Chapter Four-

A Time for Care-

Dear one who only knows secrets,

It seems as if another day in my life has gone by. Though I cannot change his mind, Albus has once again denied me the chance to pick up Harry. I hope that with Hermione, he will allow me to do so, but, so far he has not. Albus is coming in tonight from his trip to the Ministry at 6o'clock for dinner. By then I would like to get to know Hermione more. She is such a sweet and pleasant child. If I had a lass, well, she's just too lovable. Wouldn't it be amazing if I could adopt her? But, I'm sure she would not want me for an adopted mother. Perhaps Molly is a better choice. Ah, but isn't she dating Ron? No, she said she liked Harry and I can't agree with her more. I have to go now to see if the eggs for breakfast are done. Hermione isn't awake let so I'll let her sleep.

-Minerva

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Minerva McGonagall set her book on the wooden coffee table next to her. She sat in a high backed red velvet chair in front of the fireplace which had the ashes in it from the night before. As she stood, she dusted her tight blue jeans and the fitted white long-sleeved tee she wore. The window to the right had a window seat for two and was cornered in three pieces. Outside, the trees swayed and moaned in the gentle breeze that blew by.

The stairs that spiraled down from the bedroom were black and metal twisted with designs and patterns. Tapestries along the walls were littered with the tales and history of Scotland. As she left one room, her feet lead her to another.

By the smell of it, breakfast was, in fact, done. The eggs Minerva had mentioned in her journal looked as if they were from a story book or a fairy tale. She flipped them over once before turning the stove off and putting them on to two plates.

Minerva went back upstairs to see if Hermione was awake but when she got to the door, she heard the girl crying. The wooden door was opened and looking down at the sleeping child she sat on the edge of the bed. Minerva wiped away the tears with her thumb and brushed away the mangled hair from the girl's face. With that, Hermione awoke and looked up at her angel. Minerva smiled down at her with understanding. Hermione quickly hugged the older witch and clung on with all her might, crying and sobbing. The Transfigurations mistress returned the hug and tried to soothe the lass. She ran her hand in comforting circles around her back while holding the young girl's head in the other hand. With all her pain and grief, Hermione sobered up and calmed down.

'I've never cried this much before.' She told the woman.

'I know. It's hard to get over something like this. You've been with them most of your life and have known them equally as long.'

'Why? Why did it have to be them? Of all the people in the world – them!' Hermione answered back.

'I know how you feel Hermione. I do, really I do.'

'Tell me. Please.' The younger witch urged.

'Alright, when the war with Grindelwald was at large, I was a student at Hogwarts myself, over fifty years ago. The families of the students would pull them out of the school so they would be safe, or so they thought. When Grindelwald learned of this, he began to attack the homes of those supporting the side of light, killing everyone in the house. The families that didn't take their children out would be killed as well.

Every day in the Great Hall, ten or twelve black owls would come into the hall, dropping letters off to those who were left behind. It was not only the students, but the teachers too. One of the professors would get a letter and end up crying on another professor's shoulder. The whole hall was silent when the owls came. Everyone had a sense of… everyone had a sense of emptiness. We were all, numb with disbelief.

There wasn't a single person who didn't get a letter, except for those who were already orphaned. The day I got mine, was my sixteenth birthday. I don't ever remember celebrating. About eleven people in my clan had died including my parents and my younger siblings. I remember just sitting there with the letter in my hand when a package flew in for me. It was my birthday present from my family; a picture of all of them together and an amulet that my sisters and brothers bought at a store that summer. The amulet is the brooch I were everyday at school. It's one of the few things that I have of them.' Minerva ended.

'I'm sorry Minerva. I didn't know.' Hermione spoke up after getting her voice back.

'No No, it's quite alright, dear. Life is for the living after all. Come, lets talk over breakfast.'