Chapter 24

Hermione glanced back at the steps and then to the corridor, frowning. This entire wing had been in shambles yesterday morning. She had had to walk along the western wall to cross the area by the steps from the chasm in the floor, not counting the debris; but this morning it had somehow been restored to its previous state.

Not one scorch mark laced the corridor, not one ounce of debris was seen littering the floor, not one piece of stone was missing from the walls or floor, even the portraits appeared whole along with the suits of armor and other adornments that had previously existed here.

Hermione couldn't help but feel lighter at seeing a piece of Hogwarts restored so quickly. If Minerva had done this in one day, she was sure they'd have a large portion done before the Professors returned and when they did; it'd only take perhaps another week or at most two to finish.

"Password?" The portrait's voice asked intersecting her thoughts.

"Ahhh, Minerva's expecting me." The portrait didn't say a word but vanished and a heartbeat later, a click sounded and Hermione reached for the now apparent handle. "Thank you," she stated before moving into her previous head of house's rooms.

"Good morning," Minerva's crisp voice drawing Hermione past the sitting area, again.

"Good morning," Hermione replied as she stepped into the living room and saw Minerva sitting at a desk with a cup and saucer resting on the left corner; looking slightly more rested but she couldn't help but wonder if Minerva was using a glamour charm. "You said you usually get up early, but with everything…I didn't know if you would be up or not. So I came a little later."

Minerva reached up pulling her glasses off, "I've been up for some time," she replied beginning to wonder if her permitting Hermione to remain at Hogwarts for the interim was wise. As the woman who seemed unyielding and able to hold her own had somehow morphed into the rambling young lady now adorning her living room. What had she been thinking? With little effort she folded the arms of her glasses, or perhaps she hadn't been because she had let herself get too damn drunk which had now created a colossal problem for the intermediate future. "Have you eaten?"

"Ahh, yeah." Hermione cleared her throat, feeling oddly nervous under the elder witch's gaze; but she forced the feeling away as she glanced to the cup of tea before meeting emerald eyes again, "But if you haven't, I can stand to eat a bit more."

"I had something earlier," Minerva internally continued to debate the overall merit of last evening's idea, especially now.

"Then the kitchens are in little need of repair?" Hermione inquired hoping to dispel some of the awkwardness that seemed to have permeated the room.

"The elves are working on the kitchen. And have managed to reconstruct two wood ovens and three stoves, their focus though has shifted to the refrigeration units and the dry stores. Once they complete the dry stores area, it'll have to be reconnected to the warding."

"Which you or one of the professors will do?"

"As I am the only professor here capable and there will be more warding than I can do alone; and you are here for the interim – I thought perhaps you could assist as well."

"Ahh…of course. But how do I connect or reconnect items to the warding? In Hogwarts A History, there is little mentioned regarding the warding and what the warding is for, how it's done, the extent it is to warded?"

Despite her reservations and internal waging war, Minerva couldn't help stop the hint of a smile from spreading across her lips at Hermione's string of questions. Seeing that the younger woman's innate curiosity and thirst for knowledge hadn't been squelched or worse yet, abandoned but had remained after all she had been through, brought back a small spark to her weary soul. "I've been told on occasion, I'm a fairly good teacher and believe we can sort it out."

"You are a marvelous teacher and have no doubt in your abilities to teach me; but can I…" she swallowed the worry away, knowing that of anyone – the woman before her would be honest, "conduct the warding? I mean, I haven't taken my newts and…am not a teacher."

Green eyes scanned the reticent expression and felt the weight within her marginally ease at Hermione's question and subsequent statement. Her rationale was unlike so many – it wasn't that she didn't believe in her skills rather concerned about lack of knowledge. A rare commodity of late. As there was no stated doubt or insecurities regarding the magic, regarding the learning, regarding how or why, just a simple clarification question regarding belief based upon prior knowledge and learning. "While unusual it is not unprecedented for one such as yourself to conduct the warding. However, I will have to ask for a blood oath regarding what you learn in reference to the warding."

Hermione didn't bat an eye, "Of course. But," she cast a glance back to the door, "before we begin," and then met Minerva's gaze, "I was hoping to unpack a few things or is that where we are starting or from your statement yesterday, finishing?"

Minerva swallowed the unease that instantly formed in her throat, her decision having been made last evening as to repair one of the common rooms would take the better part of a week – and this next one, she needed to spend working on the entry hall. "I did inspect the dormitories, but like most of Hogwarts – they are in need of great repair." She paused drawing an unsteady breath as this idea had seemed doable last eve. A short term resolution so she could focus on the more pertinent repairs, except the woman was now standing in her rooms – what had I been thinking? She questioned herself again as she uttered the answer. "As are the professors' rooms, and for the next week I need to solidify the main entrance before I can find suitable accommodations."

Hermione felt her jaw flex, "If you didn't want the help…"

"You are mistaken," Minerva stood, "I thought," she dug deep for what remained of her reserves as she stated the unthinkable aloud, "for the next two weeks, if you are amenable, you could remain here." She heard a sigh slip from her own lips as she stated the true reason for the previous statement and rationale for the odd accommodations, "There is much to be done over the next two weeks to keep Hogwarts stable and not endanger everyone when they return to help with the repairs. And I just…" she could feel tears instantly come to the surface as she tried to push the wall of emotion away, "I am tired, Hermione. I do not have the energy to repair both the entry hall and some place for you to sleep."

As quickly as the anger had flared for her momentary belief that Minerva had rebuffed her; was as quickly as it dissipated as she watched the normally stalwart woman admit something so personal, so open. "That's fine," she shrugged, trying to make light of the obviously awkward temporary living arrangements, "after living with Harry and Ron on the run in a tent for a year; this is far more luxurious."

Minerva motioned to the wall opposite as she began walking across the living area, "While not as spacious as the Head of Hogwarts; I do have a spare room." She opened the door, "That currently masks for another library, but it won't take much to move them."

Hermione had followed her and peered in, "They are fine," she breathed as her eyes raked over the spins nestled around the entire room save for a half a wall which housed a bed and nightstand and a wardrobe opposite – the shelving built around the antique. "Is this part of the library?" she asked turning to Minerva, "Or your own?"

"That is a compilation of transfiguration works."

"Transfiguration?" she whispered stepping into the room, loving the scent of aged parchment as greedy eyes scanned the titles along the spines.

"I'm missing a few, but that is almost every text published or journal written on the discipline."

"You can't be missing many." Hermione whispered in awe as she tipped her head back to read some of the titles above her. "Gawmps Third Law…" she pointed to the faded olive binding, "is that Gawmps' work?"

"Yes, along with his journals." Minerva pointed to the column past the books.

"I take it you've read them?"

"Many times," Minerva paused in recollection, "while brilliant, he was a rather self conceded man."

"Aren't most?"

A hint of a smile graced rosy lips, "I'll let you get settled," she stated, leaving Hermione alone as she internally mused on the peculiar situation she now found herself in regarding the younger woman.

Xoxo

a/n: another Sunday morning drabble…Enjoy.