A/N: Sorry for the delay on this chapter guys, school started this week and the coursework is already piling up so i don't have as much time on my hands anymore. I promise to give you one chappie a week. Thanks to everyone who is reading along and sticking with me. And also great many thanks to those of you whom have kindly sent me your thoughts and comments, they really do brighten up my day.
Enjoy!

Comforting Minerva

Severus held Minerva as she cried. She'd had another one of her nightmares and refused to sleep anymore. The nightmares had been getting more regular and vivid as the many weeks since McGonagall Manor past. If anything happened to Hermione, she would be able to live with herself. It had been almost two weeks since Hermione had tried to run away, but Minerva was still blaming herself and thinking it was her fault every time Hermione was unhappy in class.

One Tuesday, Hermione had double transfiguration after lunch. She arrived just as the bell went and took her seat. She didn't look up at her mother even as she started to explain how to turn mice into handkerchiefs.

"Everyone turn to page 385 in your books and read that chapter. Once you have done so, please proceed into creating your handkerchiefs. Marks will be given for size, design and creativity. Of you go." Minerva sat behind her desk and watched as everyone got out there books and began reading. She noticed that Hermione, too, was reading her book when Minerva knew that she could do this transfiguration perfectly with a brilliant design, yet, unlike her other lessons, Hermione was one of the last to cast the spell. She got it perfect first time mind you. Minerva walked between the tables and inspected each and every one of the handkerchiefs. When Minerva came to Hermione, she picked up her piece of work and inspected it as she did with very few others. She found no fault with it, but she did notice that on the bottom left hand corner in a beautiful emerald green in her daughter's own writing was the word 'mommy'. Minerva placed the handkerchief in her daughter's hands and smiled at her. "Could you stay behind after the lesson please, Miss McGonagall."

Hermione nodded and smiled at her mother, it was the first time that anyone had called her 'Miss McGonagall'. She felt so proud to be blessed with the McGonagall name. It made her stomach flutter as she glanced quickly at the other students in the room, they now knew who her mother was and she would no doubt have problems, as would Minerva, especially once the Malfoys caught wind of it.

Half an hour later, the Gryffindors and Slytherins filed out of the classroom, leaving Hermione alone with her mother.

"You wanted to see me, mom?"

"That's a wonderful handkerchief, Hermione." Minerva smiled.

"Thank you." Hermione looked down, blushing. Minerva came and crouched down next to her daughter. Hermione handed her the transfigured handkerchief and smiled, her cheeks still a rosy red. "It's for you."

"Thank you kitten." Minerva pressed a soft kiss to Hermione's cheek and smiled. "I did wonder why there wasn't a mouse sat on your desk at the end."

"I wanted you to have it. I doubt I'll be able to make one like that again."

"I love it, sweetheart." Minerva stood and held her hand out to Hermione. "I'll walk you to your next lesson."

"I'm with dad."

"Well, come on then, we don't want him to be taking house points off his favourite student now, do we?"

"No. Doesn't stop him though. He'll probably give me detention too."

"Not if I have anything to do with it he won't."

"Hermione smiled brightly and hugged her mother. "I love you mommy."

"I love you too kitten."

As Minerva and Hermione started to descend to the dungeons Hermione looked up at her mother and smiled at her sweetly.

"Are you okay, mommy?"

"I'm fine sweetheart." Minerva squeezed Hermione's hand and smiled weakly at her.

Hermione nodded and concentrated on where they were going. She guessed her mother wasn't sleeping too well again, so she made a mental note to speak to her dad after her potions lesson.

Two hours and fifty points later, Hermione walked up to her father's desk and waited for the rest of the class to hurriedly exit the classroom before she walked to the side of the desk and hugged Severus.

"Hello my little angel. How are you?"

"I'm okay daddy. I don't think mom's feeling too good though."

"Why's that sweetie?"

"She seems tired. And I can tell she's wearing a glamour." Hermione buried her face in Severus' chest and closed her eyes.

"Are you tired honey?" Hermione nodded. "How about you go and sit in the living room and I'll go and get your mom?"

"Okay." Hermione collected her bag from her beside her desk and went through Severus' office and then through to their private chambers. She curled herself into the corner of the sofa and began to sketch her family.

Severus went up to Minerva's office, completely ignoring the gorgeous smell drifting from the Great Hall, through to the Grand Staircase. Severus knocked lightly on the door and let himself in. Minerva was sat at her desk attempting to mark her first year essays, but she was furiously wiping away tears so they didn't fall onto the student's work.

"Tabby?" Severus said softly.

Minerva looked up and smiled. "Sev."

"Are you okay, sweetie? Hermione's worried about you, and so am I."

"I'm fine." Minerva stood and walked to her husband who embraced her and held her close as she let the tears fall freely.

"You're tired."

Minerva nodded knowing it was more a statement than a question. "You know I can't sleep, Severus."

"Than may I suggest that we both go to our quarters and sit with our daughter, perhaps Hermione could sleep with us tonight?"

"I'd like that." Minerva whispered.

Severus brushed a lose raven lock behind his beautiful wife's ear and pressed a light kiss to her forehead. "I love you Min." Severus whispered.

"I love you too." Minerva sighed as she rested her head on Severus' chest as he picked her up in his strong arms and carried her through to their rooms. The pair sat on the sofa next to Hermione. Hermione closed her diary and locked it before placing it on the table and snuggling up next to her mother. Minerva's tears started falling harder as her daughter and husband held her as she cried. She knew it wasn't good for either her or the baby, but she knew that she was a mess and she needed to sort herself out.

"We're taking a holiday Min."

"Where to?"

"Either the Manor or beach house, it's up to you."

"The beach house, I think." Minerva sniffed.

"Okay, mommy."

Severus pressed a kiss to her forehead and held her as she held Hermione. Stuff Hogwarts, his girls needed to be somewhere happy, somewhere where it's just the three of them. He knew they had only been back a month or so, but his family came first. He had already informed the headmaster on his intentions and he had agreed. He sent a pack of Hermione work for the next month from each professor to him so she won't fall behind and he told him to look after his family and take all the time they needed. So that's what they would do. They would pack and head to the beach house the next morning, for now though, he and Hermione were comforting Minerva as she sobbed.