8 March 1995

"Oh," Minerva said as a third year ran hurtled straight into her, "mind where you are going, please."

"I'm sorry, Professor," Hermione Granger said, and Minerva was worried to hear that the girl sounded quite upset. "I can't seem to find Madame Pomfrey," she added, looking tearfully up. "She isn't in the Hospital Wing."

Minerva frowned. "No, she wouldn't be this morning," she said.

Indeed, Mrs Pomfrey had been seriously ill for the last few weeks; Poppy's sister had alerted Poppy to urgently come home yesterday evening when their mother had taken an unexpected turn for the worse.

With their healer absent for what Minerva suspected was going to be longer than a day, Minerva had asked Sybill to supervise the Hospital Wing, seeing as she was the only Professor who was free that morning. Clearly, Sybill had either wandered off or was needed elsewhere. Either way, Minerva knew that Poppy would be absolutely livid should she find out that the Hospital Wing had been left unsupervised for any amount of time.

"Where are you hurt, Miss Granger?"

Hermione lifted up her hands that were covered in painful sores. Minerva winced slightly just by seeing the girl's hands; no wonder she was so distressed. Undiluted bobutober pus was not the kindest of substances.

"Come with me, Granger," she said, already directing her towards the Hospital Wing.

Hermione nodded and together she and Minerva made their way to the Hospital Wing. Seeing as she had no classes for another two hours, Minerva decided that she would stay in the Hospital Wing until Sybill returned. Finally, both reached the Hospital Wing; Sybill nowhere in sight. Minerva pursed her lips, then settled Hermione down onto a bed. She then clicked her fingers so that a small ceramic bowl flew towards her, as well as a towel and a small phial of clear liquid containing a solution to counteract the effects of bobutuber pus.

Minerva poured the liquid into the white dish. "Put your hands in there," she instructed Hermione.

Hermione obeyed and lowered her hands into the liquid.

"It may take a while," Minerva added, observing as slowly Hermione's hands began to soften and repair themselves.

"Thank you, Professor."

Minerva nodded, and returned the phial to the appropriate cupboard. "We can put some bandages on afterwards," she said, looking at Hermione's hands again. "Are you meant to be in Herbology class now?"

"Yes. Harry and Ron should have told Professor Sprout where I am."

"Very well," Minerva said, just as the doors to the Hospital Wing opened. "Poppy!"

"Minerva?" Poppy said with a frown. "I thought Sybill..."

"Sybill was unavailable," Minerva cut in gently. She eyed Poppy carefully, before then stepping away from Hermione's bed, giving the girl a nod, then pulling the curtain so that she could speak to Poppy privately.

"She's at St Mungo's now," Poppy said, before Minerva could ask. "My sister is with her now."

"You should go back, Poppy."

The Hogwarts matron shook her head. "It's fine," she said quickly. "Anyway, Severus is looking for you. Something to do with stolen ingredients from his storecupboard. I can takeover from here," she added, indicated with a tip of her head to where Hermione was concealed behind the curtains.

Minerva looked at Poppy carefully.

"I'm fine, Minerva," Poppy insisted.

Minerva, however, was not convinced. "I will speak to Severus now," she said finally. "However, I will come back after that, and we can discuss if you would like to take some time to be with your mother."

Poppy's bottom lip trembled, but she instantly regained control over herself. She reached out and held Minerva's hand. "Thank you, Minerva."

Minerva nodded and patted Poppy's arm. "I shall see you shortly, Poppy."