"You do realise," Maleficent said, pausing in front of the large gates of the school, "Minerva is going to be furious after her initial shock." She said, staring up at the window of the Headmistress' office.

"Why?"

Smiling widely, dark lips revealing perfectly white, sharp teeth, Maleficent looked down at Hermione, her catlike eyes flashing with inhumane glee. "First, for rushing off without a second thought, and second, for not contacting her the moment I knew where we were."

Frowning, Hermione turned to face her. "Why would she furious? Wouldn't she be happy that we escaped?"

Nodding, Maleficent glanced back to the window. "Yes, she will most definitely be happy of your return." She said, her previously amused tone replaced with nothing. "She has been sick with worry since your disappearance two weeks ago."

"Oh."

Shaking her head, she looked back at the young witch, a frown of concern creasing her brow as she finally saw how pale she really was under the moon light. Reaching out, she pulled the swaying girl to her side and wrapped her sleeve around her. "Come now, I suspect when we get inside Minerva will wish to have you stay with us to keep an eye on you. We'll take you to see Poppy tomorrow."

Nodding, Hermione walked alongside the elder witch, absentmindedly noting the shortened strides as they slowly made their way up to the castle. The moment she passed through the wards protecting the ancient castle, she felt a warm wave of magic rush over her, embracing her. Smiling, she snuggled closer to the other witch and closed her eyes, trusting her to keep her safe.


She wasn't sure how long it took for them to make it to the Headmistress' office, but she was grateful when Maleficent shook her from her light slumber and carefully pushed her into one of the overstuffed high backed chairs. She barely heard Maleficents whispered "Stay put darling." before falling back asleep, the last thing her mind registering was the sound of her friends heels clicking on the staircase behind her.


Pausing on the landing outside her sisters quarters, Maleficent looked down at the sleeping girl. For a moment, her thoughts turned to her princess. Not long after Hermione was taken, she had gone to check on her, only to find that she and those three fairies had returned to the castle. She knew all about the counter curse that the younger one used on her from her familiar, Diablo. She had broken down at the news that she was still alive and being taken back to the castle, although the moment she got to the castle, any remorse she felt was replaced with rage when she heard her crying, begging her Aunts not to make her marry some boy. When they had left her, still crying in her room, she had swooped in, no doubt fulfilling the descriptions her aunts had filled her head with. Shaking her head, she pushed those thoughts from her mind and entered her sisters rooms.

"Minerva!"

When she didn't see her sitting in front of the fire like she usually would, she turned to her room and knocked loudly. "Minerva! Open up!" She yelled as she continued to pound on the door.

Surprisingly, the door was pulled open not long after she started pounding. "What?"

The sad, empty tone of her sister pulled her up, but not enough to stop the small smile from forming. "She's back."

The words barely had enough time to sink in before Minerva was running out of her rooms and down the stairs. Following her, Maleficent stopped her just before she could reach the girl.

"Minerva," She said, "Slow down. She just escaped from being held captive at the hands of a deranged witch for a second time." She whispered, tugging gently on the hand she held. "Be gentle."

Briefly it appeared that Minerva was about to unleash all of her repressed anger, but at the last second she regained control of it and nodded. Turning her back to her sister, Minerva took a deep calming breath and knelt down beside the chair. For a moment, the elder witch looked at her young student closely, her dark green eyes filling with tears as she took in each and every little cut on the pale face. Shaking her head, she reached out a trembling hand and brushed back a lock of curly hair.

"Hermione." She called, brushing the back of her hand over the sunken cheek. "Hermione, wake up."

Thick eyelashes fluttered open, revealing honey brown pools. "Minerva?" She groaned, staring into the wide eyes in front of her. "She said you wouldn't come."

"Who said that?" She asked softly, stroking the soft skin with the pad of her thumb.

"Bellatrix." Hermione laughed humourlessly, rolling her head away and staring into the fireplace with unseeing eyes. "She said she was going to have fun with you." Frowning, Hermione looked down at her hands. "I couldn't let her do that. I didn't-"

"You didn't what Hermione?"

"I didn't want to kill her. I just wanted her to stop. I couldn't let her to that. Not to you." She whispered, wiping at her cheeks.

Looking up at her sister, Minerva looked at her in confusion before turning back to the young Gryffindor. "Hermione, when was the last time you slept?"

"I-I don't know." Hermione shook her head. "A few days ago, maybe."

"In that case we will talk more tomorrow." Nodding, Minerva stood up. "For now, we will sleep." Turning around, Minerva looked at Maleficent. "You and I will share tonight, Hermione can have my room." Before her sister could respond, Minerva turned back to Hermione. "Come dear." She whispered, gently grasping the girls arm. "Time for bed."

As she steered her towards the stairs, her arm wrapped around the small shoulders and pulled her tightly against her side.

"Minerva."

Pausing, Minerva looked over at her sister.

"You're getting to close again."

Sighing, Minerva looked at the girl that was all but asleep beside her. "I know."