To Welcome You Home
Her eyes were constantly drawn to each of the little knick-knacks that covered the tables and walls of the Headmasters office. The portraits on the wall slumbered peacefully as she walked across the ancient carpet. She waited patiently for the Headmistress the return, her eyes dropping as she did. Hermione was exhausted; she wasn't sleeping well. Molly told her it was Post Traumatic Stress. The door behind her swung open and Minerva McGonagall smiled a rare smile as she entered.
"Miss Granger, so good to see you."
"Professor," Hermione greeted, nodding her head.
"How are you handling every thing?" The elderly woman asked, walking to her place behind the desk.
"Fine, I guess," Hermione sighed, "My parents are still angry, and everyone is acting strange around me. I just want it to go back to how it was."
"You know that it can never got back, too much has changed." Minerva looked at the young Gryffindor. "You have changed, and so has Hogwarts." Hermione narrowed her eyes at the Professor. "Hermione, I'm not sure there is anything left that Hogwarts can offer you."
"No! Professor, please!" There were tears in the girls eyes.
"I think it would be best if you left this part of our lives behind," Minerva whispered, reaching out for Hermione's hand, "and try to heal." The woman sat together for a long time, tears falling from the youngers' eyes, and somewhere along the way, the elders' too.
"Hogwarts will always be here to welcome you, but not to shelter you from life. If you decide teaching is your path, I will be more than happy to help you on that path, Hermione."
"Thank you," Hermione whispered, wiping her damp cheeks. And with that the war survivor left the safety of the castle and moved into the next part of her existence.
A/N: Words - 305
Sept Event - 27. (location) Headteacher's Office