Blind

The sun started losing its power, but it was still enough to warm the soil, even in the Scottish highlands. The start of term was usually quiet. All pupils acted as if they were still on holiday. An attitude Hermione never had understood, nor ever would understand.

It was the third of September and Hermione sat outside, under her favorite tree, trying to read ahead in Potions, when a lone figure coming down the hill caught her attention. Hermione didn't know what, but something seemed to be amiss. Suddenly the figure stopped walking and turned, making a few steps in one direction only to stop again and head into another. Hermione slowly got up, hoping to catch a better sight of the figure and maybe see who it was, then decided to walk a little closer when she couldn't and recognized the figure as an old woman. It was very uncommon to see another adult, apart from the teachers, on the Hogwarts grounds and Hermione carefully kept on walking. She didn't mean to pry , but when she had a better look at the old lady, it became obvious that she was thoroughly disorientated.

She didn't seem to notice Hermione, who was only a few meters away now, and it started to unnerve the girl.

"Can I help you?" Hermione asked.

The old woman turned to Hermione, but looked right through her. "Oh hello. Yes, I seem to be a little lost. Could you point me into the direction of the lake?"

"Yes, of course," Hermione answered politely and pointed the way.

"I am sorry, but I fear my vision is temporarily impaired."

"Oh, I am sorry. Would you like me to walk you down?" She was blind. Well, that explained a lot.

The elder woman smiled happily. "That would be very kind of you. Is it far from here?"

"A three-minute-walk, I'd say. Can you manage that?" Hermione asked kindly.

"Oh yes." She reached out, roughly into Hermione's direction.

The young witch took a step forward, taking the elder woman's arm. "Is that all right?" she asked.

"Perfectly fine," she replied gratefully.

They slowly started walking and Hermione made sure to navigate them around uneven spots on the ground.

"What house are you in?" the elder woman asked.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't even introduce myself. My name is Hermione Granger. I'm in Gryffindor."

The old woman drew them to a halt and turned her head to Hermione. "Of course, you are. I shouldn't be surprised."

"Why's that?"

Smiling, she answered, "You were so kind to offer help to someone in need. Obviously Gryffindor."

"I think it has more to do with good manners than with being a Gryffindor," Hermione objected, causing the elder woman to smile. "Any way, your help is greatly appreciated. I was in dear need of a walk and some fresh air."

"Isn't it dangerous to walk around the grounds when you can't see? I mean, you could have ended up in the lake," Hermione chided gently.

"Oh no. I spent so many years here, I would have found my way eventually."

Hermione chose not to comment. It was highly doubtful that she would have found her way.

Having reached the banks of the lake, Hermione asked," We are here. Is there a special place you want to go to?"

The old woman shook her head. "Well, it's been such a long time since I was here last."

"There is a bench just a few steps from here," Hermione described the scenery.

"That sounds lovely. These old bones could do with a little rest."

"That's what we'll do then." She lead the nice lady to the bench and helped her sit.

A small groan escaped her mouth and Hermione wondered how old the woman beside her might be. She looked somewhat familiar, but the young witch was sure they'd never met before.

"Thank you, my dear. I hope I am not keeping you. My daughter would never forgive me." She didn't let go of Hermione's hand while talking and Hermione didn't mind. She supposed for someone who couldn't see, it must be soothing to feel the presence of another human being.

"No, no," Hermione reassured. "My homework is finished." Homework was not meant to pile up.

"Who is your daughter?" she asked, her curiosity taking the better of her.

"Oh how rude of me! My name is Emma McGonagall."

"McGonagall?"

The old woman smiled amused, hearing the shocked voice. "The very same. You can call me Emma, of course. You sound a little shocked," Emma's voice sounded clearly amused.

"Oh well, I didn't… I…"

"You didn't think your old professor would have an even older mother?" she smiled.

"Something like that," Hermione admitted. To be honest, she always thought that her professor didn't have any family left.

Emma patted her young companion's arm. "A mistake easy to make. My daughter is a very private person and it would have surprised me if you'd known."

"As a teacher at Hogwarts you have very little privacy. I think it is understandable that she wants to protect the little privacy she has." Hermione pondered about the new information before asking, "Are you staying for a longer visit?"

"If you want to put it that way, I guess I am. I've had some problems with my eyes and needed to get them treated at St. Mungo's. I've put it off for too long."

She smiled gently when she felt Hermione's hand upon her own, asking, "Are you better now?"

"Yes, thank you, darling. It can take from two weeks to two months, though, until I'll be able to see again. Hence my stay here. Minerva thinks I can't take care of myself alone at the moment."

"If you were my mother, I'd rather have an eye on you as well," Hermione agreed, causing Emma to sigh.

"Yes, yes. It is reasonable, but when you're used to leading an independent life, it is quite an unpleasant change to be such a burden," the older woman admitted, sounding a little sad.

"You are no burden and I am sure Professor McGonagall doesn't think that either. Maybe you need to change your point of view. You should think of your stay here as a holiday and an opportunity to spend some quality time with your daughter," Hermione tried to comfort her companion.

Emma's face lit up a little and she squeezed Hermione's hand. "And I have met you. You have no idea how much our little talk means to me. You truly make an old woman happy. I couldn't have stayed in Minerva's quarters any longer."

The young Gryffindor blushed a little. "I'm enjoying our chat very much as well."

The elder woman smiled happily. "Oh it is sweet of you to say that."

"I mean it," Hermione assured. "How did you convince your daughter to let you wander off on your own? I still think it is quite dangerous."

Emma looked caught and Hermione sighed audibly. "You did tell her, didn't you?"

Her question was met with silence. "Oh Emma, she will be beside herself with worry by now. Let me send her a Patronus."

"You can cast that spell?" Emma asked surprised. "It is quite advanced."

"Yes, I can," Hermione confirmed. "May I cast it now?"

"Oh very well," the old witch agreed unhappily. "If you must."

Sending her Patronus off, Hermione turned to her companion again, taking in her woeful expression. "I am sorry. I really am, but I have two friends who tend to get themselves into trouble. I know how it feels to be worried sick."

"You are right, of course," Emma agreed. "I am just sad to end our chat. It does get a little lonely, being locked up inside with nobody to talk to. Minerva does her best to entertain me, but I am sure you know how busy she is."

Hermione patted the hand in hers sympathetically. "I understand, but now that I know that you're here, I could stop by and visit, if you'd like that."

"You are such a sweet girl, but I am sure you have better things to do than spending your time with an old woman."

"Oh nonsense. I enjoy your company. I will come by and see you soon," Hermione reassured her.

"Well, I am looking forward to it." The wrinkled face lit up again.

"I see you have met my utterly irresponsible and unreasonable mother," an irritated voice from behind them stated.

"Hello, Professor. Yes, I've met your lovely mother," Hermione tried to ease the tension.

Professor McGonagall snorted and the old woman beside Hermione laughed and blindly reached out to pat the girl's cheek. "You are a darling."

Hermione covered the wrinkled hand on her cheek with her own and brought it down, but didn't let go.

"After having spent the time I would have needed to get my work done, searching for you, I'd appreciate if we could head back now. Otherwise Miss Granger won't get her surely well written paper back." Hermione knew from the tone of her professor's voice that the lecture would follow in private.

Emma sighed. "Of course, Minerva. I am sorry."

Hermione stood and aided the elder witch in doing the same. Minerva rounded the bench and took her mother's arm.

"Are you coming with us or will you stay here?" Emma asked.

The girl bent her arm, to provide more support, never letting the hand in hers go. "I am going as well."

Professor McGonagall nodded sharply. "Very well."

The walk up to the castle was silent and Hermione could tell that Emma was getting tired. She was walking more slowly the further they went and leaned onto the women to her sides a little more.

Having finally reached Professor McGonagall's quarters Emma felt her way from Hermione's hand up to her cheek and leaned in to place a small kiss there. "Thank you, my dear girl. I've enjoyed your company immensely."

Instinctively, Hermione leaned forward and pulled the old woman carefully into a one armed hug. "And I yours. Take care and have a little rest. You look tired."

Emma nodded and Professor McGonagall cleared her throat. "Thank you very much, Miss Granger. Your help was highly appreciated."