A/N: Kudos to all of you who guessed who Athena truly is. Oh and you guys are amazing. Never expected this level of response. I'm sorry for the delay. My dog that's not really mine but is totally fucking mine has been stolen...I'm good though...First bits a flashback! Enjoy!
"Hermione?" Minerva asked during one of their nightly chess games, "Do you change as well?" Hermione looked up from the chess table, Yes. Why do you ask?
Minerva had been curious as to why Hermione sent Athena to fly her home, so tonight she resolved to ask the witch. "If you can change, then why didn't you fly me back to Hogwarts that night?"
Hermione sat back, I was too nervous. I had been lying to you for a while Minerva. I was never hit by a spell, I was never blind, I could communicate. There was so much I had to come clean about, I was worried that seeing me change would be the final straw for you. So Athena volunteered.
Minerva nodded, "I can understand. Will I ever get to see you change?" she asked curious. Hermione only smiled,
You will one day. Oh and…check mate.
Instead of seeing the dark woman Minerva expected, she saw a bushy haired Hermione. The girl seemed to be unconscious yet had managed to keep an iron clad grip on Minerva's wrist as well as on a corner of the castle. Minerva called aloud to Hermione several times, but the witch wouldn't stir. So, she called mentally, hoping to coax the girl out of her unconscious state.
Hermione, can you hear me? You need to wake up.
She received no answer from the girl, and tried again, calling both mentally and aloud
Hermione. WAKE. UP.
Minerva thanked every deity in existence when the girl slowly opened her eyes. Hermione groaned and blinked rapidly, pain visible in her eyes that lacked the light blue shine Minerva was so used to. Hermione's eyes widened as she realized she had changed forms. She blinked hard, trying to clear it her head, and looked around, seizing up the situation. After a few seconds, she looked down at Minerva and winced as she slowly lifted her up,
Get on my back and hold on tight.
As Minerva did as she was told, Hermione's hands and feet became black claws.
Hold on Minerva...
Hermione gave an inhuman roar and jumped, sinking her claws in the wall above her. She bunched up her body and jumped again, this time sideways as Minerva's window was on the other side of the wall. Minerva was becoming increasingly worried, each jump seemed to take an immense amount of effort from Hermione.
"Do you think you could claw a hole to my office and jump through that?"
Hermione paused in her climbing, panting, No…I don't have the energy nor the right frame of mind. The results of an incorrectly done portal are worse than splinching.
Minerva nodded, she herself was too tired and too shocked at the recent revelation to apparate them to her office. Damning the situation, she held on tightly as Hermione continued scaling the castle to her room. Eventually, they arrived at her window, and Hermione sounded worse for the wear.
Panting, Hermione helped Minerva through the window and clung tiredly to the sill before launching herself inside. She used the desk in an attempt to stand, but only managed to knock everything off Minerva's desk as she fell to the ground.
"Hermione!" Minerva kneeled over her, worried, and Hermione grabbed her hand, squeezing it.
Go to the Slytherin common room. Blaise, when he sees you, he'll know. I'm so sorry you found out this way, Minerva. I intended to tell you I swear.
Minerva squeezed Hermione's hand as her eyes fluttered close. Quickly, she changed into her animagus. She slipped through her secret cat flap and raced through the empty halls. She was admittedly shocked that Zabini was the one Hermione asked for, but she couldn't find it in herself to care, so long as the witch got help. Arriving, Minerva meowed loudly and his head snapped over to her. Quickly, he stood and walked out of the empty common room. Once in the hallway, he immediately broke into a run and they arrived at her office in record time. Blaise quickly walked over to Hermione. Minerva changed back into her human form and watched helplessly.
He marched over to Minerva angrily, "What did you do?" he yelled, his eyes beginning to turn black. They were shining much like Hermione's eyes, but with anger instead of kindness. The veins around his eyes even began to turn black as he approached her. He halted as Hermione's voice echoed about the room,
Remember who you are talking to Blaise.
Minerva furrowed her brow as the boy bowed to her and apologized, "Forgive me. Hermione is well loved by all of us and I hate to see her in such a state. Can you tell me what happened?"
Minerva nodded and told him about the difficulty getting to her office.
Blaise rolled his eyes, "Of course. What she failed to tell you is that she never fully recovered from her injuries last month."
Minerva frowned, "She wasn't-" She stopped as she recalled Hermione saying that 'Athena' had been unconscious, "What happened last month?"
Blaise sighed, "We traveled to America to reconnect with some of our estranged brothers and sisters. However, the two hot headed fools she sent to make peace got themselves into trouble. She along with a few others went over to straighten things out. She ended up having to prove her strength and suffered a severe head injury and damage to her wings as well as her ribs. Technically she should have still been in bed or at least taking it easy but she is stubborn."
"And tonight?"
"I can't be sure of everything right now, but I think she pushed herself too hard to impress you and her head protested. I also think that you hanging by your wrist was no accident. It seems has rebroken her ribs, broken some new ones and her wings probably need healing again. The journey was worse than you know. Do not worry, I will take good care of her."
Minerva's eyebrow lifted skeptically, "You?" Blaise only gave a charming smile, "I've been doing this for a long time. I know the waiting is difficult but I will send someone with updates and information that she has avoided telling you. Would you prefer a familiar face to help you or a stranger?"
Minerva sighed, "Familiar please."
Blaise bowed and lifted Hermione before he walked to the window. He assured Minerva someone familiar and patient would visit her tomorrow as he jumped out and flew off.
Minerva sighed as she sank deeper into her chair.
"Hermione is Athena...she..." Minerva groaned and, after closing her window, summoned a bottle of liquor. She was ecstatic and troubled that Hermione was Athena. Admittedly, she was still quite attracted to Hermione even with her strong feelings for Athena. She shook her head, deciding to deal with it later and went to bed.
The next night, Minerva looked up from the mound of paperwork on her desk as she heard knocking, glad for the distraction. She really hated paperwork..."Come in!" She yelled, however nothing prepared her for the face that walked through the door.
Bellatrix Black stood in front of her with a slight smile, "Surprise? I have information on Hermione."
A/N: Cue dramatic music and fade.
TBC...
Applause? No? Yes?