five weeks now. She could not be intentionally trying to hide, so I'm actually under the revolting opinion that she was kidnapped and Dark Ones are holding her somewhere and that is why we cannot find her. I've been shifting all my efforts into the Order's tracing of the remaining Dark One hideouts and Dark Ones. Each one that was captured after the battle is being questioned, especially for involvement in the Hogwarts portion of the attack. We had a breakthrough a few days back. I'm sure Moody told you they captured three dark ones, two males and a female, a few days ago. Questioning of the female, named Lucinda Rowle, revealed she was part of the Hogwarts attack team. She told us the names of other members of that specific team including the leader who was a Scot named Talon McGrievesand who she had seen since the battle, which included Talon again. She would not tell us where any of them were headed and would not reveal where she was going even though we have that tip that it is a hideout near the River Wye."

Minerva pursed her lips and pulled her hands below the desktop as she could not hold back clinching her fists in anger. Okayso that name comes up again. Spells he used were strong and well thought out. Makes sense it was a leader. That has got to be the Dark One from the bridge that Hermione is looking for – she thoughtand he is a SCOT, how dare he!

Harry noted how quiet the Headmistress was and how she now seemed extremely tense; "Headmistress, are you okay?" he asked.

Minerva snapped out of her anger, "Yes, yes – I'm fine. Just worried about Hermione. I was the one letting her aid in defense of the school. I'm the one to blame for her being missing. I want her found, badly."

Harry sighed, "We are trying ma'am. There was a hideout cracked with three dead Dark Ones that I'm assuming Moody also told you about. One of the bodies was identifiable and according to the information from Lucinda, he was one of the Dark Ones from the Hogwarts attack. I'm sure you heard the other two bodies were annihilated into mush. Some have related to me they resemble some victims from the Battle of Hogwarts, but no one knows what spell is being used and by whom. We don't know how the pieces fit yet, nor if any of them lead to Hermione. We are going to go for the biggest concentration of Dark Ones we have information on and that seems to be in finding this hideout on the River Wye."

"I agree with your plans Harry and I would appreciate hearing any progress or indeed, even rumor with regards to the Dark Ones and Hermione." Minerva replied.

Minerva wanted to shift the conversation before Harry came up with any questions for her concerning that night, "Now onto my second topic Harry. Given my blindness, I'm not comfortable protecting myself with strong offensive spells that might miss my intended target or hit the wrong target. I'm not going to be shuttled off to the backroom during any altercations and let the rest of the wizarding world protect me either. I've thought through defensive spells that I want to practice until they are better ingrained in me and want to see if you can suggest any others."

Indeed, Minerva diverted Harry Potter into a wonderful long conversation on defensive spells. By the end of it, they had assembled a mutually agreed upon list of spells that could help Minerva defend herself with minimal chances of fratricide. They included: Protego – Shield Charm, Protego Horribilis – some protection against Dark Magic, Salvio Hexia – protection against hexes, Bedazzling Hex – make herself invisible, heavy use of Expelliarmus (Disarming Charm) to take wands and weapons, and the Impedimenta Charm which slowed an advancing object. Harry also suggested that Minerva practice her Legilimency as she could potentially peer into a target's mind to see their near term thoughts, emotions, and actions and maybe head off or dodge their incoming hexes in a "predict before it happens" mode.

Once the meeting was over, Minerva rose and allowed Harry a quick hug. She felt bad leaving him in the dark on Hermione and manipulating him, but the information he had innocently provided had been critical for her plans. She could only hope that the end would justify the means to quote a muggle saying. She and Rolanda would have a lot to talk about this afternoon, first thing being sending Ro to Order headquarters to find anything and everything on Talon McGrieves.

Minerva continued improving physically, continued reintegrating herself into Hogwarts business, and started into practicing the Defensive spell set with Rolanda on top of everything else they were doing. The Order was searching for information, including by re-interrogating Dark Ones at Azkaban, on Talon such as more on his birthplace and habits.

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By the end of yet another week, making it five weeks since the battle and one week since her new unofficial position as Minerva's Protector and Research Assistant, Rolanda Hooch was stressed. This was a different type of stress. This was not the stress of battle and fighting for the righteous nor of school teaching activities; Rolanda could keep those up forever. This was the stress of every second of her day being filled up with paperwork, research, practices, planning, classes, workouts, and going over Order Headquarters, without hardly time to hit the loo or for sure no time to go on a restful broom ride. She had been slumping into bed exhausted every night hardly bothering to remove her clothes. She was even having to almost give up Quidditch referee, but had convinced Minerva it would be too much of a signal of their activities. Rolanda was dedicated to Minerva and to finding Hermione, but she felt that need to "escape" coming on her quite fiercely or she would scream and throw the entire pile of correspondence parchments into the fire.

Rolanda also felt Minerva was in need of some loosening. Yes, she was furiously concentrating on as many things as Rolanda and on top of it coping with the blindness still. Rolanda could tell that Minerva was sacrificing some of the personal touches and relaxation that she had been having with the students and staff as she dived deeper and deeper into all the preparations and queries on finding Hermione. Both needed a bit of escape Rolanda figured. So rather than taking off to the library on that evening after their light dinner in the Headmistress' private sitting room, Rolanda headed to her quarters and retrieved two bottles of firewhiskey.

She marched back to the Headmistress' room, Minerva still seated on the couch, and with a flare started in; "Minerva, you said I was not allowed to escape by myself and I told you the same, but you did not say we could not escape together. We need a break, even for a few hours. I've got firewhiskey in hand and we are going to sit by the fire, drink, and talk about whatever we want as long as it is not about Dark Ones, Hermione, or school business. We are not being selfish by doing this, we are not wasting time or forgetting our goals, but we are keeping a balance which will help us remember what we are fighting for."

If Minerva could blink, she would be blinking in shock. Rolanda had marched back into her quarters with a fiery speech worthy of a leader on the battlefield. She was vacillating between whether to scold Madam Hooch for marching into her quarters and dictating to her or to commend her and tell her how proud she was of her for speaking out so fiercely, yet logically. Minerva sat calmly, facing forward towards the fire, not responding for a few seconds. She could hear Hooch's labored breathing over by the edge of the room near the door. Minerva waved her hand and wordlessly summoned two thick whiskey glasses from her shelf.

"Well Madam Hooch. What a fiery, inspirational speech. In reality, I think you just need to get snockered and you want to take me with you. Well, come on woman, you need to start pouring."

Rolanda let out a huge sigh of relief and leapt over the back end of the couch landing hard on the right side. She started to pourand pour again. First topic, going over the strengths and weaknesses of each of the current Hogwarts' Quidditch players and teams then going on to the World Cup standings. Minerva came up with the fascinating discussion of firewhiskey versus something called "grappa" that she had once tried. A few hours later, both ladies were slurring heavily and had removed their shoes, opened their top robe buttons, and feet were kicked up relaxing on the table. In most circumstances, Rolanda would pass out before Minerva as Scots could really hold their liquor. However, Minerva was still not at her physical nor mental best and the mix of a half pain potion with the liquor sent the venerable Headmistress to lightly snoring before Rolanda was out. Rolanda took the empty whiskey glass from Minerva's hand and placed it on the table next to her wand and two practically empty bottles. Ro was in no shape to wander the hallways herself, so she kicked her feet back up and fell asleepin front of the fire with her old drinking buddy.

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Dark Hermione had arrived near Assynt two days ago. Being late January, the farther north she had traveled, the more there was scattered snow. By this location, there was a solid covering of the white substance on the ground. So far, searching for the hideout had been fruitless, no signs of it found. No signs of people traversing the area at all given she would have observed footprints. She was using the map and her best guess on likely cave locations, although anything could be hidden. To help the physical search and due to the limited population, she had switched to days for the light. She was hoping that Talon was on foot, was smart enough to not be apparating for he would surely be caught, and therefore that she had beat him up here since she had partially used Hooch's broom. "It" was content on Hermione's overall physical and mental state at the moment. The uncontrolled sleep had been incredibly successful in allowing her to relax and she was once again strong and methodical in her approach to the hunt. The revenge that drove her, was no longer overwhelming her ability to focus on tasks.

The evening sun was setting across a snow covered valley. Dark Hermione stood at the top of the slope and watched the colors of the sky change from yellows to pinks and dark reds. A distinctive large mountain, very steep on one side, with two smaller mountains were all silhouetted in the distance. For just a second, Hermione thought of how beautiful the scene could have been in the spring with yellow grasses and a warm breeze that probably filled this valley and she blinked, eyes flickering from black to brown, as she imagined a tall womanly figure in green coming up the yellow slope, then Dark Hermione slammed her back into attention. Time to sleep "It" said. Dark Hermioneerased her footprints in the snow as she walked back towards her hidden and warded tent, crawled in, set a warming charm, and relaxed into a peaceful, uncontrolled slumber; the Dark spell lurking in the corner of her mind, ever watchful.

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Hermione started to dream once again of that hill she had just been on. Replaying that beautiful sunset behind the three mountains. In her dreams, the valley was in springtime, full of color and life and the air was warm and turned crisp and refreshing as the sun went down. Once again, she saw a figure coming up the slope, but this time she kept coming. Closer and closer the green robed, tall woman came until it was clear that it was indeed her Minerva, and she smiled at her.

Minerva had fallen into an inebriated sleep on her couch with Rolanda Hooch. During her sleep, her wand began to glow with brown and green wisps encircling it. In her mind, she saw a light in the distance and followed it. Here she was not blind, here she could see the trees and the ground and a darkening blue sky partially obscured by leaves. The dream led her out of a row of trees into a valley full of tall yellow grass. It was evening and there was a warm breeze. She felt calm and comforted, like she had been there before. A short distance away, she could see a dark-robed small figure at the top of a slope. She walked towards the figure and as she got closer and closer, she could see it was Hermione. Minerva smiled, in her dream, as she approached and could see those chocolate brown eyes that she had not gazed upon in over a month. Hermione smiled back.

Not a word was said. Minerva made it to the top of the slope and turned around to view the scene. A valley of yellow and three mountains silhouetted by a yellow and pink evening sunset. She knew this place from her childhood she realized. She was in Scotland. Hermione took in the view, standing next to Minerva and sighed. She cautiously reached out and grasped Minerva's hand. Minerva turned and squeezed Hermione's hand back. Hermione reached up and slowly traced Minerva's outer jawline with her fingers. Minerva closed her eyes as the touch sent tingles down her neck and throughout her chest. She was both elated and hesitant. She was frightened of this unknown territory of physical contact. Why would this gorgeous young witch be choosing her? From the other perspective, Hermione was in heaven. She was holding her Minerva's hand and stroking her face. At the first touch, Hermione felt a pulsing start up in her privates and a warmth begin building in the middle of her chest. She saw Minerva's eyes close at her touch and her lips open ever so slightly to take in more air. Minerva leaned into the hand that was caressing her cheek.

"I want you." Hermione said. Minerva's emerald eyes popped open and locked onto the brown eyes of the young witch. "And I want you." she answered. Hermione smiled and pulled at Minerva's hand to lead the older witch back into her tent.

Hermione crouched and pulled Minerva into the tent. This was not a magically-enhanced three room tent with cooking area and pillows, but a simple two person orange backpacking tent with maximum enhancements on its abilities to be easy to setup, untraceable, and unseen. Once inside, the occupant basically crawled forward and straight onto one of two sleeping pads which did have a built-in warming charm. There were basic non-flammable candles and several one way windows that could be positioned to observe the outside.

Hermione laid down on her back and pulled Minerva straight over her. Minerva braced herself on her hands and her legs which were outside Hermione's, not wanting to put all her weight on the smaller witch. She was also still rather nervous as to what to do. It had been some thirty years since she had been with anyone, although at least that encounter had been a woman. Hermione leaned up and put her arms around Minerva's neck while bringing their lips slowly together. Minerva's body started to hum from that simple touch. A moan erupted from Minerva and Hermione's lips curled into a smile, never breaking contact. Hermione started to fall back again, never releasing Minerva's neck, which forced Minerva to unlock her elbows and finally make full body contact with the young witch underneath her. A young tongue tickled along with seam of Minerva's thin lips and she opened her mouth allowing the exploration. Now it was Hermione's turn to moan, which encouraged Minerva to weave her hands through Hermione's auburn curls. Minerva was still mindful that she was fully on top of the smaller witch. So in one swift move and without breaking their kiss, she grabbed Hermione's waist and rolled so that their positions were reversed with Hermione on top straddling Minerva's lower hips.

Hermione smiled into the kiss again but then broke it and leaned up so she could gaze down at her lovely Minerva, all flush with arousal. Hermione blinked and all the clothing from both witches disappeared. This was a dream after all. Minerva gasped, a bit self-conscious at the sudden revealing. Minerva's breasts were round and creamy, but had sagged a bit over time while Hermione, she discovered, had very round, very luscious breasts fully perked up with her arousal. Minerva closed her eyes and tried to cross her arms over her chest, but Hermione would have none of it. She pushed Minerva's arms away and latched on to one of Minerva's nipples tugging and suckling and licking it until it turned hard as stone before switching to lavish the other breast. Minerva was arching her back and brought her hands up to caress Hermione's ribcage and the sides of her breasts on both sides. Flickering trails of electric current were traversing from Minerva's nipples, through her abdomen, and lighting a fire in her nether regions. This position was also sending exquisite pulses through Hermione's nether regions as she was rocking her engorged pearl against Minerva's pelvic area painting it with the fluids of her arousal.

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Rolanda was slowly being awakened from her alcohol induced slumber by the sounds coming from Minerva. For a moment, she thought the Headmistress might be having a bad dream. She opened one eye carefully to note the Headmistress was indeed moaning in her sleep. However, as both eyes opened it did not seem to be a nightmare. The Headmistress seemed to be havingan erotic dream as the moans and pants were pleasurable. In addition, her hands were traversing her own body in sultry motions over her breasts and she was rubbing her legs together. Rolanda blushed and smiled. She would be able to hold this one over Minerva for quite some time. Then she saw something that really got her attention. Minerva's wand was glowing like mad and it had wisps of green and brown swirling around it fiercely.

Rolanda knew they needed to capture whatever was going on so she reached out to shake Minerva's shoulder and wake her from her dream.

"Minerva, wake up. You are having a dream but there is something going on with your wand." Rolanda cried out and then winced as her movements sent the room spinning.

Minerva came out of the dream with a start. Her breathing and body temperature were quite elevated. She could remember every moment like it was real and wondered if she was still there. Once her mind was a bit more awake, she once again realized why the world was in total darkness, that she was not in Scotland, and then linked in why she seemed to have a slight hangover.

"Whut, … whut did you say Ro?" Minerva asked, still in a slight stupor.

"I said your wand was glowing like crazy just now while you were dreaming. It had these strange wisps of green and brown encircling it. They are gone now." Rolanda answered, slightly holding her pulsating head.

Minerva sat up, shook out a few more mental cobwebs, and reached out for her wand. She did not feel anything usual from the wand right now, but the dream had been absolutely vivid. Her mind started churning through what had just happened.

"Rolanda, you said you retrieved my wand from the bridge and brought it to me when I was in the hospital, right?"

"Right. It had been out there for hours." Rolanda answered, head still cradled in her hands.

Could it be that simple? Minerva thought. "Hermione was on the bridge after we left. What if she linked the wands? We are very similar in nature, our wands are rather similar. You said she told you that she loved me. Maybe it was her last attempt to allow me some means to find her and stop her. Ro, I swear I was with her in her dreams just now."

Minerva paused, the revelation finally fully catching up.

Minerva screamed in triumph raising up and bumping her legs on the table, "Ro, I know where she is! I know exactly where she is right now!"