Chapter 41

The sun was setting when Hermione finally returned to Hogwarts, and upon entering through the great doors, Hermione immediately began looking for signs of where Minerva had been for the day. Or where she still was.

The entry way had not been touched since they had worked on the main stairwell several days prior. She thought of moving towards the Great Hall but also knew Minerva had been trying to finish with the kitchens.

"Kreacher." She called out, not at all surprised at his weary appearance beside her.

"Miss Hermione." Kreacher sighed, "The Headmistress has retired for the evening."

"Were you able complete the kitchen repairs today?"

"We'se tried. There was a setback."

Hermione's eyes widened, "Is everyone alright?"

"Thanks to the Headmistress."

"What happened?"

Kreacher didn't bother trying to explain, with a snap of his fingers he transported both to the kitchen area. And Hermione couldn't help but just…stare. The work from the last several days appearing to have been for naught, as the dry store areas had been caved in, refrigeration units blown apart, an interior wall nothing but rubble…

"It looks like an explosion went off in here."

"One did." Kreacher confirmed, "We'se did not verify the last unit was not laced with foul magic; and when it was connected to the warding…" He nodded to the devastated area, "We'se start in again tomorrow and do better job of checking over the units to make'd certain there be no dark magic."

"I can't believe that a curse or jinx would cause this."

"Hogwarts' magic protecting itself, won't permit dark magic as part of the warding."

Realization sparked at when the incident would have happened, "Is the Headmistress alright?"

"Bruised but like the rest of us, alive." Kreacher lifted his hand but paused, "Is you be needing any dinner?"

"I…" Hermione frowned at the question, because in truth – she hadn't eaten since the lite breakfast she shared with Minerva hours prior; but at seeing the utter devastation before her, the last thing she wanted was to make it harder on the elves. "I'll be fine for the evening."

Kreacher easily read the duality across Hermione's face, "I'se have a small plate of cheese and bread sent up for you along with the Headmistress within the hour."

Hermione opened her mouth, but Kreacher had already snapped his fingers and she was standing outside of Minerva's rooms.

The Fat Lady jostled awake in shock by Hermione's sudden appearance and without a word spoken between the two of them, the door swung open and she stepped into what was slowly becoming her home.

She had expected to see Minerva sitting upon the chesterfield sipping a cup of tea or reading her some of correspondence, but the main living area was vacant and the door to Minerva's rooms, not even drawn to, but closed.

Xoxo

a/n: Surprise…a mini-morsel on a not forgotten story. Enjoy.