Ministry of Magic

Hermione knew it wasn't going to be a good day, but she also wasn't planning to expel the contents of her stomach in the Ministry toilets upon hearing the recent finding of the court.

All she could do was repeat in her head like a mantra: That wasn't Minerva McGongall. That wasn't Minerva McGonagall. That wasn't Minerva McGongall. That wasn't Minerva McGonagall.

It wasn't her; it was someone far more sinister, someone everyone assumed had died in the war despite having no conclusive evidence of her disappearance and possible death. It was the woman who had wanted her dead but never had the satisfaction of doing so when Hermione was on the run with Harry and Ron.

Bellatrix Lestrange.

Bellatrix, the one death eater who was extremely gifted in transfiguration that the Polyjuice was only a mere supplement to the transfiguration work she did to become McGonagall and her feline animagus.

Hermione never felt a stronger wave of disgust and relief in her life. Ginny was there, comforting Hermione, and the boys were outside waiting for her.

She slumped on the floor of the bathroom, Ginny tenderly placing wet paper towels on her head.

All she could get out of her mouth now was one question: "Where the hell has the real Minerva McGonagall been?"

As Hermione was performing her ablutions, the court acted swiftly, determining that Bellatrix would once again return to Azkaban with no possibility for release. She was also charged in placing powerful confundus charms and some adaptations of the imperius curse on Minerva McGonagall and intercepting her mail and controlling her visitors to McGonagall manor so the dear, aging and ailing professor would not be disturbed in her repose.

Once Bellatrix was safely locked away and Hermione had passed her transfiguration mastery with flying colors, there was only one thing left to do.

McGonagall Manor, Scottish Highlands

Hermione needed to do this, even if she knew she would have trouble looking at Minerva McGonagall for the rest of her life.

She took the first step not with her feet but by apparating and knocking on the large, almost foreboding door, of Minerva McGonagall's house in the highlands. They thought it might be best not to do this in a public place and several aurors were stationed outside the house should something go awry. Out of an abundance of caution, Minerva had agreed to a self-imposed house arrest of several months' time when she would prepare to assume her roles once again at Hogwarts and make amends with her colleagues and, of course, Hermione.

"Hermione, please, come in. Let's get you out of this snowy weather." Minerva greeted her warmly, excited to see her favorite pupil after so many years yet cautious all the same. While she would never know what Bellatrix had done or said to her firsthand, she had an intimate understanding of the perils and anguish of war and couldn't imagine what the young woman was experiencing now.

Minerva briefly spoke to Hermione and one of the aurors to confirm her identity before allowing Hermione safe passage inside the manor.

"Thank you" was all Hermione was able to manage as Minerva shepherded her inside and helped her hang up her winter coat and hat.

Neither of them wished to bring up the topic right away, although they were ready to speak. Minerva showed Hermione around the manor and welcomed her to her library. It was there they sat in plush armchairs and Minerva brought them some tea and a modest tray of snacks. Hermione was about to cry right then and there. Minerva had included the muggle marshmallow rice squares Hermione so adored. If she had any doubts that this was the real Minerva, all of those faded away.

Hermione picked one of the marshmallow treats up and nibbled on it.

"You remembered." she gleamed up at Minerva. It hurt like a pounding headache to look at the woman, but she would be ok. This Minerva had a softer gaze, grayer hair, and was wearing more muggle clothing.

"Of course, dear. I remember you always brought them with you during study sessions. Hermione…sorry cannot begin to describe how I feel about what happened to you, what happened to us. I wasn't there when she hurt you, even if my likeness was. She cut off my floo network, did all sorts of things to keep me here, including seriously injuring my bad knee. I'm so sorry I didn't find you, I'm so sorry I could not get to you before she did. I haven't stepped foot in Hogwarts in years, she kept me out of the wards on the grounds of establishing herself as the real Minerva McGonagall to the castle because she stole an old wand of mine." Minerva pointed to the muggle style brace wrapped around one knee and the wand and cane she kept next to her chair when things flared up. Poppy had been able to provide her some much needed relief, but at her age some of the damage was too great to be undone. Thankfully the same could not be said for Hermione's scar, which had healed thanks to the expert care of the staff at Saint Mungo's.

Minerva continued, "If because of the pain she put you through, what was made to seem that I put you through, you wish not to speak to me again after this, I will reluctantly oblige. If there's anything I can do to help you heal, I will do it without a second thought. I am so proud of you for staying strong and for completing your mastery in transfiguration."

Hermione didn't know what to say. After so many of years of not seeing the real Minerva and never even seeing her much outside of school prior to then, she was at a loss for words. Tears welled up again.

"I…I'm...thank you. I appreciate that. I…I thought it was going to be difficult. I thought it was going to be difficult to see between the professor who became like a mother to me during my time at Hogwarts and … Bellatrix. But I couldn't have been more wrong. YOU are person I remember; you are the professor I wished I had helping me in my training, and you are the friend I wish I had all these years."

"Hemione, you are not to blame yourself for what happened, none of this was at all your fault. I hope you understand that. If anything, I am truly heartbroken I could not stop what happened. I'm touched by your words, truly. I do hope we'll be able to rekindle our friendship, though I know it may be hard to make up for lost time." Minerva said, sincerity apparent in every word.

Hermione DID wish she figured out sooner that the woman who called her every horrid thing except mud blood, at least directly, wasn't really her professor, but she had spiraled too far into the depression and exhaustion the abuse wrought upon her body to investigate why Minerva wasn't quite acting herself.

"Professor…Minerva, can I give you a hug?

In response, Minerva stood up and opened her arms, inviting Hermione closer. Minerva had been prepared for Hermione to get upset, to perhaps yell or even hit her in rage. She had not expected forgiveness for a sin she felt she herself had committed; she had not expected a return of past affections.

Hermione tentatively walked closer and carefully wrapped her arms around Minerva, stepping into the embrace. She then started weeping, a sadness sprung forth that would finally heal the ache in her heart and soul.

Minerva rubbed circles on Hermione's back as she cried into Minerva's shoulder. Minerva found herself crying too, thanking the gods they were reunited years after Hermione's muggle college experience and horrible apprenticeship.

Once her tears had subsided, Hermione removed herself from the embrace. The pair continued talking and Hermione caught her up on everything she had missed since she had graduated from Hogwarts. They then spent some time reading, happy to be in each other's company and Hermione dared to say she felt relaxed. She tensed up a few times and Minerva's animagus senses became alert, reminding her that nobody was intruding her home or her body.

"You look so much like she did, of course. But there's one big difference. It's the reason why I'm fine talking to you and ok with being in your presence again."

"What's that, Hermione?" Minerva asked, genuinely curious as to what Hermione was alluding to.

"When she was pretending to be you, the most I got was fake care and understanding, words that didn't really mean anything. With you, it's always been the real thing. Can't you tell? The thing that sets you apart, makes me feel awful for ever thinking that horrid witch was you is love. You love me enough to never see me again if that were the one thing that would bring me solace. Truthfully, all that I want is to get to know you again to prove to myself once and for all that I haven't lost your support and friendship."

Now it was Minerva's turn to be speechless. "Nothing would please me more than to spend time with you again, dear Hermione, even if the road ahead is a little uncertain. Please stay in touch, I don't want us to lose each other again."

And with that, Hermione left the manor for the day, intent on returning. The one thing she thought would be the hardest thing to do had become almost like a cure, a direction forward in the healing if only she could mend the rift that had grown between them from Bellatrix's terrible games.

She'd still get the nightmares and panic attacks, still erupted at anger and yelled back at Minerva on several occasions, but always moving forward. She was right. Love cannot be simply won or given under duress. It can't be faked with Polyjuice potion or rushed in the span of a few hours or a day. Their restored friendship wouldn't be easy, but it would be what finally closed McGonagall's case file.

Two years later, Hermione would be the new transfiguration professor at Hogwarts, training under McGonagall before she retired. Minerva redid the headmistress quarters so as not to remind Hermione of what happened before, instead celebrating this new chapter in their lives and wholeness again in their hearts.

End note: I hope you found this exploration into a possible dark McGonagall interesting and enjoyable. Did you expect the twist? I do hope to resume writing more often, but this winter and spring are going to be very busy for me.