A / N : Thanks for all the great reviews guys! Thanks to everyone that is reading along, has alert the story and faved the story! This is going better than we expected it too. Sorry we didn't post yesterday I (Paige Joy) completely forgot that is was Wednesday, instead I thought it was Tuesday :-P

Cookies and milk to everyone who reviews!

Chapter Two

Hermione looked around her and gasped, she wasn't in the cold street any more, instead she was sat on a lush carpet surrounded by warmth and books, her eyes shone as she scanned the many books and trinkets that lined the walls.

"Where am I?" she asked quietly.

"My home."

"Professor?"

"It's me."

"It's all real then, magic?"

"As real as you and me."

"Wow."

"Come, let's get you into something warmer."

Hermione nodded and followed as the strict looking woman led her by the hand up the spiral staircase. Hermione sat on the large bed which sat in the centre of the large room which they had entered. She let her eyes and mind wander as the woman searched in the large wardrobe in the corner.

"Miss Granger. Miss Granger. Hermione!"

Hermione jumped . "Sorry."

"It's quite alright my dear. Now, go put these on and we'll get some food into you."

Hermione starred at the clothing that the Professor was holding out to her, but shook her head. She folded her arms around herself and looked pleadingly at the woman, hoping she wouldn't force her to wear the summer clothes.

Minerva recognised the look as it was one she once gave Albus, when she was in her fifth year; so she placed the clothing back and brought out a dark green tracksuit. Minerva indicated the door in the fat corner of the room once she had handed the girl the clothes, she'd even given her some underwear so the girl could freshen up a bit.

Hermione looked carefully at the clothing and nodded, stood on shaky legs and went to the bathroom. She put on the clothes as quickly and carefully as she could without causing herself any more injury. She so desperately wanted a shower, but knew that that would have to wait until later that evening.

When she stepped out of the bathroom, she froze. Stood, holding the kind Professor was a tall man with a long beard. She closed her eyes and opened them again; it was no good; all she saw was her father. A few tears fell down her cheeks and she wanted nothing more than to hide behind the woman who had saved her. Her legs collapsed beneath her and she hung her head images of her father flashing through mind.

Her father beating her when he mother died.

Her father slapping her because she had burnt the dinner.

Her father slamming her into a brick wall because she didn't keep her grandparents happy.

Her father ripping her clothes off her after one too many drinks.

Her father forcing himself on her because she had informed him of a visitor and a place at a new school.

She was brought out of her memories by the Professor once more, she turned and buried her face in her chest, not wanting to find out if the elderly man was still in the room.

Minerva rocked the girl back and forth, she didn't realise that the sight of Albus would have such a reaction on her. Glancing over at the bed where her husband was sitting, she shook her head and mouthed later, letting him know that she wanted to be alone with the girl.

"Hermione," she whispered.

Hermione looked up and wiped her eyes. "How do you know my name?"

"It's on the school register with a picture next to it so we know who you are when we come to visit you."

Hermione nodded and turned away.

Minerva touched her cheek. "You can call me Minerva. And the man you saw earlier is my husband, you can call him Albus."

Again, Hermione just nodded. She wanted to be left alone to write, but then she realised that her things were still at her father's house. "I want to go and get my things," she whispered.

"In the morning sweetheart."

"He might not keep them that long, he'll be so angry." Hermione let out a sob.

"Ok, but only if you allow Albus to come with us, and you don't leave my sight."

Hermione nodded. She'd do anything to get her things back.

Minerva stood and held the girl's hand. "Let's go and find my husband then." She led Hermione by the hand through the manor and down into the living room where Albus was sat on the sofa reading. "Albus," she whispered.

"Min," he whispered back, placing his book on the table in front of him. "What can I do for you?"

"Hermione wants to go and collect her things and I want you to come with us."

Albus nodded and went to walk up to his wife. "Anything for you my love."

Minerva smiled, but when she felt Hermione hide behind her, she turned and brought the girl into her arms. "It's okay my dear, he's not going to hurt you." She continued to whisper soothingly to her and finally convinced her that Albus wouldn't touch her.

Together, with Hermione safely in Minerva's arms, they headed off to the Granger residence to collect Hermione's things.

Hermione shivered and pulled herself close to Minerva as Albus knocked the door. She was prepared for the shouting when her father opened the door, and tightened her grip on Minerva.

Minerva picked up Hermione and held her close as she buried her head in her shoulder. Minerva whispered in her ear while half listening to her husband working his way into the house.

"Minerva why don't you take Hermione up to her room and pack."

Minerva nodded, knowing that it was more an order than a suggestion. With the little girl safely in her arms, she quickly walked into the house and up the stairs, Hermione pointed her to her room and when they got there, Minerva closed the door, sat Hermione on her bed and started to wave her wand. Everything in the room that was Hermione's shrank itself and flew into the suitcase that was sat underneath Hermione's bed.

"Is there anything else, dear?"

Hermione looked around her room and noticed that her desk was still there. Standing, she unlocked all the draws, took everything out and put it in a backpack that was hung on the back of the door. She slowly put it on her back, careful not to put much pressure on her wounds and went and hugged Minerva.

"I'm ready," she whispered and Minerva once again picked her up. The suitcase shrunk itself and flew into Minerva's pocket, everything would be safe until they reached the manor.

To Be Continued ...