A/N: Here's another tease…

Chapter 13

Hermione made her way through the stone hallway, feet knowing this path by route, absently noting that the suits of armor, pictures and flags on this path had been repaired. And as she rounded the corner, it became apparent how much had been repaired previously. The landing where McGonagall's quarters were located, still had a broken pillar blocking most of the entry; a slashed portrait, a broken suite of armor and smashed statue, and Hermione was surprised to see the portrait of the Fat Lady standing next to the destroyed canvas.

"I'm here to see the Headmistress." Hermione replied.

"Password." Came her haunting voice.

Hermione frowned, stepping forward and knocked on the door. "I don't have one." She muttered as she knocked again and waited. Hagrid had said that McGonagall was here; and that other than he, she was the only one who was here. Before coming to her rooms, she had stopped by the Head of Hogwarts suite, what remained of McGonagall's classroom and office and the kitchens. She was not within any of the aforementioned, and upon seeing Sir Nicholas; she asked the Gryffindor ghost and he reaffirmed that the Headmistress had not been seen within the Castle today and had probably opted to remain within her rooms to catch up on much needed correspondence.

She knocked a third time, she's probably repairing a corridor…somewhere she thought turning away from the door. However, she was stopped by the sudden appearance of Kreacher. "You'se is here to see the Headmistress?" He asked, eying the mildly annoying mudblood, who…was unlike so many of her kind.

"I am." She stated, "Do you know where she is?"

He gave a half-hearted nod. "Within." He stated cryptically.

At once, Hermione turned back around; frowning as she reached up about to knock again. Why had the Headmistress not answered? But her hand did not reach the door as Kreacher's voice stopped her.

"Why have you come?" He asked.

"To ask her advice." Hermione answered, hoping Minerva would know of a locating charm or of how to contact Flitwick and speak with him, if she did not know. "And…" The last part far quieter than the first one, "To see if she is doing alright."

Hermione felt like an eternity had passed as he stared up at her, unmoving, unblinking…and finally, she shook her head; believing he had reverted back to his prior behavior and odd ways. However, his quiet words stopped her, cold.

"She has bared the elves entry." He saw the concern flash in her eyes, and made a decision to tell…her…about the Headmistress, despite what Sty had said. He knew…her, and while not whom he would have thought he would associate himself with; he did…respect her intellect and compassion. "And not taken a meal since yesterday morning."

Hermione's head snapped towards the door, "Do you know if she is awake?"

He shook his head, "I do not believe she has risen today."

"Not risen?" She whispered in utter shock at Krecher's far too disturbing comment, After all, how could Minerva McGonagall not have risen? It was after 2 in the afternoon. Can you…" She swallowed the sudden feeling of dread pooling in the pit of her stomach, "Unlock her door?"

He snapped his fingers and vanished, the door clicking open as he did; drawing her attention away from his disappearance…and to the chamber and woman within.