Disclaimer : I do not own Harry Potter. I have just borrowed the characters and will return them unharmed when I'm done playing.

I do not had a Beta ... all mistakes are my own. If you spot any throughout this fic, please let me know and I shall change it.

A/N : I know I've not posted in a while but now I don't have school until September, I'm free to write as much as I wish, that is along as my muse stays with me Lol. I have another chapter of this written and I'm working on the 3rd chappie. I'll post one chapter a week as I'm having to write a chapter a week. I'm going to try and keep each chapter at 2,000 words or more. I'm not quite sure where I'm going with this fic.

It's set in Hermione's 7th year when Harry and Ron are looking for Horcruxs. It's AU.

Now, enough of my waffling ... on with the story!

Chapter One

Minerva McGonagall sat in the train compartment all by herself as she did at the beginning of every year, wanting to travel with her students to make sure they were all safe and well during the long journey from London to Hogsmeade. She let the words of her muggle novel roll over her as she listened to the occasional whistle of the train and the chatter of students as they walked by. As, like every other year, Minerva would have at the very least, one student who opened the door and then quickly leave. She hated being alone, but ever since Alice had passed away, she had forbidden her heart to feel any kind of emotion, that was, at least, until Miss Hermione Granger came back for her sixth year at Hogwarts. Hermione had used a time turner throughout her third year which meant that she was already seventeen and of age. She, of course was the only one besides Dumbledore that knew about Hermione's trips back in time to take all of her lessons. Minerva allowed her thoughts to slowly slip towards Hermione, as she had now become to Minerva.

Just an hour into the journey, Minerva was joined by none other than the very person of her thoughts. Minerva blushed lightly and quickly fought to keep her thoughts at bay. Hermione sat across from Minerva and pulled out a note book. Minerva smiled at the young woman and got back to reading her book, but, after half an hour of the pair trying to concentrate on what they were doing, Hermione had had enough of the pregnant silence that hung between them and took the first step to rid them of it.

"How are you, Minerva?" Hermione asked shyly, not sure what her Professor and friend would say.

"I'm good Hermione. How have you been?"

"I've been okay. Not really been doing much, spent most of my time away from my parents."

"Why's that?"

"They seem to have taken a not so good view on me being a witch. They've decided to ignore me and leave me to my own devices."

"I'm sorry, Hermione," Minerva's voice was softer than before and her eyes sparkled slightly in the light.

"It's okay. I'll manage." Hermione moved to sit next to Minerva.

"At least you've got the boys to help you out."

"I haven't seen them. Last I heard they weren't coming back this year, something to do with Dumbledore." Hermione shrugged.

"Well, there is something I can promise."

"What's that?"

"That you'll always have me," Minerva whispered.

Hermione turned and looked at her professor, well, more friend than anything else. She had hung her head and a tear slipped down her cheek unnoticed. Hermione gently put her arms around Minerva and gave her a caring hug. Oh how Hermione wished she could just kiss the woman in her arms. Unknown to her, the older witch was wishing exactly the same thing. Minerva returned the embrace and the two of them sat there together in each others arms until they heard the Trolley Lady coming down the corridor some time later.

Smiling, Minerva broke the contact, but didn't move away. She held Hermione's hand for a moment or two before letting go and picking up her two way mirror with Albus as it started to beep at her. While Minerva was talking to Albus, Hermione summoned her backpack and dug out the photo album she had been sent by Dumbledore himself. She was going to wait until they were at Hogwarts to ask Minerva about it, but she decided that it would be easier to ask her now, when nothing else could or would interrupt.

"Minerva?"

"Yes dear?"

"Professor Dumbledore sent me this a few weeks ago and I was wondering if you could tell me about it?"

"My old photo album, gosh, it's been so long since I've even looked at it, let alone gone through it." Minerva sighed, her brain busy thinking of what she could tell the beautiful young woman next to her, and also thinking up ways in which she could kill the Headmaster and get away with it. How dare he go through her personal chambers when she wasn't even any where near Hogwarts? She would defiantly be having words with him when they arrived. Hermione passed her the album and she sat and looked through it for a while, she herself remembering all the times she had spent, happy and sad with Alice. Sighing, Minerva started to give the young woman a brief but emotional explanation of the book in her hands, her fingers gently running over the wonderful golden name engraved on the hard leather cover. "This album was put together by Albus and Alice when she was diagnosed with cancer, there was nothing the healers could do for her, so a week before she passed away, she gave me this." A lone tear trailed down her high cheek bone. "Maybe one day I will tell you about Alice, but it is too fresh today. Alice wrote about each photograph underneath, you may borrow it and read through it if you wish, unless, that is, you have already done so."

"I was going to hand it back to you after the feast tonight, Minerva."

"Thank you, dear." Minerva's thoughts slid back to the days when Alice was alive.

After staying silent for almost an hour, Hermione decided to comfort the older witch next to her as she went through her precious thoughts. So, she brought her into a warm embrace and held her, whispering gently into her ear. Minerva smiled at something Hermione said and laughed at another. The mirror started to beep again, but Minerva ignored it, concentrating on Hermione instead. Hermione insisted on going to go and get changed half an hour before they arrived at the platform and Minerva reluctantly let her leave. Her thoughts started to wonder again and she desperately tried to bring them back under control. Yes, Hermione was of age, but she was still a student. She made a mental note to check the rules set out by the Ministry of Magic, Board of Governors and Albus. She had a copy of each sat in the top draw of her office desk, but all thoughts were brought back to reality when Hermione came back in and instantly crawled back into Minerva's arms. Smiling, Minerva sighed and held the young woman for what she guessed would be the first and last time.

Two hours later and the welcome feast was well on its way. Hermione was picking at her food and pushing it around her plate, trying to make it look as if she was eating. Minerva on the other hand was eating gracefully at the head table and was at the same time keeping a close eye on Hermione. When she saw that Hermione wasn't eating anything, even though everyone else was eating their puddings, she leaned over to Albus and whispered in his ear, excusing herself and Hermione from the end of the feast. He told her that he would welcome the Gryffindors and explain that something had come up. Minerva thanked him and quickly stood, she went and sat herself next to Hermione and talked to her in a whispered voice.

"Hermione, Professor Dumbledore has excused us both from the rest of the feast. Do you want to come to my chambers and talk?"

Hermione nodded and stood as did Minerva. They both walked silently through the corridors of the castle until they reached Minerva's chambers. Minerva let her in and summoned some tea and fruit for them to eat and drink. The silence between them lasted a few moments and quickly became a pregnant one.

"Hermione, you need to eat something," Minerva whispered, breaking the silence.

"I'm not hungry Minerva."

"Hermione, what's wrong? You were so happy on the train."

"I don't want to talk about it Minerva." A single tear trickled down her cheek and splashed on their joined hands.

Minerva nodded and brought Hermione into her arms and rocked her as she cried. Anything could have happened in the four hours which the pair had spent apart once they reached Hogsmeade Station. Minerva continued to whisper softly to the young woman in her arms until there was a familiar knock at her door. She carefully placed the now sleeping woman on the sofa and quickly answered the door to a beaming Albus Dumbledore.

"Albus, what are you doing here?"

"Just thought I'd pop by and see if you're okay. I didn't see Miss Granger in the common room earlier."

"I'm fine Albus." Minerva stepped back and allowed Albus into her living room where Hermione was resting.

"Is she okay, Minerva?"

"I'm not sure, Albus. I'm going to spend tomorrow with her and speak to her. Lessons don't start for another week."

"Okay, Minerva. You know where I am if you need me."

"I know, Albus," Minerva whispered as Albus brought her into a friendly hug.

"Just don't forget to take care of yourself as well, Minerva."

"I promise Albus."

"Good. And now I will bid you good night."

"Good night Albus." Minerva embraced Albus one last time before he stepped back out of her private chambers. Minerva took a seat on the edge of the sofa and gently brushed a lose lock behind Hermione's ear. Hermione smiled in her sleep and Minerva sighed. She stood, lifted Hermione into her arms and carried her to her bedroom where she transfigured her school robes into pyjamas and then went about her own bedtime routine.

The next morning, Hermione awoke to find herself in an oddly familiar bed she knew it not to be hers as there were too many windows. She stretched and stood, heading into the living room.

"Good morning Hermione."

"Morning Minerva."

"How are you feeling?"

"Okay I guess. You?"

"I'm good. What do you want to do today, Hermione?"

"Don't lessons start today?"

"No, we've got a week before they start as we a still a few Professors down."

Hermione nodded and went and sat down in front of the fire. She wasn't in the mood to talk. She wanted to stay busy but with no lessons that would mean spending time in the library even though she had read every book in the school the previous year.

Half an hour later, Minerva sat next to Hermione and held her hands.

"Talk to me Hermione."
"There's nothing wrong," Hermione whispered.

Minerva just nodded and squeezed her hand. "Come and have something to eat with me Hermione, you didn't have anything last night."

"I'm not hungry." Hermione whipped away a tear and bowed her head.

"Speak to me dear, please," Minerva pleaded. She hated seeing Hermione hurt and upset.

Hermione let a few more tears that were burning the back of her eyes slip down her cheeks slowly. "I feel so alone." Hermione went to say something else, but sobs overtook her body. Minerva held her close and whispered soothingly into her ear, making promises that she won't leave her.

They stayed in front of the fire for who knows how long. It wasn't until there was a knocking at the door did Minerva realise that it was time for lunch. Minerva stood and opened it slightly.

"Minerva, come down to the Great Hall?"

"I don't know Albus. I want to stay with Hermione."

Albus nodded. "Just make sure you both eat."

"I promise Albus."

"Good." Albus gave Minerva a friendly hug before turning and leaving for lunch.

"Is there something between you and Professor Dumbledore?" Hermione asked from her spot on the floor.

"No. I prefer women, he men." Minerva smiled. "Why?"

"Just curious."

Minerva nodded and headed to the kitchen. "Want something to eat now dear?"

"I'll try."

"That's all I ask." Minerva collected some sandwiches from the kitchen table that one of the house-elves had brought up. She passed one to Hermione who was now sat on the sofa.

"Thanks," Hermione whispered.

"Just eat what you can dear."

Hermione nodded and started to nibble on her sandwich. Minerva soon followed suit, keeping an eye on the gorgeous woman next to her.

When they had both finished their lunch, Minerva pulled the young woman into a gentle hug.

"How are you feeling now?"

"A little better."

"Want to talk?"

"What about?"

"Anything."

"How do you know if you like women or not?"

"I'm not too sure. I went out with a few boys while I was here, but it never really sparked anything for me, so I tried going out with a couple of girls. Doing that made me realise that women are what lights my fire." Hermione nodded. "Why do you ask?"

"I think I'm gay."

"Okay."

"I've been out with a couple of boys."

"Ronald and someone from Dermstrang?"

"Yes. I haven't really enjoyed either and I have feelings for someone that goes deeper than a crush ... much deeper."

"Can you tell me who she is?"

Hermione shook her head. "I just want to get back into a normal routine before I start thinking about a relationship. Besides, she wouldn't have me any way."

"I think you may be surprised."

"Maybe, but I don't want to ruin the friendship that the both of us have built up."

"Is it anyone I know?"

Hermione simply nodded and swiftly changed the topic hoping that Minerva would forget.

That night, Hermione once again fell asleep in Minerva's arms. Minerva smiled and held her close throughout the night. Both had smiles on their faces as they silently dreamed of the woman next to them.

TBC?