When Sybill woke up, she almost cried out from the pain in her back and neck. Winky had done her best, trying to make a comfortable bed for her, but the small room was barely more than a broom cupboard.

She had tried returning to her own rooms after Minerva had removed the beast, but had found that she didn't feel safe there anymore. Everywhere she turned, she sensed movement out of the corner of her eye. Small, fluttering movements creeping up on her. But when she turned to look: nothing. After being scared half to death a dozen times and breaking three blue cups, a crystal ball and a table by hurling them at imaginary intruders, she had given up and fled, this time taking Winky and a couple of blankets with her.

It had been late last night, and all the winged demons seemed to be asleep, so she had made her way here without incident. The room might be small and dusty, but it had no windows or other openings where one of those cursed creatures could get in. She had cast all the protective charms on the door she could think of, and after doing a thorough search of the room, the house-elf had sat up the entire night, keeping watch. But Sybill knew that this was not any kind of solution for more than a single night.

Sybill sent Winky out ahead and when she reported back that the corridor was, for the moment, clear of all airborne calamities, ventured out and hurried down towards the kitchens. She was starving by now and felt she had no choice but to risk it. Winky kept at her side, brandishing a broom and a spatula, prepared to defend Sybill with her life if need be.

They made it to the Entrance Hall, but then had to divert in order to avoid a group of ghosts, who were practising a carol for tomorrow's dinner while surrounded by a very enthusiastic group of dragons attempting to squeak along.

Getting to the stairs to the kitchens without passing them, meant going up several floors, and by a route that Sybill would never have found had it not been for Winky's guidance. When they finally reached the painting with the ticklish pear, she had to lean on the wall for a bit and catch her breath.

Suddenly, something cold brushed against her back, startling her.

"Oh, sorry, Professor!" a young boy's voice said. "I didn't know you'd be on the other side of the wall."

Turning around, she saw it was the ghost of a young Hufflepuff, who was drifting in the direction of his common room. Then the boy stopped and looked at her.

"Wait, I almost forgot to tell you. The Headmistress is looking for you, Professor. She asked Sir Nicholas to keep an eye out for you, so he told all of us," he said.

Sybill sighed. Of course Minerva would be looking for her. She was probably going to lecture her again about her 'foolish fear' or something like that. "If she wants me," she huffed, "she can bloody well come find me herself." She tickled the pear so forcefully it gasped rather than giggled and the painting swung open so quickly it knocked Winky off her feet.

Sybill made her way over to one of the benches, and the elf busied herself preparing a very plentiful breakfast for her. But Sybill had only gotten to the second bite, when a whoosh sounded from the fireplace.

"Good morning, Sybill!"

She sighed and turned to see Minerva's head glaring at her from within the flames. Well, no… Not glaring. Sort of frowning.

"Good morning, Minerva," she said and turned around to continue her meal.

"I couldn't find you in the tower yesterday. Is everything alright?" Minerva asked.

"No," Sybill said. She had spent most of last night trying to work out what to give as a reason for her not being able to remain in her tower any longer. She had considered leaving Hogwarts and would have, if she had had any idea where she might go. But nothing had come to her. She could not stay in those rooms. She could not leave. And she could definitely not ever tell Minerva what was wrong…

"I'm scared…" she cried and then hid her face in her hands, sobbing. "I'm terrified…"

She heard a faint pop and huffed, realising that Minerva, probably appalled by such an undignified display, had left again. But a moment later, she heard a soft rustling sound next to her and then there was a hand on her shoulder.

"Easy now, Sybill," Minerva said. "You're safe. There are no dragons in the kitchen."

"But they're everywhere. They're so small they can get in through chimneys, keyholes, cracks in the walls," she wailed. "I can't do it… I can't stay here. But I can't leave either…"

Minerva gently squeezed her shoulder. "You'll be fine, Sybill. Don't worry. Here, take a sip of this." She handed Sybill a small bottle and then, as an afterthought, a large clean handkerchief.

Sybill eyed the bottle. "Thanks, but… I don't drink… anymore…"

Minerva smiled. "It's a Calming Draught. Madam Pomfrey had some left from the last exams. Go on, you'll feel better."

Sybill considered for a moment; then, her hands shaking, opened the bottle and emptied it. "Thank you," she muttered, handing it back to Minerva.

"You're welcome," Minerva said, pocketing the bottle and letting go of Sybill's shoulder. "And I owe you an apology."

Sybill was sure she must have misheard. She stared up at Minerva. "Wha… What?" she managed.

"For not seeing what was going on," Minerva explained. "I realise I have been less than understanding and… I am sorry it resulted in upsetting you. That was never my intention."

"What's to understand? I'm a silly fool that loses it for no reason," Sybill said, looking down at the breakfast she no longer felt like eating. "Isn't that how it's always been?"

"No," Minerva said slowly. "I don't think so. As far as I can see, you do have a reason. But it can be helped. It doesn't have to be like this."

"But it does…" Sybill said. "I mean… It's good for Hogwarts, right? I just have to find a way to live with it. Or go away. Or something…"

"I don't want you to leave your post," Minerva said. "And I agree that the dragons should stay. But that doesn't mean you need to be afraid all the time. I think we can find a way to let you get used to them. Step by step. And you don't have to do it alone."

"I don't?" Sybill frowned and then looked over at Winky. True, the elf had been trying to help, but to be honest, she might actually be making matters worse with all her screaming and flailing.

Minerva followed her gaze and smiled faintly. "I mean that I want to help you. I put you through this, so it seems only right."

Sybill looked back up at her. "That's… That's really kind of you," she said. "But you don't have to. I mean… you must have enough to look after… With the school and all…"

"I can make time," Minerva said with a shrug. "After all, the well-being of one of my teachers is at stake."

Sybill tried to ignore the sinking feeling inside her. "Right…" she said. "I suppose you could give me some time off or something… I could go to St Mungo's and talk to someone. I'm sure they know how to deal with people like me."

Minerva's face fell. "Oh. If you prefer it that way, I can of course do that. But it's not what I had in mind."

"It's not?" Sybill tried not to look too relieved. "Then what do you suggest?"

"That we spend some time together. I can keep away the dragons when they get too eager and warn you where they are when you want to avoid them. And when they are around, I can be there for support."

"But…" Sybill said hesitantly. "That would mean being together almost… all the time…" She blushed. "Like we used to…"

"Ah. Yes." Minerva frowned. "Of course you don't have to take the offer if you'd rather not, after everything that has happened. But, for the sake of clarity, I did of course mean for us to do this as friends."

"Of course," Sybill said, a little too quickly. "Do… Do you have a guest room? Now you're the Headmistress, I mean?"

"I do," Minerva said. "So… Do you think you are ready to join me in my office? There might be some dragons around, but I can go first and contain them in their lair for you. Though perhaps you should finish your breakfast first."

Sybill nodded. "Thank you, Minerva," she said. "For all of it."

Minerva gave her a smile. "You are quite welcome."

…

Sybill spent the entire day in Minerva's office. Thrice, one of the small creatures would pop in, but after the first shock, she managed to handle it with something resembling dignity. When the little one that had scared her in her own classroom showed up looking absolutely exhausted, she agreed to let it go into the lair where it seemed to fall asleep right away. The creature had a tiny bell tied to it and that was really quite practical, because knowing that she would hear it if it tried to come out, helped her not to focus on its presence too much.

Minerva was working most of the time, reading or writing letters. But there was also time to talk. Not about anything serious, just idle friendly chatter. Winky kept them supplied with tea and brought them sandwiches for lunch and a very nice soup for dinner. Suddenly it was dark outside and the tiny dragon let out a mighty yawn, rolling over with a faint tinkle.

Minerva had just received an owl and looked up. "Looks like it's going to be an even busier day tomorrow than I thought," she told Sybill. "Molly Weasley just sent a letter that she would like to spend Christmas here with her whole family, so they can be with Fred. Of course they are welcome, but I suppose I'd better go to bed early… One never knows what the twins will get up to when they are together." With a sigh she looked at the small confetti ghost that was still glued to her ink pot.

"Oh… But how about dinner?" Sybill asked. "Surely Winky can't cook for that many people…"

She turned to look at the elf, expecting a protest. But Winky had fallen asleep on the rug in front of the fire and was snoring happily.

Minerva smiled. "Of course not. The other house-elves will arrive tonight. They were eager to return, but I asked them not to do so during the day in case they'd startle our new friends." She seemed to have started avoiding the word "dragon", as though she was afraid mentioning it would upset Sybill again.

Sybill laughed. "Oh," she said. "I think the dragons would have found it very amusing." She stressed the word just a tiny bit, hoping that Minerva would notice. She would have to get used to the dragons, so she might as well start by getting used to the word.

"Well, they will have plenty to get excited about when they meet all those new people tomorrow," Minerva said. "Which might mean they become rather active… But don't worry. I'll try to stay close at the feast. At least, if you feel up to joining us?"

"I would love to," Sybill said. "Though I may need one more of Madam Pomfrey's potions to get me through. If you think that would be okay?"

"Of course. I will take care of that," Minerva nodded. Then she got up. "I really should go to bed. Is everything in the guestroom to your liking? Lavender, Cho and Cedric will stay here in their lair, so…"

"Yes… It's lovely," Sybill said. As she got to her feet she saw that Winky was waking up, and she smiled as the elf hurried ahead to prepare the bed for her.

…

A few hours later, Sybill woke with a muffled scream. She sat up in the bed and tried to listen over the sound of her own heart pounding. No sounds. No fluttering or squeaking. No scraping of tiny claws crawling towards her.

She considered returning to her broom cupboard, but that would mean wandering through half the school and who knew if all the little beasts really had returned to their assigned lairs. Some might very well be out and about, committing any kind of mischief.

Winky was sleeping on a pillow next to the bed, but waking the elf would hardly make things better.

Sybill lay down and tried to go back to sleep, but it was hopeless. Finally, her cheeks feeling rather warm, she picked up her pillow and blanket and tiptoed through Minerva's office to the Headmistress' bedroom. As quietly as possible, she crept into the bed, making sure to stay as far to the side as she could without risk of falling out.