I changed this chapter because I realized that it was not really in tune to the rest of the story so here is the new 7th chapter.
Ginny approached Nevile and Minerva quite nervously. She knew what she was going to do. She stopped right in front of them, looking from Nevile to Minerva and vice versa.
"May I cut in?" Nevile blushed and Minerva backed away.
"You may." Minerva smiled at Nevile. She didn't realize Ginny wanted to take Nevile's place until her left hand seized Minerva's waist. Nevile's eyes went wide just before he sulked all the way back to his seat. It was hard for Ginny to make eye contact.
"You look wonderful." Ginny's speech suddenly changed as if talking to a teacher would inable her to speak comfortably. Minerva's eyebrow shot up. "I wanted to speak to you about Hermione" Ginny nearly stuttered. The older woman drew in a shuddering breath.
"What about Hermione?" Minerva lowered her voice carefully. Ginny looked straight into Minerva's brilliantly green eyes.
"She's very upset." Ginny could see that Minerva was having no picnic either with this situation. "She told me about what happened and-"
"Weasley, I highly doubt that any of this is of your concern." Minerva's voice was cold and distant. Ginny pulled away from her.
"That's where you're wrong." Ginny felt furious; her voice was stern and full of anger. "Hermione is my best mate, Professor. Anything that concerns her concerns me, and right now she's probably crying her eyes out because you can't take a hint." Ginny's face was filling with blood and her ear drums were throbbing; she continued in a lowered tone. "How many times does she have to devote herself to you before you get the picture? Being a model student, falling to your every beck and call, protecting you when others dragged your name through filth, throwing herself in front of your lifeless body to save you from Bellatrix..." Minerva turned her head to avoid eye contact. Her patience and will were growing thin. "Do you even know what Hermione went through?" There was venom in Ginny's voice and tears in Minerva's eyes now. Minerva grabbed a hold of Ginny's arm and pulled her out of the hall, through the teachers entrance. When Minerva turned to Ginny once more, her tears had spilled on to her cheeks.
"After we were rescued, she told me what happened." Minerva's green eyes turned olive as her pupils dilated. "I didn't know what to say or do-"
"You didn't know what to say to a young woman who saved your life by fighting that insane Death Eater? Bellatrix almost had her. She stood right above her with her wand pointed at Hermione's face." Ginny was crying now, her eyes red and swollen. Minerva choked back a sob. "She knew... she knew what was coming and at the very same moment Bellatrix tried to kill her, Hermione performed a backfireing curse. She watched another human being die, knowing that it was her fault." Ginny temper simmered down to sadness. She wiped at her cheeks and under her eyes as she continued. "She stayed strong, though." Minerva turned her attention to the floor.
"We were taken to St. Mungo's and I had waken up just in time to hear her arguing with Poppy, refusing to leave my side." Minerva couldn't help it, a smile sprung to her lips. Ginny wiped up another tear and chuckled slightly.
"That's Hermione for you. Completely devoted to you." Minerva met Ginny's gaze once more, understanding this was something she could not control.
"She stayed by me the whole time, willing me better." Minerva squinted her eyes in thought. "Now that I think about it, when ever it came time for a sponge bath, she disappeared." Ginny chuckled softly and looked at her professor adoringly. She reached out and wiped the tears from Minerva's aging face.
"Ye should've seen her when she saw the back of your dress." Minerva averted her eyes innocently. "Ah, ye wore it for her." Ginny felt like she was poking fun at one of her friends. Minerva looked back at Ginny with her mouth slightly agape.
"I did not! Albus told me to wear it." Ginny felt light hearted; her best friend was going to find happiness after all. She smiled at the older woman. Minerva pulled her into a warm embrace. "Thank you." Minerva murmured and pulled away. "I needed the sense knocked into me." She chuckled slightly. "It's sad that I took so long." Reaching for the door, Minerva ushered Ginny through it. "Now..." Minerva leaned close to Ginny's ear and whispered. "Where's Potter?" Ginny looked back at Minerva with her eyes wide in surprise. "Oh, yes my dear. Don't think I don't know." Minerva smiled and pushed Ginny gently towards the area where Harry and Ron were sitting once more. Minerva followed close behind as Ginny made her way over to the two young men. Ginny opened her mouth to speak to them but Minerva beat her to it. "Where's Hermione?" Ron and Harry glanced at each other.
"She went up to the common room." Harry tried to keep his face stoic, but judging by Minerva's reaction, he didn't do a very good job. Minerva stood there looking quite guilty and nervous.
"Why did she go up there?" Minerva tried to sound like a concerned teacher. "The Gala's not over," she said as she made her way to the front door that lead to the entrance hall. She climbed the stairs in a hurry, listening to all the gasps and murmurs of the portraits. Once she reached the Gryffindor portrait hole, she said the password and quietly sneaked in. Hermione stood by the fire, not even the least bit interested to find out who came in. Minerva's breath caught; Hermione looked so enchanting with the glow of the fire light. Her champagne gown looked alive with the reflection of the flames dancing across it. Minerva took a few steps closer to Hermione.
"Miss Granger?" Minerva's voice was soft and warm. Hermione turned imediately towards the woman she knew that voice belonged to. She was met with kind eyes and a hint of a smile. "May I have a word?"
