New Beginnings

DISCLAIMER::: Everything you recognize belongs to JKRowling and Warner Bros. I just love them so much I wanted to play with them a little.

Summary::: Hermione has a visitor.

New Beginnings

Chapter Seven

Once Hermione reached the castle, she ran to her quarters, locking and warding the door against entry. She collapsed onto her bed and cried herself to sleep, sleeping several hours before she woke to the sound of knocking on the portrait door. Standing, she nervously walked to the doorway, her wand out and ready.

"Who is it?" she called out.

"Hermione, its Minerva. Could I come in, please," replied the Headmistress.

"Yes, of course," said Hermione, dropping the wards.

When the portrait opened, the Headmistress entered and was somewhat taken aback at the sight of Hermione's red-rimmed eyes and tear-streaked face.

"My dear, what happened? Severus informed me you had an encounter with Bill Weasley in Hogsmeade today and that you returned to the castle early. He asked that I check on you, as your portrait would not allow him access to your rooms," Minerva said, sounding worried.

"Oh, Minerva, it was awful! I was walking through Hogsmeade when the memory of the last time I was there came flooding back," Hermione sobbed.

Professor McGonagall put up a hand to stop her from continuing. "Perhaps we should have some tea," she said, moving towards the armchairs in front of the fire. Summoning a tea service, Professor McGonagall offered a cup to Hermione and then said, "Please continue."

Taking a deep breath, Hermione began again. "Well, as I said, I was remembering the night that Ron almost killed me."

"I was just walking and remembering, and somehow ended up in front of our old house. Then I heard someone say my name, and when I turned around... there Bill was... standing so close to me I could almost smell him. Then, I guess I fainted."

"Is that when Miss Docker ran and got Severus?" asked Minerva.

"I guess so," said Hermione. Then she added, "I didn't really think about how he or the Aurors got there. Miss Docker must be so confused." Jumping to her feet, she started to pace in front of the fire.

"Oh, gods, there were several students there. I made such a spectacle of myself. What must they think of me?"

"Hermione, please sit down. The students that were present during your encounter with Mr. Weasley are all concerned about you. I have already spoken to them, and they just want to know that you are okay."

"That's just it, Minerva. I don't know if I am. I am so scared right now," Hermione said, taking her seat once again. "Seeing Bill today has brought up all the feelings I have been trying to push aside since I got out of the hospital. The whole family blames me for what happened to Ron. Molly even sent a letter begging me to tell the Ministry it was a misunderstanding. Can you believe it?"

"No, I can't, but I don't doubt it either. Molly has always been very protective of her family. She is very blind when it comes to them as well." Minerva thought for a moment, sipping her tea. "Perhaps we should set up something where all your mail is sent to one of the senior staff before going on to you. Just so we can filter out any Weasley letters."

"That is very nice of you to offer, but I can't ask the rest of the staff to take time out to sort through my mail. It just wouldn't be fair," Hermione said.

"Well, we will just have to figure something out. Now, perhaps you should get some sleep. It is very late. We can talk more tomorrow if you would like," she said, as she stood and headed for the door.

Outside the portal, she turned to the portrait and said, "It might be a good idea to allow senior staff members access to Hermione's quarters. Especially when she is as upset as she was today. Don't you think?"

"Yes, Headmistress," the lady in the portrait replied. Minerva nodded and headed back to her office; she had an owl she needed to send.

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Hermione was sitting in her office after dinner grading essays, as she always did. She liked to be available for any students who might need to speak with her about their lessons. She would even speak with the members of her house if they felt the need to talk. So it was that she could be found this Tuesday evening grading once again. She had been there a couple of hours, and not one student had knocked on her door. Finishing with the essays she was working on, she stood and was tidying her desk to call it a night when there was a knock on the door.

Still straightening her desk, she called out, "Come in."

"Well, it looks like you are fitting right in here, Hermione," replied the voice of one of her best friends.

Looking up, she dropped the small stack of papers she was going to put away in a drawer and threw herself into the arms of Draco Malfoy-Potter.

Having expected this reaction, he caught her easily and spun her around in a hug. Smiling as he set her back on her feet, she hugged him again.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, pulling him toward the chairs in front of her desk.

"Actually, I got an owl from the Headmistress telling me that you were all right after what happened in Hogsmeade. She was worried about how I would react. She is very concerned about you, as am I. When I saw the incident report that the Aurors filed, I was tempted to come here right away, but just as I was leaving my office at the Ministry, Minerva's owl arrived to tell me you were all right."

Taking her hand, he looked her in the eyes before asking, "Are you truly all right?"

"Yes, Draco, I'm fine. Bill just scared me. I promise I'm okay," she said, forcing a smile. "No need for you and Harry to worry about me so much."

Everyone in the castle had been walking on eggshells around her since it had happened. She just wanted everything to go back to the way it was before the Hogsmeade weekend.

"Hermione, I know you well enough by now to know that you aren't as okay as you say. But I also know not to push you," he said, looking into her eyes before he continued, "You don't have to talk to me if you don't want to, but you do need to talk to someone. I hope there is someone you feel you can trust enough to talk to. Remember what the Healer said: talking about it will help. It won't make it go away, but it will help. Promise me you will talk to someone, promise me."

"I promise, Draco. I promise," she said, hugging him again. Then, smiling earnestly, she asked, "Now, if you're done lecturing me, how are you and Harry?"

They sat there, in her office, talking for few more hours before it grew late, and Draco needed to be getting home. After saying their good-byes, Draco made his way to the entrance hall, and Hermione headed for her rooms.

TBC

AN::: Once again I would like to thank my wonderful betas, Pixie and Allison. I would also like to thank the newest addition to my beta family Piper. All of you are helping in ways that I just cannot begin to describe. In the next chapter a ball is announced.