Richard took a deep breathe and entered the Hospital Wing. He was exhausted but he wanted to check up on his young charge. He smiled gently at his wife when she saw her curled up at Hermione's side. He could tell that she had enlarged the bed. He walked over to his wife and pulled the blanket over the two sleeping witches. He bent over and kissed Minerva on the forehead. He gently squeezed Hermione's hand and he sat down in the empty chair next to the bed. He watched them sleep. He was grateful that the abuse didn't go into the sexual abuse. He would have physically caused harm to John Granger if rape had shown up on the report. Richard tiredly rubbed his eyes and laid his head back and closed his eyes in hope to catch few minutes of sleep.

Minerva slowly begin stir when bright light from the morning sun hit her eyes. She slowly blinked a couple of times relieved to find Hermione still peacefully asleep in her healing sleep. She needed much rest as possible. She turned her head and saw her husband sleeping in the chair very uncomfortably. She carefully untangled herself from Hermione, who had her arms around her neck. Minerva got up from the bed and gently shook Richard awake.

"Love, you can't get a good night's rest sleeping in the chair like that." said Minerva gently not to wake Hermione.

Richard slowly opened his eyes and smiled gently at his wife. He raised his hand and thumbed her cheek lovely. He captured her lips in a cherished kissed. He pulled back and rested his forehead against hers.

"So how is our girl doing?" asked Richard knowing how his wife already felt about the little girl.

"We'll know once she wakes up. Poppy said once she wakes up and runs a check up, if everything is fine we can take her home." said Minerva with a smile and kissed his cheek and stood to her full elegant height. "Oh, and Severus is somehow bound with Hermione. We don't know how deep it goes."

Richard raised a brow at his wife. He liked Severus but he had a gray aura, and he knew that made him more powerful. He didn't know if he liked the idea of many nearly twenty years her senior. Richard mentally shook his head to clear his thoughts. Hermione hadn't been in their lives 24 hours and he already protective of the little girl.

"Richard it's going to be fine. Severus was really sweet with Hermione. I think he realizes that she might be a major part of is life one day." said Minerva.

The couple's conversation was interrupted by a loud piercing scream. They looked over and saw Hermione kicking and screaming in her sleep. They were both at Hermione's side hoping to wake her from her nightmare.

"Hermione sweetheart, it's only a dream. You're safe here at Hogwarts. Minnie and I are right here. Wake up sweetie." said Richard gently rubbing her head soothingly.

"Minnie, Richard," said Hermione sleepily looking around the room and saw the couple sitting on her bed.

"We're right her sweetheart." said Minerva gently. "You're safe."

The flames in the fireplace turned green and Severus stepped out of the harp. He sighed in relief to find Hermione was awake now. He had a terrified feeling as he was brewing potions for the young witch. He had stayed up all night to get the potions ready knowing the Deputy Headmistress would want Hermione at McGonagall Manor.

"Are you all right Hermione?" asked the Potions Master walking over to the family. He saw her nodded her head. "Good. Minerva I'm nearly done with the potions for Hermione. They should be done by lunch."

"Good heavens child you give a woman a fright." said Poppy walking into the room as soon as Severus had entered the wing. "Now let's run a scan on you real quick."

"Ok." whispered Hermione.

Minerva and Richard stepped back from the bed, and Poppy pulled out her wand. She waved it in several different patterns and a sheet of paper popped out at the end of it. She grabbed the paper and unrolled it. She scanned the paper and looked over at the couple in Hermione charge.

"Well, seems everything has healed up nicely. The only thing that has me considered is Hermione's weight, but it will get back to normal over time. Now, I have instructed Severus to brew Hermione some vitamins that she will take in the mornings and a weight gaining potion to take before each meal time. This will help her keep her food down in her stomach. She will have sleeping draught, but only if her nightmares are bad." said Poppy.

"All right Poppy." said Minerva. She turned to Hermione. "I'm going to run to Hogsmeade and pick you up some clothes. I'll be back after while. Please make sure she's eats dear." She told Richard. "You as well. I'll get something in town. See you after while," and she left the Hospital wing.

"What would you like to eat for breakfast Hermione?" asked Richard.

She thought for a moment. "Some toast and two eggs please with a glass of milk."

Richard smiled and nodded his head. "Tricksy," he called for his personal house elf.

A pop echoed in the hospital wing and a house elf appeared. She long pointed ears, big round bright blue eyes, short nose. She was short and wore clean pressed green robes.

"Master called for Tricksy sirs. What can I dos for yous?" asked the elf.

"Tricksy this is Hermione. She will be living with us until farther notice. You will help us take care of her. Would you like that?"

Tricksy nodded her head and bounced up and down on her feet. "Oh yes sirs. Tricksy likes very much. Since Mistress couldn't have babies!" Tricksy's eyes widen in horror. "Oh, so sorries sirs. I'd not means to say that's."

Richard held up his hand before the elf could say anything else. "Tricksy, it's fine. Sometimes these things happen. Now, remember what Mistress said and I no punishing yourself for wrong doings. We will decide. Now, Hermione and myself would like some breakfast please. I would like my usual. Hermione would like two eggs, toast and a glass of milk."

"Of course sirs and Little Miss I bees right back," said Tricksy and was gone with a pop.

"Now, let me explain the life of an house elf." said Richard noticing that Severus was exiting Poppy's office with a list in his hand. He nodded his head and left the way he entered. "Tricksy, has been in the McGonagall family for nearly fifty years. She's family to us. She helps in taking care of the manor. She fixes our meals and can help take care of you."

"Does she get paid? Does she get time off? It sounds like slavery." said Hermione.

"Many families don't treat their house well. But here at Hogwarts and at home. They are treated very well. We give them a place to live and are allowed to have a mate and baby elves if they wish. They do not take any form of payment. If you offer an elf clothing you are setting them free, but it must be present from the master of the house. In this case me."

The conversation was interrupted by a pop and Tricksy appeared with a tray of food. She sat it down on the end of bed. She snapped her fingers and a fresh clean robe appeared and she laid it neatly on the bed next to Richard.

"Anything else sirs and Little Miss?" asked Tricksy.

"May I ask you question Tricksy?" asked Hermione.

"Of course Little Miss. I wills answer."

"What would happen to you if Master McGonagall let you go from his service?"

"Little Miss, each house elf is set to serve one family until they die. Our magics bes ties with that family. If we are lets goes will be unprotected without much magics. We can also offer protection for our families Little Miss. The longer we serve our families the more powerful we ares and better able to protect and serve thems. I loves my family Little Miss. I have a mate and son named Andy. He's bes Master personal elf. I couldn't bes prouder. I must goes nows Little Miss I makes sure yous have a room," and she left with a crack.

"Do you understand now Hermione?" asked Richard as he poured himself a strong cup of coffee.

"Yes sir." said Hermione as she looked at the potion before her. She took a deep breathe and swallowed it before beginning her meal. "It will just take some getting us to sir."

Richard nodded his head understanding that Hermione's world had changed drastically. He knew that it would take time for everything to settle into place for her. Not just Hermione but for him and his wife.

00

Hit the button and tell me what you think.