THANKS FOR THE SUGGESTIONS - I HOPE THIS IS SATISFACTORY, BASED ON WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE - LET ME KNOW IF ITS NOT!
Once again a reminder that quotes from lyrics and what-not are in Bold and Italics – meant to invoke a certain feeling or mood, or something I feel is relevant to the characters/storyline! Thanks for staying interested, however I do love reviews! Hit the button, you know you want to!
Sorry again for all the angst and crisis – like I said before, it is cathartic for me regarding my past (though I never turned into a Phoenix…that would have been awesome…)
Choices
"Why in the world are you here? Surely not to live in pain and fear."
Minerva helped Hermione back to the castle and to her private quarters which Hermione shared with her once before. Hermione flopped down on the couch, sweat pouring from her face. "I'm going to summon Poppy." Minerva said.
"No." Hermione replied, holding her hand out to Minerva. "I'm really ok, just need to rest…please don't leave me."
Minerva looked down at Hermione, clearly not believing her. She took her hand and sat next to her on the couch – wrapping her arms around her, but not before sending a patronus off to inform Albus, Poppy and the Weasleys that Hermione was safe and in her quarters.
They sat in silence for awhile, as Minerva stroked Hermione's hair and hummed that sweet lullaby that she did in the forest. Hermione's breathing slowed considerably as she began to relax. Minerva began to stroke Hermione's cheek, and felt a wetness upon her hand – Hermione was crying silent tears. "Poppet?" Minerva whispered.
Hermione sniffed and wiped her face. Then, in a voice so tiny that is was barely audible, Hermione asked, "Minerva?...What is wrong with me?"
I wish I could say the right words, to lead you through this land…"
Minerva did not know how to approach the issue, did not know what words to say, but she made an attempt in any case. "Love, you have been through so much in such a short amount of time – more than anyone should have to go through in a lifetime…or two. You were dealt so many harsh blows – your body went through the wringer so many times, it is no wonder you were overwhelmed."
"That's not what I mean…" Hermione replied. "What is going on with my magic? It frightens me how powerful I am getting…and I know it frightens all of you…which is why you took Morgaine away from me."
"I will admit that we are concerned, and wary – but we are not frightened of you. We are frightened for you – just as Molly said." Minerva explained. "Morgaine will not be gone forever – just until we can find a way to ground your magic back to where it needs to be…think of us like your kite string – pulling you back to earth. We said it before, you are going down a road that we cannot, and will not follow. We love you, but your magic is on the edge of a knife right now. Stray but a little, and you will be thrown into a darkness which we will not be able to pull you back from. You need to trust us, you need to allow us to help – it can be done. It is going to require a lot of hard work, and focus – but it is what you need to do if you want to see Morgaine again. If you want to marry Cedric, if you want to continue having family and friends who would rather love you…then have to put a stop to you someday."
"She came from the grave much graver – everything is turning out so dark."
The words frightened Hermione, but got through to her on some level, nonetheless. She thought of Voldemort. She thought of Minerva warning her that she could become the darkest witch in 500 years…Minerva's words just now – 'family and friends who would rather love you…then have to put a stop you someday'. Minerva could feel Hermione's body tense. She knew that Hermione did not want to go down that path – that until today, she never imagined herself becoming the next Lord Voldemort.
"Minerva?...Where is my baby? Where is Cedric?..." Hermione asked – though she wasn't even sure she would want to see Cedric after walking off with her child.
"I assure you that Morgaine is in a safe place…and Cedric will be back soon." Minerva replied.
Something rang in Hermione's mind, she pushed away from Minerva and looked her in the eye. "That's a strange choice of words…'back'? Please, Minerva – please tell me he didn't take her out of Hogwarts!" Hermione cried.
"Of course not, Hermione! We know that cannot happen until the Blood Rite is performed between you and Cedric. Do you honestly believe that we would make her vulnerable to an attack from Lucious Malfoy?" Minerva said.
Hermione calmed down, feeling the fear dissipate, however it did concern her how quickly her emotions were getting out of hand. Hermione whispered, "Maybe she is better off without me…"
Minerva's expression turned deadly serious as she sat up, "Hermione. Look at me. She would not be better off without you…"
"Mother is God in the eyes of a child."
Minerva continued, "She needs you. She needs the real you. You cannot raise her towards the future if you are stuck in the past. No, you will not forget what happened to you, but you will eventually be able to look back on it without melting down. You will be able to acknowledge the tragedy, but not tie it to your emotions or magic. You will have nights where you dream, where you cry, where you feel lost – but it is up to you whether you let your emotions control you or not. It will be a long and difficult road, but if you do what needs to be done, and trust us, then you will be a better witch, better mother, and better person for it."
Hermione had so many thoughts in her head, she didn't know where to begin. "What do I tell her? What do I tell my baby when she asks where she came from…or why her mother is so sad?"
"You will perform the Blood Rite with Cedric, she won't have to know or ask where she came from…and you will not be sad forever, poppet – believe me." Minerva replied.
"But what do I tell her if she were to find out? There are other ways that she can..." Hermione said.
"You tell her…you tell her that our lives can change with every breath we take – you and I both know that. You tell her that there is bad in this world, but there is also good in it as well. She will know that she has a mother who loves her so much that she would die for her…and almost did."
"That is not something that you need to concern yourself with right now, dear. It will be years down the road before that topic will come up – if it does at all. Your focus needs to be on the present – keep your mind where your body it." Minerva said.
"I like that." Replied Hermione. "Keep my mind where my body is…" Hermione repeated it several times – like a mantra – she was able to bring herself back down.
"Don't forget, once the Blood Rite is performed, Morgaine will – for all intents and purposes, be Cedric's as well as yours." Minerva said.
"Yeah." Hermione said in a disjointed way. She unwrapped herself from Minerva's arms and walked to the fireplace – resting her hands on the mantle. She looked into the flames as though and became lost in thought. Minerva watched Hermione for awhile, knowing that she was getting stuck in her head.
"What is it, Hermione? Where are you right now?" Minerva asked.
Hermione sighed, "I'm right here."
"Where did you go?" Minerva asked.
"Nowhere." Replied Hermione. "I've been right here…no flashbacks. It's just…something I have been thinking about." Hermione took a deep breath before continuing. "I am not so sure that I want the Blood Rite to be performed with Cedric."
Minerva was thrown. She had to digest that comment for a moment before she was able to speak. "What?" she asked. "Did I hear you right?"
Hermione turned, sighed, and sat back down – looking directly into Minerva's eyes. "You heard me right."
"But Hermione, the Blood Rite has to be performed with someone, otherwise Morgaine will never be able to leave Hogwarts without Lucious Malfoy being able to track her…" Minerva said.
"I'm aware of that." Replied Hermione. "I have every intention on having the Blood Rite performed, but Cedric is not going to be a part of it."
"Then who?.." Minerva trailed off. Hermione stood once more, wrapped her arms around herself and stared into the fire again.
"I thought that would have been obvious…" Hermione said. There was a moment of sustained silence when all that could be heard was the crackling of the fire. It became so uncomfortable that Minerva had to break the silence, but all she could muster was a "well…"
Hermione did not turn around, she couldn't stand having to face Minerva while she said what needed to be said. "Cedric and I are not who we once were…so much has changed – things can never go back to the way they were."
"Of course they can't go back, that's why it is called the 'future'". Minerva replied gently.
"You don't get it." Hermione continued. "I began to feel this way before I took off. I think I finally began to realize my feelings after you healed me the first time…when we were looking into each other's eyes…"
"Hermione, stop." Minerva said so sternly that Hermione turned around to face her, eyes narrowed. "There was powerful magic at work – it had nothing to do with anything else."
"I know you have felt something for me all along…and you still do…"
"I feel for you the way a mother does for her child – I told you that before. I feel for you because you are a cub in my house, and my mentee." Minerva replied.
Hermione rushed over to Minerva's side, "Exactly! Exactly! You have never taken a mentee before! I am your protégé! I am the only student, present or former, whom you request to call Minerva! You told me that from the moment you saw me, you wanted to help me – to protect me, that you saw a bit of you in me."
"I wanted to help you become a better witch – I wanted to help you grow up…that is all, Hermione. I am sorry if you thought there was something more, but there is not. You are dealing with all that has happened to you – and the powerful magic that we invoked…that did feel intense – but it was magic, Hermione." Minerva replied – yet she was looking away, she could not face Hermione.
"You're right, Minerva." Hermione knelt down in front of Minerva, resting her hands on her knees. "Look at me." As Minerva turned her head, Hermione could see the tears streaming down her face. "I said you are right…it was magic – but not the type that we learn in school…it was something more – something that I have felt many times before with you, but never admitted it – never wanted to admit to myself."
"Hermione. Please, stop." Minerva begged.
"No. I will not. I am going to get this out, and you are going to listen. Then I am going to leave you for awhile to think. If - when I come back – you can look at me and honestly tell me that you do not feel the same for me – that you do not share the same feelings…then I will say nothing more about it…but I want you to let me speak – without interruption…please. I need to get this out, and if I don't do it now – I never will. Can you agree to this?" Hermione was looking deep into Minerva's eyes, pleading for her to listen.
Tears slipped from Minerva's eyes when she closed them…but she nodded to Hermione, nonetheless.
Hermione took a deep breath and stood. "Ok." And with that one word, Hermione didn't know where to begin. She knew that Minerva gave her the stage, but now that she was on it – she had stage fright. She could feel Minerva's eyes staring into her back. Hermione began to pace, trying to find the words. She figured that the order of the words didn't matter, as long as they were all said. "I can read people, Minerva. Not in a magical way – in a human way. I know that there is something between us – between our souls. You know it too…you can deny it all you want, God knows I have…but I can't do it any longer. The closer I get to Cedric, the farther I stray from you – and it is not right. I thought that I came back to Hogwarts in order to claim Cedric, so we could run away together – that he was the missing puzzle piece…but it wasn't him, it isn't him. It was you. It is you. You are the one I came back for. I wanted to run away with Cedric…to run away from the feelings I have for you. Yes, I love Cedric – but not in the way that I should…I found Cedric, 5 years ago – when my life was turbulent, dealing with the "mud-blood" abuse – I was breaking. But I found you first, and you found me – the moment you put the sorting hat on my head. Cedric may have helped me through a very difficult time in my life…but you have been there through it all. I can no longer get what I need from him…and he can no longer get what he needs from me. I know it sounds callous, but the truth is that to everything there is a season. And Cedric's season is over. There are people in your life who are roots, and there are people in your life who are leaves. The leaves float into your life – help you learn what you need to for that time…then float away. The roots are what sustain you – which keep you alive – keep you whole. Cedric is a leaf, but you are a root in my life, Minerva…so to speak. I was young, a child – and I needed to experience the things that children do – to grow with my friends, to do the "socially acceptable" thing with relationships – to be straight…with someone my age. But I am not a child anymore, Minerva. I know what I want. I know what I need. I need you. It may have only been 6 years that passed, but after all I have been through – it might as well be 60. You told before that you knew I was an "old soul". I have denied the way I feel for so long now that it is killing me inside. I have died enough times. You all say that I deserve better…and I think I finally am beginning to believe that is true. I do deserve better. I deserve to feel the way I feel and not be ashamed of it – I deserve to come out of hiding, to hold my head high, and strong – and feel the peace I so desperately long for."
Hermione's pacing became more feverish. Minerva could not believe what she was hearing. She thought back to what Cedric said to her: 'I'm not blind Minerva…I see the way you are when you are when you are close to her. I see the way she relaxes at your touch – the powerful bond you are able to share with each other through your minds…you have been able to get through to her in ways that no one else can – which means there is more to your bond than mother/daughter affection, even if you don't want to admit it to yourselves yet.' Minerva wondered if there was truth to Cedric's words…and Hermione's. She knew that she felt something from the moment she saw Hermione – that she saw herself in her, that she wanted to help her grow and thrive. But as the years progressed, did it become something more? Something that they never realized on a conscious level? They did care for each other – Minerva knew how flushed she would feel when Hermione slept beside her – how intense the healing session was. Was it really just the intensity of magic? Or was it something more? She remembered that day – her fingers interlocked with Hermione's, both of them breathing hard, staring past each other's eyes and into their very souls…she remembered how it felt to know that there was nothing between her and Hermione but a thin white sheet. She also remembered pushing those thoughts and feelings…and fears out of her mind at the time…choosing not to admit to herself that there was anything to it.
She refocused her attention upon Hermione, who continued: "I am seeking peace, but at what price? How does one find it when upon looking into a mirror, they see a monster staring back? Sleepless nights, pillows soaked with tears, flesh covered in scars from the battle waging within. Time cannot heal all if you are working with a broken clock. Forever trapped in the nighttime, frozen in a permanent eclipse. To watch the world burn…love is so beautifully ugly, but can there be love without passion? Can there be passion without love? A passion so fierce that it leaves you both panting, wanting more – only to drop you to your knees in agony while screaming curses in the dark? Causing you to love and hate yourself all at the same time. Passion cannot exist without love, because while passion makes you feel, it is the love that makes you real. They have to co-exist for a relationship to work." Hermione turned to face Minerva, whose tears were running down her face in a stream. "That is why it does not work with Cedric and I, Minerva. That is why it cannot work. What I felt downstairs with him was not love – it was passion. Everyone tells us how fiercely we love each other – but that is all it is. Ferocity. We are passionate towards each other – but it is not love, no matter how I try to convince myself that it is…in my heart of hearts, I know it is not. It is blind, feral, passion – bordering on obsessive. I realized it when I saw him for the first time after all these months – the look in his eyes. Yes, I was excited to see you – but I did not reflect in my heart what I saw in his eyes. If it was love – if it was more than physical need…then I would have called to him in the graveyard – and not you. I want you to think hard – if there was nothing between us, you would not have heard my call – you would not have known where to find me…but you did. You found me – as you have done so time and time again. I realized this, and came to terms with it when I was gone. When I was in hiding, I barely thought of Cedric – I thought about you every day, sometimes all day. No one has touched or affected me the way you do. You touched my mind, you touch my heart and you touch my soul. After all these years, after all the hours of private lessons, or tea and chess in your private quarters, after all the sleepless nights and nightmares that were calmed only by you, after the near-death experiences you pulled me out of – I think you owe it to me to think this through carefully. I don't want you to make a snap-decision because you don't want to face your own fears…or your own desire. I know it has been years since you have been close to anyone – but we said we would help find each other, and I think this is the way we are supposed to do it. Don't think about age difference. Don't think about student/teacher. Don't think about Cedric. Think about you. Think about your heart. Think about mine. Love isn't logical, Minerva. Do not even attempt to over-analyze it. Concentrate only on what you feel. Let that be your guide."
Hermione walked over to Minerva and lifted her head up by her chin. Minerva was still crying, and starting to breathe hard from emotion.
Hermione whispered. "I want you to know, Minerva. That whatever comes of this, no matter what happens – it is over between Cedric and I. Whether you accept me or refuse me, I am putting an end to this tonight. To continue this charade of normalcy is not fair to him, and it is not fair me – which is why I want you to think very, very carefully about what I have said. I'm tired of being sad. I'm tired of being afraid. I'm tired of trying to stay ahead of the next big thing that comes my way. The only way I will be able to get through any of this is if I stop running – and you need to stop running as well. I know what you are, Minerva McGonagall. I know what I am…I am yours. I always have been, just as you have always been mine. It just wasn't time for us until now…
"Would it not be comfort, just for a time, to believe that we create our own Heavens, and our own Hells?"
Hermione continued, "You told me that I can escape the darkness that I have created for myself – you told me that you would be there every step of the way. Suffering is the road to purity – it is a road that we vowed to take together…but we have suffered enough, don't you think?" Hermione leaned down and gently brought her lips to Minerva's. Minerva did not pull away, but did not kiss back either. Hermione didn't expect her to, but she thought that Minerva needed to know exactly how real this was for her. "This is where I am going to leave you…I want you think carefully – please. Know that I will accept whatever you decide, and I will love you and respect you no less. I love you, Minerva, and I know you love me – it is time for both of us to stop running and start being honest. We deserve it…we need it…we owe it to ourselves to find some happiness – just a little piece of happiness…that belongs only to us. We will be better witches and better people – gathering strength from each other…as we have been doing already."
Hermione left a fleeting kiss on Minerva's lips and walked to the door of her private quarters. When she reached the door, she turned her head to Minerva and said: "So here's where you make your choice…are you ready to be strong?"
As the door clicked shut, Minerva's body slunk off of the couch and she sobbed into her robes.
Hermione entered her private prefect's quarters to think about what she was going to say to Cedric – and how. To her surprise, he was already there – waiting for her. "Cedric." Hermione said.
"Hello, bebe." Cedric replied. It was this term of endearment that solidified Hermione's belief that their time together as a couple was over. Her heart used to flutter when he would call her bebe – she would melt upon hearing it, but this time there was nothing. No emotion – it just became another mundane, every day word. Hermione knew that there was no backing down. It wasn't fair to either of them.
"Cedric." Hermione said as she sat on the bed next to him. "We need to talk…and you aren't going to like everything that I have to say. Actually – you probably won't like anything that I have to say."
"Ok Hermione, you are scaring me." Cedric said.
Hermione took a deep breath and said, "There is no simple way to go about this, so I am just going to have to dive right in." Cedric had a look of fear in his eyes. "Ced, I don't think that I have to tell you that things have been different between us. So much has happened…so much has changed."
Cedric stood and faced Hermione. "Why does this sound like the beginning of a breakup speech, bebe?"
"Because it is, Cedric." Hermione whispered.
Cedric ran his fingers through his hair and exhaled sharply as he began to pace the floor of her room.
Hermione looked down at the floor, chewing on her lower lip. The air in the room became so thick that she felt as though she couldn't breathe. She had no choice but to go on. "Cedric. I love you so much – you are my best friend in all the world…but I think that is all we are – all we can ever be anymore."
"Don't Hermione, just don't!" Cedric yelled – holding his hand up in front of her face.
"Please don't talk to me like that, Ced." Hermione replied, narrowing her eyes.
"How else should I talk, Hermione? I have a right to be upset about this!" Cedric said.
"Yes. You do." Hermione agreed, "But you need to hear me out – you need to understand."
"I understand perfectly well, you are scared – you are running away just how you did before – but I won't let you! You're just tired, is all." Cedric yelled.
Hermione stood, beginning to fume. "I'm beyond tired. I'm beyond scared. I am standing on the mouth of hell and it is going to swallow me whole!..."
"I know, bebe – I will help you…we all will!" Cedric said.
"…and it will choke on me!" Hermione screamed.
Cedric stumbled back a few steps in shock.
Hermione walked up to Cedric, a look of complete earnestness in her eyes. Cedric couldn't help but listen to her. "Cedric. Things have been very wrong for a very long time. It isn't just about the things that happened to me – it's about my response to the trouble, you're response to it. We have always been passionate – but that passion has grown to levels that are frightening me…and I think you as well."
Cedric looked down, confirming what Hermione had just said.
"Things have become too intense for me." Hermione continued. "I'm emotionally exhausted…and physically as well. I'm exhausted from the moment we are in the room together – and it is because I am trying to keep up this act that everything is normal between us, when I know it is not. This isn't love anymore Cedric. I have been trying to convince myself that it is – to keep up appearances for myself and everyone around us, but it isn't love – it's passion and desire – purely physical."
"It is love, Hermione. You are just having doubts because of the new baby, and being home – and us being apart for so long." Cedric said.
"Don't you dare tell me that this is because of hormones, Cedric! Listen to what I am saying – I love you, but I am not in love with you!" Hermione yelled.
"That phrase is so tired, Hermione!" Cedric yelled, grabbing onto Hermione's arms. "Great love is wild, passionate and dangerous. It burns and consumes…"
"…until there is nothing left." Hermione said as she tore away from Cedric. "Look at us, Cedric! All we ever do is fight or act like we are madly in love – there is no in between!"
"We are madly in love, bebe. You are just angry because I took Morgaine away." Cedric said.
"Please stop calling me that." Hermione whispered. Cedric stumbled back as though he was slapped. "I think you may believe that, I think it may be real…for you – but it is no longer real for me. We used to be each other's lifelines, but I learned how to live out there on my own – with absolutely no one to bring me back…and I survived Cedric. I learned how to be my own person – I didn't have to define myself by who I was with."
"You don't mean that, Hermione." Cedric looked Hermione directly in the eyes. "I love you, I have always loved you. We will make this work – we can make this work. We love each other so much – you yourself said so! We are meant for each other!"
Hermione looked down and said, "A man only looks a woman in the eye if he is making an effort to lie to her. You know this as much as I do how over this is, Cedric, only I have made it to the point of admitting it. You have not."
"There is nothing to admit." Cedric said.
"Yes, Ced, there is. I haven't wanted to admit anything to myself for such a long time – but I have been so unhappy because of it."
"So I make you unhappy?" Cedric asked.
"No, Cedric – that isn't what I meant." Hermione replied. "I have been making myself unhappy, and I have made the both of us suffer for it. You deserve happiness just as much as I do."
"I am not suffering, Hermione. I am happy." Cedric said.
"Keep telling yourself that, Ced. I have been telling myself that for so long. I have suffered so much at the hands of others, I cannot afford to suffer by my own hand anymore." Hermione replied.
"So I make you suffer?" Cedric asked, his eyes welling with tears.
"No, please listen to me. You have not made me suffer. I make me suffer – because I have been hiding for so long. I haven't been honest to myself, to you, or to anyone else – and it is unfair to everyone involved. You deserve better, and I am so sorry that I let this go on for as long as it did." Hermione said.
"Wait. Wait. You felt this way before this past year? And what do you mean about 'to anyone else'? There is someone else, isn't there?" Cedric yelled.
Hermione opened her mouth about to speak when Cedric asked quietly, "It's McGonagall, isn't it?"
Hermione looked down in shame, but then realized that she was no longer ashamed. She raised her head, looked him square in the eye and said "Yes. But she is not the only reason."
Cedric's face turned red. "How long have you known?"
"I think I have always known. I just never wanted to admit it to myself – or anyone else. I was afraid of so many things." Hermione replied.
"You have known right from the start? So many years, Hermione. So many years I have loved you, and believed that you loved me. So many years you have lied. How could you have done this to me…to us?" Cedric asked.
"I lied to myself first, Cedric – and I did love you, I still do!" Hermione replied, "I am so sorry, and I understand if you don't want to be a part of my life after all I have put you through – but you are my best friend, and I can't do this without you. I just can't continue with this obsession over one another – it is too fierce, and it's pulling me under."
"So…you're giving me the 'let's still be friends' speech?" Cedric asked bitterly.
"No. It is not, 'let's be friends' – because we are much more than that." Hermione replied. "I think I finally realize that you can have more than one soul mate in this life, Ced. Each one has their own individual purpose and role to play. I want you to still be one of my soul mates, and my best friend…but that is going to be up to you. I cannot convince you – but I do want you to know that this is a definite thing. There is no changing my mind on this – it is time for me to be strong now – and you can either be a part of it, or not."
"It's her, isn't it?" Asked Cedric. "You say you want to be independent and strong – yet you are just latching on to the next thing to come along."
"No. I am not latching on. I gave her a choice as well – to be a part of my life, or not. I am being independent and strong because I am no longer lying to myself or anyone else. If I want to regain control over my magic, and be able to raise Morgaine the way she deserves – then I need to stop trying to do what makes everyone else happy. I need to stop putting on a show – I need to be true to myself."
"Even if it means sacrificing those you have loved?" Cedric asked.
"Even if it means sacrificing my very soul!" Hermione cried as she placed the engagement ring in the palm of Cedric's hand.
"Please don't give this back to me." Cedric made one final plea.
"I am so sorry, Cedric." Hermione said truthfully.
Cedric stood and walked to the door – his hand closed around the ring so tightly that the stones were digging into his flesh. He opened the door and as he was walking out he said. "Yes, Hermione. You will be very sorry."
After Cedric slammed the door behind him, Hermione flopped back on the bed. Her whole body was shaking with tension and relief. She couldn't believe it was over…or at least so she thought.
Hermione laid there for about a half hour. She wanted to give Minerva some time to think, and she needed to calm down herself.
After Hermione rested for a while, she slowly made her way to Minerva's quarters. She whispered the password and entered the sitting room. Minerva was sitting in front of the fire with a glass of fire whiskey in her hand. She turned to face Hermione as she entered the room. Hermione saw that though her eyes were still red, she had stopped crying some time ago. As Hermione crossed the room, Minerva stood to face her. They stopped short of each other. Hermione waited for Minerva to speak – letting her control the situation. Hermione began to doubt that she was going to talk to her when Minerva suddenly closed the distance between them and captured Hermione's mouth in a tender kiss. Hermione closed her eyes and they kissed sweetly for a few moments before breaking away with a smile. They looked into each other's eyes as Hermione said "I take it you thought about what I said."
Minerva smiled and said. "I did, there is still much we need to talk about…but I think you spoke the truth, and I am willing to discuss it further."
The only time Hermione felt herself smile so wide was when her daughter was born. "I can live with that." She said, leading Hermione back to the couch. Minerva wrapped her arms around Hermione as she did before, only this time – there was no fear or reservations about their feelings. They both smiled and sighed, glad to be in each other's arms without having to worry about what it meant, because they knew. They cuddled in front of the fire for about an hour before they began to doze off.
All of a sudden, a bright green flash appeared in the floo as Poppy came bounding out. Minerva and Hermione woke with a start – hearts pounding fast. "Poppy! You scared us!" Minerva cried. She saw the look on Poppy's face and said "…Poppy…what's wrong?"
Poppy looked from Minerva to Hermione with a look of panic. "It's Cedric, he's gone…"
Hermione stood with a rush of anxiety, waiting for Poppy to continue.
"…and so is Morgaine…"
Minerva clapped her hand over her mouth in disbelief. "Oh, Merlin, no!" She looked at Hermione, who didn't flinch. She stood and asked, "Hermione?" Hermione began to shake from head to toe – as though she were vibrating. Her skin looked as though it were glowing from within. Minerva could tell that Hermione was losing it – her fear and anger were taking control of her magic. Minerva's fears were confirmed when she turned Hermione around and saw that where her big brown eyes once were, bright golden orbs with flecks of red now stood.
TBC...
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