Healing at home
(For those who are wondering, the French term of endearment 'bebe' is pronounced "buh-bay")
Light was barely coming through the windows of the infirmary when the stirring of Hermione woke Minerva. Hermione was still asleep, unconsciously adjusting her position. Minerva was wide awake now, very much aware of her surroundings. They both slept through the night, but this sudden stirring brought Minerva to full alertness. Hermione was still lying on her left side, and Minerva for lack of a better word, was 'spooning' her. Not in a dirty way, but the way a mother would hold a distraught child after a nightmare. Hermione was apparently on the verge of wakefulness as she was starting to become restless. Though she was wide awake, herself, Minerva dared not wake Hermione – she needed her sleep, and the shock of someone waking her could send her into a flashback. Minerva laid there, her arm still draped over her young cub, whose breathing was steady and regular – to Minerva's satisfaction. Not once during the night did Hermione wake with a nightmare. Minerva found herself about to doze again, when Hermione shifted around once more. This time, Hermione's backside molded into Minerva's pelvis – if they were sitting upright, Hermione would be sitting on her lap. A wave of heat flowed through Minerva, for reasons she chose to avoid thinking about. The arm that Minerva had draped over Hermione was clasped tightly in the young student's hand – as though she were a security blanket.
It was at this time that Minerva realized that sometime during the night, the sheet that was secured above Hermione's chest had fallen. The hand that was clutching Minerva's was just below Hermione's breast. Minerva's breath hitched as she released Hermione's hand and drew the sheet back above her chest. 'To save her embarrassment, of course', thought Minerva. They lied like this awhile longer, Minerva barely breathing, as she inhaled the patchouli perfume that Hermione always wore – an intoxicating sent. She must have dozed off again when she heard Cedric Diggory whisper, "Hermione?"
Minerva didn't move a muscle, or open her eyes – she lied there with bated breath. "Hermione?" Cedric whispered again.
Hermione opened her eyes to see her lover. "Ced?" she asked, still half asleep.
"Yes, bebe, I told you I would be here at first light."
Hermione breathed in deeply through her nose, then exhaled through her mouth – forcing herself to wake. "What time is it?" she asked.
"Barely 6 A.M." he replied.
Hermione blinked slowly several times before looking deeply into Cedric's. "You okay?" she asked.
Cedric chuckled – "Are you seriously asking if I'm okay?...Oh petite, bebe." He said, shaking his head with a smile on his face. "You are one of a kind, aren't you?"
"Mmm, I try to be…" Hermione said sleepily. She rubbed her eyes, suddenly aware of the arm that was draped over her. "She stayed with me the whole night…" Hermione said in almost disbelief.
"I take it you worked things out?" Cedric asked.
"I dare say we have." Hermione replied, gently removing Minerva's arm she sat up, holding the sheet above her chest. "I had horrid nightmares last night, Ced." Hermione told him, "she came in the middle of one, we patched things up but I didn't want to be alone. I asked if she would stay, and she did. This was the first time since everything happened, that I slept soundly through the night. It feels wonderful." She said.
"I'm glad, bebe." Cedric replied, relief in his eyes. He bent down and kissed Hermione's lips softly – but Hermione deepened the kiss. Minerva laid still, eyes closed – pretending to be asleep. She felt uncomfortable and awkward knowing that Hermione and Cedric were kissing not one foot away. She tried not to think about it, but felt a slight shiver run through her body when she heard Hermione whimper quietly as they kissed. 'Time to put an end to this.' Minerva thought. She cleared her throat and stirred in the bed – pretending to wake up. Hermione and Cedric parted, smiling at each other. Hermione turned around to see Minerva stretching her arms and opening her eyes.
"Good morning, professor." Hermione said.
"Good morning." Minerva replied. "It appears you slept soundly through the night, Hermione."
"I did – it was actually the best night's sleep I've had in awhile. Thank you so much for staying with me last night, professor, it helped a great deal."
"Of course, my dear – anytime." Minerva said, rolling onto her other side – her back now to Cedric and Hermione. "I'd like to get another hour if I could."
It was just then that Cedric realized that Hermione was naked from the waist up, save for the sheet covering her chest. "My dear bebe, I do believe you are quite naked under there." He said playfully. "I hope you girls behaved yourselves last night." Hermione snickered. They waited for a scolding, which never came. Minerva didn't move a muscle, her back was still facing them, her eyes were closed and she was hugging a pillow. Hermione and Cedric assumed she fell back asleep. Pushing the joke further, Cedric said "Did you wear her out Hermione?" Hermione snorted – trying to suppress a laugh. Without moving an inch, Minerva said in a warning tone: "You are sailing perilously close to the wind, Mr. Diggory." Hermione and Cedric burst out in laughter.
They were still laughing when Poppy Pomfrey came around the curtain to check on Hermione. "Looks like I've interrupted something…..Merlin's beard!" she exclaimed.
Minerva's eyes shot open in panic, and Hermione turned to face Poppy, a worried expression on her face – "what?" she asked.
"Hermione," Poppy said almost in a whisper, "Your back!"
"What?" Hermione asked in a worried voice. Minerva bolted up in bed and turned to look at Hermione's exposed back.
"Oh my…" she said quietly.
"What? What?" Hermione said, now panicked.
Cedric walked around the bed to take a look and saw…nothing. Her back was completely healed. As of last night, she had a bright red boot print, along with cuts and bruises to her back, now it looked as if she had never been injured. Her back was smooth and porcelain white.
"It's healed, Hermione." Cedric said in disbelief. "This is NOT what it looked like when I left you last night."
Hermione jumped up and ran for the mirror – too caught up to remember that she had nothing on but boxer shorts and a sheet. The sheet fell to the floor as Hermione made her way across the room. Hermione, her front facing the group, turned her head so she could look at her back in the mirror. Minerva averted her eyes, and Poppy swore that she saw the Deputy Headmistress blush. Poppy picked up the t-shirt that was slung over a chair and walked over to Hermione. "The wounds under your chest have healed completely too, I don't understand it!"
Hermione looked at the skin below her perfectly shaped breasts, and gasped – "What the hell?"
"Ahem". Minerva cleared her throat.
"Sorry, I mean 'What the heck?'' Hermione chuckled. She put the t-shirt on and walked back to the bed.
"That healing salve should not have spontaneously healed over-night like that." Poppy said.
"Well I have heard of witches and wizards whose bodies possessed accelerated healing abilities, I've just never seen it for myself." Minerva said, shaking her head.
"I'm not so sure it was Hermione herself doing the healing. She's had those wounds for quite awhile now – and all of a sudden they are gone?..." Poppy said, "But look, she still has wounds on her chest, stomach, legs and left arm…"
"What are you saying, Poppy?" Minerva asked, not sure where she was going with this.
"I'm not sure just yet, there are a couple of books I want to consult before I make any assumptions." Poppy disappeared behind the curtain and made for her office.
Hermione lied back on the bed and winced. "What's the matter bebe?" Cedric asked.
"Nothing." She replied. Minerva and Cedric exchanged a look, then both looked at her with expressions that said 'Liar.'
"Ok, ok." Hermione said, holding her hands up in surrender. "I was a little overzealous when I ran over to the mirror. Truth is, I'm still in a lot of pain. I think I need a good, long soak in some hot water."
"I can fetch a basin and some washcloths." Minerva offered.
"No," Hermione said quickly, "I want to take a hot bath. And Cedric, no offense, but you smell like you could use one too."
Cedric laughed, "Yeah, I didn't feel up to taking a shower when I got back last night, and I promised to be here this morning."
"Well I hope you two don't think you'll be taking one together now." Minerva said, raising her stern eyes up to them. "I seem to recall you referring to Mr. Diggory as a certain 'something' at the Yule Ball."
"What, you mean my 'lover'?" Hermione asked with a chuckle – knowing full well Minerva knew what that 'certain something' was.
Minerva cleared her throat in a disapproving way, "Yes. That's the one, Miss Weasley. We may be having a discussion about that later I should warn you, about –"
"Oh don't worry, we're careful." Cedric interrupted, by accident.
Minerva's face paled about 4 shades, yet she was still blushing madly. "Remember what I said about sailing to close to the wind, Mr. Diggory," Minerva warned him, "What I was going to say was – we may be having a discussion about what is appropriate and what is inappropriate, not only as a Gryffindor, but as a student of Hogwarts as well. While you are in this castle, and especially my house, you will respect the rules and not act on any behavior which may embarrass the school, or yourselves – Miss. Granger."
Barely had the words left her lips did Minerva realize what she said…again. She saw the pain, then anger in Hermione's eyes, and Minerva held her face in her hands. 'Damn'. She thought.
Hermione stood up, "Minerva – oh wait, I mean Professor McGonnagall." Hermione said in overly formal, icy tone. "Would you be so kind as to tell Madame Pomfrey that I will be in the bath?" Hermione turned on her heal, and stormed through the door leading to the infirmary's bathroom so hard that her bare feet slapped against the stone floor loudly. Cedric looked at Hermione leave, then back at Minerva with a 'Really? This again?' expression on his face. He sighed and shook his head, then ran after to the bathroom saying "Hermione, wait!"
"Cedric, no!" Minerva called after him. He turned and looked at her, "Give her some time."
Cedric walked back to Minerva, and sat in the chair by the bed. Poppy appeared from behind the curtain again, carrying a very large, old, open book. Minerva looked up, "Ah, Poppy, did you figure out how she was healed?"
Poppy looked up quietly, nodding her head. "And?..." Minerva probed, not in the mood for anymore suspense.
"You did it." Poppy said quietly. Cedric raised his head and looked at Minerva – who looked absolutely confused. "Excuse me?" She asked Poppy.
"You did it, Minerva." She repeated.
"How? I'm not a healer!" Minerva said, searching Poppy's face for clarification.
Poppy sat on the bed and showed Minerva the passage she found in the book. "Here, look. It's called Magical Transference. It happens on a subconscious level – probably while you were sleeping. It's extremely rare, only a few cases have been documented – and each of those cases showed that it can only occur between 2 extremely powerful witches and/or wizards."
Minerva shook her head, "Poppy, I still don't understand."
Poppy sighed, trying to figure out how to explain. "Ok. The reason it occurred to me is because when I got up for a drink of water in the middle of the night, I checked on you two to make sure everything was alright. Hermione was lying on her left side, you were lying right up against her, with your one arm draped over her. Correct?"
"Yes." Minerva said slowly.
"Think about the areas on her body that are healed, Minerva! Her back, her right arm, and below her chest where she was holding your hand!" Poppy replied excitedly.
A wave of emotion that Minerva could not define ran through her veins. "You're saying…I did that? I still don't understand how!"
"Right," Poppy continued, "The witch or wizard on the giving and receiving ends must be extremely powerful not just magically, but mentally as well. It happens on a subconscious level during dual meditation – where hands are held, or on an unconscious level – such as when you are both asleep. The subconscious is still at work – transferring some of your magical and mental strength and energy – over to Hermione, where she fuses it with her own – thereby accelerating her healing. If it were done through meditation, Hermione could direct the energy to the parts of her body that need the healing, but when sleeping – the energy is directed to contact points only, where you were touching."
"Well, why is this so rare? There a many powerful witches and wizards out there, I would think it could be used more often." Minerva replied.
"Because there needs to be a strong connection between the giver and the receiver." Poppy read on: "A bond stronger than friendship. The participants of the transference must not only care deeply for another, but love another strongly enough that the sacrifice can be made."
Cedric narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.
"Wait, wait. What sacrifice?" Minerva asked.
"Your magic, Minerva." Poppy said, "It was lending Hermione your magic and strength. You wouldn't have been able to do it unless you were 100% willing to make that sacrifice for her. And she wouldn't have been able to heal unless she was 100% willing to accept that part of you into her."
The three of them sat quiet for a moment. "She is my student." Minerva said quietly, "She is in love with Cedric."
"We all know she is more than just a student to you, Minerva." Poppy said. "When was the last time you mentored someone for Merlin's sake? It's been years! And yes, she is in love with Cedric – yes, she is your student, but there are many types of love Minerva. You mentor her, she is your protégé – of course you care about her and love her! She respects you, looks up to you, and knows you are helping her achieve her potential – that can't be done without care and love. It's the love a mother would have for her child. A mother will do everything in her power to see her child not be hurt, even if it meant sacrificing herself, her life – this is the type of love you have for her. It's been there since first year – you knew how hard it was for her to be thrust into a world she never knew existed before, being teased for being muggle-born. You took her under your wing."
Minerva was quiet, processing everything. Was that the heat she felt surge through her last night? 'Yes, it must be' – she tried to convince herself, 'what else could it possibly be?' She pushed the other possibilities she chose not to think about out of her mind, naively convincing herself that what she felt was 'transference'.
"Think of it this way, professor." Cedric began. "Mrs. Weasley was not Hermione's biological mother, but she loved her so much that she was willing to make Hermione her flesh and blood. That wouldn't have happened if she didn't care about her and love her as a mother would. Bonds of love are not just between couples and blood-kin."
Some of this was lost on Minerva. She has always kept herself at a distance from everyone. She has only ever held back, in her personal and professional life. She didn't even differentiate between the two because Hogwarts was her whole life. There wasn't time for anything, or anyone else. How did things change in this way? And why? Minerva knew she had a lot of thinking to do.
Poppy looked around the room. "Hermione has been in the bathroom for quite some time now."
"Oh yeah, she decided to soak in a hot bubble-bath." Cedric said, "Sorry we forgot to tell you."
"Well, she's still not fully recovered – the heat could go to her head, I'm not comfortable with her being in there alone – Minerva would you mind? I would like to floo my sister at St. Mungo's. She is a healer on the muggle medicine floor, and I think she would be very interested in what has happened – she's been bothering me to get something published." Poppy said.
"Wait Poppy," Minerva said cautiously, "I really don't want my name published, and I don't think Hermione would either."
"No worries, names will be changed to protect the innocent!" Poppy said excitedly, hurrying out of the room.
Minerva sighed, "All right, Mr. Diggory – why don't you prepare yourself for the day, and I will see to Miss. Weasley."
"Actually professor," he started, "I think it might be a good idea for me to speak with her first. She can get pretty hot-headed, so to speak – it might be better if I saw her first."
Minerva raised an eyebrow and bore an expression that read nothing less than "I don't think so."
Cedric held up his hands, "Don't worry, no peeking, it wouldn't be appropriate. I promise." Minerva thought for a second, then nodded. Cedric walked towards the bathroom, "not the right time or place, either…" he said under his breath.
"What was that Mr. Diggory?" Minerva asked, clearly she had heard him.
"Nothing, professor, just a joke."
Cedric entered the bathroom and saw Hermione sitting in various colored water and bubbles. "Hermione," he began, "you know she didn't mean it, alright? We went through this crap last night – you know how she can get carried away when she is scolding someone, it was an accident. You only just became a Weasley, it's going to take some getting used to for everyone. Especially since we have to alternate between that and Granger when in or out of class."
"Well she should make more of an effort." Hermione said crossly, "And why the bloody hell was she scolding me, anyway?" She complained.
"You're sounding an awful lot like a five year old, 'mione." Cedric said – while Hermione shot him a nasty look. "Why should you be above scolding – because you care about each other? She is making an effort, we all are. Don't you think you're being a bit selfish? I mean, just yesterday you didn't even want our help – or for us to even know, and now you are talking about her making an effort? Shite, Hermione, the woman slept with you all night. Do you think she would have done that for any other student in this school? Or anyone else in general?" He asked, exasperated.
"How dare you speak to me that way, Cedric! I didn't ask for any of this!" Hermione got out of the tub, wrapped herself in a towel, and stood toe-to-toe with him, raging. "I didn't ask for my father – the man who once-upon-a-time told me how much he loved me, who held my hand at the park, who read me stories before going to sleep – that man – to beat me, starve me, then let his friends have-at me like I was some bloody whore. Do you see my bruises? My cuts? My welts? Do you see me reliving what happened every time I close my eyes?...and every time I don't? You can't see inside my head, Cedric Diggory, but if you could – you would run away crying like a little girl, but not me. I see it when I sleep, I see it when I wake – and I have to deal with it. Selfish? I didn't ask for any of this!" she screamed.
"Well neither did we!" Cedric burst out. Hermione stumbled back, looking as though she had been slapped. "I did see what those bastards did to you Hermione, or did you forget? I do see those images when I close my eyes – the images of the woman I love being hurt so badly. It kills me to see you so tormented. I know you're the one who went through it, but we're trying to help you, to go through this with you – so you don't have to feel so goddamn alone! But it seems like everytime someone gets too close, you run away! You pushed McGonnagall away last night, pushed her away just now – what the hell are you so afraid of?" He grabbed Hermione's arms and shook them.
Hermione slapped him across the face so hard that it left a pink handprint on his cheek. He reached up and touched it, shocked.
"What am I so afraid of?" Hermione screeched "THAT'S WHAT I'M SO AFRAID OF!"
Minerva heard them screaming at each other from the next room. She wondered whether she should intervene, but thought better of it. Maybe they needed to have it out – maybe Hermione needed to scream and shout and feel the pain.
Back in the bathroom, Hermione was pacing in front of Cedric like a caged animal, glaring at him with fire in her eyes.
"It's the ones who are supposed to love you who hurt you the most." She said scathingly. "So maybe it's better not to letting anyone in."
"But it sure is lonely all by yourself…" Cedric said quietly.
Hermione stopped and looked at him, feeling some of her anger subside.
"And for your information, I did not hurt you. I tried to get my point across by shaking some sense into you. You are the one who hurt me, in case you haven't noticed." Cedric said calmly.
Hermione looked down in shame, then said "You put your hands on me."
"Hermione, I have never raised a hand to you in anger, I am frustrated – but did NOT hurt you – if I had done that before you were attacked, then you wouldn't be making such a big deal about it." Hermione felt her anger rise a little once again, but Cedric continued: "You aren't the only one going through this you know – we hurt because you hurt."
"But I am the one who did go through it, you bastard." Hermione cried. She had never spoken such harsh words to Cedric.
He wore his breaking heart on his face as he said, "Well if you want to be alone so much, then I guess I'll go." Cedric opened the door to the bathroom.
"Fine, leave! That's all everyone in my life has done anyway! Love me, hurt me, then leave me!" Hermione raged again.
"Goddamn Hermione, what is WRONG with you?" He slammed the door so hard that the windows in the infirmary shook. 'Definitely time to intervene' Minerva decided, standing up.
"That man did NOT love you. Your mom didn't leave you, she died – it's awful, I know – but you have people who CHOSE to bring you into their family – risking powerful magic to make you theirs, body and soul. You have 7 new brothers and sister who are thrilled to have a new sibling. You have Dumbledore, Harry – and you have ME. Do I mean NOTHING? Was what you said at the Yule Ball a lie? When you said "You had me the moment I laid eyes on you?" Hermione cringed, realizing how irrational she was being.
"You have Minerva, the woman who never opens up to ANYONE – least of all a student. The woman who took you under who wing, who mentors you, and who HEALED you!" He shouted.
Hermione raised her head, eyes full of shock. "What?"
"That's right – Poppy looked it up, Minerva is the one who healed your back last night – she transferred her magic and strength to you."
Hermione still looked confused.
"It almost never happens, and can only happen when there is a strong bond between two people – you both have to care about and love each other deeply." Hermione looked away. "That's how I know you're faking your anger towards her." He said.
"How dare you say I'm faking! Why didn't you tell me she healed me?" Hermione yelled.
"I just did." Cedric said coldly. "We aren't going anywhere, so you might as well let us in from the cold. I know you, bebe, I know the reason you push people away is because you have this irrational idea that you are burdening others." Cedric opened the door once again, seeing Minerva on the other side of it. He turned his head back to a shell-shocked Hermione, "Everything else is an act."
Cedric began walking out the door as Hermione screamed "Damn you Cedric!" and threw her towel at him. She collapsed into a heap on the floor, naked and sobbing into the stones. He didn't go to comfort her, he knew he got through to her – she knew what he spoke was the truth, and sometimes the truth hurts.
With his back still turned, he said from the doorway, "The truth is hard, bebe. Sometimes it looks so wrong – the color is off, the style isn't right – but it's where the good ones live. Stop torturing yourself and come live with us." And with that, he left.
Hermione was sobbing so hard she began to hiccup. Minerva entered quietly, not expecting to see Hermione crumpled up and naked. She walked over to Hermione, removed her green velvet outer robe, and draped it over the shaking Hermione. Hermione flinched, not aware of Minerva's presence until just then. Her wet, brown eyes looked up into concerned, emerald ones. Minerva sat on the ground next to Hermione and wrapped her arms around her. Hermione laid her head in Minerva's lap, sobbing while Minerva stroked her hair.
When Hermione calmed herself enough to speak, she asked quietly, "Why?"
"Why what, my dear?" Minerva asked in most gentle voice.
"Why are you so kind to me, even when I've been so awful to you?" Hermione felt her eyes welling up again.
"I thought that would have been obvious dear," Minerva said, "Because I care about you, and love you."
Hermione cried, grateful for the words.
"Shhh, it's ok" Minerva said, comforting Hermione, "I know what you have been through my dear, no one should ever have to endure the mental and physical pain that you have. I have lived a lot longer than I care to admit, and I have learned a thing or two about life along the way." Hermione calmed down again, listening to her mentor impart her wisdom on her.
"I have been through war, Hermione, I know what scars battle can bring – and they do not heal overnight. If I can help you to heal, than I will – physically, and emotionally." Minerva said.
"But why me?" Hermione asked.
Minerva thought for a moment, then said "Cedric is right, you are the first person I have mentored in years – the first person I have made myself available to. Why, you ask? I will tell you a secret, love, because from your first day at Hogwarts, I saw much of myself in you."
Hermione turned her head up with a look that said "Are you insane?"
Minerva laughed, "Yes it's true, of course it's not the parts that I show to students. What I see of myself in you is your intense love of knowledge and learning, your love of hard work, your need for perfection, your desire to be the best witch you can possibly be, your determination, your courage, your strength, your respect for others, and the love in your heart – which burns brighter than fire."
Hermione looked at her with tears in her eyes – blurring her vision. Minerva wiped them away, before continuing, "Yes my dear, I have had friends in my life – friends I have loved dearly, many who became casualties of war. I know it hurts to love and be left behind – I know how you want to put up walls and shut people out to avoid getting hurt, but it is desperately lonely. I have become a lonely old woman with the shell I created for myself over the years – the shell that everyone in the castle knows all too well. I looked at you that first day and said to myself 'I want to help this girl grow up...because she's going to be beautiful, she's going to be strong, and she's going to be powerful.' I saw a glimpse of my old self in you, and knew right away that I wanted to help nurture you, to protect you and your firey passion I wish was still alive in me somewhere."
Hermione sat thoughtfully for a moment before saying quietly "I think it's still there, professor, we just have to find it again…"I'll help you look."
Minerva gave Hermione a squeeze and smiled. "How about we help each other, deal?"
"Deal." Hermione said.
"I want so much to see you happy again, Hermione - so no more walls, right? You will let us help you and love you?" Minerva asked.
"Only if you want to…" Hermione said.
"And no more self-deprecating behavior, either!" Minerva added.
"…I'll try, that's a tough one though." Hermione said.
"I know it is lamb, I know." Minerva hugged and rocked Hermione in silence, before Hermione said, "professor?"
"It's 'Minerva' in private, dear." Minerva reminded her.
"Right, Minerva," Hermione continued. "Did you really heal me?"
Minerva sighed, "From what Poppy tells me, I believe I did."
Hermione was quiet, not sure if she wanted to ask the next question, but she did anyway. "Do you…think you could heal me some more?"
Minerva was quiet for a moment. "If you want to, we can try through meditation…are you up to it?"
"I need to be, I can't stand it anymore." Hermione said.
"Alright then, let's go see Poppy." Minerva helped Hermione to her feet, keeping the robe wrapped around her as they went back to Hermione's bed, where Poppy was mixing a pain potion for Hermione.
"We'd like to try some of that healing through meditation you were talking about, Poppy. How do we do it?" Minerva asked.
"Oh I'm so glad! I really want to see if this works!" Poppy cried.
"I know you are anxious to get published Poppy, but this is for Hermione's sake" Minerva said in a stern voice.
"Yes, of course, Minerva – I want this to work for her!" Poppy pulled the book she read out of earlier and instructed: "Both of you, sit on the bed facing each other." Hermione and Minerva obeyed. "Hermione, I want to keep this sheet draped around you so I can observe your wounds while you two meditate – to see if it works or not." Hermione exchanged Minerva's robe for the sheet. "Now, Minerva, take Hermione's hands into yours – and both of you close your eyes. Minerva – you need to visualize your magic – give it shape, form, color – whatever – just so you can see it, and visualize it flowing from you into Hermione. Hermione – I want you to visualize Minerva's magic and strength, in any way you choose – and direct it to the areas of your body that need healing. You both need to concentrate hard, and visualize as best you can."
"Ok." They both replied. Minerva took Hermione's hands into hers, and they both closed their eyes. Taking deep breaths, they both tried to envision what Poppy told them to. In Minerva's mind, she saw a bright, golden light – which burned brighter than fire, and imagined pushing it from her core, down her arms, and into Hermione.
Hermione suddenly saw, behind closed eyes, a bright golden light – which burned brighter than fire, and not only saw it – but felt it, tingle up her arms and into her body. Intense heat followed the tingling, and a thought popped into Hermione's head: "your courage, your strength, your respect for others, and the love in your heart – which burns brighter than fire." She felt Minerva's strength, her magic, her raw and incomparable power…and her love for Hermione.
Soon it felt as though heat was surging between them. They felt strong vibrations pulsating through the connection at their hands, to their very center. It was intense, and soon they found themselves starting to breathe fast, deep, and hard.
Poppy meanwhile, was inspecting various areas on Hermione's body…it was working. She saw bruises and welts fade, and cuts close up. It was as if someone was using the "reparo" charm on a broken object.
The surging between Minerva and Hermione's bodies grew until it felt as though they were one. It became so intense that their eyes snapped open and they were staring directly into each other's. Their breathing became faster and deeper, their hearts pounding, sweat forming on their foreheads. Their gazes were fixed so hard it was as though they were in each other's minds. Suddenly there was a burst of energy that hit them both so hard that it broke them apart, each flying to opposite sides of the bed, panting hard – heads spinning.
"Hermione." Poppy said softly. Hermione was trying to catch her breath, unable to move any part of her body but her eyes, which she directed at Poppy, waiting for the verdict.
"It worked." Poppy whispered.
Hermione smiled in relief. Poppy checked on Minerva while Hermione regained feeling to her body. She leapt up and ran to the mirror, dragging the sheet with her. Her skin looked as it once did – clear, smooth, and pale. She shrieked in excitement as she ran back to the bed, throwing herself into Minerva's arms – weeping. "Thank you, thank you." She repeated over and over – "It doesn't hurt anymore, thank you, thank you." While Hermione was sobbing, Minerva was still catching her breath. She wrapped her arms around Hermione and kissed her on the top of her head, stroking her hair.
Hermione cried happy, grateful tears awhile longer before she said in a tiny voice, "I love you."
Minerva's heart skipped a beat and she felt the strange warmth run through her again – a warmth that was different from the healing energy though…"I love you too" she replied. Minerva tried to steady her breathing, but somehow knew in her heart that things would never be the same – Hermione was not just any student…but what would that mean?
Thanks for reading, I really didn't know where I was going with this – so I just started randomly typing. I don't know if it works or not, so please I would appreciate reviews. If it doesn't work, I can always revise – or go in another direction. There is more exciting and scary stuff to come, but I'm not sure if this certain chapter works. Please click the review button! Please please please!