Disclaimer: see previous chapters, cos they kinda still apply lol

A/N: I know this is kinda later than my other updates, but here it is lol hope you like and as always I'd appreciate your reviews.

TC minervarulez xx

Chapter 8: Breakthrough at last

It had been several days since Minerva had made the initial breakthrough with Hermione, and everyone had noticed the difference in the young woman as well, she was talking a bit more coming down to meals more often (even if she wasn't down at all of them) and everyone was happy to have a little of the old Hermione back.

Minerva and Molly Weasley had also thought it would be a wise idea for Minerva to swap rooms with Ginny, and she took no time at all with the redecorating (somehow I don't think, teen witch bands and Quidditch team posters were her think). In the likely hood that if Hermione had another episode in the middle of the night, Minerva was not that far away, for she seemed to be the only one who could calm her down.

Minerva had already stayed longer at headquarters than she had intended to, but she had written to Albus explaining the reasons behind her prolonged absence from the school, and while he wasn't overly pleased, he understood Minerva's need to be there for Hermione, just like he was there for her all those years ago after her ordeal during the great war with Grindelwald. Albus told her she could stay as long as she liked as long as se returned with enough time to get her things in order for the new school year.

It was in the early hours of the following morning that came her next big breakthrough with Hermione.

Minerva was sitting up in her bed reading a transfiguration text she and Hermione had found while they were researching in the library a few days ago. It had been one she had not read and was finding it an interesting read.

Minerva had not been sleeping much of late, out of concern for Hermione, and she had also become accustom to being woken up on the odd night be Hermione's cries for help from across the hall, so had gotten used to the lack of sleep of late. The nights in question had become less fewer Hermione's nightmares had become less frequent. 'Progress' of sorts.

She had just put her book down on the night stand and let her long raven coloured hair out of its usual restraint and placed it in a long braid, when the door to her rooms began to inch open slightly, she placed her hand over her wand where she had placed it on her night stand (out of habit more than anything) as she watched curiously to see who her visitor was. She might have guessed...Hermione.

Hermione peered slowly around the gap in the doorway "oh sorry professor i didn't mean to wake you" she said

"You haven't my dear, come in, and how many times do i have to tell you while we are alone you are to call me Minerva?"

"At least once more professor, as always" Hermione replied as she inched slowly into the room.

Minerva rolled her eyes but gave her a small but rare smile "What's troubling you dear" she asked

"I couldn't sleep and...I...well i ...didn't want to be on my own" Hermione said looking at her with sad eyes "Can i stay here?" she asked looking across at the spare bed (each of the rooms in headquarters had two beds in them, there was usually a lot of comings and goings as you could possibly imagine, headquarters was a busy place).

Minerva beckoned her forward slightly "Of course you can dear"

Hermione walked further into the room she had not that long ago entered. She noticed it was much cleaner than most of the other rooms and was clearly decorated to the taste of the rooms current occupant, elegant and very ladylike in its colour and decoration. Very like Minerva McGonagall she thought to herself.

"Now whats really troubling you?" Minerva asked as Hermione went over and sat on the edge of the spare bed.

"I couldn't sleep" she looked across "Well i guess i didn't want to sleep, didn't want to have those dreams again" she said avoiding eye contact with with the only person she felt she could confide in.

"What dream would that be Hermione?" Minerva asked knowing that she would have to be careful, Hermione stood up from the edge of her bed and walked across the room sitting herself on the edge of Minerva's next to her.

"Um...my father" she said still not looking at her. "its different each time, they start off ok, then i do something that upsets him and then he gets angry and...then he...hits me" she said obviously agitated, Hermione hand started to pick at the cover on the bed slightly as she spoke. "Sometimes my mum would be in the dreams too, she would say that it would be ok soon and everything would be better, that he didn't mean it, and in the other dreams...he he...really hurts me"

Minerva could just make out the pained and hurt expression on her young protégé's face in the dim light of the room, and it tore at her heart seeing her that pained "Hermione..." for the first time in as long as she could remember she was at a loss for words, she had it all worked out, what she would say when Hermione took this step, when she had decided to completely open up. But now that she was faced with that situation she had drew a complete blank.

What she really wanted to do was shout and scream blue murder at Hermione's father, even to curse every bone in his body but she knew that would not solve anything, and as much as it would make her feel better, it would only make Hermione feel worse.

Hermione looked across at Minerva's face, blissfully unaware of the inner battle Minerva was now fighting with herself.

"Is it ok for me to feel a little angry" she asked

"Oh Hermione its only natural for you to feel that way, what happened to you was wrong, and it shouldn't happen to anyone, just because he was IS, "she corrected herself "your father, doesn't give him, or make it right for him to treat you the way that he did or make it ok. Nor should you let him get away with it Hermione"the minute these words slipped from Minerva's lips Hermione broke down into silent tears "But...he...he...he's my...dad" she sobbed, Minerva didn't know what to do, she wanted to cradle Hermione in her arms until she stopped crying but she didn't want to make any sudden movements that would cause her to shut down again (it had taken her nearly two whole weeks to get this far) "Just because he is your father dear, did not give him the right, no one has the right to subject another human being to that sort of degradation"

"If i do...go...report" Hermione's sentences was slightly muffled through the tears "will ... you come with me?" she asked

"If you wish it" she replied earning her a nod from the young woman "Then i will go with you if you decide thats what you want to do"

"But he's my dad" Hermione started, only to dissolve into tears again "I can't do that to him"

"Come here" Minerva said mentally throwing her own rule book out the proverbial window, Hermione needed comfort "Come here" she said as she gently pulled the crying woman into her arms – and to her surprise Hermione did not pull away in fact she cradled into Minerva warm embrace and continued to sob quietly. Minerva rocked her gently in her arms doing her best to soothe an upset Hermione. "I know it's going to be hard for you, and trust me i know better that anyone what you must be feeling" she stopped pausing for a brief few moments to compose herself "Its ok to feel the way you do, but the only way to help him, break the cycle, is by speaking up about it and in doing so you will also get him the help he needs" Hermione nodded her understanding as Minerva continued "Only then can you begin to put it all behind you and start the proper healing process" hermione's sobs had all but disappeared as she listened to what Minerva had been saying.

" If i do so, promise me you'll be there" she asked

"Always" was the simple reply

Hermione wiped away the remainder of her tears away from her face, giving her the slightest of smiles as she pulled away and went back over to the other bed.

Minerva turned out the lights with a flick of her wand. She was once again lost in her own thoughts and hadn't realised that Hermione had gotten back out of bed and made her way back to her bedside, and she couldn't see her in the dark room, so got a slight fright when Hermione spoke from beside her.

"I almost forgot" she said "I'm sorry to startle you, i didn't mean it"

"Shhhh its ok, don't worry Hermione, whats the matter?" she asked sitting up

"I just wanted to thank you"

"Whatever for dear?"

"Everything" Hermione replied "You've been so understanding, so supportive"

"There is no need to thank me Hermione"

"Yes there is, there is every need" she said "i don't think i would still be here if you hadn't been here for me" that last comment hit Minerva hard, she couldn't imagine a world without the talented young witch in it and didn't want to either.

"Thank you" Hermione said, giving Minerva a light peck on the cheek "Good night"

"Goodnight Hermione" Minerva replied lightly touching her cheek slightly as if it burned "Goodnight" she said again quietly as Hermione went back to bed.

i'll try not to leave it too long before my next update i promise

Minervarulez xx