Updated and improved chapter two

Chapter 2

Reminiscing

I spend a good hour struggling, trying to pull my wrists out of the ropes until my wrists are bleeding and sore; I know what if I get free, I can still get my belongings and apparate to school. Eventually, I realise that it is pointless; I can't get free.

I then lie there thinking back to my happy times in school. When I walked into the entrance hall and saw Professor McGonagall. When I sat on the stool and the hat began to talk to me.

*FLASHBACKS* (A/N bold is Hermione's thoughts whilst the speech is the hat - I wasn't too sure how to show the difference)

"Well hello." I looked around in shock. "No child, only you can hear me."

What house will I be in?

"Which house do you think? Which do you want to be in?"

Gryffindor I thought desperately. Please!

"i definitely think you would fit in there. Although Ravenclaw. Then again there is a lot of Slytherin in you."

No! Not Slytherin! Please Gryffindor.

"Very well young Miss, maybe then you will talk about your father to the Head of Gryffindor!" I heard the hat shout the last word and Professor McGonagall pulled the hat off my head, after which I walked to the Gryffindor table. When I sat, I looked back at the stage and saw Professor McGonagall looking at me, smiling proudly.

*END FLASHBACK*

I thought back to second year, waking up after being petrified;

*FLASHBACK*

I opened my eyes and saw a white ceiling above me. It was so bright that I had to close my eyes again. My left arm ached so much, though I couldn't remember why. Suddenly I felt a hand on mine. I wanted to move away, for fear of being hurt, but I was so stiff that I couldn't. then I felt someone gently rubbing circles into my palm and I knew that I wouldn't be harmed. The world went dark and silent as I fell asleep again.

When I woke up again, the hand still held mine and as my eyes fluttered open again, I saw the owner of the hand watching my carefully, a protective look in their eyes. Professor McGonagall. I tried to sit up and, seeing me struggle, she leaned forwards and gently pushed me back down again.

"Stay still, Miss Granger, you were petrified for nearly a month. Give yourself time to wake up, dear."

As I laid back down and watched her, I remembered what had happened and I suddenly sat back up. "Where are Harry and Ron? The basilisk. They need to know-"

"Hush, hush. It's okay. They worked it out thanks to the paper you found. The basilisk is gone. It's over."

"Who opened the chamber?" I said, sitting back again.

McGonagall hesitated for a moment before saying. "Ginny Weasley."

"WHAT?" I shot up, and then whimpered in pain as my sore muscles protested.

"She was brainwashed, dear. She didn't know what she was doing." Professor McGonagall went on to explain what happened when Ginny was taken into the Chamber of Secrets. I sat there aghast.

"I must say, Riddle's plan was a good one. I wonder what he did to that diary though…" I felt McGonagall's hand squeeze my own and looked back at her.

"Dont worry about it, dear. We Professors will figure out what happened. You focus on getting better; I know Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley are very worried about you and I'm sure they are anxious to tell you all that you missed."

*END FLASHBACK*

After I had been cleared by Madame Pomfrey;

*FLASHBACK*

I stood by the doors of the Great Hall and watched as Fred and George nodded in my direction. I watched Harry and Ron's heads turn and when they saw me, they stood and I ran straight at them to a round of applause. I hugged them both, albeit uncomfortably, and said "You did it! You figured it out!"

"We did it; we couldn't have done it without you."

*FLASHBACK*

Then I think back to third year when we faced the boggarts. At this point, my secual abuse had only just started and all through the lesson, I had tried my best to stay as far away from the boggart as I could, for fear it would turn into my father and everyone would find out what was happening to me. Afterwards though, it turned out I hadn't been as discrete as I would have liked;

*FLASHBACK*

"Hermione, how come you didn't face the boggart." It was Harry and I knew I could be honest without telling him the full truth; I also knew he wouldn't pry.

"Because my fear is something no one wants to witness."

*END FLASHBACK*

I think back to when Harry and I save Sirius from the Dementors, I was so happy for them both, especially Harry; he finally had some family; and Sirius was finally believed; and I could tell he was so relieved that Harry had believed him. However, I felt so jealous; I knew I would never have that luck. Harry had an escape route now; through Sirius. I would never escape.

Fourth year was wonderful fun. Helping Harry get through the Tri-Wizard Tournament really tested my knowledge and gave me plenty of opportunity to learn more. However, realising at the end of the year that 'Lord' Voldemort had returned made me realise that we had never been safe and now I needed to fight twice as hard to keep myself, and my friends safe.

Fifth year was both horrific and wonderful at the same time. Dumbledore's Army was wonderful and we became one big family, and Harry taught us so much. However, Dolores Umbridge was absolutely pathetic as a teacher and the way she treated Harry made me so angry that I wanted to go and give her a good tongue lashing. Instead I did things the proper way.

*FLASHBACK*

I knocked on the door to Professor McGonagall's office and, upon hearing a muffled "come in." I entered.

"Professor, may I talk to you about something very serious, please?"

"Of course my dear. I told you, you can come to me at any time." The look of concern on her face was incredibly comforting.

"May I lock the door. I don't want Umbridge to overhear this." A strange request I knew, but I decided it was necessary and was very pleased when my Professor agreed, with a slight smirk.

"I'm glad I am not the only one who hates that woman." My Professor said, chuckling quietly. "Sit down, dear."

I laughed and chided teasingly, whilst moving to the chair. "Professor, you should know better than anyone that it isn't professional to speak of your colleagues in such a way." McGonagall looked at me with mirth in her eyes and I just winked.

She smirked again, and said "So, what's the problem, Miss Granger?"

"Erm, it's to do with Umbridge's punishment choices." I looked around the room, worrying slightly about her reaction and whether or not she would believe me.

McGonagall looked up sharply at my words and tone. "What do you mean, dear?" She took her glasses off and looked me straight in the eye, her emerald eyes showing so much concern with an underlying anger. "Has that woman hurt you?"

"Not me Professor, Harry." She looked at me, the questions showing clearly in her eyes, so I explained what happened with Umbridge giving Harry detention and him coming back with I will not tell lies carved into the back of his hand. By the end of my explanation, McGonagall's eyes were like a storm.

"Let me deal with this, Hermione." She practically growled. "No one hurts my cubs."

"You believe me?" I asked, quietly.

"Of course I believe you, lass." The concern was back in her voice, and smiled at the Scottish brogue that seemed so calming to me. "Why wouldn't I believe you?"

"Just that some people don't believe me about things." I said, looking away again.

"What things, lass?" I looked back at her, tears building in my eyes.

"No matter, can you just stop her from hurting Harry, please?"

"Of course, dear. But we will recommence this conversation soon." I nodded, knowing that I had no intention of doing so.

*END FLASHBACK*

I thought back to my sixth year, where I had avoided being alone in a room with McGonagall, in case she asked. I had always assumed she had forgotten about that part of the conversation, though seeing her and Umbridge arguing in the entrance hall had made me so happy, knowing that she had believed me after all.

I wonder if she would believe me if I told her about this.

If I ever see her again…

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