Dumbledore was gone and a student has been taken into the Chamber of Secrets. No matter how many times Minerva repeated the words; she could not believe them to be true. Nothing this terrible could have been allowed to happen to one of her own. Guilt ripped through her body, her preoccupation with Hermione's petrification is what lead to this, she should have taken more care.
Molly and Arthur must be notified immediately of course, and then there was the question of the school and whether or not it would survive the term. All because of her carelessness. All this ran through her head as the stared up at the writing on the wall.
"We must send all the students home, immediately" came the crisp voice of Poppy Pomfrey from behind her, "I'll not allow any more children be put at risk".
Minerva could only bring herself to nod but it was Severus, who answered,
"On the contrary, I would say that now more than ever it is imperative that the students remain".
Poppy turned sharply towards him.
"And what could possibly make you say that?"
"Well, now our Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher has a very poignant reason for sharing his knowledge on the subject of the Chamber".
As if on cue, Gilderoy Lockhart sauntered through.
"So sorry I'm late, what have I missed".
Minerva spoke the first words she had uttered since coming across the bloody lettering, "A child has been claimed by the monster Gilderoy".
Filius and Pomoma piped up.
"Yes, it seems your moment has come at last".
"You really are our only hope".
"My… Me? Why?" Gilderoy spluttered.
Minerva felt the urge to either laugh or scream. Severus came to her aid yet again.
"Indeed, weren't you saying, only the other day that you've known all along where the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is?"
"I… well… you must've misunderstood-"
"Nonsense, don't be modest Lockhart", interjected Filius, "you mentioned to me only this morning that you wished to 'have a go at Slytherin's monster'".
Gilderoy turned a nice shade of puce before finding his words.
"Well… I…" he took a deep breath, "absolutely, I'll just be in my office… getting… getting ready".
With that he turned on his heel and strutted away.
Minerva seemed to regain some control.
"Well, that's got him out of the way, I propose the staff conduct their own search of the cast, I know it has been done many times before but I would not feel right not trying once more".
"We can do nothing tonight, I will write to the Weasley's immediately, obviously they will wish to come in immediately and help with the search tomorrow. If we are unsuccessful, then we will contact the ministry."
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The teachers however, never got their chance to search the school, for in the early hours of the morning, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and a very pale younger sister walked into her office accompanied by a phoenix carrying the Sorting Hat. It was undoubtedly the most bizarre sight Minerva had ever seen, and that was saying something.
"Ginny!" Molly all but screamed as her youngest child walked through the door.
"Ah, Harry… and Fawkes I see" said Albus all but amused.
Relief flooded Minerva and she had to sink into a nearby armchair.
As the Weasley's rejoiced and Dumbledore mused, all Minerva could think of was the girl who lay frozen a few floors above, after half an hour and a lengthy explanation, she excused herself and made her way up to the Hospital Wing.
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Hermione remained unchanged, as of course she would Minerva; she's petrified she inwardly thought, shaking her head as she sat beside Hermione.
She drew her fingers slowly across Hermione's face before leaning in and whispering,
"It'll be alright now my love, everything will be fine."
A flicker of red made its way to Hermione's frozen, unseeing eyes and Minerva could not help the tears that fell.
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Minerva stood and watched as the clear liquid was slowly poured into Hermione's slightly parted lips. She gazed, entranced as Chocolate eyes slowly closed and the outstretched arm slowly lowered, a ripple seemed to pass over Hermione's entire being. Her eyes opened and closed slowly before remaining open and beginning to glance frantically around.
Minerva sensed the panic and approached the bed.
"It is alright Hermione, you were petrified."
Shock formed in pretty features as her chocolate gaze unerringly found Minerva's steady emerald, she seemed to calm upon finding Minerva.
"How long?" Hermione whispered.
Minerva reached out and grasped Hermione's small hand.
"Six weeks."
Hermione gasped and her eyes filled with tears, her grip on Minerva's hand increased.
"You are fine now, the mandrake draught worked perfectly".
Hermione nodded but the tears did not stop. Minerva noticed that Poppy had left the two alone and drawn the curtains.
Hermione took deep breaths.
"I'm sorry."
"There's nothing wrong with being upset Hermione, it was a great shock-"
"No," Hermione gazed deeply into Minerva's eyes, "I'm sorry for how I was at our lesson"
Minerva smiled, "Hermione there is nothing to apologise for, I am simply glad that you are alright."
Hermione forced a smile but couldn't suppress that sob that made its way from her very core.
"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 have these dreams. All the time. I don't know why, they're always different but they're … always…"
Hermione wiped away the tears that had suddenly fallen and shook her head frantically. Minerva stood up and tried to still her breathing; she sat on the edge of the bed and placed a hand over Hermione's which was still closed in a fist.
Hermione stared at Minerva's hands rested atop her own, before releasing her fist and lacing her fingers through Minerva's long, elegant ones.
"Always what?" Minerva whispered, staring deep into Hermione's eyes.
Hermione tightened her grip on Minerva's hand before she spoke the words.
"Always about you" she said, and once she had begun to speak she couldn't stop, "me and you and… and… we… we always look… different. I mean, I always look older… but it's definitely me and… you… and I don't… I don't know what to do".
Minerva realised she had stopped breathing and took in a deep breath. She was at a loss; she didn't know what to do. Albus had warned her against revealing the truth. She was about to reply but didn't get the chance as a small voice asked, "What should I do …Minerva?"
For a moment Minerva closed her eyes, simply relishing the sound of her name on lips she knew so well, had tasted- Minerva cut the thought dead in its tracks.
Minerva opened her eyes, and gazed into the confused brown ones before her. She saw the weight of the millennia that she had lived within them.
"I will not lie to you. There will be a time when you will need to be told a truth. The time, however, is not now. I will tell you that… these dreams are not to be feared but, it would be best if… for now, they remained between you and I."
Hermione nodded and then opened her mouth to speak but shook her head again before closing it.
"You can say anything to me Hermione."
Hermione gazed back for a moment as though trying to decide something, a few seconds passed before she began to speak.
"I feel different, when I see you. When I'm near you. Sometimes… over the summer, I would think of you and there would be this burning in my chest." Hermione raised her free hand to above her heart, "and… it is to do with… the dreams isn't it?"
Minerva held back a moment before answering a whispered "yes".
"It feels like… like… someone's trying to send me a message, but… each time I get close to an answer… I wake up."
Minerva smiled softly.
"A friend of mine always says, the truth is a dangerous thing and… I think now, might be one of the times when he is right." Minerva tightened her grasp on the small had wrapped around her own and stood up, "as to what you should do, you should continue to enjoy studying and learning and I think you'll find that transfiguration is a particular talent of yours" she added with a smile.
"Is there anyway I can find out on my own?"
Minerva paused, she considered lying but knew that it wouldn't stop Hermione.
"Yes. However, if I may say so, I do not think you will even try."
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 replenishing draught".
"No matter Poppy, I was just about to make my way back to the tower."
With a final glance towards the bed, Minerva walked out of the room.
AN – R+R !