Disclaimer : I do not own Harry Potter, I have just taken them out of the toy box to play and will return them without harm. JKR owns this wonderful world.

Just as a warning, this is an AU fic!

A / N : I'm back! I know I've been away for a while, but I've just started my A-Levels and they are taking up most of my time at the moment. I have been working on this fic for three months or more now. I have four chapters finished and am currently working on the fifth. I have no idea where I am taking this and have currently only planned six chapters. Hopefully they will each be long chapters. I will post every Sunday. I'm afraid once a week is all I can do as I have to put my schooling first. Now, enough of me babbling, on with the story!

Chapter One: First Year

Hermione Granger sat under the large oak tree; the one that sat on the edge of the Black Lake. She had received a letter that morning at breakfast and had been reluctant to open it as she recognised the handwriting to be that of Professor McGonagall's. She had desperately wanted to prove to her that she was intelligent, that she wasn't the know-it-all that everyone thought her to be. She smiled as she remembered the Professor telling her that she was proud of her, and for her to ignore what everyone else said as it only mattered what Hermione thought of herself. She had said she would make her parents proud. She thought that was a little weird but just brushed it off, thinking she hadn't understood what she had said. She fingered the opening to the envelope as she thought about her favourite Professor. She was worried that she was in trouble or that she would be expelled from Hogwarts for something she had done; even though she had no friends to break the rules with (not that she would even dream of doing so). Sighing, she opened the letter and her eyes ran over the familiar script.

Dear Hermione,

You may be confused as to why I am writing to you, but you parents have informed me that they are no longer able to look after you. They had asked me to tell you that you are adopted. I know that this will come as a shock to you, but understand that if they could have told you themselves, they would have. I know you will have many questions and I wish to answer them. You will find that now the bond between you and the Granger's has been broken, your appearance will start to change, it may have already done so. I hope you will come and see me after you read this. I shall be in my office all day so you may come to me whenever you wish as I know you may not want to read this at the breakfast table, that I fully understand, as even I don't read letters at the head table. I do so hope you are well and that you understand why your parents were unable to contact you.

Please be safe my dear, I do worry about you.

Minerva McGonagall

Hermione was shocked to say the least and she read over the letter several more times before she finally understood what the Professor was saying. She knew that both her parents had been increasingly unwell over the years and understood why they could neither contact her nor take care of her. She, however, didn't understand what the Professor was saying about her appearance, but she guessed she would find out soon enough. She continued to sit by the lake for a few hours, letting lunch finish and her mind to settle. So, after feeling calmer and knowing that lunch would now be over, she stood and slowly headed up to Professor McGonagall's office. She had butterflies in her stomach and as she stood outside of the Professor's door she seriously thought about turning and running, but she knocked and entered once she heard the Professor's voice.

"Hermione, come and sit down my dear." Minerva indicated the sitting area in front of the blazing fire.

Hermione sat on the sofa and curled her feet underneath her and gazed into the fire, not sure what to say.

"I'm glad you came, Hermione. How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay thank you Professor. I understand why my parents aren't able to take care of me any more. They haven't been well for years. But as for the rest of your letter, I'm a little confused." Hermione's brow furrowed and she got caught up in her thoughts once more.

Minerva smiled sadly and sat next to the girl, getting her attention. "You're adopted Hermione. The Granger's can't have children of their own so they adopted you."

Hermione nodded. "They never told me," she whispered.

"I know."

"Do you know who my birth parents are?"

Minerva nodded. "I do. Would you like to know?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes please."

"I'm you mother."

"Who's my father?" Hermione asked absent-mindedly, Minerva's answer not quite reaching her brain yet.

Minerva took a deep breath, "My husband; who unfortunately died before you were born."

Hermione nodded again, the Professors answers only just penetrating her mind. "What! Why didn't you tell me? All the times that I've spent hours on end with you, why did you never tell me?"

"Because the Granger's wanted to tell you themselves; they were going to tell you this half term break when I had arranged for them to come to the school to see you."

"But their condition took a turn for the worse," Hermione whispered, now understanding things more clearly.

"Yes," Minerva replied sadly. "I've wanted to tell you from the moment I saw you walk through those doors two months ago, but I knew I couldn't."

"I need to think about this." With that, Hermione stood and ran from the room.

Minerva sighed and put her head in her hands. She smiled when she felt Albus' hands on her shoulders.

"She'll come 'round Minerva; she's strong just give her some time to think."

"I am Albus, but I'm so very worried about her. Maybe she's too young to understand."

"You need to give her more credit; she's more intelligent than what we think."

"I know Albus. I know." Minerva smiled at her best friend and sighed when he brought her into an embrace. "Now, how is that wife of yours?"

"She's fine. She's currently in France with her dying mother. I'm heading over there myself tonight and was wondering if you would be okay to have the wards for a few days."

"I don't know Albus. I don't think I could keep them stable, what with my emotions all over the place."

"Of course dear, I'll go and speak to Filius, I'm sure he won't mind."

Minerva smiled. "I'm sorry Albus."

"Don't be Minerva. Spend some time with your daughter. You know where I am if you need me."

"Thank you," she whispered.

Albus nodded. "Just remember that she'll come to you in her own time."

"I know, I know," she sighed. "Go and be with your wife, Albus."

"I'll see you soon Min." Albus pecked her cheek before hurrying off to find Filius so he could give him the wards and go to France to be with his wife.

Meanwhile, Hermione was sat in the astronomy tower with her legs hanging over the edge. She leaned on the bars that stopped people falling over the edge and let her thoughts wander as she watched the grounds below. Half an hour later, she saw her Professor walking the edge of the lake. She stopped a few times to run her fingers along the surface of the lake to stroke the Giant Squid that was following her. Something in her chest pulled and she felt a sharp pain rip through her body. She gasped when it disappeared and conjured a mirror. She gasped loudly and struggled to get her breath back when she saw the face looking back at her. She was a perfect replica of her birth mother. All the doubts about the Professor lying left her mind straight away, leaving only questions of why she gave her up to the Granger's and of what would happen to her now that the Granger's could no longer take care of her. So, her mind set on getting her questions answered, she headed towards the lake where the Professor was walking. She rushed through the corridors and halted in front of the Great Hall where dinner had started. She looked at the head table and let out a sob when she saw Professor McGonagall give Professor Dumbledore a hug as he stood to leave. She ran from the doorway, unaware that Minerva had seen her and had stood to go to her. Tears trickled down her cheeks as she continued to run. Her legs stopped her journey when she was in the transfiguration classroom; the one place she felt safe. Her legs gave in when she reached her Professor's desk and she openly sobbed.

Minerva stood just inside the door to her classroom and watched her daughter cry. When she saw her sink to the floor, she rushed to her side and held her.

Hermione kept trying to push her hands away, but Minerva held her tight, not letting go.

"Why? Did you love my father so little that you feel the need to be with Dumbledore, and in public?"

Minerva gasped and put Hermione at arms length. "Merlin no, Hermione; I still love your father with everything that I am. I haven't been with another person since the day he passed away."

"But, I saw you with Dumbledore."

"Yes, I gave him a hug. He's leaving for France to be with his wife as her mother is dying. I've not been happy today and he was just trying to cheer me up so you wouldn't have to see me upset."

Hermione nodded. "But why are you upset? I would have thought you were happy that you were getting your daughter back."

"I've been worried that you won't accept me, and that you will want to go to another family." Minerva shook her head and smiled. "You look so much like me when I was your age."

Hermione smiled weakly. "I do have a few questions."

"I'm more that happy to answer any that you have now and will have in the future. We'll go through to my private chambers." Minerva stood and led Hermione through her office and into her private sitting room.

Hermione looked around briefly and her eyes sparkled at all the shelves of books that lined the walls. She sat herself on the sofa and curled her feet underneath her once she had kicked her shoes off. Minerva too sat like this and Hermione smiled as she realised just how much she had in common with the woman sat next to her.

"Now, I do believe that you haven't had anything to eat today, so I think the first thing we should do is have some sandwiches brought up so we can snack while we chat."

Hermione nodded her agreement and Minerva ordered a plate of ham sandwiches and a fresh tin of biscuits from the kitchens before she turned to the girl next to her.

"What are your first questions then Hermione?"

"Why did you give me up?"

Minerva took a deep breath remembering what she was like just after Alan had passed on. "I was in a deep depression, barely able to look after myself. When I had you I slipped even further into depression as everything about you reminded me of your father. You looked so much like him when you were born." Minerva sighed. "Poppy gave me three months with you, but as I became suicidal, Poppy had no choice but to find someone else to take care of you until I was ready. I had no say in the matter or I would have fought to the death to keep you despite my condition, you were all I had left of Alan." A lone tear slipped down Minerva's cheek and she wiped it away. "There's a photo album that Poppy put together if you would like to look at it."

Hermione nodded. "Not now though," she whispered, slightly upset that she had made the woman in front of her cry. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be my dear; it was his time to go. He was after all, almost 30 years my senior." Minerva smiled at the memory of meeting him. "Next question?"

"Who was my father?"

"Alan McGonagall. He was a great potions master and worked at the school during my fifth year. He left so we could be in a relationship. Professor Slughorn got his position. I've never been quite as fond of potions since though." Minerva laughed and summoned a picture from the mantel and handed it to Hermione. "I was in my seventh year when that photo was taken. It was Christmas and he had just proposed to me."

"He's quite handsome."

"Yes, he was." Minerva smiled sadly. "I'm afraid that there's no book for you to read about him, though I do still have everything that he owned as he left it all to me."

"Really?"

"Yes. I'll take you to the manor one day and show you what he left you."

"Did he know about me?"

Minerva nodded. "He was so excited when I told him. We thought that our time to have children had passed. You were a miracle. He left quite a bit for you."

Hermione nodded, she didn't want to upset her mother again. "Where will I stay now?"

"With me if you wish. Or I could find another family for you to stay with."

Hermione shook her head. "I'd like to stay with you." Hermione smiled and hugged the woman next to her.

"I'm glad. I don't know what I'd do if you had chosen the other option."

Hermione nodded. "I'd like to see the Granger's to say goodbye."

"I don't know if that's possible Kitten."

"Why?"

"Because it took a week for their letter to get to me," Minerva sighed. "I can get hold of the hospital though and find out if you want."

"Could you? I'd hate not to see them one last time."

"Of course, Kitten."

Two hours later and Minerva came in from her office looking both sad and happy. However, she smiled when she saw Hermione with her nose in one of her father's potions books.

"Are you okay, Hermione?"

Hermione looked up from the book in her hands and smiled. "I guess. Are you okay?"

Minerva nodded and sat next to her. "I've spoken to the hospital where the Granger's are staying. They said it would be best to go and see them tonight as they may not make it through to tomorrow."

"Are they awake?"

"Yes, and they've been asking for you."

Hermione nodded. "I'll go and get my cloak."

Minerva nodded and stood and changed into a set of muggle clothes. "Are you ready Hermione?"

Hermione nodded and came and held Minerva's hand. "I'm ready."

"We'll have to walk down to the front gates before we can apperate."

"Okay," she whispered. She held on tight to Minerva and closed her eyes briefly before setting off with Minerva to see the Granger's

Minerva and Hermione appeared just outside the doors to the hospital.

"Are you ready Hermione?"

"As ready as I'm going to be."

Minerva nodded and hugged Hermione before heading into the large building. "I'll come in with you."

"Okay. Do you know what room they're in?"

Minerva nodded. "Don't you?"

"No," she whispered. "I was never allowed to see them when they came here. Usually the doctors would come to the house so they could stay with me."

Minerva nodded and held open the door to room 346. "After you."

Hermione silently walked into the room and gasped when she saw her parents hooked up to countless machines.

"Hermione," Jean Granger rasped from her bed.

Hermione walked over and threw her arms around her Mum. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you too princess."

"Dad?"

"I'm here chick."

Hermione went over to the other side of the bed and hugged her Dad. "I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too chick."

"But we'll always be with you Hermione."

"I know. I just wish you didn't have to go."

"So do we, but it's our time to go."

Hermione nodded and wiped away the tears that had started to fall. "I'll always love you."

"And we'll always love you."

"We'll wait for you on the other side, just don't come to us before your time."

Hermione nodded. "I'll never forget you."

"I'll always be with you," they both whispered before kissing their daughter one last time and then embracing each other and kissing as they took their last breath.

Hermione fell to the floor in racking sobs. Minerva sat next to her and held her as she cried, her own tears falling into Hermione's black straight hair.

"I want to go home."

"Home?"

"The Granger's home; I want to clear the house before the bank claims it in two days."

"You need to grieve Kitten."

"I don't want to Mom, not yet. I need to stay busy."

Minerva nodded in understanding and helped her daughter stand. Hermione pressed a kiss to each of her parent's foreheads before whispering goodbye and leaving. Minerva too whispered goodbye and promised to look after Hermione with her life before quickly following Hermione from the room. She found Hermione sat against the wall just outside the entrance to the hospital.

"Do you know where their house is Professor?" Minerva nodded. "Could you take me there please?"

Again Minerva nodded and extended her hand for Hermione to take. Hermione held on tight to Minerva and closed her eyes as the familiar feeling of apperation pulled at her navel. When they landed, Hermione threw up. Minerva rubbed her back and soothed her silently.

"It won't take very long to pack everything up if we can use magic."

"Just tell me what to do."

"We'll start upstairs in my bedroom. We'll shrink everything in there and put it into a rucksack I have hanging on the back of the door. I want to go and collect all the photos and albums and put them in a box the muggle way as I don't want to damage them."

"I'll get started then."

Six long hours later and the contents of the house was shrunken and packed into boxes which were also shrunken and put into another rucksack of Hermione's. Hermione had the bag on her back and the box of photos in her hands.

"Can we go now please Professor?"

Minerva nodded; conscious of the change in Hermione. "Hold on tight then Miss Granger."

Hermione bristled and realised that she had been blocking Minerva out when she should be turning to her for comfort. Hermione held on to Minerva and was happy when they appeared in the headmaster's office.

"Why are we here?"

"I can apperated in but not out of the castle unless the Headmaster is here."

Hermione nodded. "I'm sorry."

"Whatever for?"

"I've pushed you away since my parents died and I shouldn't have. You're hurting just as much as I am."

"It's okay Hermione. I'm sorry too, I've been distant since Jean and John joined Alan." Minerva smiled slightly. "Now, shall we head back to my rooms and get some rest?"

Hermione nodded. "Where can I put my parent's things?"

"We'll go to the manor when Albus returns from France."

"When is he coming back? I don't want to stay here. I want to be away from everyone else."

"I'm not sure kitten, but as soon as he's back we'll leave for as long as we can."

"Okay." Hermione, with the box still in hand, started the short walk from the Headmaster's office on the East side of the sixth floor to the secluded West side of the seventh floor.

Minerva quickly followed, her thoughts racing around her brain.

An hour later and both Minerva and Hermione were in their pyjamas and sat in front of the blazing fire, with hot cups of tea in their hands.

"Is there anything you want to talk about Kitten?"

Hermione shook her head. "I just want to sleep, but I don't want to be on my own."

"Come on then." Minerva stood and extended her hand. "Leave the cup on the table and come to bed."

Hermione nodded, put her empty cup on the table and held Minerva's hand. Minerva took Hermione to her bed.

"You can sleep here with me tonight Kitten."

"Really?

"Yes. I am your mother and there's nothing wrong with it."

Hermione smiled. "Thank you." Hermione climbed under the duvet and snuggled close to Minerva when she too had gotten under the sheets.

Minerva put her arms around Hermione and held her protectively to her. "I love you Kitten. I hope you never forget that."

"I love you too Mom." Deep down, Hermione had always loved Minerva, but the past day had made everything so clear to her. Yes, she loved the Granger's and always would, but she also loved Minerva. They have a bond which she didn't have with either of the Granger's. Never before had she been held as Minerva was doing now, and never before had she felt so safe and secure. She felt loved at the Granger's and safe, but she didn't feel secure, she would never know if they would survive the night, or if she would even be going home after school. She was constantly worried. To a certain extent she was relieved that they had passed on as they were now in a better place with no suffering. She'd miss them, but she had to grieve. There was just one problem with that ... she didn't know how to grieve. Hermione soon fell into a restless sleep as her mind became overrun with too many thoughts for her to keep up with.

Minerva watched Hermione as she slept, her own thoughts were all over the place, but unlike her daughter, she couldn't seem to fall asleep. It was times like these that she wished Alan was with her. She sighed and closed her eyes, conjuring memories of her husband and of times when she was happy. She was happy now of course, but there was always sadness in her heart that she could never explain. That night, Minerva fell asleep with a lone tear slipping down her cheek and falling into Hermione's pitch black locks.

Over the course of the week, Hermione worked hard, not always on her lessons, but always on something. She hadn't stopped since the day her parents passed away. She hadn't let herself grieve and she knew the longer she left it, the harder it was going to be for her, but she knew that if she started to grieve now, then she would risk collapsing in tears in front of everyone and there are some things that are best kept secret.

Minerva was growing increasingly worried about her daughter. She had noticed that Hermione had stopped eating, she may have been going to the Great Hall, but she never touched her food. She had also stopped sleeping. Every morning, Minerva got reports of Hermione being out after hours. The members of staff knew what had happened and therefore were a little more lenient with her, but it didn't stop Minerva from worrying. She made the spare room and had Hermione's things transferred to her chambers, she would talk to Hermione about it later.

~0~0~

"Why did you do that without even asking me!"

"Calm down Hermione. I did it for your own good. You need to rest before you collapse. I'm surprised you've been able to do as much as you have without food and sleep." Minerva sighed. "I'm worried about you Hermione," she whispered and hung her head.

"But you still should have asked me first!" Hermione stormed out of the chambers and out onto the grounds even though it was heavily raining.

Minerva shook her head and watched her daughter from the living room window. Tears were falling down her cheeks.

"Oh, how I wish you were here Alan. You'd know what to do." Minerva sighed and openly sobbed, racking shivers took over her body. She didn't notice when an hour later she collapsed onto the floor. She didn't notice when two hours later Hermione walked back into the room.

Hermione gasped and went to her mother's shivering form.

"Mom," she whispered. She wiped away Minerva's tears lovingly and hugged her close. Hermione guessed that her mother was crying for her father. There was nothing she could do that she wasn't already doing. For hours Hermione held her mother as she cried for her father. Hermione let a few of her own tears fall as she could feel the pain Minerva was feeling.

"I'm sorry Kitten."

"It's okay Mom, we're all entitled to break down every once in a while," Hermione whispered to her mother.

"I know Kitten, but I shouldn't have broken down on you. I'm usually so good at hiding my feelings."

"Please don't hide your feelings from me Mom."

"I'll try my dear, I'll try."

"That's all I ask." Hermione smiled and kissed Minerva's cheek. "It's getting late; perhaps we should go to bed."

"I don't want to go to bed with you angry at me."

"I'm not any more Mom," Hermione whispered. "I thought about what you did and said and I understand, besides, it'll be nice to be able to come back here every day instead of having to sit around people that don't like you."

"You'll get a friend eventually, even if it's a member of staff."

"Like you did?"

"Yes, like I did." Minerva giggled and picked Hermione up and spun her around in a circle. "I'm so glad I have you Kitten."

"I'm glad I have you to Mom." Hermione smiled widely, and grinned when Minerva threw her onto her bed.

"You can stay here again with me if you want. I do believe that we both slept well that night."

Hermione nodded her agreement. "I'd like that."

So, that night, both Minerva and Hermione had the best sleep they had had in such an awfully long time. They woke up the next morning feeling refreshed and happy, something that hadn't happened in years for either woman.

~0~0~

Hermione sat at the back of the potions room the day before the beginning of the week break and starred at her hands. She had already finished the work and Snape had snapped at her for not working hard enough because she hadn't made use of the hour. She managed to hold back the tears until the bell rang and she fled from the room, heading straight for her room in her mother's chambers. She was so glad that her mother was teaching and that it was the last day of the half term. She would be staying at Hogwarts as Professor Dumbledore had yet to return, but she didn't mind as she would be staying with her mother for the whole week; not that anyone would miss her anyway.

An hour later and Minerva came in to the living room. She had heard Hermione run in their rooms and slam her bedroom door. She sighed and kicked off her shoes and put her outer cloak on the back of the sofa before heading over to her daughter's room.

"Hermione," Minerva whispered as she pushed the door open after knocking.

"Go away."

"It's just me Kitten." Minerva sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed Hermione's back. "What wrong?"

"Snape," Hermione spat. "I've had enough of him. If he's not insulting me, then he's pushing my potion onto the floor and ruining my work. I don't think I can take much more of him, Mom." Hermione let her tears fall again and buried her face into her pillow as the sobs took over her body.

"Don't worry about him Kitten; I'll have a word with him."

"Thank you," Hermione whispered and hugged her mother. "I'm going to start on some of my school work."

Minerva nodded and stood, leaving Hermione to do her work. She threw some floo powder into the blazing fire in the living room and called for Severus to come through.

"You wanted me Minerva," he drawled when he had stepped through.

"Yes. I have a very upset daughter and I want to know why."

"What has that got to do with me?"

"How many times have I had to speak to you about Hermione, Severus?"

"More than I dare to count."

"Then let this be my last warning."

"But why should I be so nice to her?"

"Because she has just lost her parents and found out she was adopted."

"I thought that was months ago."

"Just one week, Severus. She's a mess and you're not making it any better by insulting her and ruining her potions work whenever you have the chance. She didn't go to charms after her lesson with you today; instead she was lay in her room crying her eyes out, waiting for me to finish my lesson."

"Does she not know about my position?"

"No. She's too young to know."

"Perhaps I should speak to her."

"I don't think that's a good idea, Severus."

"Minerva, you know I'm kinder than what I make myself out to be. If she knew that, maybe she would understand that I'm one of the good guys."

"Humour from you Severus, please." Minerva sat herself heavily onto the sofa. "I don't want you to upset her any more."

"Then you stay here with her."

Tiredly, Minerva nodded. "I'll give you five minutes, but if she gets upset, I want you to leave."

"Of course, Professor."

Ten minutes later and Hermione was sat next to her mother, her eyes focused on the blazing fire.

"Hermione, Severus wants to talk to you; okay?"

Hermione nodded.

"Hermione, I first want to apologise for anything that I have done that has hurt you. Minerva has explained everything to me and I see I should never have done any of the things that I have. However, there is a reason for the way that I act around students."

"It better be a good one," Hermione snapped, really not in the mood to be speaking to the dark Professor.

"I'm a spy for Albus. I have to show that I favour Slytherin to keep my position in the inner circle of the Dark Lord's."

"But why?"

"If the Dark Lord was to find out that I like a Gryffindor student and she was actually my favourite student, then he would punish me and lower my rank."

"And you can't risk that because then you wouldn't be able to warn Dumbledore about what was happening."

"Exactly; and you are my favourite student. You're the best person I've ever had in my classroom. You're talented in both the practical and theory side of potions and I would be more than happy if you preferred to have private lessons with me instead of with the class. That way, I won't have your mother on my back every five minutes threatening to hex me into next year."

Hermione giggled. "I'd like that, but only if my Mom will let me." Hermione looked at Minerva who had been quite through the whole exchange which had lasted much longer than five minutes.

"I don't have a problem with that as long as you don't get behind on your other school work."

"I promise. Thank you!" Hermione threw herself into her mother's arms and Minerva held her close.

"You're more like your father that I thought," she whispered in her ear. "I'll leave you both to sort out what you need to. Good night Severus."

"Good night Minerva."

Hermione bounced over to Severus and sat next to him on the love seat. Severus began their conversation which lasted well into the night. Both were glad that they didn't have to be up in the morning.

Minerva woke before Hermione the next day which she found a little strange. She stuck her head around Hermione's door and smiled when she saw her sleeping peacefully. 'It really must have done her good to speak to Severus' Minerva thought to herself. She silently closed the door and set about making breakfast.

"Morning Mom," Hermione whispered sleepily as she walked into the dining room after being awoken by the smell of sausages.

"Good morning Kitten. Sleep well?"

Hermione nodded. "Did you?"

"Better than I thought I would." Minerva placed the breakfast on the table and waited for Hermione to sit down before asking the questions that were floating about in her mind. "How did your talk go with Severus?"

"Good. We're going to spend Saturdays together instead of a few hours here and there. He said that he's going to start me on some harder potions instead of the ones that the rest of the class are going to be working on."

"Sounds like a plan."

Hermione nodded again. "I'm really looking forward to it. He's so much more different when he's not around the other students."

"Yes, he is. He's trustworthy and reliable. You'll always be able to go to him if you can't come to me."

"Not going to happen."

"You never know Kitten. I just want you to have someone else you can turn to if anything does happen."

Hermione nodded and turned her attention to breakfast. She didn't want to think about losing another mother.

~0~0~

Over the course of the year, Hermione slowly got used to Minerva being her mother and to Snape being a different person than what she had first known. She still didn't have any friends, but she didn't care. She had her mother and Professor Snape.

Christmas was a sad time and Hermione refused to celebrate it. Her presents remained wrapped and in the living room. She had grieved for her parents, but she still couldn't believe that they were gone. Every little thing reminded her of them and no matter how hard she tried; she couldn't stop herself from missing them.

Now, it was two weeks before the end of the school year and Dumbledore had finally come back from France. Hermione had told Minerva that she wanted to wait until the summer to go to the manor as she wanted to carry on with her lessons for the last two weeks. She had then turned around and went in search for Snape. It wasn't that she didn't want to be around her mother, but she wanted to be around someone that wouldn't start hugging her because she felt a little upset.

"Hermione, are you okay?" Severus asked as she walked into his private lab.

"I'm fine Professor, I just want to work."

Severus nodded and handed her a book. "Choose what you wish."

Hermione nodded in thanks and started on her potion.

Meanwhile, Minerva was sat in the living room worrying about her daughter. Her first year at Hogwarts had been so hard; she just hoped that she would relax when they went to the manor in two weeks time.

~0~0~

Hermione loved McGonagall Manor. She enjoyed having so much space to herself and being able to spend as much time with her mother as she could. Her favourite place in the entire house was her father's potions lab. Minerva hadn't let her down there at first, but she soon relented and allowed her down there to read, but not brew; she didn't trust herself enough to let Hermione brew. Minerva was enjoying having her daughter to herself though. They were both so relaxed and loved every moment of every day. Hermione had finally let go of her parents, but she always wore a locket around her neck that contained a photo of her mother and father and another locket on the same chain with her a photo of her birth mother and father in. She had gotten Minerva to put a water repelling charm on it and an unbreakable charm on it so that she could wear it at all times. Now that she had both sets of parents above her heart, she was so much happier and relaxed as she knew that all she had to do was look in the lockets and her parents would always be looking down on her.

To Be Continued ...