Author's note: Almost everything up to this point is the same as it was in the books except for a few obvious changes. This story takes place at the end of the seventh book, but before the 19 Years Later portion. Hermione has gone back to Hogwart's to finish her seventh year. She has done so, and this is her last day. Not really an established relationship, just established feelings. Enjoy this story about love, life, and great loss. HG/MM story. Oh, and P.S. Hermione was Head Girl.

As Hermione Jean Granger walked the halls of Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for the last time, she thought about what she would miss. She would miss the ever-changing staircases, she would miss the Great Hall, she would miss telling the first years what to do, and she would miss Min… 'No Hermione!' she thought to herself. 'Don't think about it!' But she couldn't help it. Before she knew it, her mind was fading back to two years ago.

Two Years Earlier

"Hermione, we're leaving soon! Hurry up and finish packing!" called Ron.

"I'm coming, Ronald, just give me a moment." She yelled back. They were at the Burrow and everyone else was outside, at the wedding. Everyone except one, that is. She hurried up to Hermione's room to see what was going on.

"Hermione? You're leaving?"

Hermione turned and nearly gaped with shock. "Pro… Pro… Professor! What are you doing in here?"

Hermione's professor answered, nearly seething with anger and something else that she could not identify. "Well, Miss Granger, I was getting myself a glass of water when I heard your plans. You cannot leave!"

Hermione turned away from her and continued packing "I must."

"Why must you? Why!" said Professor McGonagal. She knew on some level that she should not be reacting with this level of hysteria, but she couldn't seem to stop herself.

Still not looking at her, Hermione stated, "Harry was given a job to do, and Ron and I will not let him do it on his own. He would be at a loss without us."

The professor looked at her back for a moment without speaking. Then she did what she knew she shouldn't have, she took a few steps closer to Hermione, and quietly said, "But I will be at a loss without you, as well."

Hermione froze. Then she slowly turned around to look at Minerva McGonagal. What she saw broke her heart. Her favorite professor, and her first love, was crying her heart out. She couldn't help herself, she drew her close and held on, whispering in her ear how it would be all right; she would be back. At this the elder woman jerked back, furiously wiping away her tears, and almost yelled out, "No, it won't be alright! Do you know how dangerous Voldemort is? He will kill you. I can't let that happen! If I have to body bind you until either you give up or your friends have returned then I will!"

"Minerva…" said Hermione gently.

"No! Don't 'Minerva' me! I will not be placated! I love you too much to…" she was interrupted by a pair of soft lips gently touching her own. Her eyes fluttered closed as she reveled in the sensation. The kiss only lasted an instant before Hermione pulled away.

Her eyes were soft, her heart reaching out to the elder woman, but her decision had been made. She headed toward the door. She stopped with her hand on the door-handle. "I love you, too." Then she left Minerva there, broken and crying.

Present

Hermione sighed as she brought her mind back to the present. She had one more class left, and that was transfiguration. Minerva would be teaching it for the first time since her back injury. She had been hit by four stunners at once in the back during the big battle, and she was still weak, but she had insisted on teaching at least the last class of the year. Hermione wasn't sure whether or not she was looking forward to seeing her again. She had visited her in the Hospital Wing frequently, of course, but Minerva had always been asleep. Or maybe pretending to be, Hermione wasn't sure.