A.N.: Dolls, yes…I did it, but in my defense I did it just because I have better plots in store and I have an aim with this whole fic, so I do believe, that you are not disappointed that much of not chosing Sirius for Hetty, that you would stop reading bless you all for lasting with me until now, and I hope you will yet till the very end of my idea for this fic ;-) And thanks for being honest in reviews ! I proudly read both, hate and love, and I am glad to hear that…you know people have to get used on hate, but then the words about loving has bigger value sending love, hugs, kisses, and prayers to all of you, who are reading now, I might not be here for next week, because I am with my class in France, so await one chapter yet tonight from me as an making up ;-) your ZiZi hugs and ZiZi kisses xoxo

Taking a deep, deep breath, Hetty walked all those stairs just to reach Gryffindor's common room. Minerva was that kind that she let her in, already knowing what had happened.

,,I only want you to know, I am here for you, if you anything needed Henrietta,'' Minerva managed to smile at broken soul, as Hetty nodded, forcing at least some smile, before she silently walked upstairs into boy's bedroom.

She saw right by entrance, that Harry was sitting on his bed, dully looking into window.

,,I-ehm…I haven't seen you by breakfast, so…'' Hetty tried to steady her voice, when she stepped closer to Harry.

She without any other word sat beside him on the bed.

,,He was the only one I had…only one who understood me except my friends…my only family,'' Harry breathed, slowly turning to Hetty, as she nodded.

,,Last past years were….unbearable….cried nights, and days, locked up in my lonely house…until your God father appeared, and supported me. I loved Sirius…I loved him so much,'' Hetty bit her lower lip, to prevent an unwanted cry. ,,He was also the only one I had…''

,,Life is wicked in such ways, isn't it ?'' Harry sniffed, looking at her.

,,True…can give you a helping hand, and in an instant….you have nearly nothing at all,'' Hetty whispered through her tears.

Harry looked down at her ring, on her left hand.

,,If he…if…you would get married, right ?''

Hetty nodded, looking at the ring now too, chewing her lip, that she could nearly feel the taste of her blood in her mouth.

,,That makes you my…almost-God mother…''

,,Practically…'' Hetty found his blue eyes, which were filled in sudden hope.

,,Then…we…''

,,…Have each other, yes,'' Hetty smiled nodding, when Harry after her words quickly leaned to her, and hugged her waist. It was the first smile after all the events that happened last past several hours.

,,Can I count on you, as my family ?'' Harry sobbed into her chest, as she was hugging him back, nearly afraid of strangling him.

,,Of course you can !'' Hetty couldn't help herself now, but just cry out her sadness. So they were hugging on Harry's bed, letting all the tears out, and trying to find in each other's arms the support they both needed now.

Hetty felt now, like she was a mother once again. After all, Harry was the age, her daughter would be now, and she just couldn't help her instincts. It was too strong. To see him cry like this, to feel his need of her support, even when she had none. She could even feel his fear, of what's in store for him next year, or even, this summer.

Hetty threaded her fingers gently through his dark hair, when she finally stopped sobbing after long couple of minutes, trying to shush him gently, by soothingly crooning into his hair.

,,Maybe I am too hurried, and you know me for one year….but don't want to visit me in my house in the summer holidays ?''

He swiftly narrowed looking into her chocolate brown eyes ,,You mean it ? To escape from aunt and uncle…and my cousin, would be the best thing in the world, yet to somebody like you !''

,,Really ?'' Hetty sniffed, sweeping the rest of her tears off her cheeks.

,,Yes ! I mean…if you really want me there,'' Harry nodded, taking off his glasses to clean them too.

,,You will be always welcomed,'' Hetty stroked his cheek, smiling. ,,And now, will go for breakfast ?''

,,Yes,'' Harry stood up with her, walking out of boys' bedroom. ,,Would you visit with me Ron, and Hermione in Hospital Wing then ?''

,,Sure I will, I wanted to go there now, but I will wait for you. I heard they have not that big injuries, that in few days, they could peacefully enjoy the banquet with us,'' Hetty winked at Harry as they were leaving Gryffindor common room.

,,I am sure they will, Ron would not afford to miss it,'' Harry laughed slightly. Since yesterday it was the first laugh he let out. When he was with Hetty…with somebody to whom he could cling, and who was sharing the same grief, that he was….he felt oddly good. Soothed. Comforted.

Even when neither of them could stop thinking about it.

Hetty knew, she will grief now hard, but somehow she felt it won't be that long, as it was by her husband and children. She loved Sirius, and she was determined to marry him, but maybe the happiness and marriage just wasn't in her stars…

Maybe just that happiness about children. She had Harry now, who seemed to like her. And she was glad for being there, when he needed it.

The worst about it all was, that she still felt for Severus, but she didn't want to even look at him after what he had done.

She already forgave him for that anger-burst, when Harry practically provocated him to it. She forgave him that moment when he said he really loved her, and he would be able to let her go.

But she was angry now, that if he was with them in Department Of Mysteries, he could help. He could fight, and everything could be different.

She loved him, but she hated him at the same time, which was maybe even more painful that her grief above Sirius.

,,Hetty, Hetty !'' Minerva swiftly walked to her, when she was about to step inside the big hall, to accompany Harry's breakfast.

,,What is it Minerva ?'' Hetty looked at nearly frightened McGonagall, like she saw a ghost, which was mostly inaccurate, since the whole castle was full of ghosts.

,,You has to go to the Hospital Wing !'' Minerva put her hand on her heaving chest, as she was trying to calm down, before she start nearly laughing.

,,I was aiming there after breakfast, but, why Minerva, what happened ?'' Hetty shook in disbelief her head, looking at giggling professor, meanwhile Harry was already sitting by the mostly empty table, staring to eat something.

,,Dumbledore found professor Umbridge this morning in Forbidden Forest, and she is Hospital Wing, but she refuses to talk to anybody else, and the only thing we understood between her senseless babbling was 'Hetty','' Minerva looked now seriously at professor White in front of her.

Hetty pursed her lips ,,Is that any kind of joke ?''

,,No it isn't my dear, and Dumbledore will gladly underlay the facts for you. He found her in the middle of herd of quite angry centaurs, her hair was a mess, and her dress torn in pieces, though even Albus himself doesn't want to tell what exactly happened, or how he get her out of that forest without him being harmed, but that's Dumbledore, right ?'' Minerva smirked, looking at Harry, who was paying attention all the time.

,,And is it really necessary to-''

,,-Yes it is Hetty…for the fun, and her own good, it is necessary,'' now Minerva grabbed her arm, and start walking away, Hetty managed to turn to Harry, calling for him.

,,We will meet at the Hospital !'' she only saw him nod in approval, before he get into eating.

,,You see,'' Minerva said a bit worriedly now, entering with Hetty the Hospital Wing.

It was truth. Dolores was lying at the other end of the big room, in bed, with undone curtains around it, trebling and muttering something for herself, all dirty from dust, and even few of branches sticking out of her wild hairstyle. Her hands lying limply around her body, her dress really torn in several places, and the rest of body covered with white blanket.

,,We don't know what happened to her, but she won't allow me to touch her, until she talks with you, try it please,'' Madame Pomfrey said slightly irritated by Dolores' non-cooperating.

Hetty nodded, taking another deep breath, and walking straight to the end of the room, greeting Hermione and Ron ,who were lying right opposite Dolores.

Hetty slowly stepped to the bed, and single chair that was beside it, and she looked at Dolores, who seemed not to perceive.

,,Dolores ?''

No reaction.

,,Do-lo-res ?'' Hetty waved almost ridiculously with her hand right in front of Umbridge's vision, but with no success of receiving any respond. Just trembling body, and some really senseless mutters, and whispers.

,,She won't react on anything else than this,'' Ron chuckled, before he start loudly clacking his tongue, that it made a sound of tapping hooves.

At that instant Dolores swiftly sat up with the half of her body, giving lurch to Hetty, and swiftly looking over the room.

,,Shh-shh-shh,'' Hetty looked at Ron. On one side it was very funny, but at the other side very bad that Umbridge reacted only on that.

Hetty's voice soothed her a bit, that she was able to lie down again, with that very same dull expression, looking into ceiling, but this time she wasn't muttering anything, just silence.

Dolores swallowed ,,Hetty ?''

,,Yes I am here…it's me,'' Hetty nodded, looking at Dolores, how she was probably looking for any words, but the first thing she let out shocked Hetty deep inside her core.

,,I'm sorry.''

Not believing her ears, Hetty shook with her head, and asked maybe more faster than she expected ,,What did you just said ?''

,,You heard,'' Dolores continued deadly, now slightly gripping at the blanket around her.

,,No, I think I'm becoming slowly deaf, would you please be so kind, and repeat what you just said,'' Hetty couldn't resist slight smirk, and mock towards Dolores, as she leaned down to hear her properly, her ear inches off her face.

,,I said, I am sorry,'' Dolores swallowed again.

,,Wau…'' Hetty sat down on the chair, even when she didn't want to. It grounded her. But it wasn't all !

,,I am sorry, for what I have done to you,'' at this point Hetty by single wave of her wand move the curtains close, that there was only her and Dolores.

,,What forced you to apology ?''

,,A tragic experience….would you forgive me ?'' Dolores finally stopped looking into one spot on ceiling, but her eyes trailed off to Hetty's eyes.

,,Well I don't know, it is really a bad list of transgressions from you towards me….perhaps if you tell me, what that tragic happened to you ?'' Hetty leaned yet even closer to Dolores, that she could clearly see the yet present fear in her eyes.

,,I can't talk about it,'' Dolores shook with her head refusing.

,,I heard,'' Hetty started slowly ,,That Dumbledore saved you, from the middle of herd of cent-''

,,-Don't say that word !'' Dolores yelped, making Hetty twitch from surprise of her now found voice.

,,Why ?''

,,You don't know, how beasts of a kind those half-breeds are !'' Dolores whimpered, clutching the blanket in her hands.

,,You called them half-breeds, in front of them ?'' Hetty gritted her teeth.

,,I-yes…''

No wonder…

,,Alright, if you don't want to tell me, what happened to you, then let Madame Pomfrey to take care of you,'' Hetty slowly standing up, preparing herself to leave.

,,Wi-Will you come back ?'' Umbridge swiftly sat up again, looking at leaving Hetty.

,,In the afternoon ?'' Hetty slowly uttering if she might wrenched out of this, but Dolores answered before she could end her sentence.

,,YES !''

Sighing aloud, Henrietta nodded ,,Alright.''

Clocks strikes twelve, and lunch was on the tables. Hetty quickly ate hers, and during her free lesson, she met with Harry this time, and walked with him back to Hospital Wing.

Dolores was now sitting straight on her bed, and when she saw Hetty, it forced her to smile.

,,Hetty,'' she breathed, when Henrietta sat beside her on chair again, while Harry sat beside his friends.

,,Yes, I am back, so will you now tell me finally what happened to you ?''

Such an expression of disgust at Umbridge's face, but she nodded ,,Only if I can tell you in privacy.''

Hetty willingly tugged the curtains close, and leaned towards Dolores.

,,Madame Pomfrey already knows…well…'' Dolores seemed to be weeping, and with a single tear, that rolled down her cheek, she raised with one hand the blanket, showing to Hetty the bloody circle on her dress in the level of her privates.

This forced Hetty to gasp, her hands covering her mouth.

,,Sev-…seventeen of them. They said, I needed a lecture. Well…I certainly get one,'' Dolores put the blanket down again.

,,Seventeen of them ?'' Hetty whispered, leaning close to Dolores ,,They all -at you ?''

Dolores nodded with closed eyes ,,They may could look manly, but with horse strength…and horse needs. But when I get back to the Ministry, I will make an law against them, and I will finish with those half-breeds for good !''

,,You can't do that !'' Hetty spoke lowly.

,,Why not ? They abused me !'' Dolores whispered harshly, looking at Hetty. ,,I was petrified !''

,,And I wasn't when you were using riding crop, chains, and all the rest of your kinky punishments at me ?!'' Hetty hissed, as her temper was coming short.

Dolores froze.

,,…you…you are right. I am sorry. I tasted my own medicine. But…I can't now even think of it. How can be with Cornelius now, when I am afraid of anything ?'' Dolores whispering harshly, pointing at her lap.

,,Well-Madame Pomfrey makes miracles here,'' Hetty nodded expertly, showing to Umbridge her still bandaged arm.

But Dolores shook with her head, before there was a spread of awkward deadly silence for a long couple of moments, until Dolores dared to finally say what she had on mind.

,,I had always a big affection to Cornelius. I caught myself, couple of times masturbating, kissing or just gazing at his photo in the frame…it was a dream that could never come true. He was happily married, and I was the nitwit. It could never happen, he could notice me until…it was a year ago…year ago, when my law about werewolves succeeded. That night, I was solemnly drinking in my office from my bottle of sherry, when Cornelius invaded the room. He said, he wanted to celebrate it with me, when he was walking in the doors, but he froze, when he saw me…ehm…kissing the photo-his photo, and I quickly stopped, flushed….panting...''

Hetty was watching her dully looking into her lap, and whispering.

,,…that evening he took me right there on my desk.''

Hetty's eyes fluttered as her mind was filled with that picture and only one aftermath though.

Ohh please ! No !

,,Tell whatever you want. Cornelius Fudge is just great lover….with so less attention at home, and many not extinguished desires. It was him, who showed me the idea of punishments, and leading role. I adore him. I love him. But tell me how can I be with him now-WHEN I CAN'T !'' Dolores squeaked her last words aloud almost hysterically across the Hospital Wing, with pointing at her lap helplessly.

,,Is everything alright professor Umbridge ?'' Madame Pomfrey quickly asked, from behind the closed curtain.

,,Oh yes,'' Dolores humbly answered, lowering her head in near shame. It was something Hetty yet never saw by Umbridge. ,,So that is why I am so sorry for what I have done to you…because I think I am not able to let any man at me after this….''

,,Well you are not the only one, who had bad luck,'' Hetty sighed.

,,I noticed your ring…and I read the Daily Prophet, when Madame Pomfrey was kind, to bring me one,'' Dolores smiled in understanding-does it really looked like compassion ?-at Hetty. ,,Sirius Black ? Nothing opposite him, his name was purified, but…that was the one you were talking about the day I asked you for relationship with me for the first time ?''

,,Partly…''

,,But I thought you feel for Severus,'' Dolores turned her head to one side, looking like she really cared now.

,,I can't to even look at him now…I just…I can't…it's hard Dolores. I…felt like I finally found somebody, somebody who loves me, sooths me, and can satisfy me, and then-'' Hetty snapped her fingers ,,-fate. Probably I am also convicted to life without any partner.''

,,I see…life isn't fair,'' Dolores sighed, sending a wave of thoughts, that flew across Hetty's mind, and she tried to push them away.

Putting her hand on Dolores', Hetty smiled weakly.

Dolores looked at her, smiling back.

,,You still feel for him ?'' Dolores looked at her ring again, watching how Hetty nodded. ,,Then I hope you will be better soon-''

,,-I hope the same for you,'' Hetty smirked slightly, pointing at Dolores' lap.

Slowly standing up, Dolores twitched ,,You're leaving ?''

,,I wanted to…''

,,Can't you just…stay, for a while longer ? To talk ? If I am a big pain in your ass, then I will understand,'' Dolores lowered her head again.

,,With that pain in my ass you completely hit the point,'' Hetty slightly laughed, squeezing Umbridge's hand.

Dolores gritting her teeth, she realized what she just said, and stifled a chuckle in response to Hetty's laugh.

,,Move yourself !'' Hetty nodded at her, Dolores shined with happiness and hope, moving slowly a bit aside on her single bed, making space for Hetty, that she could sit and put her legs up on the bed too, still holding Dolores' hand.

,,Thank you for staying,'' she sniffed, putting her head on Hetty's shoulder.

,,That's okay. You have grief, I have grief…at least we are not alone,'' Hetty smirked again, putting her head on Dolores'.

,,Can we be friends ?''

Hetty looked at her, as Umbridge found her eyes. Only nodding in response she shifted herself that she could hug still a bit frightened Dolores, who hugged her back. After all this couldn't be that bad, if she won't come back to her violence….