Sorry this took a while.

But... No, no excuse but here it is anyway... Hopefully you'll enjoy it and the next one should be up soon. If I can finish the last of NVN in time.

Happy reading. :D

All too soon it was time for the half term holidays, something that for Minerva couldn't come quick enough. It seemed that even in spite of Albus's warning and most of the female population helping, there were some that didn't listen and as a result – found themselves with some rather nasty hexes and injuries which once again Poppy had to sort before they left.

Even with Minerva being with her – she had asked to go to the library and given that she wasn't allowed on her own – and she couldn't keep asking Roly, the older woman had obliged, it wasn't like she had anything to do which was a rarity, she had finished all her marking and so with Dumbledore seemingly off doing whatever she had taken the little girl to the school library.

The deputy had taken it upon herself to make sure that everyone – particularly the boys, stayed away and would have no qualms about handing out detentions to be served on their return. Entering the silent bound room Minerva made sure to find a table that was out of sight from the main population as they settled down. She looked at Hermione and smiled as she was taking in the sight of the many rows of books lining the shelves and knew that she had found what most likely, be her new favourite place.

Under her eye she allowed Hermione to go pick a book as she perused the aisles before selecting a book from the third shelf. Something she shouldn't have been able to reach seeing it was just a few inches out her limit but the slight shuffling saw to that problem as the book then fell from its place and into her hands. She smiled in satisfaction not seeing the look of consternation on Minerva's as she turned and made her way back to the chairs.

"What did you pick?" She turned it around so the older woman could see. "Hogwarts a history, good choice" Hermione smiled lightly but didn't speak as she slid back into her chair and opened to the first page. Minerva watched from the corner of her eye for a moment before reaching into her robe pocket and taking out something miniature before using her wand to enlarge them.

Books – Dumbledore had given them to her on a meeting once to discuss the holidays and had said to read them just as she was about to leave. She glanced at the titles and saw one was all about mythical beasts and the other was.

"The creature and you," She mumbled to herself as she placed them on the table in front of her, where he had found them she didn't know but was glad as now she could at least start to learn a little about her new daughters heritage and not rely on a bloody house elf to tell her, she pulled out her reading glasses and on adjusting them so they sat snugly on the bridge of her nose she flipped open the book.

Skimming to the highlighted parts that he had helpfully pointed out to her she reached the page before pulling the book closer as she began to read.

'The term 'siren' is used both in ancient and modern mythology, with the original Greek's depicts these creatures as beautiful women with angelic wings. They were aloof and didn't make eye-contact with their victims, which made them seem all the more innocent and mysterious.

The Sirens of Greek mythology began specifically as a group of creatures who looked like beautiful women, but were really man-eating beasts. They sat on the shore and sang with voices so seductive and compelling that anyone who heard their song became absolutely mesmerized with them.'

Minerva glanced from the book to Hermione who still had her head buried in her own book. What she had read so far had absolutely nothing to do with what she had seen. Of course Hermione had been aloof and didn't like to talk much. But that really was down to her own choice, as far as she knew she didn't have wings, nor was she a man-eating beast – at least she sincerely hoped not.

She got back to her book and kept on reading. Maybe there was something akin to truth in here. 'With the Sirens, mythology has created a physical personification of the danger of falling for a beautiful woman. As many have witnessed or gave as source, some can be straight up deadly.'

'Ok that part is true' Hermione was already proving to be a dastardly foe against the majority of the school so had to give the book that… 'Different versions of siren mythology have them as having mostly bird-like bodies with the heads of women, or sometimes they had the torso of a woman and the tail of a fish. Both of these versions are likely confusing the sirens with harpies and mermaids, respectively.'

"Must have gotten that part confused with the Veela's" She muttered out loud as a sharp movement had her turning and blinking a little at the look of coldness she was getting from her daughter. Hermione didn't know what she was reading as she hadn't cared to look. But on hearing that word she instantly knew it was nothing good.

She leaned her head back a little alarmed at the turnabout in demeanor and crinkled her brow confused as to what could possibly have set her off. "Are you ok dear?"

She didn't reply merely gazed frostily at her before flicking her eyes to the book. Minerva frowned before glancing at the tome in her hands, finally it dawned on her, and she coughed a little before nodding.

"Right… I' am sorry but I have to read it, you would like me to learn more about you - all of you – or would you rather I be ignorant?" She asked casting a quizzical glance at her direction as Hermione silently glared at the offending book before tipping her head a little before getting back to her reading. Minerva smiled a little – normally she would be fuming at being ignored so crassly but one step at a time.

She resumed her reading, as she picked up the next book.

'The Features and Appearance of the Sirens

'While the Sirens have both been cited as being part women and part fish, and also part woman and part bird, neither can truly be confirmed, as near all who have seen the Sirens have perished as their musical prowess. The word Siren is many languages like Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian is incredibly similar to mermaid is not a coincidence. However the tales of the sirens never allude to their mermaid qualities, and were considered to be land bearing women whose goal was to entice men to their island.'

Well Hermione certainly didn't have an island. She closed the book with mixed feelings – she was in a sense, a little more educated… how much she wasn't willing to say as it neither books had very much truth to them. But it did say that those who saw them met a very certain death, so was really no help – she did however, have a theory as she turned her head back to the little girl.

It appeared that whoever had written both books. Did have some semblance of knowledge about Magical creatures, but had clearly gotten mixed up as to which was which – Minerva looked more closely at the distracted little girl… No one in the past hundred or so years could account for what a Siren looked like nor could they attest to their actions and behaviors.

But now she could honestly say she could or soon if she studied hard enough. It gave her a small thrill in knowing that she was one of only four people who knew that a Siren once again resided in British shores… Even if only by half it was still half more than what had been since the turn of the century, though still needing to know a lot more she did have at least one deduction about all three of the creatures mentioned in the book.

The author had gotten them crossed. Sirens where neither Harpy, bird or Mermaid, but perhaps a bit of each – It was clear Hermione could breathe well underwater – she had shown that much when she stayed under the water for more ten minutes in the prefect shower. She had the claws of a Harpy – that had been a shock to see as now the evidence of her claws had been scratched permanently into the stone of the fourth floor.

She wasn't a bird and she still had yet to see how much like a Veela she was but for that she could wait as footsteps had her looking to see madam Pince striding towards them. The other woman was a dictator when it came to her books and was as OCD about keeping them in the right places as a house elf on cleaning products as she looked to Minerva.

"Deputy"

Minerva acknowledged her as she stood. "Good evening, Irma. Is there anything I can do for you?"

The other woman nodded as Minerva looked down to Hermione. Stay here and please don't move." Hermione merely nodded as the two women walked away leaving her to her book. Their footsteps faded away as she carried on with her reading, not a care in the world as she idly flipped page after page.

She became aware some time later she was being watched but did nothing to give that away as she kept on reading – whoever it was their heart levels were pacing like they had just jogged the length of the castle – she could smell the light sheen of perspiration exuding from their bodies… and it was definitely male.

She was a little surprised at how he had managed to get past Minerva. She seemed to be like a dog when making sure no one bothered them and so surely she must have seen them lurking, either way it did not bother her and so closed the book. Deciding to have a little fun with the unfortunate soul who had ventured close she focused on the part that wanted to come out – the part that had lain in wait as she allowed the sweet scenting thrall cloud the area.

She didn't have to wait long as soon whoever it was hiding was flushed from his spot as not long after she released her thrall, a boy came stumbling from between the rows dedicated to Charms and Astronomy, he stumbled as he made his way into the light and more into her view. She didn't move, didn't speak merely watched as he met her gaze.

He was slightly shaking and looked nervous as hell. The scent of his sweat was more potent the closer he got and she could hear his heart beat rapidly, placing her hands together on the table she still kept her amber eyes on his less than graceful frame as he licked his over dry lips.

"H…Hi…Hel…I mean hello,"

She still didn't speak but merely titled her head slightly to the side. He fell silent for a few minutes save the sound of his hushed muttering his was chanting under his breath – she inwardly amused by his little pep talk even if it was hard to make out but it was more the show that made it funny as he nodded once more before speaking.

"So… You're the professor's daughter," She still didn't speak as he quickly went on to add. "I mean… We all heard in the hall, that night… I was just… seeing if you were alright."

Lifting her head a little he felt the intensity of her gaze on his which seemed to make him even more jittery, she could smell his endorphin levels, along with his rapidly beating heart were making it hard for him to talk. Not that bothered her as she looked him up and down

He was wearing Yellow and Black colored robes – Hufflepuff if what she had read in the book was correct, he had sandy brown hair and light blue eyes, face dotted with freckles and a small scar just above his lip.

She than realized he had adopted a grin that bordered on the moronic, his eyes had completely glossed over and his stance was as slack as his mouth, she had lost him.

She rolled her eyes annoyed at the length of time had taken, and hadn't even got to the good stuff as she exhaled lightly. Well time to get rid of him as she spied a loose book at the top of the Runes section and knew the perfect way to do so, turning back to him she allowed him to get a little closer as the lure of her thrall, once more in his direction had him creeping a few steps to the table.

"Could you get me that book please?"

At first he didn't respond. Too engulfed by the sweet scent of her allure to fully comprehend what she had said but then shock must have broken him from his stupor as she shook his head a little and stared at her wide-eyed.

"Y… You, you spoke to me." She nodded, wasn't that what a person engaging in a conversation was meant to do? She refrained from adding that he was an idiot as she waited patiently, it took a few more seconds but he spoke again.

"What did you want?" He waited as she pointed behind him and he turned to see the book that lay on the very top of the shelf. He stared at the heavy book and silently swallowed the lump in his throat. Not to silent as she heard and could smell his slight nervousness making her smile as he turned back to her, she could see the reluctance in his eyes and so once more let the full force of her thrall surround him.

It swept over him like a tidal wave. Completely covering and drowning him in such sweet enticement that he soon found himself once more under her spell and nodded eagerly, turning he dropped his bag and began to climb the ledges that stopped the books from falling as the tall bookcases creaked and shook under his weight as he scrambled to hold onto the sides as he climbed.

She remained silent watching him as he moved up, he was almost at the top and near to the book as he let go of the side and stretched, leaning up as far as he could go, the large case was wobbling precariously as he moved and shifted trying to attain the book for her and he was so close to his goal that he wouldn't give up until suddenly he found himself going forwards.

Hermione had waited until he was waving his arm in vain to get the book she had no desire to read and looked back to the case he was standing on – the thing was wobbling so dangerously that all it needed was a nudge… Maybe a firm nudge but just one all the same before it toppled, leaning out of her chair she spied the number of bookcases behind the one he was climbing before looking back to him.

She could see the slight shaking from side to side that the large shelf was doing and so with one last look at his unsuspecting self. She focused on the bottom of the stands as they shifted a little under her gaze before finally without warning, they moved away completely, being flung to the sides as they hit the walls or other cases she didn't know and care as she watched the large bookcase, with him still at the top, tipple forward.

He screamed on realizing he was falling as both him and the case crashed into the second as that too fell and the one after that. All in all four shelves full of books collapsed under the other as the sound split the silence like thunder, creating a mass of broken wood pieces and mountains of books.

Hermione sat at the table watching the glorious mess she had created as sound of pounding footsteps saw the return of Irma and Minerva as both rounded the corner only to come to screeching halt at what they saw in front of them.

"OH good Lord!" Irma gasped her hand on her chest as her eyes wide – took in the destruction in front of her, Minerva to was in a state of shock as she saw what had happened, the cases that had toppled into each other and the books that had fallen she was about to move when a groaning had them both stiffening.

"Did you?" She trailed off as the groan happened again. Followed by what sounded like whimpering as Irma gasped on seeing the huge pile of books start to rise up and down a little – like a pulse as Minerva suddenly remembered who had been sitting in the area.

"Hermione!"

She rushed forwards pulling books out-of-the-way, fearing the worst as she shoved them aside. Not even the other woman who loved books more than she did anything else said a word against her doing so as she helped even. Between them they shifted and pulled their way to the middle where the sounds lay as she moved a few more books out-of-the-way and gasped.

It wasn't her daughter that she feared had been buried but a boy who was cradling his arm and sobbing. Both women looked on stunned as he lifted his head and peered up at them.

Minerva took in the yellow colouring, a Hufflepuff as she tried to remember which one. Finally as he shifted a little she was able to see clearly. "Richard?"

He whimpered clutching his right arm to his chest. She looked at the arm which he was holding tenderly and figured that it might have been broken as she and Irma used their wands to remove the rest of the books and moving to help him stand. He winced and tried to back away when the librarian brushed against his arm to which she apologised before looking around at the mess.

"Mr Anderson what happened here?"

She had no clue that anyone was still in the library apart from them let alone could cause such a mess. She was torn between making sure he was alright and the stern side that wanted to shout at him for being so careless, a sniffle had her deciding to get some answers before she sent him to Poppy.

"Mr Anderson." He lifted his head to see the slightly hard expression she was giving him and wiped his eyes with his good hand before speaking. "I don't know – I was over there, talking… then everything went cloudy and she asked me to get something,"

Minerva knew exactly who that 'Someone' was as her fear turned into confusion and anger before she stood tall. Nodding stiffly to Irma who was helping the injured boy she sent him off to the hospital wing as he hobbled along with the librarian. She watched them go before stalking around the endless piles of books back to the table that had been hidden from view.

Hermione – now bored had gone back to reading, she had picked up at the page she had left off at when a hand came down across the open book. She slowly lifted her head to find Minerva standing over her, she didn't look impressed, her face was drawn and hard and the look of fire in her eyes made them more vivid and cat-like as she bared over her.

"You did this." It wasn't a question but a fact as Hermione remained silent. Both looked at each other long before finally she closed the book. "Come on – we are leaving, now."

She pushed the little girl into standing. Something Hermione didn't like but Minerva was far from caring as she waved her wand and a long rope cornered off the mess before they took their leave of the wreckage she had brought.

Very quickly they were back in her chambers as she directed the small girl into sitting down before standing in front of her,

"Did nothing I say get through to you the other night?" Two small amber eyes peered at her through long lashes as the older woman shook her head. "Don't think that will work on me I do know what you are like now."

She exhaled heavily and ran a hand through her hair which had come out through the rushing about she had done before looking tiredly at the younger girl, looking down she waited a few minutes before speaking.

"Was it because I left you, was you upset at my leaving?" She waited for her to answer to which she got a shake of her head… Of course it wasn't that she was accustomed to solitary confinement. Moving she sat down next to her and picked up her hand.

"I don't think you understand the seriousness of this - a boy has most likely had his arm broken due to your pointless need for what? Entertainment, pettiness, what because I am trying hard to understand you, I really am."

She could hear the defeat in her voice and the look on her face a small twinge of something passed through her which she felt confused by but then it vanished as she looked to the older woman, she looked so crestfallen and it was her fault.

Minerva sat back – she didn't know what to do. Was it too early to reprimand her? With everything happening only a two months back maybe this was still some of the side effects to having been locked away for so long, she didn't know but what she did know was that if she didn't do something more students would continue to get hurt.

Maybe she had it wrong. Maybe this was too much for her, she had after all – only just started reading books that gave her a slither on insight into her other half… a poor and weak insight, she still didn't really have much of a clue about how to handle a child unless it was in a classroom… she had wanted a kid of her own but maybe this one was just one with far too much baggage for her to try to help carry.

Maybe it wasn't a Mother she needed. Maybe it was professional help when a small hand sliding into hers had her opening her eyes and looking down. Hermione was frowning, there she was doing this again… it seemed to appease her before so maybe it would again this time. She lifted her head to look at her, she was giving her a look that neither helped nor hindered her in trying to work out of she was happy enough for all this to blow over.

Something told her it wasn't and so she needed to do something else that would make her feel happy again. She could feel the resignation washing over her and she didn't like it, looking back down again she searched that overly intelligent mind of hers before she looked back up.

"I'm sorry."

Minerva blinked. That was the first time she had heard an apology leaving her lips, she stared at the younger girl with slightly narrowed eyes. Albus had said that she wouldn't be able to show true emotion and anything empathetic like – but here she did genuinely sound remorseful, of course that could have just been for show but damn if it wasn't convincing.

She sighed, it wasn't her she needed to say sorry to but she doubted Mr Anderson would want her anywhere near him. Even if she did take her to say sorry personally, she had a feeling she may just thrall him into accepting without actually apologizing and so vexed that idea.

She simply smiled and nodded wearily. She would go and personally see him and apologize on her behalf. She looked down at the joined hands again as Hermione shuffled closer before laying down and resting her head in her lap, she remembered liking this and so allowed the hand to run through her hair.

"What am I going to do with you?"

It wasn't so much a question more hypothetical as they sat in silence. She gently ran her hand through the silky locks, she knew she wouldn't give her up, she had gone through far too much to get her and yes admittedly this was a big stumbling block, she was confident that they could get through it together and so pulled her a little closer.

I think it's time we went home."

Hermione turned from her spot lying in her lap as she looked up to see Minerva's gently smiling face. "Don't you think?"

The fire erupted in the grate – the bright green sparks lit the room bathing it in as eerie glow for a few seconds as two occupants stepped through and into the living room. On speaking to Albus and asking if she could leave the school early to take Hermione home he had readily agreed, it wasn't normally allowed and if he hadn't of said he would take over the last few of her classes for what was left, he would have had to decline.

But he had heard what had happened in the library, how the cases had toppled and buried a boy underneath the mounds of books seriously injuring him. He had also heard how for those few minutes prior to his fall – he couldn't remember much only a hazy fog before he found himself with a broken arm.

He knew all at once who was responsible and had seriously been thinking hard in his office. He had to keep reminding himself that with the right environment and the proper attention she needed, Hermione would overcome her malicious nature and wicked streak he had given her, and be a normal five-year old.

But now it seemed she was deliberately hurting others for… What reason was a mystery to him but from what Minerva had told him on observing, it was humor. She was injuring others for her own amusement.

Never failed to make him cold inside. Tom was like that down to the last act of revenge he had taken in the Orphanage, on two mutes who he had terrified so badly, it may not have been for entertainment but he did take delight in causing it.

It had him worried… what if she couldn't learn to act like a normal child? What if this carried on all the way up to her own years of being here?

He also had the inward fear for his friend, what if – not now but in the future maybe – Hermione directed her malevolent nature on her. He knew Minerva had wanted a child for as long as he could remember but the one she had chosen came fraught with extreme danger… He feared that one day the love she showed might not be enough. Was it all worth it in favour of her safety?

He knew that it might not happen. That maybe Hermione would have far too much respect for the woman who had taken her in despite all she had done and shown her nothing but love and kindness to ever attack her.

He hoped it wouldn't come to that… And he really hoped that his fears would stay buried because if that day did come… He knew what he would have to do, Minerva may hate him… Might never forgive him but it was a chance he could never afford to make twice.

But in the here and now he had allowed them to go home as they set off back to Minerva's cottage – now Hermione's as she looked around the new surroundings just as the older woman finished removing the soot from her clothes.

"This is my home away from the castle… Now it's your to."

She turned her head back to look at the living room. It was a spacious place… Definitely like the older woman, from what she had gathered in her chambers she liked to take her decor with her as the wallpaper was a rich, royal red – the sofa a deep chocolate-brown the floor was wooden which confused her but didn't question as she looked around some more.

All in all – could take the woman out of the Gryffindor but the dam colors, it seemed followed and decorated your house whilst you were at work.

Hermione said nothing but smiled and looked at her as Minerva returned the gesture before holding out her hand. She led them to the stairs as they moved down the hall. They stopped at the door at the far end and to the left as the older woman took a breath and opened to allow her to enter first.

"I knew that you might have wanted to pick out what you wanted on the walls and so I just left it beige for the moment." She muttered as she showed Hermione her new room. It was large, the second biggest in the cottage – with a double window that allowed foe a great view of the garden and the lake that resided behind it, in the far corner lay a double bed.

She had only ever been given a small single in the other house. It looked comfy, with cotton sheets and silk pillow cases… another thing she never had, it wasn't much but as Minerva said soon they could do it up to how she wanted. She turned and smiled a more genuine smile with made Minerva feel warm inside.

"I like it, thank you."

The older woman nodded happy that she had liked it and sounded like she meant it even with its sparse furnishings. "We can get some wallpaper sometime in the week and fix it up to how you like, ok?"

She nodded once more as Minerva held out her hand before she took her on a tour of the whole house. She was pleased to find a smaller library to where she would be exploring as soon as she could, the garden which she found led to the small wood like area that led to the large open lake at the back… It seemed she lived on the edge of the shoreline and a bit out of touch from anywhere or anyone.

Good thing they had magic.

The cottage itself was simple in its building but it was nicely built. A simple one level thing but to her it was better than anywhere she had been as they went back inside. There she was introduced to the elf that had served the McGonagall family before leaving with Minerva when she sold the manor.

She was a little confused at his name – Jeffery, it was… basic – nothing at all like the foolish ones given to the elves anywhere else. She guessed it was to make him feel more part of the family as he bowed to her, now the newest Mistress of the family before going back to his chores.

The tour ended with the study in which if she really had to do work related to the school, it was in here and so only under her extreme permission would she be allowed inside.

Hermione nodded, it looked boring anyway and so had a feeling she wouldn't be going near it as they finished with dinner as Jeffery came back to announce that it had been served, on hearing that his Mistress was returning home he had set about making something to welcome her back, but then saw that she wasn't alone and so quickly had to make something for the new addition.

He could tell she was going to be a quiet one and so had decided to give her something simple to start with that night which was why they sat down on his insistence-to Minerva he served Lamb with mint gravy, and to the little girl he offered her cheese on toast.

She looked at the yellow topping in bafflement before giving it a poke. It didn't go unnoticed as Minerva looked up to see her wonderment. "It's actually a lot nicer than it looks."

Hermione looked up unawares she was being watched to the amusement of the older woman who nodded back to the food. "Try it… its nice trust me."

She looked back to the plate before giving it one more suspicious prod and picked up her fork. She cut a piece off and very carefully lifted it to mouth before chewing still being watched as she tried to work out if she liked it or not.

It did taste nice... Melting and chewy in her mouth and the toast just added to it as she looked back to the other woman and gave her a small nod. "It is nice thank you"

"You're welcome my dear,"

They fell back into silence as they ate the rest of their tea. Minerva decided to call it an early night, with all that had happened she thought a clean start in the morning was what they both needed as she walked her back to her room. She transfigured some sleeping clothes for her and waited until she had gotten changed before pulling back the covers and waiting for her to settle into her new bed.

"We can explore some more tomorrow, how does that sound." She asked tucking her in and smoothing out the cover as the little girl nodded. Minerva smiled more tenderly before hesitating slightly but leaning down to kiss her head.

"Goodnight my darling,"

"…Goodnight." The older woman gave her a wistful look. She supposed it was far too early for her to start being called Mother, but they had time as she got to her feet and moved to the door, she looked back once more as Hermione's eyes watched her go.

"See you in the morning." She gently closed the door and moved to her own room. Now in the silence of her new room Hermione was thinking, she rather liked this place… it was warm and inviting, better than the cold and insidious house and the large, drafty castle. Turning she looked out the window and to the moon overhead.

She did like this place.

Closing her eyes she settled down to sleep in her new bed in her new home to what would be the start of her new life.