AN: THIS IS FEMMELASH! DON'T LIKE? DON'T READ! (rating is for the end section though so its really mild until then)
disclaimer- two words, not and mine.
At a mere twenty Hermione Granger had accepted a teaching position at Hogwarts and had the rest of her life figured out and her last term of college had just ended that morning. Nine months of her future years would be spent at Hogwarts and the other three at her love's, and now her, home.
Since the start of their rather taboo relationship Hermione had been insistent on being truthful and revealing it to their friends. When they had revealed it to the small group in a rather odd meeting in the Gryffindor common room the day before term started the reaction had been, well, a bit different than what they had anticipated. As Hermione changed into her muggle clothing she thought back on that day, the day that had been the deciding moment of her forever, even if she hadn't known it then.
It was August 31 and the final touches were being done to the castle. Hermione and Harry would be returning to school while Ron started auror training, his lame attempted at hiding his wounds as he had thought their kiss had actually meant something more than it did. To her it would always only be a desperate attempt to feel connected to another person during the battle of the millennia. Neville would be staying with Professor Sprout to help regrow all of the plants lost during the destruction of the green houses and Ginny and Luna would both be finishing their educations as well. While at the castle though Hermione would be incredibly busy between starting her starting both her transfiguration and charms masteries as well as her animagus training with McGonagall while she completed her seventh year.
Minerva and Hermione were in the girls dorm restoring Minerva's original bit of handy work with the sliding staircase that, to Hermione's surprise, had only been put in place a half decade before she herself had arrived at Hogwarts. The pair had just finished the last piece of a rather tricky bit of transfiguration (Minerva's doing) combined with a complex charm that only Hermione and about three of the teachers would be able to cast successfully that had to be cast simultaneously so that it would be virtually irremovable. At least for everyone excluding herself and McGonagall.
Hermione had been the one that had pushed for them to tell this group of eight people who would be privy to their secret and help them hide it until Hermione left her seventh year of schooling and completed her masteries.
The small group of friends gathered in the common room at nine shifting two couches and a loveseat into a triangular shape and took their respective seats. Filius, Pomona, and Poppy took a seat on one couch and Harry, Ginny, Neville, Luna, and Rolanda all piled on the other one, Harry and Neville holding their girlfriends on their laps and Rolanda contently sitting at the far end where the ends of the couches met. All of their heads turned toward the staircase as they heard the sound of two people making their way down from the girl's dormitories.
Hermione made it down first giving a demure smile to the bunch and greeting them with a small shy wave. Minerva wasn't far behind her in her cat form slinking down behind the young girl until she reached the bottom of the stairs when she shot forward jumping over the back of the loveseat, changing midair, and landing gracefully on the cushions legs crossed and not a hair out of place. A murmuring of 'hello's and 'hi's in reply from the group as Hermione took a seat next to Minerva, immediately grabbing for the older witches hand.
After a small, pregnant pause Ginny asked the question on everybody's mind, "Professor no disrespect but, why the bloody hell are we all here?"
"Miss Weasley you are all gathered here because it is the only room I can guarantee we'll not be interrupted or walked in on while Hermione and I tell you a few bits of, to put it most accurately, shocking information with you. I believe that it is best to show you a wee secret I've been hiding for the last five decades. I'm not exactly as old as I look. In fact I'm not even half as old as I look. As you all know wizards age half as fast as muggles do, with the exception of me. I had a rather unfortunate spell put on me by Dumbledore whilst he was very inebriated and the effects of the spell are better understood when seen," with that she stood and motioned to Hermione who raised her wand and whispered Aparecium. Magic shimmered around Minerva and glowed white for a few seconds until the Minerva they knew no longer stood in front of them and in her place she stood a thirty year old Minerva McGonagall.
"As you can see he did a rather interesting bit of work and only told me the remedy to the spell. I had to find my true love before I could age again so for the last half century I have been stuck as a thirty year old woman never growing older but staying completely aware of the time that was passing. Three months ago I began aging again. Needless to say Miss Granger is to blame."
"I had always felt a little pull towards Minerva but it wasn't until I saw her take off the charms that I figured out why and that was only because of a note I had found in my transfiguration textbook from Dumbledore proclaiming, in short, that someone I thought I knew held a secret and only once I got the truth would my feeling make an appearance. Well they most certainly did and after a serious amount of back and forth on the matter we have decided to give it a go."
Everyone in the group let out a collective sigh before saying altogether, "It's about damn well time!"
"Hermione you've carried a torch for McGonagall since third year," added Harry.
"And Minerva you were a wreck the entire time they were on the run," continued poppy as the rest of the group nodded their heads in agreement.
Hermione laughed as she thought about the look on Minerva's face as she finished pulling on her dark washed jeans that had grown loose since then. That year and the one following it had been rough and tiring and often extremely tense. Hermione had stopped staying in her dorm midway through her seventh year during the Christmas holidays and had taken to staying with Minerva though nothing more than snogging happened at Minerva's insistence. By the end of her last year at Hogwarts she had completed her animagus training and had moved the majority of her things from the head girl's room to Minerva's chambers.
Hermione sighed as she thought about her year at the university in London, or as Harry called it, her so busy she forgot to eat year. She and Minerva had exchanged messages throughout the day using enchanted mini quills that would write whatever the other wrote on a piece of parchment almost like texting and had chatted through a two way mirror when they had the time. Hermione had even spent her Christmas holiday at McGonagall Manor with Minerva. Even with all of these ways to stay in touch and connected the couple felt it awful to be separated.
Hermione walked down the hall into the headmistress' office and held out her arms for the cat to jump onto before turning and apperating into a secluded part of the park across from her parent's house. After a short little jaunt of a walk from the park she was standing on her parent's doorstep, a silvery grey colored tabby cat pacing at her feet.
"Stop pacing. Just relax," the tabby looked up at her, its green eyes attempting to bore holes in her head, "Relax love. You know this would have been a fair bit easier if you had just come as your normal self. Now my parents are going to ask why I have a cat that isn't Crookshanks."
The cat just huffed and sat down next to the bushy haired girl, leaning on the young woman's leg. With a sigh Hermione pressed the doorbell, startling the cat as the door was opened just seconds later and her girl was pulled into a firm hug by an older looking muggle wearing what Hermione had explained were called scrubs. The man pulled back and went to assess his daughter when he noticed the cat with odd spectacle like markings around its eyes.
"Well who is this little cutie?" He asked, making a move to grab the slim cat. The tabby immediately jumped away, hissing her displeasure at the thought of anyone other than Hermione picking her up. The man looked at his daughter silently questioning why she had brought this less than friendly cat instead of crookshanks with her.
"I'm sure she will offer her apologies once we get inside. She just refuses to be held by anyone other than myself," said the young witch as she walked past her father followed closely by the cat, "Min, you can go up to my room and change. It's the second door to the left upstairs. Washrooms attached if you want to freshen up."
With that the lithe cat dashed up the stairs.
"'Mione, why are you talking to the cat like it's a person?" questioned Hermione's mum as she walked into the living room.
"Because she is an animagus and would not be amused in the slightest if I was to speak to her as though I didn't know. She is like me. Only difference her build is a bit more like a tabby's."
As if hearing the conversation turning toward her a woman who appeared to be in her mid-thirties came striding down the stairs silently, even in her heeled boots. Hermione watched as her love walked down the steps, her long ebony hair flirting with the top of her barley there hips and well-rounded bum with her body encased in a pair of snug jeans and a white button down that had the first two buttons undone hinting at her cleavage.
"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Granger. I apologize for my less than decorous behavior at the door Mr. Granger but for future reference whilst I am in cat form please do not try and touch me," stated Minerva as she moved to sit beside the young witch on the love seat across from Hermione's parents.
Hermione instantly grasped the hand that was resting comfortably against her outer thigh and pulled it up into her lap.
"Mom, Dad I have great news. I have taken a job at Hogwarts and a very nice place to stay during break. Seeing as I am moving in with someone I figured I should probably let you meet the woman I'm moving in with. Guys, meet the love of my life Minerva McGonagall."
The Grangers were taken aback by the name. McGonagall had been a name often mentioned in their daughter's letters home during her time at Hogwarts but then it had only been as professor or headmistress and never Min or Minerva.
"Hermione, are you in love with your former professor?" asked Mrs. Granger in a semi hysterical voice as she fell onto her husband.
Hermione squeezed her loves hand a little bit tighter before squeaking out an affirmative answer. Minerva could feel the tension rolling off Hermione as the young woman kept a solid grip on her hand and wanted nothing more than to push her down onto the small couch and kiss her till she couldn't remember her name let alone debate whether her parents approved. Unfortunately she couldn't so she settled for gently stroking her loves arm in an attempt to calm her.
"Mr. and Mrs. Granger I understand that this is a very large shock to you both and quite possibly seems as though I have taken advantage of your daughter. While I can assure I have not I highly doubt that you will believe me. We didn't mean to end up in a relationship but we will not give up what we have. Your daughter and I agreed before we came that we weren't going to let you views on our relationship change our plans," said Minerva in a firm tone.
"I can't believe you are sleeping with your former professor Hermione! And a female one no less!" Mr. Granger screamed in outrage at his daughter and suddenly with a soft whoosh in her palm was a silky, fluffy, little brownish blond paw.
A tiny cat streaked across the room followed closely by a blur of grey. The littler cat ran up the first and second flight of stairs and right out of the attic through window onto the roof of the two story house. Once she was in her favorite spot she changed back to her normal human body wrapped her arms around her knees and started to sob.
Green cat eyes took in the heart breaking sight of her love curled in on herself in a tight ball crying her eyes out, hair ruffled by the breeze, as she sat on the shingled sloped seat facing a dozen other suburban cookie cutter houses. The cat slicked out and started rubbing her head against Hermione's side, purring as she did. Hermione grabbed her, clutching to her desperately as salty tears flowed from her hazel brown eyes.
After a time Hermione's sobs quieted and her hold on the tabby let up enough that Minerva could press her little cat mouth to Hermione's soft lips, her pale pink sandpaper younger lapping at Hermione's full glossy lips in a kiss like gesture. Once she finished she pulled her grey head back, gave Hermione a look that said she loved her, and ran back into the attic to change.
Now a human Minerva retuned to Hermione's side taking a seat beside her.
Hermione t'will be alright. If you want we can go back to the manor," Hermione shook her head, "How bout we go back inside then 'Mione?" Hermione nodded as she buried her head into Minerva's neck allowing the surprisingly strong older woman lift her and carry her down the stairs. Hermione knew the strength came from the few years that Minerva had spent as a seeker for her national team of Scotland and the exercise she got as a cat but it still amazed her.
Minerva carried the young woman bridal style effortlessly and realized that her love had lost a significant amount of weight during her last year of schooling. Slowly she glided down the stairs just as silently as before. Hermione clutched onto the back of her neck unable to let go or to stop inhaling Minerva's slightly spicy and very comforting scent. As the witch stepped down onto the level floor of the living room her green orbs focused on the jutting hips that were very visible in the new position. They would be having a discussion about her eating habits soon, as soon as they got home.
As they ventured a little farther into the room Minerva took the arm she had under Hermione's legs and moved it to the other side of her tiny waist gently setting her on the ground. The clump of her heavy boots on the wood floor startled the Grangers who snapped their heads around and watched as Hermione swayed as soon as Minerva loosened her grip on her. Minerva immediately pulled Hermione back into her body supporting the majority of her weight and letting the small witch's head fall into the crook of her neck.
"'Mione when was the last time you ate?" asked Minerva in a whisper.
"I don't know Minerva. Maybe yesterday morning. I lost track of time studying for my exams."
"Ok honey I think it's time to go back to the manor."
"But Min, I wanna get this over with."
"Dearie, you need a bit of rest before we finish this. It's going to be just fine but you won't be if you keep doing this," she said ending their whispered conversation before saying to the Grangers, "Unfortunately we must depart." Her piece said Minerva apperated to the lobby of their manor and was greeted by Winky who instantly transported them to Minerva's room.
"Winky if you would, please put some vegetable broth in the fridge and then go back to Hogwarts to see that baby of yours," said Minerva as she laid Hermione down on top of the fluffy white comforter that covered a moderately sized queen mattress. Hermione slumped back onto the downy pillows at the head of the bed her top riding up to show her emaciated torso. Each of her ribs showed with disturbing clarity, her stomach was sunken in, and her skin had turned a pale white that matched the comforter.
"Min, come lay with me?" said Hermione her voice soft as she weakly patted the bed beside her.
"Sure thing sweetie, just let me grab a blanket first." Minerva spun around, moving away from the bed and over to the dark cherry wood wardrobe that sat flush against the cream colored wall. The door let out a small squeak as it swung open and Minerva pulled a light gold, shimmering throw from its depths.
Minerva walked back to the bed and cautiously sat down next to the deathly thin brunette, lifting the all to light torso so that her pale cheek could rest on her warm shoulder before leaning back and throwing the blanket over booth of their still fully clothed bodies. She let her warm hand rest gently on Hermione's tense stomach, rubbing up and down, letting her hand go farther on each stroke until her fingertips started to brush gently against the gaunt woman's still full, though not as voluptuous as before, breasts. They had yet to make love or do anything more than make out whilst topless and yet they felt more physically connected than most couples did after years of having sex with each other. That however did not mean they didn't want to because they did, badly.
As they lay there Minerva couldn't help but wonder if maybe by dating Hermione she had broken the poor girl and that's why she now held an abominably slender Hermione in her arms. Or perhaps her lack of pursuit of a much more physical relationship had made Hermione think she was too fat and that for Minerva to want her she needed to be skeletal. Or even that the pressure of such a committed relationship so young had stressed her body so much that it had turned into the boney one in her arms.
"Hermione we have to talk about this," whispered Minerva.
"I don't wanna."
"What have I done that makes you think you can't talk to me? You know I love you more than anything or anyone in the world, don't you? And that nothing you can say or do other than saying you don't love me or that you no longer wish to have me will make me leave you?" asked Minerva as she twisted them both around to face each other.
"I know I can talk to you I just… it's just… I thought I was too fat before we went on the run and then we came back and I had lost a bunch of weight and everyone thought I was so gorgeous… but then I put all the weight back on and I don't know I felt like I had to be super thin like when you fell in love with me. It was stupid but you just, you're amazing and I couldn't imagine being good enough for a brilliant witch like you, that no one would ever want me… especially with this thing on my arm… "sobbed Hermione as she guided Minerva's hand to her scarred arm, to the one that read mudblood.
The tears were expected but the terrible gut wrenching sobs were not and, to Minerva's chagrin, nor was the reason. She could feel the slightly raised skin as she traced her fingertips up and down the wee lass's forearm. She could feel the letters of the word she hadn't known adorned her love.
'Oh god I did make her feel this way, I did what I said I wouldn't,' thought Minerva, 'I made her feel unwanted, like a broken toy. I broke her… but maybe I can fix her.'
"Oh Merlin Hermione. I am so sorry, I should have done something, paid more attention, come and visited you. You are gorgeous. You are absolutely perfect, no matter your size so long as you are still you and sweetie, you have no idea how much I want you…" murmured Minerva as she pressed her lips into the hollow of Hermione's throat, flicking her tongue out for a taste of the woman's skin as she grabbed one of Hermione's breasts. A gentle squeeze eliciting a delicious groan from the woman beside her, ruining her brand new silk panties as she let the arousal she almost always felt in Hermione's presence was over her. She pulled back slightly and whispered "… yet."
Minerva rolled them over to where Hermione was right underneath her, moving her lips to brush against Hermione's, a hand on either side of the bushy haired woman's head. They skipped gentle and sweet, ratcheting the kiss up to demanding as they devoured each other, moaning in tandem as Minerva manipulated the soft flesh in her hand and pinched the hard nipple. Minerva quickly grabbed Hermione's wrist, pushing the younger woman's hand under her jeans and panties toward her now sopping center until the young woman's hand was cupping her moist sex.
"Oh Min, you're so wet," purred Hermione, "is that all for me?" panting Minerva nodded feeling like she was going to come just from the girl's hand holding her sensitive lower lips. Hermione moved her hand to put a bit more pressure on the rock hard clit and Minerva barley stopped herself from following her instincts and taking the pleasure that was so blatantly being offered to her.
"Hermione are you sure? We don't have to do this right now, I just had to show you what happens to me every time you're near me," cooed Minerva softly, her voice strained as Hermione pressed the heel of her and more firmly into Minerva's mound, the older woman's arms shaking.
"What if I say I am sure? Will you make love to me?" asked Hermione as she rolled them over and moved to lay on her side, head propped up on one hand and other hand pressed firmly into Minerva's sex.
"If you're sure then yes, I will," breathed out Minerva.
"I'm sure…" whispered Hermione before she was slowly pressed onto her back by the lithe body of her love.
AN: just a quick oneshot hope you all enjoyed.