Minerva sat behind her desk in the early morning light, furiously scratching away at administrative paperwork required to keep Hogwarts running smoothly. With a heavy sigh, she leaned back in her chair rubbing her battle-worn face. A moving picture at the corner of her desk caught her sudden attention and she turned to look at it properly.
A gift, 1 year after the battle, when the school had managed to be put completely to rights again. She smiled fondly as she pulled the photo closer. It was a group picture of all the students who'd returned to help in the reconstruction of the school All dirty and worn out from their days work but happy with their accomplishments. Her thumb ran gently over the two in the center, Potter, and Weasely, before a small frown greeted her lips. Just two of them, she thought sadly.
The press had quickly moved in calling them the Golden Duo but Minerva couldn't help but feel an emptiness in her heart where the space between them was unfilled. She took a deep breath and slowly set the picture back into place. The portraits on the wall were starting to wake for the morning yawning loudly as they came to. Minerva sighed softly as she leaned back in her chair once more. A small pop caused the elder to remove her hand from her eyes. She sat forward with a kind but tired smile as a house elf came forward with a rolled and sealed parchment.
"It is done, Headmistress." They replied holding out the missive.
"Thank you Tinie," She replied kindly gently taking the scroll.
"Will Headmistress'es be wanting some morning tea?" They asked eagerly.
"Yes...I think that would be lovely." Minvera replied as she cracked the seal with her wand. Another soft pop signaled the house elf's retreat to the kitchens.
Minerva gingerly unrolled the scroll atop the already laden desk and read quickly, 'In the event of permanent and end of life care—' She continued to scroll quickly, ' One Headmistress Minerva McGonagall will be granted unrestricted access to the care and comfort of the ailing...' Minerva sighed heavily through her nose. She didn't believe the ministry would fight her on the issue but, it was still rather difficult to see that even they had given up on ever seeing the brilliance of Hermione Granger ever again. She quickly rolled it back up. She had taken note that there were no listed relatives on the document. That in the eyes of the magical world, Hermione Granger was undoubtedly and unarguably alone.
A soft pop tore her from her depressed musings and she took a quick sip of her newly delivered tea before pulling a new piece of parchment from a drawer. Quickly, before dismissing Tinie, she folded the parchment, "Please make sure this gets to St. Mungo's spell damage ward, specifically Healer Darling."
"Tinie will not fail you Headmistress'ess." With a quick bow and a soft pop; she was gone once more.
Minvera took another few sips of her tea before rising to begin her rounds and start a new day at the infamous Hogwarts of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The days went on painfully slow, it was the last day of the week she was given to complete her task. The missive she was eagerly awaiting came at dinner; a large black owl came swooping in and landed neatly on the back of her chair offering the tiny letter. She took it quickly and stood to turn excusing herself from the rest of the staff feigning illness. She hurried up to the headmistress' chambers, reading the letter on the way; the portraits on the wall murmuring as she rushed in. "Oh do be silent all of you." She chided as she pulled on a traveling cloak. She gave one last glare to them all before stepping into the flames, "St. Mungo's." She stated clearly before disappearing into the green flames.
Healer Darling met the Headmistress in the entrance hall. His face clean shaven this time, he would be a liar if he wouldn't say he wasn't nervous. As she appeared before him, he greeted her with a gentle smile, "Headmistress." he said with a bow of his head, "Forgive me for using the wrong title all this time." He murmured sheepishly but relaxed as she waved off his unease with a gentle smile and dismissive hand.
"I've taken all the necessary paperwork to all those involved." He spoke softly as they wove through the many people of the main wing. "We will be allowed to transfer her officially into your care after you sign a few things." He motioned her to one of the side offices. He ushered her in kindly and summoned tea service for them.
"Headmistress, I don't know what possessed you to take such interest but—can I be blunt ma'am?" He waited for her to allow his ramblings, "I am greatly relieved that the patient-"
"Miss Granger," McGonagall interjected.
"Miss...Granger." He restated carefully, " Has finally found someone to take an interest in her case, after having been her attendant these last few years, I thought for sure there was no hope. Even watching as her friends dismissed her case as much as everyone else has over the years, it was so hard to think that I couldn't do anything to help...but now that you've decided to take responsibility for her care, I know she'll receive the best anyone can offer."
Minvera smiled softly, "It's great to know that you still care about her well being Mr. Darling." She smiled gently, "Now then, I believe I'll be wanting to transfer her out of St. Mungo's permanent spell ward into a more...suitable refuge for care."
Healer Darling paused in his efforts to find the paperwork and looked at her with a bit of shock and worry, "He-Headmistress I assure you that despite my colleges feigned efforts I truly do care about the patient-Ms. Granger's care."
"Of this, I have no doubt." She said kindly, "However, I believe I have found someone who has a unique insight into this particular case and would like to seek their skill set in bringing Ms. Granger back into full health."
Healer Darling sat down slowly in his chair almost defeated. Suddenly, his face sparked to life, "You found someone." His words were slow and careful. He watched Minerva simply tilt her head but say nothing more. Slowly, a small smile grew on his face, "I see." He looked down, refusing to speak his thoughts aloud, "I shall get the correct paperwork." He stood once more and turned opening a filing cabinet. It took some finding, but he managed to get what he was looking for.
"I will need her ready for transport this evening." She stated as he started to write. He glanced up at her, "Surely, I do not need to inform you of the secrecy necessary involved with her transfer." The man nodded slowly.
"I would be able to stay after my shift, to help you, Headmistress. If there was a particular time that you wish to move her?"
"Midnight." She said confidently.
The healer's brows rose, "Will this be a long journey?"
"A carriage will be necessary yes, but do not worry, I will take care of the transport, can you assure she is ready to travel by then?"
"I will make sure she is in the best health to make the journey." He pushed a paper forward for her to sign.
"Excellent," Minvera signed with a flourish of her wand, "Would it also be safe to assume I can have your notes and observations neat and organized for someone else's viewing?"
"Of course." He said kindly as he continued to give her papers to sign.
Midnight came quickly. Minerva had managed to find two of the strongest thesterals and a moderately sized carriage. Of course with her transfiguration skills, she found it an exceptionally easy task to prepare the inside for its oncoming occupant. The Headmistress moved quickly but silently through the streets towards St. Mungo's; the chilling air of night wrapping around her reminded her of that dreadful night all those years ago. Her own mind had played back that day for nights on end. Over and over, waking nightmares with every repaired staircase, every stain cleaned away. The halls of Hogwarts never did truly feel the same as she walked their now damage-free walls. From time to time, she would come across a 'signature' of sorts by some of the students who had worked to fix its halls. Usually seeing those unique pieces of magic would fill her with pride and happiness, tonight they only brought more sorrow. There were always losses in war, that she knew. But for some, the war never ends.
She pulled the carriage into the back lot of St. Mungo's and slowly she descended. As promised, Healer Darling was waiting for her by the back entrance. He kept a stealthy eye out for any who may wish to exploit their secretive efforts.
"Evening." She greeted quietly as she made her way to him. He nodded his head in turn, waiting until she was close enough to speak.
"I have given the healers of the floor a mild sleeping drought, it won't keep them asleep for more than 15 minutes."
"I can't thank you enough for your efforts, Mr. Darling."
"I just hope this will be the answer we are both looking for."
They moved swiftly and silently through the halls. As promised the two healers on the floor were lightly sleeping against their desks at the information kiosk. Upon reaching Hermione's room they moved in quickly.
"I haven't given her anything, but it would appear fate is in our favor." He said softly, "She's currently in one of those periods of blackness." He motioned to the active temporal reader that was on her forehead. "Even if she were to come out of it on your journey, you have about 5 hours before she would be at risk of a seizure or other reaction." He stated clinically. All of her personal effects were neatly tucked away into a miniaturized trunk laying on the bedside table. All the cards and well-wishing mementos were also filed away leaving the room as bare and stale as when she first arrived.
"All my notes and a week's worth of her potions are in her trunk as well." He said picking up the shrunk item.
Minerva pocketed it and slowly moved to perform a mobile corpus spell.
"Wait." He gasped moving between McGonagall and the prone woman. "No magic...not even passive." He said cautiously. "It's always had adverse effects due to the curse scars on her chest and residual un-neutralized magic." Healer Darling moved in, removing the temporal reader gently from her head and returned it to the box, "Unfortunately this is the property of the hospital and I can't send it with her. I trust your place of refuge will have access to something equivalent?"
" You needn't worry Mr. Darling, I have seen to it that she'll have all the necessary care required," Minvera quickly moved to put away her wand. "How do you move her?" She said gently.
"Manually." He said with a soft smile as he moved towards Hermione. He gingerly tucked the blanket under her frail form before slowly and carefully picking her up in his arms. Hermione's head rolled over his arm before he shifted so it rest more comfortably against his chest.
"Let's move then," Minvera said kindly watching with such care the healer took in holding her former student's frail form. She hardly seemed a burden to him and worriedly wondered just how much weight she had lost during her five-year stay.
Once more, unburdened by his charge, they moved back towards the exit. A small patrol of healers making rounds did stop them momentarily though they posed little problem to them as they passed without incident. Once they had made it safely outside of the door Minvera hurried to the carriage opening it's transfigured inside. Instead of two benches, a full single size bed rested inside, complete with warm blankets and soft pillows. Gryffindor of course in color; a small homage to her former pupil.
"Can you lay her in here?" Minvera asked as she stood aside to hold open the door. She transfigured a few steps to make it easier for the healer to complete his task.
He ducked his head a bit as he moved to lay her down in the carriage. He did take notice of the ornate details of the carriage's transformation but chose not to comment on it. He shifted his hold a bit as he laid Hermione atop the covers. The small gown that had held her dignity for so long rode up just a bit revealing horrible year faded scars. Minerva didn't for an instant miss the carved letters on her ashen arm. She took a moment to feel happy that the witch who had inflicted such cruelty was good and dead.
Healer Darling took great care in making sure she was comfortable. Resting the offensive arm over her concave stomach before pulling the new warmer blanket up over her form. Once he was satisfied that she was as comfortable as she could be he pulled himself out of the carriage stepping down. He ran a hand through his messy dirty blond hair. He gave Minerva a small smile and offered his hand, "Please let me know of the results Headmistress." He said cordially.
She took his hand in hers giving it a comforting squeeze, "What I know, you shall know." She said with a gentle smile. The man himself nodded and turned off to find his own refuge. Minerva mounted the carriage. Once more taking the reigns, she gave them a sharp crack and slowly ascended into the air.