Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters, they of course belong too a miss JK Rowling that we all know and love or we wouldn't be writing these tributes of sorts.

Authors notes: I don't know where this came from but I thought it would be interesting - this will be a Minerva / Hermione story I can assure you, but it might take me a while to get there, I'm not very good at writing Fanfic yet and I know I tend to waffle on a lot of rubbish (smiley face) but you'll just have to go with it. Oh and as I said this will eventually be a HG/MM ship story so if that ain't your thing then don't read below this little line here (Points downwards) oh and this contains ref to abuse so again if that sorta thing upsets you in anyway then please don't read on.

Thanks for taking the time to read my story if you do get any further than the line, and please do review - review mine and I review yours .

Minervarulez

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If You Only Knew……..

Chapter 4 - Dinner

"Ah Molly" Remus said entering the room "Just the person" he smiled

"What can I do for you Remus?" Molly asked taking the mask off, she had been spraying another room for doxys these blighters just wouldn't give up.

"I just wanted to let you know, Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall will be arriving soon, Albus is only staying for dinner I think, but he said something about Minerva staying for longer" he said "He also said that you'd know why Minerva was staying longer?" he sounded slightly confused.

"Thank you Remus" Molly nodded "I'm nearly done here, I'll join you all downstairs shortly"

Remus gave her a nod and left her to it, not wanting to get in the way.

It was four o'clock when Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall arrived at headquarters, everyone was busy helping set up for dinner, or just staying out of the way in the corner of the kitchen. Ginny was busy setting the table with Tonks, not that there much setting of the table going on Ginny was spending more time laughing than setting the table as Tonks was busy keeping her entertained by altering the shape of her nose and various other facial features, they had been scolded by Molly on a few occasions but neither of them bothered. Remus was in deep conversation with Arthur about the current changes the new minister was planning. Ron and Harry were kind of half listening to the conversation and playing a particularly violent game of Wizards chess. Hermione on the other hand was sitting on the couch by the fireplace alone, she was reading a book on advanced transfiguration she had found in the house's vast library earlier when she first arrived. She was sitting very quietly and everyone had almost forgotten she was present for a while, but this was how she wanted it she was grateful in fact for she was in no particular mood to play twenty questions with anyone right now. The rest of the order who were attending dinner this evening would be arriving later.

It was just after five when Albus and Minerva arrived at Headquarters. Albus said a cheery hello to everyone as she glided into the room, he joined Remus and Arthur after offering help to Molly who kindly refused (as usual).

"Where's Minerva?" Molly asked noticing she wasn't with Albus when he entered the room, he smiled across at her

"She'll be here shortly I think she went to but her bag in her usual room" he smiled and sure enough not long after he had finished his sentence she graced the kitchen with her presence.

"I'm right here Molly" Minerva said as she approached her "Sorry was just putting my bag upstairs" she stood beside Molly at the sink and began helping her - as much as Molly would let her that was.

"Thank god you're here Minerva" Molly sighed

"Has she spoken to anyone yet?" Minerva asked in a hushed voice

"No, well not really, she hasn't said anything to anyone except a polite hello, nothing more, its frightfully worring. We are all used to a cheery Hermione." Molly put the now peeled potatoes in a pot, and with a flick of her wand brought it to a slow boil and they made a start on the vegetables.

Minerva glanced over her shoulder, her eyes meeting Hermione's all but briefly and she turned back to Molly "Well eye contact, that was something at least" she gave Molly a slight smile "How long has she been sitting by the fire?"

"To be honest Minerva, I don't really know, she's been that quiet and I've been that busy with dinner." she said looking a bit apologetically "But I'll bet she's been there for a little while at least"

Minerva nodded, making herself a cup of tea, she made her way across the kitchen towards the fireplace. Everyone was watching her closely, each one of them had tried to sit next to Hermione and talk to their troubled friend, and each time she had gotten up and walked either out of the room or to the opposite side finding herself somewhere else to sit they were all eager to see what happened at this attempt. It wasn't really a surprise to any of them though when Hermione did none of these things as Minerva sat down on the couch next to her - she didn't move at all.

"Hermione?" Minerva said softly as she sat down next to her on the couch - very aware to the other eyes on the room watching them closely.

"Professor" Hermione replied in way of acknowledgement, not even lifting her eyes from the page.

"Why so formal my dear, you usually just call me Minerva?" to Minerva this was the first sign that something was very wrong indeed.

"Sorry 'Minerva'" Hermione said in a voice that sounded slightly artificial.

"No need to apologise dear" Minerva said taking a sip from her cup, she glared at each of the others in turn which caused them all to return to what they were doing - all except Albus that is who was still watching them from the corner of his eye.

Hermione glanced at her before going back to her book. "Is everything ok Hermione?" Minerva asked her quietly

Hermione let out a sad sigh and looked at her "Yes" she said quietly, but there was something missing from her eyes, Minerva could see it, there was sadness there, pain.

"We can talk after dinner if you like, alone" Minerva said not wanting to press the matter any further.

"Thank you" Hermione whispered nodding a little, making Minerva smiled slightly

"Right you horrible lot, Dinner's ready" Molly called an hour later. Everyone stood and made there way to the table, Alastor Moody and the twins had arrived half an hour after Albus and Minerva had. Everyone was now sitting at the table except Hermione, and there was only one seat left at the table and that was in-between Remus and Arthur. Minerva watched Hermione from where she was sitting, noticing the display of emotions play across the young woman's face - fear, panic, uncertainty she glanced at Minerva in a plea that could be for help.

"Um Nymphadora would you mind terribly if I asked you to allow Hermione to sit next to me, there was something I wanted to discuss with her" Minerva asked - this would give her a seat in-between herself and Molly.

"Sure, but only if you stop callin' me tha, please call me Tonks" She said getting up and making her way to the other side of the table.

"Thank you ….Tonks" she smiled. Hermione quickly took the now vacant chair gratefully.

"Thank you Minerva" Hermione said looking at her mentor.

"Its not a problem my dear, whatever was the matter" Minerva asked everyone was too busy piling food on their plates to pay any attention to their conversation.

"Nothing, please professor I can't….not right now…..I…..I…..talk to you later? Please?" Hermione asked quietly

Minerva gave her a slight nod. And the rest of dinner past without any comment about Hermione's strange behaviour and turned to other topics, such as the current war, and how everyone's efforts were proceeding.

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thank you for reading, if you get the chance please do review. thankx Minervarulez