A:N/ Hi all! It's so great to be back, and so soon too! Here is the next chapter, and we finally get a little more Minerva. She'll be making more frequent appearances now. And a little bit of Teddy because who doesn't love his adorable sweetness.

I hope you all enjoy!


Ginny's newly acquired cottage was spacious. Calling it a cottage was an understatement in Hermione's opinion, but it was cozy nonetheless. It was quiet, too, with a creek running through the grounds and trees surrounding the clearing it was in. Despite not having ever been inhabited year-round, it was well-kept. The lawn was trimmed and tidy, and the facade was clean with delicate climbing vines layering the underlying brick, green even though it was winter.

"Wow, Gin, this is incredible," Hermione breathed, looking around the front room admiringly.

"I mean, it's nothing compared to what I'm sure you've grown accustomed to, but it is nice, isn't it? Even better, it's all mine. No brothers being loud and rowdy, plenty of room for guests so I can have my bed all to myself." The redhead smiled, her arms open wide as she slowly turned.

The older witch scoffed. "You always have hogged the bed."

"And I always will," Ginny beamed, "Because it's mine."

"You could just say you never learned how to share," Hermione teased, a playful smile on her face.

Ginny poked her tongue out. "You're just grumpy I didn't snuggle you before we got together."

"Wow, you know me so well," the brunette deadpanned.

They laughed together, clutching their sides until Ginny asked, "How did it go with Skeeter?"

"Actually, it went really well. I was surprised, " Hermione admitted, "She wrote everything by hand, she even took the picture herself. We got a little off topic after the first few questions, she was shockingly attentive to the shifts in conversation."

"What did she ask you? Or am I not allowed to know until it's published?" the redhead teased, holding a finger to her lips.

"A few questions I was expecting about when we were on the run. But then Bellatrix came up, and I just couldn't stop myself." Hermione picked up a figurine from the mantle, suddenly finding the object the most interesting thing in the world.

"Right," Ginny said, pulling the object from her hands and pushing her down onto the couch, "Now I need to know everything."

The older witch sighed, leaning her head back. "The trial. My testimony. With her sentence carried out, the magical gag was no longer binding."

"You didn't," she breathed, kneeling in front of Hermione.

"I did," she responded, "I told her about my testimony, about what really happened at the manor. And then she asked me what I thought Bellatrix's sentence should've been."

"Holy shit, Hermione," Ginny mumbled, "I really need you to tell me you're joking. This is massive. I mean, when people find out, there's going to be a huge uproar. You've just put the ministry in deep shit."

Hermione nodded. "I know. And they fucking deserve it. I couldn't stop myself, Gin, I'm still so angry about it. People deserve to know the truth. Public support will go a long way for her when she goes back to trial."

"Fuck," the redhead breathed, "Fuck, you're a genius, but you're also so stupid sometimes."

The older witch nodded again. "I'll probably never work for the ministry again. Honestly, I don't even remember why I wanted to work for them in the first place."

"Have you spoken to Minerva again?" Ginny asked, squeezing Hermione's hand.

"I should," she admitted.

"It is the weekend, let's send her a message, we can meet her in Hogsmeade and grab a drink," she suggested, "I've always wanted to drink with Minerva."

Hermione laughed at the excitement in her friend's eyes. "Minerva would drink us both under the table and you know it."

"That's what makes it fun, 'Mi," she singsonged, "Now are you sending a Patronus or am I?"

"I think you need this, Gin, you can do it," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Okay, but you're apparating us there. I am not walking that far in this cold." Ginny summoned her Patronus, giving it the message for Minerva and watching it gallop away.

Hermione held her arm out, a bemused smile on her face. The redhead grinned smugly in return, earning an eye-roll. Their apparation was quiet, landing them at the entrance to Hogsmeade Village.

"You know, 'Mi," Ginny started, nearly losing her footing on the snow that had been packed into ice, "Woah. You know you should tell Ron and Harry before Skeeter publishes that article."

The brunette groaned exaggeratedly. "I really don't want to. They'll just be moody about it."

"Yes, but they'll get over it, and they can help you when it comes down to testimonies. I mean, the Wizengamot will probably be trying to get a bunch of people to testify against her. Nothing they can come up with will hold a candle to a united Golden Trio," Ginny reasoned.

Another groan. "Fine, but you have to be there with me."

"I'll do anything to support you, boss, don't you worry," the redheaded teased with a sincere grin.

"In that case, you can buy the first round," Hermione said, "Since this was your idea, after all."

She grumbled good-naturedly at the brunette, but paid for the drinks while Hermione found a table with a semblance of privacy. Ginny had just slid into her seat when Minerva joined them, wrapping them both in a side-hug.

"Good to see you both, I was so happy when I received Ginny's patronus," she said, her familiar lilt immediately putting Hermione at ease.

"It's good to see you, too, Minerva," Hermione said at the same time that Ginny said, "Aww, we missed you, too, Minerva."

The current Headmistress of Hogwarts wrapped her hands around the glass of hot butterbeer, imbuing life back into her cold fingers. "I hope your recovery is going well, Hermione."

"Yeah, I've never had so much time away from work," the brunette admitted, "At first it drove me mad, but now I'm glad for every minute I spend away."

"You're only saying that because I have to pick up the slack," Ginny teased, before turning to Minerva, "Hermione is trying to commit Ministry career suicide."

"Gin!" Hermione scolded, swiftly reaching out to smack her best friend on the shoulder.

"Well, it's true," the redhead scoffed, "So, are you going to tell her or am I?"

She groaned pinching the bridge of her nose. "Fine. Fine. She's right. I've done something that is going to draw a lot of ire from the Wizengamot, and I'm planning on doing something that will inevitably cost me my job. So, I'm hoping your offer to teach DADA still stands?"

"Of course, Hermione, there will always be room at Hogwarts for you, even if it were another position," Minerva said, eyeing the witch with concern, "What have you done? And what do you plan to do?"

"You remember Bellatrix?" Ginny asked rhetorically, causing Hermione to get butterbeer up her nose at how straightforward the question was.

"Naturally. And I remember Hermione being quite vocal about her opinions during the trial," the Scottish witch answered carefully.

Hermione clutched her nose, her sinuses burning from the unwelcome intrusion. "I may have had a private interview with Rita Skeeter where I told her in no uncertain terms how I felt about the trial and sentencing."

"Oh my," Minerva breathed, "And what prompted that?"

"Partly the line of questions," the brunette answered, mumbling the second half of her statement, "And partly because Bellatrix recovered from the kiss and I think she should be granted freedom."

The normally composed Headmistress stilled at the confession. In one smooth movement, she finished her butterbeer, earning an awed look from Ginny. She went to the bar, ordered two more, and proceeded to down them both in the same fashion before ordering another and making her way back to the table.

"Ok, now that I've consumed a sufficient amount of alcohol, please repeat what you said, just so I can be certain I'm not losing my mind," she said gravely.

Hermione took a deep breath. "I made an agreement with Skeeter during an investigation. She upheld her end, so I permitted her an hour-long private interview to ask whatever she wanted. We got off topic and ended up discussing Bellatrix's trial and sentencing, and, well, you know I feel very strongly about what happened, so I told her everything. I told her that the torture was staged and that my testimony wasn't accepted by the Wizengamot and there was a magical gag so I couldn't discuss it until after the sentence. And then...and then I told her that I thought Bellatrix should've been given a second chance instead of being given the Dementor's Kiss."

Ginny placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder, doing her best to ease her nerves.

Minerva nodded, her eyes wide. "Ok, and how did Bellatrix recover from the kiss?"

"I don't...I don't really know?" She hadn't intended for it to sound like a question. "After the kiss, Narcissa had her moved to the manor, which is also where I was staying because I sponsored Draco. I was...drawn to her before I even knew she was there. I started visiting, talking to her because it was easy to just say everything when they can't actually hear you. Well, I thought she couldn't. It started with Narcissa being able to connect to Bellatrix using Legilimency. One evening she just...woke up. I had said something, and I guess the shock of it was enough to bring her all the way back. She pulled me into her head, and somehow our magical cores ended up being bonded, Andy explains it better than I do. I never reported it because she carried out her sentence. I've been working on compiling a legal basis for her freedom, and I intend to present it to the Wizengamot."

The Headmistress stared at Hermione with her mouth open. "Bloody hell."

A nudge from Ginny prompted the brunette to add, "And I love her."

Minerva's eyes grew even wider. The sheer amount of revelations had caused her brain to stall. Ginny sipped her drink calmly while Hermione chewed her lip in the silence.

"That was more than I expected," she finally managed, "And while I'm baffled by it when it's put together like that, I can understand the individual pieces. Regardless, Hogwarts is not involved in politics or political posturing, at least not while I'm in charge."

"So...you'll still let me take the position?" Hermione asked, toying with her glass.

"Hermione," Minerva said, "I will do much more than that. If Bellatrix is granted freedom, and at this point I can hardly see there being an alternative since you're the one preparing for her trial, she will also be welcome to a position at Hogwarts. I would very much like the opportunity to see her soon."

"I'll speak to Narcissa about inviting you to tea one night," the brunette sagged in relief, "She won't say no, she just appreciates knowing ahead of time."

"Unless I'm visiting," Ginny interjected, "She adores me."

Hermione snorted. "She's hoping to civilise you."

"I'm civilised!" the redheaded witch insisted, "And, by your own words, posh. So suck it."

Minerva laughed at the exchange. "How is it that you've both grown up so much and also not at all? My two favourite Gryffindors."

"But the real question is which of us is your most favourite," Ginny grinned over her glass, her eyes twinkling.

"I'm afraid it's going to take several more drinks for me to give up that information." The Scottish witch's eyes twinkled just as much as Ginny's, the silent challenge accepted.

"Oh, Merlin," Hermione breathed, resolving to keep herself out of it.

She did not keep herself out of it. Minerva had threatened not to share unless they both participated. Hermione's sudden need for the answer wouldn't let her abstain even if she wanted to. So after five pints, and way too many shots for her to count, both her and Ginny were too pissed to remember what Minerva's answer had even been. The Headmistress seemed barely affected by the drinks, sending them off with a dazzling smile and making them promise to be in touch more.

"You're going the wrong way!" Hermione insisted, louder than she intended and she giggled as she grabbed Ginny's arm, nearly causing them to topple to the ground.

"I'sh my housh," the younger witch slurred, "I thin' I kno' where to go."

"Oh yeah," more uncontrollable giggles, "I thought we were going to Hogwarts!"

Ginny guffawed, stumbling as she directed Hermione in the right direction. "You would."

"I told you she'd out-drink us!" She was shouting again, she realised, and quickly clamped a hand over her mouth.

"Okay, Miss I'm Always Right About Everything," the redhead conceded, "I'll 'member that next time I'm giving you advishe. Hmm. Do I shound funny to you?"

"You always sound funny, Gin," Hermione laughed, leaning heavily on her best friend, "It's one of the many reasons I love you."

"Aww, I love you, too, 'Mi. I'sh been so long since we've been drunk, I forgot you're shuch a shap," Ginny retorted.

The brunette directed her middle finger at her companion. "How much farther?"

The redhead looked around. "We haven't even fucking left Hogsmeade."

Hermione groaned. "I don't want to walk."

A familiar figure approached them, calling out, "Hermione! Ginny! Merlin, I'm glad I found you here. Narcissa said you were both at the summer cottage and when you weren't there I hoped you'd be in town."

"Andy?" they chorused, leaning against each other as they almost slipped.

"Are you two drunk?" she asked, an amused smile on her face before she remembered why she was there, "Never mind. It's Teddy. He's at St Mungo's. He keeps crying for you, Hermione, he won't calm down. Draco went to sit with him while I came to find you."

"Is he okay?" Hermione asked, the sudden worry coursing through her system sobering her slightly.

Andromeda shook her head with pursed lips. "The healers can't get close enough to determine anything."

"Right, okay," she mumbled, collecting her thoughts, "We're in no state to apparate, can you get us to Ginny's? I'll get a quick shower to sober up and change and you can take me to Teddy. Gin, will you floo to the manor, stay there for tonight?"

The two witches nodded, Andromeda stepping closer to offer her arm. Upon appearing in the cottage, Hermione and Ginny groaned, bracing themselves against the nearest firm surface and taking slow breaths.

"Fuck," Ginny grumbled, "I might spew."

"Ugh, don't talk about it or I definitely will," Hermione groaned, leaning on the wall as she made her way to the closest shower.

Ginny settled herself on the couch, watching Andromeda pace the length of her front room. "Andy, can you get me some water?"

The middle Black sister nodded, glad for even a simple task while she waited. Ginny did her best to sober herself up enough to travel by floo. It would be best if she went ahead of Hermione, just to ease Narcissa and Bellatrix's worry, but she didn't want to leave Andromeda on her own for too long either.

"Right, Andy, I'm gonna go," she announced when she heard Hermione stumbling around to get dressed, "You know where we all are if you need any of us. Hermione will take care of Teddy."

The green flames had just died down when Hermione emerged, looking decidedly more sober, if a little worse for wear. She took hold of Andromeda's arm, giving her a reassuring squeeze. St Mungo's was quieter than she expected, even for the time of night. Andromeda led her to the ward Teddy was being held on, the quiet exchanged for Teddy's cries for Hermione.

Upon hearing the little wizard, her heart clenched, and she ended up sprinting the rest of the way to his room. She wasn't even breathless when she entered, causing Draco to jump and mutter a curse under his breath. Hermione ignored him, rushing straight to Teddy's side and observing him with her keen eyes.

"Teddy," she whispered, "What happened?"

"I don't know!" he cried, reaching out his arms for her.

Against her better judgement, she pulled him into a hug. His small arms squeezed her tightly, his mop of hair a sickly shade of green that made Hermione a little queasy to look at.

"What hurts? What's wrong?" she asked, cradling him close.

"My leg," he whimpered, "It hurts, 'Mione."

With her head, she gestured for Draco to leave the room. Andromeda was in the corridor pacing, and with his attention directed there, he quickly moved to comfort his aunt.

"What did you do to your leg, Teddy?" Hermione asked, closing the door with a wave of her fingers.

"I don't know," he managed to say between sobs.

She nodded. "Okay. It's okay, Teddy, I'm here now. Will you let a healer look at it?"

He shook his head, his face still buried in her neck.

"Will you let me look at it?"

After a pause, he nodded. Hermione sighed, shifting them easily so she was sat on the bed with her legs extended in front of her. With little effort, she coaxed Teddy into the same position in her lap.

"I got my new wand," she whispered as she assessed his legs, "Do you want to see it?"

He nodded, wincing and pulling his left leg away from her hand.

"Did you fall, Teddy?" she asked, furrowing her brow as she pulled her wand from her sleeve.

"I don't know," he whispered, tears seeping from the corners of his eyes.

She placed her wand in his small hands. "Does your head hurt?"

"A little," he answered, gesturing to a spot near his ear.

"Can I look?" she asked softly.

He nodded, turning her new wand over in his hands. Gently, she felt around the area he motioned to, being sure to move his hair out of the way. She found a swollen bump forming on his head, evidence that he had hit it hard. Hermione returned her attention to his left leg while he was occupied with her wand. There was no blood, or broken skin, but his knee and the area just under his knee was swollen, bruised, and definitely broken.

"Do you remember the spell?" she asked him, keeping him distracted while she assessed the rest of the damage.

"Floris," he cast easily, tulips sprouting from the tip of his borrowed wand.

"Perfect, Teddy," she praised, "Can you tell me the last thing you remember before being here?"

"I was playing in the back garden," he answered, "Granny had just called me in because it was getting dark. Why can't I 'member, 'Mione?"

She pushed his hair away from his face. "You hit your head, sometimes when we hit our head hard enough we can't remember things right. I'm gonna get you all fixed up, but I need some help, okay?"

"Okay," he nodded slowly, "But please don't leave me."

"I won't," she promised, plucking the tulips from the end of her wand and summoning a vase with water, "I'll stay right here until you're all better."

"Can Bella come see me too?" Teddy asked hopefully.

Hermione frowned slightly. "No, she can't, Teddy. Bella can't leave home just yet. But soon, she'll be able to."

"Oh." His face fell. "I wish she could."

"How about when you're all better you can come and visit Bella?" she suggested.

He nodded emphatically. "Yes!"

"Okay," she agreed with a smile, "I'm going to ask for the healers now and we're going to get you all patched up."

He nodded again, grabbing fistfuls of Hermione's robes. She explained what she had found, and they had quickly set about repairing the damage to his leg and head. He was wary of the liquids they wanted him to drink until Hermione had explained what they were for, and how many times she remembered having to take the same one at his request. The ordeal began to take its toll on the young wizard, who began drifting off now that his leg and head were no longer hurting him so badly. His little fists still gripped tightly to Hermione's robes, but she remained unphased by it as she recounted his injuries to Andromeda.

"He fell in the garden, Andy," she whispered, "There are no traces of magic, no lingering effects of anything. It was purely an accident, I checked him three times just to be sure. He must've tripped over something, or stumbled on uneven ground, and hit his head when he landed which is why he couldn't remember."

"You're positive?" Andromeda whispered back, unable to push the worry aside.

Hermione nodded. "It was my first thought, too. Especially after what happened. He just fell, I'm positive. There's no tampered memory, no magical signature from a hex or curse or anything. And his magic worked flawlessly. He was just shaken."

Hermione inclined her head to the vase of tulips. Andromeda let out a weary sigh, settling heavily into the visitor's chair.

"Did you send Draco home?" she whispered.

"Yeah, when you called the healers in. I just...Why didn't he let me see?" She wrung her hands in her lap, her eyes filled with tears.

The younger witch shook her head. "I don't know, Andy. You know how he gets when he's scared, he doesn't want anyone but me. I think he was scared because he was hurt and couldn't remember how it happened. He knows I get hurt at work all the time, that I could tell him what happened. I don't think he really understands healers yet."

Andromeda sighed heavily. "It's so hard sometimes. Even though I've done it all before, I had Ted, and I was younger. Now I'm alone and older and mourning my late husband, daughter, and son-in-law."

"Andy," Hermione whispered gently, "Why don't you go to the manor? I'll send a Patronus if anything changes. You know he's safe with me, I'll bring him there as soon as he's released."

"I can't ask you to do that, Hermione," she mumbled, rubbing her forehead.

"I already promised Teddy I wouldn't move from this spot while he's here, and he wants to visit when he's better," the younger witch explained, "It's ok. You need them right now."

Andromeda nodded, relenting to the request. "Okay. I'll let them know you'll be staying here. In the morning I'll bring you both fresh clothes."

"Don't worry about that, just get to the manor and try to get some rest. I'm sure we'll be out before lunch," Hermione reassured.

"Okay," she conceded, losing the strength to keep protesting.

Teddy slept through the rest of the night. Hermione, on the other hand, hadn't slept at all. She spent the night reading by the light of her wand and compiling more notes. For Bellatrix's trial to go how she wanted, she had to know everything the Wizengamot could possibly throw at her and how to refute it. She also had to influence the public just so, which was the harder part for her to achieve. Still, Teddy slept soundly, and when he did wake up, Hermione was exactly where she promised she would be.

"Hey, my little trooper," she said, smoothing his hair away from his face, "How are we doing?"

"Better," he answered, observing the witch's face, "You look tired."

Hermione smiled tiredly at him. "I was watching over you. And I was reading."

"You're always reading," he pouted, crossing his little arms.

"That's how I know as much as I do," she explained patiently, "And it's important for my job."

"When can we leave?" Teddy asked, moving his leg experimentally.

"It shouldn't be long," she mumbled, "We just have to wait for the healers to check you over again and if they're happy with how you've healed, we can go."

He nodded, his hair turning to a shade of brown to match Hermione's. "Read to me?"

The brunette chuckled, summoning a book to keep him entertained until the healer's made their morning rounds. She had only been reading for a few pages when there was a gentle knock on the door.

"Come in," she called out, placing the book to the side.

"Good morning Mr Lupin, Miss Granger," the healer greeted, "I'm optimistic you'll both be on your way home before too long. I just need to have a look at Mr Lupin's head and leg, and then I'll preform a quick diagnostic spell."

"Miss Healer?" Teddy asked, furrowing his brow, his face scrunching.

"Yes, Mr Lupin?"

"I'm sorry for my behaviour yesterday," he said quietly, sitting still while she examined his leg, "I've never been here before, and I didn't know you, and I was scared, and when I'm scared only Hermione can make me brave."

"I understand, Mr Lupin," she whispered, "It can be very scary sometimes, but we're always here to help. I'd like to apologise to you, too. Since you're too young to be given anything with a calming effect, we were unable to help until Miss Granger arrived. I'm sorry you were hurting for as long as you were, that can't have been easy."

"You're always brave, Teddy, you don't need me for that," Hermione encouraged him to lean forward so the healer could inspect his head, "Some day you're going to be scared and you'll be able to be brave without me there. But I will always come when called."

"Everything has healed nicely. His knee will be tender for the next few days, I recommend no running for at least ten days," the healer explained, "His head is healed, and the memory should return within a week. If there's anything minor, some discomfort, slight swelling of his leg, things of that nature, you and Madame Tonks are capable, but if there's anything serious, if the bruising returns suddenly or the swelling is severe, please bring him back and we'll sort him out again. I will have to ask you to move, Miss Granger, so you don't interfere with the diagnostic spell."

Teddy tightened his grip on Hermione at the idea of her moving.

"It's okay, Teddy, I'll still be with you. If I'm sat with you like this, Healer Donna won't be able to tell if there's anything wrong. Do you want to see how it works?" She held his small hands in her own, encouraging him to let go.

"What if it hurts?" he asked, squeezing Hermione's tan hands in his own.

"Here, move to the end of the bed, I'll go first, and then you can go, okay?" At his nod she turned to the healer with an apologetic smile. "Healer Donna, would you mind casting the diagnostic spell on me first so Teddy can see what it does?"

She nodded, having dealt with the similar circumstances while healing younger wizards and witches. "That won't be a problem, Miss Granger."

When Teddy was settled at the end of the bed, Healer Donna waved her wand with a flourish. Teddy watched as letters and numbers shimmered in the air, several of them amber, a few green.

"Miss Granger, your results," the healer began with a furrowed brow.

"Ah, I'm still recovering from field injuries," she explained, "I've been on mandated rest and light activity while I recover. Is there anything that wouldn't be explained by that?"

Healer Donna scrutinised the results, just to be certain when she answered. "No, everything here is consistent with your line of work. You're receiving regular checks?"

Hermione nodded. "Andromeda has been overseeing my recovery. Should I inform her of anything?"

"No," she answered after some thought, "Given the circumstances, your results are within acceptable limits."

"That's good," she breathed, turning to Teddy with a reassuring smile, "See, Teddy, it's okay. Can you be my brave little trooper now?"

He set his face into a determined expression, nodding sharply. Hermione moved to stand behind Healer Donna, leaning against the wall. Her eyes glanced over his vitals, happy with what she saw.

Bella, she thought after brushing her mind against the older witch's and being welcomed, We'll be home soon, Teddy's just having a diagnostic.

That's great to hear, cub, came the immediate response, I'll let everyone know.

Hermione tuned back into the conversation to hear the healer tell Teddy, "Absolutely no running for a few days, Mr Lupin. Your knee is still healing, but you're better enough to go home. I just need to have a word with Miss Granger."

"Thank you, Miss Healer," he said with a childish grin.

"You're welcome, Mr Lupin," she said turning to Hermione, "Miss Granger."

"Is something wrong?" she whispered, her eyes flicking to Teddy quickly, "His diagnostic looked fine."

"It was," she quickly assured, making a calming motion with her hands, "He's fine. He's a metamorphmagus, correct?"

Hermione relaxed slightly, "Yeah, on his mum's side."

"From the nature of the break, I suspect he had an altered appearance when he fell. There is very little known about metamorphmagi, I don't know how this might affect his healing," she whispered, "Normally, I would insist on keeping him under observation for a few days, just in case, but considering you and Madame Tonks both have reputable healing skills, I see no problem allowing him to go home, but please be extra vigilant about how the bone heals."

"Thank you, Healer Donna," the brunette mumbled, pushing her hair out of her face tiredly, "We'll bring him back if there's anything abnormal."

She nodded, turning to Teddy and giving him one last smile before leaving the room. Hermione walked over to him, opening her arms for him to climb onto her. She lifted the young wizard easily, holding him close.

"Ready?" she asked, smoothing his hair back.

"Ready," he grinned, tucking his face into her shoulder.

Slowly, she turned on her heel, apparating them to Malfoy Manor.

"Welcome home, Teddy!" their newfound family chorused as soon as they appeared in the foyer.

Teddy smiled, clambering out of Hermione's arms to be engulfed in hugs.

"You okay, 'Mi?" Ginny asked, the first of them over to the brunette.

"Yeah," she mumbled, "Just tired. I stayed up all night in case something happened, but he was fine."

"Ginny," Andromeda said as she approached the pair, "Bella and Teddy want you to come with them."

She raised a brow, but shrugged and went with the pair.

Get a nap, cub, Bellatrix thought to her, smiling gently at the brunette, who nodded.

"Andy," she breathed, her shoulders sagging.

"Let me get you upstairs," the middle Black said, wrapping an arm around her waist, "I'll check your bandages."

Hermione nodded, stifling a yawn. "The healer said she thinks Teddy had an altered appearance when he broke his leg. She's not sure if it'll affect the healing and said to keep an eye on it, but other than that there's nothing to worry about. He won't be running around for a couple of days, but that's it."

"That's good news," Andromeda sighed with relief, "Thank you, Hermione."

The brunette just shrugged. "You don't have to thank me, Andy. You guys are family."

"I know, I just...I don't know what I would've done. It's been so long since I've felt that useless," she admitted.

"You're far from useless, Andy," Hermione placed a hand on Andromeda's arm as they made their way up the stairs, "As Ginny loves to remind me, you're the only healer that will treat me because I don't listen. And, let's face it, I would be dead a few times over if I didn't have you."

"You're getting better," Andromeda said, "I never thought Bellatrix would be a good influence in that aspect considering she's ridiculously stubborn."

"We're lucky to have each other," Hermione smiled fondly, "Things are finally feeling like they're on the right path."

"Kingsley keeps asking me when you'll be well enough to attend the trial as a witness," the older witch whispered, "They're anxious to resolve this before Christmas gets closer."

The brunette was quiet for a moment, opening the door to her room. "What do you think?"

"I'm conflicted, if I'm honest. Physically," she helped Hermione lower herself onto the bed, "I think you're recovered enough to attend trial as a one-day witness. At the same time, you're working through a lot of trauma. I wouldn't go so far as to say that you're fragile..."

"But you worry that the trial will trigger a panic attack," Hermione finished, "I had one before Skeeter arrived for the interview."

Andromeda nodded slowly. "I'm concerned that your mental and emotional state is what's causing your continued amber results, even after most of your injuries have healed. Your ribs are fully healed, your burn should be in a few days, your wrists and hands have been better for days, and even though your arm is taking longer than usual for you, it's been improving."

"What do you suggest, Andy?" the brunette asked, trying not to flinch as the older witch examined her arm.

She sighed heavily, running a thumb over the fading scabs. "I'm at a loss for what to suggest. I should tell you to seek treatment from a soul healer, but you've also been making steady progress with Bellatrix. She isn't a professional, though, and that's where I get stumped. I don't think the progress you've made could've been done without her, and you already trust each other deeply. Sending you to a soul healer would put you on uneven ground, which would be detrimental to you."

"You can leave it uncovered," Hermione whispered when Andromeda began preparing a bandage, "Which option would I benefit from the most in the long run?"

Andromeda smiled to herself as she placed the bandage back in her bag. The younger witch had never been concerned with the long run before, focusing on short term results to continue moving forward.

"Well, that question should give you your answer," she whispered, "When was the last time you thought about your health beyond the present?"

"Ages," Hermione whispered quietly, "I find so much peace with Bellatrix, it makes it easier to care about myself."

"Just promise me one thing," she waited for a nod before she continued, "If you feel like you need a soul healer, you see one."

"I promise," she said.

Andromeda nodded, satisfied. "Get some rest, 'Mi."

Hermione nodded, letting her eyes drift closed. She hadn't even changed into pyjamas, but she couldn't find the energy to care. Sleep came quickly, buried in the duvet she shared with Bellatrix.

Downstairs, Ginny, Bellatrix, and Teddy sat around a set of drawings. It had been Teddy's idea to show Ginny the sketches Bellatrix had created of Hermione's parents. She could use the redhead's input on them, anyway. Being closest to Hermione, she would be able to direct Bellatrix in the right direction with which sketches were best. Ginny observed the sketches with interest, marvelling at the former Death Eater's skill. She leafed through the stack of drafts that had been thrust into her hands, pulling out the ones that caught her attention the most. Teddy was focused on the piece of parchment he was currently moving a piece of charcoal over, his tongue poking out the side of his mouth.

"Well," Bellatrix whispered, wringing her hands together, "Are they okay?"

"Yeah, I know they're just drafts, but wow, Bellatrix," Ginny breathed, "Where did you find time to do all of these?"

"At first I'd work on them while she was asleep, because she needed the rest. Now that she's getting better, I work on them while she's busy. They don't take long to sketch out," she explained, "But with Christmas getting closer I want to be able to devote my time to making a final version. Obviously I can't do it for all of them. You're her best friend, which do you think?"

"I don't know," she mumbled, "I mean, all of these are great for different reasons, but I know this is meant to be special."

Ginny hummed for a moment, looking at the last few sketches. "Have you thought about doing one with Hermione and her parents?"

"That won't be too much? I know it's a sensitive topic for her," Bellatrix wrung her hands, "I'm already unsure if this will even be okay or if I'll be overstepping."

"Nah," the redhead shook her head casually, "You aren't overstepping. 'Mi needs something like this, especially now. Do you have enough time to do more than one?"

The former Death Eater rubbed her hands on her knees. "Erm, I could probably manage to finish two, but it would be hard since she's still on mandated rest."

"Oh, I'll sort that, don't worry," she waved a hand nonchalantly, "If you need time I can always drag her away for a day, but Kingsley has been trying to get Andromeda to lift the mandated rest."

"Do you think Hermione's ready for that?" Bellatrix asked, pushing her hair out of her face and watching Teddy draw.

Ginny shrugged, holding two pieces of parchment and deliberating them. "It's hard to say. Hermione normally just jumps right back into work and doesn't let anyone tell her to rest. Things are different now, though. There's no way anyone will get her back before she's ready, and who knows when that'll be."

The older witch sensed that there was something she wasn't being told, but didn't push the subject. "Which one are you thinking?"

"I can't decide." She set them both on the table between them. "I think you should do both, but add Hermione to one of them."

Bellatrix pointed to the one on Ginny's left. "This one?"

"I think so. Just...I think this is a good present for her, but I don't think it's something you should give her unless you two are alone," Ginny said quietly, "Like you said, it's a sensitive topic, and I know that as much as Hermione will appreciate it, she'll need privacy for her emotions."

"Thank you, Ginny," the former Death Eater breathed, the muscles in her shoulders finally loosening.

"It's no problem," she shrugged with a grin, "I'll get you some frames for them when they're finished."

"That would be nice," Bellatrix admitted, "Is there anything you want for Christmas?"

Ginny thought for a moment, her eyes watching Teddy with amusement. "Maybe a few bottles of that famous wine?"

The older witch laughed lightly. "I can certainly arrange that. Thank you for your help, Ginny."

"I've never seen Hermione so happy," she said, "She's always buried herself in whatever the most pressing problem was. I've tried for years to do what you've done in a couple months. So thank you, Bellatrix, for making my best friend an actual person again."

A light flush rose to Bellatrix's cheeks. "Well, she also made me an actual person again. I could never let her be anything less."

Ginny smiled, teasing, "Just don't fuck it up, Black."

"As if you could ever hunt me down," she teased back, having observed her interactions with Hermione, "I'm the brightest witch of my age."

"Yeah, that's fair," she conceded, adding, "But Hermione is my best friend and I would die hunting you down if it came to it."

"I know you would," Bellatrix whispered, "Hermione is lucky to have you. You're a better friend to her than anyone."

"Careful," Ginny teased, "Or I just might fall for you, too. Flattery goes a long way with me."

The former Death Eater laughed, her head tipping back. "I can see why you and Hermione get on so well. I think we're going to be very good for her."