Chapter 37

Hermione tiredly forced her arms to obey her bidding as she wound her wand in a complex pattern, the last of the coils reforming as they needed. And before she could lower her wand, a blast of magic swept past her and the thrum of the refrigeration unit began purring to life.

"Well done," Minerva said laying a hand atop Hermione's shoulder.

"You too," Hermione replied while lowering her arms as she looked sideways, "are all the units running?"

"There's three left." Minerva answered as she removed her hand, "Are you up to it?"

Hermione inwardly groaned as she outwardly nodded, "Yeah," she forced her cadence to remain upbeat, "You?"

Minerva could see the underlying fatigue and see the tremor in Hermione's wand arm, "Do remember my dear," knowing eyes gently smiled at Hermione, "I've taught magic for decades and know the signs of magical fatigue."

Hermione's brow quirked, "That's amazing since you can't seem to recognize it in yourself."

Minerva chortled, "I've been told on more than one occasion that I've never been the best patient."

"I could see that about you," Hermione quipped.

"And I you," Minerva countered, "come. Let's get cleaned up and grab an early dinner."

"Does that mean," Hermione slipped her wand away, "that you are tired too?"

"I was hours ago," Minerva admitted as she joined Hermione along the walkway.

"Then why wait to stop?" Hermione honestly asked, "You needn't have pushed yourself."

They continued their mutual ascent out of the kitchens as Minerva admitted, "I lost the ability after Amelia passed to distinguish between tired and too tired."

"And I'm going to guess the last year you weren't afforded the opportunity to rest either."

Minerva outright chuckled at Hermione's wit, "No more than you, I'd venture."

"Most evenings, we were hungry but safe. And while we moved around most days, most of the time; we were merely waiting." At Minerva's sideways glance, she added, "Yes, we were in danger, but in proportion to having the Carrow twins live beside you; we were relatively safe."

"Inside the walls were relatively safe," Minerva sighed, "in comparison to outside Hogwarts."

"I don't believe that." Hermione countered as she stopped and turned to face Minerva whose features trembled in response. "I have a feeling," her eyes scanned emerald irises, "that I wasn't the only one tortured this past year."

"I wasn't tortured," Minerva answered, "though I was injured several times." The muscles along the side of her right cheek rippling as her jaw clenched, "And some of those injuries still plague me."

"Did you have them professionally treated?"

"Much like the hex Bellatrix struck you with, my afflictions are beyond a simple healing liniment or spell."

"Is there something I can do?"

A deep sadness laced her features, "I'm afraid not."

"Where…" Hermione's eyes scanned over Minerva's frame, "were you injured?"

Minerva felt a light blush grace her cheeks as she met Hermione's gaze, "I'm not entirely comfortable with sharing what happened."

Hermione opened her mouth in disbelief, "I…can't…you weren't raped were you?"

Minerva frowned, "My dear, a witch can't be raped in the traditional sense like what happens in the muggle world as the incident would cause her incidental magic to lash out and protect her. That's why you do not hear of rape in the wizarding world; rather the misuse of lust potions and amorous spells."

"Is that what happened to you?"

"No," Minerva softly stated, "merely Amycus' attempt to permanently harm me. Along with Greyback, Stanson, Elissa and at one point even Bellatrix; though at the time, they did not know who I was; as I had polyjuiced into another."

"What happened?" She sincerely asked.

"I can no longer feel my left arm and hand nor the left side of my chest." Minerva took a harboring breath and with a wave, turned back to Hermione; having cancelled the concealment charm and transfiguration spell. And she watched as Hermione took a steep breath and eyes brimmed with tears at being able to see the marred flesh along the edge of her eye and obvious discoloration, "And I'm partially blind in my left eye."

Xoxo

a/n: Sighs, here's a little bit more; and just think...I even have another Chapter or two done for you ;)