Chapter 64: Being supported.

Hermione's thoughts went round and round in her head. The Headmaster of Hogwarts and her Head of House had just admitted that they had covered up the murder that the witch had committed. Minerva had noticed the turmoil in which her pupil found herself and was saddened that the situation had turned out this way. Without adding anything, she took Hermione in her arms, reminding her that everything would be all right. The rest of the town also remained silent. Emma glanced at Henry to see if she had understood the situation correctly.

- Did you really think we'd let you down, Miss Granger? asked the Headmistress of the Lions, a small smile on her face.

Dumbledore nodded and reminded her that she had saved the lives of many people even before she had this new magic in her. From her first year at Hogwarts, the witch had dared to brave the various tests set by the teachers, including the arduous potion test to protect the school from Voldemort's return. He could go on about every year until now. If he didn't help a woman like her, then no one was worth protecting.

- But I committed a crime, I... I must be punished for it!

Nothing could stop Hermione from restoring justice. Dumbledore was aware of this, yet he had to bring her back to her senses. He needed her for the coming battles.

- And I don't doubt for a second that you will punish yourself for a very long time. You're made that way and that's more than enough. Many criminals in prison never question their actions, but you do.

That was exactly what Henry had said. Letting a few tears fall again, Hermione knew she had to calm down immediately or risk dehydration.

- Let's be honest for two minutes, my dear, Minerva continued, that doesn't excuse your actions. You know that what you did will weigh on your conscience forever. However, I think it's fair to say that Dolores Umbridge had little chance of finishing the year alive.

It was rare that the Professor of Metamorphosis allowed herself to joke, even more so on such a serious subject. Yet it drew a small laugh from Hermione, who knew that it was intended to make her feel something other than guilt. After all, it was true. No teacher at Hogwarts liked Umbridge. Snape had restrained himself many times from putting a few drops of poison in her pumpkin juice. Sprout had almost changed the tulip pot on her desk for a Venomous Tentacula. Each of them, in their own way, had had murderous thoughts about the Ministry of Magic's envoy.

Snow approached Hermione; the former Princess knew how the witch felt. She too had killed someone whom everyone considered evil, but she couldn't help regretting it.

- What you're feeling right now, Hermione, is painful. And in a way, it will never go away. In fact, it must never go away. Do you know why? Because as long as you remember the pain of taking a life, you won't want to do it again.

The young woman was touched by Snow's words. She understood every word and intended to keep them in her head instead of Rumple's little voice that she kept hearing over and over again. Hermione was about to ask Snow how she managed to live with it when her question was interrupted. Remus and Sirius had just flown into town accompanied by Harry, Ron, Luna, Neville and Ginny who had been briefed on the situation.

- We took the liberty of explaining what had happened to some people. I think the more people you have around you, the better off you'll be. Dumbledore added.

Hermione ran into Harry's arms and apologised for what he had seen, for frightening him. Without any criticism, they gave each other a huge collective hug to the point of almost choking the young woman. An increasingly pronounced smile began to appear on her face. The simple realisation that she wasn't alone changed everything. None of her friends looked at her sideways and the fear she had seen in Harry had already disappeared.

It was Regina who also had tears in her eyes. She was over the moon to know that her daughter was so well cared for. Now, even more than before, she knew that Hermione had people to turn to outside the city. A little blonde girl even made her laugh when she spoke as naturally as possible.

- You know, despite what you've done, your heart is still as bright as ever!

Only Luna could say things like that. The Ravenclaw had a gift for it. In anyone else's mouth, this sentence would have been misunderstood or would have been considered pure madness, but not for Luna. Hermione could only hug her again. If even she, who had noticed the change in her aura, could see no change, then she could allow herself to breathe a little.

- We all know you didn't kill her just because you wanted to, Mione. Harry began. You know what she did to all of us. What she could do to us just to prove she was right.

- Exactly! Ron replied. By doing that, you protected us. And not just those of us who are here today, but every student at Hogwarts with enough brains to rebel.

It was rare that Ron included himself among those with 'enough brains' but he had a point. The only students spared from Umbridge's actions were those who agreed with her and didn't understand the dangers she represented.

- This could be our chance to finally have a real teacher. replied Neville with a big smile.

They all laughed heartily. Hermione was finally feeling good, surrounded not only by her family but also by her friends. They set off back to Hogwarts, except for Hermione who took a few days off to relax in Henry's arms. Sirius and Remus even used the excuse of having to look after her to spend some time in town with their respective ladies. The young witch's fifth year at Hogwarts was ending and something inside her told her that the problems were far from over.

Note : Thanks to CallaRose4ever for your review ! We're approaching the sixth year!