Hermione shifted into a more comfortable position. Still sitting on the carpet, she leaned her right side against the couch and placed her arm onto it. Minerva, lying on her side, pulled Hermione's hand between her own hands, holding it gently.

The young woman closed her eyes for a moment, before she started her story. "There is really not much to tell you. My parents just don't want me around them anymore. We got along quite nicely for a while, but it seems I'm no longer the child they want. When I started Hogwarts everything was exciting for them and my being strange and bookish seemed to be all right all of a sudden. But now…"

She was lost in her thoughts for a while and Minerva waited patiently for her to carry on talking, stroking her hand soothingly.

"They asked me where I'd spend the holidays. I told them I was looking forward to coming home this year and they informed me if that is the case they would visit my aunt over the holidays. I would be tolerated for a few days, but by all means they can't be expected to spend the whole holiday with me in the house. They told the neighbours that I'll be abroad next year so I need to make sure I won't be home during next years holidays at all."

"Don't get me wrong, I always knew I was merely tolerated at home, but I still had the hope… Well, hearing those words from them made it so terribly definite."

A few tears escaped the young woman's eyes and she wiped them off quickly, and for the first time since she started talking she looked directly at Minerva.

"Why don't they want me? Other parents love their children, why can't they? Please be honest with me. I can cope with the truth. Am I that terrible?"

Minerva struggled to sit up, pulling Hermione with her and drew her in a tight embrace.

"No. Dear, listen to me; you're the loveliest young girl I've ever met. I don't know why your parents act like that, but it is not your fault. You've done nothing to deserve this. You should have parents that adore you and love as unconditionally as…"

She trailed off not knowing if she should really tell her, but decided that the young woman needs to hear it and held the crying girl at an arms length for a moment to look into Hermione's red and swollen eyes. "Hermione, for nothing in this world would I give up on you. I couldn't love you more if you were my own daughter. I know that can't make up for your parents lack of love, but its true"

She pulled the young with back into her arms, hoping she did the right thing. Talking about her feelings with someone other than Albus was not something she was very familiar with. Too often had she been hurt, to trust another human being without fearing that her trust might be imposed.

Hermione held on to her as if she feared that Minerva would disappear any second. She was still sobbing madly. "I love you too. Please don't leave me."

"I won't leave you. My dear child, I promise I won't leave you. Shhh…" Minerva cradled her, whispering reassurances until the young woman calmed down, knowing that Hermione wouldn't betray her trust and love.

When the young with had her emotions back under control, she sat back, smiling apologising. "Minerva, I'm…" The older woman cut her off before she could finish. "No, I don't want to hear any apologises. I'm glad you told me what happened and I meant every word I said. I'm not going to leave you and you are more than welcome to stay with me whenever you want, during the holidays and in the castle. I'm here for you."

A new set of tears run down Hermione's cheeks. "Thank you so much. I don't know what I'd do without you." She leaned in for another short hug, before facing the older woman again.

"So…um…I think it is time now for you to tell me how you are," the young witch said, once she had her emotions back under control.

"Oh Hermione, I'm really fine." She had hoped Hermione would forget their little 'deal'.

"Minerva, please." Her voice held a slight tone of warning.

The older woman sighed deeply. "I am fine. Just not all of the time."

"Then tell me when you are not fine and what does 'not fine' mean? Are you in pain?"

"I'm a bit frustrated. That's all. I become tired very quickly and I don't get as much work done as I should." She sounded defeated.

The girl spoke very softly now, placing a gentle hand on the other woman's arm. "Minerva, it only happened a few months ago and you didn't catch a cold, you know? The healers fought for you life for three days. You need to be patient. "

The older woman sighed deeply, closing her eyes. "I know. I was patient, but my chest just won't stop hurting and leaning on that damn walking stick even causes my back to hurt, especially when I'm tired."

"Is your chest constantly hurting?" she asked sympathetically.

Minerva shook her head ever so slightly. "No. Sometimes it hits me rather unexpected"

"What did the healers say?"

"The healers said that I need to take it slowly, because of my age. They ordered me to rest and relax!" She said that as if that was the most ridiculous thing she'd ever heard.

"All the things you're good at." Hermione just couldn't stop the words leaving her mouth.

The older witch shot her a murderous look.

"Minerva, I'm not here to repeat what the healers already said, I'm here to learn how to help you recover more quickly." Hermione grabbed her hand tightly. "What can I do? Tell me what would benefit your healing."

A sudden prick of pain prevented the professor from answering. She gasped as she pressed her hand onto the burning spot on her chest, her other hand grasping a cushion so tightly that the white knuckles were visible.

"Minerva!"

The older woman tried hard not to cry and to breathe the pain away.

Hermione reached out to her, and then hesitated in mid movement, before she slowly pulled Minerva's hand away to place her own warm hand on the same spot, with all her might willing the pain to fade.

Startled at first by such an intimate gesture, Minerva soon focused on the warmth of Hermione's hand until the pain faded as quickly as it came, leaving only a throbbing feeling behind.

Letting out her breath she laid a hand over Hermione's and whispered: "That's exactly what I mean. I'm so tired of this. There are times I feel exhausted and hurt so much that all I long for is a warm place to hide from everything and Albus to hold me, but we so rarely see each other at Hogwarts."

The green eyed witch sounded so tired and sad now, Hermione did the only thing that came to her mind and pulled the older woman carefully into a hug. "I know Minerva. If I only knew what to do to make you feel better."

She released the older witch and looked at her, concern written all over her face.

"You being here already makes me feel better. Your care means a lot to me." She spoke so softly, Hermione had to concentrate very hard to understand her.

"I know I'm not Albus, but I'll be there to offer a warm place to hide when you feel like you need it."

Minerva smiled shyly, gratitude in her eyes and whispered "I think I might need it now. Would you lie down and rest with me for a while?"

"Of course I would. I feel a little tired too."

Hermione stood up and waited until the older woman lay down, then covered her with a blanket, before she laid herself next to her. After both of them had shifted into a comfortable position on the big couch, Minerva let out a sigh of contentment when Hermione snuggled against her. They drifted off to sleep without another word.

When Albus came home an hour later, he sat down and watched them happily until Hermione opened her eyes, quite a while later. He couldn't remember having seen a more peaceful scene in his whole life. 'They finally found each other.'


A kiss for my beta and a big thanks to all my readers!