Hidden and forbidden
"I guess you don't even care if we would ever see each other again?!"
Minerva McGonagall just stared at the young woman standing, almost shaking, in front of her. But Hermione Granger never let her professor have a chance to answer.
She was so tired. So utterly tired of the feelings she had constantly been keeping bottled up inside her for the past two years. In four days she would graduate from Hogwarts School of Wichcraft and Wizardy, and then it would be over. In a way her life would be over. She would have to part, probably forever, from this magnificent woman in front of her, and she wasn't sure if her heart could ever be healed again after that. And the worst part was that now, after seven years of constantly growing friendship, it seemed to Hermione that Minerva didn't even care.
"You don't care what happens to me from now on!"
Finally Minerva found her speech.
"Of course I care and of course we can keep in touch with each other" she managed.
But Hermione didn't hear Minerva. She only heard the screaming in her heart and only saw her own feelings, and suddenly she decided it didn't matter. If they never saw each other again, then what was the point of keeping her feelings so tightly bottled up? And so, she let the corkscrew pop open.
"You wouldn't even care if I told you how much I love you!" she almost screamed.
There. She had said it. The words she had promised herself never ever would leave her lips.
As she realized what she had done the panic overwhelmed her and she ran. Out the door, down the stairs and out over the bridge leading to Hagrid's hut. Luckily, most students and staff where relaxing in the warmth of the Sunday sun and Hermione never had to be seen by anyone. In the stairs leading down towards Hagrid's hut she lost her footing, stumbled to the ground and rolled the last few meters. Catching her breath for a moment she felt her tears burn. It wasn't until she reached her favorite spot by the rocky lakeshore that she let her tears take over and she broke down completely.
Back in her office Minerva was at a loss for words. Her mind raced and the thoughts seem to come all at once. Was Hermione really in love with her? For what seemed like forever Minerva had been wishing to hear exactly that. But just as the last time, over 20 years ago, she had kept her feelings for herself.
Oh yes, she had loved the ever so beautiful Flora Evelyn Howard. For seven years she had watched the incredible girl grow up to be an extraordinary woman. And for the last three years before Flora left Hogwarts, Minerva had struggled with her emotions every single day. Even more when Flora started talking to Minerva on regular basis, talking to her about boys. Never once had Minerva let her feelings be shown. But somehow Flora had known. She had never said it out loud, not exactly, but she had smiled at her professor on her last day at Hogwarts and whispered "I will miss you too". That night Minerva had cried herself to sleep.
She hadn't seen Flora since that day, but through exchanged Christmas cards they still sent to each other every year, Minerva knew Flora was married and had two kids.
On the night of crying herself to sleep, Minerva had vowed never to fall in love again. But how much can you control your own heart? From the moment Minerva had watched the beautiful eleven year old Hermione Granger smile and jump of the stool after being sorted and walk to the Gryffindor table, Minerva had known. She had known that this girl would cause her heartache.
And she had been right.
But just a moment ago, Hermione had stood here and said she loved Minerva. Could it be possible? Could the young woman actually love an old hag as herself?
Minerva stood.
There was only one way to find out. Grabbing her wand she said "Monstro Hermione". Instantly a red and silver orb around two centimeters wide shot out of her wand, hovered for a moment and then started moving towards the door. Realizing she was actually a bit nervous about learning the truth, Minerva followed the orb. Out the door, down the stairs and out over the bridge leading to Hagrid's hut. By now Minerva didn't need her wand, she knew where Hermione was. Muttered "Subsisto quaero", as the orb vanished Minerva put away her wand and headed down towards the lake where she knew was Hermione's favorite place.
Hermione's tears had stopped falling, but there were still some drying on her cheeks. Wiping her face she spotted a gray tabby cat slowly walking towards her and then stop to sit and observe her.
Realizing who it was Hermione sighed.
As the cat moved closer, Hermione turned her head to the lake.
"I can't believe I told you that" she almost whispered.
She turned back her head just in time to see the cat transform into Minerva McGonagall.
"And I can't believe you didn't' stop to let me answer you" Minerva offered.
Looking out the lake, Hermione almost smiled.
Now it was Minerva's turn to sigh.
"We need to talk about this" she slowly stated.
"There's nothing to talk about" Hermione declared without looking at Minerva.
Oh yes my dear, in fact we have a lot to talk about, Minerva thought. Slowly putting her hand on Hermione's arm she made the younger girl finally look at her.
"Yes there is", Minerva decided. "But not here and not now".
Hermione's eyes furrowed, although she didn't say anything.