Authors note: As always, I hope you enjoy. Any Grammar or spelling mistakes are my own and forgive me if there are a few.

Chapter 3

"Hello."

The void was suddenly full and Hermione could hardly breathe. It was like she was underwater, gasping for air. Panic ran up her spine and with everything inside her she was kicking and trying to find the surface, searching for air she was unsure existed…

Her eyes snapped open and she looked at Francis as she took a sharp breath, tears welling in her eyes, "I cant. I'm sorry." She whispered.

She stepped away back towards the window. Her safe space and the only solace she had found, except for the comfort of Ron's arms, since she had woken up here. All she wanted was to be back on her honeymoon, her troubles far from the reality she now found herself in.

"My husband will be here soon." Hermione muttered quietly, "Unless you want him questioning who you are and why you are here." She eluded.

She hated the lie she now had to keep but right now she had no other choice. Until she found a way to remove… her, she had to stay silent. For her sake and for Ron's.

"As you wish." He said softly, "I shall return tomorrow to check on you. Good day."

Hermione turned to protest at his comment, not wanting him or anyone else near her, but he was gone before she could even take a breath.

Anger bubbled up inside of her. How dare he? He barely knew her and yet suddenly everyone, including him, wanted something from her.

Her magic brimmed beneath the surface of her skin, her fingertips tingling with energy as she looked down at them angrily.

Startled, she curled and flexed them into fists and stretched her fingers back out trying to rid herself of the unbridled magic threatening to unleash itself.

She hadn't experienced such a thing since she had been a small child. The past day however she could feel it. Or something at least. She didn't understand it and in truth, she didn't want to.

She turned back towards the window and gripped the ledge. Her eyes fell closed before snapping open again, scared of what lay within the dark of her mind.

She didn't know this… creature? Person? Soul?

And yet here she stood with people she had never met before expecting her to what? Take this dragons place? Guide a race of people she never knew existed. She didn't know their rules, regulations, customs, culture, manner, politics and economical state of affairs.

She hadn't known of their existence till a few days ago.

Sighing, she turned to lean against the wall. Once again, all she wanted was her husband.

-HG&MM-

"You can't just throw random people into the line of succession!"

"If memory serves me well, was it not you who were near plucked out of thin air, Tony McKeeley?" Minerva bit back as she sat within the council chambers, her green eyes piercing blue ones. "A Boy, no more than 18. Claim, none, training, hardly, but Nickolas chose you and you took the seat with trembling hands and learnt quickly and well. Give her a chance."

"Here we go, once again the great Mistress of Hogwart's proffering up one of her prophesized precious cubs."

"Says the one who talks nothing but of Durmstrang…"

"Anyone of those boys would make a far better leader than that woman who does nothing but keep her nose in a book."

"Having intellect and the desire to learn should be something we are looking for rather than a puppet you intended to use for your own power" Minerva bit.

Tony sneered and Minerva could see the fire in his eyes burning as he leaned forward to rebuke her. Before he had the chance to truly irk Minerva's ire though a gentle voice cut through.

"I think what Tony is trying and yet failing to say is that while we know of her accomplishments in the war, does not mean she equipped, or able, to run a country." Golden eyes looked at her gently.

"And who is?" Minerva reasoned back, "Who is ever ready to take into consideration the lives of thousands, to take people to war, to stand up and be ready to face the onslaught of doubts, discriminations, opposing opinions, critical eyes and the stool that you are automatically put upon even though you are just the same as everyone else? Striving to make the right decisions. Human. Tell me who is ever prepared for that and take me to them." Minerva thundered as dozens of people looked at her in the same way she had just described.

"Why are you so eager to support her?" Tony sneered.

"Why are you so intent on dismissing her?" Minerva retorted.

"You never do anything lightly, Minerva, so why are you backing her with such unwavering allegiance." Bernard's soft but firm voice sounded across the room.

"I have no allegiance, but I do believe she deserves a chance." Minerva said sincerely, "The position is one to be earned and she will do just that. Having taught her I know this without a doubt. She is smart, organized, a quick learner and a quick thinker. She has experience as a leader and her judgments are sound. But most importantly she has a good heart, a kind soul and determination. Let her try. The worst that could happen is that we have to appointment somebody new."

"We could be on the brink of war Minerva…"

"Something she is more than qualified for. I would only dismiss her claim because she deserves not to live through as many wars as I have. Unfortunately, we do not have that luxury."

"She will bring us to our knees." Tony snarled.

Minerva tried to hold her tongue but she could feel her anger rising just below the surface, blood thrumming through her veins as her eyes flashed and pinned McKeeley. She watched him quiver and shirk back into his seat as the rest of the council bristled at the unusual display of dominance.

"You'll do well to remember where it is you came from and just how easily it could be stripped away. You are not above anyone else within this room or outside of those doors." Minerva breathed.

Silence settled upon the room as they each came to a decision while letting the two sparring calm down.

Eventually, the high chairwoman stood and gave Minerva a soft nod, "Minerva is right. She should at least be given a chance. All those in favour of Miss Granger proving herself, raise your hand." commanded gently.

Hands slowly went up, others waiting and then following suit all the while two remaining steadfastly down. Tony and Miss Draya.

"The majority has it. Miss Granger will be appointed England's new leader."

-HG&MM-

"Hands off! What have I told you, George Weasley? Don't think that just because you're my son that I won't jinx you into the next century if you don't behave and wait like the civilized man I raised you to be." Molly chastised as she swatted George's hands away from the food she was preparing.

Hermione swore there was never a time when the Weasley's were not hungry. She smiled as George gave her a roll of his eyes and managed to snag a peeled carrot before dashing out of his mother's claws.

"George! George!" Molly yelled as he scampered off. "That boy." She muttered as Hermione took a seat at the table, Ron assisting her.

Try as she might, she couldn't wave him off and while she had wanted nothing more than him when she was at the hospital, the past few hours had been almost unbearable with the way he constantly hovered over her.

"Ron, please. I am alright." She insisted.

"Give the girl some air, Ron Weasley and go find your father. Dinner will be ready soon."

Ron did as instructed and Hermione was thankful for the small respite.

"Thank you." Hermione murmured quietly.

Molly gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze and turned back to her cooking. "Now, I was already preparing fish b…"

"Sounds lovely, Molly, thank you."

Molly paused and frowned at Hermione's interjection, "But I thought you didn't like fish? I prepared you a chicken breast instead."

Hermione looked up and turned and looked at Molly confused, "Oh, yes. You're right, sorry. I must be more tired than I thought. Chicken sounds amazing. Thank you for thinking of me."

Molly looked at her warily, "Perhaps you should lie down after dinner?"

"I think you're right."

Hermione rubbed her forehead and sighed as she turned back to fiddling with the newspaper that she had no doubt Arthur had left there.

Molly was right though. She had never liked fish. Not ever. And yet as soon as Molly had mentioned it she had thought it sounded wonderful and remembered having eaten it a thousand times. Only she hadn't.

She tried to ignore the headache behind her eyes as she opened the paper and set her concentration on the words in front of her. Nothing seemed to sink in though so when Ron returned and his hovering continued she let it consume her. Anything to distract her.

Fish. Oh, how she wanted that fish.

"Um, you know what. I think I would like to just retire... if that's alight?" she said quietly, looking at Molly gently.

Molly nodded and smiled, "Of course. I'll put the chicken in the fridge for you to have for lunch tomorrow."

"Sounds wonderful. Thank you." Hermione smiled and stood.

With her still in Recovery and Ron having to return to work the following day, they had agreed, with Molly and Arthur's permission, to stay at the Weasley household for a week.

"Do you want me to help you, love?" Ron stood too.

"No, no. Please, sit, stay and eat. I shall be just fine. I just have a headache that is all." She moved out of her chair and tucked it back beneath the table, "Goodnight." She murmured before escaping off up the stairs.

Entering the room she set a temporary lock. An hour. She just wanted to be by herself for a moment and as she moved into the adjoining bathroom she looked into the mirror and shivered.

Her eyes, she had noticed them this morning. Her usual brown, while there, was… altered slightly.

With a subtle wave of her hand, she whispered, "Revelio" and took a breath when she saw it. Her left eye. Bright blue colour seemed to explode from her iris, leaving her with the most striking combination of bright blue and brown. While her right eye seemed perfectly fine, her left was something else entirely.

Closing her eyes, she hit the sink before looking at her shoulder and what else had changed. She banished her top and took in the red almost pattern like marks along her chest, shoulder, and arm. The marks from Arnaga.

A tear slipped free without warning. Physical reminders of what she was trying to avoid, littering her body.

More tears joined the singular one as she gripped the basin and tried not to let her whimpers free. It was a large house but the walls were thin and she couldn't have anyone questioning her. With the little strength she had left, she cast a Silencio charm upon the room before she looked back at herself in anguish.

"I didn't ask for you, I don't want it" she spat at her reflection.

Immediately her magic seared beneath her skin. As if burning her, she cried out in pain, her legs buckling to her knees while still holding onto the rim of the sink. Hermione had no doubt that her unwanted counterpart was sending her a message. That whether she liked it or not she was there.

Her headache intensified and for a while she just sat there, her head resting against the curve of the sink until she magic no longer simmered beneath her flesh and she could stand.

Looking back into the mirror she tried not to cry further as she took in what she could not understand. The blue in her left eye had spread further.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she let go of the sink and closed her eyes and opened up her mind. She relaxed and opened the flood gates, air rushing around her.

"Why?" She whispered, bracing herself against the magic she could feel surging through her.

"The more you fight me the worse it will get for both of us. Please. I beg you."

"I don't want this."

"Whether you want it or not, if you don't let me in you'll kill us both."

Hermione opened her eyes and shut the door in her mind again.

No.

With a wave of her hand she cast a glamour and went about getting ready for bed.

-HG&MM-

The next morning came far more quickly than Hermione would have liked. Freshly showered, she made her way downstairs and towards the smell of food. It was just gone nine so most of the household had already left for work, including Ron.

She smiled as she entered and was about to greet Molly, however next to her was a face she had not expected and one she was not at all pleased to see.

"Oh, love. I'm so glad you're up. One of your Medi-Wizards is here. He has come to check on you."

Hermione looked at Francis with narrowed eyes. "Lovely." She said almost too sweetly.

"Shall we?" Francis gestured back up to her room.

With a sigh, she swiveled on her heel and made her way back upstairs.

As they entered the room Francis shut the door and Hermione kept her back to the man she barely knew save for his name. "How did you know where I was?"

"George." Francis said factually.

"And what exactly is it that you want?" Hermione turned to face him with an expression that was anything but kind.

"To help. To check on you and to inform you that you have been accepted as England's new leader. Oriana had much sway upon the council in your favour."

Hermione scoffed, "How lovely that this 'Oriana' is playing puppet with my life." She said unimpressed, "Did they not think to ask for my opinion before proffering me up like a piece of meat?"

Francis sighed and clasped his hand in front of him. "While I understand your anger, what has happened is irreversible. Whether you choose to take your place amongst our people and leaders is your choice but Oriana has given you the opportunity and chance to do so."

"And who is this 'Oriana'?"

Francis smiled, "Formidable to say the least. She leads the Scottish isles."

Hermione, bit her lip as she thought if by chance she had met anyone called Oriana but she couldn't say she had.

"And she supports me, why? She doesn't know me. I've never met her."

Francis smiled again. "On the contrary. I believe you know her rather well."

Hermione frowned trying to understand who it could be? Her mind flew through her closest friends and while the reality was quickly dawning upon her that it could be anyone, she doubted it would be the likes of Ginny or Harry.

"I believe the rest of this conversation would be better coming from her. Grab your coat. She has arranged a morning walk for us."

"And you think that I will come with you just like that?"

A sigh passed Francis's lips and Hermione could see the frustration in the man's eyes. Good, she thought. Because that is all she had felt since this whole thing had started. It was about time someone else felt some of the aggravation she had been in.

Looking around Francis spotted the woman's coat and went to pick it up before offering it to Hermione. "She will explain everything."

"No."

"Please?" he asked gently.

"I said, no." Hermione said with a flick of her wrist. Her coat banished from his hands.

"Don't you want answers? Help? Somebody to talk to?"

Hermione pursed her lips. She did. Merlin, she did. But her hand flexed and the stubbornness within her anchored her feet to the floor. "No. I shan't say it again." Silence settled upon them for a moment as they sized the other up.

"Now, I kindly ask you to leave." Her hand gesturing to the door, with her mind and her jaw set.

Francis went to move but looked at her before he did so, "I'll be back tomorrow."

"I wouldn't bother if I were you." She muttered as he left, so quietly she assumed he would not hear.

As his foot crossed the threshold however, she flinched and inhaled sharply as she felt something pushing against her mind.

"I shall return anyway."

Hermione looked at Francis's back with shock. While she couldn't see his face or lips, she didn't need divination to know that those words, though they had come from him, had not physically left his lips.

-HG&MM-

Sure enough, Francis returned the next day with the same charming smile and the same offer. It seemed Oriana too offered Hermione a choice and a chance to talk. And each morning Hermione declined.

5 days passed and Francis knew that soon Molly would question his reasons for returning each morning as Hermione's health improved.

"Look." Francis started, "I know you don't like me, nor do you want me here. I can understand your anger and frustration, but please. If you want answers, this is the only way you shall get them and there is no one better to help you than Oriana."

"How can I trust any of you?" Hermione reasoned as she tied the last loop in her hair, the bobble securely holding her messy bun.

"If I wanted to hurt you I would have done so already. And I promise you when you meet her you'll know you can trust her."

Hermione looked at him with doubt. As the week had progressed more questions had risen and still she had no answers. She didn't trust anyone right now but something inside of her urged her to go. Merlin, could she even trust herself right now though?

But as Oriana's name came to mind something inside her filled with warmth.

"This is my last offer." He said softly, "I will not be able to return after today. Molly will become suspicious."

Her heart clenched.

It was now or never.

"I…"

"I can take you to her right now…"

"No." Hermione shook her head.

"Alright… Then you shall take us."

Hermione looked at him carefully. Her coat hung on the back of the door looking at her almost teasingly. Go on, her mind whispered.

"Your wand." She said as she summoned her cloak and flung it on before she lost her nerve. She didn't know him. Why should she trust him?

The truth was, she didn't. But it was her only choice.

Francis nodded and gave her his wand, "Break it, you buy it."

She took the wand with curiosity, trying to understand his motives but as the wand exchanged hands, Hermione rid herself of the thought quickly. She tucked it into her inner pocket, gently, before summoning her own.

Walking toward the door, Hermione opened it briefly and called down to her mother in law, "I'm just popping out, Molly, I'll be back momentarily."

"Alright, love," Molly called up.

Shutting the door again, Hermione turned back to Francis and held out her hand. "Where to?"

"Hogwarts." He replied casually as he popped on his gloves while walking towards her.

"Hogwarts?" Surprise laced Hermione's voice.

"Yes. Shall we?" He said as he took her hand.

Hermione said nothing but reciprocated the action and with a blink, they were in front of the fabled gates.

"Impressive." Francis said as they took in their surroundings, "There are not many witches or wizards who can travel so smoothly."

Hermione just hummed as she looked up at the castle she had called home for so many years and let the familiarity and comfort of it wash over her.

"She was one of my best students," The Scottish lilt came from their left and both heads turned towards the Headmistress.

Hermione smiled softly, "Professor."

"Miss Granger." Minerva smiled back, "Forgive me. I should get used to calling you, Mrs. Weasley, now."

Hermione waved her off, "Miss Granger will always be fine with me, or Hermione." She offered.

"Perhaps, first names will do better for now." She turned to Hermione's companion, "Francis." She nodded.

Francis bowed casually and Hermione frowned further when his words accompanied his actions, "Your Majesty."

"I said names, not titles." Minerva chaste.

Francis blushed.

Hermione turned back to Minerva and looked at her with confusion. Nothing made sense. "I don't understand." She shook her head, "Am I missing something?"

Minerva looked at her with empathy and walked towards her, the snow beneath her feet crunching. "I think it is time that we talked properly. You've kept me waiting nearly a whole week." Minerva almost smiled as she watched confusion fill Hermione's features.

"A week?"

Her back straightened further and her emerald eyes twinkled with flecks of gold. "Although you know me as Minerva, Headmistress of Hogwarts. I am also Oriana, Queen of the Scottish clans."