A/N: That's three updates...can't touch this.
Hermione sat there watching Minerva's chest rise and fall, comforted by the sight.
While the woman's body was healed, her mind was not. As soon as they arrived in the manor and Hermione laid her in bed, Minerva passed out. She would wake after a few weeks. At least, that's what Blaise said. Bellatrix had only required sleep for a couple days. As soon as the woman was awake, Hermione apologized and thanked her profusely for saving Minerva and dealing with a not completely sane King. Bellatrix, ever faithful, only bowed as best as she could and uttered, "It was my honor." Hermione knew there was nothing in this world she could give Bellatrix to repay her.
After her visit to the woman, she went to see the reason Minerva was in a coma. For days, the only things heard from that room were the screams and pleadings of the man. Hermione wasn't his sole visitor of course. Oh no, that poor man. For the entire month Minerva was unconscious, everyone visited him and payed their respects in the form of canes, whips, claws, teeth, fists, everything. To make matters worse for him, Hermione cooked up a potion that would make him feel pain from even the slightest brush of air. She relished in the sound of him sobbing, begging her to kill him. Which she would…eventually…perhaps when her children's children had children of their own. Of course she would be dead by then, but she was sure she could order someone to keep him and pass his torture down from generation to generation.
"H-Hermione?" Minerva uttered, causing her to snap out of her plottings. Minerva?
Slowly, the woman blinked awake and turned her head towards Hermione, and she smiled, "It wasn't a dream? I'm not dead?" Hermione sat on the bed beside the woman and ran her fingers through Minerva's long hair, No my love. This is all real, and you are alive, though you've been asleep for quite some time now.
Minerva smiled and Hermione moved to kiss her gently. I've missed you so much, Minerva. I'm so sorry I took so long.
Minerva sobbed and Hermione moved underneath the sheets to hold the woman, allowing her to sob freely. After a few hours, long after the sun had fallen, Minerva cried herself back to sleep. Hermione desperately wanted to go beat that bastard for every tear Minerva had shed just now, but she was loathe to relinquish her hold on Minerva. While in her coma, the woman was deathly still, but now, she held tightly to Hermione and twitched occasionally, every movement making her heart sing with joy.
At least until the twitching turned to whimpers and the whimpers to pleas. "H-hermione…save me…H-Hermione…"
Hermione held back her anger, I'm here Minerva. I've got you.
Unfortunately, it did nothing to assuage Minerva and the woman began tossing and turning. Hermione just held the woman tightly and repeated herself over and over. Slowly, Minerva calmed and her eyes fluttered open. Upon seeing Hermione, she buried her face in the woman's neck and they remained silent as the woman gathered her wits. "How has my school been?"
Hermione snorted. Of course that's the first thing she asked about. Filius has remained in control of the school and it hasn't burned down as far as I'm aware.
To her surprise, Minerva began laughing hysterically and rolling in the bed. Hermione was torn between confusion and happiness at seeing the woman laugh. "He's so small!"
Hermione smiled, From what I hear, the first time he changed from human, he immediately returned to his human state and stomped about for days, refusing to change back.
Minerva chuckled, "The first time I saw him with the glasses, I had to rush out of the great hall. I haven't been able to keep a straight face around him since." Hermione laughed, You are a naughty queen.
Minerva suddenly became serious, "So you…you still wish for me to…"
Hermione frowned, Of course Minerva. If you're still willing. I love you. Nothing has changed.
Minerva nodded and avoided hermione's eyes, "I'm sorry. It's just…I'm…"
Hermione grabbed the woman's chin and their eyes locked. Minerva was mesmerized by the woman's beautiful eyes just as she always was. Hermione frowned mentally as she could see Minerva's insecurities. Minerva, you are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. I cursed myself every day for letting them take you. I went absolutely crazy while you were gone. And when I first saw you after…I'm going to make sure that bastard screams for the rest of his life…I love you, Minerva. I want to make you my queen, I want to watch you transform and see your wings spread. I want to watch you fly. But most importantly, I want to see you happy. Do you still want to be my queen?
Silent tears fell down Minerva's cheek and she cupped Hermione's cheek gently. "Oh Hermione. After what I've been through…it seems so foolish of me to have made you wait until after you took your NEWTs. The entire time, I kept thinking of you, hoping you would be able to find me. There was nothing I-I tried calling for you in my mind, b-but then the whip would crack and-and I could barely say your name. They just kept hitting me over and over and-" She sobbed and her sentence broke off as she began to hyperventilate. Hermione held her close,
Shh it's okay Minerva. I've got you.
Slowly, Minerva calmed down from her panic attack. "Sorry…." she whispered into Hermione's neck.
Don't be sorry. Don't you dare. I'm going to kill that bastard ten times over.
Minerva frowned and her eyes widened, "He's still alive? Where is he? I thought you killed him?"
Hermione swore mentally and answered, I just…put him somewhere. He can't hurt you.
Minerva angrily stood from the bed, only to fall on weak knees. Hermione moved to catch her. "Don't you dare touch me!" Her eyes widened at the reaction, Minerva?
"Don't! Do you have him hung by his wrists as well? Is his skin torn to shreds just like mine was? Is he also on the verge of losing his mind?"
Oh. I didn't...
Minerva shook her head and shakily stood again.
I'll get rid of him Minerva. I'll kill him. I'm sorry I didn't think you'd-
"Didn't think I'd what? Have any qualms about seeing someone being tortured like I was however long ago? I wouldn't wish what I went through on my worst enemy, Hermione, even if he was the one to do that to me. No one deserves what I went through. Not even that bastard."
Hermione nodded. I'm sorry. I understand. I'll take care of it. She stood and this time, Minerva allowed her to touch her as tears began falling. Hermione rubbed her back, apologizing and eventually, Minerva calmed, and stood under her own power…her own power. "Hermione…I…Nevermind." She shook her head and sighed.
You can do the honors yourself if you wish.
Minerva sighed, glad Hermione was able to hear what she couldn't say, "Now. If that's possible…I'd like to get this overwith…"
Hermione nodded and they apparated to the man's location. Minerva closed her eyes against the wave of nausea and fear. It wasn't very long ago that she was kept in a room just like this one. She felt Hermione's arms wrap around her from behind, giving her strength.
He's just a man, Minerva. Nothing more. He bleeds and he dies as easily as any man. Look at him.
Slowly Minerva's eyes opened to gaze at her captor. Hermione's arms squeezed and Minerva exhaled, willing her heart to slow and her body to fight its response towards him. Slowly, she relaxed as she stared her demon in the face. A wand was pressed in her hand, her wand.
Everytime you dream or have a night terror, remember this. Remember the feel of your wand as you aim at him. The swell of magic as you prepare to end him. Most importantly, the look in his eyes as the life fades.
"Avada Kedavra." Minerva whispered, watching the man die instantly. She stared at his lifeless body for a while, trying to burn the memory into her head, hoping it would chase away the dreams. The end of…this. She exhaled shakily and moved her wand to it place in her sleeve. Hermione a strong, silent presence the entire time and she was so grateful for it. She turned in the woman's arms and Hermione apparated them back into the manor.
A/N: Alright guys, maybe one or two more chapters and an epilogue? So i'm thinking that updates on my other stories are going to be sporadic as the school year progresses. During the sporadic updates, I will be writing another story that will involve some time traveling butt kicking. So hopefully I'll have be able to get that going as i drown in a sea of psychology and Latin. Which, according to my teacher, learning Latin will change my life lol so maybe my writing will be better.