Ginny barreled down the hallway in a collision course with the infirmary doors when she was caught up in Minerva's arms.

"Let me go!"

"Wait!...wait, Ginevra. We must allow Poppy to do her job."

"But…Hermione!"

"I know." Minerva locked eyes with Ginny, expectation calming the girl. "She is in capable hands. We must give her time."

Minerva twisted her wand and pushed Ginny onto the bench she constructed. Sitting next to the girl, Minerva clasped her hand, hoping to get as much comfort as she was offering. It was hours of nerve-wracking inaction before Poppy finally emerged from the hospital room, exhausted from her efforts.

"She is stable. I am confident we got her in time. It might be best to transfer her to St. Mungo's, but I want to monitor her for a few more hours before making that decision."

"Can I see her?" Ginny hopefully inquired.

"Yes, of course."

Ginny bolted through the door. Minerva stepped to follow but was held back by the medi-witch. "A word, Minerva?"

"What is it?"

Poppy led Minerva to her office and closed the door firmly. At her desk, she rummaged in a drawer and pulled out two glasses and a bottle of dwarf whisky. Pushing a double pour across the desk to Minerva, she lifted her own. "Drink it." She ordered evenly.

Minerva raised the glass and, under scrutiny, downed half of it in one. "Tell me."

"Minerva…I…I'm not sure how to say this."

"In one…" Minerva directed.

"Right, yes…well…" Poppy sucked in a deep breath. "Minerva, I believe Hermione is a victim of a sexual assault."

Poppy winced at the sound of crystal shattering. She pushed away from the desk in preparation of the impending explosion. Watching the changing expressions across Minerva's face and the tensing of her body, she slid her wand from her sleeve.

"Who…how...?" barely whispered past lips thinned in rage.

"No way to tell at this point."

"She was in her room. No one could get up those stairs…"

"No male could…"

"What?! Are you saying…?"

"I'm saying I do not know who or how. I just know the facts before me.

Minerva froze, barely breathing as facts swirled through her mind. "She has not been right…Poppy, has this been happening…?"

"Considering the most recent lacerations and bruising as well as the signs of injuries in various stages of mending, it is my suspicion that it has been ongoing for a number of days."

Minerva's hand covered her mouth, holding back her reaction. "Since…?"

"I believe so."

Unable to hold it any longer, Minerva turned away and retched, losing the contents of her stomach across Poppy's floor. "Oh gods…"

Poppy's arm was across Minerva's shoulder, guiding the choking witch back to her seat. A hastily repaired glass was again full of whisky and placed in Minerva's trembling hands. Absently, Poppy cleared the mess as she dragged another chair close to Minerva's.

"My dear, it is not your fault."

"Isn't it?" Minerva turned baleful eyes on Poppy. "I am the head of this school. The safety of the students in my care is absolutely my responsibility. 'The buck stops here', as they say. It is as much my fault as if I committed the act myself."

"MINERVA! Do not go there. That is the most irrational argument I have ever heard. And you have spoken some doozies over the years. This was an attack executed by someone with an evil psyche. It was not you."

They sat silently, mulling over their arguments and examining the facts.

"Why would she not fight back? That girl has depths of power even I cannae fathom. Surely she could best an assailant. Were there drugs involved?"

"I found no trace of any but the dreamless sleep potion."

"I dae nae understand this."

"I doubt, without Hermione's help, we will ever figure this out."

Minerva faced Poppy, her right eyebrow inching up. "Legilimency?"

"Not in my hospital. This is a sanctuary, Minerva. I will not allow anyone to lose their rights to privacy without their consent."

"You are right, of course." Minerva capitulated contritely.

After another period of consideration, Poppy counseled, "I expect you will need to inform her parents."

"Actually, I am relieved of that duty."

"Why?"

"They are currently somewhere in Australia, their minds altered with no memory of their daughter."

"What?!"

Minerva shrugged. "The girl wiped their memories to save them before running off with Harry to hunt for Voldemort's horcruxes. She has not gone to retrieve them, yet."

"That is…"

"I know. So much…"

Minerva stood and literally shook herself off. Righting her hat, she turned to leave the office. "I suppose I should…"

Poppy followed, resting a hand on her friend's shoulder in support.

"Take some time with her. Letters and reports can wait."

"Thank you, Poppy."

With a nod, Poppy showed Minerva out.

Ginny was sitting in a chair next to the bed with her torso folded over Hermione's legs, her hand clutching tightly to her friend's. Minerva felt a twinge of envy at the indiscretion allowed the young woman to openly display the depth of her love. Minerva stood back and respectfully delayed interrupting Ginny's time of introspection, allowing the girl to grieve as she needed.

"It's alright, Professor." Ginny offered Minerva an opening to approach.

"I did not want to interrupt."

"Thanks. But there isn't much to interrupt. Not like we're having a conversation."

Minerva reached out and tentatively combed her fingers through Ginny's hair. "I am so sorry, Ginevra."

Red watery eyes glanced up to catch Minerva's. "I know. Me too."

"Can I get you anything?"

Ginny shook her head. "No, thanks. Do you think we should tell Harry and Ron?"

"I cannae. Neither is listed as emergency contacts."

"But maybe I…"

"I cannae advise you on that matter," Minerva explained in a voice thick with an obvious undertone.

"Right. Ok."

"I must go to look after a few things. Madame Pomfrey has given you leave to stay as long as you wish. I believe she has a few more treatments prescribed, so you will need to afford her the courtesy…"

"Oh, of course. I'll stay out of the way."

"Very well. I will return later this evening."