Minerva carried the seventeen year old with surprising ease. She walked as if she wasn't carrying the girl. She carried her in silence, enjoying the moment of being able to hold her. But as she started to walk on the even pathway that lead straight to the entrance, something occurred to her. With Hermione in her arms, she would not be able to open the doors. Biting the inside of her cheek, Minerva hoped that the castle would sense her need and open them for her, but she had a sinking feeling that today the castle would not be willing to cooperate with her. Sighing quite heavily, Minerva shook her head in despair.

Hermione looked up at the sigh with a frown. "Professor?"

"Hmmm…"

"Is something the matter?"

Minerva pursed her lips slightly. "I cannot open the doors."

"So we're locked out again?" Hermione asked, sounding quite annoyed with the idea.

Chuckling slightly, Minerva shook her head. "Not exactly; if you would just wave your wand at the doors when we arrive, I'll do the rest."

Hermione started to nod her head and reach for her wand when she remembered that she had left it in the tower. Sighing, she closed her eyes and waited for the question. It didn't take long.

"Miss Granger?"

"Yes Professor?"

"You do have your wand don't you?"

"No Professor." She whispered.

Minerva took a deep breath and released it slowly. "Very well," She hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Use mine. It's in its clip on my waist, left side."

Hermione's eyes widened, but she quickly nodded her head. Swallowing around the lump that had suddenly formed in her throat, she reached inside her Professors green robes in search of the elegant wand. As her hand brushed over the soft material, she bit her lip. Forcing herself to focus on the task at hand, she stretched out her fingers only to freeze up when they came in contact with something that wasn't a wand.

Minerva for her part was having trouble keeping her breathing even as she continued to walk, admittedly at a much slower pace than before. She couldn't help it, when was she ever going to get the opportunity to hold the girl like this again? But what really got her heart beating was the light touch on her waist. Making sure to keep walking, she let out a shaky breath.

"A little lower Miss Granger." She said, her voice sounding more husky than usual.

Nodding her head, Hermione moved hand lower, grasping the end of the wand the moment her fingers came in contact. Pulling it out from its clip and the robes, Hermione held it to her chest, waiting for further instructions. She didn't have to wait long.

"When I stop, just give it a wave."

Nodding again, she looked in front of them and found that they were no less than ten metres in front of the doors. Feeling herself sadden slightly, she looked down at the black wand in her hands, turning it over almost nervously.

"Will this work Professor? I always thought that using someone else's wand was almost impossible." She asked suddenly, looking up.

Giving the girl a one of her rare smiles, Minerva nodded her head. "Usually it would be next to impossible to use someone else's wand, but in this case, it won't be you performing the magic, but I."

"But how?"

Looking down into the inquisitive brown eyes, Minerva smiled fully. "Basically, and please do not take offence to this dear, you'll just be moving my wand, while I will be directing the magic from me to my wand."

"You can do that?"

Nodding her head, she looked up at the doors in front of them. "If you know how." She glanced back down. "Ready?"

Hermione nodded and held the long wand in front of her. "Yes."

"Give it a wave." She said, narrowing her eyes in concentration.

Doing as told, Hermione waved it in one long line. Almost immediately the doors opened. Smiling, she looked up at her crush and laughed lightly. Feeling the soft vibrations from the girls laughter sent tingles up and down Minerva's spine. Looking down, she smiled at her before looking back up and entering the castle, falling back into her Professor persona. Not many students were about this time of morning, most being in the Great Hall for breakfast or still fast asleep, but some were walking around the corridors, and it wouldn't do her any good being seen smiling as she carried her favourite student around.

Making her way to the Hospital wing, she nodded at any of the students and portraits that wished her a good morning. So focused on showing no emotion, she almost missed Mr Potter walking past her with a large smile on his face. Frowning in confusion, she continued on to the hospital wing, missing the blush that formed on Hermiones cheeks as her friend passed them.

"You'll have to stay here for an hour or so to allow it to heal properly." Madam Pomfrey said as she placed the girls foot back down on the bed. "After that, you'll be free to go."

Nodding her head, Hermione adjusted herself before leaning back against the pillows. "Thank you Madam Pomfrey." She said, smiling at the kind witch.

Smiling back, the older witch nodded and left her alone with the Headmistress. Once she was gone, Minerva turned and looked down at the girl as she fiddled with the thin blanket covering her legs. "Well Miss Granger, I hope this teaches you not to leave the castle after curfew." She said, her eyes twinkling.

Feeling her face heat up, Hermione nodded her head, barley glancing up at the professor. "Yes Headmistress." She whispered.

Sensing a change in the young woman in front of her, Minerva reached out and patted her on her shoulder. "Rest. I'll see you in class tomorrow."

Once again Hermione nodded, but didn't look up.

Frowning, the emerald clad witch turned and left the ward, wondering about what had made the girl act so differently towards her in the short amount of time they had spent together that morning.

Later that day, Hermione was released from the Hospital wing with strict instructions to stay off her ankle as much as possible and to watch where she was walking. Having spent most of her time thinking about the smirk Harry had given her as he passed them in the hallway, Hermione figured that it would be best to avoid both him and Minerva for the rest of the day. That in mind, she headed for the Room of Requirement.

It wasn't long before she got there, but when she opened the doors, she found herself facing Harry as he stood in front of the fire place she had not asked for. Sighing, she stepped inside and let the doors close behind her, knowing that he wouldn't let her leave now. Moving slowly, she sat down in the seat in front of the fire and waited until Harry sat down next to her.

"So?" He asked, smiling at her.

"So what?"

"What happened?"

"I twisted my ankle."

He frowned. "You know what I mean."

Sighing, she leaned back against the chair and crossed her arms, refusing to look at him. "I hurt my ankle, so she carried me to the hospital wing. That's all."

Narrowing his eyes, he noticed the light dusting of pink to her cheeks. "There's more."

Hermione nodded her head and looked down at her hands, her eyes filling with tears. "When she touched me, it felt as if my body was on fire, but at the same time as if it was covered in ice."

"And?"

"I-I think she knows."