Chapter 44

Hermione had spent the bulk of her time after they returned in the kitchens, helping to repair the dry storage area; and at some juncture close to sundown Minerva quietly joined them. Her demeanor was withdrawn but her jaw was set in a determined line – and Hermione opted to remain fixed upon the job at hand.

Little was said other than the necessities. Everyone was focused, and only conducting magic when they were sure it was safe as no one desired a repeat of yesterday. As it was apparent, that it was not only Minerva who had been mildly injured as several of the elves were moving gingerly too – and no great amount of magic was being wasted either in jest or banter as had happened in previous days work.

Slowly, painstakingly the area took form and shape until all but the refrigeration suites were connected.

"Do you want to link them to the warding this evening?" Hermione asked between sips of water.

Minerva's gaze remained upon the units, "No," she rumbled in response, "it's late. It'll take a minimum of two hours to connect the units, and I do not have the stamina this evening to do so."

At that admission, Hermione's eyes snapped to Minerva and truly looked at her for the first time since early afternoon at the funeral. A light sheen covered ashen features with flushed cheeks highlighting how tired and borderline gaunt she was. "Then perhaps a warm," she tried to interject a semblance of levity into her voice, "or perhaps tepid shower and along with a spot of dinner and a thimble of Og's nectar?"

Xoxo

An hour turned into two, gentle conversation flowing between them as they finished up their game of chess. The conversation having primarily revolved around what had happened with Hermione's parents and far from the events surrounding Minerva's day.

Though, as the evening wore on, Hermione couldn't help but notice the way Minerva shifted several different times in her seat, and despite not wanting to reveal that she had gone to Helena about her medical condition – she felt it necessary to talk about what she had learned regarding Minerva's ailments. "I know it's been a long day, but I…spoke to Helena yesterday regarding your…" her voice became barely a whisper, "injuries." She held up her hands at seeing Minerva's jaw ripple, "Please don't close me out," she quickly added, "I'm sorry if you feel I betrayed your trust, but I beg of you not to view it that way. I spoke to her in confidence in an effort to help you."

Emerald eyes misted over as Minerva's strained voice ground out her response, "What did she say?"

"That the reason you are so tired stems from the hexes you were struck with and…" Hermione quickly sat up, fumbling fingers pulling the folded parchment from her robes. "I acquired the counter-spell which is to be cast after a liniment is applied across the affected area…" at seeing Minerva's expression, or utter lack thereof, her voice became breathless, "she believes that if they aren't removed, you'll lose your vision completely, along with the use of your left arm and over time…death."

Hermione had known that Minerva would be upset, but the cold fury lacing otherwise stoic features along with the clipped staccato told her that it far surpassed anything she had imagined. "Why are you telling me this versus Helena?"

Hermione braced herself as she scraped up the tattered remnants of her own bravery after today and replied, "Because I stopped her." Minerva's right brow rose slightly, "I told her that I was already breaking your confidence, and would relay the information but it was up to you to seek out treatment."

"Then where did you acquire the liniment and counter-spell?"

"In a shop off of Knockturn Alley."

"Toxic Tonics?"

Hermione forced herself to remain upright and not shrink away as she desired to right at the moment, "Yes. The proprietor…"

"Did he know you came in for me?"

Hermione didn't want to answer, knowing how it sounded, but she did anyway. "Not for you particularly, but someone who had been struck multiple times almost a year prior. I don't know how. I didn't announce it." She felt as though she was swallowing a mouth full of glass as she finished, "And yet, somehow he knew."

"That's because his brother almost killed me; and as I am undoubtedly the only person who survived the cluster of hexes – he figured it was only a matter of time before someone would walk through his door seeking the cure."

"Can you trust that the information is valid?"

Minerva's eyes dropped to the scrap of parchment, "I don't know." Minerva honestly stated as she lifted her eyes back to Hermione's.

"You don't have to try it. From the nature of Helena's response, I believe she…"

"She doesn't." Minerva softly interjected. "I asked through a third party and she can only nullify the hex, not reverse it."

"Minerva…" Any farther commentary was stopped as long fingers lifted up and she softly shook her head.

"Do you believe you can cast the spell?"

"I believe so."

Minerva took a shuddering breath, "Are you willing to do so?"

Brown met green and slowly, Hermione nodded as she rasped out the solitary word. "Yes."

Minerva eased slightly back trying not to wince from the bruising along her spine, "Do you have the energy to perform one this evening?"

Hermione shifted, "I do, but I don't want to start with the hex along your eye in case it doesn't work or I botch it somehow." She leaned forward somewhat, "I don't want to impair your vision any further."

"Our thoughts are similar."

Xoxo

a/n: :)