The Responsibility
Chapter 36 – Year 2005 – 4th Seventh of May
Continuation
And for now, the emerald witch is undoubtedly being 'The Minerva McGonagall' of their Wizarding world— currently at Hogwarts, as the powerful Headmistress that she is…
For the twenty-five year old Hermione Granger, there are times wherein she'd feel that raising her daughter, Rose Esmerauld Granger McGonagall, who is 4-years-old going 40-years-old, is a much tougher responsibility, compared to say, when she had to deliver the monumental passing of The Act of Welfare for Elves, (The AWE).
The latter was undoubtedly an arduous work that had involved having to convince the elves population that as part of the magical world, they do have the rights to a life free from abuse. But that endeavor does feel like a walk in park right now for Hermione, as she found herself severely debating with her daughter, who would not let her leave the Burrow.
"Sweetheart, as I said, I only came in to check on you. But I really have to go, now." Hermione appealed to the insistent little human being, standing at almost hundred centimeters in height, undeniably her carbon copy in appearance… a remark she has had received many times already, and more and more each day.
"But Mum! When they fetch me from Nanna and Pappy, I heard Uncle George said that something bad has happened in your office! So, why are you going back there?"
Her daughter had thrown a solid dispute… The mother in Hermione was actually god smacked, and instantaneously unsure whether to be proud, or frustrated, because apparently, Rose has the good sense even at a young age.
At the same time, it had her mentally cursing at George for not filtering information. But then, knowing her daughter, she knew Rose would have insisted to know why she was being collected ahead of schedule from her muggle grandparents' house, and not just by one, but three Weasleys: Charlie, George and Angie— her honorary uncles and auntie.
"Rose, I have to go back." Hermione countered her daughter, and with barely held forbearance. "IT IS your mother's responsibility… my job to show up there."
Unfortunately and exasperatedly, that does not satisfy Rose one bit. As a matter of fact, her daughter has eventually claimed that Hermione's job is also to be with her…
Bugger little swot.
Furthermore, Rose contended that if her mother would leave the Burrow because she needs to work, Rose rather volunteers to go with Hermione to the Ministry in order to allay her mother from having to choose.
The clever little girl had Hermione unusually backed in a corner. Consequently, the mother was about to pullout her never used card of— 'You do what I say as I am your mother', and thought to hell with the fall out from such harsh ordering… That is until… Hermione's own image reflected from the mirror hanging on the wall behind Rose has stolen her attention…
A reddish spot on her neck, one that is small but she knew to be a love-bite has inadvertently suspended her impatience… The mark entirely reminded her of the giver— of Minerva McGonagall, the very witch who sired into existence the very stubborn chocolate colored eyed 4-year-old girl arguing at the moment about Hermione's responsibilities and their presupposed order of importance in her life…
The manifestation of such stubborn daft resemblance between Minerva and Rose had Hermione chuckling, which she tried to curb so as not to be asked about it… And sharp as Hermione's golden brain, Rose caught her mother's smothered laughter and indeed questioned it, "Mum…? What's so—"
"I'm sorry, Sweetheart. I didn't mean to… " Hermione sighed, and kissed her daughter's hand. "It's just that… Ahhh…you are truly growing up! And growing exceptionally unbelievable!"
'Oh Rose, absolutely like your OTHER mother.' Hermione thought in true wonder.
Hermione maneuvered Rose unto her lap, and in loving gesture she affixed brown hair not dissimilar from her own, bushy and wild. She let the overflowing love she has for her daughter settled her disjointed emotions… ones caused by the events of the day, which she could surmise as far from over.
However, mindful of her pending obligation at the Ministry, plus of her promise to Minerva to be at Hogwarts, Hermione tried another tactic. "Rose, you know what my job is, right?"
"Uncle Harry said you make the world better."
Harry Potter. An ever romantic-devoted supporter of a best friend…
"Um, in a way, sweetheart… But mostly," Hermione made sure to look into her daughter's eyes before explaining, "It is about working with people to set things our society, to be just and safe, for every one of us."
"Including the elves." Rose inserted.
Hermione could not help but grinned at her daughter's inclusion. "Yes, definitely them too." But then she turned back to the matter at hand, carefully adding, " And if I do not go there now, many who are depending on me to do my part will feel like I do not care for them when they do need me… And that is not okay, don't you think so?"
"Why didn't you want to just bring me? I don't want you away… And I promise not to make a fuss when we go to your office, I'll be very quiet, Mum..." Rose murmured, squirming and burying her nose into Hermione's neck.
"Oh baby, if I could, I would patch you into my robes, or carry you in my pockets, so you will always be with me." Hermione hugged Rose harder, and splayed her fingers on her daughter's back. She murmured to the little head, "But… that is just silly, right?"
She felt her daughter nod against her neck and shoulder, and eventually heard the innocent giggles that made her smile… "I'm not a hanky, mum!"
"No, you're not… You're my precious daughter!" Hermione sighed into Rose's hair and tried again to explain, "If I bring you because I too want to selfishly stay with you, it would be careless of me! The Ministry ought to lock me in prison if I put you at risk… Like tonight, Rose… I do not know yet if there is indeed any danger, but to bring you when it could be dangerous…that is NEVER okay, baby. Do you understand?"
It was met by silence.
Hermione waited for the acceptance, and true enough, it was answered with Rose's nodding. She let few more seconds ran before she thinks she could let Rose off her lap. But then her daughter made another breathtaking point that simply had Hermione's heart twitter pated. "But how about you, mum? What if the monsters in your office hurt you?"
Along with the emotional surge caused by Rose's unadulterated love, Hermione wants to smack George, for she just knew that it was he who had made mention of— 'monster in the Ministry', not that she disagrees of the notion about death-eaters… presumed to be the ones who sent the dark mark tonight… And not that she thinks George had actually meant the word for her daughter's hearing either.
But in weighing the best manner to respond, Hermione closed her eyes and pressed her nose against her daughter's head once again. She could not help but feel that Rose, despite only being 4years old, is growing quite fast, too fast to her liking…
Furthermore, Rose is truly becoming a very curious girl. That is not wholly surprising if Hermione would be honest. Her own parents have told her that as a child she had endless questions and yearning for knowledge, which was more problematical with her accidental magic as a kid when they haven't known the entire reality of Wizarding world at that time… And well, even now as an adult, if Hermione really admits to the assessment, people are still tagging her the ever-curious golden brain…
On that account, Hermione has learned the distinction of dealing Rose's multitude of queries…which could be about 'best cereal options and what they are made of', up to her accidental magic experience… Insofar, Hermione has figured out that plain explanation of what is true has gotten a better reception by her daughter… Instead of bungling, half-hazard, constructed vagueness, which would only then lead to more questions.
But going back to Rose's last question, Hermione honestly answered, "Sweetheart, the truth is, I don't know yet what exactly has happened… But, IF there are indeed monsters, you have to remember that the people I work with, they are pretty handy with magic. And as long as we work together, we will be okay." Hermione thought for more and then added to assure Rose. "But definitely, you are more protected here… Besides, our Weasley family will take care of you while I am gone. And I promise that I will hurry back."
Ron, at this point, stepped in and somewhat expounded that this monster has no match against her mother's brilliant and power. Plus, he and Uncle Harry will be with Hermione. Surely the three of them can handle the monster. Moreover, he threw in a promise that he and Uncle George will bring her something wicked from the shop in the coming days…
It did the trick.
Rose got off her mother's lap after a tight embrace. Hermione watched her followed Molly upstairs to bunk with other kids in the Burrow. And when Rose was out of her sight, she said to Ron, "Don't give her anything explosive, please."
"Geroge would tell you that they are our best sellers!" Ron lightly jested.
Hermione rolled her eyes and immediately ignored, and started mentally evaluating on what course of action she'd take.
The original plan was to follow Minerva to Hogwarts, but Hermione did realise that it is actually her responsibility to report at the Ministry in order to get hold of the situation, or at least confer with her boss, MLE Head Jinn Leroy. But her feelings are entirely clouding her judgment as she told Minerva that she will be coming right away after checking on Rose.
While moving to gather her coat, Hermione was mentally weighing the matter of where to go, or to send message to whom when Ginny Potter saved her from the irresolution. "Harry fire-called." She informed them while carefully holding her sleepy two-year-old son, Albus Severus before she added, "They have in custody the person who casted the dark mark. He's unconscious at the moment though."
"Who is he?" Ron asked.
Ginny shook her head. "Didn't say... But he's currently confined at the Ministry's secured medical ward until he comes awake for questioning... Harry also said that as far as they could tell, there seems to be no pressing danger there at the moment."
"All right, that relieves me from having to go back there." Hermione nodded, arriving at a decision; she made her way to the Burrow's door. "I'm heading to Hogwarts to check on Minerva. Gin, could you please tell Harry when gets here that—"
"Actually, he's on his way to Hogwarts." Ginny interrupted Hermione, who was almost out the door, but paused at the threshold. "Or perhaps he's already there."
"Has something happened at Hogwarts?" Ron asked before Hermione could form the same question.
Ginny's forehead creased in consternation, "Harry said that the Headmistress has not responded to his fire-call…" That had Hermione and Ron stirred decidedly to depart. "Please be careful, all of you." Ginny called out to them.
"Will do, Gin." Ron answered back as he followed Hermione, who altered her stride to a run towards the apparating point.
No words needed for Ron to understand Hermione's rush to get to Minerva. The second he reached her side, Hermione clasped on his arm, and he felt the pulling effect of side-apparation.
"Bloody Mione!" Ron's cursing echoed as they landed meters away from the gates of Hogwarts.
Hermione disregarded his colorful protest and dashed to the iron gates of Hogwarts where she spotted Harry Potter. He had his wand out, obviously about to cast a spell towards the castle, but cancelled it when he saw them coming.
"Harry! Are you all right?" Hermione called as they jogged to him. "Is your—"
"Yes, I'm all right." Harry responded, and involuntarily swiping his forehead at seeing that Hermione was alluding to his scar… wordlessly probing if he has felt anything evil of nature…
"Sure? No specter?" Hermione probed Harry as she further took in the sight of him, all along remembering his suffering conditions whenever Harry would feel Voldemort.
"No, nothing of sort." Harry confidently told them.
Ron raked his fingers through his hair and somehow blew a breath in a relief, "I sure hope he stays gone. And that whatever is happening is a poor attempt to animate the idea of him."
Given what Ron had said, Harry then quickly gave a summary how the wizard who was found casting the dark mark seemed to be under some spell, likely imperius curse, which brings the question of who had put him under such spell. But answers would have to wait, because the Auror who happened upon him, in pure instinct had stunned him. But now, the strange part is, the caster fell into some sort of coma.
But Harry reiterated that he does not feel Voldemort is back… He said the same thing to the Minister… Nevertheless, Kingsley Shaklebolt thought it prudent for Aurors to patrol several places tonight and intercept possible similar occurrence. And that Harry offered to come here at Hogwarts, especially when the school's floo access was found disengaged.
"I tried fire-calling before leaving the Ministry but she didn't answer." Harry continued updating them. He rubbed his chin in agitation when he said, "No answer to the patronus I've sent as well… Plus, she evidently warded the gates more than usual. My magical signature that she once welded with the gates normally lets me in, but it is now disengaged."
The 'she' was of course Minerva.
Hermione already knew that Minerva would double down on wards as the woman managed to tell her before they parted ways earlier from her parents' old house. But then, learning that the woman has not responded to Harry's patronus is driving her into grim worry of what could be happening at the moment, despite Harry's conviction that Voldemort is not back from the dead once again.
Then she heard Harry spoke of his plan, "I thought of sending another patronus to Professor Flitwick… Actually, I was about to do so just when you've arrived."
Ron at once agreed with Harry. "You better call on Professor Flitwick, mate."
Half listening to Harry's casting of his patronus, Hermione moved towards the imposing iron and then watched Harry's stag fired off to the castle… Hoping that everything and everyone is all right inside Hogwarts, and willing Minerva to be protected; Hermione unthinkingly raised her hand to the gates, curbing her fingers around one bar.
The three of them heard the unlatching of irons before the massive gates commenced opening to grant them entry.
Hermione's chocolate eyes surely widened in surprise, and she unconsciously muttered, "She told me she'll… She must have…"
Although Hermione's words were vague and incomplete, the golden trio friendship has had survived and shared multitude of life's impressions that Harry and Ron had straightaway understood what she meant— that tonight, Hermione was just with Minerva…
"Hermione!" Ron's sharp tone made her look away from Hogwarts and directed her attention to his face, wherein she saw severe annoyance, even bordering fury. "What the hell? You are bloody sha—"
Harry winced. "Ron!" He intercepted the surely nasty words that were about to come out.
Ron is Ron, and Harry is all too familiar with his default manner to assault when he's actually frightened that the people he loves could get hurt. Never mind that the sentiments are undoubtedly grounded from his over-protectiveness for Hermione… Ron would surely lash out.
Seeing that Ron had involuntarily drawn closer to Hermione's face, Harry hurried to physically charge between his best friends. Shaking his head and discounting the height advantage of his mate, his olive eyes bore on enraged blue ones to stop him from confronting Hermione about her…well, about her daft intimate decision of again falling into Minerva's arms…
Harry Potter does love Minerva McGonagall so much, for she is truly a family to him. And the truth of the matter is, the 'Boy who lived' found himself casting his first effectual true crucio after he had witnessed Amycus Carrow spit in Minerva's face. The 'Golden boy' could not let it by without retaliation, for without a doubt, Harry holds Minerva in the highest of regard… That he would protect the woman at all cost if it calls for it…
But Merlin, he, too, definitely admits that after almost five years of nonexistent personal interaction between the two women, of how he has had watched them both to somewhat settled with reality of not having each other in their lives, he is most apprehensive of how this latest episode would end, for either of the woman. Like Ron, he does feel the responsibility to 'avert' the incoming emotional disaster.
Harry shifted slightly to look at his golden brain best friend, who at least met his questioning gaze. She remained wordless but he found her eyes displaying how aware she is of the supposed issue… Of how she can almost read Harry's mind. And how she had continued in her mind of Ron's angry but accurate accusation— 'You are bloody shagging the bloody woman again!'
Most unfortunately, Ron could not help himself; he ignored Harry's plea and heatedly challenged him, "You know she's going to cry—"
"Not right now." Harry cut off Ron with a hiss. He returned to face him sharply, but silently begged him, again, to let it be for the mean time…
No matter how heavy and unwanted of a scene that be, for several underlying arguments or feelings the three of them have, the actuality is, it is not the time, nor the place to bring it on the table…
Harry made one last shake of his head, and resolutely ushered themselves to enter the gates. "We really need to check if Hogwarts is threatened."
Hearing out loud the notion that Hogwarts could be in danger seems to have re-centered the three of them in a snap.
Notwithstanding Harry's conviction that it can't be and it isn't Voldemort, a cold feeling crawls up and began surrounding their hearts if indeed some other source of darkness is creeping into their lives… The general trepidation is thundering against their chests on what their world would have to endure… of the yet again the responsibility to fight for the light… along with their individual powering reasons, that although unexpressed, the three of them have known each other for so long, that they just know each other's emotions…
For Ron, it was remembering Fred, and wanting no one else to experience losing— a brother. A family.
For Harry, amongst many severe reasons, mainly it was being encased by Tom Riddle's absolute inhumanity for the two wars he brought that destroyed and lost so many lives… And Harry' utter desire to defeat the monster of a wizard, again, if it comes to be…
And then for Hermione, it was nothing else but bolting to protect the woman she loves with all her heart— to get to Minerva McGonagall, the other parent to a 4-year old Rose Esmerauld Granger McGonagall— who is certainly the other reason for Hermione to pull out all the bravery in her.
After the iron gates closed behind them and felt the wards restored automatically, they proceeded rapidly and in no time had reached the bottom of the stairs to the entrance hall. They had to halt their movements and instinctively readied their wands for a fight when the main oak door suddenly opened.
Out came Professor Flitwick with Flying Instructor Rolanda Hooch and Transfiguration Professor Klyde Creighton, all wands similarly raised.
"Hermione, what precisely the first thing I told you in the great hall during the commemoration the following year after the war ended?" Flitwick asked the question.
Without missing a beat, Hermione replied, "People are congratulating me as if I am the one who topped the new Charms Mastery Level 1 record… That's what you told me Filius…" She gestured to Professor Klyde Creighton and added, "And since Klyde and I have been on first name basis, it was also then we offered and agreed to use first names as well."
The correct answer to the test that confirmed their identity was accepted; Professor Flitwick lowered his wand, and the Golden Trio was immediately directed inside.
"Professor, where is the Headmistress? And is everything all right? " Harry asked without other prelude to their visit.
Flitwick said that they have to talk while they walk… He nodded at the two other Professors, Hooch and Creighton, and left them at the main door, as obviously the designated security stationed there.
Whilst Professor Flitwick pushed open a wall after few turns from the main hall, he begun filling out details of the events at Hogwarts within the last hour or so.
That first and foremost, the very instant the Headmistress had returned to Hogwarts from attending the commemoration at the Ministry, she had closed all gateways to the main castle… And that she fortified all the surrounding wards, because apparently there was an appearance of the dark mark outside the Ministry building.
Thereafter, the Headmistress sent half of Hogwarts' staff to all critical and vulnerable areas of the castle to cast their added protective charms… Stand defender to any possible attacks if that would be the case. And for the rest of the staff, they are to stay with the students inside the dormitories.
Professor Flitwick also narrated that just as the Headmistress was about to fire-call Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt to brief of their situation, the current history of magic Professor who is also the Head of Slytherin House reported that she was missing a first-year student. The horrified Professor narrated that she learnt of such fact when she re-counted and realised she must have made a mistake during her initial account.
Naturally, there was the urgency to find the absent 11 year-old. The trio learned how the Headmistress immediately organized a search party, pulling out a methodical plan complete with specifics directives, which obvious to the Professors as something the Headmistress had longed drawn up for a situation as such.
"That was approximately half an hour ago," said Professor Flitwick. "Then I got your patronus, Harry." He gestured to him as they continued in their movements, "I came to get you at the gates, but obviously the Headmistress retained your magical signature to have been admitted. Even though she said she had locked down everything as precaution."
Ron indelicately huffed. Hermione heard it and saw how he was tempted to say something but Ron discontinued at Harry's subtle hand signal to stop… mentally communicating that there's no need to let the Deputy of Hogwarts know that Harry's magical signature was actually rejected…because the Headmistress did lock down everything. Except, she had placed a magical permission at the gates to let Hermione Granger enter because the two of them were actually together shagging just before the threat of the dark mark appeared…
The wordless conversation triggered convoluted emotions inside Hermione and it predominantly lured her to lash out at the grave disapproval coming in abundance from her two best friends, but particularly from Ron…
Yet, in the same vein, Hermione is enormously aware that this censure is attributed to the boys' utmost desire to not see her emotionally crushed, like she had been left many times in the past, after being with Minerva.
Hermione silently rebuked herself that she cannot afford to be narky, and brought to mind the present concern of why they are at Hogwarts… Still, she was rather certain that her face had displayed some anger of her own because Harry momentarily held her elbow, and his hand slid down to squeeze hers in some sort of comfort. She faintly sighed and squeezed back Harry's hand before they disconnected.
Then she heard Filius asked if the mark outside the Ministry is what it is… The question brought Hermione back into thinking of such pressing matter, as they continue coursing through some hidden short cuts. She listened to Harry relay the same information he told her and Ron. Of what limited details they have as of the moment and what the Minister had decided to do for now…
Eventually, Harry solicited a question of his own, "Professor, may I ask where are we? And are we on the way to see the Headmistress?"
Hermione was wondering about that too. She was actually trying to calculate where exactly they are, and she thought back at the time when they were students if the very route they're passing through has ever appeared in the Marauder's map. But with Harry's voiced question, it supplied the answer that wherever they are now has not appeared in the map. Further, she realised that it was a shame they've lost the map during the war, it could surely help locate the missing student.
"Ah yes, Harry, I thought we better take a short cut to follow where the Headmistress went in her search for the missing lad." Filius responded to Harry's question.
"And she is searching where?" Ron asked.
But by the latest turn they've made, instead of receiving a response, they were instead shown. They arrived in front of one nondescript door, where the Charms Master had taken down the guarding wards in pronto.
The door slid open.
Curiously but vigilantly, they exited through... And instantly, it became clear that they are now outside of the main school, somehow at unfamiliar area, but appears to be—
"Forbidden forest!" Ron stammered in bewilderment, "How are we suddenly in the forbidden forest? He asked looking around and noticed that the door they've emerged from had return to its place. That it dematerialised, became part of the boulder behind them, and ended completely in covert.
"Minerva told me about the passages she found during repairs, is this one of them?" Harry asked in fascination.
"That, it is." The diminutive professor said.
Hermione could sense that there are more to it. That perhaps, Minerva has abridged the information to Flitwick about Hogwarts' suddenly revealed gateways to the Headmistress… Or the Professor does comprehend it all, but feigning knowledge for he must not reveal more.
But Hermione's impeccable deductive mind had pulled the fact that there are reports referencing to Hogwarts dated after its repair in year 1998, which are currently filed at the MLE confidential sections. However, the access is above Hermione's Deputy post at the moment. But her gut-feel or perhaps her logic tells her they are concerning the fundamental magic surrounding Hogwarts; best kept unknown but somehow highly vital to be in an official account, which Minerva McGonagall created when she became the Headmistress.
Carefully trekking after Filius, Hermione was attempting to browse in her mind all the missives she had come across at the Ministry that had mentioned Hogwarts in relation to its layout, but her internal search was interrupted by a sudden loud explosion that occurred somewhere in the forest.
Alarmed and unknowing of its actual location, the four of them eased movement to discern the proper course of actions. But the pause was only for a moment, as the auror in Harry has kicked promptly. He took off to one direction with the others in tow.
With wands in position, and danger mode activated, they journeyed in apace eastbound, especially after they heard another boom, which confirmed Harry's construed direction to be correct.
Covering approximately several hundred yards, they smelled the smoke before they finally saw the recently wrecked section of the forest. The sight that greeted them was of three-four lined trees in ruins… But more importantly, roughly hundred yards away, they found the Headmistress who appeared to have just finished putting out the last of the blazes.
Astoundingly, even before Minerva had wholly turned towards them, she had put up a version of a protego wall that stopped them from advancing. Regardless the distracting commotion surrounding the woman, the sounds of their arrival did not at all escape the Headmistress' notice as manifested by the sagaciously put up protection…
"Headmistress, we came the boulder gateway!" Filius urgently supplied the unknown information of the passage. That, and given the direction they were coming had effectively confirmed the veracity of their identity.
There was cancellation of the protection wall by the older witch. And they cut the remaining distance towards Minerva, who then couched low, physically lifted and carefully maneuvered something in her arms…
Except, it was not something… but someone… the missing first year student, presently covered in heavy shroud, and protectively cradled by Minerva.
"He fell unconscious and his dropping body temperature is truly worrying even with the warming spell on him." Minerva stated without preamble. "We need to bring him to Poppy, or see if he needs to be transported to St. Mungos."
"Let me carry him." Ron offered and stepped into the personal space of the Headmistress… The older witch had to pause in her movements; but Ron simply collected the young unconscious student, and seemed to not have given Minerva a second to think about it.
"Thank you, Ronald." Minerva recovered in no time, "But when we are out of the forest, let me apparate him to the medical ward."
Minerva's last statement has revealed two things.
One, that the School Headmistress has the power to apparate inside the castle, in contradiction of what had been written in 'Hogwarts A History', that no person can do it.
Secondly, since Minerva cannot apparate right away while within the territory of the forbidden forest, the declaration verified that it does have a separate autonomy from Hogwarts… A peculiar magical arrangement, yet equally assuring about own protection of the castle from the forest…even though the two domains are unmistakably connected, as attested by the hidden gateway they came from.
"Do we go back to—"
"No. This way is shorter." Minerva steered their group towards the opposite direction of the boulder. "We'll be reaching the edge of the forest through this trail, the one nearing the Staff's side entrance."
They started walking, briskly, while fully maintaining vigilance…constant vigilance.
"What happened, Minerva?" Hermione heard Harry's perturbed question. She also knew that her best friend would speak of the cut on woman's head before hearing him actually addressed it. "Your left temple is bleeding."
"I'm all right, Harry. It was only from a wayward branch." Minerva waived off Harry's concern. "It is just a significant cut."
The nonchalant reaction from Minerva was really no surprise to Hermione… Thankfully, she could see that the thin track of blood is not gushing; the cut itself appears to be not as deep… Nevertheless, Hermione procured a clean handkerchief from her robes' pocket, handed it to Harry, who made Minerva take it.
"It's a mere graze." Minerva muttered dismissively, but at Harry's imploring gaze, she relented. She dabbed the hankie to wipe the modest track of blood and pressed the unsullied side onto the cut, keeping it there, while the other hand was trained with her dragon heartstring cored fir, and not slowing in her steps to get out of the forest.
"Thank you, Minerva." Harry breathed, smiling a bit, as he jabbed at Minerva's assent in attending to her injury.
"Thank you, Harry," Minerva yielded. And for a moment, emerald eyes shifted to meet Hermione's in thanks, as well, evidently knowing from whom the handkerchief came…before the woman directed the topic of the troubling situation. "Harry, I'd assume the one outside the Ministry building is under control and everyone in the family is safe that you can afford to be here?"
"Yes. The Minister sent for aurors to sweep several places of interest, for anything suspicious… We're actually waiting to know more, so we'd know what this is…"
Minerva nodded, and gestured to Ron, who's carrying the unconscious student. "I found the lad alone. Slowly walking aimlessly, but seemingly without awareness of what he was doing when I called to him."
"How did the young be at the forest at this time?" Filius asked. "Was he out and got barred from entering when you doubled on the wards?"
"I don't know yet." Minerva answered. She briefly hesitated before she told them, "I didn't have sufficient time to be certain, but I thought the youngster was under some spell before I've gotten to him."
"Minerva!" Harry let out a harsh breath, "The one caught outside the Ministry who casted the dark mark was suspected to be acting under imperio!" He explained, bringing fort his leapt of correlation. "He too didn't seem to be aware before the auror had taken him down…"
"But that would mean someone has casted one on him." Minerva alarmingly uttered. "Just as someone casted one on this student. Someone—"
"—Someone at school." Hermione completed Minerva's terrifying remark.
"That can't be so." Filius said in shock.
But further discussion halted as they've finally cleared the last section that brought them at the edge of the forest. And in mere couple of steps transversely done, they are able to spot from their angle the referred side entrance used by Hogwarts' staff…
Even at the distance, they noticed how the door cracked open, tentatively, and at the small space created, they could someone standing guard… It was the Ancient Runes Professor Bathsheda Babbling with wand ready in hand, who visibly sighed in relief at seeing them.
"I would see to informing the staff that we found the lad." Filius told the Headmistress. "I'd find you after."
The older witch merely nodded at her Deputy, then completely broke away from Harry, and got closer to Ron. "I will take you both side-along." Minerva motioned to him and to the student, and added a caution, "Please Ronald, do hold tight of him."
"Okay." Ron stirred to better clutch the student in his arms before Minerva gripped his upper arm in one hand, and her other was placed on the student's form. She gave a swift nod to the rest of them, and in the next instant, they disappeared.
"I surmised that the Headmistress needed to apparate the student to the infirmary?" Professor Bathsheda asked after they entered the castle.
"Yes." Professor Flitwick replied. "Bathsheda, please maintain on guard at this door until the Headmistress recalls all security… I'd have to see that others to let them know that we have found the student."
"Of course, Filius." Bathsheda responded. "I am thankful the Headmistress had found the student. Hope nothing severe has happened to him."
"I hope so too…" Filius considerately replied. Then he was moving away to get to business, telling both Harry and Hermione that he'll see them later.
Hermione turned to her Ancient Runes Professor to suitably greet her. "Hello, Professor. I apologise that we are in—"
"Good to see you both." Professor Bathsheda interrupted with pleasant but hurrying tone. "The timing is dire, I know… Go on, we'll chat properly some other time." She sends them on their way. And before the two could ask directions, she was providing it. "Follow this corridor. Take the next three left turns. Then you'll get to the main staircase. From there, I trust tat you know how to get to the infirmary."
Harry and Hermione gave their thanks and did not wait for any urging. They let their feet carried them as fast as they could, as directed. When they entered the school's hospital ward, they were just in time to see Madame Pomfrey returning from one inner room carrying vials. At seeing them, she beckoned with her head to the enclosed far end section she was heading to.
There, they found the Headmistress and Ron, standing close to a bed where the young student they found at the forest is laid, and thankfully, appears to be comfortably asleep…
"His temperature has returned normal, so as his pulse rate." Pomfrey stated after she made a complicated wand movement. "He has to stay here at least overnight. I intend to give him another dose of the purging potion in few hours. But things considered; I'd say he is now all right."
"Thank you Poppy. I'll informed his Head of House," Minerva McGonagall stated, slightly relieved. "But please, do find me instantly if there's anything I should know." She said as began moving to depart.
"I will...and before you leave," Poppy pointed to Minerva's injury, "let me take a look at—"
"It's just superficial. And I have already daubed it with the healing balm." Minerva's tone allowed no argument. And working around the bed to leave, she clipped in command, "I need to check the wards and see the children."
Hermione watched Madame Pomfrey hard-pressed her lips in an effort to not brutishly retort. One cannot deny the massive displeasure displayed of the mediwitch… And how you could tell that this type of scenario has had happened between the two older witches before, with the mediwitch always at the losing end.
"It's a good thing though that her cut was no longer bleeding." Harry muttering broke the uncomfortable silence after the infirmary door shut behind the obviously irked Headmistress.
"It is not just the cut on her temple," Poppy muttered in concern.
"Must I get her back?" Harry warily inquired, looking grim at the prospect. "I could try… I mean, do you remember when you told me that her ribs were black and blue after battle, but she only asked for potions two days later, and only because breathing actually became difficult for her…?"
At Harry's words, Hermione's ever-reliable brain dug out a particular memory… one following the final battle at Hogwarts when she spoke with Minerva for the first time after she had been absent, hunting Horcruxes for months with the boys…
Hermione remembered wanting nothing but to seek the older woman right away once Voldemort was gone, but she opted to not be in the way, for she had seen how Minerva was sorting everyone and everything into fitting course of actions… That it had been hours when an intermission was finally presented that left Minerva with a free moment.
That interaction, Hermione would realise, many, many months later, was the very first interplay between them without the student-teacher overtone. For those key moments were fundamentally between two war survivors… between two women who'd have with so much more between them…
But at that time, Hermione simply intended to hand the visibly dehydrated woman with a drink, to wipe the dried blood and dirt on her face, and to ask about the injury on her ribs that Minerva was concealing from everyone…
When she asked the question about her ribs, Hermione knew that Minerva had been startled that she had caught the well-suppressed throbbing, and more so of her bold queries about it… However, Hermione was equally stunned that Minerva had decided to be forthright with her…and had confessed that it was from hitting a wall after Voldemort's spell threw her. That the pain was mostly due to aggravated injury she had previous sustained from Umbridge's attack… But Minerva did sum it up as nothing to be worried about, as they are not cracked anyway, and only slightly bruised…
Yet, seven years later, Hermione is discovering that the bloody woman's meaning of 'slightly bruised' was in fact, black and blue, and not to mention, it rendered her unable to properly breathe… The underplayed description of the injury was absolutely preposterous. And Minerva is most possibly repeating the blatant disregard right now…
"Minerva has always been like that from day one I joined the school staff." Poppy said in a huff. This time she did not bother to hide her annoyance for the neglect of health. "But I tell you my dear; as Headmistress, she has become more terrible in terms of looking after herself, because now, everything is about or for Hogwarts. And nothing else."
Poppy's expressed assessment of Minerva McGonagall's view of her responsibility to Hogwarts is not unknown. Sure, every Headmaster/Headmistress is justly expected to prioritize the school, but in the case of Minerva McGonagall, beginning her round-the-clock repair after the war, it became evident with the Wizarding world that the woman has taken Hogwarts as front and center in her life... By and large, the devotion is admirable. But when you deeply care about the person inside the Headmistress identity…care about Minerva McGonagall— you'd say that the witch personal utter dereliction is truly worrisome.
Fret, Hermione did. She'd known the menace even back that time when she was taking leave from the McGonagall's Manor that fateful seventh of May in 1998… She had mentioned to Dolly to force Minerva to have a care of her own welfare as she assumes the responsibility that was essentially vacated by Dumbledore… A role that Hermione had foreseen that would be twice consuming because she'd be without 'her own Minerva' as back up…
And Hermione had hoped… that year in and year out, the roles, the responsibilities would not devour Minerva irreversibly… But it was proving otherwise.
Returning to the present, and thinking about Poppy's concern regarding Minerva, Hermione then asked the Mediwitch, "Other than the cut on her temple, what is it that you'd need to look at?"
"I would like to check for head trauma," Poppy answered.
"What…?" Harry scowled in exasperation.
"She's fine, she said, but I'd feel assured only after I've scanned her head… I'd suppose you weren't with her yet when it happened?"
"No," Harry scowled further. "And Minerva only said that a wayward branch merely GRAZED her temple!"
"Mate, apparently, a branch fell and had hit her head." Ron divulged the particulars, "Before you and Hermione got here, as we wait for the initial potion to take effect on him," he gestured to the sleeping student, "That's what she said as she accepted the healing paste forced into her hand by Madam Pomfrey—"
"That's the only way to get her to accept the treatment," said Poppy. "Of course I've asked her if she's feeling light headedness or any of sorts. But she disdainfully mentioned that a falling branch would not kill her. And insisted…insisted that I focus on taking care of the student."
"For a very intelligent woman… you know, wisest witch of her age and all, and she didn't think it's important to be meticulously attended to?" Harry muttered disbelievingly.
"You don't wonder that St. Mungos released her just few days after surviving four stunners?" Poppy wryly responded, and shook her head in disapproval. "But as I've said, that's Minerva McGonagall… And you've heard her, seen her… seen her firm dismissal."
Stubborn. Stubborn woman… Hermione thought in vexation.
However, quite unexpectedly, it was Ron who was forcing hand on how to deal with the situation… deal with the woman… deal with Minerva…
He simply pressed a light touch on Hermione's shoulder, but his penetrating blue eyes had entirely delivered his message… And his wordless message to Hermione was more of a question—
Why the bloody hell she is not moving her bum to go after Minerva and force the damn witch to give importance to one's health…?
Sometimes…Ron could stun Hermione beyond measure.
Just earlier outside the gates of Hogwarts, Hermione knew that Ron wanted very much to shred her into pieces at discovering that she had fallen in bed with Minerva once again… Yet, more or less within the same hour, he's basically pushing Hermione to be the one to go after Minerva… To take care of Minerva…
The turnabout would have been totally confusing if their friendship was not as long, not as proven, and not as profound… And forgivingly, the intended value was not lost on Hermione, and she has managed to apprehend Ron's juxtaposition expression of love…from his usual burst of delirious actions ostensibly to cause harm but inherently it is on the account of his utter care for Hermione (and Minerva) to not get hurt at all…
"Mione." Ron called her name this time, and giving her shoulder a squeeze before his hand fell away.
"Umm." Hermione murmured, "Let me talk to her…" She did not wait for any response from her companions and resolutely exited the medical ward to pursue the stubborn Minerva McGonagall.
Running a bit, and heading purely on instinct, Hermione progressed through two hallways and had taken a turn for the next corridor when she located Minerva…
The older witch had noticeably heard her approach with a brief backward glance... But Minerva did not stop in her wake and Hermione just covered the rest of the distance to reach the woman.
"Minerva—"
"I have to see the wards if they were not breached."
"I know." Hermione nodded in agreement, and then carefully said. "But I think you know that they are effusively intact."
"Do I?" Minerva snapped.
"Yes," Hermione calmly countered, "You do."
Now that nobody else is around to bear witness, Minerva's infamous walls are all withdrawn. Her unfiltered emotions are liberally exhibited on her beautiful face, despite the recently healed reddish cut that slightly distracted Hermione… But then, Hermione was further sidetracked at the realisation that such beautiful face is without any layer of the usual de-glamour charm… something apparently overlooked by Minerva in their haste to leave after they got Harry's protego, back at her parents' old house… That is telling more than what could be spoken of Minerva's weariness.
As Hermione stares harder at Minerva's face, she could read that the dominant abstraction running rampant within Minerva is utter culpability…
Oh, Minerva.
An all-embracing responsibility was something Hermione had anticipated; it was within the given spectrum as Minerva is in fact the Headmistress of Hogwarts. But the grave decree of self-censure as exposed by Minerva's condemning eyes is disquieting to say the least.
"Minerva," Hermione gently but decisively grasped one of Minerva's wrists, and willed the woman to cease in her steps… She captured the self-loathing emerald eyes as she earnestly conveyed, "This is NOT your fault."
"It is… It is very much mine!"
"Why? You did not cause this incident in any—"
"But I should have been bloody protecting the castle!"
"You do." This time, Hermione took both Minerva's hands firmly in hers and poured every conviction she could muster. "Minerva, you are protecting it, and everyone in it."
"Then why did I find an 11-year old boy, entrusted to my care and protection, walking alone in a dangerous forest, seemingly under dark magic, and about to act bloody Merlin knows what to himself and to others?"
"We do not have the answer yet to that. But we both know that you must not blame yourself for this."
"Why mustn't I?"
"Because you did not remiss in your duty, Minerva—"
"But, I did." Minerva disengaged from Hermione's clasp, panned a devastating look at the walls around them, at Hogwarts, and with a clenched jaw she said, "It is my responsibility. I am responsible for everything, for everybody!"
"Don't do that to yourself."
"I am the bloody Headmistress of this school."
"You are. But it does not mean—
"It does. It fucking means exactly so." Minerva expelled with harshest of tone.
Minerva's tumultuous shame compounded with palpable rage is coming in waves with a velocity that was blinding...
And the inadvertent attack came without warning. They impetuously wound around Hermione's heart, suspending her breathing, and rapidly drenching her with a cold, cold dread.
Hermione held everything in her and tried, tried once more.
"Minerva, no one is expecting for you to be round the clock taking care—
"Oh, but I do. And WHERE the hell have I been? I was BLOODY NOWHERE at Hogwarts." Minerva's threw her arms in frustration… And unknowingly continues the attack through the condemning meaning from her lips, mightily and cruelly pushing both witches to plummet into a cruel pit.
"Minerva, you were—"
"Bloody hell I was… not here… Because… I was out… I was fucking—"
"—Me." Hermione whispered.
The interpolation had been delivered quietly, but oh so loud enough to send excruciating tremors to both.
Then ever more madly, Hermione recapitulated Minerva's repulsive belief, "You were not at Hogwarts...because you were out fucking me…"
Widened emerald eyes snapped to meet her agonising chocolate ones… Undetermined and uncertain moment swirled roughly around them before she saw Minerva moved to reach for her…
But damn her soul, Hermione's right hand sailed and slapped Minerva McGonagall's face…
.
.
.
End of Chapter 36
AN:
I'd like to confess that I was dying to the write the last sentence, perhaps since chapter 8!
I thank you for still reading. All mistakes are mine.
And Harry Potter world is all JK's. I'm just borrowing and playing.