A/N: Sorry for the slow update, I lost my muse for the longest time. As always thank you all for the wonderful reviews. You make writing worthwhile. Also thanks for those who added it to their favourites and alerts, I greatly appreciate it. Really you all are the reason why I wanted to continue writing this story.

(Italics are thoughts)

This chapter is dedicated to Anna, hope you like it ^-^

Disclaimer: I don't owe any of the characters *sigh* So I will just have to steal them in fanfic for now ;)


Previously:

That was exactly how Minerva found them, in each other's arms fast asleep. For a moment she considered to leave quietly. However, her inner imp came out and with the stealth of a cat she tip toed across the room to grab the camera.

With a click and a flash both Hermione and Dawn were woken up. Two sets of sleepy eyes barely open to see the intruding noise. Dawn being the first to notice the third person in the room was immediately on guard, Hermione sensed this and followed her example. That was until

"Minerva!" "Mum" it chorused "What are you doing here?"


Chapter 4 - "Surprises"


At Dawn her place:

Minerva had a cat shire grin. She couldn't help but laugh at the both of them. They looked like a couple of first years being caught out after curfew. Hermione biting her lower lip softly while her daughter was glaring daggers at her. This only served to amuse Minerva more.

"Mum, what are you doing here?" Dawn repeated. She was seething. 'Might as well call her mum seeing as the cat is out of the cauldron. I just hope Hermione isn't too upset with me, I never meant for her to find out like this.'

Trying to be as innocent as she could be Minerva replies "What? Can't a mother just pop by to visit her only daughter?" fake hurt in her voice.

Even Hermione had to raise an eyebrow at that.

"It's bloody 5 a.m. in the morning!" Dawn shouted in reply, still not over her embarrassment. It wasn't that her mum didn't know she was gay. She had come out of the proverbial closet years ago, but it had more to do with Hermione.

Minerva being the ever observant which she is picked up on her daughters' internal despair and distress. "Aah that early?" Minerva exclaimed surprised. This time her acting was much better. "Must have been Albus messing with my watch again. I swear that lemon addicted…" Both Dawn and Hermione only caught bits and pieces of what the formidable witch said next. "... just as much pain as he was alive" Minerva then grumbled something about hiding his lemon drops as revenge before suddenly looking up at them and stating that she was hungry. With that she walked off towards the kitchen, inviting them both to join her for breakfast after they had freshened up.

Dawn smiled ruefully, she knew damn well what her mother just did and she was grateful for the time alone with Hermione. She also knew she might just have blown their friendship and maybe even more than that. She had to find a way to explain this and convince Hermione that she never meant for her to find out like this.

Neither of them spoke for a while, not quite knowing what to say or how to start.

Hermione was confused. "What was the big problem? Why didn't she tell me before?" She voiced her last thought "Why?" with that the silence was broken yet Hermione couldn't quite finish it.

Dawn sighed. There was no escaping it now. "Please, Hermione I am sorry. I hope that you don't think that I betrayed you or didn't want to tell you

Hermione only raised a sceptical eyebrow.

"Honestly I swear I was planning on telling you, but my mum being the Minerva, your teacher, friend and mentor well I was just… I don't know" Dawn finished lamely. How on earth could she express the fear of telling Hermione something so simple yet complicated. Dawn's head started to hurt. Why can't it ever be easy?

Hermione understood Dawn though. "The picture!" she blurted out.

"What?" Dawn asked confused. Did I miss something?

"One night, I came to your mum's office" Hermione paused for a moment. Feeling slightly odd calling Minerva Dawn's mother. Dawn seemed to notice this and urged her on, wanting to hear the story. "It was a rather late night and she wasn't in her office anymore instead I was invited to her private quarters. I sort off showed up unexpectedly and I uh saw this picture" Hermione started to mumble the next bit while blushing profusely.

Dawn didn't hear a thing but she just thought that a shy and embarrassed Hermione was too cute for words. So she just enjoyed the moment as Hermione's blush got worse.

Hermione had been drawn to a picture of a young girl around her age. Minerva had unknowingly sneaked up behind her and startled her when she said hello. It was the picture that had been the start of a friendship between the headmistress and herself.

"Uh… picture?" Dawn was still lost but at least she now knew that Hermione wasn't angry. She could literally jump for joy at the moment.

Before Hermione could answer her, her stomach interrupted them, reacting to the delicious smells coming out of the kitchen. Hermione turned bright red at the rumbling sound her stomach made. Dawn couldn't help but laugh and soon Hermione joined in, clutching her sides from laughing.

Minerva watched them from the kitchen door. They are perfect for each other. With that thought she decided to leave them alone for now and let them enjoy the moment. She sneaked back into the kitchen, writing a note that something came up and that she would join them later. She had a mission and an owl to send.


At Hermione's home:

Harry and Molly were the last to return to the Weasley invested house. Tonks had now joined them too. Her quiet holiday interrupted by some loud redheaded weasels. She couldn't help but be a bit snarky to them. Not only had they interrupted her holiday but because of them Hermione had fled once again. She always liked the young and bright girl, knowing how many had overlooked her role in the war as she was the reason the two boys had survived.

Mr Weasley was the first to notice his wife and Harry. "Your back" he voiced in astonishment. His eyes quickly skimmed over his wife to make sure she was ok. Even he had been worried about the wrath of McGonagall. Yet nothing seemed out of place. He blinked once, twice and a third. "Merlin's muggle uncle, they really aren't harmed" Arthur thought rather perplexed about the whole thing.

The room exploded with questions aimed at the two arrivals. Tonks couldn't help but wish she had taken her lovers advice and bring some head ache potions. Why did they always have to be so loud?

"Silence!" Molly screamed. At once they all calmed down. "Now listen up, we went to see the headmistress and she said she would help us and left shortly after."

"She also mentioned someone named Dawn..." Harry helpfully added but got no recognition from the group. Only Tonks hid a small smile at the mention of her best friends name.

Frustrated, Harry left the rest to Molly to explain.

They were still not any closer to identifying the mystery 'Dawn'


A/N: Wow I finally posted it. I had this for a while but just didn't get down to actually posting it. I hope you enjoyed it and would really appreciate to hear your thoughts. And I know its not the longest chapter but I am starting to get back into writing. Also for the Dutchies out there hope you have a fun Queens day ;-)