Chapter 54 – Afraid?

After the winter break, school resumed as it had left off. The students came back the first Sunday of the New Year and suddenly the school was loud and busy again.

Hermione had spent the days alone in solitude. She hadn't left her room, some days not even her bed. Logical she wanted to come to terms with her new life, but every time she closed her eyes it felt like there was no oxygen in the air. The panic attacks made it nearly impossible for her to eat, sleep or think. The loud noises from the students back on school grounds frightened her to the point that she hid under her blanket in stark fear.

The lack of cooperation between her mind and her body made her furious. She was adamant that she could win this war against herself on her own. Sadly her strong moments were few in between the week ones and she never went far with her resolve before she felt her muscles clench, tasted nausea in her mouth or couldn't breath freely. It felt like she was drowning in her feelings, with no way to stop her spinning thoughts.

The time turner had long lost it's place around her neck and lay broken on the carpet next to the wall. Throwing it had stopped her treacherous thoughts about using it to get back to her daughter, but hadn't helped as much as Hermione had wished.

She wanted someone by her side, telling her it was all just a nightmare, with a happy ending waiting for her as soon as she woke up.

XxX

"I had an idea while we were at home." Albus announced with a grim face. That he hadn't heard back from Delphi didn't change anything for him. Maybe she was busy or didn't want anyone to intercept her letters. "I know you met up with Aunt Hermione for your Dad once, do you still talk to her?"

Scorpius looked at Albus, bewildered, but nodded. "Yes I do, but what is this about?"

"My Da gave me a gift on Xmas we can put to use to get the time turner back. You'll keep her busy some place far from her quarters and I'll search them for the time turner."

"Are you out of your mind? I told you before Christmas that we need to tell one of the adults about Delphini. That woman is bat ass crazy, and the last time we used the time turner it vanished you."

"We won't use it, but I can't have her kill us. And you heard what she said, someone is watching us. She'll know if we tell the adults. So we needed a new plan and here it is. We'll need to invalidate the time turner after we get it back and hand it over. Maybe it's possible to add some kind of spell to knock her out once she touches it. Then we can call in the adults to hand her over and we'll be heroes. Are you in?" Albus knew he was lying through his teeth, but there was no other way to make Scorpius cooperate. The blond boy was dead afraid of Delphi and in the back of his mind Albus knew they needed a back up plan. He wanted to believe that her threats were simply jokes but he liked to be safe, just in case. He wasn't in Slytherin because the Sorting Hat had sung Eenie Meenie Miney Moe.

"This is stupid, but whatever, I'm not leaving you hanging. Count me in." Scorpius agreed and added: "Just one little thing, how do you want to get into her room? We'll need her password."

"No problem, I got my brother's Cloak of Invisibility from his room while we were home." Albus was grinning proudly, but Scorpius felt like there were stones in his stomach. He didn't want to delude Mrs Granger. He hadn't seen her since he had been back at school and hadn't thanked her for the present yet. It was so thoughtful and he could feel it in his pocket where he dragged it around since Christmas.

XxX

"Miss Granger?", Headmistress McGonagall's voice sounded from the portrait guarding Hermione's quarters. Normally they met up every other day over tea to talk about Hogwarts, the students and what was going on beyond the walls. They didn't schedule their meetings, but she hadn't seen the younger woman in over a week and was worried. Even more so when nobody else from the staff had heard anything either, and Professor Sprouse had sounded just as worried as Minerva felt.

Knocking had gotten no response from inside the room. As Headmistress, Professor McGonagall had certain privileges and one of them was knowing that Miss Granger was for certain inside her rooms.

Calling out again, but gaining no answer she sighed and went to go back to her office. She would keep looking out for Miss Granger, but it looked like there was nothing she could do for now.

AN: The normal weekly update! This makes 2 Chapters this week. Thank you for your support.