A.N: Sorry about the delay, this has been hard to write as most of the time I'm missing my gal - not the best frame of mind to write a sappy love story.
That said... here's the next snippet.


Hermione awoke slowly, still groggy from falling asleep on the sofa – something that she hated to do. She groaned quietly not wanting to open her eyes, one hand lifting to rub at her face. As full consciousness reluctantly reasserted itself she became aware of the weight of another person on the sofa, a gentle hand in her hair and the scent of strong freshly brewed tea in the air.

"Hey." She said sleepily, with her eyes still closed.

"Good morning." Came the reply in Minerva McGonagall's precise tones.

Somewhat panicked Hermione sat up, "What time is it?"

"Relax, it is just past midnight. I have checked and the children are fast asleep."

"Oh."

One arm wrapped around her back, pulling the younger witch against Minerva's body. Hermione's lips brushed against a soft cheek before she took the mug out of the older womans hand and brought it to her lips. She sighed in pleasure, "You make the most wonderful tea."

Minerva grazed a chestnut hairline with her own kiss before chuckling, "A lifetime of practice my dear." She buried her nose in Hermione's hair, inhaling deeply, "I apologise for being late but I got held up by the board."

"That's quite alright, I had fallen asleep in any case." The younger woman put the empty mug down on the table and pulled Minerva into a deep kiss. Warm, tender and passionate they rejoiced in being together again.

"Sorry, I know how much you hate napping on the sofa." Minerva poured them both another mug of tea. "Long day?"

"I started packing before the kids woke – it's amazing how much stuff they 'absolutely' need to take with them." She yawned, "Then I had to go to work... Then..." Another yawn.

"I really should put you to bed."

"I'll have plenty of time to catch up on my sleep over the next few days, besides I want to spend some time with you." They exchanged grins. Minerva lay back against the arm of the sofa, letting Hermione adjust herself until she was laying partly between the older womans legs and partly on top of her, feeling her stroking the chestnut curls that lay on her chest. "Did you have problems with the front door?"

"Compared to the 'plate-washing-machine' using a key was fairly easy." She paused, tightening her grip on the younger woman, "Thank you for trusting me with it."

"I wouldn't have given you a key if I hadn't wanted you to let yourself in."

Gentle lips again caressed Hermione's brow, "Have I told you how much I love you?"

The younger woman chuckled, "Actually no you haven't."

"I haven't?" Minerva repeated mock incredulously, hitting herself in the forehead with her hand. "I must have neglected to mention it."

They both laughed, "You don't still think that it will frighten me off – do you?"

"Perhaps a little."

"Minerva..." Hermione raised her head looking into emerald eyes, "I'm falling... I've fallen in love with you."

"Really?" There was a hopeful note in her voice, as though she couldn't quite believe that Hermione felt that way about her.

"Yes really! I realise that I haven't exactly shouted it from the rooftops but I thought it was pretty obvious how I feel."

Minerva wrapped her arms tighter around the young woman, pulling her closer and pressing her lips against Hermione's once again. The love and passion they felt for each other making the kiss soulful. They were both aware of an odd feeling, as though they were melding together through the kiss.


Much later

"We both need to get some sleep Hermione."

The younger woman stifled a yawn, before reluctantly agreeing. She stood up and offered Minerva her hand. The witch allowed herself to be pulled to her feet but stood stock still when Hermione tried to pull her across the room.

Chocolate eyes turned to meet enquiring emerald, she merely smiled enigmatically and tugged again at Minerva's hand. Shaking her head slightly the older witch allowed herself to be led towards Hermione's bedroom. "This is not a good idea."

"Why not? You said it yourself, we both need to go to bed."

The young woman opened the door slowly; she dropped Minerva's hand wanting the headmistress to come in of her own accord – which she did. The walls and most of the furniture were painted in a neutral colour, there were highlights of red and gold revealing her Gryffindor heritage. A throw featuring the famous lion was draped over the wide welcoming bed.

Hermione sat on the edge of it and looked at the older witch. "Come here."

Minerva could not resist the invitation. She moved to sit next to her love and took small hands in her own. "This is not quite what I had in mind."

"What makes you think I have an ulterior motive?"

The ebony haired witch merely raised an eyebrow and waited silently for Hermione to answer her own question.

"Ok well maybe I do want to rush a little but mainly I just want you here beside me." Sincerity radiated from chocolate eyes as she tried to convince Minerva to stay.

The older woman leaned closer, just brushing her lips against Hermione's. "You win." The simple statement was incredibly sexy and seductive, promising so much more than simply staying the night. The young witch began to tremble in anticipation.

"...Mummy?"

Reluctantly Hermione pulled away from temptation and turned to face her daughter who was standing in the open doorway. "Yes darling? Everything ok?"

"I jus' needed some water."

"Sure that's ok." She watched her daughter leave before leaning in to whisper in Minerva's ear, "She should go right back to sleep." She rubbed her nose gently against a soft cheek, giggling when the older witch pulled her into a kiss filled with lusty promise.

Footsteps from the hallway separated them, just as Rose came back into sight. She was less sleepy now and looked curiously at Minerva, it wasn't unusual for the older witch to be there but it was unusual for her to be in the flat late at night and in her mothers bed. Taking the open door as an invitation she walked into the room. "...'Nerva, you sleepin' here tonight?"

Emerald eyes turned to Hermione with a smile, "Yes Rosie I am."

"Wicked cool! HUGO, wake up! SLEEPOVER!"

Hermione rolled her eyes as Rose went to wake up her brother. Minerva groaned, the recent contact between the two women had given her a second wind and after all this time she badly wanted to make love to the younger witch.

The chestnut haired woman rested her forehead against the hollow of Minerva's throat in resignation. From that position she could smell the distinctive aroma of the older womans skin, mixed with the almost ever present scent of ink and parchment that seemed to be almost a perfume. She murmured an apology against the soft flesh, feeling it quiver at her touch.

A hand made its way into an unruly mane, holding her tighter for a long moment – until they were once again interrupted by youthful footsteps. Both turned to see Rose bounding in, followed by a sleepy Hugo. The boy had a teddy in one hand and was trailing a blanket behind him, Minerva couldn't help but smile when he came closer for a hug.

Hermione grinned over Rose's head, it never ceased to please her when she saw her 'girlfriend' interacting so well with her children. But her overriding feeling at that moment was frustration, "Ok kids, get in." She stood up and opened a drawer, "I'm going to show Minerva where she can change." Grabbing two nightgowns she went and stood by the en-suite door, cocking a cheeky grin at the older woman.

Minerva followed her into the bathroom smirking as the younger witch softly closed the door; she grabbed Hermione by the waist and pushed her against the wall, lips all over the tender skin of the young womans throat. She moaned when eager hands cupped her breasts, fingers toying with her nipples. "Stop."

Hermione groaned, "Why?" She could feel Minerva still grinding hips against her.

"This is not the time or the place. I want our first time to be... right." The older woman tore herself away from sweet tasting flesh and the almost irresistible temptation. She heard Hermione's reluctant sigh of agreement and allowed a groan to escape her own lips.


Hermione awoke slightly disappointed – aware that there should have been someone else in the empty bed with her. She stretched out, hearing laughter from the kitchen – the high-pitched giggles of her children interspersed with a deeper chuckle. There was the clatter of pans and crockery and she wondered what was happening.

A curiosity that only increased when she heard Rose's lilting voice say, "Ssssssshhhhhhh."

This was again followed by Minerva's distinctive chuckle before the older witch issued a caution of her own, "Be careful."

The rattle of dishes became louder and three sets of footsteps could be heard moving along the corridor. Chocolate eyes fastened on the door as it slowly swung inwards. It was Hermione's turn to laugh as she saw Hugo carrying a glass of orange juice – the contents of which were slowly slopping onto the floor.

Rose was carrying a tray of eggs and toast precariously balanced in her small arms. "Mummy I mades you breakfast."

"I Hwelped." Hugo grinned at his mother, showing the cute gap in between his teeth while spilling a little more juice.

Hermione watched as her daughter placed the tray on the bed, "Thank you darlings, that looks wonderful." Out of the corner of her eye she caught the amused grin on Minerva's face but most of her attention was on the plate in front of her. The scrambled eggs were liberally coated in broken shells, were burnt and blackened in places – yet slimy and uncooked in others.

"Try it Mummy."

Inwardly the young woman groaned but dug around with her fork trying to find something that wouldn't give her food poisoning, she managed to find a morsel that fit the criteria. It was only motherly instinct that stopped her from spitting the food out, it tasted as though it was composed purely of salt. "Mmmmm." Somehow she swallowed, praying that it would stay down.

Minerva waved her wand and silently cleaned up the spilt orange juice. "Rose, Hugo – have you finished packing?"

"Mum did's it."

"Well..." A whip of the slender wand conjured a trunk on wheels. "...Have you packed some toys?"

"Yay!" The two youngsters screamed and noisily dragged the trunk down the corridor, with all the grace of a stampeding herd of elephants being chased by a troop of baboons.

Hermione stuck out her tongue and allowed her disgust to show. "Eeeewww."

Minerva chuckled and banished the offending food, another whip of her wand caused a plate of edible and delicious food to appear. "I saved you breakfast."

"Thank you."

"Hmmmm."

"What?"

"Well given what I just saved you from... I am not sure that was thanks enough." There was a teasing lilt in her voice, a twinkle in emerald eyes.

"I see... well what did you have in mind?"

"This." In a sexy move, Minerva swooped forward and captured heavenly lips in a passionate kiss that left them both breathless and wanting more.


That afternoon

Snow was falling when the four of them arrived at Minerva's cottage. The portkey brought them to the gates of the small property, she waved her wand admitting Hermione and the children into her wards. Despite the gut wrenching, dizzying effects of that method of travel, the children recovered quickly, dropping their backpacks and leaping into the deep snow.

They whooped and yelled in joy, as they began to play in far deeper snow than they had ever seen in England. Both of them sank into the powder, floundering around in the new landscape. For a long moment Hermione watched them play before looking at her surroundings. Minerva's home was exactly as it had been described. She turned to tell the older witch how beautiful it was but before she could speak, something wet and cold smacked into her face.

Spluttering and gasping Hermione wiped the snow off and incredulously looked up at Minerva. The Headmistress wore a naughty smirk and was holding another snowball in her hand. "Minerva... what?" The second snowball hit her in the shoulder.

Seeing the threat of retribution in Hermione's eyes Minerva ducked behind a bush, just in time to dodge a flurry of magically aimed projectiles that had been sent her way. The laughter of the two women attracted the children. Hugo raced to Minerva's side, while Rose lept to her mothers defence. The two sides began to gather ammunition for the muggle-style battle.

The results were fairly predictable, before either side could gain an advantage Rose and Hugo became bored when their missiles hit nothing and they dropped out of the fight. Hermione and Minerva were both rather frustrated from the previous evening and were glad of an excuse to burn some energy. The snowball fight became a light-hearted duel filled with laughter.

Neither witch noticed when Rose fished Hermione's camera out of her mothers suitcase and began filming what was rapidly becoming a visually impressive duel.

Minerva found herself lost in a violent whirl of snowflakes, thicker and faster than any blizzard. Fine particles swirling around her in a complex pattern, blocking all visibility in obedience to a powerful charm. A flick of her wand turned flakes into heavier icicles that dropped to the ground, shattering musically. Another wave raised a snowbank out of nothing – knocking the younger woman back.

Hermione muttered a transfiguration spell as she tried to regain her footing. The older witch yelped as the snow beneath her feet turned into slick ice. A well-timed snowball thrown by the brunette knocked the older witch onto her ass. It should have hurt but the younger woman cushioned her fall with magic and so Minerva found herself lying in a deep pile of snow.

The young witch stood over Minerva's prostrate body. "I win again!" The three words were passionate, provocative, daring and had an instant effect on the Headmistresses libido.

However Minerva McGonagall would not allow herself to be beaten that easily. "Oh really?" The dry tone should have served as a warning but Hermione was completely captivated by the flush on normally pale skin, her parted thighs and heaving chest – just as the animagus wanted her to be.

Something huge hit Hermione from behind and she fell into the cushion of the older womans embrace. A quick thrust from below her landed the brunette on her back in the chilling snow with her soon-to-be-lover atop her. "Shall we call it a draw?"

Mutely the brunette nodded. Her eyes were drawn to parted lips and she lifted her head, straining to make contact, needing to capture them with her own.

"Nerva... that was sooo wicked."

"Yeah 'Nerva... snowballman."

It was then that Hermione realised exactly what had hit her – literally. A veteran of innumerable duels, Minerva had distracted her while creating and animating an eight foot high snowman and she hadn't even noticed.

"I think you win." Her words were dry.

To take the sting out of her victory the animagus leant forwards and kissed the younger witch soundly, loving the way that the curvaceous body moulded to hers, the way that the kiss was returned with fervour equal to her own.


Minerva looked around her kitchen with a smile. The children's snow gear was drying in front of the fire, wet jackets were hanging on the back of the door, slushy boots lay lopsidedly on crumpled newspaper and her paramour was mopping up spilled cocoa with a cloth. The room had never looked so lived in, it should have irritated her but it illustrated that she was now family. The children were no longer 'on their best behaviour' when she was around and the Headmistress loved every minute of it.

Hermione glanced upwards, aware of eyes watching her. "What are you looking at?"

"You three."

"Hmmmm?" Chocolate eyes twinkled.

"I was noticing how I am getting 'family manners' now." She waved her fingers, indicating the noisy children and the detritus in her kitchen.

The younger witch returned Minerva's smile, "That's because you are family now." She watched as the grin on elegant features widened happily in response to her declaration.

"Mummy... 'Nerva... I's sleepy."

"Well then young Hugo, how would you like to see your room?"

"Yeah pwease."

Minerva picked the sleepy boy up and encouraged the others to follow her. "I am afraid that you have to share a bedroom with your brother, Rose."

"That's ok, 'cept he snores."

Hermione let out a chuckle as she followed her family up the stairs, Hugo did indeed snore – a habit that he had inherited from his father. The boy gave a sleepy denial from his resting place in Minerva's arms before lapsing into silence.

The stone staircase came to an end in a wide hallway. Minerva opened a door on the left and led them into a large brightly lit room. Three walls were painted in a neutral colour and the fourth was bare granite. Two windows let in a lot of light and gave a wonderful view of the valley and mountains beyond. There were two beds in the room, one with a blue quilt on and the other with a sunshine yellow one.

Rose proceeded to run over to her bed and bounce on it. Minerva watched with an indulgent smile before she laid Hugo on the bed and covered him up. The other three tiptoed out of the room, closing the door behind them quietly. "I have prepared a room for you at the other end of the hall Hermione."

The two women exchanged heated eye contact, an unspoken promise passed between them – that Hermione would rarely (if ever) be using the spare room. "Can we see 'Nerva?"

"Of course."

The headmistress showed them into another neutrally decorated room, this time with a large king-size bed and a view of the cold fast flowing stream and snowy landscape. It was Hermione's turn to sit on the bed, bouncing slightly with a smirk at the older woman. "And where do you sleep?" She was close enough to see the heat rise in Minerva's cheeks and the way that emerald eyes darkened at the tone in her voice.

Swallowing hard the older woman led them to the middle door in the hallway, opening it revealing a narrow iron spiral staircase up into the attic space. "If you walk up here on your own Rose, I want you to hold on to the railing and no running."

"Yes 'Nerva." The youngster walked slowly up the stairs leaving them alone for a moment. Hermione took the time to grab Minerva by the jumper and kiss her, passionately. She teasingly ran her tongue across eager lips before walking up the stairs, leaving a flustered animagus staring after her.

Minerva's bedroom was beautiful. It ran the entire length of the cottage; ceilings sloped on both sides all the way to the polished hardwood floor. To the left was a door into the en-suite, that wall had custom built shelving filled with books and a small desk was placed in front of one of the dormer windows. To the right was an enormous bed made of hand carved wood, it was loaded with red and gold pillows and was the kind of bed that made you want to dive into it.

A desire that Rose was eagerly submitting to. Hermione grinned when a hand slid across her back and across to grasp her hip, the other hand rose to do the same. Lips brushed the back of her neck, "You like?" Minerva pressed her body against the young womans, hearing the very sexy sigh that resulted.

"Oh yes!"

"Nerva, I likes all the windows. You c'n be in bed s'eepin and look out the window. It's really cooool."

"I am glad you like it my dear." She nuzzled Hermione's hair as she spoke and there was a double meaning to her words that the younger witch caught with a grin, placing her hands on top of Minerva's, squeezing lightly.


The air in the kitchen was redolent of ginger newts, nutmeg, roasting meat and other Christmas scents. The children were in their pyjamas, tired due to the late hour but extremely excited. Carefully Rose carried a plate of ginger newts over to a small table in front of the fireplace, and placed it down. "Nerva you sure Santa likes ginger newts? Normally we leave him choc'late chip biscuits."

Hermione ducked her head to hide her smile as Minerva convinced her daughter that the ginger biscuits were more desirable. She poured out the traditional glass of sherry and gave it to the youngster to put on the table.

"I wonder if perhaps Santa would like a glass of firewhiskey?"

This time Hermione did laugh, quickly turning it into a coughing fit. Amused emerald eyes met watering chocolate ones. Sure enough a small glass of amber liquid was placed on the table. Hugo tossed the large carrot he was carrying on the table for the reindeer. "Mummy...?"

"Yes darling?"

"Santa got loadsa reindeer."

"Yes he has eight."

"But..." The boy looked extremely perplexed, "How c'n dey share one cabbage?"

"Carrot darling."

"But the'll be hungry."

Hermione sighed, "Shall we leave them a carrot each then?"

"Yay!" Hugo started jumping up and down.


Later that evening

Minerva dipped a roast chestnut into a heap of salt and popped it into her mouth. She was watching Hermione wrapping a few last minute gifts, deftly twirling ribbon around into a bow. "Where on earth did you learn to do that?"

"When I was a kid, my mother showed me how." There was a sad look on the brunette's face as she thought about her parents.

Minerva gently brushed the backs of her fingers across Hermione's cheek, in a gesture that was comforting but not pitying. "Perhaps you could teach me, next time we wrap gifts?"

The young woman looked up and smiled warmly at her love. "Of course."

The older witch turned her hand around and cupped Hermione's jaw, pulling the brunette into a kiss. Warmly and tenderly her lips caressed the fuller ones of her lover, it was a loving contact but with a thread of passion running through it. "I love you." They both spoke at the same time, more in tune with each other than they had ever been with previous lovers.

Grins were exchanged as Hermione got up and placed the final presents under the huge brightly decorated spruce. Minerva also stood but she walked over to the table and picked up the glass of whisky. "I wondered how long it would take you." She raised the glass to the grinning young witch.

"I will leave the sherry to you."

Hermione chuckled and joined Minerva, she raised the glass and clinked it against the tumbler of whisky. "What shall we toast to?"

"Might I suggest... Our first Christmas?"

"Our first Christmas," Hermione echoed as their glasses touched once again, "The first of many."

Minerva's answering smile was brilliant, bright with the realisation of all of her hopes and dreams. "Indeed."

They both drained their glasses and turned their attention to the biscuits; eating a few and taking a bite out of each remaining one, deliberately scattering crumbs on the table. Then with a sigh Hermione handed Minerva a carrot and took a big bite out of one herself. The remaining vegetables were banished into the root cellar. When the older witch finished chewing she made some sooty shoeprints on the hearth and muttered about doing something else before going out into the snow.

With a smirk Hermione walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of wine and two glasses. She returned to the sofa and conjured a table to place them on. Several minutes later Minerva returned from outside where she had been on a mysterious errand, seeing her young lover sitting on the sofa – she turned off the lights and opened the curtains, leaving the room dimly illuminated by the fire and by moonlight reflecting off of the snowy landscape.

A wave of her wand turned on the wireless and soft music began to play. Minerva walked over towards Hermione, "Dance with me?"

The younger witch took the outstretched hand and allowed herself to be pulled up and into Minerva's arms. This was not the formal dancing that Professor McGonagall had taught her so many years earlier, it was more natural than that – holding and being held while moving to the music, feeling curves pressing against each other. Hermione pressed her face into the older womans neck, brushing the tender skin with her lips, smiling as Minerva's arms convulsively tightened around her.

Hands began to roam. Hermione leant back so that she could look into emerald eyes, watching as faint lines appeared when Minerva smiled at her. She freed her hand so that she could caress the soft skin of the older womans face, cupping an elegant cheek. "I love you Minerva."

"And I love you." Still swaying to the music, Minerva leant forward and kissed the younger witch. Lips pressed together, moving in a passionate rhythm. Tongues began their own dance; advancing, retreating, brushing, toying with each other, probing wetly and tangling together.

When they came up for air both breathing heavily, Hermione realised that her hands were underneath the green sweater that Minerva was wearing, pressed against heated bare skin. The older womans hands were cupping her buttocks, clutching her tightly against her own body. The younger witch whimpered with white-hot desire.

The soft noise ignited a flame deep inside Minerva, she lifted Hermione up – feeling shapely legs wrap around her hips. Burying her face into the brunettes shoulder, she stumbled over towards the sofa with her hands still holding onto that ample derriere. Another whimper erupted from the younger womans throat as she found herself pressed into the cushions with Minerva lying on top of her.

It was Minerva's turn to moan as she tasted the soft skin of Hermione's throat, feeling the pounding throb of a racing pulse under her lips. She rearranged their position so that she was straddling the younger womans thighs, her hands making their way up the sensitive ribcage – drawing a giggle from the witch underneath her.

"Ticklish?" She gave a 'cat ate the canary' grin, looking into darkened chocolate eyes.

"Don't you dare!" Hermione could see the mischief written clearly on the older womans face.

Minerva smirked, gently tracing the seam of the red sweater with a single finger – watching Hermione squirm beneath her. "So tempting..." She wasn't talking about tickling any more and they both knew it.

"I want you."

"You have me."

The young witch partly sat up, so that she was face to face with her lover and reached for the hem of Minerva's sweater, pulling it up to expose creamy skin. As the garment rose higher and higher it revealed a sensible white bra encasing surprisingly full breasts, hinting at erect nipples – making the younger woman want to taste them.

"You're beautiful."

Minerva grinned at the complement, helping Hermione completely take the sweater off and tossing it on the back of the sofa. The young woman looked up at her with something approaching awe, her hands sliding up the soft skin of a well-muscled stomach. Exploring and caressing, getting lost in the sensation of flesh under her fingers.

The older woman dipped her head, once more capturing plump lips with her own. She wrapped her arms around Hermione feeling the rasp of the red sweater against her naked flesh. Their tongues began to duel again, as her fingers slipped underneath the garment – too aroused to tickle this time.

When Minerva started to tug the garment up she felt the younger woman almost infinitesimally stiffen. She immediately froze, keeping her hands still and broke the kiss. "'Mione?"

Chocolate eyes looked up at her shyly and the young witch gave a sheepish smile. "I... I..."

The animagus took a deep breath and got off of the younger woman, before sitting next to her on the sofa. She watched as Hermione awkwardly pulled her sweater back down and continued to stammer. "Hermione relax, have a glass of wine."

The young woman swung her legs around so that she was sitting properly, albeit slightly stiffly. She took the wineglass that Minerva offered her with a grateful smile. "I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to apologise for, if you are not ready..."

Hermione cut Minerva off, "It's not that... it's just..." She took a sip of the wine and a deep breath. "...You're so beautiful and I..." The young woman lapsed into silence, shaking her head.

"You what? Hermione you are an amazingly attractive woman."

"Minerva I've had two children."

An elegant eyebrow lifted in confusion. "Two wonderful children."

"You're missing the point."

Minerva was truly at a loss, "Hermione... I do not understand. Why are you being self-conscious?"

Hermione stood up, "I've got stretch-marks and my breasts are... saggier than they used to be." She kept her back to the older witch, hugging her arms around her stomach.

Minerva quickly crossed the distance between them, wrapping her arms around the younger woman and brushed her lips against the softness of Hermione's neck. "Darling, you have borne and suckled two children... And neither of us is eighteen any more, things tend to sag over time in any case."

"That's easy for you to say... I mean look at you."

"Hmmmm?"

"Your breasts are wonderful; full, pert." Need and desire were plainly evident in her voice.

Minerva laughed and turned Hermione around. "That is mainly due to a rather useful muggle invention... called an underwired bra."

It was the younger womans turn to burst into laughter and she wrapped her arms around Minerva's waist, feeling hot skin erupt into goose bumps at her touch.

"See?" As the single word was spoken Hermione gasped. Minerva had reached up and deftly unfastened her bra, freeing said breasts from their confinement. True to her word, full heavy breasts sagged a little. The older witch looked at her almost daringly.

"You're beautiful." Hermione whispered, freeing Minerva from the wisp of white cotton. Both of her hands rose to cup the soft mounds of flesh, feeling nipples harden under her touch and she heard the other woman moan huskily.

"What's a saggy boob between the two of us?"

Hermione giggled at Minerva's uncharacteristic use of slang and at the sentiment. Laughter that abruptly stopped when she felt the older witch reach for the hem of her sweater again, she let her hands fall from Minerva's body and stood still.

"May I?"

Chocolate eyes clashed with emerald green as Hermione nodded, her throat too dry to allow her to speak. Slowly, surely Minerva lifted the red garment, watching as soft skin was revealed inch by inch. Higher and higher it rose until the younger woman had to lift her arms, allowing the animagus to pull it off completely.

A black bra contrasted with pale flesh, containing full breasts that were larger than Minerva expected. Elegant fingers brushed across Hermione's stomach, finding the roadmap of pale marks that were softer than the surrounding skin. "You are beautiful, just as I knew you would be."

Hermione flushed, colour rising on her face and chest. "Do you think so, really?"

"Yes, you are absolutely stunning." She took the younger witch by the hand and led her back to the sofa. "Now where were we?" She smirked before brushing her lips over Hermione's, teasingly – inviting the younger woman to deepen the kiss. An invitation that was readily accepted.

Minerva let out a whimper as she felt long fingers brush against her nipples, applying pressure to the erect buds. She arched backwards into the sofa cushions moaning Hermione's name as the touch became firmer. It felt as though she had been waiting a lifetime for this moment, for this touch, this woman.

Hermione swung her leg over one of Minerva's, so that she was straddling the older womans thigh. Her knee pressed perilously close to the most intimate part of the other witch and she began a passionate assault on Minerva's lips, still exploring and teasing the full breasts under her hands. A few minutes passed and she looked down at the animagus with a smirk.

Minerva's eyes were wide and dark with desire. Her chest was heaving as she panted heavily. Ebony tresses had freed themselves from their bun and the button of her jeans had become undone – somehow. She was shaking with need as she looked up at the most alluring woman that she had ever seen. "...'Mione... Come to bed with me please?... I want to make love to you."

The young woman nodded and started to reach for her sweater, knowing that they would have to walk past the children's bedroom. Minerva was a little more impatient and flicked her wand, deftly adjusting the wards around the house so that she could apparate them into her bedchamber.

They both yelped as they fell backwards onto the huge bed, the motion brought Hermione's knee into contact with the noticeably warm patch of denim between Minerva's legs and pinned the older woman underneath Hermione's weight. The young woman smiled wickedly and kissed her lover again, reigniting the fire that burned between them.

Without breaking the passionate kiss Minerva thrust her hips, rolling over so that she was straddling the brunette. She brushed her fingers across the bare skin of Hermione's flanks, almost but not quite tickling. Tingles and goose bumps followed the older womans touch across her tender flesh and the young witch began to shiver in anticipation.

Finally they came up for air. Hermione's hands were cupping full soft breasts, gently squeezing erect nipples – causing Minerva to arch into her touch. The older witch rose up on her knees, missing the younger womans touch but needing to explore the wonderful body underneath her own. Gentle fingers glided across a pronounced collarbone and down the centre of Hermione's chest.

The young witch closed her eyes, loving the gentle caress but snapping them open again as she felt nimble fingers tugging at the clasp of her bra. She wasn't completely over her self-consciousness but she wanted Minerva to see her. Another tug released the lacy garment and she heard the older woman's indrawn breath.

"Like what you see?"

Minerva didn't directly answer the question instead saying, "Oh Merlin how I want you." She swooped down boldly thrusting her tongue into Hermione's mouth. "I have wanted you for so long." One of her hands cupped the younger womans breast, feeling a hard nipple digging into her palm and becoming more erect at her touch. "Beautiful." It was a single growled word, before the older woman began to kiss her way down the side of her throat.

Hermione's hands cupped Minerva's backside through her jeans, before moving around to struggle with the zip and yank it down. "You're wearing far too much."

Minerva chuckled, "As are you my dear." She slid off the bed onto her feet and pulled off Hermione's trousers in a smooth motion, leaving the younger woman clad only in a pair of knickers. It took her only moments to kick off her own jeans, standing proudly in her own knickers – watching as almost black chocolate eyes darkened even further.

Hermione rose up on her knees and went to the edge of the bed, pressing her face between Minerva's bare breasts. She could feel the older woman's heart thundering underneath her lips and she grinned against the soft skin, inhaling deeply of the womanly scent she found. Turning slightly she began to brush her tongue against the rounded flesh, drawing closer and closer to the aching centre of her breast.

She listened to Minerva who was gasping rhythmically with the motions of her tongue. "Please." In response to the barely audible plea Hermione drew the swollen bud into her mouth, feeling the older woman come close to falling as her knees started to buckle. The young witch began to suck and flick her tongue over the nipple, as her hands began to wander.

Minerva bit her lip to keep from crying out as long-forgotten sensations began to course through her body, as a hand slid over her skin, across her hip and brushed against the top of her underwear. Firmer now, two hands grabbed the waistband of her knickers and pulled them down. Hermione's hand crept between her legs, cupping her sex. "Yesss!" The single word came out in a long hiss.

The younger witch snickered and grabbed Minerva's hands pulling her onto the bed, divesting her fully of that final garment. She took a moment to stare down at the wonder that was the completely naked form of Minerva McGonagall before running a hand over her own stomach en route to remove her own knickers.

It was at that moment when the older witch began to hum the striptease tune. Incredulous chocolate eyes widened before both women erupted into laughter, Hermione fell onto the bed and wrapped an arm around Minerva as they giggled hysterically together.

She soon found herself on her back looking up into deep green eyes. Gentle lips brushed the hollow of her throat and moved lower. Hermione threw her head back into the pillow, thrashing her head from side to side, as she felt lips wrap around her nipple and a tongue flickering over it in a way that was somehow maddening and delightful at the same time. She was arching up into Minerva's touch, desperate to increase the pressure, needing release.

Obliging the unspoken request, Minerva began to kiss her way down the young womans body – lingering on the soft skin of Hermione's stomach. Despite the young womans fears, she had gotten back into wonderful shape after having the children and the older witch loved what she was seeing and feeling. A naughty tongue swirled around a cute belly button, dipping inside before moving lower.

Gentle but firm hands slid across naked hips and onto thighs that parted under Minerva's touch. The older woman rested her cheek against Hermione's mound for a moment, inhaling deeply the wonderful scent of the younger witch's arousal. Dark curls tickled her face and she began to nuzzle at them suggestively.

"Please." It was a long drawn out plea, torn from the depths of Hermione's soul. This was about more than having sex, this was about sealing their bond, it was about uniting their souls in the most intimate way possible – by making love. Minerva made herself comfortable between parted thighs and blew gently on wet curls, watching the younger woman squirm.

She ran light fingertips up and down the inside of Hermione's thigh, feeling soft skin that was damp to the touch with the evidence of the young womans desire. "You smell wonderful." Shifting her weight forward, Minerva parted swollen folds with the very tips of her fingers. By this point the young witch was too befuddled by desire to feel self-conscious and she completely lost the ability to think as a raspy tongue dragged slowly up the length of her slit.

After months of waiting and an evening of torture, the sensation was exquisite and Hermione lustily howled her approval. Minerva explored the sensitive cleft with a series of long, slow licks – making her way from the sensitive nub to the young womans dripping core. The animagus gave a low growly moan as she savoured the taste.

Hermione grabbed hold of the nearest pillow, holding it tightly as the older witch began to concentrate on the eager bundle of nerves at the top of her slit, using that skilled tongue to coax it from its hood. Flicking back and forth, up and down – Minerva was rapidly driving the young woman to the edge of insanity. One hand reached down and entwined itself in ebony tresses, tightly clinging, passionately encouraging – holding the animagus exactly where she was.

"Min...oh...oh...oh...don't stop...please...yes...oh...oh..." Hips thrust upwards violently as Hermione's back arched. The young womans noises became higher and higher pitched but when she climaxed it was with a guttural cry. Her curvaceous body spasmed and she lay prone on the sheets panting heavily.

Minerva winced as the hand in her hair tightened almost painfully before releasing and it fell onto the mattress heavily. Green eyes took in the scene; Hermione's eyes were closed but a moment earlier they had been rolling back in her head, flushed naked breasts rose and fell rapidly, swollen lips were moist and parted, chestnut curls were tangled and mussed against the pillows. It was the most provocative thing that she had ever seen.

The Headmistress could not help her next actions, they were controlled by something primal deep inside of her. She leant forward, kissing the younger woman as though her life depended on it – while simultaneously sliding a hand between her legs. Hermione gasped when she felt two fingers enter her in a firm stroke, a gasp that turned into incoherent noises as she felt a rhythmic pressure on a tender spot deep inside.

Minerva thrust her tongue into the younger womans mouth in time with her fingers, feeling Hermione's tongue duel with her own, feeling hips thrust up into her hand, feeling gorgeous curves pressing against her body and at that moment she felt complete for the first time in her life.


Minerva slowly opened her eyes, her heart was still pounding from the wonderful orgasm that she had just experienced. It had been far too long since she had experienced a touch like that. Hermione's hands had been all over her like they were on fire...
Lips had devoured her flesh...
Teeth had grazed her erogenous zones...
She had been whimpering in need...
And her tongue...
Hermione had proven an adept student...

The Headmistress cut off the chain of thoughts, so that she could smile warmly at her lover. Hermione was lying beside her, watching as the ebony haired witch came down from her most recent climax. "Thank you."

"Whatever for?" The husky Scottish voice was slightly hoarse which made the younger woman chuckle. Minerva drew Hermione close to her and wrapped her arms around the slender waist, thrilling deep inside when the brunette laid her head on her shoulder.

"For being so patient with me. For caring. For being you."

Minerva laughed softly, overwhelmed with joy. "How could I not care about you? Hermione I have been in love with you for years and as for being patient... I had been patient that long, what was a few more months?"

Hermione wriggled around making herself more comfortable against the pillows, no longer lying partly on top of the older witch but making sure that they were still touching. Minerva followed suit, conjuring a thick afghan to cover their naked bodies from the chill in the air. "You are a wonderful lover."

Another deep chuckle, "And you my dear are inspiring."

"I never knew it could be this way."

Minerva knew that her eyebrow lifted as the true meaning of the young womans words became clear. "Even with Ronald?"

Hermione cleared her throat, "Making love with Ron was... very different. I've never felt this sated before."

"I am glad that I can please you." Minerva leant down, dropping a kiss on the young womans forehead.

"I think that even the neigh...bours heard me." The slight slip in the middle of her words cued Minerva into the reason for her sudden distress.

"Relax. There is a one-way silencing charm on this floor, we can hear the children but they cannot hear us."

The younger witch took a deep breath and grinned at her. "A precaution for all the visiting witches?"

Minerva propped herself up on her elbow and looked at Hermione. "You are the only witch."

"Wizard then?"

"No." The older witch laughed again, "Firstly I do not see men and secondly... I only have eyes for you. As you well know."

"Just checking."

Minerva reached out into the drawer of her nightstand and pulled out a less than elegantly wrapped gift. "I said that I needed help learning to wrap, did I not?"

Hermione took the present from the outstretched hand but did not immediately open it. "It's heartening to know that there are some things that the almighty Minerva McGonagall cannot do."

The older woman immediately picked up on the joke, "Please do not allow that fact to become public knowledge."

"Of course not, it would dishearten the wizarding world."

Minerva chuckled, "I have no idea when all the exaggeration started, I am a woman like any other."

"Not like any other." The younger witch grinned before summoning Minerva's gift from the other room. Immaculately wrapped with an abundance of ribbons and bows, it landed neatly in the older womans lap. "You happen to be rather special."

"Those orgasms must have gone to your head."

"You've gone to my head. Now stop flirting, I want to open my present." Minerva chuckled and began to untie the ribbons, watching as Hermione fumbled with the half-roll of tape that held the paper around her gift. "Since when do witches use cellotape?"

"Albus introduced me to it."

"Oh Minerva..."

The older woman looked up at the awe-struck tone in Hermione's voice, "I take it that you like it?"

"Yes..." The young witch was holding a jewellery box in her hands, looking at the most exquisite necklace that she had ever seen. "How did you know...?" It was exactly to her taste, what she would have chosen if she could have afforded it.

"Rummaging around in your jewellery box gave me a fairly good idea of what you like."

Hermione kissed the older woman soundly. "I love it, thank you." She watched as Minerva opened her gift. The older woman was so different from Ron, last time he had bought her a gift it had been magical floor polish and he would tear into his own wrapping paper like a child. The two were like night and day, Ron was a huge part of her past – she had truly loved him but he was gone. Minerva was her future.

The older witch gave a wordless cry of pleasure when she saw her present. It was a double silver photograph frame, the kind that had a hinge between the pictures that allowed it to stand upright. The first was the photograph of Minerva and the children that Hermione had taken in the woods that first day. The second was a photo of them dressed up for an evening out, it had been taken by Molly a month earlier. They had their arms around each other, grinning at the camera – Minerva's fingers brushing her cheek before they kissed and then the sequence started again.

"Hermione I love you."

"And I love you too."

"Merry Christmas."


It was scarcely past dawn when the door to Minerva's bedroom burst open and two excited children dove onto the bed. They had gone into their mothers room but she was not there and as though it were the most natural thing in the world – they climbed the stairs to the older womans chamber.

"For gods sake it's not even six o'clock." The young mother had anticipated their early morning visit, she and Minerva had both dressed before falling asleep.

"But Mummy Chrissmas."

Hermione rolled her eyes, snuggling deeper into Minerva's embrace. "Ok fine."

The two children slid under the cover, Rose next to her mother and Hugo next to Minerva.

"...'Nerva, d'you know if Santa comed?"

Minerva chuckled, "Now that you mention it, I am sure that I heard sleigh bells and hooves in the night... Have a look out of the window."

Rose got up and peered out of the window. "Mummy, Huges, reindeer footprints in the snow." The boy lept up excitedly and began to bounce up and down, banging his head on the glass as he did so.

Hermione pressed her lips against Minerva's ear, "Now I know what you were doing outside last night." The whisper was intimate and loving, tender.

"Well, it is Christmas after all and the first one in many years where I have..." There was a long pause while Minerva pulled away to fix intense emerald eyes on the younger woman, "Been part of a family."

"The first of many my love, the first of many."

They both leant in for a sweet kiss, not even hearing the two children making gagging noises behind them.