Sorry for the slight delay but I had exams this past week but they ended today!
Thank you so much to everyone who added this story to your favourites or alert! It means so much to me and once again thanks to everyone who reviewed!
Let year 2 begin.
Chapter 6
That summer had been the longest of Minerva's life, and she had had a long life. Of course she had thought of Hermione constantly over the past seventy years but, now she knew that Hermione was in her world again, within reach, not a day went by where Hermione wasn't at the forefront of her mind.
One day, Minerva had gone to Hermione's house in Surrey, just to be near her. Her heart swelled as she saw Hermione laughing with friends in her street but what Minerva saw when Hermione was alone caused her to feel a guilt-filled happiness. Hermione sat on the pavement outside her house with a book on her lap, Minerva was hidden in some bushes across the street in her animagus form.
Minerva watched as Hermione's eyes left the page and drifted in the direction of where she was sitting, then her hand went to her chest, just over her heart and an expression of great pain crossed her face.
At the same moment a deep agony had ripped through Minerva's chest, then she realised, their phoenix magic could sense the closeness of its two halves.
As quickly as it came, the pain was gone. Minerva had seen enough, she knew that the connection was still burning strong between her and Hermione.
There was a nervous excitement brewing within Minerva on the first evening of term, knowing that she and Hermione would be near each other once more. It was with such an indifference that she approached the new, first year students that night. Strange looks were exchanged between both students and staff as Minerva rather hurriedly ran through the sorting ceremony, she became particularly agitated when the hat took more than a minute to choose a house for a student.
Once completed, she removed the hat and quickly approached the staff table highly anticipating the moment when she would be able to locate Hermione only to be told by Albus who had just begun the feast that she and him were needed down in the dungeons.
She couldn't hide the irritated expression from her face and as they were descending to the dungeon, he said to her,
"I know there are other things you wish to be doing Minerva, but you are still my Head of Gryffindor and there are children in your care."
The words stung, but she knew they were true.
She therefore forced herself to be rather understanding with the two terrified Gryffindor's Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley; however, much as she fought against the idea, she knew that they were friends of Hermione's.
The feast had ended by the time they made it back upstairs and Minerva's disappointment must have been apparent on her face because Albus quietly remarked, "Don't worry my dear, you have the whole year to see her".
The year went by and as the attacks began and it was apparent that it was muggle-born's being targeted Minerva became more and more concerned for Hermione's safety. Even though Minerva knew that Hermione was not truly of Muggle descent, the form that Hermione had returned in, was.
When Minerva was told that Hermione was in the Hospital Wing she feared the worst and it was with the expectation of finding the body of her love that she sprinted to the Infirmary.
However, she saw the last thing she would expect.
Bursting through the doors of the Hospital Wing, Minerva startled Madame Pomfrey who seemed to be running a brush over-
Hermione.
With fur.
And whiskers.
And… a tail?
"Ah, Minerva. I was wondering when you'd hear," said Madame Pomfrey rather distractedly.
"I… heard…"
Minerva couldn't take her eyes of the site before her.
"I'll give you a minute with your … uh … student" said Madame Pomfrey with a quick glance between the pair.
The matron bustled into her office.
Minerva's eyes met Hermione's fear filled ones.
Her voice trembled as she asked, "Isn't it awful!"
Minerva made a decision and approached the bed and sat in the chair by the side.
"No, my dear. It is not awful, as a fellow feline I personally say that you make a remarkable… cat" answered Minerva with a gentle smile.
Hermione gave a teary smile, "thank you" she whispered.
Minerva leant forward.
"I know, I seem to other students, unapproachable and perhaps… a little cruel at times" Minerva swallowed her embarrassment, "but I, want… always, to be here for you. Can you understand that?"
Hermione swallowed, hard.
"Th-thank you." Hermione quietly said.
Minerva smiled, but it quickly vanished as Hermione gasped as her eyes raked over Minerva's face.
"What is it Hermione?"
Hermione's breathing had hitched and the bed sheet was clasped in her fist.
"I-" Hermione whispered but she cut herself off, "I don't know, I- I thought for a moment…"
Hermione raised her eyes and Minerva inhaled sharply when she saw that Hermione's eyes were full of the same red fire that had burned the night she had visited Gryffindor Tower.
"It doesn't matter" Hermione said, as the red in her eyes dwindled and slowly died.
It does, more than you know. Minerva thought as a wave of fear rushed through her. The phoenix magic was becoming more pronounced.
"I'm probably just tired; I have a tone of homework to for Professor Snape and that essay of the transition through core substances for you. I probably just need some sleep" Hermione gave a weak laugh, "I'll ask Harry or Ron to bring it to class if you don't mind Professor, I won't be going anywhere until…" Hermione gestured to her face, "This, clears up."
"Of course, you are excused from all classes until you feel better, Madame Pomfrey will you have you well in no time at all. However," Minerva took a deep breath, wondering if she was making the right decision, "I would like you to keep me up to date on how you are coping, you do seem to be a frequent visitor to the Hospital Wing" Minerva finished with what she hoped was a genuine smile.
Hermione looked nervous, "Up to date? Do you mean almost as a report? Is there something wrong with my work?"
"Hermione." Minerva cut the girl off with a raised hand, "Your work is flawless, as we both know, I merely am… interested in your… well being."
There was silence for a moment.
"Oh," said Hermione quietly, "Okay."
"The password to my office is 'Ut Vetus Ut Tempus' and if you should ever-"
"As old as time?" Hermione said quickly, "That's peculiar, is it significant?"
Minerva's breath caught, "It's…" she steeled her nerves for the lie, "It's just an expression."
Minerva tried a smile but Hermione looked unconvinced and stared at her fidgeting hands, so Minerva moved on quickly.
"As I was saying, should you ever need help, or discussion, I should like you to come to me"
Hermione nodded and looked up at Minerva, there was that confused look on her face again, she opened her mouth and closed it, then opened it again.
"Professor-"
At that moment, Madame Pomfrey came timidly back in carrying a tray with a small, blue bottle on it.
"Sorry Minerva but, it is time for Miss Granger's last draft."
Minerva didn't even flinch, but tried to put the compassion she felt into her eyes as they met Hermione's once more.
"No matter Poppy, I was just heading back." And with air of sternness and rigidity that Professor McGonagall was made of, Minerva turned and left the Hospital Wing.
AN: Hope you enjoyed, thank you to SheIsMySin for all your help!
R + R!