A/N: What's this? I ear you say? Two updates on one day! I know, how good are we :D This is in honour of NaNoWriMo. I'm behind as always. I was ahead for like three seconds, but that was about it haha

As always, Spin is magnificent, stupendous, outstanding in her efforts and you should all thank her from the bottom of your hearts for being so awesome.

-0-

"Is it today Mama?" Álainn whispered as Minerva cracked open her eyes.

For all the little girl's worry, she seemed rather excited to see her parents in St. Mungo's.

"It is love," Minerva groaned, seeing the time. "But it is not until later. Please come back to bed."

"But I'm dressed!" Álainn said, sounding scandalised.

"I know leannan [baby], but I really think that four in the morning is too early, even for us."

Minerva smiled when she heard Álainn sigh and the little thump of two boots hit the floor. Apparently Álainn had been completely ready to go; shoes and all. Minerva barely kept in a squeal of pain as Álainn slumped onto the bed, landing on her ribs.

"Ow," she said disapprovingly, earning a little half-hearted apology from her baby as she snuggled under the covers.

"Love you Mama," Álainn whispered, her eyes already starting to droop.

"As I love you, little one," Minerva whispered back, pulling the little girl close and closing her eyes once again. Hopefully nobody would need her before eight.

-0-

"Mama?"

Minerva rolled her eyes at little Álainn at the seventh time of calling for her.

"Yes leannan [baby]."

"Can I not go?"

Minerva had both hands occupied in her hair at the exact moment her mouth had fallen open and she dropped the rather delicate bun she had been weaving to gape at her daughter.

"What do you mean, 'can we not go'? I thought you wanted to see your Mummy and Daddy?"

"Nope," she shook her head, clambering up onto Minerva's bed and hiding in the mountains of pillows. "Don't want to now."

Realisation dawned on Minerva as she looked at the little princess hiding her face. Such a complicated little being, with two sets of thoughts and feelings. Both, she imagined, warring for some semblance of normality. The Hermione in Álainn would no doubt be feeling awful at the prospect of seeing her parents again, knowing that she was the one responsible for putting them there, but to Álainn it was all a big adventure. She wanted to meet the people that she had been exposed to thanks to her unique situation. The question was how to deal with such an awkward complication.

"Talk to Mama, Álainn. Are you scared?"

"H'ione not scared of anything," she said into the pillow.

"Oh, I know that's not true at all. Hermione is scared of a lot of things, one of which to be alone. Is that was is frightening Hermione?"

"No."

"Okay, then what is it?" Minerva asked, stroking her fingers through her hair.

"H'ione says that Mummy and Daddy can't remember. That they won't be able to love Álainn like Mama."

"Do you remember what I told you up on the Astronomy tower?" Minerva asked gently. "That I had seen your Mummy and Daddy and while Daddy was having some trouble remembering, your Mummy knew. She knew it Álainn, Hermione. She knew Hermione and loved her unreservedly, even though her memory was fighting her."

"I want Mummy, but I don't want to leave you," Álainn sobbed, finally sitting up in search of Minerva's strong arms.

"I know sweetheart."

"Promise Álainn, promise Mama won't leave her."

"I will promise you as many times as I need to sweetheart. Mama will never leave you."

"Not even if Mummy is better?"

"Not even then. For now sweetheart, you will stay with Mama until you are Hermione again."

"Don't want to not be Álainn," she said sullenly.

"I think, dear one, that Álainn will always be inside you, but one day you must be Hermione again, because so many people love Hermione."

"Fine," Álainn conceded, bouncing off the bed and onto the floor. "I love you Mama."

"I love you sweetheart," Minerva, kissing her hair as she escaped the room. "I love you so much."

-0-

Minerva was tense as they walked through the corridors of St. Mungo's hand in hand. She had to keep shaking herself to remember that Álainn's strides were not as long as hers. The muscles in her jaw were twitching by the time they came to the double doors of the Janus Thickey Ward where Minerva stopped before the admissions desk, tapping her foot impatiently for someone to receive them.

"Yes?" Someone asked behind her in a bored voice.

"I'm here to see -"

"Oh! Headmistress McGonagall. I'll just get Director Pomfrey."

The young lady was off before Minerva could speak another word, and instead of getting worked up about the girl's manners, Minerva moved over to a couple of seats and pulled Álainn onto her lap.

"You okay Mama?" Álainn asked, playing with Minerva's fingers.

"I am," she said stoically. "Are you okay Álainn?"

Álainn shrugged and snuggled into Minerva's arms.

"Don't like it here. Smells funny."

Minerva smiled into the curly hair and kissed Álainn's crown. She had to agree with Álainn but for different reasons. At her age there had been many unhappy times in this hospital. Many happy ones as well, but it seemed to pale in comparison when she let herself think of all the loved ones she had lost.

"Minerva!"

"William," she smiled, pushing Álainn from her knee and getting up to exchange a solid hug and a kiss to the cheek. "Thank you for doing this. This is our Álainn."

"Hello little one. I met you once before, but you were still very little."

"Hi," Álainn said shyly, though without hiding behind Minerva. "You Uncle Will'am?"

"I am indeed," he said with a jovial laugh. "Would you and your Mama like to come inside to see your Mummy and Daddy?"

Minerva couldn't help but want to kiss William for his phrasing. Clearly Poppy and he had spoken about Álainn and how she addressed everyone, and it eased her mind to know she had people on her side who thought she was doing the right thing.

"I guess," Álainn shrugged, sliding her hand back into Minerva's. "S'long as Mama can come wiv me."

"Of course she can sweetheart," William said, his hand stroking over her hair.

Minerva smiled at the gesture and patted Álainn's hand as they followed William through the ward.

"Now," he knelt down in front of Álainn, who leant against Minerva's legs. "Your Mummy and Daddy don't remember too much, okay?" Álainn nodded. "I know that it might be difficult for you to understand, but Mummy and Daddy need some time to get to know you again. I truly believe they will remember you over time Álainn, but it may not be today, or the next time you visit. I will be right outside and Minerva, your Mama will be in there with you, okay?"

"Yes Uncle Will'am," she whispered.

"Don't be afraid leannan [baby]," Minerva muttered. "I'm right here."

"Alright. Álainn? Talk slowly and remember that they might not know you just yet. And for now, you'll be Hermione okay?"

"'kay."

William opened the door and Minerva's heart was pounding a million beats a minute. She desperately wanted Hermione's parents to be better, for everyone's sake, but she also loved Álainn as she'd never loved anyone before. She never wanted to be without her, but she rationalised that this was what being a parent was. Protecting a child until they were old enough to protect themselves. Well she would not make the same mistake that she had with Hermione again. She had been unable to protect her while she had been fighting, but through Álainn and beyond, she would take care of Hermione no matter what.

"Oh, I know you," Hermione's father said. "Would you like a spot of tea? Just made a fresh pot."

Minerva glanced down at the teapot that had nothing but plastic flowers in and nodded with a shaky smile. Evidently Mr Granger was still not doing as well as he could be. She glanced over to the window and saw Mrs Granger sitting, looking outside. She hadn't moved since they came in and showed no sign that she even knew that they were there.

"Come on precious," Minerva whispered. "Come and see Mummy."

They walked forward, Álainn slowly getting closer and closer to Minerva as they finally came to stand before the woman who had given birth to Hermione. She glanced up when they darkened her seat and a look of recognition passed over her face when she met Minerva's eyes. But it was Hermione that finally got her attention.

"You are small," she said, apparently confused. "Are children always that small? I seem to remember them being bigger."

"Mrs Granger?"

"You had a Scottish name. Something like Donegal. And you wear a pointy hat."

Minerva smiled, nodding as she sat down on the spare chair next to the woman. Poor Mr Granger had been forgotten as they looked at each other. Álainn broke their gaze as she hefted herself up onto Minerva's knee.

"You are very beautiful. You remind me of someone. Someone I can't remember."

"Do you recall me coming to see you a few months ago?" Minerva began gently. "I asked you to sign something, something that would keep your child safe from harm."

"You said you loved her," Mrs Granger said, closing her eyes as if it hurt to see. "You said you'd take care of her always."

"I will," Minerva promised once more. "I am. This is Hermione, your child."

Mrs Granger opened her eyes and looked hard at Álainn until the little one was squirming on Minerva's knee.

"She is young."

"She is," Minerva nodded. "There was a little accident at school that sent her age regressing, but she is already on the road to recovery and we will have her back to normal in no time."

"Magic," Mrs Granger said, frowning at herself. "Something magic."

"We are magical," Minerva said quietly as Mr Granger pottered around them. "I have magic and your daughter does. She is the brightest witch of her time, brighter than I've ever seen, and I have been teaching for many years."

"McGonagall," she said suddenly, opening her eyes.

Minerva saw that for a few seconds, Hermione's mother was there inside, buried deep under the enchantment that they were having trouble removing.

"Hermione!"

"Mummy!"

Álainn leapt off Minerva's knee and into her mother's for a moment. Squeezing each other tightly, Minerva watched on with tears in her eyes. She knew deep down that this moment would not last, but she once again had hope that something could be done. For Mrs Granger at least.

"Oh, I'm -" The woman pulled away. "I'm terribly sorry, I'm not sure what came over me. My you're a pretty child, I bet your Mummy and Daddy love you to bits," she said looking around, confused. "Sorry, who are you?"

"Mama?"

Álainn's face fell and Minerva scooped her up and held her tight.

"Mummy!"

"No darling, Mummy was here, but now she's gone again. Just for a while love, it's okay."

"No! Mummy! Mummy no, don't leave!"

"Let's get her out of here Min," William said, appearing at the door. "Come on."

Álainn's sobs rang in her ears as she exited the room, oblivious to the feet kicking her stomach and thighs even as she struggled to hold the distraught child. It had been so perfect for a moment. So absolutely perfect, and then it had all fallen away. She understood now why Hermione looked so haggard when she came back to Hogwarts after visiting her parents. To have to deal with that every weekend must have nearly killed her. Once more she berated herself for not taking proper care of her favourite student.

"Follow me into my office and we'll get her some chocolate."

"Mama! Mama, I want Mummy!"

"I know sweetheart," Minerva said sadly. "But Mummy's head is poorly and it can only remember a little bit every now and then. We have to be patient."

The screaming turned into quiet sobs and Minerva slumped into William's easy chair, rocking Álainn on her knee from side to side while WIlliam sourced them some chocolate. At this rate, Minerva would need some as well as Álainn. She was sure that faced with the same circumstances at Hermione's age, she would not, could not have been so strong.

"It's alright love," Minerva whispered. "Everything's okay now."

She hummed the lullaby she occasionally used to get Álainn to sleep and before long, the little one was only occasionally hiccuping from time to time as she sought to control her breathing.

"Here we are," William said, passing them a sizeable chunk of confection. "Both of you have some, there's a good girl Álainn. It'll make you feel better, I promise."

Minerva cracked a bit off and fed it to Álainn, smiling as some of the high colour drained from her face, and her tiny noises eased. She took a bit herself and closed her eyes as she chewed.

"It was not a catastrophe," William assured her. "She remembered, if only for a second, and that is more progress than we've had for a while now. The ward sister's decision to ban Hermione's visits were not made with sound judgement. I believe that no matter how painful, the key to their successful augmentation is Hermione."

"I couldn't put her through that every two weeks," Minerva gasped, drawing Álainn close. "You saw her, it would really, truly hurt her."

"I believe you must Minerva," William said apologetically. "Mr Granger may never regain any memories, other than those of Mr Wilkins, but Mrs Granger -" He shook his head and tickled Álainn's knee. "Motherhood is the most powerful magic there is. If anything can do it, Hermione can."

Minerva sighed, knowing it would be what Hermione would want, were she here. She nodded, feeling completely defeated at the thought of exposing Álainn to that every weekend, but she resolved that some weekends would be impossible and others would require a little bit of careful planning before undertaking such a huge responsibility.

"Alright William, alright. I will bring Álainn back, but it cannot be every weekend, nor every two probably."

"No, three weeks would be sufficient. The last episode that Mrs Granger had took her two weeks to completely get over, but as you saw, it did her good."

Álainn was fast asleep in her arms, and with William's help she managed to get her situated on her shoulder for a safe Floo journey. She kissed William's cheek, promising to deliver a message to Poppy about his being on call and stepped into the flames, before whirling out of them again, in her office, in no time at all.

"How did it go?" Severus asked, uncharacteristically eager to find out as she banished the soot and walked to her room.

"It was difficult," was all she could bring herself to say. She closed the door behind her, opting to change methodically by hand instead of with magic as she laid a fast asleep Álainn in bed. After she was ready, she got Álainn changed, magic aiding her only a little and got into bed with her baby. It may have been mid-afternoon, but she was exhausted and quite frankly, she couldn't care less. She knew that Albus and Severus would make sure that not even a Basilisk roaming the corridors would disturb her.