Chapter 45

Hermione's brows furloughed as Minerva stepped from her rooms with a bathrobe firmly affixed around her body. However, she buried her own thoughts on the matter, figuring that Minerva had a reason why she was dressed as she was. Her thoughts were waylaid as Minerva spoke while she walked closer. "Are you certain you'd like to attempt the spell?"

"Yes." Her eyes flashed to her covered shoulder, "However, he stated that I need to apply the liniment prior to casting the spell."

"I am aware." Minerva said as she stopped before the chesterfield, fingers coming to rest on the belt holding her robe together. Her brogue rumbling between them as she began untying it, "Do not be disgusted by how poorly my shoulder appears."

"I won't." Hermione stated as Minerva turned her back to Hermione while opening her robe and with a deep breath, she slipped the robe from her body.

And waited.

Hermione's eyes widened as the robe fell from Minerva's shoulders, exposing the strong lines of her back – minus the white straps of her bra along her shoulder blades and the band along the center of her back which was a stark contrast with the black and red bruising covering most of the area. And then…there was the indentation along the left side of Minerva's shoulder – with broken crimson spidering veins that spanned to the center of her back, the underside of her elbow, and around the side of her chest disappearing beneath the white cotton material where it seemed to have widened along the band. With effort, Hermione pushed her gaze past the horrid looking indent in along Minerva's shoulder to see if she could ascertain the where the third hex had impacted Minerva's battered body. "I don't…" she tried and failed to keep her voice steady, "see the third impact area."

"That's because my bra covers it."

Hermione nodded, "I…guess that explains why I can't see it."

"Probably."

"How much of the discoloring in your back is from the hex versus the incident in the kitchens?"

"Anything to the right of my left shoulder blade and beneath the area is from the kitchen. My shoulder, down the whole of my arm and around my chest is from the incident last year."

"Do you mind if I apply some balm to the rest of your back?"

"After the hex has been lifted."

"Then…" Hermione opened the small tin canister, "I suppose I should get started." Hermione slid the pads of her fingers along the salve and began applying some to the indented area but instantly withdrew her hand as Minerva jerked away from her touch. "I'm sorry…I didn't mean to hurt you."

"The area you are touching..." Her voice breaking slightly, but with force of will, she finished the comment. "As you've gathered is extremely sensitive."

"I thought you said it caused numbness."

"My arm, the left side of my chest, including my breast and the front of my shoulder, but not the actual impact area."

"I didn't even manage to apply the salve to half of the area."

Minerva forced her back straight as she clenched her jaw, "Finish."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." Minerva rasped and willed herself not to move as fingers gently applied the rest of the ointment. The seconds ticked by before Minerva felt the pressure relieve and she let out a shuddering breath, "If you can give me a moment before applying the counter-spell."

"Take as long as you need." Hermione stated busying herself with reading the spell for the thousandth time, so as to not stare at Minerva's back. Or to try not to look at it, but in less than two minutes – she failed. Her eyes involuntarily sliding back to stare at the proud, strong lines…inundated by bruising, the crimson spidering and what appeared to be previous marks or rather…scars. Scars…but any further contemplation was nullified as Minerva's voice broke across the stillness.

"I'm ready."

"Alright," Hermione said taking a step back, hand adjusting along her wand, "Three, two…" she involuntarily took a deep breath before breathing out the final part of the countdown, "one." And without hesitation, she snapped and flicked her wrist as the spell fell from her lips; and instantly a whapish olive green bolt sprang from her wand and impacted the area of her shoulder primarily where the first hex had struck.

The effect was immediate.

The green haze seemed to envelope Minerva's shoulder, a gasp left Minerva's lungs and then…it was gone.

"Are you alright?" Hermione asked as she stepped around to see Minerva's face.

"Yes," Minerva said as she took a deep breath, her face relaxing as she exhaled, "as matter of fact, it is far easier to breathe."

Hermione felt her unease regarding what could happen dissipate, "I'm glad." She maneuvered to enable her to look at the previous indentation, "The spidering along with the sunken area is gone." She paused mere millimeters from touching the skin, "Is this still tender?" She asked while pressing along Minerva's shoulder.

"Not at all."

Hermione leaned back, "Would you like to remove the curse on either of the two remaining ones?"

"If you feel that you are able, I would like to remove the one along my eye."

Hermione nodded, "Let me get the liniment." She stated and within seconds she was handing the canister to Minerva, "Here."

Unlike before, Minerva applied the ointment to the location and Hermione watched as emerald eyes briefly teared up from what Hermione surmised was the pain affecting the hexed area. Then slowly, Hermione watched as the charm fell away to reveal the affected area, their eyes meeting and then she gave a nod indicating that she was ready before closing her eyes, waiting.

Hermione took a step back, twirling her wand in her hand to offset her nerves while inwardly assuring herself, I won't miss. I can do this. "Three." I won't miss. "Two." I can do this. "One."

The olive spell lurched towards the edge of Minerva's eye, and Hermione could only wait, and hope as it struck Minerva's face.

And as the smoke cleared, she found herself staring into a non-indented eye socket along Minerva's left temple and an eye…that while slightly lighter emerald, was still emerald and not pale green.

"Please tell me your vision isn't any worse."

"Quite the contrary," Minerva said with a hint of a smile, "my vision is better."

"Is it fully restored?"

"No, but, it is greatly improved." Sincerity laced Minerva's features, "Thank you."

"It's the least I can do; after all you've done in assisting me in finding my parents." She pointed to the side of Minerva's chest, "Did you wish to remove the final hex this evening or wait until tomorrow? And before you ask, while tired, I am able to cast the spell."

"If you are willing, I'd prefer to start tomorrow – anew."

Xoxo

a/n: Another morsel... ;)