Minerva entered the Hospital Wing after a very eventful morning. She had found clothing of wizarding robes and muggle clothing, since she had popped into muggle London, and if Hermione didn't like them she could transfigure them into something she'd like to wear. Minerva smiled at the pair that sat on the hospital bed with a book opened Richard explained things that Hermione didn't fully understand.
"Hello you two. I see you've gotten to know each other." said Minerva with a smile and she sat down in the empty chair next to the bed. "Now, I got you some clothes. If they don't fit or you don't like them we can change them easily with magic."
"Yes ma'am. Richard is explaining Hogwarts history to me." said Hermione with a bright smile. "It's so interesting! I can't wait to learn more."
"Easy there cub." said Richard placing a gentle hand on Hermione's shoulder. "Now, listen to me and carefully all right." She nodded her head. "You are new to the wizarding world, and I know you want to learn everything you can get your hands on, but it's not the way to do it. You don't want to be a walking text book and be able to give the professors a text book answer. But read and be ready for class. Read the chapters and homework assigned to you, but don't over do it by giving them extra on a written essay or going into weeks ahead of the class."
"But I'll get into trouble if I fail." whispered Hermione looking down at her hands that rested in her lap.
Richard placed a finger under Hermione's chin and gently lifted her face to make her look at him. He thumbed away a fallen tear. "No, sweetheart you won't be punished for failing. We might ground you until we see improvement, but we will never cause you physical or mental harm. We only ask for you to do your best, and just be a child. We want you to have and make mistakes. It's all part of growing up."
"Hermione make friends and don't spend large amounts of time in the books. If you love to read wonderful, but do it in moderation. We don't want you to be made fun of all right?" said Minerva.
"Ok, I can do that." said Hermione with a smile.
Albus walked into the wing followed by Severus, which his robes blew gracefully behind him. He turned on his heels and his black robes swirled around his ankles and shut the door behind him. He turned back and smirked at the young witch.
"How are we feeling Miss Granger?" asked Albus with a twinkle in his blue eyes.
"Oh, much better sir." said Hermione. "I'm ready to leave. I'm tried of the bed."
Severus walked up to the trio, and Richard rose from the bed and stepped back slightly. The Potions Master's pulled out a purple beaded bag from his robe's pocket. He handed it over to Hermione.
"What's this sir?" asked Hermione taking the bag. "It's so light."
"Open it." said Severus with a smirk.
Hermione smiled and pulled open the lovely bag. She looked inside and saw it was deep in the inside. She stuck her hand down in the bag and it came up past her shoulder. She grabbed the first item and sat it down on the bed. It was a small wooden chest. She lifted the lid and saw it had her daily doses of potions labeled and how much and at what time to take with them in neat curled writing. Hermione closed the top.
"Go on see what else is inside it." said Severus. "It's an endless bag and won't get heavy and designed not to tear or to be stolen."
"Severus, you shouldn't have done that." said Richard.
The dark headed wizard shook his head and said, "Everyone should have a good travel bag."
Hermione beamed at the man next to her and stuck her hand back in the bag. She pulled out a nice cauldron with a stainless steal stir spoon. She saw on the handle that it had her name engraved in the handle. She gently sat it aside and stuck her hand back in the bag. She pulled out several books. She saw that they were potions books. One was her fist year course book and the other was an introduction to beginning potions. She put her hand inside one more time and pulled out another chest from the bag. She saw that it was her potions kit that she needed for her first year. She slowly opened the lid and saw it had everything she need in it and more.
"Oh, wow thank you so much Professor Snape," said Hermione and threw her arms around his neck.
"You're welcome Hermione." whispered Severus in her ear turning her hug with a one handed hug. He pulled back rose to full elegant height.
""Now, Professor Snape informed me that I should place maps in the first year student's letters." Hermione nodded her head. "I do believe this will do." said the Headmaster handing her the map.
She took the map from the elderly wizard and saw that it had the Hogwarts symbol on the front. She smiled and opened it and saw the locations of the classrooms, towers, library and the teacher's offices.
"This is great Professor. I believe this will help a lot for the first years. I mean this place is huge. It will take months to get use to." said Hermione with a smile.
Poppy entered the wing from her office door. "All right dear. Let's get one last scan and if things are good you are free to leave."
"Oh, that sounds great." said Hermione. She put her things back in her bag and sat it on the table next to her. "Ok, let's get this over with."
Everyone stepped back and Poppy pulled out her wand. She ran a quick test on the young witch. She looked at everyone. She said, "Well, everything has healed up nicely. Now, take the potions that Severus has made you. I want to see you in three weeks. Ok. If you have any reaction to the potions let me know."
"I will I promise." said Hermione.
Minerva pulled out a small bag from her robe pocket. She took out her wand from her sleeve and tapped the bag and watched it grow in size. She pulled out a pair of jean shorts and a blue t shirt with gold shooting stars. She took out a pair sneakers and socks along with under garments, but kept those in a smaller bag and put them on the bed next to her.
"Go into the bathroom and get changed while we wait out here." said Minerva. Hermione smiled and grabbed her clothing and the small bag. She walked to the bathroom.
Minerva waved her wand and the items that were in Hermione's beaded bag went back inside it and it magically closed itself. She put her wand back up her sleeve. She turned to Severus and put her hands on her hips.
"Severus, what in the name of Merlin has gotten into you? Hermione's going to think she'll receive special treatment from you once school starts. You didn't have to get her such things. I know how cruel you are to your students. You leave first years in tears! I don't want Hermione's hopes up high about you being kind to her, and then crushed the minute she walks into your classroom."
Severus could feel a headache forming thanks to Minerva's screeching. He raised his righted hand and rubbed his temples with his index finger and thumb to relieve the pressure.
He said tiredly, "Minerva, that child has been through hell and back. The only happiness she has had is when you and Richard gained custody of her. I just wanted to do something to bring a smile to her face. She does need the things I made for her. The potions to make a full recovery and the books and potions supplies she will need. The bag is good to have. My mother Eileen keeps one on her at all times. She will not receive special treatment from me in class nor will I be too harsh on her. I give you my word."
Minerva took a moment to take in what the Potions Master had just said. She nodded her head slowly. Just then Hermione walked over to the group. She smiled. It was the first time she had gotten anything new. All her clothing had been given to her from people around her block and they were either too big or too small. The jeans were a little on the long side but they fit in the waist and the shirt fit her just right showing the small amount of curves that were growing. Minerva nodding approval grateful that she had bought the training bras.
"I'm ready to go." said Hermione happily and grabbed her purple beaded bag and threw it over her right shoulder. "Thank you Professor Snape for everything. And thank you Madame Pomphery for fixing me up."
Poppy lightly patted Hermione on the cheek. "You're welcome. Now, you take care of her."
"Let's go home Hermione." said Richard holding out each a hand to his wife and young charge and the family left the school for McGonagall Manor.
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The trio appeared in front of a large iron gate with an elegant letter M on the it. Richard pulled out his wand and tapped it in several places and the gate swung open. He took Hermione's hand into his own and pricked her finger with his wand and dropped a single blood drop on the gate and then stepped inside the large grounds and dropped several drops of blood onto the ground. He explained as he did it that the magical wards would let her through the gates and onto the grounds. He went onto to explain that any person without permission or had access would be magically thrown 50 feet away from the gate.
A horse drawn carriage approached the trio with a house elf at the front. "Hellos Master and Mistress and Little Miss. I bes Hilgo. Yous met mes wife Tricksy, Little Miss. Pleases gets in, it bes long walks."
"Oh, it's nice to meet you Hilgo. Thank you for the ride." said Hermione after she got into the carriage and Minerva and Richard got in and sat down beside Hermione. The carriage jerked slightly and they were off towards the manor.
Hermione looked around the large spacious grounds that were very well kept. The grass was a lush green as far as the eye could see. Then on the far right was a large cemetery where the McGonagall family had been buried for the past 700 years. Hermione's eyes widen at the news.
"Wow, it's a castle!" said Hermione when the Manor appeared into view.
The castle was much smaller then Hogwarts with four floors and three towers and stone shown with graying with age and two large wooden doors with four steps.
Richard chuckled at the young witch. "My dear I am a Duke. So naturally the castle got passed down to me. But I hate titles. So, I work for a living along side doing what government things must be done. We are simple people Hermione only wanting to make a difference. Minnie wanting to teach and with me helping abuse children. You will meet Mum after while. She lives in the west wing of the castle."
"Yes sir." said Hermione the carriage jerked slightly to a stop and the trio got out and Hilgo took carriage around the back.
The two large doors opened and they stepped into the large entrance hall. It was big with gray walls and grand staircase and large chandelier that hung from the ceiling. Several paintings hung around room that was the Duchess and Dukes of McGonagall Castle.
"Oh finally you're home Richard. I hope everything turned out all right." said a feminine voice echoing slightly around the room.
Hermione looked to the staircase and saw an elegantly dressed elderly woman with long slivered gray hair that was pulled back in a bun at her neck. She had fare wrinkled skin, green eyes, slightly full lips and slender womanly figure and wore finely cut navy blue robes. She used a cane to help her down the stairs.
"You must be Hermione. The news of you my dear had all the house elves in an excited cleaning frenzy. I'm Duchess Annabelle Engrain McGonagall. But you can call me Granny." said Annabelle stepping down to the main floor.
"Hi," said Hermione tucking slightly back behind Minerva like a frighten child.
Minerva's brow frowned slight at this. Hermione hadn't ducked in fear of anything yet. She turned and knelt down in front her charge. "Hermione sweetie, Anna is not going to hurt you." She saw the can through the corner of her eye. "Anna needs the cane to help her walk. She won't use it on you. I promise."
"Oh, heavens no wee one. I would never. The crazy old coot of a healer told me use it or fall." said Annabelle. "Minnie, how can you knell down for so long is beyond me?"
"Ok, I'm sorry Granny. What's the best part about living here?" asked Hermione moving from Minerva.
Minerva smiled and rose to her full height and stood beside her husband. Richard wrapped his arm around her slender waist and watched the couple.
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"Ah very good question there Lassy. It's different each McGonagall." said Annabelle.
"But I'm not a McGonagall." said Hermione as Annabelle stirred her up the stairs.
"Not yet." said Annabelle and winked at the couple and went slowly up the stairs.
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