Chapter Text
Minerva was just finishing the last of her paper work when Harry Potter’s Patronus arrived to tell her what had happened, that they were on their way back, and that Hermione was still in shock. Muttering under her breath, “Those two just reunited this morning and already there is trouble. For peets sake, the term hasn’t even started!” Once she reached the fire place, she Floo’d Poppy and asked her to come through with a calming draught. Knowing she had some time, she Floo’d Filius and Pomona to ask them to come as well, knowing that they needed to be included in this discussion since there was a strong possibility that this was going to affect the student’s safety.
Both Heads of House stepped through seconds apart and were each greeted by a glass of Minerva’s best scotch. Both Professors have known Minerva long enough that there was no point in asking questions…yet. When Poppy arrived, she found Minerva pacing back and forth with a full glass in her hands. About five minutes later, the small group entered the office. Poppy tried to go over and give Hermione the calming draught, but frowned when the witch attempted to wave her off. As if Harry could read her mind, he poured her a double and watched as she shot it back as if it was water. Harry refilled her glass and turned to see if anyone else needed a refill and said, “We are just waiting for Minster Shacklebolt to join us.” He turned to check on Hermione and was waved off by Narcissa who had an arm around his friend to help keep her grounded, and Fleur was sitting on the other side, barley shaking her head to let him know that they will discuss all of this later. Harry went over to his chair just as Kingsley was walking in followed by three Aurors.
“What the hell happened out there?” demanded Minerva. “I believe you said he was to have no contact with her.”
Despite being the Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt felt himself cringe and shrink back as if he was still a student. “He wasn’t. We are still investigating the matter. For the time being, Mr. Weasley is in a maximum security cell and under heavy guard.” He looked over to check on Hermione and saw that she had at least stopped shaking for the moment and was sipping her whisky. “Miss Granger… Hermione, I need to know what happened. I’m sorry for asking, but we need to get this sorted as quickly as possible.”
Hermione shuddered as she started to think about everything. Fleur scooted closer and held her hands as Narcissa held her closer. Trying to steel herself, Hermione closed her eyes for a moment to try and find her center. For the first time in a very long time, she was having quite a bit of difficulty getting her anxiety under control. Feeling her glass getting heavier, she opened her eyes to see Harry giving her an encouraging smile as he refilled her glass. After taking a generous sip, she said, “It started on our walk towards Hogsmead. While on the road, it felt as if someone was watching us. Narcissa apparated us to the alley next to The Three Broomsticks, with Fleur following us a few minutes later. Our waitress tried to verbally attack Narcissa and quickly found herself on the business end of my wand. Eventually our meal started to come to a close when I jumped to my feet with my wand at the ready before these two knew what was happening.”
Hermione took another sip as she felt her anxiety starting to climb again. “How did you know that someone was watching you while you were on the road and then again at The Three Broomsticks?” asked one of the young Aurors.
Hermione turned her steely gaze towards the young man, and while looking every inch the heroine said, “When you are listed as Undesirable Number Two and on the run with Number One, you pick up a thing or two. Tell me, what did you do during the last war? Were you a sheep or a wolf? Did you hide behind your wards and follow the rest of the wizarding world as teenagers fought for what was right?” At this point, Hermione was standing and while jabbing her finger in his direction, she passionately went on to say, “Where were you when the few of us were on the run or in hiding? Unlike you, I was running in an attempt to defeat evil. Unlike you, I was tortured within an inch of my sanity and life and surely would be dead if it wasn’t for a brave house elf who lost his own life while trying to save us.” Narcissa quickly stood and put a hand on her arm to try and calm her.
Hermione turned and looked straight into Narcissa’s eyes. What she saw was shocking and threw her for a loop. Despite the mask, Hermione saw the regret Narcissa felt for that very event. It was incredibly brief, and Narcissa shoved it back down as she tried to lead Hermione back to the sofa. Hermione closed her eyes to try to find her center again, but then the images began to flash before her eyes. She shot to her feet and found Harry was there to catch her. “I need to get out of here.” She softly whispered.
Harry nodded at her and softened his features after hearing the panic in her voice. “Let’s have the others finish up here and we can head to the room after we stop by your quarters to grab some of your workout gear.” Hermione nodded her head, unwilling to speak at the moment, well, not really trusting herself to speak.
The two turned to leave the office when the young Auror finally managed to find his voice and demanded, “Where do you think you’re going? We aren’t finished here yet.”
Both instantly stopped and Harry kept his hand on Hermione’s upper arm to keep her from turning as he said, “Our part is finished. Narcissa and Fleur can tell you what you need to know. Now, if you expect us to be at the feast this evening then you will excuse us.” Not waiting for a reply, Harry kept a firm grip on Hermione’s arm as he led her out of the office and down the stairs while muttering, “Just a few more minutes Mione. Hang in there for me.” He knew she was on the verge of another panic attack and wanted to get her far away from the others before she had a melt-down.
He silently asked Hogwarts for help with getting to the Room of Requirements, they would have to bypass her quarters all together at this point. “Almost there Mione.” He softly said as he felt her shaking beginning to worsen. All in all, it only took them about fifteen minutes to reach the room. Harry managed to get Hermione to stand still, despite all the shaking, long enough to pace in front of the wall while muttering, “I need a calm place where Hermione can work out.” He didn’t wait for the door to finish appearing, rushing her inside as soon as he was able too. He noticed the room modeled itself after her favorite spot on the grounds. Seeing that Hermione’s legs were about to give out, he quickly had her on the ground with her back against the log and facing the replica of Black Lake. He sat in front of her and cupped her face not only to make sure she knew he was there, but also to help keep her grounded. “Mione, I need you to breathe deeply for me. Focus on the sound of my voice.” Hermione continued to stared off into space, completely unaware of her surroundings. Harry frowned internally, not wanting Hermione to see him like that while he shook her slightly. “Hermione, if you don’t calm down, we will have to give you something.”
Hermione shook her head and replied, “No potions or drugs.”
“Then listen to me. We are going to meditate before we go through some yoga poses.” Harry said. He waited for Hermione to give him a small nod before continuing, “Good. Now, I want you to take a deep breath for me and close your eyes. You know you can trust me Mione. I’m not going anywhere and will protect you. That’s it, you’re doing great.” And so they continued in this manner for twenty minutes, stopping only briefly when they heard the door open. Harry gentle urged her to keep going, that it was only Fleur, Narcissa and Minerva.
After ten more minutes Harry asked, “Do you still need to exercise?”
“Yes.” She replied with a certain detachment to her voice. Harry simply helped her stand and watched her closely as she walked across the space before starting her practice. He watched as she began with her Sun Salutations before going over to join the other witches.
“How is she holding up Harry?” Minerva quietly asked as she watched the young witch closely.
He greeted Fleur with a brief kiss on the cheek as he put an arm around her waist to pull her close. With a heavy sigh he said, “As to be expected. It took me a little longer than expected to calm her. She should be alright for the feast, but I am not sure if we should leave her alone tonight.”
“Did you give her a calming draught?” Asked Narcissa as she was watching the witch in question. She tilted her head to the side as she watched Hermione bend and twist into an impossible position.
Minerva snorted in response to the question and replied, “Knowing her, she refused the moment the question was placed before her. I have a few things that I must attend to before the students arrive.” Minerva checked her pocket watch and quickly added, “They will be arriving within the next few hours. I will see all of you in the Great Hall in an hour and a half.” Minerva turned to leave but stopped just shy of the door and called back, “Oh, and Mister Potter? Make sure she doesn’t overdue it. I am holding YOU responsible… Only Merlin himself knows why.”
Forty-five minutes later Hermione was still in corpse pose as Harry cautiously made his way over. Placing a soft hand on her shoulder so not to startle her he said, “You need to wrap it up if you want to shower and change before the feast.” Hermione slowly opened her eyes and with a heavy sigh she let Harry help her to her feet. “Feeling any better?” He cautiously asked.
“A bit, but not back to normal yet. It’s just going to take some time. I doubt I will be sleeping well over the next few nights.” Hermione replied as they walked over to Fleur and Narcissa. She gratefully accepted a towel from Fleur and said, “Thanks. I’m just going to run back to my quarters for a quick shower and to change. I’ll meet you all in the Great Hall.”
Before Harry and Fleur could say anything, Narcissa took a step forward and said, “Would you mind if I walked with you?” Narcissa had her own agenda at the moment, which no one needed to know about… yet.
Hermione looked as if she wanted to say no, but quickly squashed that thought realizing that this would be the perfect moment to apologize for her earlier words and actions. She gave Narcissa a smile as she replied, “After you.”
Harry and Fleur watched the two witches leave, awkwardly content to be in each other’s company. Harry wrapped his arms around Fleur’s waist and pulled her close as he said, “I didn’t see that coming. How did everything go after we left?”
Fleur let herself become engulfed in Harry’s arms and sighed happily, relishing in the moment, the euphoria from it all. Reluctantly she pulled away and after a quick kiss she said, “As to be expected. The Auror tried to verbally belittle Narcissa who in turn took it with a grain of salt and managed to strip him down to shreds in the matter of a sentence. I’ll tell you Chéri, that woman can be terrifying.”
Harry and Fleur were walking back towards their rooms to change. While Fleur had her arm around his waist, Harry had his arm around her shoulders and asked, “What did Shack do about it? Actually, what about the Headmistress? I’m sure Minerva had a few choice words for him.”
Fleur gave an unlady like snort and replied, “That would be an understatement. There wasn’t much left of him by the time Minerva was through with him. All Shack could do at that point was put him behind a desk pending a disciplinary hearing.” She finished speaking just as they entered their quarters and turned just as Harry closed the door to thoroughly kissed him. Pulling away briefly, she said in a husky, almost dangerous tone, “I believe we have some time before we need to be in the Great Hall, what ever shall we do?”
Harry pulled her closer and as he was leaning next to her ear said, “I’m sure I can come up with something to keep you entertained.”
Meanwhile-
Narcissa and Hermione were walking back towards Hermione’s quarters surrounded by an awkward silence. Both witches were stealing glances and were completely oblivious to the other. Seeing that Hermione wasn’t going to be the first to break their silence, Narcissa asked, “Are you ok? Do you work out like that often?”
Hermione took a deep breath before she said, “I’ll be okay…” She looked over and saw that Narcissa lifted her elegant brow. “It will just take time. As for my work out, I do that every day. I wasn’t joking when I said it helps me deal with my anxiety. I don’t like the way Potions make me feel.”
Narcissa wanted to ask more questions, but didn’t want to push her luck. “Do you want me to wait for you?” She asked as they reached Hermione’s door.
“That’s not necessary. I’ll meet you in the Great Hall.” Hermione quickly replied. Seeing the hesitant look clearly written all over Narcissa’s sexy face she added, “I’ll be alright, truly. You can even check my room if your that worried.”
Narcissa gave her a flirty laugh and playfully tossed her hair over her shoulder as she said, “I trust your judgement.” She took a step forward, softened her features and continued, “Just promise me two things. One, that you will show up to the feast whole.”
Hermione found herself lost in a pair of stormy blue eyes when she croaked out, “And what of the second?”
Giving Hermione a dazzling smile that seemed to steal all the breath from her body, Narcissa said, “That you show up sober.” Narcissa leaned a little closer and in a husky tone added, “I’ll see you at the feast.”
Hermione stood frozen to the spot as she watched Narcissa walk away with an extra sway to her hips. Once the woman was around the corner, Hermione fell back into her door and muttered, “Merlin’s beard. This term is going to be the death of me and it hasn’t even started yet.”