Disclaimer: See previous chapters
Chapter 7 – Friendship
The following morning at breakfast found Minerva sitting waiting anxiously to see if Hermione would be down to join them, it took her several hours to calm the young woman the night before, and as reluctant she was to leave her it was not her place to stay uninvited. So she had been sat her since the early hours of the morning staring at the dwindling fire still burning. She was that enthralled with her own thoughts that she didn't hear Molly Weasley enter the kitchen.
"Minerva your up early" she said as she busied herself about the kitchen as she set about setting up for breakfast.
"Early?" Minerva asked "Why what time is it?"
"Its half seven dear" Molly looked at her, noticing how tired she actually looked "Good god Minerva have you even been back to bed?"
"No I came down here for a cup of hot milk and a biscuit after I finally got Hermione settled" Minerva replied
"Oh Minerva, what time was that? Hermione seemed to quieten down pretty quick after you arrived, me and Dora waited around for a while incase you needed a hand" Molly said
"I don't know what time exactly four maybe five. I guess I must have lost track of time" Minerva said getting up from the table slowly and her way over to the sink and placed her now long since empty cup inside.
"Minerva have you really been up all night? Albus wouldn't be pleased if he knew you weren't sleeping properly, he would be angry with me if he thought i was letting you neglect your own health" Molly said "Anyway has Hermione started talking yet, do you know what's been troubling her so?"
"She hasn't really opened up much, but yes I do know what the main problem is, and no Molly I can not tell you or any of the others just yet, I have made a promise of secrecy to Hermione and I will not break it. Its important for her to trust me. Besides its her place to tell you when she feels able to do so" as Minerva talked she made her way over to the chair by the fire, she poked at the dimming embers with her wand and the instantly burst back to life with wild flickering flames beginning to heat up the cold kitchen.
"I understand Minerva, it is up to Hermione whom she confides in. And who better than her mentor, Head of house and the person she adores the most above all others" Molly smiled at her and went on with the breakfast.
Minerva gave Molly a somewhat puzzled expression as she sat herself down by the fire, trying to think how best it would be to deal with Hermione.
The rest of the current residents of 12 Grimwalde Place started to filter into the kitchen a half hour later. Molly had just finished setting everything down on the table and Minerva was still sitting by the fire, thus far she had remained unnoticed by the others which suited her fine.
"Morning Mrs Weasley" Harry said giving her a smile as he sat down
"Morning Harry dear, sleep well?" she asked
"Yes thanks"
Soon the rest were all sitting at the table, all except Minerva (who had gone unnoticed by the fire) and Hermione.
"Where's Hermione and Professor McGonagall Mum?" Ginny asked, at the mention of the troubled young woman's name Minerva raised her head slightly, her interest peaked slightly, but she did not take her eyes away from the fire.
"Professor McGonagall is sitting by the fire dear, and I think Hermione is still in bed, she should come down soon if she wants breakfast though" Molly said giving her daughter a smile
"I'll go get her up now mum" Ron said getting up from his chair
"No!" Minerva shouted everyone looked round at her in shock, they hadn't heard her shout like that for a long time "I'm sorry, but Mr Weasley you will not be the one to go and get Miss Granger, that task will lay with me, I shall go wake her and bring her down to breakfast, if she doesn't feel up to coming down, then i shall come down and collect a plate for her" Minerva said as she got up from her seat wearily, everyone was still watching her as she slowly made her way from the kitchen.
"What was that all about?" Tonks asked
"I don't know, I'm worried about her though. Minerva hasn't slept a wink all night, after settling Hermione last night she came down here, and has been sitting down here since. She was still down here at half seven when I came down to start breakfast" Molly replied her concern for both women evident in her voice.
"What are you serious?" Tonks asked her a hint of disbelief in her voice "She needs to be more careful, we all need to make sure we get sleep we need to keep alert just in case something happens"
"We know Dora but Minerva must really be worried, does she know what's wrong with our Hermione Molly?" it was Arthur who spoke this time
"Yes, yes she does, but she has not and will not share it with me or anyone else" Molly replied as she continued dishing out plates. She set up two more settings just in case Minerva did return with Hermione at the far end of the table, 'Though she did mention something about the girls father yesterday afternoon when i met saw her outside the library after Hermione nearly knocked her over as she ran past' Molly thought to herself 'I hope that isn't the case'
Minerva headed up the stairs at Grimwalde place past the heads of it previous house elves (Minerva always thought this was a rather morbid thing to do, but who was she to question others practices especially if they had been with a family for such a long time) she past the floor her rooms were and up to the next level where Hermione's and Ginny's rooms were. She walked down the corridor, past Ginny's room on the left and to the end of the long corridor, she hesitated for a few moments outside the door before she gave it a gentle knock. She didn't want to startle her in fear that another screaming fit may ensue. When she received no reply she knocked again slightly louder when she still received no answer she concluded that Hermione must still be sleeping. Turning the door handle she stepped inside. She sat on the seat next to Hermione's bed (the one she had sat in last night and that morning once Hermione had calmed down enough to sleep soundly. She had sat there waiting until Hermione had drifted off completely just to make sure she would be ok).
"Hermione" Minerva said softly causing the young woman to stir slightly "Hermione dear, its time for breakfast"
Hermione stirred again and stretched slightly as her eyes opened a little, the light shining through the curtains causing her to squint her eyes a little.
"Morning Hermione" Minerva said
"Morning Professor" Hermione yawned
"How are you feeling this morning?" Minerva asked "Any better?"
Hermione looked at her in silence
"Hermione my dear, you know you can talk to me" Minerva said
Still Hermione gave her no response
Minerva sighed "Are you wanting to come down for breakfast?" she asked "Or did you want me to bring ours up here, so we can talk?" she watched her waiting for any sign of emotion from the young woman who had now sat up
"Can i stay here" she said quietly
"Sure" Minerva nodded "I'll return shortly, i suggest that while I'm away Miss Granger that you get dressed"
"Ok, thank you Professor" Hermione said slowly slipping from the bed
"Please Hermione, call me Minerva, we are out of school and i hope you consider me more than just your teacher" Minerva said "I hoped you considered me your friend as well"
"I do..." Hermione said as she turned round but Minerva had already vanished from the door way. Hermione watched the door for a few moments hoping, no wishing she would return but after five minutes Hermione realised that she would probably be gone a while and decided to get dressed.
Minerva entered the kitchen again only to have everyone look at her, all expecting her to return with Hermione and each one obviously disappointed she hadn't.
"Wheres Mione" Ron asked with a mouthful of sausage and bacon.
"Ron thats disgusting" Ginny said screwing her face up
"Ron don't talk with your mouth full its rude" Molly yelled at him from the other end of the table
"Where is she?, why won't you tell us whats going on?" Ginny asked
"As much i commend you all for your obvious concern for your friend, Its up to Hermione to tell you herself, when she feels herself ready" Minerva said
"So she ain't coming down for breakfast then?" Ron asked
"No Mr Weasley, Myself and Miss Granger will be eating upstairs this morning" she answered as she made up plates for both of them along with a pot of tea, she set them on a tray.
"But Professor why is..." Harry started to ask
"I apologise to you all, but I'm afraid a can not answer any of your questions" was all the reply he got as she turned and left the kitchen for the second time in less than half an hour.
She found Hermione sitting looking out the window when she returned upstairs "Everything ok Hermione?" she asked as she set the tray down on the desk in the corner.
"Hmmm?" she asked "Oh sorry, yes I'm fine, I'm sorry"
"There is no need to apologise dear, do you want a cup of tea?" she asked as she put the plates down on the desk and poured herself a cup of tea
"Yes please" Hermione said getting down off the window ledge and sitting down at the desk. "I'm sorry about before Pro...Minerva"
"Before?" Minerva asked sitting down opposite her after levitating the chair from beside the bed over to the desk.
"I do think of you as more than my teacher, and I'm glad you consider me a friend" Hermione said
Minerva gave her a smile as she started on her meal, this didn't seem like Hermione at all, she was shutting out what had happened yesterday by changing the subject "Hermione..." Minerva said quietly Hermione looked up from her plate up at her "What were you dreaming about last night that upset you so much?"
Hermione hesitated slightly "Uh...i ...i can't...i don't..."
"Hermione its ok if you don't want to answer, but remember that I'm your friend, and when you feel ready to talk about it, then you just have to come find me" Minerva said before going back to her breakfast
"Thank you" Hermione said tears slowly appearing in her dark brown eyes "Minerva?" she let out a quiet sob "Can i have a hug?"
"Oh Hermione come here dear" she said softly, the tears in Hermione's eyes broke her heart
Hermione moved around the desk and placed her arms around her mentors neck and sobbed quietly, Minerva slowly snaked her arms around Hermione's waist and held her for a few moments before speaking "Hermione its ok to be angry and upset at whats happened to you, but trust me when i say that it will never happen again, not when its within my power to stop it"
"Thank you" Hermione said again quietly, and once she had calmed down she moved her chair round the desk closer to Minerva's and sat down once more, feeling better than she had since the holidays started, now she had someone she could eventually talk to, someone who was willing to listen to her, and even though Hermione didn't want to admit it to herself this new confidant was someone whom she had had feelings for since her 5th year. Once this was all over she hoped things could be a little different between them.
Minerva watched the young woman in silence, wondering what she was thinking. She was glad they had made a little progress this morning however small it was. She would be spending the rest of the day with her doing their research in the library and she couldn't be happier.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter i must admit, i wasn't sure where to end it, i could have went on for pages and pages lol but that would have taken a while to upload.
I'll try not to leave it long to update i promise
Minervarulez x