A/N This is more of a filler chapter, it looked longer on Word, however... I needed to introduce the topic somehow, so filler chapter it is.
You owe me two updates now Ro.
Days passed into weeks. On the good days, Hermione knew both Minerva and Poppy, and was as excited as she had been as a student to learn more about magic, and see magic used. On the bad days, Hermione barely recognised even Minerva, and often had to be restrained, as she had a tendency to become violent in the grip of these episodes. Once restrained, she would look around in rage - or more often, fear, and would yell things – regardless of whether or not someone was even in the room with her.
"I know you have it, give it to me!"
"I can't take it anymore! Please!"
And the most heart breaking;
"You're not her! Minerva! Please! Save me!"
But she would accept no comfort from the very woman she was calling for, screaming out for Minerva to save her.
Thankfully, the bad days were becoming few and far between. The boys were due back any day now. Minerva had contacted them, and the Ministry, via owl, to let them know Hermione was found, alive and whole, at least in body, and was recovering in the Hogwarts Hospital Wing. In addition, Minerva had Harry and Ron to stay in Australia for their full planned search period, as Hermione most certainly not up to visitors, and even if they did rush back home, Minerva would not let them see her in fear of prompting another relapse – particularly considering Ronald's tendency to shout first and think months later, not that she explicitly stated, of course.
The boys were so enormously relieved to hear Hermione was found and safe at last that they would have agreed to anything. They stayed in Australia for a month, celebrating.
The next setback came quite unexpectedly.
Minerva was preparing a visit to Minister Shacklebolt, to forcibly explain exactly why he was not allowed to visit Hermione Granger. Poppy had forbidden visitors until Hermione was less volatile, so no. He could not come waltzing into Hogwarts whenever he liked, and certainly not to interrogate a still recovering witch, regardless of who the young witch in question was. Fool.
And then it happened. Minerva had just slipped on her glamour, allowing herself to appear her actual age, rather than her apparent age, when Hermione came looking for her. When Hermione saw her, she simply stopped.
"Professor McGonagall?"
That's odd, Minerva thought. She usually refers to me by my given name.
"Yes, dear?"
"Excuse me Professor, I'm looking for Minerva, has she come this way?"
Minerva froze. What on earth? She immediately dropped her glamour.
"Hermione, dear, I am Minerva. Minerva McGonagall and Professor McGonagall are one and the same."
As Minerva said this, she caught Hermione's eye, just in time to catch a glimmer of the glowing blue of magic she'd last seen right before she'd been de-aged.
"Hermione?"
The glimmer disappeared, almost as fast as it had come.
"Yes, Minerva?"
"I need to become Professor McGonagall again, so I can talk some sense into the Minister. What was it you wanted me for?"
"I – "
Again, the blue flashed, gone, almost before arriving. Hermione began to speak again, slowly.
"I really have no idea, Minerva. I assume I simply wished to see you?
"Very well," Minerva replied crisply, readying herself to become Professor McGonagall again – someone she had not been since her last trip to the Ministry.
"I'm afraid I must leave now, my dear. However, I shall come to you immediately upon my return."
At this, Hermione nodded, and turned to go, but not before Minerva spotted yet another quicksilver hint of magic, shining in satisfaction, as Hermione began walking back towards the Hospital Wing.
I really ought to speak to Poppy about that.
And this is the part where I ask people to review. Please review.