Thank you so much to everyone that's taken an interest in this story.

This is a pretty short update, a bit of a filler before the next chapter. But I hope you enjoy because there are some points that are really key to the plot.

I'd love to know what you think and any guesses about anything that you think might have happened/might happen. I already have most of it planned out so it will be interesting to see if anyone guesses!

Chelsey

Chapter Two

After calming young Minerva, Albus knew he needed to go and see the only person in the school that would be of any use. Leaving the seventeen year old alone in his office he made his way to Hermione Granger's classroom.

The thirty year old woman had changed so much since the war. She'd returned to finish her final year and take her NEWT exams, and to begin with everything seemed fine. She was her usual strong, intelligent, kind self; taking her roll of Head Girl very seriously. But towards the end of the year her long distance relationship with Mr Weasley had come to an end and after a very humiliating experience when she entered the Ministry of Magic for an interview she decided she'd rather stay at Hogwarts and teach.

Since then she had never fully recovered. Whether it was really that experience alone or whether it was partly a delayed effect from the war, the young woman completely withdrew. These days she kept herself to herself, only really talking to himself and Minerva, and even then very little. He suspected that she was closer to her old Head of House, but Minerva said very little in regards to their relationship.

He knocked on the door.

"Come in."

"She's arrived."

The witch's head flew up. No explanation was required. Since she'd discovered what had happened to Minerva all those years ago she had worked tirelessly to try and recreate a Time Turner. It gave her something to focus on other than the mess that was her life. It had been her goal to have it ready for when past Minerva turned up, but apparently that was something else she'd managed to fuck up.

"Great, how is she?"

Ignoring the slight sarcasm that came with the word 'great' Albus sighed sadly. "She's a little shaken. I'm not surprised as such but it is a little disconcerting to see someone that has been so strong for so many years completely inconsolable."

"Indeed. What have you told her?"

"As much as I can really. There are so many questions that even we don't know the answer to but I've explained the situation as best as I know how."

Hermione nodded. She put her quill down knowing that if Albus had come the whole way to see her then it wasn't just for a chat. "What do you want me to do Albus?"

He couldn't help but smile. There was something about adult Hermione that reminded him a lot of adult Minerva. She always knew when he wanted something and wasn't afraid of being direct with him. "She's still in a very fragile state. I've explained that she will have to go back to her seventh year and study for her NEWTs. At the same time she'll need to take her OWLs again. It's a lot of work but Minerva was always highly intelligent so I don't doubt she'll have no trouble. But it would still be really helpful for me if you could keep an eye on her and help her where you can. I know that young Minerva will take to you just as much as her older counterpart."

Ignoring his attempt at flattery she shook her head. "Albus I can tell from your face that you want me to do more than tutor her."

He nodded slowly. "Hermione I really don't feel it would be appropriate given who she is and the fact that she's still adjusting to just throw her in with the other seventh years. I have no objection to her taking lessons with them, but I would prefer that she stayed with you in your quarters…"

"Albus"

"I know I'm asking a lot Hermione but it's for Minerva. And it's not as though I can have her in with me."

"She's your best friend."

"No, adult Minerva is my best friend. This Minerva is my student, who has known me only as her professor. She is a seventeen year old young lady, it would hardly be appropriate for her to share my quarters."

Hermione raised her eyebrows. "It's not as though you'd jump her…"

"Yes but she doesn't know that, nor does anyone else."

Hermione hummed slightly and tried to think of a solution. It wasn't that she didn't like Minerva but… it had been a long time since she'd had the closeness with someone that Albus was now asking of her. Since what Ron had done to her at the Ministry to punish her for their breakup she'd promised herself to never be that vulnerable again. And no matter how hard she tried she knew that if she shared a dormitory with young Minerva she wouldn't be able to help but get emotionally invested. She struggled enough to remain unattached from her adult self. The only thing that helped was despite there being a friendship between them from years of close conversations, both with and without Albus, she had never discussed anything too intimate. And Minerva had always been very respectful of her boundaries and hadn't pressed her about what happened.

But this was different. Telling or not telling her wasn't going to help if the seventeen year old was sharing her home. Yet there was still a little part of Hermione that felt very fondly about the older, or now younger witch, and knew she could never forgive herself if she didn't protect her, like the older Minerva had always done for her.

"Okay Albus, I'll do it."

He smiled. "Thank you, would you like to come and meet her?"

"I suppose I'd better."

I hope you enjoyed. I know Hermione seems a little out of character at the moment but it is just a result of what's happened to her. But the old Hermione is still in there if either Minerva or Albus can let it out.

Again please let me know what you think.

Chelsey x