As Hermione sat in the fallen leaves, hands covered in blood and shaking from exhaustion, images of Minerva hit her so abruptly that she gasped audibly. Minerva teaching her protective charms in her office during 6th year after Katie Bell was attacked. Minerva giving her a bag of useful potions at the end of 6th year, knowing that they would face great danger outside the walls of Hogwarts.
Hermione chuckled bitterly. Perhaps the danger lies within she thought to herself, reflecting on the reports they'd gotten from Neville through George about the havoc that the Carrows inflicted upon the students and staff.
"It's bad, I'm afraid. Neville didn't have long for a call last time around. He said they got to McGonagall and no one saw her for 3 days."
Hermione wheeled around to face George who appeared in the campfire before them.
"What do you mean they got her? Is she alright?" she said anxiously
"She won't tell them what happened but she's in a bad way. They're afraid Hermione. Without Minerva, they're all vulnerable."
"There has to be something we can do to help them!" Hermione insisted.
"There isn't Hermione," Harry said "not without giving away our location. We know that the snatchers are on our trail already."
Hermione sighed in frustration. "I know that we need to be careful, Harry. But we cannot afford to lose her. I cannot afford to lose her" she choked, furiously fighting back tears.
"Of course, it's about her," Ron pressed, "it's always about her."
"Not now, mate" Harry sighed, running his hands through his disheveled hair.
"I can't believe you, Ron," Hermione fumed, "that's a low blow considering that she's taking curses so that your sister doesn't have to" she spat.
"Leave my sister out of this!" Ron roared.
Hermione flinched at her memory of Ron's face, a darker shade of red than she had ever seen it. The image faded from her thoughts as she returned to her one constant. Minerva would know how to fix this she thought to herself. She would know what to say. Hermione closed her eyes and imagined the feeling of Minerva's hands ghosting over her cheeks. In that moment, she would've given anything to melt into Minerva's reassuring touch as she did when they said goodbye many months ago.
She then thought of Minerva's hesitation as Hermione confessed to her that they wouldn't be returning to Hogwarts and would instead be completing a directive given to them by Dumbledore.
"It's not safe outside of the castle, Hermione. What if Albus made a mistake and it costs you your life?" Minerva said, exasperated.
"If it means Harry defeats him, the ends justify the means" Hermione numbly responded.
"How can you say that?!" Minerva cried, rising from her seat.
"Harry needs to be the one to destroy him," Hermione insisted. "I'm sure you of all people understand that war has necessary sacrifices."
"What I don't understand is how you expect me to do this without you!" Minerva begged.
Silence fell between the two witches as Hermione stared at her professor, mouth slightly agape. She studied the tension etched across Minerva's forehead, and noticed that the wisps of hair which had escaped from her braid, framing her head like a halo in the firelight.
"Hermione, I-,"
"Why now?" Hermione said quietly, finally meeting Minerva's emerald gaze. Her shoulders hunched with tension as if the weight of the world was placed upon them.
Minerva raised a hand to cup Hermione's cheek and the latter leaned into the touch, savoring the moment of comfort. "I couldn't let you go without telling you," Minerva whispered. A tear slipped, unbidden down Hermione's face and Minerva wiped it gently away.
They stood across from each other, suspended in the moment for what could have been hours before they heard Harry clear his throat from the doorway.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but we need to go, Hermione," Harry said. Hermione took note of the red circles around his eyes, realizing that he must have said goodbye to Ginny.
"One moment Harry," Hermione responded. Harry nodded and closed the door quietly behind him.
Minerva pulled Hermione into a firm embrace which the girl returned, burying her face into the older woman's cloak.
"I will see you again," Minerva whispered into Hermione's hair, committing the smell of her lavender shampoo to memory. Hermione nodded as a sob rose in her throat threatening to reveal how terrified she truly was.
Minerva pressed a kiss to Hermione's forehead and led her towards the door where Harry waited.
Hermione returned to the present to find tears trailing down her face. She swiped angrily at them before realizing that Ron's blood still coated her hands. She cried out in frustration and rose from the ground on shaky legs. She turned toward the clearing where she left Harry and Ron and started slowly towards the camp they had set up.
A small silver cat with piercing eyes appeared from between two trees. It keenly watched Hermione enter the tent before disappearing in the fading light. After she was confident that Hermione was safe for now, Minerva shifted back to her human form and apparated away with a quiet pop.