Chapter 25
Hermione stared at herself in the steamy mirror, foolishly unsure. After all, she had just spent the last half dozen hours working beside the elder witch, had known her for years, but despite the aforementioned, didn't mean she had ever shared the same living quarters with the formidable woman.
She knew she was being ridiculous, but it didn't stop her from making sure to go ahead and dry her hair and braid it. And when slipping on her robe over her night shift; she found herself tying the sash – another indicator of how uncomfortable she was. Yet, she couldn't bring herself to say anything, because while Minerva hadn't said anything or hinted that she was bothered by their arrangements – but she was certain it was bothering the elder witch equally.
Which left her wondering – why had Minerva let me stay within her rooms for the interim? Why hadn't she merely told me that there was no place for me to stay?
Perhaps she is just as tired of being alone as I?
Or perhaps, she is just too nice and doesn't want to hurt my feelings with everything going on with my parents and she feels obligated to help…?
Her shoulders sunk at the notion, and she willed the last thought away not willing to believe it. She couldn't. Not after everything that she had gone through; her eyes involuntarily glanced to the door her thoughts upon the woman beyond – and felt a small measure of relief in the knowledge that while she couldn't be sure of many things, she could be sure of at least one – she wasn't here because of pity.
Taking a deep breath, she wrapped her clothes in her towel and shrunk them into her pocket before tucking her wand into her sleeve and with what remained of her tattered Gryffindor bravery; she opened the door to her temporary home.
a/n: :)