A/N: Thanks for all the great reviews guys! I'm on a roll with this at the moment and the next chapter will be ready for next week :-)

Take care and enjoy! xx

Chapter Nine:

Hermione woke up the next morning before either of her parents and managed to slid out of the bed and without her mother noticing. She knew that they would wan to know what the boggart had decided to show her, so she wrote them a letter and left it on the dining table before heading down to Severus' lab to hide for the day.

A few hours later, Minerva and Albus finally managed to drag themselves from the warmth of their bed to the dining room. Neither were overly concerned with their daughter as they knew that she always awoke at the crack of dawn. The note they found of the dining table brought their worry up to full scale, that was, until they read it

'Mom, Dad,

I know you're worrying about me right now, but please don't. I'm fine. I woke up early so I've gone down to Severus for a while. I'm not ready to talk about yesterday, but I'll tell you in this letter. Please don't ask me about it.

The boggart morphed into a scene which I know in my heart would never happen, but it brought a lot of memories back. It showed myself and Minerva huddled in a corner while Albus stood over us, like my father used to do to me back at the Granger's.

I love you both, but it's going to take me some time to sort my head out. I apologise for anything I may have done yesterday to make you feel guilty, Dad.

Love,

Your special Kitten x'

Minerva smiled at the letter and nodded completely understanding. Albus too nodded to show he understood and Minerva put the letter back on the table.

"She's strong and we're strong. We'll get through this," Minerva herself just as much as for her husband.

~0~0~

Just a week after Christmas and all the students were back at the draughty castle. Things between the McGonagall family had been back to normal since a few days before Christmas. The only thing that they were still having to deal with were Hermione's flashbacks and nightmares, which were decreasing in regularity as the weeks since the incident passed. Everything seemed to be going all too well once more.

Later that week, after dinner, the Gryffindors were heading to their common room when the Fat Lady was spotted moving quickly through the other portraits in the corridors. The students thought nothing of it and carried on up to the seventh floor, talking loudly to each other. That all came to a halt when they reached their portrait. Four great slashes were through the landscape of the Fat Lady's painting. Whispers started to spread through the growing crowd and Albus was soon making his way to the guarding portrait.

"Find the Fat Lady, Argus. Severus, I want all students in the Great Hall with Minerva and the other female members of staff, the rest are to patrol the castle. The grounds will be done in the morning."

Filtch followed the paintings down and quickly found the missing woman, while Severus and Percy, the head boy, herded the Gryffindors to the Great Hall. The other three house soon followed.

After speaking to the Fat Lady, Albus went to help Minerva with the locking up of the main doors. He spotted Hermione sat at Minerva's feet watching her every movement. Albus waved to her and she waved back to him. It took ten minutes for the headmaster and his deputy to fully lock and secure the large oak doors. Albus turned to his wife and daughter once he was positive the door would keep everything out for the night.

"Take 'Mione into the hall and get some rest Min."

"But what about you?"

"I'm going to patrol the corridors with the others."

Minerva nodded and embraced him, leaving a kiss on his cheek. "Please be careful, Al," she whispered.

"I promise," he whispered back and kissed her forehead before moving to Hermione who had now stood up. "You take care of your mother for the night for me."

"I promise Dad," she whispered and hugged him tightly. "Please come back."

"I'm not going anywhere any time soon, okay?"

Hermione nodded and wiped away the lone tear that had made its way down her cheek. "I know Dad."

"Good. Now, you two go and get some rest, okay?"

Both Minerva and Hermione nodded and Minerva led their daughter to the Great Hall for the night. Albus waited until the large doors were closed before walking the halls of the castle, checking every room and every crook that he came across.

Back in the Great Hall, Filius and Pomona were sat on the head table watching over the room. Everyone apart from Hermione and Minerva were fast asleep. They had a silencing charm around them to stop others hearing their conversation. As neither could get to sleep, they were talking about transfiguration and Minerva's time in school. Eventually, Hermione fell asleep snuggled up tightly to her mother. Minerva's mind was too busy to let her sleep, so she held her daughter and ran her fingers through her chocolate brown locks, giving her hands something to do.

The next morning the student body was awoken at 7am and escorted to their respective houses to change. Hermione went with her mother and once everyone was in the common room, Minerva headed to her chambers with her daughter so that they could ready themselves for the day ahead. Hermione went to her lessons and then to Severus' lab to focus her mind on something other than the happenings of the castle and Severus was only too happy to oblige her. Minerva spent the day with her husband in his office, both doing paperwork side by side, their legs touching to reassure the other that they were there. Minerva was anxious about what would happen for the rest of the school year and so very worried for her daughter and husband. Albus too was worried, but more so for his family at the moment than anything else. He had noticed that Minerva had stopped writing a few moments ago and was biting her lip, something she rarely did now, but had done it as a teenage while deep in thought. He let her think for a moment or two before putting down his quill and turning to his wife. He placed a gentle hand on her thigh to get her attention. Minerva turned quickly in her chair and smiled at Albus.

"Galleon for your thoughts?"

"That much?"

They laughed briefly with each other.

"What's on your mind, Tabby?"

"The rest of this school year. You. Hermione. The impending war."

"That's quite a bit." Minerva nodded. "Let's start with the war. It is not upon us yet and won't be until Voldemort gains enough power and a body of his own. Worry about it when we he there. Leave it to me to sort things for that out, okay?"

"Okay. But I', here to help you if you want me to."

"I know love. Now, as of the rest of the school year, take it day by day. Don't stress about something that might not happen."

Minerva laughed. "You know what I'm like, Al."

"That I do." Albus brought Minerva into a passionate kiss to bring the mood of the conversation down a little bit. When they pulled apart, both were smiling.

"Now, before we decide to do more of that, why are you worried about me and Hermione?"

"I'm afraid that the both of you might get hurt, I mean, look at last year with that damn chamber. I'm so scared that I'm going to lose you both. I couldn't live without the two of you." Tears started to fall down her cheeks.

Albus pulled her into his lap and held her close to him. He whispered lovingly in her ear and ran his hand through her raven locks, which she had left out of her customary bun. Eventually, Minerva calmed down, but still didn't move from her husbands lap.

"Can we take a break from all this paperwork?"

"That depends."

"On what?"

"What you want to do."

"I was thinking of something that would take out minds off of things for a couple of hours." She nipped at his neck and ear, hoping to persuade him. She felt his erection pressing against the underside of her thighs and she she knew that she had won.

"My little minx."

"Meow."

Laughing, Albus carried his wife through to the chambers and proceeded to ravish her, taking both their minds from reality to pleasure for a few hours before dinner. Both felt much more relaxed than previous to their heated love making.

~0~0~

A few days later and the school was in a state of excitement as the first Quidditch match of the year fast approached. Minerva and Albus had their own romantic plans riding on the match; while Hermione had her nose in an advanced transfiguration book, ignoring the excitement of the staff and students. As she usually did, she followed the large crowds down to the Quidditch pitch. She had decided to hold the book close to her chest so she could watch where she was going much more closely. All she wanted to do was hide in her room for the duration of the match, but that was not an option. Minerva and Albus were walking at the front, leading the way. Their hands brushed every now, and then causing them to smile at each other briefly before carrying on walking towards the pitch. It was a moment for almost every one there.

The game was going well despite the sudden change in weather. Hermione had cast a spell to keep the rain from hitting her book. Minerva had moved as close to her husband as she dared and the thrum of his magic surrounding her gave her a warm feeling that sat in her heart. Minerva, Albus and the other staff members frowned in confusion and concern as the rain turned to ice and the temperature dropped. A few moments later and a group of dementors came swooping from the sky, quickly followed by a falling student. Albus stood and slowed their fall while the other teachers cost their patronus' to send the dementors from the pitch. Minerva tried to hold herself back from looking for her daughter, but was quickly failing.

The whole incident was over quickly and the match was stopped, declaring it a draw. The stands were quickly cleared, but Hermione was not among the walking. Minerva looked frantically through the empty stands and was quickly joined by Severus. It took ten minutes from them to find her. When they did, she was curled up in a foetal position, her book still clutched in her hands. Minerva went to pick her up, but she was already in Severus' arms.

"Let's get her to Poppy, Minerva."

She nodded and followed. Perhaps she had frozen and that's why Severus was holding her daughter.

Half an hour later and things had calmed down slightly. Hermione had awaken but had to be allowed to go to her room yet. Albus was speaking to the Minister about the dementors. And Minerva was patrolling with the other heads of house, but was wishing she was with her husband and daughter instead.

A few days later and Hermione was out of the hospital wing and catching up on what she had missed while still attending all of her scheduled lessons via time turner. How tempted she was to do the day three times over instead of just the ruled two. But ever since that Quidditch match at the week before, she had been losing her energy quicker and her mood had very rarely risen to happy and this only got worse as the days went on, causing both Minerva and Albus to become concerned, however on different levels.

~0~0~

"Albus we need to do something about Hermione."

"What about her, Min?"

"You mean you haven't noticed?"

"Noticed what?"

"Merlin Albus! She's exhausted, has no energy and isn't very happy!"

"Yes, I had noticed that Minerva, now calm down."

Minerva sighed and sat down on the sofa in front of the fire. "I'm worried Albus."

"I'm sure she'll be fine. She's probably still recovering."

"I wouldn't let her use her time-turner is she was ill."

"Nor would I, Min." Albus sighed and finally put down his quill and looked at his wife. "What do you think is causing her to be like this?"

"The dementors. Having to catch up on work. Me not getting to her quick enough." she wiped away a lone tear, still gazing into the fire. "I'm so worried about her."

Albus sat down next to his wife and held her hand. "What do you suggest we do?"

"Teach her the patronus charm. Speak to her. Help her with her school work."

"That sounds like a good idea. Shall we teach her together?"

Minerva nodded. "I'll speak to her and help her out."

Albus nodded and brought her into his arms. "We'll make sure she's okay," he whispered to her as she finally relaxed into his side.

~0~0~

That weekend, Minerva decided would be a good time to speak to their daughter and start to teach her the charm. So, Saturday morning, after breakfast, she headed to the library, knowing full well that Hermione would be there doing her school work. As usual, Hermione was sat on the large table at the back of the room, hunched over several textbooks.

"You know, you could always ask for a little help, Hermione."

Hermione jumped and spun in her seat. "Mom, you scared me!"

"I'm sorry Kitten. Can I sit with you?" Hermione nodded and Minerva sat next to her daughter. "Have you used the time-turner today?"

"No. and I'm hoping I don't have to."

"Why? I thought you loved using it?"

"I do, but I'm too tired to do it today, might not use it all weekend and try and relax a little."

Minerva nodded and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Good girl. I mean it, you know, about asking for help."

"I know Mom, but I like to do things on my own."

"I understand, I was the same when I was your age, but even the best of us need a little support and helps at times."

"Who would I ask?"

"Myself, Albus and Severus are willing to help out."

Hermione nodded and hugged her mother. "Want to help with transfiguration?"

"Is that what all of these are for?"

"Yeah."

"Well you don't need them all." Minerva went through them and handed her one. "This one has a whole chapter on the topic and has everything in that you'll need for the next two weeks."

Hermione flicked through the only one she hadn't looked at and beamed. "It's perfect, thank you!"

"You're welcome, Kitten."

For the whole morning Minerva sat with her daughter, slowly working their way through transfiguration and arithmacy. They had set the afternoon aside to spend with Albus working on defence against the dark arts, leaving the evening for relaxation.

To Be Continued...