The Power of Pain

Chapter 2

Minerva sat behind her desk in the early morning light, furiously scratching away at administrative paperwork required to keep Hogwarts running smoothly. With a heavy sigh, she leaned back in her chair, rubbing her battle-worn face. A moving picture at the corner of her desk caught her sudden attention and she turned to look at it properly.

A gift, 1 year after the battle, when the school had managed to be put completely to rights again. She smiled fondly as she pulled the photo closer. It was a group picture of all the students who'd returned to help in the reconstruction of the school, all dirty and worn out from their days work but happy with their accomplishments. Her thumb ran gently over the two in the center, Potter, and Weasely, before a small frown greeted her lips. Just two of them, she thought sadly.

The press had quickly moved in calling them the Golden Duo but Minerva couldn't help but feel an emptiness in her heart where the space between them was unfilled. She took a deep breath and slowly set the picture back into place. The portraits on the wall were starting to wake for the morning yawning loudly as they came to. Minerva sighed softly as she leaned back in her chair once more. A small pop caused the elder to remove her hand from her eyes. She sat forward with a kind but tired smile as a house elf came forward with a rolled and sealed parchment.

"It is done, Headmistress." They replied holding out the missive.

"Thank you Tinie," She replied kindly gently taking the scroll.

"Will Headmistress'es be wanting some morning tea?" They asked eagerly.

"Yes...I think that would be lovely." Minvera replied as she cracked the seal with her wand. Another soft pop signaled the house elf's retreat to the kitchens.

Minerva gingerly unrolled the scroll atop the already laden desk and read quickly, 'In the event of permanent and end of life care—' She continued to scroll quickly, 'One Headmistress Minerva McGonagall will be granted unrestricted access to the care and comfort of the ailing—' Minerva sighed heavily through her nose. She hadn't believed the ministry would fight her on the issue but, it was still rather difficult to see that even they had given up on ever seeing the brilliance of Hermione Granger ever again. She quickly rolled it back up. She had taken note that there were no listed relatives on the document. That in the eyes of the magical world, Hermione Granger was undoubtedly and unarguably alone.

A soft pop tore her from her depressed musings and she took a quick sip of her newly delivered tea before pulling a new piece of parchment from a drawer. Quickly, before dismissing Tinie, she folded the parchment, "Please make sure this gets to St. Mungo's spell damage ward, specifically Healer Darling."

"Tinie will not fail you Headmistress'ess." With a quick bow and a soft pop; she was gone once more.

Minvera took another few sips of her tea before rising to begin her rounds and start a new day at the infamous Hogwarts of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

oOOo

The days went on painfully slow, it was the last day of the week she was given to complete her task. The missive she was eagerly awaiting came at dinner; a large black owl swooping in and landed neatly on the back of her chair offering the tiny letter. She took it quickly and stood to turn, excusing herself from the rest of the staff feigning illness. She hurried up to her office, reading the letter on the way; the portraits on the wall murmuring as she rushed in. "Oh do be silent all of you." She chided as she pulled on a traveling cloak. She gave one last glare to them all before stepping into the flames, "St. Mungo's." She stated clearly before disappearing into the green flames.