Minerva arrived at the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures with four Aurors and Kingsley Shacklebolt in tow. The receptionist at the desk swallowed his mouthful of tea with an audible gulp.

"What can we assist you with today?"

"I need access to the succubus I brought in last night."

"Oh, well…that is logged as highly classified. We will need proper…"

"Do you think I might be the proper authority?" Kingsley cut in.

"Oh…oh, yes sir. Of course. I did not realize…"

Momentarily, a wizened witch shuffled into the reception area. She evaluated the members of the somber group and waved at them to follow. "This way."

In a secured, cavernous room they were led through a maze of aisles to a sealed cell.

"I don't need to tell you…?"

"No, I understand the risk," Minerva confirmed. "We have taken precautions."

"Very well. Here or…?"

"We will take it with us. We have prepared a room."

"As you wish. If it gets loose, it will return to its host."

"Not if it wants to live." Minerva bit out through clenched teeth.

One of the Aurors stepped into the cell and encircled the stone demon with magical chains. Once locked in place, he nodded to the others and they levitated the statue and transported it back the way they came.

"Minerva, are you certain about this?" Kingsley's gruff baritone demanded her attention.

"I am." She glared at her old friend. "Now, dae nae open this door 'til ye confirm it's me requesting exit."

The door locked solidly behind her. She nodded to the four Aurors who had volunteered to assist her. Once they were positioned around the monster with wands raised, Minerva cast four muffliato charms and the counter to her sculpting hex, releasing the beast from its stone prison.

A shriek of anger filled the room, causing each of the humans present to wince in pain. Minerva was the first to react, catching the imp with a binding spell that forced it to crash back onto the floor.

"Desist with your bloody screaming." The angry witch demanded as the Aurors took over the restraint.

"Release me, witch. You know not what you play at."

"Give over, ye filthy beast. I know what you are. And I know you are without a master."

"LIES!"

"I killed her myself," Minerva claimed.

"You don't have the power to kill Mistress Bellatrix."

"I assure you I do," Minerva stated calmly, satisfied with the fact her hunch was correct. "Now, tell me, did Bellatrix direct you to molest Hermione Granger?"

"You waste your breath, human. I will reveal nothing to you."

"Perhaps." Minerva hedged. "The fact is I already know she did. I know she sent you. What I haven't yet figured out is how."

"You are unworthy. You cannot even see what is right before you."

Minerva accepted the spoken challenge and studied the creature in front of her. A broad forehead sported a pair of small horns with two larger horns protruding from its skull which was covered in a mass of greasy black hair. Narrow beady black eyes, a large hawkish nose, and a grimace exposing sharp canine teeth similar to vampire fangs created a gruesome visage. Its body was thick but decidedly feminine. Stout, heavy, fur-covered legs supported the demon and a long fleshy tail extended from the end of its spine. Large leathery bat-like wings stretched out from its shoulders, spanning a good three meters across.

Minerva took a step forward to get a better look at a silvery line that shimmered along the inner spine of its left wing. With a horrified gasp, she stumbled back. "Mudblood."

"It is the signifier."

"Her scar," Minerva muttered in revulsion.

"My mistress marked it for me. It is mine."

With great effort, Minerva belayed her immediate reaction to obliterate the succubus and held her wand down at her side. "Why did you wait a year to act? What took you so long?"

The demon's egotism loosened its tongue and it disdainfully spewed forth vile details that shredded Minerva's heart. "It took time to find its filthy little desire. And I needed to perfect the mimesis for this one. It is strong, and it held you in such high esteem; your name from its mouth every single time, begging for more even as it begged me to stop. I never came across such depth and intensity. It was…real…and pure. I usually string my playthings along, taking months before they break, but this one…I could not stop myself. I had to take it three or four times every night. It was the best fuck I ever had; so…responsive. I'm pretty sure I was its first…and last."

Without indication or word, Minerva transfigured the fiend back into stone. "Fuck you, you motherfucker." Giving no warning at the exit the incensed witch simply blasted the door from its hinges. Storming past a surprised Minster, she rushed from the interrogation room, leaving behind echoing questions and a clutter of stone rubble.

Hogwarts was dark by the time she returned. After the cross-examination, Minerva fled to her family home and stormed across the hills in an attempt to exhaust her fury. Violently turning a number of boulders to pebbles, she released her rage in the protective cover of solitude. Finally, with her anger spent, she gave into her heart's desire and made her way to the infirmary.

Once again, the only light emanated from the fire and there was only one patient in the ward. Cautiously sneaking through the hospital, Minerva felt like she was trespassing where she was not wanted. As she approached the occupied bed she fought back the remorse threatening to choke her. Swallowing her guilt and anguish, she perched on the edge of the mattress by Hermione's hip.

Her most cherished student was curled on her side, holding herself in a protective fetal position. Minerva tugged the blanket over Hermione's shoulder and gently tucked a few loose strands of hair behind her ear. A soft mewl made her pause with her hand hovering over tawny hair. Unable to pull away, Minerva succumbed to an innocent longing and rested her hand on Hermione's arm.

At the moment of contact, a contented sigh escaped Hermione's lips. Minerva sat in awe as the young woman's body seemed to relax from the warmth of her hand. She reflexively squeezed the sinewy muscle within her grasp, inadvertently waking the slumbering patient.

"Minerva?"

"Aye, lass." Minerva acknowledged, despite her mind screaming at her to run.

Hermione rolled onto her back, unintentionally knocking Minerva's hand away. Measuring the woman's demeanor, Hermione probed, "Did you find the answers?"

"Aye." Minerva admitted tiredly.

"The answers are as horrible as the questions," Hermione concluded.

"Evil begets evil."

Hermione considered the statement and, in an attempt to break the tension announced, "Professor Corbyn is an imbecile."

Minerva chuckled at Hermione's estimation. Brushing the back of her fingers across the girl's cheek she allowed honestly, "He was the best applicant for the job."

Hermione caught Minerva's hand and held fast. "This was an intentional attack."

"What do you mean?" Minerva cocked her head in a familiar habit.

"Historically, a succubus will idly play with its victim, taking weeks or months to drain the vital force. I was depleted in only a few days. There was something more…something else behind this."

Unable to lie to her frightfully intelligent charge, Minerva agreed. "Aye, 'twas an intentional undertaking with the sole purpose being your suffering and demise."

"Why? How…?" Hermione choked up with anguish. Her eyes searched about the room, trying to find an anchor for the terror threatening her sanity.

Minerva instinctually palmed the girl's face, directing the frightened eyes to unite with her own calm, stable green. "Stay with me, lass. We are safe. I have you. Dìonaidh mi thu le mo bheatha."

Watery eyes pleaded with Minerva's. "You know."

Believing the accusation only meant the identification of the mastermind behind the assault, Minerva nodded without breaking eye contact. "Aye, I know. It doesn't matter. I will nae desert ye. Hermione, 'tis alright… we are alright."

Tears began to drip over long lashes, splashing onto reddened cheeks. "I…am…so…sorry." Hermione hiccupped. "I…"

Minerva broke her resolve and pulled the slim body against her chest, holding the broken woman through her torment. "Och mah wee lass, let it go. There is no shame. Ye have a beautiful soul. Yer love kin ne'er be impure or indecent. There is no need tae be sorry."

Hermione purged all of her fear, pain, embarrassment, and misery in the safety of Minerva's arms. Her tears washed away the pent-up anguish that had been buried since the beginning of the war and the strong arms of the inimitable witch cradling her freely accepted the burden.

When Hermione's tears dried and her breathing finally returned to normal she tried to pull away from Minerva but was held firmly in place.

"Dae nae panic, 'tis alright." Minerva's soft brogue and body heat kept Hermione from overreacting. "Yer safe. No one will harm ye while I'm here. Just breathe." Minerva waited until she felt Hermione release her growing stress. "Mo ghràdh, no one need ever know. It is your story to tell…or not. I will never betray your trust. You and I are the only ones who know the truth, and it will remain as such unless you choose to divulge it. You may use me whenever you need to expel your apprehension and unease. My door will always be open for you, even after your departure from Hogwarts. You are welcome. You are cherished. And you are loved." Minerva pressed her lips to Hermione's temple while she breathed in the woman's scent. "You and I shall forever be bound after this tribulation, but it will be love, not hatred that ties us."

Releasing her pupil, Minerva helped Hermione settle under the blankets and tucked her in. With a lingering caress of warm fingers across her cheek, Minerva bade her "goodnight" before walking determinedly away.

Notes:

Dìonaidh mi thu le mo bheatha (I will protect you with my life.)