Chapter Text
Hermione sat staring at the woman in front of her. She couldn’t believe what she’d just heard.
“You’re leaving?” She asked, a small frown forming at the news.
“Yes.”
Licking her lips, Hermione glanced around the pub, before settling on Cora once more, “Is this because of last night? Has Professor McGonagall said something to you?”
Smiling slightly, Cora reached over and took hold of Hermione’s hand, “No dear, your Professor has not said anything to me,” Leaning back, the former queen picked up her mug and took a small sip, “In fact, Regina and I have been talking about this for the last month. She wants to move back to Storybrooke to be closer to Henry, and I…”
“Wish to be closer to Regina.” Hermione finished for her.
“Yes.”
Sighing, Hermione sat back as well, “I don’t like it, but I understand.” She smiled sadly, “I’m going to miss you.”
“And I you dear.”
“I still expect to see you at least once a week, if not, I’ll hunt you down.”
Laughing softly, Cora shook her head, her hair tumbling over her shoulders, “I expected nothing less,” She shot back with a wide smile, “Besides, I’ll need someone to complain to about the incompetence of Snow and her offspring.”
Snorting, Hermione picked up her cup of pumpkin juice and held it up in toast, “To Snow and her incompetence. May her and it keep our friendship strong.”
Cora held her own cup up, laughing once more, “To Snow.”
Later that day, after having taken a quick trip to London to do a bit of shopping, Hermione and Cora walked back up the pathway to the castle, having returned to the Three Broomsticks for lunch. They had decided to enjoy the sun while it was out.
“So, do you know what you’ll be doing while in Storybrooke?” Hermione asked as they made their way to the main entrance of the castle.
“I’m thinking the Library.” She replied, smiling wistfully, “I’ve always loved books.”
Flashing the slightly taller woman a smile, Hermione pushed open the large door, “So I’d noticed.” She said, having noticed the stacks of book that had gotten taller the longer Cora stayed.
Feeling her cheeks heat up, Cora brushed back some of her hair, “I’ll take those back today.”
Laughing, Hermione shook her head; “You don’t have to, I can take them back la-” She stopped, coming face to face with the Headmistress. “Professor.” She tilted her head respectfully, even as her newly replaced heart started racing.
“Miss Granger, Mrs Mills.” The Scottish witch replied, before focusing on the young brunette, “Miss Granger, if I could have a moment of your time.”
Narrowing her eyes slightly, Hermione looked the taller woman over before answering, “Of course Professor.” Turning to Cora, she opened her mouth to tell her she’d meet her later, only for the Queen to beat her to it.
“I’ll just be in our room packing.” Bowing her head to the Headmistress, she turned and left.
Waiting until the woman was out of sight, Minerva looked at her star pupil, “If you would follow me Miss Granger.” Without waiting for a response, the woman turned and started walking back up the hallway.
Sighing, Hermione rolled her eyes and hastened to catch up with the woman. She refused to walk behind her like some disgraced student.
Upon entering the large office, Hermione felt all the eyes of the former Heads of the school look at her. ‘No doubt they all knew of what happened last night.’ Hermione thought bitterly, pointedly not looking at them as she sat down in the chair in front of the large desk.
“Do you know why you’re here Miss Granger?”
“Oh I have an idea Headmistress.” Hermione drawled, folding her arms across her chest loosely.
“Then you know what I want to know.”
Arching her brow, Hermione eyed the woman across from her coldly before speaking, “I believe I told you Headmistress that I wouldn’t tell you anything again.”
Minerva frowned, “Now is not the time to hold a grudge Miss Granger. Answer my question.”
Pursing her lips, Hermione glared at the older woman before pushing herself out of the chair. Walking over to the window, she stared out of it, searching the grounds. “Right there,” She said softly, pointing to a spot outside, “Right there is where more than my heart was broken.”
Sitting up straight, the Headmistress spoke calmly, although Hermione could hear the undertone of anger in her words, “If last night was some form of belated revenge Hermione-”
“You broke more than my heart that day Headmistress,” She cut in, looking at her blankly, “You broke my trust.”
“What does that have to do with last night?” Minerva asked, frowning.
“If you want to understand what happened last night, then you need to know the whole story.” Hermione said, her tone cool.
“Very well.” McGonagall sighed, “Carry on.”
Turning back to look out the window, Hermione started her story, “I went to New York, the only things I had with me were my wand and what I had in my bag. I met Regina within the first five minutes…”
Hermione spoke of her lessons with Regina, how she had cursed her land to bring them to a non-magical world in revenge and for a chance of happiness. She told the astonished woman all about Regina’s past, and Cora’s, leaving nothing out.
“I’ve learnt so many things from them,” She whispered, “Things that shouldn’t be possible, yet they are and I can now do them.” She turned to face the stunned woman, laughing coldly, “Who would have thought that I would want to know how to rip out a person’s heart.”
“You can rip out someone’s heart?” Minerva asked quietly, surprise colouring her tone.
“Of course.” Hermione said, clasping her hands behind her back, “It was the reason I asked Regina to teach me.”
“Why would you want to know that?” Minerva asked horrified, standing up.
“Why wouldn’t I want to know how?” Hermione shot back, “I was in pain. Not only was my heart broken, so was my trust and innocence. I lost everything that made up who I was by the end of the war Headmistress.” Turning back to the window, she stared out, “I wanted nothing more than to not feel anything.” She sighed, “So I ripped my heart out and put it in a box.”
Leaning forward on her desk, Minerva frowned, “While interesting, that still doesn’t answer my question. What were you doing here last night with Mrs Mills?”
Turning slowly to look at the witch, Hermione waited a beat before answering, “She was saving my life.”