I just want to thank EVERYONE who has been reviewing. You people make me so happy! :D

So… I am here to bless you with another chapter. Enjoy!

Ch. 14

Minerva swept into the Great Hall looking every bit as powerful as she was. All of the students and even some of the staff shrank back from the power rolling off of her. She sat rigidly into her seat at the Head Table and cleared her throat. Every voice fell silent. "I would like to inform everyone that Potions is cancelled until further notice." She paused, but no one made a sound. "Furthermore, Professor Snape and I will be unavailable for the day. You may see me in class and that is all. If anyone has questions concerning their classes ask any other professor. That is all." She waved her wand and food blossomed onto the plates.

At the Gryffindor table, Harry and Ron glanced at each other, then at Ginny. "I wonder what happened…"

Ginny looked worriedly up at Minerva. "Whatever it is has to do with Hermione, I'm sure of it. Why else wouldn't she be at breakfast. I was sure she would be coming back to class today…" She tried to decipher the Headmistress' look, but to no avail. "I can't even tell if the woman's upset! She hides it so damn well…"

Harry pushed the food around his plate. "Maybe we should try asking her…"

Ron turned red. "No way, mate. That would not be a good idea."

"What wouldn't be a good idea, Mr. Weasley?" The Transfigurations' Professor loomed behind them.

Ginny was the first to regain composure. "We were just discussing whether or not you would want to be bothered by us asking how Hermione is. We want to make sure she's okay…" She trailed off as a look of helplessness flashed across the older woman's face before the perfect mask fell back into place.

"I will be sure to keep you apprised of her health and recovery. For now, I don't know myself what is wrong."

Ginny nodded solemnly. "I understand. Thank you, Professor."

Minerva inclined her head and then quickly walked away.

Severus scratched his head and continued to stare at the diagnostics that Poppy had run hours earlier. The results were not good, but he wanted to make sure of the diagnosis before telling anyone. "Poor girl…" he muttered to himself.

Poppy came up behind him and waved her wand to refresh the scan. "Yes, poor girl indeed," she sank down into the seat next to Severus. "Am I reading this right? Is she really…?"

Severus nodded. "Yes, she is," he hung his head, "and the worst thing is, I doubt there's anyway it will ever change…"

"How are we going to tell her?"

"How would we tell anyone? Minerva needs to know, too."

Transfigurations was miserable. Minerva could tell that her students were bored, but she was in no mood to teach, so she assigned them some reading and left it at that. She knew that Albus would lay into her about it, as would Severus and Poppy, but she couldn't help it. All she could think about was the young woman laying in the hospital bed, unaware of just how badly she could be hurt. Hell, Minerva herself didn't know how badly Hermione was hurt. Class couldn't end soon enough and she watched the students file quietly out of her classroom, not wanting to disturb her. She thought she saw Misters Potter and Weasly dawdle, but when she looked up they, too, had left her alone in the room. She sighed and wearily picked herself up, planning to head to the Infirmary when the door banged open.

"Minerva!" Severus long black cloak trailed behind him as he swept into the room. "You must come. I don't want to startle you, but Hermione is asking for you. She's scared and she wants to know what's going on, but we don't want to tell her without telling you, too."

Minerva gripped the desk and wavered before following Severus to her Love.

I'm sorry it's so short! But I really wanted to post at least this much. Think of it this way… You'll find out next chapter what's wrong!