Well here we are, the last and final chapter of year one.

It has been an effort to write but one i have enjoyed immensely, I want to thank every and all who have read, Favorited followed and reviewed. You guy's were the best.

And...Wow what do i say

Well i finally hit my 100 mark and more so, and really, i could not have done it without the one who have been there consistently and commented on every chapter.

Charis - Chan...Again...Wow. If i could reach in and give you a hug for the help you did in getting me to my mark i would, but seeing as i can't i will just praise you on here instead...Thank you so much and i'm glad you enjoyed the story.

Puppylove09 - Much thanks you your review. Hoped you liked the story to,

Mirany17 - You have been one of my constant's through and i would like to thank you for all the support you have wrote. It really was a joy to read that my chapter didn't suck and so it was much appreciated.

xXEvelinxX - Again another one that stuck by though each chapter and so i really say a big, big thank you to you to, it really was nice to read all that you said and again it made me feel like i wrote a half decent story.

And to everyone else who helped me along the way, thank you.

Now to save me becoming a broken record i shall move on. I hope everyone like's this and i really waned to deliver and so i hope i have on that if i haven't i sincerely apologize as i don't think it's my best work but at the time of reading it back i don't think i would change it.

Also on another note - I would if it's possible, your opinion's. Seeing as this is the end of the first year, and from one person who said it was a little to long, again product of not knowing when to stop, should I.

Keep with this and move on to the second year,

or

make it a series and start anew with the second?

I'm not sure...I'm going to take into account that i will try to make it shorter as to not bore the reader's but at the same time like it to be as detailed as this one...

What should i do?

Anyhoo getting on with the last part...I hope you all like and happy reading, :)

Minerva had watched the three go from the hall with speed in their strides but seemingly straining to just break out into a full run. Eyes narrows on the places they had been and wondering.

Did the little girl know about the stone along with the two others? Had they told her once she had sent them away, and were they planning to do anything about it? Her mind repeating those three questions over and over until she had found herself outside of her chamber portrait. She looked around frowning slightly after seemingly having walked up here from the hall without knowing. Shaking her head a little she mumbled to the portrait that sounded like 'Hello' before she went inside.

She went over to her desk and placed her wand on the top before turning around only to double when a piece of parchment caught her eye, glancing down at the strip of white paper she eyed it curiously for a second before picking it up and unfolding it as her eyes moved along the words written down.

Mother,

Sorry I didn't tell you about being in the hall and again if I made you wait. Harry and Ron needed my help with an assignment that Professor Sprout set and so was coerced into the hall with them before I could say anything. Don't worry; I made sure to ask one of the elves for something later on so that you'll know I didn't deliberately miss out on anything.

Love

Hermione

PS…..In case you were also wondering, we went to the library after dinner and will be going back to the dorm after

Minerva looked up once she had finished reading with a small smile. At least the younger girl was considerate enough to tell her, she also now had no worries that she was up to something stupid as homework clearly couldn't be called that she scolded herself for not thinking more of her daughter then just an over bored little girl who went looking for trouble when the opportunity arose.

Turning she put the paper on her desk and made her way into her bedroom. Besides, it might have been for the better if she was in the library. That was she could also keep an eye over the two boys ensuring that they to, didn't delve into business that had no concern to them before deciding that a bath would be the suitable thing for the night.

It was a few hours later when she was happily soaking in her bath when she nearly shrieked when a burst of fire exploded and she found herself looking at the fiery form of a Patronus. But it wasn't just any it was Albus's wondering what it was he could want she got out and wrapped the robe around her from the side and followed the bird into the large room where it had flown.

'Minerva. Meet me in my office as soon as possible.' Before the bird faded leaving her more confused but now hurrying to get dressed.

Not bothering to knock when it came to times of emergency she opened the door and made her way inside only to find Snape was waiting inside along with the other man. She glanced from one to the other and took in their serious faces before asking.

"What is it, Albus?" A small spark of unease building in the lower half of her stomach as he turned to her,

"Something terrible I fear, Minnie." He replied shocking her with the level of his tone, she moved further into the room closing the door and looked at the other man looked just as concerned as she turned back to her friend.

"What do you mean?"

"The message to go to London" She nodded knowing he had been pulled away by the Minister on a matter of importance. They had actually just joked about it not a few hours before. So what could have possibly happened between now and then?

"It was fake."

Tilting her head a little she gave her oldest friend a serious once over trying to work out if what he was telling her true, and from what she could gather, much to her growing discord, he was.

"….How so,"

"I got to the Ministry with the letter saying that I was needed by Fudge right away…Only for his assistant to tell me that he wasn't there. He was away on business in France and hadn't been in England for a day," He replied still looking grave.

No one spoke as the only sound that could be heard was the slight chiming of the contraption from his desk. The tension was growing thicker by the minute and the more she looked at his ever saturnine expression the more she felt like her lungs would give way. Eventually she found the voice to speak.

"…So if Fudge didn't ask for you, who did"

He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes, feeling older than he was as he lifted his head.

"I don't think anyone wanted me at all, not in that sense at least." She narrowed her eyes at him waiting for him to carry on but it was Severus who answered.

"The letter was a diversion."

Turning to the other man who had chosen to speak he looked at them both before continuing. "I believe someone wanted the headmaster out of the castle. And used the Minister as a distraction to do so"

"Wanted him out?" He nodded.

"But why"

"Can you think of nothing of why it was important enough that he should be?" Snape asked looking at her, she was getting it too slow for his liking and was wondering why they were waiting.

But she already had a clue. The deep feeling of fear had festered and the answer she didn't really want to say was on the tip of her tongue. Thankfully the younger man could see the answer in her expression.

"That's right Minerva. Someone want's the stone."

She swallowed the hard lump in her throat before something hit her and her stomach dropped.

"They knew."

Both men turned to her as they took in her wide-eyed look.

"Sorry?"

She lifted her head to look at them as they eyed her with sharp eyes.

"Mr's Potter and Weasley" Snape shrugged.

"What about them?"

"They came to my room before just a bit after you had left. They rushed in like a Hippogriff was on their tails and said they needed to see you, I asked why and they said it was urgent. But I told them you had gone to London." She looked back to the ground.

"They knew about the stone. Albus. They knew that someone was trying to steal it, but I sent them away, I didn't know how they found out about it but I didn't believe them."

"….Hermione wasn't with them?" Severus inquired a little confused as to why the third of the trouble seekers weren't with them as she shook her head.

"It was just them….She sent me a note telling me that they went to the library after dinner and then back to the common room after."

"And it didn't occur to you that she may have known along with them?" He asked as she faced him.

"It didn't look like she knew anything. I kept my eye on them all through dinner and not once did I see or hear anything that sounded like she knew about the stone." The snort came from his lips before she finished only to earn a glare at the end.

"And what's that supposed to mean Severus?"

The dark-haired man looked at his fellow teacher with something akin to derision on his face.

"Really Minerva. Has the past year taught you nothing," She bristled with rage at his comment but didn't get a chance to answer as he carried on.

"She almost partook in an illegal duel. Got into a fight with my Slythrin's got kicked out of class, sent a dragon on its merry little way and frankly, been a complete pain my arse for the entire time she's been here."

Ignoring her murderous gaze he added.

"And you think just because they didn't mention it at dinner that she too doesn't know about the stone? I'll bet my entire stock of Felix falis that it was her who was the first to discover it"

"Just because your petty prejudices are still clouding your narrow-minded little brain you son of a bitch. Does not give you the right to make accusations!" She hissed getting nothing but a smirk in reply as Albus held up his hand to stow their argument.

"Please…Now is not the time to argue. We must figure out who sent the note and why, more importantly when they plan to strike." The potion master turned to the older man.

"I think I may have an idea as to who it might be…." Both head's looked at him as he stood straighter,

"A few weeks ago I caught Quirrell, sneaking around the lower end of the school." He turned to Albus, "Near the mirror."

Dumbledore nodded his head imploring him to continue. "I asked what he was doing and he said he was merely patrolling the corridor, something I know for a fact to be false as it was not his turn. Nor was it his route to be near that particular hall."

None of it was making sense to her as she eyed him with confusion. "I fail to see why that has to do with this?"

The potion Master looked at her like he wanted nothing more than to hex her as Albus took over for him. "You believe that he was looking at the mirror?" He nodded as the older man looked away pondering this new information. He himself had never personally seen anything wrong with the Defense teacher, just the stutter that occurred before he came here to him he seemed as normal as they came.

But maybe that was his wrong turn. Maybe…he didn't know but he had a feeling his night was going to be a long one.

"And what do you think he was looking for?

Both men turned to her now and that gut feeling kicked in once more. She knew that sh should probably have been a lot smarter than this, seen it coming. But Albus did like to keep things to himself most time and so, how was she meant to catch up when he kept things such as this from her?

"Can you think of no one Minerva?"

It took her mere seconds to figure it out but when she did it hit her as she stared at her friend in horror.

"Surely you can't mean..." Her answer was a simple nod.

"But Albus, he's gone."

"Now come on Tabby, we both know that he was never gone….Only delayed."

Her panic levels were now at an all-time high and she wanted nothing more than to go and get Hermione and keep her away. Her emotion must have shown as Severus spoke up.

"She's safe Minerva."

Lifting her head to see his stern expression.

"I doubt he will even know who she is, let alone see her, plus he has more of a need to get the stone before he has a chance to find out."

She could do nothing but nod silently still not trusting her voice. A hand lay gently on her shoulder making her startle a little as Albus smiled kindly.

"If it makes you feel better, Tabby. Go and get her. Severus and I will go and see if we can find our defense teacher, and ask him a few things."

She smiled at him more feeling reassured. She nodded and moved quickly to the door, they would get this matter sorted and with luck. He would not get what he wanted. They followed her to the door but were stopped when one of the suits of Armour stepped in and spoke.

"Headmaster, sir!" Already out the door she waited for the others as the older man turned to see him

"Yes"

"Pardon my intrusion sir, but a few children are standing just outside the Griffin."

Frowning he asked. "Do they say what for?" He shook his head but added. "No sir, but it does look like they need you urgently."

On that he nodded and thanked them man before urging Snape out as they followed Minerva down the steps and out onto the small narrow passage that led to the outside as the stone Griffin that blocked the way started to slowly move allowing them out she hurried along and down the steps only to stop startled at the sight of two of her cubs. Dean Thomas and Seamus stood in their nightwear looking sheepish at their head of house who was looking down at them from behind her rimmed glasses.

"Mr Dean! Mr Finnegan. What is the meaning of being out of bed at this time?" She said sharply as they looked at each other, they were soon joined by Snape and Albus with both boys looking with slight fear in their eyes.

"Well? Out with it"

They gave each other one more nervous glance before moving to the side as three sets of eyes followed them with confusion. Not soon after they were back pulling what looked like a stone statue only for her eyes to widen as they pulled the body into the light for it to reveal the frozen form of Neville Longbottom

"What on earth happened to him?" She asked harsher than expected as they winced from her tone but after a minute Dean spoke.

"We don't know miss. We found him like that." Cocking her head slightly to the side she glared at the two in front of her as her brow pinched slightly.

"What do you mean you…Found him like that?" And watched as they shrugged.

"We saw him like that, we noticed that he wasn't in bed and thought he lost his toad again. I don't like sleeping when that thing is on the loose so we went down to see if he was alright and he was on the floor. We didn't know what to do, and we don't know how to un….Stick him so we brought him here."

They all looked down to the frozen boy who had been stuck like that almost all night as she gazed at his form before looking back to the boys in front of her,

"And you have no idea who did this?" Only to get shakes of head's in response. She sighed not needing this as she had to get now to the common room she had to see for herself that the little girl was safe when a muffled noise from the floor that them looking down the spell must have been wearing off because the other boy was moving his eyes and giving off the tiniest of shouts. Albus took out his wand and without speaking, undid the charm as his once frozen limbs splayed to the floor.

"Thank you….Thank you, sir" He spluttered once he had total control of his body as the older man smiled and nodded.

"For goodness sake boy, get off the floor!" Severus barked as Dean and Seamus bent to help him up, Minerva looked back down and asked before he did.

"Mr Longbottom I will only ask this once and I expect nothing but the right answer."

The pudgy boy looked at the all fearing head of house and swallowed nervously but nodded slowly.

"Yes Professor" She smiled in return.

"Good, now tell me who did this to you."

He really didn't want to say. Knowing that if he did, then they would get into trouble but they were already in trouble just by going out at night the fact that she put him in a body bind would only serve to rile the teacher once she knew and he couldn't help but feel that slightest bit sorry for Hermione when the older woman caught up with her, but not enough to stop them from losing them any more points.

"It was Hermione. Professor."

The response was timid but it was enough with her hearing as her breath hitched stuck somewhere in her throat. Her eyes never leaving his

"What do you mean….It was Hermione?"

He looked to the floor knowing that it was all going to blow up when he revealed they had once again left and resigned himself to be the one to grass on them.

"They were leaving again…They were going to lose the house more point's so I waited, I sat downstairs and waited until I heard them make their way to the door. I don't know where they were going but I tried to stop them….But she….Put me in a body bind and then they left." His face never lifting from his chest as the others looked on at him.

Minerva for her part. Never heard anything past the words 'They left' it all went fuzzy after that, Severus and Albus looked at each other gravely and then to her as her face decreased in color.

"….She wouldn't" Was all they heard from her as she shook her head. The three boys looked at their stunned head of house with concern and slight fear at the lack of response. The headmaster moved from his place on the other side and turned her to face him.

"She wouldn't have"

He held her shoulders giving her a slight shake which seemed to jolt her as she looked at him.

"Minerva now is not the time to panic." He halted her response as he carried on.

"Yes things may have become more complicated, but if go now we may well be in time to help." He turned to the boys still watching and wondering what was going on and smiled before speaking.

"It was the right thing to do bringing Mr Longbottom here as he may have well been there all night if you had not gone looking for him…Well done."

Dean and Seamus smiled seemingly happy in the praise as Neville got to his feet shaky but stood next to them.

"Now I want you to go back to the dorm and back to bed, understood?" They nodded slowly as he smiled and sent them on their way waiting until they had gone before letting out a deep breath and turning to the others who had been silent.

"We need to get to the third floor, now." His voice and demeanor changed as Severus nodded. They now knew that with the knowledge that the three had left the dorms it was clear they intended to stop the person taking the stone. And that meant they now had no time to go looking for Quirrell who they had at the top of their list. Turning they began their way to the level of Fluffy as Albus pulled along a still silent Minerva.

They could feel as they got nearer. The vibrations from the barking as they hurried onto the corridor holding up their lit wands until the brackets lit they could see that the door which was always locked, was now torn off and the rapid movement inside told them that someone had been in the room they moved with caution to the open door as Fluffy was thrashing around still trying to get at the intruders who had gone through the trap door as he used his massive paws to dig at the opening in the floor.

Snape looked to the side to see the damaged pieces of the lyre on the other side and grimaced. He of course had already been attacked by the dam dog once before and really had no desire to be near it again but more was at stake here so he pulled out his wand and cast a repairing charm on the instrument as it mended itself and levitated it to the middle before casting it to play as the music once more filled the air.

They waited until the dog. Who was still pawing at the floor stopped at the sound of the music playing before turning around to now see more people entering his domain. All three got on guard as the large beast turned around so that it now faced them but before it could try to attack. A loud yawn escaped its mouths before it slowly started to succumb to the lull of the soothing melody.

They watched as it lay down on the look before promptly rolling over and falling asleep, as loud snores replaced the angry snarls and barks. Breathing a small sigh of relief they moved quickly wasting no time to the middle as Albus peered into the darkness before pulling out his own wand and muttering some words.

Very slowly the vines that had been at the bottom rose up and melded together to create a flight of stairs in which he went down as soon as they reached the top. On coming to the floor underneath he lit the room only to find it empty. That was both good and bad, as they at least didn't fall at the first hurdle and get strangled by the plant but it also didn't soothe his fears that they managed to get past it and on to the next levels.

Without waiting he moved on leaving the others to catch up as Minerva pushed passed Snape and all but ran down after the headmaster her terror having past boiling point as they moved to the next room and seeing nothing once more which indicated that this room to, had been bested. He closed his eyes not liking then situation but let his feet guide him to the next room.

The next room was the Minerva had seen to personally, and so if any this would have given them problems. But something told him as he stepped through into the darkness. That it would have at best, only slowed them down.

Mr Weasley who he had known to be a very skilled player, would have taken the helm on this one and as the darkness vanished allowing them to see the carnage that was left after their game across. He knew that it was indeed just a minor obstacle.

Minerva had come to a dead halt when she gazed upon the destruction that was once her defense system that had been literally smashed to pieces. Snape moved into the room and eyed the area with his sharp, black eyes before taking in himself the after mass of what occurred,

He made his way over to the other man leaving the older woman to stare in sheer dismay. Chunks of stone littered the floor, broken shards of sword and twisted part lay strewn about. It was a mess. She closed her eyes trying to keep in the sob that was building up, she knew what this meant. That they had gotten past her room and on to the next. That she didn't know but she needed to have Hermione in her arms.

The constant image of her coming face to face with that….Thing was always in her head, and as they went past each room without seeing a single living being only made the picture more clearer.

It was filling her with dread as she noticed the other looking around before to each other and to the other door on the other side, she knew they would be moving on and so made her way to them they both gave her pitying looks which on any other day, she would have chewed them up over but at that moment she didn't care. She just needed to hold her little girl and then she would be ok

Albus nodded and moved forwards as they made to follow him at the other end near to the door, he didn't know why but something made him glance over to the wall of the room he had no reason to, they had made it on to the next room but as he did something just peeking out at the top of a pile of broken rubble had him stopping.

It was a crop of flaming red hair.

"Albus"

The sharpness in the tone had the older man stopping and turning to the other man who pointed. Looking in the direction of his arm he scanned the destroyed chess pieces until he too came upon the familiar colored hair and all at once he lifted his wand and with it, the broken pawns. Minerva looked at what he was doing only to find that once the obliterated players had been lifted into the air, behind them lay the body of Ron.

Snape made his way over intent on helping the youngest Weasley boy only to stop in his tracks as he spied something else.

"What is it" Albus asked as the younger man turned to him he didn't speak but his eyes betrayed a nervousness that had Minerva's growing.

"Severus."

"…Maybe it would be best of you did not come closer, Minerva."

She listened to him speak but as it was, never paid attention as before she knew it she was moving quicker then she had before getting closer to both the motionless boy and the older man before seeing him trying to stop her, and with good reason.

She didn't know how loud she had screamed but on seeing the second body lying next to the boy and then on seeing the blood that was around it she was sure that her heart had exploded just like the ruined rubble around her, she pushed him out of the way and moved some of the figures in her path to the side before coming to a stop next to the still little girl, she dropped to her knees sobs ripping from her chest as she gazed upon the small figure in front of her.

She reached out and pulled the inert form and turned her over her cries increasing as she looked down at the deathly pale Hermione. Her eyes raked over younger girls face and placed her hand on her chest desperately trying to feel for a heartbeat and laughed tearfully when she felt it

"She's alive." She muttered never taking her eyes from the body in her arms as Albus and Snape looked on the headmaster looking solemnly on at his near broken deputy. This was never meant to have happened, the stone should never have been given to him for protection it shouldn't be in the school, no one should have ever have known about it and what was more. Three student's….First years, should never have been the ones to have gone up against the evil wanting it to try to keep it safe.

It was in his school it was his responsibility. He felt sick that he allowed himself to have been led so easily away and now his student's as well as his oldest friend was paying for it, on seeing her hold the girl who was her world, to her chest pain etched on her face. He knew that it had to end tonight he looked around to try and find the other boy but knew inside that these two had made sure that it was him that got through safely.

Even if it was at the cost of their safety.

He could also feel something else on looking around, he didn't know what but the room was filled with magic more than what was should have and as he gazed the ground he looked to some of the scattered parts of the stone players and felt the magic residue coming from it was something a little unnerving. He knew that there was only one person who could have done it at the time and so filed that away for later when all of this was sorted.

Right now he had a boy to go and safe.

Looking back to the other teachers, he knew Minerva wouldn't be going any further and so, called to Snape who turned to look at him.

"Do whatever you can here and help them to the infirmary as soon as you can." The other man nodded and moved to the older woman cradling the lifeless body of her daughter, it was chilling to see her so pale and knew that the amount of blood that was covering them she would have gone into shock if they had not gotten to her in time….Any later and he didn't want to think about it.

Bending down he had to coax the other woman to let him check before coming across the deep sword wound in her back and shoulder making her shake with tears again at the thought of her own magic harming her child as he did his best to seal the large injury. Something in the younger girl's hand had him looking down and in spite of the scene he had to smile.

"Looks like she got past my defense."

Minerva only hearing some of his remark turned a little but never took her eyes from the child in her arms as he said again.

"The bottle. It's from my task in the other room…It seems that she managed to get round the logic puzzle I set out."

His voice hinted at both annoyance and pride which made her smile if only half. Hermione did love puzzles and so it came as no surprise to her that she managed to best him she had with all others after all.

"She also made sure Potter got through safely."

She smiled looking down her, it was something that she would have done. Would have for anyone that's she loved about the little girl, her selflessness. She wouldn't have done anything to intentionally hurt Harry, and by the looks of it had tried to help Ron as well.

That was what Gryffindor's were about. Bravery and courage. Though she was terrified for the cold and pale looking girl she also couldn't have been any prouder as Snape moved on to Ron before hoisting him into his arms .

"We need to get them out now" He told her and she nodded standing quickly as she cast a weight charm on the still form so she could pick her up from the floor trying hard not to cry or look at the thick pool of blood that both covered the ground and herself as she hurried on after Snape as they made their way back to the upper levels and to the hospital wing.

The next half hour was a blur to her as she found herself sitting at the bedside stroking the hand of the now sleeping Hermione. To say Poppy was speechless was putting it mildly as both Snape and herself crashed into the wing holding both close to their own as the nurse came out.

Seeing the unconscious children she directed the Potion Master to one and blanched when she saw Minerva holding Hermione and all the blood that was coloring her clothes. She set to work on the younger girl immediately seeing as Snape couldn't find any injuries other than the slight cut on Ron's head. It took three blood potions and a bout of calming drought, thought that was for her seeing as she never left her daughter's side. Before finally the nurse said she would be fine.

The large wound on her back though was caused by one of the swords from the pawn players and as Poppy informed her that as it had been enchanted, the large cut would form a scar. She hated how it was her magic that had caused it, how her magic had harmed her own child. Granted she had no idea that they would go down and play the deadly game, never mind come out with any lasting injuries from it.

But given just how brutal she knew magical chess could be and how the opposing player liked to tear the other too chunks. She could be thankful that a scar was all she came out with. Poppy had gone to fill out some forms and Snape, once he knew everyone to be alright had retired to his room saying if he were needed then all they had to do was call. She thanked him for his help on the way out as he gave her a small rare smile before a sneer and made a comment about Gryffindor's being dunderheads before sweeping from the room leaving her with a smile.

She went back to keeping an eye on the sleeping patient. Never letting go of her hand, it almost killed her when she saw her blood soaked body lying on the floor, she had never felt that much terror in her life. Not even when she was caught by Grindelwald's men. Didn't even come close.

The door flung open once more and she looked away for the first time since entering the room to see Albus rushing in holding Harry In the same manner she had Hermione. She saw his face and knew that he got there too late as Harry was in the same condition, out cold like the others Poppy came running out once more and pointed him to the bed next to Hermione all three looked at the children lying still in the beds.

"What did they do, Albus?" Poppy asked, she hadn't before seeing the distraught in her friend and so out of respect let her be. But now she was curious as she looked at the headmaster as she gazed down at the children.

"Something Godric himself would be in awe of."

She didn't reply merely turned back to the first years who had once again stopped the rise of the biggest threat that they had seen. and the others wouldn't even know.

More hours passed and the sun had come up shining through the window of the room not that Minerva could tell. Her focus was still on the little girl Poppy had come round some point and gave her a blanket as she smiled her thanks before being left along once more. She did rest her head down at the side of her for a while but never went fully to sleep. She was tired yes but every time she closed her eyes the image of Hermione lying in the pool of blood flashed in her mind forcing her to open her eyes.

In the end she knew she would have to remove that from her mind later for fear she would never sleep again. Ron had woken up and after being checked over he was declared fit and ok to leave but he didn't at first as soon as he saw the other two he jumped from his bed and ran to them his face a picture of fright as he gazed over their pale forms. She told them that they were fine and now just resting to try and soothe him though her own fears wouldn't be quelled until she saw two sets of green eyes looking at her.

He left in the end and after being pushed out of the door, there was a feast he had to get ready for to celebrate the end of the year and he had to go apologize to a certain fellow Gryffindor. She smiled when he blushed and ran out Leaving them alone.

That was when she heard it a small groan of discontent before a slew of mumbles.

"…Oh Crook's get your own breakfast you lazy sod."

Her head almost twisted as she spun around to see Hermione stir, she fidgeted before slowly opened her eyes before closing them at the harshness before once again and very slowly tried again.

She looked around and blinked a few times before realizing she was in the hospital wing. Frowning at how she got there she started to push herself up and lay against the pillows before squeaking a little as two sets of arms wrapped around her and pulled her into a bone crushing hug.

"Never do that again."

She pushed on the arm holding her in a choke hold as Minerva finally let up and looked down relieved beyond belief to see her awake. Looking around she saw Harry in the opposite bed.

"Is he…"

"Ok, yes."

She nodded happy that he was fine and looked back up to the older woman.

"So"

"So"

They didn't speak for a little while as Minerva was waiting for her to acknowledge what she had done. In the end she was sick of the silence having had too much of it and spoke again.

"Do you know…..Just how dangerous and stupid, you acted."

The curly-haired girl lay against the pillows and didn't say anything. Yes she did, she knew all too well but it wasn't like it was all for nothing…She hoped.

"Do you know just how scared I was when I saw you." The break in her voice had her looking up to see the tears in the older woman's eyes and without thought, which seemed to be the theme of the day. She moved so that she was nearer to her and threw herself into a tight embrace wrapping her hands around her neck and refusing to let go, Minerva returned to hug eagerly and pulled her tight to her body.

"I'm sorry, really." She muttered as they held each other.

"It's just that no one was listening to us and we knew what it was that he was after, we knew that we had to try and stop him."

Minerva closed her eyes in regret. Once more it had been her that had sent them off on their own sent the trailing after a killer who would have gladly got rid of them in order to get what he wanted, she was just thankful that she never came into contact with him. That she wasn't in the same room it was bad enough she was within a few hundred feet. She had heard how Harry had been found and shuddered to think what Hermione would have been like if she too had gone with him.

She never wanted to feel like that again and made a silent promise to lock her away in the house if need be to make sure that.

"Promise me you won't do anything stupid like that again" She lifted her hand to stroke her hair as she felt a nod on her shoulder and breathed in deeply gratefully happy that it turned out ok compared to how it all could have gone.

"Did we stop him?" She asked pulling away and looking her Mother in the eye as Minerva reached out and took her hands in hers before giving her a smile.

"Yes…You did, all of you, you managed to stop him from taking the stone."

"Well Harry stopped him…We just helped." She said looking down as Minerva lifted her head to face her again.

"No my dear, you all did. If it wasn't you all of your efforts then who knows what might have happened." Though she didn't dwell on that before giving her a slight grin.

"Plus Snape was a little impressed at the fact you got past his test." She chuckled at the bright-eyed look the younger girl gave her at hearing that as she smirked.

"Just impressed?" She asked as if hoping to hear something else as the older woman nodded and pursed her lips.

"Yes, well that and he was annoyed also, it took him a long time to come up with that and a twelve year old comes along and breezes by like it was nothing." She chuckled again as Hermione gave tiny cheer,

"Yes, score one for me…The bat, nothing." Before being pulled into another hug. One which she gladly returned as they held each other again.

After being checked over by Poppy who scolded her for doing something so dangerous. And having looked at the scar now lining her back and shoulder she was free to go, leaving with the older woman they made their way down the hall before having to split up as she needed to get ready for the feast and Minerva had to help. She was about to turn the corner when she was pulled back and slammed into the taller body who once more held her close.

She was about to complain but knew that she had brought this on herself and so accepted it without talking. Eventually they parted as she was told under pain of grounding to go straight to the dorm no side routes. Nodding she did as she was told, she had to go see Ron who had been apparently lingering around trying to see if they were ok as she stopped in front of the portrait who smiled and let her in.

After being ambushed by Ron and being told all that had happened in the time she was in the hospital. They changed into their robes for the end of year feast before being told by a little note via her Mother that Harry was awake and allowed to leave the wrong which prompted them to run as fast as they could to meet him.

They waited the top of the stairs lingering as they talked until Ron looked down and smiled.

"Alright there, Ron?" Harry called from below as she turned to see him

"Alright. You?" He grinned and nodded back before looking to her,

"Alright. Hermione?" She rolled her eyes at the trivial wording after having just been through a near death ordeal but shrugged nonetheless, and sniffed feigning indifference.

"Had better days I guess."

The remark earned her a grin as they laughed and ran down to meet him before rushing to hurry up and go in with their house as they all gathered in the great hall for the last time before they left for the holidays.

Moving down the table they squeezed in next to Neville who was no longer annoyed at them for what they did but accepted the apology they still gave him before turning their attention on to the higher end of the hall where the teachers were sitting as Dumbledore got up to make his announcement's

"Another year gone. And now, as I understand it, the House Cup needs awarding. And the points stand as thus: In fourth place, Gryffindor with three hundred and twelve points." The three tried to look contrite at the glares sent their way, they may have anonymously saved their wizards butts from extinction. But that still counted for nothing in the run for the house cup,

"Third place, Hufflepuff with three hundred and fifty-two points. In second place, Ravenclaw with four hundred and twenty-six points. And in first place, with four hundred and seventy two points, Slytherin House."

She tried to ignore the gloating jeers and yells coming from the snake table. As the older man raised his hand to settle them.

"Yes, yes. Well done, Slytherin. Well done, Slytherin. However, recent events must be taken into account. And, I have a few last-minute points to award"

They fell silent at that as they looked at the headmaster wearily, as if knowing that whatever he awarded it wasn't to them and therefore was a threat to their win.

And they would be right.

"To Miss Hermione McGonagall, for the utmost use of intellect and calm mind of logic when others were in grave peril, fifty points." She looked up on hearing her name being called and was surprised to heart that she got point's the others on the table cheered and patted her on the back congratulating her, she nodded as something came to mind and she couldn't help but make the snide comment as it fell from her lips.

"Told you I would make them back….Didn't I?" The rest surrounding her knew what she was on about and looked away from her glare as Dumbledore carried on with his speech. Harry snorted in his bid to hold in his laughter remembering the fond argument that day.

"Second, to Mr Ronald Weasley, for the best-played game of chess that Hogwarts has seen these many years, fifty points." More cheers went up as Ron went beet red at having the attention on him but smiled and nodded when they clapped him on the back also.

"And third, to Mr Harry Potter, for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor House sixty points."

The cheers were getting louder each time as Hermione looked at her embarrassed friend, she wanted to know why he got more than she did but knew that he had faced the evil wizard alone and so bit her tongue, instead smiling at his achievement. Before realizing something and whispered to them

"We're tied with Slytherin!" The boys looked at each other excitedly before back to the older man.

"And finally, it takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies. But, a great deal more to stand up to your friends. I award ten points to Neville Longbottom"

The room almost shook with the noise as the Lion table went up in celebration. Poor Neville looked like he had been hit with another freezing curse as he heard his name and the points given. It may not have been as much as the rest but it was enough to secure their win and so he was inundated with punches, claps, hits and handshakes as they thanked him for essentially winning the cup for them.

"Assuming my calculations are correct, I believe that a change of decoration is in order. Gryffindor wins the House Cup!"

Everyone from the other tables watched as they cheered their win. Hagrid was waving in happiness but kept it down when he almost hit Flitwick. Lee Jordan and the twins were jumping up and down chanting. Hermione looked over to see the teacher's table where her Mother was being congratulated on her win and looked like she was taking something from Hooch. She rolled her eyes knowing they liked to make bets on the side before waving as their eyes met.

They would have their own celebration by themselves at some point but for now it was a house effort before getting pulled back into the fray.

The next day and she was woken not by Crook's who had been perched on her stomach sleeping. But the slamming trunks of people getting ready to go home. She opened her eyes reluctantly before looking up and pulling back the curtain to find both Parvati and Lavender moving around shoving their clothes, books, hair accessories and other items into their holdings before packing everything else.

She yawned and pushed the cat off her body as he moved to the side glaring reproachfully. Oh it didn't matter to him if she risked her life, all that mattered was she came back to feed him she could have returned a ghost as long as she knew how to open his food bag. Rubbing her eyes she looked over to them.

"What's with you being up so early?" The two other girls stopped at turned to her as she stretched. They didn't know who the question were aimed at but she left it open to both seeing as she knew just how much they slept on weekends.

"We have to make sure everything is packed for the train."Parvati replied as Lavender looked on from across the room.

"Yeah it's not as though we can relax. Not everyone's parent is a teacher after all." She said, the remark at once point may have been said to mock her but now after realizing that she had done something, she may not know what but knew it was serious. Her level of appreciation for the other girl had gone up, not that Hermione noticed or cared but she smiled anyway.

"True." And got up to feed the cat clawing at her shirt. She had no need to take the train home seeing as it was going in the opposite direction to London. All she had to go was take the Floo through the older woman's chambers and they were home. Sometimes it was great having a professor as a parent.

She got dressed and followed them down to breakfast as it would be the last time she would see everyone until the next year and already she was missing them.

She sat next to the other boys deciding that she would get something later when she went by her Mothers room it was a day to say goodbye and she would be damned if she missed getting the chance just as Harry and Ron both dropped into seat's next to her,

"Alright, Mione" The ginger boy said before diving for the nearest dish of sausages." She rolled her eyes but found it considerate that he at least said hello first before depleting the table of its food. Shaking her head she turned to see Harry looking at their other friend before to her and smiling.

"Hi"

She nodded before they started talking getting lost midst the chatter of the table. All too soon it was time for them to go as the train was ready to depart. She sighed unhappily and made to get up as they went to collect their bags. The heavier items were already on the train and so that left them to make their way down as she ran up to the head table before running back out to meet them.

"Let's go,"

Slowly they departed the castle as Harry turned at the edge of the track giving the home he had known for nine months a wistful look.

"Don't worry Harry," He turned to see her smiling sadly "You'll be back before you know it."

He sighed and nodded before joining the in their trek again they wandered through the forest moving down until they came to the end of the bridge and onto the station on the other side. Kids were piling around and ambling onto the waiting train as it got ready to make its journey, she waited off to the side talking for a little bit before Harry excused himself and ran over to Hagrid who was overseeing the kids off.

He came back with something in his hands as he looked at it like it was a new-born foul.

"What is it?" Ron asked as he opened the front cover, "A photo album" He muttered and looking down to see a picture of him and his parents. She smiled happy for him that at least he had some way to remember them before the whistle went and they had to board.

"I'll see you all next term" She called from her spot as they rushed to get through the doors as they shut. They turned and waved to her before she went to stand by the giant man.

They both watched as the train let out a bellowing whistle before slowly setting off from the station. Both watched as the two boys stuck their head out of the window and waved, she giggled and waved back for as long as they could until eventually they were out of sight leaving the two standing at the empty station.

"Cheer up, tiny" He said looking down at hearing her longing sigh. "Like you said. They'll be back before you know it."

She didn't say anything merely watched the place the train had been before nodding slowly.

"I did, didn't I?" She mused before standing up straight.

"Well Hagrid," She asked the giant man. "Ready to go home."

The gamekeeper smiled at her from behind his scraggly beard as he turned in the direction of the exit and holding out his arm.

"After you my little lady." He jested making her giggle but take his arm as together they set off back out of the station and up to the castle that had become a home to them both.

After the weirdness that was her first year, Hermione was both anxious and excited for the second. She didn't know if would be as tremulous as the first but what she did know was that now she had two boys who she knew would be her firm friends for the rest of her time here. She would be ready for it.

And she was ok with that.