Minerva watched as her seventh year transfiguration class worked away at their desks, faces scrunched in concentration. The sound of quills scratching against parchment filled the quiet classroom.
This year only a dozen seventh year students had opted to return to Hogwarts and only 3 eighth years returned. This class was different from the rest having grown up through a war and having seen terrible atrocities unfolding all around them. They all had scars both internal and external, something Minerva was all too familiar with having lived through 3 wars.
As Minerva scanned the class she noticed her star pupil staring out the window. Hermione was one of the three eighth years who chose to return to Hogwarts this year and the only from Gryffindor.
Minerva noticed she had been quite withdrawn and not at all like the energetic passionate girl she had come to expect.
Minerva frowned and decided to have a word with the young girl. As the class came to an end she dismissed everyone and called for Hermione to stay behind.
Hermione frowned as she packed her bag and waited till everyone left to approach Minervas desk.
"You wanted to see me professor?"
"Yes Ms. Granger would you accompany me to my office so we can have a cup of tea as we chat" Minerva asked the girl.
"Sure" Hermione responded though she looked apprehensive.
Minerva led her to her office offering her a seat and plate of ginger newts.
Minerva poured two cups of tea and handed one to Hermione. As Hermione added sugar and stirred her tea, Minerva noticed a slight shimmering around Hermione.
"Ms. Granger do you want to tell me why you have a glamour charm placed over your person?" Minerva asked with a soft voice.
Hermione looked away "I don't know what your talking about professor".
"Please don't lie to me my dear, you have only done so once so please don't insult my intelligence".
Hermione stayed silent and Minerva sighed as she waved her wand across Hermione cancelling the glamour.
Minerva gasped as Hermione's true appearance was revealed. Her hair was a mess and she had dark circles under both her eyes. She looked like she hadn't slept in days.
Hermione refused to meet her professors eye and stared down at her tea.
Minerva walked around her desk and put her hand on Hermione's chin forcing her to meet her eyes.
"What is troubling you my dear? Why have you not been sleeping?" Minerva asked.
Tears started to well up in Hermione's eyes as she spoke
"Every time I close my eyes I see memories from the war. People I couldn't save. My time at Mal.." she cut herself off abruptly.
"Your time where dear?" Minerva asked.
She had to strain to hear Hermione's next words.
"Malfoy Manor" she whispered.
"Please, tell me what happened?" Minerva softly spoke.
"Bellatrix Lestrange decided to intimately question her mudblood prisoner" Hermione bitterly said as tears slowly ran down her cheeks.
Minervas heart clenched at what she was hearing. She was almost afraid to ask "what did she do?"
"After a few rounds of the cruciatus curse she..she…" Hermione slowly rolled up her sleeve.
Minerva slowly saw what Hermione was trying to tell her as angry red cuts were exposed spelling out 'Mudblood' on her cubs pale forearm.
Minerva was shocked and her desk started to shake as anger radiated off her. How dare that despicable witch do such a thing.
"Oh Hermione" Minerva said as she enveloped her cub in a hug as tears spilled down both their cheeks.
"Come with me darling we will go to Madame Pomfry to get a dreamless sleep potion" Minerva said.
Once they reached the hospital wing and Minerva explained what she needed, Poppy gave Hermione a dose and ordered her to one of the beds.
Once Hermione was fast asleep on the bed Minerva looked over to Poppy.
"I need you to run a diagnostic over her. I don't know what other injuries she might have sustained and not treated during the war".
Poppy nodded and started to run the diagnostic. Her eyes went wide at the result as she shared a look with Minerva.
This was not good. Not good at all.
A.N
So what do y'all think?? You should never write again or Chapter 2 rn bish!
-I