Disclaimer: Everything belongs to JK, I just borrowed some of it for a little. Some of the lines in my first chapter are directly lifted from the books - they aren't mine!

A/N Ok, this chapter is all in italics because it is all flashback, basically it's a sum up of everything that has happened so we can get on with the present story. I pretty much ignored HPB & DH so don't flame me for inaccuracy! As I said, It's MM/HG, I'm sure you're all tired of this being said but here it is: don't like, don't read. Enjoy!

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The door swung open at once. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green stood there. She had a very stern face and Hermione's first impression was nothing like Harry's. He saw someone not to cross. She saw the most beautiful, enchanting woman she had ever laid eyes on. Her hair, even though it was pulled back into a tight bun, looked elegant and well-conditioned. Her eyes were a wonderful, vibrant green and reminded Hermione of freshly cut grass, one of her favourite things.

She was tall and slim, her robes covered her well but Hermione got the impression that the body beneath was well sculpted. The first years followed Professor McGonagall into a small chamber near the Great Hall. Everyone was silent.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall.

Though this was addressed to the entire group, it was still the first time she spoke to Hermione and she will not forget it. She remembers how those wonderful eyes ran over the entire year, taking in everyone's appearance, Hermione watched her in awe.

She couldn't have been happier to be sorted into Gryffindor, Professor McGonagall's House. Although, she was immediately unpopular amongst her peers, she just couldn't seem to care too much. Professor McGonagall took an instant liking to the girl; she was intelligent, mature and keen to improve. In essence, the perfect student.

Hermione can recall the first time she saw McGonagall smile. When she managed to turn her matchstick into an almost-needle, Professor McGonagall had given her a proud smile as though to say 'yes, this girl is in my House.' Hermione committed that smile to memory, determined to make her dear Professor smile many more times.

She did, however, get upset when she overheard Ron saying "It's no wonder no one can stand her, she's a nightmare, honestly." This, despite what people assumed, was only slightly to do with the fact Ron and Harry didn't like her and mostly to do with the fact that maybe that's how Professor McGonagall saw her. An annoying little know-it-all.

The fact that Ron and Harry made friends with her gave her hope, maybe Professor McGonagall would like her too. Sure, it had taken the defeat of a mountain troll for them to give her a chance but it was better than nothing. She didn't ever tell them how she felt about their Transfiguration Professor, she didn't tell anyone. How could she? It wasn't exactly something a lot of people could understand.

So she studied. As hard as she could, as often as she could. True, she loved to learn anyway but maybe if she learnt enough Professor McGonagall would notice her. Besides, what else could she do? She had nothing else to offer.

Every year saw Hermione coming top at the end of year exams but it wasn't enough for the young girl, she knew she still wasn't good enough for her beloved Professor. She stayed up late every night to study and woke up early every morning to do the same.

The hardest time for Hermione was during her OWLs, namely the Astrology exam. The pain of watching the love of your life nearly dying at the hands of evil Ministry workers and complete idiots in your own year is indescribable. She had been helpless but unable to look away.

Needless to say, Hermione cried herself to sleep. She wouldn't cry in front of her friends but went to bed early and used a spell which she discovered at the Quidditch World Cup so that if anyone came near her bed, with the intention of seeing her, they would immediately remember that they had to do something else. It kept her safe but she didn't care about that, she wanted her Professor to be safe!

The end of Hermione's seventh year at Hogwarts was approaching. She didn't want to leave - she may never see her Professor again. There was a month left and the NEWTs were to start in a few days. She had passed her Apparation test first try and was now working on becoming an Animagus. She was the most talented witch of her age and now she was an adult. She was going to be a researcher for the Ministry but she very much hoped to go back to Hogwarts one day, as Professor Granger.

She knew it was ridiculous for her to have been in love at the tender age of eleven but there was no other possible explanation. Now that she was seventeen, she was even more certain of her feelings. She loved Minerva McGonagall with all her heart.

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Minerva McGonagall is not best pleased. Not pleased at all. The reason is quite simple. Or not simple at all, depending on which way you look at it. She is in love; simple. With a woman; simple albeit somewhat unconventional. She is a student; complicated.

Of course, she didn't love her from the first time she saw her. The girl was only eleven after all! But she did care for her very much. She was a wonderful student but she was also a true friend, a great listener and completely trustworthy though Minerva had initially seen this from how she treated her peers.

The student in question is obviously a Miss Hermione Jean Granger.

Minerva can remember Hermione's second year at Hogwarts. And that awful business with the basilisk. She can remember Albus coming towards her, his usually sparkling eyes grave. She knew something had happened, another attack? Had someone died?

He laid a hand on her shoulder and told her. There had been an attack. They were petrified. It was Miss Granger. Minerva felt as though her stomach had been ripped out. Her beloved student, petrified. She had nearly died! She held back the tears as much as she could but even the cold-hearted Professor McGonagall had to cry sometimes.

She couldn't remember a happier time than when Hermione had woken up and the first person she looked for had been herself. She had smiled and Hermione smiled back, they both knew everything would be ok.

Her feelings began to change when Hermione entered her sixth year. She had missed her favourite student over the long holidays and when she returned… well, Minerva noticed how much she had grown. Her intelligence had sky-rocketed but her physical development could certainly not be ignored.

She didn't realise how her feelings had changed until she had a rather… interesting dream about her. At first, she had just thought that they would be very close friends but even close friends didn't do the things Minerva dreamt about. The things she knew she wanted to do. She knew it was wrong and that she had to stop but she was in love. She was in love.

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A/N Ok, so tell me what you think! I've never attempted this pairing before but it's one of my favourites to read. I know this chapter isn't wonderfully interesting but I felt it was necessary and I promise that the flashbacks are over and done with now! ALso, I know it's a bit short but I intend to add a fair few more chapters so bear with me!