A/N: Thanks for the great reviews and to all of those who have put this story on alert XD It really does make my day to know that people are enjoying this fic. Here is the next chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter Ten:

Hermione followed her mother anxiously to her father's office to spend the afternoon with them both. She wasn't half as tired as she had been a week before, and she decided that was because of getting help from her mother on her school work. Now though, she wished she was so that she could get out of this. She felt like she was in trouble, and she hated that feeling in the pit of her stomach. Minerva walked slightly in front of her daughter so that she could stop the urge she had to hold her hand as they walked. She couldn't wait to hug her husband and be reassured that he was still here at the castle.

Up in the Headmaster's office, Albus was pacing across the space in front of his desk contemplating if agreeing to teach Hermione such an advanced spell was a good idea, but the thought of spending time with his wife and daughter pushed his doubts to the back of his mind for the time being.

Five minutes after leaving the library through the back exit and Hermione and Minerva arrived at the stone gargoyle.

"Ginger biscuits," Minerva said quietly to the gargoyle.

The pair watched as it moved to the side revealing the moving staircase which mother and daughter quickly stepped on to it.

Once the gargoyle had closed behind them, Minerva wrapped an arm around Hermione's shoulders and brought her close, leaving a kiss to the top of her head. Hermione leaned into her mother, slightly apprehensive about spending the afternoon wither her father, as she had no idea what they would be working on, and she always liked to know.

"Door's open!" Albus called as he felt the presence of his family just beyond the door. He smiled as his wife and daughter walked through the door still leaning closely to the other.

"Good afternoon Albus."

"Afternoon my dear." Albus walked up to his wife and gave her a brief hug and kiss before turning to Hermione. "And afternoon to you Kitten."

"Afternoon Dad." Hermione hugged Albus and he left a light kiss on her forehead as she stepped back.

"Have you two had a good morning?"

Hermione just nodded so Minerva filled Albus is on what they had done together in the library as the trio got comfortable on the sofa by the fireplace.

After twenty minutes of talking about everything and anything, Hermione finally asked, "What spell are we going to be working on?"

"We're going to teach you the patronus charm."

"But Dad, that's advanced magic! I can't do that!"

"Of course you can sweetie."

"But you need strong happy memories to call on and the power to do so. I have neither."

Minerva's face fell, but she quickly masked it.

"Listen Kitten, all you have to do is think about the times you've spent with Minerva and myself and it'll help in the long run. Have a few goes and we'll finish for the day, okay?" Reluctantly, Hermione nodded and stood with the help of Albus. "Right then, so you know the wand movement?" Hermione slowly nodded and showed him. "Flick a little more up at the end." She did. "That's brilliant my dear." Hermione smiled and blushed. "Can I presume that you know the incantation?"

"Expecto Patronum."

Albus nodded. "Excellent! Have you read about this?"

"Just in passing at the beginning of the year when I was looking up dementors."

"Fair enough. Now, I'll show you mine and then you'll have a go. You can have a break and Minerva will show you hers, okay?"

"Okay," she whispered, not entirely sure about this.

Albus performed the spell and a silvery phoenix sprang from his wand, sitting on the sofa next to where Hermione was standing. She looked at the silvery bird and smiled knowing how rare they are. She turned to face Albus with her wand at the ready. She closed her eyes and pulled up the memory of the day during her first summer holiday when Minerva came to the Granger's house to make her happy. She opened her eyes, hanging on to the memory and cast the spell. A silver slither shot out of her wand and hovered for a moment before it disappeared. She sighed ad closed her eyes again, trying to pull another memory.

"That was brilliant Kitten!" Minerva beamed.

"Wonderful!"

Hermione smiled briefly at them and carried on going through her memories. She cast again, this time it was brighter and had a slight shape to it. She carried on doing this and on the fifth try she came so close, but Albus stopped her from doing it again.

"Take a break Hermione."

She nodded and sat next to her mother who brought her into a hug and gave her some chocolate.

"Eat that and I'll show you mine."

Hermione nodded and slowly ate some of her chocolate as she watched her mother. A tabby cat sprung out of her wand and bounced around the room, making Hermione smiled. Albus sent out his patronus and the two silvery animals lovingly interacted with each other as Albus wrapped an arm around Minerva's waist and kissed her briefly. Hermione smiled and her heart swelled at seeing her parents so happy and in love. Keeping he feeling she cast her patronus and a baby panther leapt out and headed straight to the other two.

Minerva beamed and quickly swept the still small girl into her arms and spun her around in joy. Albus joined in and brought them both into a hug. None had noticed that the silver forms had solidified until they turned into the animals they were showing.

"Well, I think this is cause for celebration."

"But are they real now Dad?"

"Yours will be, but your mothers and mine have already done this."

"Fawkes and Tabby?" Albus nodded and the two disappeared in a poof of silver smoke. "But why?"

"Because the love you feel is so powerful your magic bursts outwards, but your patronus pulls your magic to it, making itself your familiar."

"Can I still cast?"

"Try."

Hermione did and found that it was so much easier than before. Smiling, she cancelled the charm and stepped forward, gently picking up the baby panther and stroked it. "What to call you?" she wander aloud.

"Whatever you wish, darling."

Hermione stood there with the tiny animal in her hands thinking intently. Every name that she came up with, she dismissed, but the same name kept returning to her . "Athena," she whispered.

"I think that's a wonderful name, Kitten."

Hermione smiled up at her parents and hugged the panther close to her chest.

~0~0~

Days turned into weeks and weeks into months as Hermione gradually improved. Athena was constantly a her side, even during lessons and meals. It wasn't until April that things started going down hill. During one of Hermione's care of magical creature classes, Hagrid had 'brought in' a hippogriff. Everything had gone smoothly, even the part when Hermione flew Buckbeak, as it was called but Malfoy always did like to ruin the good things in the castle, and like the dunderhead that he is, he refused to listen to Hagrid's instructions and provoked the beast into biting him. Right there and then, Hermione knew that something would happen to Buckbeak or Hagrid, if not both of them. So, she started formulating a plan to help the animal and games keeper out, but no matter how much hard work it would be, she wouldn't give up.

Hermione had been secretly working on her plan every night for a week when her mother came to find her in the library, surrounded by law books.

"So you've heard about Hagrid them, kitten?"

Hermione shook her head. "I figured something would happen, so a week ago I started looking at ways to help. Why? What's happened?"

Minerva took a seat next to her daughter and held her hand. "Malfoy Senior has put Hagrid or rather, Buckbeak on trial and there's not much hope that the animal won't be executed."

Hermione nodded slowly. "When's the trial?"

"In just four days."

Hermione nodded again and turned back to her books, now frantic to find something, anything to help Hagrid out.

Over the next four days Hermione stuck to her normal schedule but every single moment she could spare, she was with Hagrid. There had been a few times that the great Harry Potter and sidekick Ronald Weasley had arrived shortly after herself, but she simply ignored them and sat with Fang and Athena, constantly going through everything in her mind. She knew that it probably wouldn't work, but any hope is good hope. The trial was on the fast approaching Saturday and Hermione was becoming more and more anxious as the days passed.

Saturday morning came much quicker than any of the McGonagall family and Hagrid had ever though possible. Albus had woken up earlier than usual in order to get himself and Hagrid to the Ministry in time. Minerva had awoken with him, unable to sleep without being in his arms. Hermione was the last to wake, but hadn't woken late. The trio managed to have breakfast together before Albus had to dash. Minerva and Hermione were left to their own devices, so after finishing their usual Saturday morning doings, they dragged out a couple of muggle board games and the chess set to keep themselves entertained with. It was well after dinner when Albus arrived home with a solemn face. Minerva stood and brought her husband into her arms. Hermione watched her parents as she stroked Athena.

Once Albus and Minerva had sat down on the sofa across from Hermione, she quietly asked, "What's the verdict Dad?"

"Buckbeak is to be executed."

Minerva and Hermione gasped. "When?"

"In just three weeks," Albus whispered, his eyes had lost their customary twinkle and had gained a sad gleam.

They sat in silent thought for a while before finally deciding that it was time for something to eat before retiring for the night.

Later that evening, Minerva curled up to Albus' side in bed and sighed, half in content and half in sadness.

Albus started running his fingers through his wives hair. "What's wrong love?"

"The verdict is really going to hurt Hermione. She's been working so hard to try and save the animal."

"I know love, but that's the way he court ruled it."

"I understand that Al, and I'm sure Hermione understands too, but it doesn't mean that it isn't going to hurt her. Can't we think of some way to save the beast to save Hermione and Hagrid from the lose of an animal they have both grown fond of?"

"I'll see if I can think of something Min, but I'm not promising anything."

"That's all that I ask, Al."

~0~0~

The day that had been set for the execution of Buckbeak almost jumped upon the small family, but little did either women know, the headmaster had something planned up his sleeve, so once the day had been 'round once, he got his daughter to do another 'round trip.

"Three turns should do my dear. Save that wondrous animal of Hagrid's."

Hermione nodded and did as her father instructed, remembering the rules and putting them all into practice.

As the hospital wing clock struck 10pm, a haggled looking Hermione stepped through the doors as her father turned around.

"Ah just in time Kitten. I believe you saved two souls tonight?" she nodded. "Good. Now, off to bed with you."

Hermione slowly followed her father's orders and crawled into the hard bed, she wanted to speak to her father about Peter Pettigrew, but didn't want to anger him any if he already knew about him. As soon as her head hit the feather pillow, she was asleep, dreaming horrible things about the small, dirty, blonde haired man.

Morning came quickly upon the castle and Hermione welcomed it with open arms. She had had enough of the dark to last her a life time. But along with the sun came the guilt of how she had used the time-turner the night before. She lay face down on the hard mattress for a while, trying to decide what to do.

Meanwhile, Minerva and Albus were holding each other close as they both slowly woke from their restless sleep. Neither had slept too well, both knowing that their beloved daughter was in the hospital wing. Minerva was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't realise that Albus was trying to get her to move out of bed for the day until she felt him run his slightly cold hand along her belly.

"Albus!"

"I'm sorry Min. Are you okay? I seemed to have lost you there for a moment."

"I' fine, just lost in thought is all."

Albus nodded. "Do you want to get up and start getting ready for the day?"

Reluctantly Minerva nodded and slid from the warmth of the bed sheets and her husband.

Just an hour later and Minerva and Albus walked into the hospital wing, their bodies as close to the other as they dared. Hermione was already awake and smiled when she saw her parents come in.

"Hello Kitten," Minerva whispered and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"Hello Mom," Hermione whispered back. "Hi Dad."

"Hello angel. How are you feeling?"

"A little tired, but I'm okay."

"I'm glad to hear."

Minerva nodded her agreement and sat on the edge of the bed. "Are you sure you're okay sweetheart?"

"I'm fine Mom, there really is no need to worry."

"Okay." Minerva was uncertain, but conceded to her daughter's request of no fuss.

For an hour, the trio sat and spoke about the previous nights events and just before Albus and Minerva left, Hermione decided that now would be a good time to hand back the time-turner.

"Mom, wait, can I speak to you please?"

"Of course, kitten." She turned to her husband. "I'll see you at breakfast."

Albus nodded and quickly kissed her lips and left for the great hall to eat. Once Albus had left, Minerva turned back to Hermione and went to sit on the edge of the bed, but Hermione stopped her.

"Can I speak to you as my head of house please?"

Minerva nodded and took a seat in the chair next to the bed instead. "What can I help you with?"

Hermione took of the time-turner from around her neck and gent;y held it out to Professor McGonagall. "I'd like to give you this back Professor."

"Why?" Minerva was a little shocked to say the least. "From what I have seen, you've been coping extremely well."

Hermione nodded. "But it's taken up so much of my energy that I have felt like I'm running myself into the ground. I don't want that to happen."

Minerva nodded and slowly took the necklace from her best student. "Is there any other reason?"

Hermione looked down at her knotted fingers and whispered, "I used it to save Buckbeak and Black last night under the Headmaster's orders and that was against the rules."

Minerva nodded. "I understand Hermione. Would you like to drop any lessons or work on a two week timetable? You're far enough ahead to do so."

"Can I try a two week timetable for the rest of the school year please?"

Minerva nodded. "I'll speak to the Headmaster today and try and organise something."

"Thank you, Professor. Can I have a hug from my Mom now please?"

"Of course, you never have to ask sweetheart." Minerva placed the time-turner around her own neck and sat on the bed and pulled her daughter into her arms, pressing a kiss to her hair. "I love you," she whispered as Hermione snuggled close to her.

Hermione sighed and close her eyes, happy to be in her mother's arms.

A few days later and things were finally calming down and the letter from angry parents had slowly started to stop. Albus have been forced to let Remus go after it was revealed that he was a werewolf and had chased three students. Minerva had managed to sort out Hermione's new timetable and was cancelling all the exams. And Hermione was working on all of her school work but spending the evenings with Severus brewing. Even the finding of Peter Pettigrew on the school grounds didn't spoil Hermione's relaxed mood. Albus was annoyed that he had been in the castle as a rat for the past three years, if not for longer.

Just one week later it was announced at breakfast that due to the events throughout the year, that all exams but the O. and N.E. had been cancelled and all student would be leaving a week later and were to inform their parents and guardians when they would be leaving, but until then, they had no lessons. All the students but Hermione were happy about the cancellation of exams, but even Hermione was happy that the summer holiday was starting almost a month early.

A week later and the Hogwarts express left Hogsmeade station at 11am heading for London. As always, Minerva and Albus took them down, along with a few other members of staff and saw all the students off, everyone that had been in the castle since September were happy that the year had finally come to a close and they were all off home, even the staff were to leave the castle in one weeks time, after all the wards had been strengthened for the coming year.

To Be Continued...