A / N : Sorry for the delay in posting this chapter, I've gone back to school and myself and Horcruxhorror haven't been in touch as much as before. Thanks for all the reviews, they make our day!

Chapter eight

Once Hermione had been sorted, she sat at the end of the Gryffindor table, closest to the head table, so she was as close to Albus and Minerva as possible; she sat right on the end seat so that none of the other students wouldn't sit near her. She picked at her food and glanced at Minerva and Albus every now and then just to make sure they were still there.

At the end of the feast, Hermione was so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't realised that everyone apart from the members of staff had left for the night.

"Hermione," Minerva whispered and sat next to her daughter, bringing her out of her thoughts.

"Sorry Mom," she whispered.

"It's alright. Why haven't you gone with the others?"

"I'm sorry, I'll go now." Hermione went to stand but Minerva held her hand.

"What's wrong kitten?"

"I don't think I can do it."

"Do what?"

"Sleep in the same room as other people. I've never had to do it before and I don't think I'll be able to have people so close to me at night. Even you and Dad aren't allowed in my room while I sleep."

"It's okay Kitten. We have a room made up for you here until you think you're ready to share." Minerva whipped away a lone tear from her daughter's cheek and looked up at the staff table. Everyone was smiling.

"This is Albus' and my daughter, Hermione."

Hermione looked shyly up at everyone and waved quickly before turning and wrapping her arms around her mother. Minerva stood with her daughter in her arms and carried her to their rooms. Albus soon followed after calming his staff members down.

Hermione continued to hold her mother as she placed her on her bed.

"Come on Kitten, it's time for both of us to get some rest, we have a long day tomorrow."

Hermione shook her head. "The nightmares will start again."

"I'll stay until you fall asleep, but then I have to go and rest too."

Hermione nodded. "I love you Mom," she whispered as she fell into a restless sleep.

"I love you too my brave little cub," Minerva whispered back before standing and heading to the arms of her husband.

Over the next few weeks and months, Hermione gradually became more and more comfortable at Hogwarts. Although, she did have problems with Professor Snape; she knew he had to act the way he did towards her, he had explained it all to her after their first lesson, but she was struggling to keep that in mind when she was in his class. She had eventually stopped flinching when anyone walked past her but still had problem when someone other than Minerva, Albus or Severus touched her. Draco Malfoy liked to get a rise out of her so did it often. One night though, after dinner, he went too far. He grabbed her wrist and pushed her against a wall. No one was around to hear her screams even though they carried through the hall ways. He threatened and insulted her like John Ganger did and then proceeded to slap her before strutting off down the corridor. Hermione curled up in a ball and hid in a alcove nearby. It wasn't until curfew and her parents hadn't seen her that the staff members started looking for her. They had all grown attached to the child having not had any that they could spoil in such a long time. Minerva found her daughter in the alcove shaking and crying. Gently she scooped her into her arms and quickly walked back to their chambers, sending word to Albus and the others via her patronus on the way.

Hermione cried and cried and cried and Minerva held her the entire time even though Albus keep insisting that he hold her. He always worried about Hermione and Minerva always wanting them to be safe.

"Mom, I think – I think I'm ready to tell you what happened now," Hermione whispered in her ear.

Minerva kissed the top of her head and turned to Albus. "Would you mind making us some tea and um going to do some paperwork?"

"Is that your way of telling me to get lost, love?"

"Yes."

"Then your wish is my command." Tea appeared on the table in front of the girls ten minutes later and Albus didn't come back through the room.

"I'm all ears Kitten."

Hermione took a deep breath and started telling Minerva what her 'father' did to her and why. "It all started when my mother – sorry, Jean – died. She died protecting me. She was covering me with her body when we were found. I still had to go back to him though." Hermione sobbed and had to stopped for a while letting the silence calm her before continuing. "John started to drink. He had always been able to hold his drink and he never once raised his hand to either of us. When she died, he said I reminded him too much of her; had me grow my hair, wear tatty clothes and do everything she did. It was fine for a while, but when I turned eight, he started to hit me if I did something Jean's way. I had to learn everything his way. Even the way I sleep and sit had to change.

"As I grew older he started to get harsher with his punishments. I hated every moment and created a world inside my head that I could escape to every time he came to me."

"That's why you write, to get away from everything."

Hermione nodded. "I'll let you read them when you have a spare weekend." Hermione smiled before sighing and carrying on. "Every night since I turned ten, he came to me and got closer and closer to take what I hold precious." A tear trickled down her cheek. "He got so very close that night you found me." Hermione started crying again and Minerva held her so very close to her, comforting her, loving her.

Hermione felt loved and she knew in her heart and in her soul that she was now loved and would be for the rest of her life and afterwards.

The End.

A / N : Yes our dear readers, this is the end ... but never fear! We shall work on another if enough of you wish us too. We hope you enjoyed it

Paige and Horcruxhorror