"Min," squealled Hermione as she ran and hugged Minerva tightly much to the amusement of the staff.
Poppy entered the staff room with a scowl on her face. "Hermione Jane Dagworth-Granger, you know better than to run ahead!"
"Sorry Mummy," the toddler said as she walked back to her mother and hugged her legs tightly. "I was just so excited I forgot."
Poppy sighed audibly and rolled her eyes. Hermione had indeed inherited that behavior from Hector. They were single-minded in some areas and she doubted she would ever break the habit not that she wouldn't try to regardless. "Just remember next time," Poppy said matter-of-factly.
"Yes Mummy," Hermione answered relieved her Mum wasn't too upset with her. The girl ran towards Pomona before greeting the Deputy Headmistress. "Good morning Auntie Pom!"
"Good morning Hermione," Pomona cooed and then captivated the girl with a new book regarding muggle flowers.
"Why does she refer to most of the staff as aunts and uncles but not Minerva," Rolanda Hooch asked curiously. "It's obvious Minerva is her favorite!"
Poppy smiled at the question before answering, "Hermione claims Harry as a brother. Since Minerva firmly belongs to him, she believes Minerva to be a sister."
Rolanda snorted in amusement at that. She glanced at Minerva who shrugged her shoulders. "Hermione talks to me about her night terrors and her worries like siblings typically do," Minerva revealed. "I withhold that information from Hector and Poppy so she will continue to do so. I have accepted my place in her heart."
"Night terrors," Filius Flitwick asked.
Poppy nodded her head sadly. "Hermione has empathic tendencies and a very soft heart. She hurts for others and typically releases her emotions in her dreams, thus the night terrors."
"The poor dear," Rolanda replied sadly.
"I don't believe Hermione would have it any other way," Minerva commented. "She helped Harry sort his emotions regarding Lily's death. She has also helped Leland accept his new family. I daresay the boy will be Poppy's son-in-law."
"He practically worships her," agreed Poppy with a grin. "He insists on bringing her muggle fairytales for gifts."
"Is that the boy cured of Lycanthropy?" Slughorn asked.
Poppy nodded her head. "Hector used Lily's notes and his failed potions to create a cure. It has cured Remus and Leland so far. Hector is working with St. Mungo's to mass produce it so that more werewolves can be cured. It takes days of intense brewing to make a single dose."
"That's got to be more costly, than most known werewolves can afford," whistled Rolanda. "Most cannot gain steady employment."
"It is," Minerva answered. "Hector credited Lily as co-creator of the potion. James and Hector has the royalties going into a charity vault and uses that to pay for doses for those unable to purchase it."
"They aren't making a profit?" Slughorn said aghast at the notion.
"Do you realize how rich we are?" Hermione interrupted. "Harry's family has even more!"
"Hermione Jane," scolded Poppy.
The curly headed beauty put her hands on her hips and argued, "Well it's true! Besides Uncle James says we value people more than any gold in our vaults."
"We do dearest," Minerva said while glaring at Poppy as if daring her to say a word to the child. While she understood Poppy's need to teach Hermione about when to talk about her wealth, she also understood the Gryffindor tendencies the girl had. "You my little lioness will always value people more than any other possession," Minerva said as she picked Hermione up and soothed her. "Well maybe not more than Hogwarts: A History!"
"I would give Harry away before my book," Hermione answered with a Cheshire smile.
Minerva chuckled before nodding her head in agreement. "I am inclined to believe it," she whispered before planting a smacking kiss on the girl's cheek.
"Min," protested Hermione as giggles errupted from her.
Minerva raised an eyebrow as she watched Fleamont Potter enter the staff lounge with with Hermione Dagworth-Granger firmly in his arms. The girl talked excitedly to him as he commented briefly before chuckling at her. "I do believe this is our stop Miss Hermione," he said regally as he sat her down in Poppy's lap.
"I want to go back with you Grandfather," she whined uncharacteristically.
Minerva and Poppy shared a look at the new title bestowed upon Fleamont by Hermione. Before either could say a word, he smiled fondly at the dark headed beauty. "You know Harry is a bit sad right now. He's not much fun to be around and he wouldn't want you to be sad at Christmas."
"Harry misses his Mum," Hermione said sadly. "I want to help Harry."
"I know you do," Fleamont replied. "You have been helping him more than you know."
"Min help Harry?" she asked as she looked at Minerva and raised an eyebrow in silent question.
"That's the common consensus," Fleamont said as he gave Minerva a look.
"Harry's attempted to hide his emotions from me this week," Minerva realized with a sad sigh. She had no idea Harry was so sad. "He was trying to allow me finish end of the year business here at Hogwarts, wasn't he?"
"It seems so," Fleamont answered her. The family had wondered why Minerva hadn't been seen at the manor yet with Harry so distraught so it seemed logical that child didn't want to interfere with such a busy time at Hogwarts for her.
Minerva closed her eyes sadly for a moment to gather her thoughts. "Can you finish up with the end year tasks Pomona?" she asked her childhood friend.
"Filius' plans fell through so he will be here to help me," she offered. "Go help that baby heal!"
Minerva thanked her frien and coworker before moving to the door. "I have a few gifts I need to collect in my rooms before we go to Potter Manor."
Fleamont moved to follow the younger witch before stopping at the door. "I shall see you on Boxing Day Hermione," he said with a grin directed at the girl.
"Bye Grandfather," she said as she waved at the older wizard.
"How did you manage to get Lord Potter to agree to allow you to call him Grandfather?" Poppy asked her daughter curiously.
"Padfoot," she answered with a shrug. Poppy just rolled her eyes at the mischievous wizard before engaging Pomona Sprout in conversation.