A/N: I know it's been forever since I updated as hermin22 reminded me a few days ago. I've had some time off and was able to write this small chapter. It's a filler of sorts to help advance the story. I hope you enjoy remember to R&R. :)
Hermione stood once again on the sidewalk in front of her home. Minerva put an arm around her shoulder. "One thing at a time, dear."
"I know." Hermione began to walk toward the front door. Minerva followed slowly behind. Hermione took out her key and unlocked the door for the second time in a week. She walked through the door and stood in the entryway. She let out a breath and walked down the hall looking at the pictures and knickknacks again. She picked up a crystal swan and placed in her pocket. "I gave this to Mom, for mother's day last year."
Minerva nodded. "I understand." Hermione disappeared around the corner and into the sitting room; she stood in front to the fireplace. She picked up a family picture, her mom and dad were smiling it was on their last holiday. She placed it back on the mantel and left the room. "I still don't know where to start. I always thought that this house would be here for me."
"It is, you don't have to make any rash decisions Hermione. We can protect it while you are still in school. There are agencies, wizarding and muggle alike that will rent it if you like, but nothing has to be done about that today.
And what about me? Hermione stepped closer to Minerva. She looked like a small, lost child again. "Has any decision been made?"
Minerva didn't know what to say. Hermione was so fragile she didn't want to disappoint her again. "Nothing is official yet Hermione, I can promise you that I will look after you. When we are back at school and even now, I will be there for you."
"What about when we are not at school?"
Minerva knelt down next to her. "As I said, nothing is official yet. It is a very long process. I won't go to the Conner House, Minerva. I would rather die first.
"Hermione!" Minerva stood up and looked very seriously at the young girl. "Don't ever say that!"
"Come and sit with me please." Minerva directed Hermione toward the sitting room and continued, "I think it's time I told some of what I know."
Hermione and Minerva sat down on the overstuffed couch. Minerva took the young girl's hand. "Caroline seems to be hitting an obstacle with your guardianship. In all honesty even she and I am uncertain why it is. Dumbledore is looking into it. I can tell you that you will remain at school over all holidays and we hope to have it resolved by the end of the year."
"I won't go to that place Minerva."
"I have no intentions of sending you there but this is going to be a very long process and it seems some people want to make it even longer. Albus' meeting is this afternoon. We will just have to wait and see. In the mean time, we should go to work on packing some of your things."
Hermione stood up and walked over to the window. I have a few things to get from my room. We could start there. Would you like to help?"
"I most certainly would."
Minerva followed Hermione to her bedroom. When she entered the room she noticed right away that it was in immaculate order, it was a calming blue color with blue and white matching bed liens and crisp white curtains, a picture of Her, with Ron and Harry was placed on a bulletin board next to her door and it one looked closely you could proudly see the Gryffindor colors proudly displayed over the top of the board.
Hermione stood in front of the window. She was crying once again, Minerva walked over and put a hand on the girl's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Minerva it's just…" Hermione motioned to the view from her window. "Mom loved those gardens. I used to spend the summers helping her and when I was…" Hermione wiped fresh tears from her eyes. "When I was little I used to have a swing hanging from the tree over there."
"I understand, dear." Minerva held Hermione as she cried again, she only hoped that this would soon all be resolved and that Hermione could begin to heal fully. Minerva sent a silent prayer to the gods above that Albus was having a better time resolving this than she.
Hermione wiped the tears from her eyes again and turned to face her head of house, I think I will head up stairs."
Minerva watched Hermione climbed the stairs. She wanted to help the young girl, but though it best to give her some time to alone before offering her help. She looked out the window at the swing that Hermione pointed out earlier. Minerva could see the her own live in this, for a moment it she saw her sisters and brother out there on the swing, not Hermione. She was standing firmly behind that and as equally broken as her Gryffindor cub.
Minerva turned around and saw Hermione was busily working on packing items she would need and want back at school, while at the same time, packing items away for storage. "Do you think, I need all of this at school?" Hermione asked without turning toward Minerva.
"We certainly have the storage space. It's better to be safe than sorry." Minerva walked over to the stacks of belonging and began shrinking them so they could be more easily packed."
"Thank you again for everything"
"Hermione, I'm here for whatever you need. Minerva picked up another item and placed in the trunk at the foot of Hermione's bed. "Anything else?" Minerva noticed Hermione sitting on the bed with a small book in her hand.
"Just this, Hermione held up the book slightly, but continued in her silent musing. "It's a family album one of the only ones that wasn't destroyed in the attack." Hermione looked over at Minerva. "I don't know how this is going to end.
"I can't answer that either, but I can tell you it will get better. You will be able to get on with your life; it's what they would have wanted for you. It will not happen tomorrow or even the next day, but it will."
"I know." Hermione held the album close. "I don't know if I can do anymore here…at the moment."
"I would encourage you not to rush my dear. We can return during the holidays or on the weekends and take this a little at a time.
"Yes, that what I will do."
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"I will not stand for this decision. This girl has been through quite enough!" Albus Dumbledore was calm but forceful. The panel before him didn't seem to be getting the message.
"I'm sorry Dumbledore the decision regarding Miss. Granger has been made. "What if I found a different guardian for Miss Granger, temporarily?"
"It would not be temporary Professor. We are done with this case." The magistrate was firm.
"No, we are not! Miss Granger will remain at Hogwarts over the upcoming holiday, until an appeal of her case and assignment to the Connor House can be heard at this Wizengamot." Dumbledore walked swiftly out of the chamber, his robed billowing in his wake.
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Hermione and Minerva finished straightening the bedroom before carrying and levitating Hermione's belonging downstairs. When the reached the foyer, Hermione noticed a spotted owl on the front porch, she placed the box she was carrying on the floor and opened the window to let the bird in. "Minerva?" Hermione looked at her head of house with raw emotions.
"Take a deep breath child. I'm sure it will be fine." Minerva quickly produced an owl treat from her pocket and gave it to their guest as she untied the letter from his foot. The bird nibbled on it appreciatively. Minerva opened the letter, and walked toward the kitchen. Hermione watched and wondered but made no move to follow her.
Minerva paced the floor as she read Albus' words. With the completion of each sentence the nerves in her stomach grew tighter. This was by no means the result she'd hoped for, but it would by them some time to make their case. She knew for now Hermione would be safe, and they would have time to get to the bottom of what was really happening but, then again, they seemed to be dealing with some very powerful people…people even Albus couldn't identify at this point. Hermione was safe…but for how long?
"What did the letter say?" Hermione asked as Minerva walked back into the entryway, tucking the letter away. "We are to return to Hogwarts…now. You will spend the holidays there with Mr. Potter and myself. "It's the best we can do for the moment."
For the first time in days Minerva saw an inkling of a smile creep onto Hermione's face. The girl gave a slight nod before the walked out of the house. If only she knew what kind of fight lie ahead. Minerva stood in the entryway in a daze transported back to 1945 and her life…Albus was her savior. Could she do the same for Hermione?
