This is my answer to the challenge posted on the HG/MM Fan Club facebook page by MegaNerdAlert. Thank you for the idea, for your patience and for Beta reading. This story would not have been written without you, Jen! Nor would it or its characters exist without the Magic given to us by J.K Rowling. Thank you!
Chapter one
The grass made a soft squishing sound every time she put her foot down; it felt like walking on a sponge. It had been raining nonstop for the past six days, and the Hogwarts grounds were soaked beyond what it could absorb. If the rain didn't stop soon it would flood the lower areas. Her shoes were filled with water, her hair was plastered to her head and the robes hung heavy over her shoulders, the bottom dragging over the muddy ground.
She walked slowly and deliberately on though, oblivious to the discomfort of being wet and cold. As she reached a top she could look over to the black lake. The large marble tomb stood there, silent. Fawkes had stopped singing now. The only sound she could hear was the heavy rain. The white marble reflected the dark skies and the water, and shone in a strange, blueish light. The tomb too was wet, off course, but the water easily peeled off it in streams, and only made it twinkle slightly.
She felt another pang of regret for the man resting inside it. Such a loss not only for the school, but for the wizarding world and the Light in its fight against the Dark. She felt empty and alone. How could she possibly grasp this impossible task he had left her with? She turned and walked on, towards the edge of the forest, where an irregularity in the grass was the only evidence of anything out of the ordinary. In a small square, just beyond the trees, the grass looked completely dry. If any other person stepped on it they would find it just as wet as the rest, though. She walked right on to the edge of the grass square and reached out her hand. A door swung open, and she walked inside, dropping the cloak unceremoniously on the floor behind her, as the door shut itself. She glanced at her reflection as she passed a mirror, and shuddered.
"Really Minerva, you have to get a grip on yourself" she said to the empty room. The cabin was small, but cozy. She had started coming here a few days after Dumbledore's death, when all the other teachers had left for the summer. The castle felt too large and empty. Minerva had never been afraid of the dark, but the darkness and silence of the one lonely night she spent in the Headmistress' quarters had made her skin crawl.
The cabin was on the other hand built just for one. There was a small open kitchen and living area, with a fire place, a small white eating table with chairs, a cozy red stuffed chair with a matching sofa and tea table, and a large oak desk in one corner. It also had a bedroom with a large king size bed, and a small bathroom with a tub. She slumped over to the sofa, intended on making a cup of tea in a little while. She would just rest her eyes for a second or two. Her eyes closed as she lent deep into the sofa. She fell asleep almost immediately.
The body was still on the ground under the Astronomy tower. Harry Potter sat next to him, tears running down his face. The students had started to gather around him, and the teachers. She felt people standing close but didn't see anyone. Her eyes were on him: her friend, her mentor. The legend that had been Albus Dumbledore was now lying crumpled on the ground, an empty shell.
Harry didn't move for a long time, then a girl with long red hair came forward and gently took his hand, leading him away. She looked familiar, Minerva knew she knew that girl, but at this moment she couldn't place anyone in her brain.
Slowly she stepped forward, cautiously, as if approaching a fierce, deadly animal. After what felt like a mile, which in reality was only a few steps, she stood there over him. He looked peaceful. He could be sleeping. Except for the twisted limbs. The pale face. The ruffled hair and beard. And suddenly he didn't look asleep at all. Just dead. He looked just dead, and nothing else. And as that fact hit her, as reality smashed her every small hope that this was not real, the world collapsed.
Her knees gave way, and she crumbled to the ground next to him, covering his chest with her upper body. She felt her body start shake uncontrollably, as the tears started pouring from her eyes. Her lungs contracted painfully, she felt like she couldn't breathe, and as she heaved for air her voice came out as rasping, desperate sobs. In the distance she heard a familiar voice herding the students back inside. She felt movement behind her, and could sense someone walking slowly to her right side and kneel beside her.
Her body tensed up, preparing to discard the hand that was surely to touch her back. She knew it must be one of the staff coming to tell her to get a grip, to become Headmistress McGonagall. Then a hand did indeed touch her, though not her back. A small hand, much smaller than hers, covered her right hand, while another other arm gently wrapped itself around her waist. The smell of sweet perfume tingled in her nostrils. It smelled of fresh parchment and roses, and the hand covering hers was warm and gentle.
The girl next to her said nothing, she just pulled her close and held her tight, and Minerva felt herself sink into the girl's side, letting the girl comfort her. They sat like that for what might have been hours might have been days, or it might have been just seconds. Finally the sobbing was reduced to heavy breathing, the tears was just dry, salty streaks on her face. The arm holding her slacked for a moment, the girl leaned back and regained balance.
Minerva felt the hand in hers give a small pull, and she stood up, instantly towering over the smaller figure next to her. She felt cold and empty now that the arm that had held her was gone. The feeling was short lived though, as the arm returned, and the girl started walking them both towards the castle. Minerva's legs responded to the light pressure, and carried her body with surprising ease up all the stairs to the hospital wing.
She was pushed into a chair and given a strong drink. The only thing she was aware of was that the hand in hers was gone, and that the warmth of the girl holding her was missing. She felt a need she had never felt before. She needed to be held. Not by anyone. Only by her. She desperately needed her to be close. Then the drink in her hand became replaced with another, the new drink tasted sweet and warm, and her eyes flittered instantly close.
And as they did so the eyes of the woman in the cabin flew open. She had had this dream every time she fell asleep for the past week. She decided that she could not stand it anymore. She had spent the past two years suppressing her growing feelings for that girl, and just as she felt she could control those feelings this had happened. Minerva stood up and rushed out of the cabin, towards the gates of Hogwarts. The second she was out of the boundaries she disapparated. She had to talk to Hermione Granger. Now.
There was a loud crack as Minerva apparated into this particular street for the second time in her life. It had been six years almost to the date since she first stepped up to the small house in the end of the street to speak to the Grangers for the first time, and deliver Hermione's letter. She hadn't been nervous that time. This time she was. She took a deep breath, and knocked the door. After a few seconds she heard a familiar voice call "I'll get it!" from inside, and felt her stomach lurch.
The door opened to reveal Hermione's surprised face. "Professor?"
Minerva twitched uncomfortably. "Miss Granger. May I come in?"
Hermione frowned. "I think…" she answered carefully "that I should check your identity first?"
Minerva smiled at that, and nodded.
"What did you give me for Christmas in my first year?" the girl asked.
Minerva smiled again and answered. "A small, beaded bag. Now I suppose it's my turn? What shape does your patronus take?"
"An otter," Hermione stated simply, and opened the door to admit the Headmistress.
After a polite handshake and a few words with Hermione's parents Minerva followed Hermione into her bedroom to talk. Hermione motioned for Minerva to sit in the chair by the desk, while she seated herself leg crossed on the bed, looking curious but confident. "So, why are you here, Professor?"
Minerva took this moment to realize that she had absolutely no plan on what to say. She had simply left Hogwarts in a hurry, because of a need to see and speak to Hermione, and she had not thought for second about exactly what to say.
That she was thankful for the kindness shown on the day Albus died? That she had an indescribable need to hold her close and be held back? Or that she had realized that her fondness for her was not just that of a teacher's favoritism of a student, but something deeper, something personal?
The girl was no more than seventeen, for Merlin's sake, and she wasn't even sure exactly what she felt. Only that being close to her felt good and natural, and the fact that the situation was as it was now she would have to see Hermione sooner rather than later. She decided on a subtle approach.
"I wanted to talk to you about your last year at Hogwarts," she started, knowing that Hermione would realize that this was not at all the whole truth, as this could easily have been written in a letter. "The ministry is probably infiltrated by now, and it's just a matter of time before they fall completely. If, in the worst case, Voldemort gets control over the ministry, some students will be in immediate danger. You and Mr. Potter are obvious targets; he for being Harry Potter, and you for being his highly intelligent muggleborn friend."
She stopped to look at Hermione, who looked completely calm back at her. "What I'm trying to say is that I want to have a plan for how to hide you if this happens," she continued.
Hermione smiled and nodded. "I appreciate the concern, Minerva, but neither Harry, Ron nor I intend to return to Hogwarts this fall," she stated simply.
Minerva gasped. "But you have to!" she said desperately, standing up. "It's not safe for you anywhere else. You have to keep safe!"
She felt panicky; she could not stand the thought of not having Hermione at Hogwarts the next year, and had unconsciously started to pace the room. Hermione just smiled, then stood up and walked over to her, took her hand and made her sit next to her on the bed.
"It's ok, we have a plan. Sort of. I'm afraid I can't tell you more than that, but Dumbledore gave us a job to do, and we will follow that plan. As a matter of fact I could really need your help though. I need to keep my parents safe, and I have a thought for how to do so, but I don't think I have the skill to make it on my own."
While she was talking Hermione had held her hand on Minerva's thigh, stroking her right knee in a comforting way. Minerva tried very hard not to think about how amazing it felt to have Hermione touch her like that, but kept focused on what the girl was saying. A plan? Dumbledore's plan? Oh, what had the old bat told the three students to make them think about leaving school? Hermione of all people!
She shook her hanging head, and then looked at Hermione. "I will help you, in whatever it is you need, but then I wish for something in return."
Hermione's earnest, brown eyes didn't falter, her gaze steady, but she silently cocked one eyebrow, making Minerva swallow hard before continuing. "I wish you to come back to Hogwarts with me, and stay there this summer, so that I can help you in any way possible to survive the times that lie ahead."
Hermione broke into a huge grin and nodded. "I can do that! In fact, I would need somewhere safe to stay the next few weeks, as my plan includes making my parents leave the country for some time."
The girl had squeezed Minerva's thigh as she stood up, and was already waving her wand around the room, causing books, clothes and several assorted items to soar through the air, shrink and disappear into the small beaded bag Minerva recognized as the very same she had bought the girl for Christmas so many years ago.
Then, Hermione filled her in on her plan to hide her parents. Minerva was shocked to say the least, and tried to protest. Hermione simply explained how it was a good plan, how it was the safest thing to do, why her parents shouldn't be forced to live in a secure wizarding location, and finally that Minerva technically had already agreed to help her. In the end Minerva just sat on the bed feeling dumbstruck, preparing herself for the task ahead.
It was not simple magic, it was highly dangerous to perform such complex memory charms, but she was confident that she would be able to do it. She would have to teach Hermione how to undo the memory charms over the summer, in case she herself was… well, unavailable.
She felt a familiar tingling sensation in her stomach thinking about what would come next. Hermione would come to Hogwarts with her. They went down stairs together, and Minerva performed the spells without further ado. Hermione had been specific in this, she didn't want to linger or postpone this, and was ready to leave immediately so that her parents didn't see her after being obliviated. Minerva grabbed Hermione's hand, gave it a reassuring squeeze and they diapparated.
They apparated to the same spot Minerva had left only an hour or so earlier. Hermione was in tears, having just seen her parents for, possibly, the last time. Minerva was holding her in a comforting embrace, slowly leading her through the gates and to the edge of the forest.
It wasn't until she reached the edge of the dry-looking square that she realized that she might not be able to bring Hermione with her inside. The girl hadn't said anything as Minerva led her away from the castle and towards the forest, but she must have realized by now that they weren't heading for the comfort of Gryffindor tower. By the look of her she could not see the cabin, though, as her eyes were flittering between the different trees behind it.
Tentatively Minerva reached out her hand, and the door swung open to admit them. Hermione looked highly surprised, and so she obviously could see in through the open door. Minerva gave a relived sigh, and stepped inside, leading the girl behind her by the hand. As soon as they both were inside the door swung shut again.
Hermione walked around in the cabins living area, looking with wonder at the place. Minerva gestured for her to sit down, and made them both a cup of tea before starting to explain.
"This cabin has been here for decades, I'm not sure who built it in the first place. It is enchanted to be visible only to the head of Hogwarts. Not just the official head, but the person Hogwarts recognizes as headmaster or mistress. I saw it for the first time myself only days ago. When Dumbledore died I became Headmistress, and thus I can see the cabin.
It serves as a refuge should the situation be that the Headmaster or Headmistress wrongly be taken away from the school. That way he or she can remain within the school boundaries and thus keep an eye on things. You might remember that Professor Dumbledore was dismissed by the board of Governors in your second year, but only because Lucius Malfoy had forced them to do so. Albus hid himself here, and was able to continue his protection of the students. And when Dolores Umbridge and her band of decrees sought to arrest him only last year he was taken here by Fawkes.
The cabin is only visible to the Head of Hogwarts, but the tradition is that the knowledge of its existence is passed to the Deputy. That way at least two people know where the cabin is.
It might be that the door can be opened if someone who can't see it knows exactly where it is. I want to try that with you tomorrow, if you don't mind. I have experimented a bit, but I'm not sure what will happen if I go outside while you remind inside. The house elves can be summoned here when I'm already here, but they cannot apparate into it if I'm outside it, even if they have been inside before. I tried to leave while the elf named Dowy stayed inside, and that went perfectly fine."
Hermione looked horrified at the thought of experimenting with house elves.
"Oh, don't worry, I ordered him to go back to the kitchens if he didn't see me within five minutes; his magic would have saved him," Minerva explained.
Hermione eyed her with some continued suspicion, but said nothing.
"I am alone in the castle now, but I never know when someone might return. If that someone is Severus or anyone else connected to Lord Voldemort I wouldn't want them to know you are here. That's why I want to find out if you can use the cabin even if I'm not in it with you." She finished speaking, and they sat in silence for a while. She was surprised that the usually curious girl didn't ask any questions, but then again, she had had quite a rough evening.
Just as Minerva was about to propose that they turned in for the night Hermione yawned and stretched. It was close to two o clock in the morning, and they really ought to get some sleep.
Minerva smiled and pointed at the bedroom door. "The bedroom is in there," she said. "I'll be here if you need anything."
Hermione looked at the door, then back at Minerva, confused. "Aren't you going to bed?" she asked.
Minerva looked into those stunningly beautiful brown eyes, and shook her head, smiling. "I planned to sleep on the sofa tonight," she answered, even if her whole body screamed for her to just run into that bedroom, "and if it works out with you being able to get in on your own I think I could sleep in the castle."
Hermione looked at her for a long time, then she smiled. "I don't think you should," she said. "Come and sleep in the bed with me." She walked to the bedroom and peeked inside. "It's huge! Besides, I don't want to be alone." She made a puppy dog face and pouted her lips.
Minerva could have been knocked dead to the ground by the look she was receiving, and didn't dare herself to speak. She knew she should refuse. She knew that her growing feelings for the girl would cause her to lie awake half the night just staring at her. But she couldn't. The heart was winning the battle big time, with the brain not even trying to argue against it. Hermione's eyes were warm and honest as they met hers, and she simply couldn't say no.
She nodded slowly, and received a huge grin in return. Hermione's eyes were suddenly sparkling with something more than glee. Mischief? As if she knew about Minerva's silent battle with her own emotions. But there was no way the girl knew how Minerva felt. Was there?
In the end Minerva found herself next to the sleeping form of Hermione. The girl had fallen asleep after mere seconds, and Minerva was trying to get comfortable without moving around too much. The bed was in fact huge, there was a good meter separating their bodies. Hermione's steady breathing was hypnotic to Minerva's ears, and she was really tired. After only a short while she drifted off to sleep.
Minerva woke at some point in the middle of the night with a bad feeling something was wrong. She turned to look at Hermione, and found the bed empty. She sat bolt upright and looked around. The room was very dark, but many years as a cat Animagus had given her a good night vision.
The room was indeed empty, but the bedroom door was open. She jumped out of bed and half sprinted towards the door. Just as she reached the door frame she tripped on something on the floor. Not able to regain balance she fell face forward out through the door. She managed to catch herself in mid fall and avoided hurting herself badly, even though she landed flat on the floor. Looking around from floor height her brain made several startling discoveries at the same time.
For one, Hermione was there, and she was alone. She was currently standing on the small tea table, on her toes, trying to reach something over her head. Secondly the said girl was completely naked. This would explain the night gown and underwear that had wrapped itself around Minerva's ankles, causing her to trip.
She stacked herself upright, and stared at Hermione open mouth. "Hermione! What are you doing?!" she finally blurted out. The girl turned her head slowly to look at her, and then continued to reach for absolutely nothing.
Minerva took a step closer. "Hermione!" she said again "Are you alright?" She was worried now, Hermione's eyes were blank and unfocused, and when she had looked at Minerva it was as if she had looked straight through her.
Minerva was seriously wondering whether the girl could be cursed. Slowly she reached out a hand, and touched Hermione's arm. She tried very hard not to look at Hermione's bare chest, but when she touched the warm skin she felt herself blush madly.
The girl made absolutely no notice of her touch; she simply stated "I will just pick one more dirigible plum, and then we should all play some chess."
Minerva blinked. Huh? Plums? Her brain ticked very fast, trying to make sense of this. Just as she decided to find her wand and check for curses Hermione gave a loud snore, sounding very much like a large pig.
Minerva's eyes widened, and then she started laughing. Hermione wasn't cursed at all. She was asleep! Gently Minerva led the girl by the hand down from the tea table, again highly aware of Hermione's naked glory.
In theory she guessed she could just lead the girl back into the bedroom and Hermione would just sleep on, but she really could not expect to get any more sleep herself if Hermione was sleeping naked! She decided to wake her up instead, and gently spoke Hermione's name while looking around the room for anything to wrap around this Goddess of and eye catcher. She noticed an old quilt hanging over the stuffed chair.
Minerva quickly threw the quilt around Hermione's shoulders, covering her up down to her knees. Hermione closed her eyes, then opened them, and blinked several times, taking in her surroundings. She had the unfocused look of someone just waking up after being in very deep sleep.
Minerva still stood holding the quilt closed over Hermione's chest, not daring to let go before the girl was able to hold it herself. "Where…" Hermione finally found her consciousness and looked around the room, then at Minerva's concerned, flushed face. "What happened?" she asked.
Then the girl looked down at herself, obviously reaching a few conclusions. She was naked, except for the quilt, which Minerva was holding. Minerva could see the red color creeping up the girls face as realization clearly hit her; if Minerva was holding the quilt now, then no one had held it in the first place. Hermione quickly grabbed hold of the quilt, causing Minerva to withdraw her hand so fast she might have been burned.
"I… You were sleep walking…" she said, stupidly.
"Oh," Hermione answered awkwardly. "I don't think I've done that for quite some time…" She was regaining her composure faster than Minerva, who was still blushing madly. "I hope what you saw won't give you nightmares." She blurted out with a wink, causing Minerva to look dumbstruck.
"I… I… I…" the Headmistress stuttered, eyes wide. "If everything is fine, I'll go back to bed!" she said in a very high pitched voice, and turned hastily back to the bedroom. Just as she reached the door she stumbled in Hermione's bed clothes again, though managed to stay on her feet this time. Behind her she heard Hermione giggle madly. Minerva felt her own blush would probably burn a hole through the sheets.
I'll be happy for any reviews you might have! Chapter two is in the making.
- K