Summary:

Hermione takes an unscheduled trip to Hogwarts.

Notes:

Hello, I'm so sorry for not updating in a while. I will try to update more frequently. Hope you enjoy this chapter.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Hermione stared up at the looming castle anxiously, wondering if she could do this, enter the place that caused her so much trauma, so much pain. The last time she'd been here was on May Day, the day before the one-year anniversary of the Final Battle. Hermione wasn't proud of her actions that day, it had been a disaster, her last relapse, where she had gotten drunk and snorted Pixie Dust in Hogsmeade before attacking the wards of the school when she'd been experiencing horrible hallucinations.

She hadn't planned to come to Hogwarts today, honestly, she'd happily never set foot in the castle again if she could help it. But she'd awoken this morning with an urge to see Ginny. The youngest Weasley was completing her seventh year at the school. Before the night of Draco's birthday when Ginny had snuck out to attend the party, Hermione hadn't considered how difficult it must be for the younger girl, who was clearly suffering from the same abandonment that plagued Hermione.

It had been selfish of her to feel like she was the only one abandoned when so many people had been left behind by Harry and Ron, including the girl who had experienced the love of her life leaving her not once but twice. Ginny was much braver than she was.

Slowly she raised one hand to the gate, hoping that this wasn't a mistake, that her been here wouldn't lead to another relapse.

"Hermione, what are you doing here," the brisk Scottish voice of her former head of house spoke as the Headmistress of Hogwarts appeared on the other side of the gate to her, the older woman waved her wand opening the gate and Hermione stared at her for a moment, her lower lip trembling.

"Professor McGonagall, I'm so sorry," she spoke timidly. This was a woman she looked up too, the woman who had first introduced her to the Wizarding world and she'd been nothing but a disappointment since the war ended. She'd skipped out of returning to school, done illicit substances, and caused multiple headline scandals when caught in compromising positions in the wake of the war and her parents' deaths. The headmistress looked at her, scanning her from head to toe before meeting her eyes, Hermione's own eyes began to water, then overflow when the other witch held her arms open gathering her in a motherly hug that was warm and comforting.

"I'm so sorry, professor," she spoke again, and the headmistress made a tutting sound.

"Hermione, I think we've been through enough together for you to call me by my first name," the Headmistress spoke, her arms still holding her tightly.

"Minerva I'm sorry for what happened before the Memorial Celebration," she apologised again, Minerva pulled away and took her face into her aged hands, fixing her with a penetrating stare.

"Hermione you have absolutely nothing to apologise for. It should be I apologising to you. You were a child under my care, and I failed at protecting you," the headmistress spoke quietly.

"No, you did everything," she began to protest but Minerva shook her head.

"No Hermione, I didn't. I let children be used as soldiers, I could have tried harder, told Albus to stop his plans, but I didn't," she responded.

"I don't blame you," she whispered to the older woman.

"I don't blame you either, what happened on May Day was your way of dealing with the immeasurable traumas you've suffered through over the past few years," the headmistress told her.

"I never wanted to disappoint you," Hermione whispered sadly, Minerva frowned at her.

"Come with me, we are going to have some tea and biscuits and by the end of it you will know just how proud I am of the woman you are Hermione," the Headmistress spoke, letting go of her face, she wrapped an arm around her and led her into the school.

It was two hours later by the time she left Minerva's office in search of Ginny. The former Gryffindor head had built her confidence massively, reassuring her that she wasn't a failure despite some of her recent life choices. She told her she was proud of her for seeking help from Dr Hargreaves, proud of her for getting clean despite her recent relapse. Minerva was proud of her for continuing her education and understanding of her not wanting to do so while attending Hogwarts. Hermione left the office feeling happier than she had in a long time.

She walked through the castle, cautiously avoiding the corridors that held the worst memories and made her way up to the Gryffindor Common room. Students stared at her as she passed by them, but she paid them no mind. When she made it to the portrait of the Fat Lady, she used the password that the headmistress had provided her with and stepped inside.

What greeted her was the sight of Ginny Weasley and Theodore Nott making out heavily on one of the old red sofas. Hermione did her most Umbridge like cough which had the pair freezing before Ginny hastily scrambled off of Theo's lap, grasping for her nearby T-shirt that had been discarded.

"Hermione darling, care to join us," Theo smirked rakishly at her with a flamboyant exaggerated wink.

"What are you doing here," she asked, ignoring his question.

"Snuck into Hogwarts to see Red," he responded, gesturing to ginny who was blushing furiously.

"Well now you can sneak out, Ginny and I have some catching up to do," she told him sharply before marching up to the younger girl and grabbing her arm, leading her up the staircase to the girls' dormitories.

"I never expected you to be a cockblock Granger," he called after her, Hermione shook her head.

"Honestly Ginny what on earth are you doing," she questioned the younger girl.

"Well I was hoping to have a good shag," her friend responded with a playful glare, Hermione let out a chuckle.

"God I really am a cockblock aren't I," she laughed.

"A bit yeah, what are you doing at Hogwarts Mione," Ginny questioned, taking a seat on her neatly made bed.

"I thought it was about time we have a proper catch up, it's been too long, and I've been far too selfish lately," she told her friend before taking a seat beside her on the younger girl's bed.

Notes:

Thank you for reading, comments and Kudos are encouraged.