The plan had come together faster than Hermione would have thought possible, but as she was led to the Headmaster's office by Professor Snape he had given her the confirmation that the Malfoys would be arriving at the Longbottom's estate as soon as Draco left the train. Hermione didn't take the chance to ask how irritated Gran had been at the surprising request. She slowed down as they near the stone gargoyle that marked the entrance of Dumbledore's office. The short trip had taken a lot out of her, the night before she had been running off adrenaline at waking and facing the consequences of her friends finally finding out her secret studies. Now she was exhausted and in pain from head to toe, with a horrific throbbing sensation coming from the purple scar that ran across her chest.
"You should still be in the hospital wing," The Potion Master commented as he swished his wand flinging a quick diagnosis charm her way. "You are physically, mentally, and magically exhausted. As much a Madam Pomphrey and I protested you returning home today along with your peers, our esteemed Headmaster believes you returning home to your family will do you well. Although it is unclear if he understands which family you will be returning to. I have asked Minerva to contact Madam Longbottom, I would think since you have a magical guardian, they should be present for this meeting."
"And what is the meeting about," Hermione inquired as she watched the floating chart disappear with another flick of his wand. She had a few ideas one being to escort her straight to Azkaban for her not quite legal spell work that had kept Sirius alive.
"That is information I have not been deemed privileged to. Although since the two wonder twins are not joining, it has something to do with your dark magic usage." Professor Snape withdrew an emerald green potion vial from his robes handing it to her with little explanation. Although from the color Hermione could already tell it was one of her pain potions she was required to take at regular intervals for the next few weeks. She swiftly uncorked it and grimaced as she shot back the potion. Not as bad as Polyjuice but still not the pleasant cinnamon flavor that pepper-up potion had. A moment later and the throbbing from her injury reduced significantly.
"Thank you," Hermione said handing the vial back.
"I have sent your stock of potions and the instructions to Madam Longbottom already," Snape said vanishing the vail with another flick of his wand. He turned towards the gargoyle and repeated the sweet that Dumbledore had chosen for his password of the week. He gestured for Hermione to go up the winding staircase. With a thankful nod, she left him at the bottom of the stairs and made her way to the Headmaster's office.
She had only ever been in the office twice before. Both times in third years to acquire and return her time turner. Of course, she had been terrified of breaking the rules at the point for risk of being expelled but now, well, being expelled didn't rank high in her worries. It was a drastic change from the little eleven-year-old girl who had walked into the castle's walls for the first time. Her innocence had started chipping away that year, more and more dark adventures and meetings with those who wanted to harm her best friend and eradicate the wizarding world of people like herself.
"Ms. Granger, how wonderful it is to see you upright and out of that hospital wing." Professor Dumbledore's cheer voice pulled her from her wandering thoughts. Pain potions had always caused her mind to cloud and become foggy. She should have waited till after the meeting to take it.
"Headmaster," Hermione said with a smile in greeting.
"Please take a seat," The old wizard motioned to the chair in front of his desk as he took a seat behind it. Once she was settled he began again. "I wanted to discuss with you everything that happened during the battle and afterward. I have unfortunately missed you every time you had awoken in the hospital wing. What is it that you remember?"
"I remember everything up until I passed out from the curse from one of the other wizards," Hermione said her brow furrowed in confusion. "I don't know what happened after that. Madam Pomphrey did say that I arrived with almost full magical exhaustion and was surprised I woke up as quickly as I did. Why do you ask?"
"You remember saving Harry's godfather?" He asked as he leaned forward. His half-moon glasses glinting in the sunlight that streamed in from the windows.
"Of course, Headmaster," Hermione said with a nod, refusing to lower her eyes in guilt. "I cursed Bellatrix before she was able to finish her own directed towards Mr. Black. A variation of a piercing spell, most commonly used by wandmakers to remove the center wood from a wand before inserting its core."
"From reviewing with other Order members, it seems as if it wasn't the wandmakers variation you used." The Headmaster stated. She could see he was trying to have her admit that the spell she used was in fact much darker than the wandmakers curse. Again, she refused to back down and instead tilted her head in questions. "Its history dates back to ancient times even before Hogwarts was standing. A spell used during human sacrifice rituals to pierce the heart of the sacrifice."
"Well History is my favorite subject and I've been trying to devote time to learn as much wizarding history as I could since I was not raised in the magical world. Wand lore as well as old ritualistic magic is one of my comfort subjects this year. I must have instinctively pulled from that during the heat of battle. I had already suffered a blow from the curse to the chest so must have mistaken the two spells. I was just aiming to harm her so she would miss her target." She explained. It never hurt that everyone knew she liked to study unusual topics.
"Yet somehow you got the spell directly at her heart." Professor Dumbledore said with a raised eyebrow.
"I was aiming for her arm but due to my injury, I must have shifted as I flung the curse. Again, I wasn't thinking clearly." Hermione said with a small shrug. Finally, breaking eye contact as the fireplace to her left shot out green flames and deposited a familiar form and her stuffed vulture hat.
"Albus, I am so sorry I am late for our meeting but Minerva just informed me. I had to rush to gather my traveling cloak." Augusta said in a huff dusting off the soot that remained from the floo travel.
"Augusta, I don't believe we had a meeting scheduled. Minerva must be mistaken. As you can see I am currently meeting with another student. Would you like to wait in the hospital wing with Mr. Longbottom? I do believe he is still resting with the rest of his friends there." The headmaster suggested as he stood from his chair.
"No, no, Albus, I'll be seeing Neville later after. He is insistent that he would rather take the train instead of floo home like I offered." The older woman said with a wave of her hand. Augusta turned towards Hermione and with a quick hidden wink sat down in the unoccupied chair next to her. Hermione had to bit her lip to keep from smiling at Gran's antics. She may be in her 90's but she was a spry and mischievous as the twins. "I do believe I am in the right place as you are currently meeting with my charge."
"Ms. Granger," Albus looked for confirmation and sat back down at Hermione's nod of confirmation. "I was unaware you had taken magical guardianship over Ms. Granger."
"Yes, well Hermione and Neville, my darling dears, didn't want to cause a ruckus with everyone finding out," Gran said reaching over to pat Hermione on the arm a few times for comfort. "You know as well as I do how the media loves to publicize this information when anything is announced. How often to pureblood families adopt muggleborns into their own? It would have been in the paper for weeks if not months."
"Last I check Ms. Granger's parents are in good health. For a magical adoption to occur they would have to sign over their parental rights. The school should have been notified." He commented.
"Minerva was there. She was one of our witnesses. Although it did happen during the peak of Hogwarts letter season. She must have been so overwhelmed it slipped her mind to inform you." Gran said with a bright smile. "As for Hermione's biological parents, I do believe that is her story to tell and it is not something that should be brought up if she does not wish to disclose that information."
With that, both adults looked towards her and with a shake of her head, she indicated she did not want to discuss this with the headmaster. It was important to focus on the present and the future instead of the past. It had been her mantra during the first few months after the adoption. Especially now that Harry and Ron knew she didn't want to slip back into the past. Those she loved knew the truth, the headmaster wasn't deemed important. It would just be more information for him to use against her in the long run. She could already see the wheels turning behind his eyes as he took this new information in and how it changed her position on his mental chessboard that was the war. He was a fool if he believed that she would be enamored by his all-knowing persona. He had the magical and political strength to keep Harry safe during the school year and instead year after year he exposed him to dangerous endeavors. This past year alone she had watched Harry struggle with the whole school believing he was lying about Voldemort's return and Dumbledore avoiding her best friend at every turn.
"As her guardian, it is only right that I am present for any disciplinary meeting. I assume I'll have to attend another one for Neville. I do understand that they left the school grounds without permission but I do believe there are extenuating circumstances that would mean they should not be severely punished. Don't you think them being cooped up in the hospital wing and almost facing death at the hands of the individuals responsible for torturing my beloved son and daughter in law is enough?" Gran said reaching over to pat her hand Hermione's arm again in comfort. "I almost saw Hermione die in the hospital wing from her injury's Albus. I do believe we need to discuss the safety of your students. I know you had been removed from your office for a short while so I cannot fault you but I am considering pressing formal charges against Umbridge. Did you know she was using a blood quill during her detentions? Some of these children will forever hold scars on their hands from the lines she forced them to write. I do hope she is not in the school anymore."
"It seems that while the children were trying to get in contact with someone in the Order, Professor Umbridge had held the children captive and almost used a dark spell on a student. Her disciplinary procedures are her time at Hogwarts are being examined closely. You are more than welcome to file a complaint with the ministry. I do believe Auror Shacklebolt would be more than happy to speak directly with you over Mr. Longbottom's and Ms. Granger's treatment. Professor Umbridge was found early this morning. She had an unfortunate run-in with the Centaur herd while chasing after the students that went to the ministry." His last sentence was directed towards Hermione. She couldn't help but raise her lips in a small smirk. The pink toad deserved everything she got. Hermione had to comfort far more crying first and second years than she thought possible because of Umbridge's disciplinary methods.
"None of the students will get punished. I wanted to debrief with Ms. Granger over her actions during the battle. Several Order members saw her using progressively darker curses than typically known to a fifth-year student and expressed their concerns over where she had learned the spells."
"Hermione is an avid reader and gets bored quite easily with just the core subjects. I have let her run loose in the Longbottom library and we do not restrict it, unlike the Hogwarts library. The Longbottom's have always said that with knowledge comes power. I encourage both Hermione and Neville to explore their interests no matter where it takes them." Hermione watched as Gran leveled the Headmaster with a knowing look. "You and I both know Albus that magic is much more than just light and dark. Intent reigns above all else."
The room remained silent as the witch and wizard stared intensely at each other. Hermione had known that Augusta did not blindly follow Dumbledore like the Weasley's did but this was the first time she noticed a distinct anger directed towards him. It was curious.
"If that is all Albus. I do believe I should take Hermione home via floo. A long train ride can't be good for her injuries. Professor Snape has already sent over the needed healing potions and I'll send a house-elf to collect her trunk from the dormitories if you don't mind." Gran said standing watching with a hawk eye as Hermione also stood with a wince at moving her injury. "It will be a long summer of resting and recovering for you young lady."
Hermione nodded not risking arguing with Gran and letting the older woman change her mind and leave her in the Headmaster's office. Gran as always was a saving grace, much better than Merlin himself. "Yes, Gran."
"Rest well Ms. Granger. I will tell Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter where you have gone so they will not worry." Dumbledore remarked as he stood and offered the floo powder pot to Augusta.
"Thank you, Headmaster," Hermione said standing the hearth. Within seconds of Gran flinging the powder down and echoing their location Hermione was back home. The warm wood beams that lined with receiving room and the plush seating area was a welcoming sight. With a flick of her wand, Gran had cleaned the soot from their clothing and wrapped Hermione in a long-overdue embrace.
"My dear girl," Gran muttered into her think curls. "I thought I was going to lose you too."
"I'm sorry," Hermione said as tears welled in her eyes. "I didn't mean to worry you. I couldn't let them go alone. I tried my hardest to keep Neville at the school but he wouldn't listen to me. I kept him safe through the battle. Tried to watch over him as much as I could. He went face to face will Bellatrix."
"Shh," Gran said patting her back as Hermione fully succumbed to tears. "You did your best. I do want to discuss everything that happened but I think a calming draught and a rest is needed. We can have a full discussion with Neville after our guest arrives from the train."
Hermione nodded and pulled away whipping at her tears that refused to stop. The exhaustion of holding everything together finally wearing her down. She watched as Gran called for one of the Longbottom elves and instructed Hermione's favorite elf to escort her to her room and return to Hogwarts together with everything she had left behind. With another quick squeeze from Gran, Pinky grabbed onto Hermione's hand and pulled her in the direction of her room. Hiding in her bed for the rest of the afternoon sound exactly what she needed. Hopefully, she would be able to get herself together before not only Neville arrived from the train station but also Draco and Mrs. Malfoy.
A/N: Hello Everyone! I should be studying for a huge comprehensive exam I have in two days but instead I'm procrastinating by writing another chapter. Please everyone cross your fingers that I pass this exam, its one of the things I need to graduate with my masters in May.
All of the comments, follows and favs have been wonderful and motivating to keep writing this lovely fic. Keep them coming! Let me know what you think will happen. I do not have a beta so excuse all of the spelling and grammar mistakes. I go over these as much as I can before I post but things still fall through the cracks. I hope you all have a wonderful time reading this!