Shades of Grey

The Pensieve

"Let the Feast begin," the headmistress announced and took her seat.

Hermione froze. She didn't know what to do or where to look. She was scared and angry at the same time. All she knew at that moment was she needed to breathe and needed fresh air.

"I have to go." Hermione leaned over and whispered to Neville.

Neville looked worried and knew why she wanted to leave leaning over to see Bellatrix staring daggers at Hermione. "Do you need me to come with you?"

"No stay. I'm going to Minerva's office. Let her know before you leave?"

With that Hermione made her way out of the back door glancing only once at Bellatrix on her way out.

When Hermione made it to Minerva's office, she just started pacing and talking to herself.
"Why is Lestrange here? A teacher... impossible! She tortured people. She tortured me!" Hermione continued..."why is she even allowed to be near all these children? Why didn't McGonagall warn me?"

"Ms. Granger those are all very fair questions," spoke one of the portraits from above the fireplace.

"Professor Dumbledore. I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to see or hear any of that. Gosh you must think it's ridiculous to behave in such a way."

"Please take a seat Ms. Granger." Hermione sat as Dumbledore continued speaking. "I'm sure Minerva had motivation not to tell you of Professor Black prior to your arrival."

"But how is that even okay?" Hermione asked bewildered.

"Would you have accepted the position had you known?"

Hermione thought and sighed." No probably not."

"Perhaps it was for the best."

Minerva had entered by this point but stayed in the shadows listening to Hermione and Dumbledore.

Dumbledore continued, "from my experience people, even those that seem the most far gone, have the ability to change. Remember Severus was neither black or white. Maybe Bellatrix is another shade of grey entirely."

Hermione sat in silence as she absorbed his words.

"Ms. Granger, I know you have many questions for me. Before you begin yelling, I would like for you to see some memories of my time with Professor Black in my pensieve."

Hermione looked at Minerva as she motioned for Hermione to follow her over to the pensieve. Hermione took a deep breath, sighed and submerged herself into the first of Minerva's memories.

***

3 months after the final battle.

Minerva was seated in the Minister's office. "As you know Minerva there have been a fair number of Voldemort's followers who denounced him at the final battle" Kingsley stated.

"Yes Minister, I am aware of that. What I'm not aware of is why I'm here and what this has to do with the reconstruction of the school as your owl implied."

"I know you already have a team of professors and students who have helped you come up with a base plan for reconstruction. I have also heard of the many volunteers from Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. I have no reservations about your ability to restore Hogwarts."

"Then why am I here?" Minerva asked rather shortly.

"Ahh yes. Well we have a former death eater that is desperate to say out of Azkaban. She left before the end of the battle and she claims she is ready to change. She has given us information about the location of many death eaters and we have been able to bring them to justice. Here at the ministry we have our doubts that is ready for a pardon so we have offered her a partial pardon. We believe with your direction, you can help her find her way to the right path."