The Ripple Effect

"Oh," Ron jammed his hand into his robes, "Here." He extended the yellowing letter outward. "When I stopped by mum and dad's to get the mail; this was in it too."

Hermione reached out, frowning as she took the letter. "That's odd."

Ron bobbed his head up and down as he tore off another chunk of cheese, "I thought so too." He nodded to the letter as Hermione glanced at it. "Looks as though it's from McGonagall and as it's addressed to you as Granger; Merlin knows how long it's been there."

Hermione went to slit the seal but despite it appearing sealed, it had been opened. "Did you open it?" She asked as she pulled the letter from the envelope.

"No, why?"

"The seal's been slit."

"Huh, maybe mum…" He swallowed, "Opened it not realizing it was yours." He went to leave the room; but stopped as Hermione's face went ashen. "'Mione?" He strode towards her, "Hermione, what's wrong?"

"I…" Tear filled eyes lifted up from the letter, "I…ah…" She shook her head, "Was wrong." She finally managed to say, "For all these years."

"Wrong, about what?" He asked trying to understand.

"I…" She took first one step backwards and then another, "Need to go."

"Where?"

Her fingers tightened along the edge of the parchment, "To Minerva's." She whispered, "I'll…ah…" She found blue eyes and her heart melted, "Be back."

"Hermione, what's in that letter?"

Hermione shook her head, tears slipping unbidden down her face. "A confession."

"Huh?"

She couldn't explain, not now. Not yet. She needed to see Minerva. Now. Even if it had been after all these years. Heedless of her actions and the subsequent consequences, Hermione left her home and without thought; apparated to the beautiful grounds that signified McGonagall Manor. Her eyes sweeping over the visage; it was much like its owner – timeless.

She strode forward, the gates locking mechanism instantly pulling apart as if sensing her urgency; but a diminutive house elf appeared only feet in front of her destination.

"What business do you have here?"

"My name is Hermione Weasley, and I was hoping to speak with Minerva regarding a personal matter."

"I am afraid the Lady of the Manor is not at home."

Hermione glanced past the elf to the great Manor, letting her eyes rove over the windows and ivy; sensing that the woman she wished to see was in fact in residence today. "Please, I need to see her."

"Then I suggest you come back."

Hermione took a singular step backwards, hands coming up from her sides as she bellowed outwards, "I JUST GOT YOUR LETTER, PLEASE MINERVA…" Her voice broke, "Please…"

oxox

"How was Edinburgh Miss?" Tily asked the Lady upon her return.

"Busier than I recall." Minerva stated as she peeled her hat off, "Remind me again why I went?"

Tily couldn't help but smile at the Lady. "You is been needing to leave this drafty Manor."

"Ahhh, yes now I recall; I had been coercively forced to leave my own home." Her eyes twinkled, "Now, anything of note happen these last few days?"

"No," Tily stated, "A Mr. Shacklebolt stopped by as did Mr. Filius and a Mrs. Hermione Weasley."

"Did Hermione say why she was here?"

"To do with personal matters and something about a letter." She continued on failing to notice how Minerva's face momentarily fell, "I'se checked your mail and it seems that you have a note from the Weasley family that Mrs. Molly Weasley is in St. Mungos in critical condition."

Minerva banished her purchases and sundry other items to her rooms; she'd sort them out later. "Thank you Tily, I'll be at St. Mungos for a few hours and not be home for dinner."

"We can put on stew Ma'am."

"If you feel the need to do so, make it an easy meal that keeps." Minerva replied before striding back through the Manor entry way and down the manicured lawns to visit and comfort the Weasley family.

A/N: Letter finally got delivered...