"Once more, Hermione" Minerva encouraged, watching as the young witch raised her arm gracefully and reversed the transfigured table back into its original form. Hermione let out an audible sigh of celebration. Minerva inwardly rejoiced at the small smile of achievement etched upon her face, a smile she had seen so many times, had caused…
"This is remarkable Hermione, truly, you should be proud of yourself." Minerva began packing away the equipment: needled, boxes of buttons, goblets.
This was their third lesson and Hermione still had her remarkable skill. She immediately began aiding her mentor in putting away the apparatus.
"I don't think I could do any of it without you," Hermione said with a smile.
Minerva allowed herself a genuine laugh but said, "Nonsense Hermione, you are more than capable".
Hermione did not answer and Minerva knew that that was a sign of her disagreement and simply chose to be happy that she still knew Hermione perfectly well. As they put the final desk back in place Minerva turned to the younger witch, "You are performing far beyond expectations Hermione; I will see you tomorrow, Good Night."
Hermione held her gaze for a moment before saying, "Good Night," there was something in her voice, something like irritation or anger. For a second Minerva considered calling out and asking if anything was wrong, but she maintained her self control and allowed the door to shut with a resounding thud.
With a heavy sigh Minerva returned to her stone floored tower-room, longing to know what was upsetting Hermione.
"Minerva come quick"
The breathy, smoky voice of Poppy's patronus cut through the silence of Minerva's office as it uttered those words. Minerva dropped her quill and hastened to the Hospital Wing.
It was eerily silent in the long room as Minerva entered, the closing door reverberating around the empty space. The curtains were drawn around three beds put mutters could be heard behind only one.
Minerva drew back the curtain and walked inside.
"Poppy, what's the matt-"
The sight before her made Minerva's throat seize up and breathing became unthinkable. Another moment passed before Poppy's arms closed around Minerva, who was as frozen as the young woman in the bed.
"Her… Hermione" Minerva managed to breath out before falling to her knees at the side of the bed and holding tight to the frozen raised hand. It was a few minutes before Minerva realised that she was alone.
She placed her hand on Hermione's cheek and began to whisper all the words she had promised not to say yet. How much she loved her, that she would wait forever and most importantly, that everything would be alright in the end.
It was almost in a trance that Minerva carried on for the next few weeks. She had no memory of going to get Mr Potter and Mr Weasley but Dumbledore told her that she did. She was barely conscious of conducting her classes, however, she had performed the spells so many times it was like breathing, unconscious and right every time.
Her nightly visits to the Hospital Wing consumed her every waking moment. She knew that it was no use talking to a petrified person but… the idea of Hermione being alone was like a physical pain. She would go to Hermione the minute she finished her paperwork, fall asleep at her bedside clasping her hand and be awoken by Poppy an hour before her first class.
Needless to say the restless nights were taking their toll on Minerva; there were constantly bags under her eyes and her worry for Hermione was causing her to lose weight.
She was oblivious to the announcement of Ginny Weasley's disappearance into the Chamber of Secrets and the effect that this would have on the school. She had the good grace to feel ashamed of herself after the selfish thought that she was glad that Hermione was only petrified.
"I'm sorry… Albus, I… I just can't. It feels so wrong without her now."
Albus rubbed his forehead in frustration.
"But she's still here! She needs you! The school needs you!"
Tears filled Minerva's eyes. As she looked up at her oldest friend.
"Albus, just when I find a way to move forward, help her, she is taken again. But now it's as though she has gone somewhere I cannot follow and all I am left with is an empty shell. That is what I feel like, an empty shell. There's nothing left for me to give. Forgive me," Minerva stood and raised a hand to the wizened old face, "but… I simply do not care… anymore."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I know that it has been a ridiculous amount of time and I can only apologies, I've been on holiday and then I had my exam results and I have been in an alcohol induced stupor since then ;) it will not be long before the next chapter, I am currently half way through, thank you for your continued support to all those who are following this story!
MM