A/N - I'M BAAAAACK!

When Hermione woke the next morning, it was to the chirping of birds and a small animal rummaging around near the edge of her tent. Peeking her head out, she smiled at the rabbit that seemed to de trying to dig something out from under her tent. Sunlight filtered through the trees and the sky above her was a clear, brilliant blue. The air she breathed in still felt damp and dew still clung to the grass around her. She stretched. Today was going to be a better day, she determined. Every day getting better than the last.

"Good morning."

The young woman squeaked and spun around, not expecting the voice that greeted her. A grinning Madame Hooch, Rolanda, she corrected herself, was sitting between the two tents, on a log, pulling her boots on her feet.

"Good morning, Rolanda." The name felt strange on her tongue. Strange in a good way, she decided, but strange nonetheless.

"How did you sleep?" The older woman set her newly booted foot back on the ground and leaned forward, bracing her elbows on her knees and looking at the younger woman with a gentle stare.

"Honestly? I slept better last night than I have in a year. When we were out there on the run, I didn't really sleep much. We were always afraid that we would get caught if we stayed in one place for too long. One of us always had to keep watch, so sleep was interrupted and even when we could sleep, we were too afraid to close our eyes for fear of being discovered." Hermione pushed her hair away from her face and sighed. "I think I was exhausted enough last night and I would have slept on a rock." She chuckled humorlessly.

"I am glad that you are at least alright talking about it, though." Rolanda stood and walked over to her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "If you ever feel like you want to talk about it, I'll be here. So will Minerva. We all care about you, Hermione."

"Thank you. I think I need to go apologize to Professor McGonagall for yesterday. I was a bit short with her and I shouldn't have been. She was just concerned about me and I snapped at her." Hermione hung her head. She really did feel bad about being nasty with her favorite professor.

Two fingers under her chin made her lift her head. Rolanda was looking at her with a kind smile. "Minerva will understand, Hermione. We are all stressed. It is normal for someone to lash out in situations like this."

"Either way, I should go apologize. She didn't deserve it."

"Let's go then. If we hurry we can make it to the Great Hall for breakfast. It's still rather early." The older witch offered the younger her elbow, just as she had the night before, and led the two of them out of the woods.

Hermione knocked softly on the door that led to her favorite professor's private rooms. She was half hoping that the older woman wouldn't answer. She hadn't been down at breakfast and, while Hermione was sincere about apologizing, she wasn't looking forward to it. Taking a deep breath and steeling her nerves, she knocked again, this time harder. She didn't have to wait long before the door swung open.

Professor McGonagall stood on the other side of the door. Red-rimmed eyes stared down at Hermione. The older witch had been crying. The younger felt as though her insides were being torn to shreds.

"Professor, I'm sorry." She started immediately. "I was angry, and upset. I took it out on you and I had no right to. Please, forgive me." She lowered her eyes to the floor and watched as the stones became hazy and unclear as tears flooded her vision. She heard her mentor click her tongue, tutting, and felt a hand under her chin raise her head for the second time that day.

Minerva opened her arms to the younger woman, waiting for her to choose to step into them. "Come here, dear." she whispered.

Hermione flung herself into her professor's embrace, clinging to her and sobbing into her shoulder. "I'm sorry." she whispered over and over. Arms like steel closed around her tightly, holding her gently against the firm body of her beloved mentor.

"It's alright, Hermione. It's alright." Was murmured over and over into her hair as the professor ran her hands over the young brunette's hair. The two slowly made their way into Professor McGonagall's rooms and the door closed behind them.

Sitting in front of the fire on the couch, Hermione smiled at her favorite teacher. "Professor I-"

"Call me Minerva, Hermione. You have earned that much."

Nodding, the young witch continued. "Minerva, then. I was wondering, why were you so angry with Madame Hooch yesterday? We were just talking and she was telling the truth. I didn't seek her out, we just happened to be in the same place at the same time. It wasn't anything-"

"Hermione!" Minerva chuckled. "Give me a moment to answer. You are right, I was angry with her, but not because she was with you. I think it was the same as you snapping at me. I was looking for someone to be angry at and Madame Hooch was the easiest target. I apologized to her when you ran off. Which, by the way, I was rather worried about you when you didn't come back to the castle last night. Where did you go?"

"I spent the night in the forest. I got rather used to sleeping outside while we were out there by ourselves." Hermione chuckled.

Minerva laughed with her and all was well between the two, to Hermione's mind. Minerva on the other hand knew, this was the perfect opportunity to tell her daughter about her true parentage. How should she bring it up? Would Hermione even want anything to do with her afterwards? She opened her mouth to speak the words, but nothing came out. Instead she called for a house elf, requesting tea and cakes for the two of them, settling herself back on the couch and deciding that there was plenty of time to tell her later. Why rush it?

A/N - WHAT?! Another update? *GASP* Looks like I might be back! HOORAY! As always If you read, please review! Reviews make the world go round! Love ya!

Special shout out to AndraKitty for listening to my random weirdness all the time!