~Hermione~

The muted sounds of skin on skin and occasional desperate cries were heard through the floor of the living room where Anna Granger sat, calmly sipping tea while imagining just what her wonderful husband was putting that freakish brat through down below her in the basement.

"What makes you think any person or institution would want you, Bitch? They're probably only running Britain's largest freak show for all we know! You would fit right in though, you're worthless, good for nothing but cheap manual labour. What do you say to that?!" George cried, followed by a kick to the ribs of the girl curled on the floor. Father is extremely angry today, this has been going longer than usual, I'm sure of it. "I know you're right father, I'm sorry I cannot please you and Mother." Hermione whimpered in response, trying desperately not to cry. She had learnt many years ago that crying only made everything worse.

"It's the only reason your mother and I kept you for so bloody long, but even we don't want you anymore. You're more trouble than you're worth." He pulled the child's arms, the movement of her body restricted by the chain tying her left ankle to the foot of the rickety, frail bed that was placed in the centre of the room. "You never do anything right, you couldn't even provide the people that put food on the table and clothes on your back a hot meal when they get home from dealing with your freakishness and work all day! So how could anyone else possibly want you?" "I truly don't know Father, I am privileged for you and Mother to keep me so long when I am worth nothing." "Damn straight, Bitch!" With that he gave a large tug on her body, Hermione broke her silence and screamed as she felt pop in her shoulder and a sharp pain in her ankle. No no no, Hermione, stay awake come on. The pain isn't that bad, you've had worse. Oh no, blackness...

"I think that's enough for tonight George, dear, I'm afraid we can't do too much to her for the next few days. Then you can do as much as you want after her little trip with that woman." Anna smirked from the stairs. "Oh Annie my love, I just can't wait." George cackled, walking to her and wrapping her in his arms. "I have plans for you tonight George, would you like to know what they are?" She asked with a sultry smirk. "Oh I would love to!" George replied, locking the door to the basement securely, then he picked her up and raced to their bedroom, Anna screeching delightedly. The child in the basement was not heard from for the remainder of the night.

~Minerva~

She was continuously pacing around her office. Why can't I get that child out of my head? Past the lounge. There's nothing special or different about her. Past the window. Well there could be but I wouldn't know! I barely know her. Past her desk, piled with paperwork. She's only a muggleborn witch. I've seen many of them in my career, barely any of them got another thought aside from their education. Past the bookshelves. Why in Merlin, is she so different?! Past the lounge again. This debate continued until, "No. That is quite enough Minerva." She is an eleven year old child. There is nothing different, nothing wrong. You're being ridiculous. Forget about her. You have work to do, responsibilities to uphold. Looking at her messy desk. Get to it! And so she did.

M&H.M&H.M&H

It was five to three when the Deputy Headmistress stepped through the blazing green flames of the floo into the main ministry atrium. Many people turned, a few nodded in greeting, Minerva just kept walking.

"Please submit your wand Ma'am." Oh for goodness sake. "Mr Callahan, I am required in a meeting in less than five minutes. Surely you remember I don't appreciate tardiness, from others or myself, or do I need to remind you of your third year?" The young, pimpled man looked up shocked and started stuttering, "N-n-no Professor, I-I think you can just proceed." "Thank you, Mr Callahan, I greatly appreciate it." With that she side stepped the booth and proceeded to the elevators. "Have a good day, Professor McGonagall!" was yelled after her.

If I wasn't in a rush I wouldn't have done that, but Merlin I'm late as it is, let alone dealing with his fumbling's. The stern woman mused as she rushed into an elevator. "Department of Magical Law Enforcement." A clinical female voice sounded throughout the space while the doors slid open with a creak. One minute, come one. 'Knock, knock, knock.' A terse "Come in!" came from within the office with the deep mahogany door. Minerva opened the door to be greeted by a lovely sight.

"Lia." Minerva greeted softly. The head with caramel blonde hair jerked up at Minerva's entrance, a beaming smile in place. "Tabby!," she glanced at the clock, "I didn't realise it was three o'clock already." Minerva chuckled. "Well I wouldn't expect 'Madam Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement' to remember when little old me was coming to tea." She replied with a small smirk. Amelia, on the other hand, was scandalized, "Oh Minerva, no! I remembered, I swear! I just… Lost track of time… and you're not little and definitely far from old." She replied, glancing over Minerva's thin, but sturdy frame before flicking back to her eyes and rising from the desk to walk around to her friend. Isn't she lovely? Minerva stop! Amelia seemed to glide over to her and Minerva pulled her into her arms in a tight embrace while Amelia clung to her waist, her left temple resting on the taller woman's shoulder, her face turned into Minerva's neck. This is not a typical friend hug Minerva McGonagall, what the hell are you playing at? She can't know!

"How is it being the new Head of Department, Amy?" Minerva asked softly, strongly aware of how close the other woman was to her. The woman in question pulled back, No!, and walked over to the side board on the right of the room, replying as she went, "Sweet Merlin, the office, as well as the department, was an absolute mess, tea Min?" after receiving a nod in reply, she continued, "That's why I lost track of time. I've been so busy this week trying to get everything into an order of some kind so that I can accurately assess how the department is operating. I'm sure, once I get used to everything, I'll enjoy the position." She levitated a full tea set along with a plate a Minerva's favourite ginger newt biscuits towards the lounge area, where Minerva had taken a seat while listening to Amelia, and placed the tray on the low coffee table before taking a seat next to her on the lounge. "Now, tell me what has been going on with you since I've seen you last, Min."

That is how they spent the next hour and a half of their afternoon, until Minerva had to depart back to Hogwarts; talking and laughing and heatedly discussing new articles about various forms of magic and law. Minerva very nearly forgot all about the little girl that she had such difficulty getting out of her mind earlier that day, though there was still a niggle in the back of her mind, reminding her that she was seeing the child with wide, expressive eyes and curly dark chocolate hair the next morning.

~Hermione~

"FREAK! You better be awake down there!" Hermione sighed with heavy eyes, Why do they insist on yelling so darn much? She heard the rattle of the lock on the door at the top of the stairs and watched as her mother descended with her haughty, elegant gait. Hermione sat up on the bed, desperately trying not to wince as she shifted her ribs and shoulder. Anna walked over to the bed and unlocked the chain that was tying Hermione to the bed.

"Your Father and I are leaving for work now. We will be home at five o'clock. We expect everything on the list on the fridge to be done by then, am I clear?" Hermione nodded, "Yes Mother, everything will be completed." I wonder what they've dreamed up for me today? "When I get home tonight were going to have a little talk, girl to girl." Anna sneered. Hermione just nodded.

Once Anna had left, Hermione achingly got up off the bed and made her way upstairs into the kitchen. That list is ridiculous. Better get a move on then. I'll clean up and change, then get started. After she had limped up to the bathroom the young girl took off her clothes in order to clean up the blood that had leaked out of some of the cuts and sores on her body from her fathers ministrations the previous night. She had bruises blossoming on the right side of her torso. Well, that's definitely a few cracked ribs. I don't think any are broken though. She deduced after lightly prodding at the area. And my shoulder definitely dislocated. Thankfully I could pop it back in last night after Father left. Okay Hermione, clean up, let's go, lots to do today.

M&H.M&H.M&H

Hermione was in her basement room reading one of her few books she had managed to obtain when she heard her parents return home. Quickly, though quietly, she raced up the stairs and into the kitchen before her parents entered and started to serve up the dinner of lasagne and a mix of winter vegetables. "I'm glad to see you learnt your lesson from last night Hermione, we wouldn't have wanted a repeat performance would we?" Anna greeted as she entered the kitchen. "No Mother." Anna and George sat at the dinner table and impatiently waited for Hermione to serve them. "Go to your room until were done, Girl. I will be down when I'm finished." Anna snarled, George sniggering in the background. "Yes Mother." Hermione replied, retreating back to the basement.

It was an hour later when Hermione heard her mother come to the door of the basement. She was sitting quietly in the middle of her bed, she hadn't dared to try and read one of her books when she knew that Anna was coming at some point. The intimidating woman came to stand right beside the young girl on the bed. "I expect you to be on your best behaviour with that freak teacher tomorrow. Do you remember what being on your best behaviour means you idiot? Or do I have to spell it out for you?" She sneered.

"I remember Mother. No talking unless spoken to and keep it at a minimum, do not discuss our home life if avoidable and then only positives about you and father, don't let anyone touch me, don't draw attention to myself and get everything done quickly because nobody would care about anything I do because I am a worthless time waster and I should not subject people to my presence for longer than necessary." Hermione replied quietly, though loud enough that her mother wouldn't yell at her for mumbling.

"Well, I guess we've been able to get something through your thick head after all! Make sure you stick to those rules and the others or I will know and there will to repercussions, do not doubt me." She would never know, though I don't want to risk it, no thank you. "I will have perfect behaviour tomorrow Mother, I promise." Anna just laughed, "Your word means nothing to me," she turned and headed back up the stairs, "go to sleep." she slammed the door and locked it. I didn'tget to have dinner. Maybe they'll let me have breakfast. Was Hermione's last thought before she drifted of to sleep in the dark, cold basement.