A/N: Thanks for reading!
*Warning this story is graphic!*
~Severus Addicted
Chapter Three: A Broken Family Tree
Minerva placed her hands on her student's shoulder as she rang the doorbell.
This is my home (for now until they shun me) I should probably just go in.
"Should we just go in?" Hermione whispered because she didn't trust her voice.
Minerva shook her head, "No because they do not know that you are home. Let's just wait until they open the door."
They didn't have to wait long.
Mr. Granger opened the door. Once he noticed it was Hermione he pulled her into a hug, "Darling! What are you doing home?" Holding the door open for Minerva to enter he closed it behind her then led them into the living room. Pointing to the chairs for Minerva to pick a seat, he hollered for his wife.
Once Mrs. Granger was standing beside her husband, she looked from Minerva to Hermione and back again, "Did you do something wrong, Hermione Jean Granger?" She asked in a deadly tone.
Hermione gulped.
Minerva quickly jumped in to save the child from any punishment, "No, no, no. She is not in any trouble, Mrs. Granger. Hermione is a very well-behaved child."
Mrs. Granger gave a firm nod of her head, "She better be."
Hermione lowered her gaze to the floor.
This is horrible. . . I hate my life. I want to disappear and never be found!
Mr. Granger led his wife to a seat and then sat down beside her, "Then, what, may I ask, has brought you here?"
Glancing over at her nervous student, Minerva said, "Hermione is struggling this year with stress and coping skills."
Mr. Granger gave Hermione a strange look that Minerva could not comprehend, "What does that mean, Professor?"
Hermione shrank in her seat and stared a hole into the carpet.
Minerva started to doubt if coming here was such a good idea. Taking a calming breath, she continued, "Hermione is struggling with healthy coping skills when she becomes overwhelmed."
Mrs. Granger stared at her daughter in what seemed to be shock and disapproval, "What kind of coping skills is she using?"
Minerva almost shuddered at the tone the woman used, "She has started to hurt herself, Madam. I thought her parents should know. We are keeping her safe and we have removed her from some of her classes."
Her parents were silent but their faces told Minerva that Hermione had a right to be worried about telling her parents of her problem.
Gulping, Hermione chanced a glance at her parents. She immediately regretted it and looked at the ground again.
They hate me.
Suddenly Mrs. Granger broke the awkward silence, "Why would you do that? You are a smart girl. Do you want to give our name a bad reputation?"
Hermione looked up at this and quickly shook her head, "No! It's not that at all. I'm sorry!"
Mrs. Granger put her hand up to stop her daughter from speaking, "I am very disappointed in you, young lady! You will stop this nonsense before coming home in the summer!"
Minerva's jaw dropped, "Mrs. Granger, no disrespect, but what your daughter is going through is not nonsense. Many people in the world suffer from self-harm. Self-harm is not something she can simply "get over." She needs counseling and support."
Mrs. Granger gave a firm shake, "No, she can get over it! Just stop hurting yourself! You're just being ridiculous and I WILL NOT have my daughter slicing herself up!"
Tears filled Hermione's eyes as she kept her gaze locked on the floor.
Minerva's blood boiled, "She is not ridiculous, madam! She is struggling. She is sick! Your daughter needs you!"
"That is not my daughter. My daughter is not stupid enough to do that!" Mrs. Granger snapped with so much hatred in her voice it made Minerva shiver.
Minerva looked at Mr. Granger for help, "Do you feel this way too, Mr. Granger?"
Mr. Granger stared straight ahead and refused to answer.
Minerva was shaking in anger, "I thought parents were supposed to love and support their children in everything they do! Would you push her away if she was suffering from cancer?"
Mrs. Granger lifted her nose, "That would be different! She is not my daughter until she gets over this stupid episode. Hermione Jean go get whatever you want out of your bedroom. You will not be coming home for Christmas break let alone come home at all until you pull yourself together!"
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she ran upstairs.
Minerva found herself torn between hexing the two horrendous adults or going to support and help her young lion.
Standing from her seat, Minerva said in a deadly tone, "Neither of you deserved to have children if this is the way you treat them!"
Mrs. Granger glared at her, "I want you both out of my house as soon as possible."
Minerva looked one last time at Mr. Granger who continued to stare at the floor in silence.
Shaking her head in disappointment, she quickly went upstairs to help Hermione.
When she entered the girl's pink bedroom she saw Hermione curled up in her corner crying so hard her shoulders hit the wall with every shake. Kneeling down in front of her, Minerva pulled her into a tight hug, "It's going to be alright, Hermione. I am sorry for making you come here."
Hermione sniffled, "I TOLD you! You didn't listen to me! They hate me now! They don't want anything to do with me!"
Minerva wiped away the tears on her face, "I was wrong. Oh sweetie, I was wrong. I wish I wasn't wrong though! I just cannot fathom the fact that any parent would treat their child in that fashion. I am so sorry, dear."
Standing, Minerva waved her wand around the room making everything disappear, "Come on, sweetie. Let's get back to Hogwarts."
Hermione curled into a tighter ball in the corner and refused to move, "I don't want to leave. This is my home!"
Minerva's heart broke as she tried to gently pull the child to her feet, "We have to leave, sweetie."
Hermione broke, she went limp and just bawled.
Minerva put a feather light charm on her and picked her up. Spinning on the spot, Minerva apparated back to her private rooms.
Sitting on her couch, she pulled the girl closer to her and held her as she cried. Rubbing circles on her back, Minerva allowed her own tears to fall down as she thought about the poor child on her lap.
An hour or two later Hermione awoke to find herself curled up on the lap of her professor. Blushing, Hermione noticed she was also asleep. Slowly standing, Hermione looked around herself in confusion.
Why am I here again?
Then suddenly it hit her. Her heart pained as she recalled the events and the hurtful words her mother said. Leaving the living room she found herself standing in a small kitchen.
I knew this would happen. They no longer love me. No one loves me. I am a freak!
Opening up all the drawers until she found what she was looking for, Hermione pulled out a small peeling knife. Lowering herself down on the floor, Hermione closed her eyes and pressed the knife hard against her pale skin.
As she drug the knife across her wrist a sting made her breath hitch in her throat. Tears welled up in her eyes as she watched a trickle of blood appear and roll down her arm. Biting her lip, she added another red line. And then another. And another.
I don't want to be alive anymore! I hate this! I hate myself!
Pressing the knife against her skin again, Hermione left out a cry as she drug it across. Blood rolled down her arm and dripped on the floor.
Just as she was about to add another line to her arm the knife disappeared from her grasp and she heard her professor shout out, as if she were miles away, "Hermione!"
Everything went black.
When she finally awoke she found herself laying on a bed in the Infirmary. Feeling a sting as she tried to move, Hermione looked down at her arm. Her arm was all bandaged up with white gauze.
Sighing, Hermione dropped against the pillow on her back.
Feeling hopeless and angry, Hermione closed her eyes to hold back the tears of frustration.
Why am I still alive?
Whispered voices caught her attention and she strained to listen in.
"I am having a St. Mungo's nurse come to evaluate her. They are getting her room ready." Madam Pomfrey told whoever was talking to her.
Hermione bit her lip as she held in a cry.
They're sending me away! I don't want to go to a hospital!
"No you cannot send her there. I can take care of her!" Minerva replied back to her.
"She cut herself really bad in your presence, Minerva. This is bigger then you. She needs medical help," Madam Pomfrey said.
"I can take care of her, Poppy! I will proof the house, I will place wards around anything that could be dangerous to her. I will help her. Please, don't send her there," Minerva pleaded.
"This is not up for discussion, Min. I am sorry. She will go to St. Mungos for at least a few days and when they decide she can be released into your care she will be. But before she gets released you must proof your house just like you said. Put wards around the knife drawer. Put a spell on the glass to make it unbreakable. You cannot take any chances when she gets placed into your care."
"When do you think they will release her?" Minerva asked in a defeated voice.
"I do not know, Min. Also, when the nurse gets here tell her your idea about her staying with you it may make Hermione's stay shorter."
The sound of the Infirmary door opening echoed through the room.
"Good evening Madam Pomfrey. I am Miss Kline. How is your patient?" The woman asked in a kind tone.
"She is asleep, Miss Kline," Madam Pomfrey replied.
"If I proof my rooms here, put a ward on anything that could be harmful to her, put a spell on the glass to make it unbreakable, and keep a close eye on her could she stay with me?" Minerva asked hopefully.
"I would like her to stay at least for two days in St. Mungos but after that your idea sounds wonderful. During her stay we will get her a mobile counselor and see about putting her on anti-depressants. When she gets put in your care would you be able to teach her healthy coping skills?" Miss Kline asked.
"Yes I can." Minerva responded quickly.
"Then it's a deal. She will stay in St. Mungos for two days until we get everything lined up for her and then you may come and get her. Also, during her stay you may come visit her." Miss Kline said.
Hermione heard footsteps near her bed so she stayed still.
Someone patted her shoulder and said, "Hermione, dearie, wake up. A nurse is here to speak with you," it was Madam Pomfrey.
Slowly opening her eyes to make it look like she just woke up, Hermione stared at them in fear. She stayed silent as the nurse ran diagnostics over her.
All three took turns filling her in about what was going to happen during the next two days.
Hermione roughly shook her head, "I don't want to go to a hospital! Please don't make me!"
Miss Kline gave her an understanding smile, "St. Mungos is a wonderful place. We will treat you well."
Hermione wanted to throw a temper tantrum. She wanted to throw something! "I DON'T WANT TO GO!" Hermione yelled in anger.
Minerva took this as her cue to jump in, gently grabbed her hand, she ran her thumb across the child's skin and whispered, "Calm down, Hermione, it's going to be okay. You will only be going for two days. Then, I will come get you and you will live with me for a while."
Pulling her hand out of her professor's gentle grasp, Hermione shouted, "You can't make me go to that dumb hospital!"
Minerva sighed and gladly allowed someone else to respond.
"You have no choice. You can either come by your own choice or I will have to put you on a suicide watch and make you come anyway," Miss Kline replied matter-of-factly.
Hermione glared at the blanket as if everything was the blanket's fault, "That's not fair. I don't want this."
"I don't want to hear that you killed yourself," Miss Kline replied.
Hermione huffed, "This isn't fair."
Madam Pomfrey gave her a sad half-smile, "I know, Hermione."
"NO YOU DON'T KNOW! I HATE YOU ALL! LEAVE ME ALONE!" Hermione screamed and covered her face with the blanket.
Minerva sighed and turned to the other two, "Can I speak to her alone?"
They both agreed and left the Infirmary.
Once the door closed behind them, Minerva said in a gentle voice, "Sweetie, you will only be there for two days and I will come visit you every day."
Hermione shook her head under the blanket, "I'd rather be tortured by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named then be put in a crazy bin!"
Sighing, Minerva tried to pull the blanket off her face, "I promise, it will not that bad. I don't believe anything could be that bad."
"Have you ever been put in a mental hospital?" She peeked out from under the blanket.
Minerva shook her head, "No, I have not. If it is so bad that you cannot stand it I will sign you out. Deal?"
Slowly, Hermione nodded her head, "I'm scared. . ."
Patting Hermione's knee, she whispered, "I know sweetie. I am sure they are very nice though."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "What if they drug me?"
Minerva shook her head, "They will only do that if you go AWOL or you are a threat to yourself or someone else."
Hermione groaned, "What if the food sucks?"
Minerva chuckled, "Then I will bring you a snack when I come to visit."
"What if the bed is uncomfortable?"
"Then I will place a charm on it to make it more comfortable," Minerva replied right away.
"What if the other patients are scary?"
"Then I will turn them all into frogs! Besides that though, I am sure they will not put you near people who could harm you."
"What if they do not let me leave after two days?"
"Then I will come and kidnap you," Minerva replied with a smile.
Hermione smiled at that response, "No you wouldn't!"
"Test me," Minerva replied with a smirk and a wink.
This made Hermione laugh even though she knew her professor was joking.
Satisfied with herself, Minerva said, "I know you can do this. You are a strong witch, Hermione."
Hermione's smile fell a little but she nodded her head, "Thanks, Professor McGonagall."
"Call me Minerva, dear," Minerva said gently.
Smiling, Hermione tried the name out, "Minerva. . . Do you promise you will come visit me?"
Nodding her head, she said, "I promise, dear."
The other two woman re-entered the Infirmary and walked over to them.
Miss Kline gave Hermione a small smile which made Hermione's disappear right away, "Are you ready, Hermione?"
Hermione glanced over at Minerva for support. Seeing Minerva's small smile of encouragement, Hermione gave a small nod of her head.
Helping her stand, Minerva gave her a hug.
Miss Kline held out her hand for her and waited for her to take it.
Hermione stared at the hand as if it were on fire.
"Take my hand. We are apparating to the hospital, dear," Miss Kline answered her unspoken question.
Hesitantly, Hermione grabbed the nurse's hand.
Looking one last time at Minerva, she disappeared in a pop.
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed it! Please leave a review!
This upcoming chapter will describe St. Mungos Mental ward as I saw the hospital that I attended. Hermione's feelings and the events that will go on are all real-life events that happened to me (obviously besides any magic!).
Keep the respect :)
~Severus Addicted
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