Next chapter! We get so,e background info on our favorite witch!

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and Merlin-not mine!

Chapter 2

Hunith awoke at the normal time. The morning light was only just coming up and shining through the windows. She lifted herself from bed and looked on the floor to where her son was supposed to be asleep and panicked a bit when he wasn't there. He never woke up early! Hunith removed herself from bed and went over to check on Hermione. She was completely surprised when she saw that Merlin was clinging to Hermione's side and in deep sleep. Hermione had sort of a protective hold around the little boy and Hunith didn't know what to do! Should she wake them up or leave them in peace? Hunith decided to let them sleep. Hermione was still recovering and Merlin hadn't had a proper nights sleep since his nightmares began. Her poor boy was always so tired nowadays.

Hunith turned around and began to dress and wash and then gather supplies for breakfast. Hermione needed extra food. The girl was skin and bones! She tried to be as silent as possible through her morning activities, but it seemed that Hermione was already awake. She still had her eyes closed, but she was awake in a way. She was viewing her memories. Everything was blank. The notes she kept, her past life, how she got injured, and even who she was! Suddenly, it all came rushing back. She held the little boy tighter and let the information wash over her.

She was Hermione Jean Granger, born on September 19, 1979. At the moment, she was only about fifteen. How was she that young? She specifically remembered the end of her world when she was twenty? No. She was captured and tortured after they lost to war. Tortured for...a year? Yes, about a year and a half. She managed to finally free herself of the psycho, Bellatrix. Oh, how painful those months were. Cruccio's, carving, lashings were the worst, but she would not talk. She wouldn't tell them where the rest of the Order was. Then...Bellatrix took her voice. Not literally, but she was slashed up so bad that Hermione couldn't even breath. She remembered feeling like everything was lost and she had to make a desperate attempt at everything. She painfully chanted as Bellatrix was desperately trying to shut her up. She chanted and put all of her magic into it. Then...she vanished.

She disappeared into her mind and eventually, the rest of her battered body followed. She was told, by someone, some higher power, that she was to be sent back in time. She was to do anything to fix the future. She would be sent back far, very far, so maybe just her presence in the era she was sent to would change enough things. Hermione didn't understand where everything was coming from, but she understood. She had gained the knowledge that her most treasured possessions would follow her, all neatly packed away. Her age would be set back a bit. Due to the fact that time travel was always such a guessing game. What that higher power didn't tell her, was that she would still have all her injuries and every scar she's ever had would open up! Oh, she tried to scream, but all that came out was a painful breath, but she didn't give up! When someone finally did find her, it was a little boy. His hair was black and cut short. His skin was pale and his eyes a stunning blue. He wore medieval cloths. A blue tunic and brown trousers with brown boots. He did wear a jacket, Hermione could tell that the air was getting colder. The boy was only about seven and extremely frightened. He had magic, she could tell by the blast of magic the boy let off in fear. She needed to calm him.

So, she just looked at him. She had been told that her eyes were calming and could calm even a dying man. She was well aware that they were red. They began to seep the blood red color as her torture went on. Hermione didn't know why, but she never had a chance to look. The boy stopped what he was doing and she could hear fast footsteps approaching. So, they mustn't be far from the boys village or something like that. She couldn't have red eyes when the adults came. So, she made sure that her magic kept her eyes looking their whiskey brown color. It didn't take much magic, she could hardly even notice the change. Men and a woman appeared from the forest and she was forced from eye contact. The pain rushed back and she couldn't hear what the woman was saying to the boy. He was obviously her son though. The men who had surrounded her had called the woman Hunith and she had reached down and Hermione violently flinched back. She wasn't used to touching that wasn't pain. Hunith had asked if it was alright to carry her back and Hermione searched out the boy. She felt a connection to him and in her frightened state, looked to the boy as confirmation that they wouldn't harm her. When she got his affirmative, she allowed them to carry her. A large man lifted her up and it was so painful to move her neck.

When her and the boy were left alone, she learned that his name was Merlin. She had been through so much that she was barely shocked. Her mind processed that Merlin would grow to be a powerful sorcerer, but he was just a boy. She had told him her name the best she could, but he got it right. Then he stroked her hair and she froze. She was waiting for the pain, but it never came. He just stroked her hair and she relaxed. The pain dulled a bit and she closed her eyes. Oh, how she wanted to sleep, but she couldn't. She needed to be awake. She didn't trust any of theses people. Well, maybe Merlin, but he was just a kid. Hunith and the others came back with medical supplies and Merlin was ushered out. If Hermione were honest, she missed his touch. When he removed his hand, her whole body inflamed in pain again. Hunith made everyone leave and began to work on her battered up body. She tried to give Hermione a drought to make her unconscious, but she refused it. She did not trust this woman yet.

All she felt during the procedure was rippling pain. It wasn't all that bad though. With every wound Hunith stitched up, the better Hermione felt. It wasn't until her back was reached when Hermione wanted to scream in pain, but she couldn't even do that with the damage to her throat! She could only take gasps of breath and croak a few times. Her back hurt so much. It wouldn't get better for a long, long time. After everything was done, Hunith fetched her a nightgown and helped Hermione get into it painfully. When she was settled back on the table lying on her stomach, the door opened to reveal a dirt covered Merlin. He was carrying a satchel. Satchel? Oh right! That was her satchel! It had all of her previous belongings. Not everything she owned, but everything special. The one thing that wasn't in the bag was most likely the necklace she had managed to keep hidden throughout all her torture. She hid it behind a loose brick in the cell she was kept in. When she disappeared from the feet of Bellatrix, she had if clutched in her hands. She felt she would need it that day and she was right! The necklace was no longer clutched in her hands though. She was worried she would have lost it, it was extremely important.

Then, Merlin brought her bag to her and she opened the bag. It looked empty. She needed to test it. She eyed Merlin carefully and then got a perfect idea. Her father's neckerchief! That was one of her most treasured possessions. He gave it to her in his last hour and told her to keep it to remember him by and that he was sorry he couldn't give her something better. She reached in the bag and pulled out the red neckerchief and motioned for Merlin to her. He hesitated, but was ultimately too curious to pass up the offer. She tied or around his neck expertly and smoothed it out. It was a bit big for him, but she thought it made him look brighter. She smiled brightly and he looked at it in wonder. Had he never gotten gifts? Well, these were different times and the village looked poor. He wouldn't get any gifts, would he? She reached in the bag and pulled out her mother's hand mirror. She held it to Merlin and he took it. Once he saw what he looked like with it on, his face broke into a huge grin and he hugged her. Hermione hesitated for only a moment until she hugged him back. He stepped back and blushed and she silently chuckled. The hug did hurt, but it felt better than anything. She hadn't been hugged since the end of the war. The mirror was put back in the bag and he whispered to her that he put the necklace in her bag. She smiled so bright. She almost hugged Merlin again, but the pain was too much.

They ended up at Hunith's house, fighting over the beds and Merlin ultimately ended up giving up his bed and sleeping on the floor. Hermione grudgingly took his kind offer and layed down and let Merlin do his tuck in. She sat awake though. Sleep would not come to her as her mind raced. Halfway through the night, Merlin jumped up with a gasp and was breathing hard. He had a nightmare, Hermione could tell. He looked over to her and she tried to radiate as much calm in her state as she could. He was still frightened, but he dragged himself over to her bed. She made room for him and he gratefully cuddled up next to her. Hermione remembered what he said about his mother stroking his hair when he was scared, so she tried that. He calmed down and fell asleep. That night, was the first night that Hermione had gotten a peaceful rest in three long years.

Hermione opened her eyes and she was back to the present. She took a deep breath and looked to Merlin still slumbering beside her. She had a protective arm wrapped around him and she had no idea how that happened. She could hear cooking and smell it too! Food smelled divine! All she's had for the last few years was moldy bread and rations. She made sure her eyes were the right color and looked over to Hunith. She was cooking away and Hermione couldn't bother her. Merlin began to stir and she loosened her hold on him. He was sure to be embarrassed, but his head was resting on her right forearm and he had a death grip on her midsection. It hurt her back and everything else, but she didn't have the heart to move him. He was like her cat Crookshanks, curled up to her stomach. He woke up and quickly removed himself from her and managed to fall to the floor . He sat up and was blushing a Weasley shade of red. She managed an unladylike snort and she laid back on her back painfully. He started to stutter apologies as his mother chuckled at his embarrassed state. Hermione shook her head and waved away his apologies. He shut his mouth and got up to help his mother, but he was still blushing like mad. Even if it hurt, Hermione laughed the best she could. It came out choppy and extremely horrific, but it made her happy. She loved to laugh.

Hunith brightened at the sound of Hermione laughing. It was a painful laugh, but at least she was happy. She looked down to her blushing son and ruffled his hair. He blushed brighter and Hunith laughed. "Breakfast will be ready soon. Go collect some water and ask around for some extra bandages? Hermione will need some more." Merlin eagerly nodded and headed out.

Merlin was embarrassed. He had acted like a two year old in front of Hermione! She didn't seem to care though. She just laughed and he realized that he enjoyed making her laugh. When you laugh, your happy and he liked making people happy. Hermione deserved to be happy. He was confused by something though. He felt strange with Hermione. Like an invisible string was attached to her and he was being pulled her way. It wasn't that he needed to be next to her or anything, it just sort of labeled her as trustworthy and made him feel like he's known her for forever, but still knew nothing about her? His mind was just a jumbled up mess and he was only seven. Merlin reached the well in no time and started the chore of pulling up water. It was hard for him, being so small, but he managed. He poured the water in the basin and hauled it back to the house. His mother thanked him and he went back out for bandages. He decided to go to the nicer neighbors, the Hamlyn's.

They were an old couple with a son all grown up and moved out. They always gave his Mother sweet fruit and were just very kind. He knocked on their front door and Mrs. Hamlyn opened the door with a kind smile on her wrinkled face. Her greying hair was tied back and her apron was in place. "Merlin dear! What brings you by?" Merlin gave her a small smile and answered, "mother needs more bandages. Do you happen to have any?" The woman nodded and went back in the house. She came out a few minutes later and handed them to Merlin. "There you go dear! I'm guessing this is for the injured girl?" Merlin nodded and the woman sighed. "The poor dear. She's too young to have gone through anything like that. Is she doing any better?" Merlin nodded again and replied, "yes ma'am. She's feeling a lot better!" The woman smiled and said, "well good! You better go back dear. I'll drop off some fruit to your mother later." Merlin waved her goodbye and headed back to the house. He entered and was just in time for his mother to be finishing the food. She had the table set and Hermione already sitting there. She was out of her nightdress and clothed in...a tunic and trousers? He handed the bandages to his mother and gave her an odd look. Hunith chuckled and responded, "she refused to wear a dress! Must be something from where she's from." Merlin nodded and sat in the seat next to Hermione. He eyed her oddly and Hermione just rolled her eyes and ruffled his hair. Food was put in front of them and Hermione's stomach grumbled. She blushed and Hunith chuckled. "Eat up dear! Your positively skin and bones!" Hermione blushed further and began to eat. She didn't eat much actually, just half the bowl. She began to look a bit sick after that half. Hunith looked worried and asked, "do you not like it? Are you feeling alright?" Hermione nodded and pushed the bowl away. She looked around and pointed to her bag. Merlin quickly got up and retrieved the bag. Hermione pulled out parchment, ink, and a quill. She quickly scribbled down a note. She handed it to Hunith and it read: The food was delicious. I've just spent so much time not eating that my stomach isn't used to a regular diet yet. Hunith nodded and frowned. Hermione hadn't had a regular diet? So she couldn't just be a traveler. Hunith's bet was on escaped slave. She wouldn't pry though. It may push Hermione to close up and shy away from them.

Hermione needed a better way to communicate. Writing things down wouldn't be effective. She looked at Merlin and back to the paper and then up at Hunith. She got a contemplative look and scribbled another note, but handed it to Merlin this time. He read it very slowly and carefully. When he was finished, he had a big smile on his face. Hunith got a confused look and asked, "what?" Merlin handed her the paper and Hunith also got a smile. On the paper read: Would you like to learn something new? Merlin looked at Hermione and answered, "yes! What are we learning? I love learning! I learned to read and write and do chores and-." He was cut off by Hermione covering his mouth again. He blushed and she removed her hand. She took the parchment back and wrote: Sign Language. It will be a way for me to communicate without having to write anything down. I'll sign to you and you'll be my voice. It took Merlin longer to read, but when he finished, he jumped from his seat and hugged Hermione. She sucked in a breath, but hugged the affectionate child back. She whispered painfully in his ear, "th-ank you." He nodded excitedly and skipped around the room happily. Hermione smiled at Hunith and gave her the note she had given Merlin. Hunith smiled brightly and took Hermione's bandages hand. "Thank you." Hermione took on a confused expression and Hunith replied, "he's so lonely. None of the other kids play with him and he's so quiet. I can only teach him so much, so thank you." Hermione nodded and smiled softly. Merlin sounded a lot like Hermione when she was little. Merlin stopped bouncing around and looked to Hermione. "Why are you crying?" Hermione raised a hand up to her face and felt the tears. She blushed and wiped them away with her bandaged hand. She dismissed the question and put on a smile. Merlin wasn't fooled though. He was going to ask another question when Hunith cleared her throat and interrupted with, "we need to change Hermione's bandages Merlin. Go out and help the others." Merlin nodded and seemed to drag himself away. Hermione chuckled and let the kind woman clean her wounds and change the bandages.

Meanwhile, Merlin asked around if he could help anyone. They all declined his offer, so Merlin just walked around, looking for something to do. He stepped past two gossiping women and was about to continue on, but then he heard the words, "injured girl." He wanted to hear what they had to say. He hid just in hearing range and listened to the two women. He knew they were Mrs. Reeve and Ms. Topin. Mrs. Reeve was head of gossip in the small village. She was a plump woman with short brown hair and round glasses. She was always whispering to someone and that someone was usually Ms. Topin. She was a widow, her husband was hung in Camelot for suspicion of sorcery. She was thin and always had her long black hair in a bun. She was older than Mrs. Reeves, but acted younger than the plump woman. She still wore her wedding ring and refused to take her maiden name. She loved her husband, but no one ever figured out if her husband was a sorcerer.

Mrs. Reeves began with, "did you see all the blood on the poor girl? Lester was absolutely covered in it!" Ms. Topin nodded sadly and questioned, "what do you think happened to the poor girl?"

"I wouldn't know. She was so young Lester told me. Only about fifteen years old!"

"Fifteen? Oh! To go through that at such a young age! Well, at any age really, but she hasn't even lived a her life yet!"

"Such a shame. I hear Hunith took her in?"

"Oh yes. Her boy, Merlin, must be excited to have a friend."

"Unless the girl leaves? Maybe she was just traveling?"

"No. Looked more like she was running from something. Tortured even!"

"Maybe she's a criminal?"

"The young girl! What could she have done to deserve that?"

"I don't know, but you can't be too careful. Wonder when she'll be up and about?"

"The damage was pretty bad. Maybe in a week."

"Whenever it is, we need to be kind to her. We don't want to frighten her."

"Agreed. So have you heard-." Merlin walked away before he could hear anymore gossip. What did they mean leave? Hermione wouldn't leave! She was going to teach him sign language and he would be her voice. She wouldn't leave! He was getting a bit worked up. He needed to calm down or he was going to make a laundry line catch fire again. That wasn't very fun to explain to his mother. Good think there was a torch near by, it was blamed on the wind blowing the flames to the clothes. Merlin took deep breaths and walked back to the house. It had been over an hour, surely Hermione's bandages were changed by now? He would knock just in case. It took him a while in his leisurely pace, but he finally came upon his house. Merlin knocked on the door and waited. He could hear his mother call him in and that's what he did. Hermione was lying flat on his bed and his mother was packing up the supplies. She looked at Merlin and smiled. "Ah! I thought you were out helping?" Merlin shook his head and replied, "they all said no." Hunith sighed and stood up. "Stay with Hermione while I go dump out the water and get rid of these bloody bandages. Merlin nodded and sat by Hermione, just silent. She couldn't talk, so there wasn't much else to do. She turned her head towards him and smoothed out the neckerchief she had given him. She smiled remembering her dad. She probably shouldn't have given a seven year old such an important object, but it felt right. She wouldn't use it and it looked good on him. Merlin took her hand and whispered, "you're crying again." She took her other hand and felt her cheeks. He was right, she was crying. How does she not notice? They're her tears! She chuckled and wiped them away. "Why do you keep crying?"

She could tell him. She took a deep breath and rasped, "my fa-ather." Then, she pointed to the neckerchief. Merlin worked out what she was trying to say. He took her hand and asked, "it was your father's?" She nodded and Merlin asked, "where is he?" She gave him a sad look and flashed her red eyes. "Dead" Merlin answered for her. She nodded and he asked, "your mother?" She looked at him with an even more depressed look. Merlin bowed his head and whispered, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you sad." She sniffled and lifted his head with her finger. He looked into her red eyes and they radiated comfort. She shook her head and smiled. She ran her hand over his cheek. Hermione removed her hand and looked to the ceiling. They sat in silence until Hunith came back and Hermione had fallen asleep. She was absolutely exhausted. Hunith looked to Merlin and motioned for him to follow her.

Merlin obeyed and followed his mother out to the gardens. She gave him some gloves and they weeded together in silence. After and hour, Hunith sat back and sighed. Merlin continued though. Hunith cleared her throat and asked, "Merlin?" He nodded, still weeding. "Would it be alright if Hermione stayed for a while? Her injuries won't be even close to better anytime soon." Merlin stopped weeding and gave his mother the widest smile ever. His mother chuckled and then frowned. "She'll need to go back to her family sooner or later. They'll probably be worried sick about her." Merlin looked at the ground sadly and replied quietly, "she doesn't have any family. She said her mother and father are dead. She gave me her father's neckerchief." Hunith looked at her son wide-eyed. "She told you?" Merlin sat back and looked at his mother. "It hurts her to talk, but she always wants to answer me. She does sometimes and I just fill in the rest. Her eyes can tell you a lot." His mother stared at him for a while and nodded. "Well, we'll have to work on her sleeping arrangements then won't we?" Merlin nodded happily and began to babble on and on about what he was going to do with Hermione.

Hunith decided to make some more blankets and make a comfy space beside Merlin's bed. Then during the day, she would push the blankets under the bed and all would be well. Hunith knew that Merlin would want to give up his bed, but Hermione wouldn't have that. It was all very strange. Hermione was just so sweet. She held no anger or revenge for her tormentors. She was kind and patient with Merlin and was a strong willed girl. Hunith mistook Hermione for an older girl many times, but she was only fifteen!

Hunith and Merlin finished weeding and went back in. Hermione was still asleep and Hunith got to knitting. She would make Hermione's bed comfy and just as good as the other beds. Hunith couldn't wait to get to know Hermione better.