Chapter 26

a/n: No your eyes do not deceive, I've been wanting to dust this off and finish. So pardon my delay in updating that which you crave, but hopefully you enjoyed delving back into this world once more with me.

Minerva waited a heartbeat before lifting her gaze as Hermione stepped from the loo, immediately noticing that Hermione had already dried and braided her hair along with having donned her robe over her night attire.

She's as unsettled with this notion as I, Minerva inwardly chastised and forced the next statement aloud, because for better or worse, she not another had invited the young woman to stay in her quarters. The very least I can do is make her feel welcome, as she is helping me. "If you are amenable, perhaps a game of chess?"

Hermione turned to see Minerva's gaze upon her own, "I rarely play, that has always been Ron and Harry's game."

"I do recall they played quite a bit of wizard's chess."

And Hermione found herself saying the farthest thing from her mind, because while she didn't particularly like chess; she didn't want to dissuade Minerva's quiet offer. "I've never particularly liked wizard's chess, it's too barbaric for me. But if it's just chess," she shrugged, "I'd like that."

"Just chess it is." Minerva replied as she stood and moved towards a cupboard, hearing Hermione briefly depart the room and then return as she retrieved the board and pieces.

"Did you…" Hermione paused at the edge of the chesterfield as Minerva turned around, "want to take a shower before we start?"

"I shall after." Minerva answered as she easily withdrew a half bottle of nectar and almost without thought, she grasped two glasses on her return to her seat. She set the chess board and small velvet bag that held the pieces down, before setting the glasses down, "Have you ever had the pleasure of Og's nectar?"

"No," Hermione drew her leg up as she sat down, "and I'm not overly keen on…" Minerva handed her a small glass with what could be described as barely a thimble full of liquid resting in the bottom, "alcohol."

"I lost that declaration two wars ago," Minerva stated as she poured herself a steep glass before sitting opposite of Hermione. She opened the board and unfastened the bag; and as she set her wand down, she tapped the bag, the pieces instantly aligning themselves on the board – the white before Hermione, black in front of her.

Hermione picked up one of the knights, the workmanship of the piece was unmistakable, "This is beautiful." She replaced the night with the bishop, eyes skimming over the stone surface before lifting back to Minerva, "Are these hand carved?"

"Yes, by my nephew, Alistair."

Hermione set it down as she asked, "Does he still carve sets and if so…" her words trailed off at seeing the sadness reflected in emerald eyes, and her stomach sank, "I'm sorry."

"He was killed during the first war," she shook her head, "it was a long time ago."

"But it doesn't make it any better." Hermione gently replied.

"No," Minerva agreed, as she lifted her glass, "but the passage of time does make it easier." She paused another moment in thought and was surprised when Hermione lifted her glass.

"To family and friends, in this world and the next." Hermione reached out, her glass being met halfway with Minerva's in toast before she swallowed her half ounce and found herself pleasantly surprised at the smooth texture tasting of cinnamon and spice. "That's…good."

Minerva's brow arched, "Careful." She quipped as she set her glass down, "You might grow to like it."

Hermione found a hint of a smile pulling on her lips at Minerva's quip, "Do you mind if I have more than a thimble full?"

Long fingers moved outward, grasping the bottle and pouring a generous measure into the glass. "I do believe you…" she set the bottle back down, "start."

Oxox

The game went by quickly, both women opted for a second game; neither ready to retire for the evening. Shortly after the onset of the second game, the fireplace called out, "Minerva."

At once Minerva stood and made her way to the fireplace, and kneeled in front of it. "Marcus."

"It took longer than expected to find the couple you asked us to, but…" his voice shifted as did his eyes, "is someone there? Do I need to call back?"

Minerva turned to briefly glance at Hermione, "Yes, and no." She moved her gaze back to Marcus' outline, "Are they both well?"

"Who's there?" Eileen asked from behind Marcus, "I didn't think she'd have anyone there unless…" her voice dropped several octaves and was mostly obscured by the crackling fire, but Minerva could hear them due to her animagus hearing and felt her face flush at her friends words ever thankful that Eileen had dropped her voice lest Hermione hear her too, "she has found a new lover."

"To answer your comment Eileen, the friend I spoke to you both about. Now, what news have you?"

"Monica and Wendell are both doing quite fine. Jayne is keeping watch as we speak and I am to go relieve her this afternoon."

"I'll speak with Kingley tomorrow morning and initiate the transfer; but I cannot stress the necessity for caution."

"As always." Marcus replied, "Now, their names. Their real names, so we know what we're looking at."

"Granger. Jean and Carl Granger."

"Granger?" Marcus turned his head, "How do we know that name? Isn't that one of Michael's…"

"They are the parents of Hermione Granger." Minerva interjected not wanting to listen to Marcus' prattling this evening, "Who is one of Harry Potter's best friends."

"Hence the need for protection." Eileen breathed, "How is the Ministry doing up there tracking the remainder of Voldemort's inner circle?"

"Officially, quite well."

"Yeah, we've never been one for official channels as you well know, Minerva. How serious is this?"

"When they return, until the seven known threats have been detained; the Grangers' will have an unspeakable division assigned to them."

"Do you know if any have managed to leave England's borders?"

"I don't believe so, but…" she sighed, "that was the day before last."

"Miner…va…" Marcus turned away from the fire, and unlike Eileen's previous comment, the words were muted and even with her normally stellar hearing, she couldn't hear their exchange. "We'll keep them under protective detail until we hear otherwise, just keep us posted with the Ministry's actions."

"I'll call tomorrow evening."

"Till then," Marcus' face began to break apart but for a heartbeat he returned, "be safe too."

Minerva sighed as she stood up, and was surprised to see Hermione standing just over a meter behind her. "As you heard, your parents…" the rest of her words came out in a gush as Hermione thrust her arms around Minerva's form, "are alright."

"Thank….you…" Hermione rasped as tears spilled off her cheeks in relief, as Minerva wrapped her arms around Hermione's body, "Thank you…" her voice brokenly stated again.

Minerva merely stood and held Hermione for several minutes, before Hermione finally pulled back; eyes rimmed with red as she stared at Minerva, "I'm beyond grateful, if there is anything…"

"We still need to reverse the memory charm before you are too grateful," Minerva lightly stated, "but I'm glad to have helped."

"How," Hermione stepped back farther, "do you know Marcus?" she asked while wiping the tears from her eyes.

"An old friend whom I spent some time with in the Auror department."

"And Jayne?"

Minerva easily understood Hermione's concern, "Another friend. Your parents shall remain unharmed, and I'll speak with Kingsley in the morning about arranging for their transport and subsequent safety when home."

"I can, as I'm sure you have…things here to take care of; and I don't wish to be a burden, especially as this is personal and has nothing to do with Hogwarts."

"I did not state I was going to the Ministry." Minerva stated to a suddenly wide-eyed Hermione, "Rather that I would speak to Kingsley, which I do regularly, daily. He is quite overwhelmed at this juncture, and I fear if you were to ask him, it would be a month before your parents would be returned to England. I am merely going to inquire if I can work with Harold to assist in bringing your parents' home."

"Harold?"

"The Head of the Unspeakable Division, and another old friend."

At those words, Hermione felt her lips pull into a faint smile. "It seems I was wrong."

"Ohh, what about?" Minerva asked while moving back to the chess board.

"That you wouldn't have as many contacts as Dumbledore to help me with my parents."

Minerva chuckled as Hermione sat opposite, "As one of his contacts, he gained my network of contacts too." Minerva nodded to the glass in front of Hermione as she picked up her own, "Congratulations and your parents' health."

Hermione clinked her glass to Minerva's as her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she quietly stated, "Thank you," again with a nod and a warm smile before taking a hefty draught of nectar, enjoying the warmth from not only Og's nectar but of the spark of hope that perhaps things would return back to a semblance of normality.

Xoxo