New and improved Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Sudden visitor
I lay for what felt like hours, waiting with bated breath for him to return and start his torture. I had no idea what time it was, only that I knew that I had been here for hours. My mind frantically continued trying to work out how to escape.
I eventually stopped thinking about how to get free and started to thin about the woman who unknowingly saved my life all those years ago. Whilst on the run with the boys I had realised that I missed Professor McGonagall a great deal, admittedly more than I should. Thinking back to that fateful day when she had been hospitalised after being hit with four stunners at once, I remember how hysterical I was when I saw her falling, how scared I was when I heard Madame Pomfrey couldn't heal her and how frail she looked when I went to visit her… worse than how she looked when Dumbledore died the following year. Then she looked so lost, but she forced herself to continue being strong, and she continued to do so, even though anyone could see she wanted to break down like the rest of us.
I was now that I realise that Professor McGonagall had been like the mother I had lost all those years ago. Damn I wish she knew what had happened.
CRACK
The unmistakable noise of someone apparating cut through the air and a second later;
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Someone had just apparated to my hometown and was now knocking at my door. Should I call out? Or do I stay quiet in case it was a former death eater?
Then the door opened.
"Hello? Homenum Revelio." It was a distinctive, female voice that held a Scottish brogue I would recognise anywhere.
"Professor McGonagall?" I called, my voice breaking with relief and stress.
"Miss Granger? Where are you, dear?"
"The bedroom. Upstairs, first door."
A second later, the woman had walked into the room, and seeing me tied to the bed, made to come to my side instantly.
"Stop." She stopped instantly and looked at me questioningly. "What was the first personal question you asked me before I started my first year?"
"'Miss Granger, I have noticed that you appear to be doing a lot of housework and your parents seem to be out a lot of the time. Is everything okay at home?' Now, I suppose it's my turn." I nodded, accepting of her caution as mine was much the same so soon after the war. "What conversation did you promise to recommence with me after informing me of Dolores Umbridge's punishment towards Harry?"
"The one concerning people not believing me about things. In fact I said 'Just that some people don't believe me about things."
"Thank you, and I approve of your caution Miss Granger. Now will you let me help you?"
"Yes, Professor. How did you find me?"
"Well, my dear, being Headmistress has it perks, and you called for my help." She walked over to me and waving her wand, banished my bonds easily.
I rubbed my sore wrists and looking anywhere but at my teacher, said "Professor, may you pass me some clothes from the cupboard?"
"Of course, dear. Anything in particular?" McGonagall was talking like this was the most natural thing in the world and although it helped me feel more relaxed, I was seriously starting to panic about father coming home.
"Anything, but not too tight. I hurt. Professor, what time is it?"
"Six o'clock, dear."
"Oh, god! Hurry!" Father comes home at half-six.
"Miss Granger, what is going on?"
"Call me Hermione and I'll explain later. God knows this conversation is well overdue, though I do want to know what you meant about me calling for your help, because I didn't. But for now, chuck me some clothes and then I need your help." I got dressed hurriedly, thankful that Professor McGonagall listened to my request of loose fitting clothes. Once dressed, I got up and began running around the room, grabbing clothes.
"Hermione…?"
"Follow me! For once, I say screw the Muggle way of things." I led her out of my room and through the corridor to my father's room. Knowing that it would most certainly be locked, I turned to my teacher. "Professor, can you unlock this door, please?"
She pulled out her wand, saying "I think given the situation, you can call me Minerva." Waving her wand, she wordlessly unlocked the door, and I ran inside. "Hermione, why couldn't you have done that? Where is your wand? What is going on?!"
"Oh, Minerva hush for a moment. Let me think. Where would he hide them…?" I wandered around the room, looking for somewhere that father would have hidden my school books, robes, wand etc. Then I heard a floorboards creak and after figuring out which one it was, I began pulling the floorboards up.
There it was my school trunk, Minerva who had obviously (finally!) figured out hat was going on levitated the trunk from the hole under the floor. I then opened it and got out wand. Waving it around accio-d all of my belongings into the never-ending trunk, before slamming it shut.
Turning to Minerva, I said, "Are you going to take me to Weasley's?"
"No dear, you're coming to my home, and then I'm calling Poppy." Waving her wand, she sent my trunk ahead of us, before I had a chance to argue and then held her arm out to me.
With that I held her arm and we were off.
I'm safe.
But I had thought that too soon. Just as we were turning, I heard a shout as Father entered the room. The shine of metal catching sunlight…
I felt Minerva wince.
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