Chapter Text
It has been a very long time since Fleur and Minerva saw Hermione so shaken. If it weren’t for Fleur holding her so tightly, then Hermione’s legs would have folded quicker than a trick table. The Headmistress brought them directly to the door that led into Poppy Pomfrey’s domain. When Hermione went to run in, Minerva and Fleur tried to pull her back as the Scottish Laird said, “Professor Granger, I insist…”
“Let me go!” Hermione sneered as she wretched her arms away with such force that she ended up stumbling through the doors and directly into Harry’s awaiting arms. Attempting to scramble away she said, “I have to be there for her Harry. She needs to know…”
“She knows Mione. Madam Pomfrey is working on her as we speak.” Harry murmured as he tightened his grip.
“You don’t understand. She has no one Harry. Someone needs to be there for her… I have to be there…”
“And as soon as Poppy is finished, then and only then will I take you over there. In order for that to happen, you have to calm down.” Harry was remain firm on this. Suddenly picking up on the change in her magic, Harry tried to calmly say, “No one is trying to stop you from seeing her. There is no reason to get angry.”
One minute Hermione was angry as the Whomping Willow, and the next minute her legs gave out like a dead fish. Harry made sure to hold her close, and tilt her head back as Fleur forced a calming draught down her throat. Harry gave Fleur a grateful smile as she said, “She was having a panic attack.” That was all Fleur needed to say. He knew better than anyone how damaged she was. After all, this was his best friend and sister they were talking about. Hell, he and Fleur were the two who helped put her back together.
“Let’s get you into a chair Mione.” Harry softly said as he easily picked his sister up from the floor. Feeling Hermione tense once more, he added, “Minerva is checking on her now. We both know that Poppy won’t let us get too close at this point.” He carefully lowered her into a chair, and held her hand as he took a seat beside her. The Trio waiting for news, and Hermione’s eyes never left Narcissa’s unconscious body.
As Madam Pomfrey finally finished extracting the noxious fumes from the Potion Mistress’s lungs, Minerva came back over. Seeing how Harry and Fleur were holding her Transfiguration Professor back, she said, “Professor Black will be fine. Apparently the fumes she inhaled held traces of Belladonna and Nightshade. Auror Bailey is fine thanks to her training. I have to head to my office in order to complete the incident report, but am available should you need anything. Don’t forget our plans for tonight, you have a transformation we are all looking forward to.”
Harry wanted to argue, but Hermione had already jumped up and replied, “Looking forward to it Minerva.” She easily pulled her arms free and made her way over to the bed. “Is there any permanent damage Poppy?”
As the Healer motioned for Hermione to calm down, she replied, “No. Due to her work, Professor Black has slowly been building up and immunity of sorts. I shall be in my office if you need anything. And Hermione, try not to fret, she will be fine. Don’t let any of this discourage you. You above anyone I know, have a right to follow your heart and be happy.”
The healer paused to squeeze her shoulder to pass on her support before walking away. With Harry and Fleur hanging back, Hermione gently cradled Narcissa’s elegant hand and murmured, “This is all my fault. It should have been me. I should have been there to protect you.”
After several moments, Narcissa tried to squeeze her lovers hand and whispered, “None of this is your fault.” Hearing the sniffles, she cracked her eye open and then tugged Hermione’s hand, pulling her down so that she could curl up to the young professor.
Even with her mind barely able to concentrate, there was this deep need to be closer to the younger witch. Once she was safely tucked away in Hermione’s arms, the feeling of safety wrapped around her like a warm blanket. Narcissa snuggled closer as Hermione instinctively tightened her hold and sighed. They easily feel into silent content for several minutes.
Once Narcissa’s mind had finally returned to at least mostly working order she asked, “Tell me darling, are you looking forward to the transformation tonight? Is it alright if I join you?”
The gears continued to churn at half speed as Hermione tried to sort through her feelings. Deep down, she knew that Narcissa was trying to distract her. Then again, this witch was the only person to call her out on her avoidance. “I don’t know if I should really attempt such advanced magic tonight. Anything could go wrong, and I don’t believe that I would be able to concentrate properly. If anything, I feel as if we should be figuring out who the mastermind behind all of this latest personal hell is.”
“Who said we had to chose one over the other?” Narcissa murmured. “Besides, it would be nice to have someone else to run around with besides a certain cat.”
Hermione shot up to a sitting position and stuttered, “What? Since when? What are you? Will you show me?”
“Only once you’ve completed your own transformation. Of course I could show you, but where is the fun in that?” Narcissa smirked, pulling the curly haired witch back down to her. “Now then, would you care to discuss the process? We could tackle the potion aspect first and then go into the transfiguration process.”
The two seamlessly transitioned into the intellectual mode, while Harry and Fleur looked on. Turning to Fleur, Harry couldn’t help but smile as he said, “Is it me, or did Narcissa just do the impossible?”
“She is simply able to distract our little lioness cheri. That witch is a Slytherin and a Black. They always get what they want, and protect what is theirs.” Fleur replied as she pulled Harry away. “Let's give them some space, and check in with Minerva.” Both had their wands palmed and hidden away. Something was aloof, and neither wanted to be caught unaware. As Moody would say, “Constant Vigilance!”
~A few minutes later~
Standing off to the side of the gargoyle, Harry said, “I may need your help Fleur. I’m as curious as the next person, but this doesn’t feel..”
Fleur placed a delicate finger to his lips to stop him as she interrupted, “I know cheri, I feel it too. Just remember to keep your temper under control.” Seeing her boyfriend’s adorable blush, Fleur giggle softly as she kissed his cheek before stepping up to up to the guardian to the Hogwarts Head’s office.
The Gargoyle jumped to the side, and they quickly made their way up the spiral stair case As they went to knock, they heard shouting as the door opened. “If you think I’m going to allow any more interference, then you have another thing coming! Narcissa is still recovering, and we all had to physically hold Hermione back at several points today in order to prevent her from not only blowing up this castle, but from also storming the Dailey Prophet. This is a school which is full of students, and I will not allow the same mistakes as Albus Dumbledore! Come in Professors!”
Harry flinched from the harshness in her tone, and then tried to stand tall as he stepped int the large office. “Good Evening Headmistress.” His tone held an edge so sharp, he could take on a Basilisk… again once he saw so many officials standing in the office.
Noticing the unasked question dancing around Minerva’s strikingly bright eyes, Fleur said, “Narcissa is awake and keeping Hermione calm. I believe they were talking about the Animagus process, starting with the potion aspect. She is determined to help Professor Granger with everything tonight. I hope we aren’t interrupting anything…”
“Who are the other people Headmistress?” Harry interrupted, carefully looking around he office. When his eyes landed on the Minister, they instantly narrowed while his voice turned frosty as he said, “Minister.”
Minerva did her best to hide her smirk as she replied, “these are members of the Minister’s cabinet.”
“They need to leave. What we have to discuss is of a sensitive nature, and I do not trust them, nor does Hermione.” Pausing to turn his ire on his one time friend and mentor, he said, “You know more than anyone how much Hermione dislikes the Ministry. Not only for how she has been treated since she, like myself had entered Hogwarts, then after Voldemort was finished, but also with the handling of the incident.”
Some pompous bureaucrat huffed, “You can’t simply dismiss us boy. As a ministry official…”
Harry crossed the room in three giant strides and grabbed a handful of the wizard’s robes and said, “I don’t give a shrieking mandrake who the bloody hell you are. Let me make one thing clear… The only people permitted to stay to hear what I have to say are the Headmistress of this school, when you have no jurisdiction, the Minister for Magic, Auror Bailey, Auror Scott, the other two Aurors who are currently monitoring her and Professor Black’s mail, and Professor Delacur.”
Feeling a gentle touch to his shoulder, he felt himself calm instantly. “What did we speak of earlier cheri? Besides, Minister Shacklebolt was just about to dismiss his cabinet… it is for their safety after all. A certain Veela is dangerously close to the surface, and won’t like any one to get injured. After all, I will not be hold accountable for protecting my mate or family.”
Before any of this could escalate further, Kingsley loudly cleared his throat and said, “They were just leaving Professors. There is no reason for you or the Veela to feel threatened.” The air was thick with tension as Shack put his foot down. He quickly ushered every member out, and watched as Minerva locked down her Floo, and began to activate several privacy wards. He saw the aurors also begin a search for listening devices, and charms. Surprisingly his robes lit up like those fire crackers the Weasley twins sold. Once the last one was cleared away, he said, “I can only assume this is a sensitive matter. Will someone please tell me what is going on?’
Unsure where to begin, Harry looked to Minerva who said, “I spoke with the Minister and the head of the DMLE about Skeeter’s accusations. Perhaps you should start with what happened at lunch.”
“Then I should start just before that.” Harry sighed as he scrubbed his face with both hands. “As I was making my way towards the great hall, I found Narcissa disillusioned and just stepping out from a hidden alcove. She also had her shield up at full strength. Fleur and I tried to find out what was wrong, but had no luck. Hermione came in and took one look at her before whisking her away. It wasn’t until the three of us joined them did we find out that Narcissa had began to feel uneasy towards the end of the first period. That was why she had her shield in place. Someone ended up trying to hex her. She believes that we are all being set up. At first, Narcissa’s ex-husband came to mind, but the more she thought about it, the more she realized she was wrong. We were looking in the wrong place, and should focus on the Ministry. Specifically your office or cabinet.”
“Whoever is after Hermione, wants her to suffer greatly. So instead of going after her directly, they have chosen to go after those she cares for the most. Thanks to that article, Narcissa has an even bigger target on her back. Is there anything else to add?” Fleur soft asked, looking around the room.
“What Skeeter failed to mention was that Alexis Porto sent a charmed letter to Hermione yesterday morning. Compulsion charms up the wazoo. That is why we have the two additional aurors sorting their mail.” Harry added. “Something is very wrong Shack. Some is trying to destroy Hermione. Ron has been release, Alexis tried to come crawling back, plus the forced press conference, and the bombing in Narcissa’s office. From our understanding, her office was heavily warded, and they were still intact. No witch or wizard made it past them.”
Before anyone could reply, Hermione’s otter came bounding in and said, “Interview the house elves,” before fading away. Leave it to the brightest witch of her age to come to that conclusion, and stun the rest of the room with her brilliance.
Clearing her throat, Minerva managed to get everyone’s focus once again with this small action. “Before I speak with the house elves, how will you be proceeding Minister? If want they say is true, I can always speak to one of my contacts, or Harry can speak to one of his.”
The minister shifted in his chair uncomfortably as he digested what he heard. “I think it’s safe to assume my entire cabinet are suspects. Hell, even my guards may be involved in this. It feels as if we are at war again.”
“If I may,” Harry interrupted, “Why not bring in two young Aurors under the guise of training and have them lead the investigation. They can report their findings to Minerva or me. I’m talking of two fellow year mate who just happen to be partners, and maybe bring someone else in from the MLE. Blaise Zabini and Dean Thomas, plus Theo Nott. No one would suspect a thing. They all get along very well with us, and two happen to know Lady Black fairly well. They are Slytherins after all. At some point, they will need to speak with her, not just because she is a target, but also for the fact that she was the one to come up with this conclusion.”
Kingsley Shacklebolt felt as if he was failing Hermione. He stood by her during the war, during the rebuilding, even after the attack and trials. It was this line of questioning that led him to a break through.. He found what was missing. Politics be damned, he was back and heads will roll if need be. No longer would he be held back by his cabinet, nor the Wizengoamot, and he was damn sure that he would no long be a prisoner to his position. “If it wouldn’t chase away the mastermind, I would sack every single person in my office. Is it alright if I send for the three we discussed? I know it is close to supper for you all, but I would feel better knowing our plans were set in motion. Also, would it be alright for me to see Hermione? I have some apologizing to do, and would like to make sure she is alright.”
“More like groveling,”snorted Harry before receiving a sharp elbow to the ribs. “All I’m saying is that Kingsley Shacklebolt has finally returned. We all know Hermione is right pissed about all of this, and she has every right…”
“That is more than enough Professor!” Minerva chided. “All Hogwarts staff are required to be at supper this evening. If you would care for any type of meeting, then it will have to be later this evening and not in this office. Professor Granger will be working with very advanced magics, and I will not allow any distractions. Now then, I have several things to tend to, so I will see you both at supper.” Her eyes bore into the Minister, attempting to freeze the wizard in place. Harry and Fleur quickly made the good byes and almost ran out of the office, neither wanting any part as to what was about to happen. Narrowing her eyes, Minerva watched as Kingsley Shacklebolt squirmed in his chair.
“Minerva…”
“Shut it Kingsley. Over the last few days, you have managed to turn Hermione Granger’s life upside down. Do you have any clue how hard it has been for her? Do you even realize what she has had to go thorough to even get to this point!” Kingsley went to interrupt, and was silenced with a cold, calculating glare as she continued, “I seem to recall you telling a certain Retired auror that you were there for her when she needed it most, but where have you been since then? You have let the Wizengoamot and the Prophet drag her name through the mud and make her life a living hell. Then you have the audacity to sit there and be surprised by her hate for what our would has done to her. Allow me to let you in on a little secret… that remarkable young witch is not only the quintessential Gryffindor, but also like a daughter to me. I’m sure you remember what that means. Family above all else, and I will do what ever is necessary to protect them. You may be the Minister for magic, but this is my school and your permission to even take a step onto these scared grounds can easily be revoked. I will not stand aside and allow you to bugger this all up. Either step up and stand down. Be the Kingsley Shacklebolt who first took off. Now, is the time for change.”
“You are absolutely correct Minerva.” Kingsley murmured. “I had my own revelation earlier. There is no excuse as to how I’ve behaved, but I will fix this.” He slowly stood, keeping his eyes on the Highland warrior’s hands. “I’m going to head back to the Ministry and get the quaffle rolling.” By now he as next to the fireplace. Grabbing a handful of Floo powder, he looked to Minerva and said, “I cannot change the past, but I do feel dreadful about all of this. Let me know if anything changes, no matter what time it is.”
Watching the humbled Minster for Magic twist away, Minerva sunk into her chair. Reaching for the tumbler of aged whisky that appeared on her desk, she sent out a silent prayer of thanks to her house elf. Perhaps she should think about bringing Hermione into her family, not only to protect her, but to also have someone help carry on the McGonagall name. She was the only one left, and had so much she wanted to pass on. Would Hermione even be willing to accept this? The only way to know would be to broach the topic with the very witch in question later this evening. For now, she would prepare for every situation that may present itself… no matter what may happen, Minerva would end up offering her the world if she could.