AN: I had this chapter completely written a week ago, then my computer had a coniption fit and wiped it out. After inventing a few colorful words, I started over. Sorry it took so long. Like always, let me know what you think. As always this is dedicated to Butterfly Rainbow.
DINNER
Albus Dumbledore sat at his desk contemplating the virtues of Sherbet Lemons when the beautiful snowy owl Hedwig flew in his office and settled gracefully on his desk. Sticking out her foot, she hooted softly. "Why hello young lady. It's good to see you again." He smiled taking the piece of parchment from her leg. Hedwig had been visiting the school quite a bit since Harry Potter and friends had graduated. Mainly because she'd been staying with Hermione as Harry was never home. Hedwig much preferred the flat. Hermione let her roost on her balcony and didn't keep her in a cage. Hedwig was well mannered and didn't make a mess. Plus she got to keep up her friendship with that ornery scoundrel Crookshanks. Hermione's involvement with Minerva Mcgonagall was the reason Hedwig got to visit Hogwarts so much. Sometimes 3 and 4 times a day! She wasn't complaining though. She whole heartedly approved of the match. Apparently the headmaster was using occlumency again, because he reached over and stroked her feathers, saying, "I am in complete agreement with you young lady." He held up the parchment, "Minerva and Hermione have invited Ginny Weasley and myself to dinner... Oh and Harry will be there too." He smiled as Hedwig brightened considerably. "I know you miss him, but you must admit... the accomodations are much nicer at Hermione's place." Hedwig hooted her agreement. Albus hurridly scratched out a reply and sent Hedwig back to London. He sat back at his desk stroking his beard thoughtfully. A mischievious smile appeared under his whiskers. "I should invite Angus to come..." He mused outloud. From his perch in the corner of the office, Fawkes squawked. Albus sighed, "Oh I know old friend... Minerva would need to invite him. He can be a bit of a handful... Maybe someone will be there that Minerva doesn't feel comfortable exposing Angus to? He frowned, "No... maybe she just wants a small intimate affair.. well, Hermione is there..." He trailed off. Moments later he grinned as a new thought came to mind, "Maybe they want to come out to us??" Meaning Minerva and Hermione were ready to be a couple in front of their friends. Minerva was notoriously private. This had to be Hermione's doing. "Good for you!" Dumbledore cheered in his support of Hermione's possible nagging of his best friend. He was so happy for her to have finally found true love. Minerva deserved it.
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Ginny Weasley was reading a letter from her mother when the headmaster stepped into the Gryfindor common room. "Why just the lovely young lady I came to see." She looked up, her blue eyes widening in surprise, "Sir?" The headmaster was dressed in a gray jacket with matching trousers and a starched white shirt. He looked just like everyone's grandfather! Dumbledore held up the parchment and said, "It seems you and I have been summoned to dinner with the McGonagalls." Ginny grinned, "McGonagalls? Who?" Albus laughed, "You know... Hermione and Minerva." Ginny giggled, "You think that's going to happen?" Albus Dumbledore crossed his arms across his chest and nodded sagely, "Of that I have no doubt... the question is when will Minerva summon that legendary courage and ask THE QUESTION." Ginny grinned and leaned close. In a conspiratorial whisper she asked, "Do you think we can maybe help that along?" Chuckling, Albus placed his arm around her small shoulders and led her out of the room saying, "That, my dear, is the plan." Ginny chuckled, then glanced at Dumbledore's attire once more. "You look like my granpa George!" Delighted laughter could be heard echoing throughout the halls.
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Harry Potter and Ron Weasley sat in Arthur Weasley's office in the Department of Muggle Affairs. They were sharing a pitcher of pumpkin juice. If they'd been off duty, however, it would've been guiness and firewhiskey. Arthur leaned back in his chair, "Any plans for the evening?" Harry nodded, "Dinner at Hermione's. Her sister is in town." Hearing this, Ron perked up considerably, "Dawn's going to be there?" His blue eyes sparkled. The men remembered Hermione's spunky younger sister quite fondly. Arthur loved the thought that his son seemed interested in Dawn. The younger Granger proving to be just as bright as her older sister. Dawn might not possess the magic they were all familiar with, she had her own kind. Harry eyes brightened as her remembered the imp that Hermione's sister had a habit of being. He hadn't seen her since their graduation and it would be a treat to see her again. Ron's eyes glazed as he remembered a captivating quirky smile and mischievious twinkly brown eyes. Dawn was fun and loved life. Ron definately wanted to see her! Arthur observed his son's reaction. He would most definately have to tell Molly about this development. Harry nudged his friend, "She's sixteen you dolt!" Ron looked at his best friend dumbly, "Huh?" Harry shook his head as Arthur chuckled. Oh yes, this was going to be interesting.
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Meanwhile back at the flat...
Izer was puttering around the flat, cleaning here, dusting there, adding flowers and a bit of scent. Dawn Granger watched him in amazement, "To think, there's been little green men all around and I never knew." Her voice held a tinge of wonder. Hermione nudged her sister, "You should see the centaurs. Talk about wild!" Dawn's eyes widened as Hermione proceeded to tell her sister about Harry and herself encountering centaurs in their fifth year when professor Umbridge was trying to force information from Harry. Hermione had brilliantly improvised on the fly and gotten Delores Umbridge her just desserts with the centaurs. Minerva's eyebrows threatened to climb off her forehead as she listened to an account of fifth year action that she'd never heard before. "Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?" Minerva scolded. Hermione turned to her lover of three years and stated, "No more dangerous than you taking on Umbridge and her gang of goons and nearly getting yourself killed." Hermione leaned over and tugged Minerva's top down just enough to expose one of her scars. "Hermione!" Minerva swatted the young witch's hand away. Dawn gasped as glimpsed the circular pale scar on Minerva's upper chest. "What happened?" Minerva frowned at Hermione, but turned to Dawn and quietly explained what happened that fateful night three years ago. As her older lover was describing the scene, Hermione's mind replayed the night in question. Her bottom lip trembled as she relived seeing Minerva engulfed in red light and tossed backwards like a rag doll. Dawn glanced at her sister. Minerva followed the gaze just as a single tear fell from a mournful chocolate brown eye. "Hush..." Minerva pulled her love into a warm embrace. Hermione flung her arms around the older witch. "I almost lost you that night..." Hermione whispered laying her head against Minerva's heart. The older witch stroked the chestnut curls of the woman who meant more to her than her own life and replied, "I nearly lost you two days later." Dawn observed the scene with watery eyes. It was quite obvious to her that Minerva deeply loved her sister and that Hermione loved the older witch just as much. She didn't undertand Minerva's last comment and asked about it. Hermione burrowed herself deeper into Minerva's chest as the latter told the tale of a brave group of fifth years who'd taken on the worst group of wizard's the world had ever seen. She told about how heroic they were. She told about the wounds they'd suffered including Neville Longbottom feeling for Hermione's pulse. Dawn gasped as her eyes widened enormously. Her sister had nearly died! Minerva concluded the tale by saying, "I thought I would die when Albus told me that." She sighed as Hermione lifted her head to gaze into emerald pools of love and devotion. "They had to physically restrain me from getting out of my hospital bed and going to your side." She smirked and added, "Poppy wouldn't let me have any clothes. She knew I was too modest to trapse down the halls of St. Mungo's naked. I tried to transform into my cat form but she'd spell'd me against it." Hermione started to giggle as she got a picture of Minerva McGonagall stalking down the halls of the venerable hospital completely naked. As the picture played out, her giggles turned into wild laughter. Dawn picturing the same thing in her head, joined in her sister's mirth with hearty belly laughs of her own. Finally, Minerva couldn't stand it anymore and broke down laughing from deep in her soul.
Izer stood in the kitchen doorway with hands on hips. "Yes the Miss will be perfects for the Mistress." He muttered glancing down at Crookshanks, who'd decided to make an appearance. The kneazle looked up at the elf and nodded in agreement. "Comes along. Izer fixes Crookshanks some supper he does." The two magical creatures ventured into the kitchen, leaving the laughing women to their own devices.
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Harry Potter and Ron Weasley stood at Hermione's front door. Harry had a bottle of German Riesling tucked under his arm. Hermione had developed a fondness for the sweet golden wine. Ron figited a little. "Lighten up you oaf! You don't want her to think you're some kind of stalker or something." Ron nodded and knocked on the door. Harry's keen sense of hearing picked up footsteps coming to the door. "Hey 'Mione..." He trailed off as he realized Hermione hadn't opened the door. Standing in front of the men, wearing form fitting black slacks and an emerald green button up blouse was none other than their former professor. She looked good. She looked REAL good. Minerva had chosen to wear her hair down and the first three buttons were undone on her blouse exposing a beautiful gold necklace with two joined hearts snuggled just above the hint of cleavage she was showing. McGonagall smiled at the two young men's discomfiture. "Do come in gentlemen." She gestured the men towards the living area. "Hermione, our guests are arriving." She called. "Our??" Harry mused thoughtfully. The young witch in question trotted out of the kitchen. "Hey guys." She called. Harry and Ron simply stood and stared. Hermione was wearing a tight pair of white jeans and a red v-neck tank top that exposed her toned and tanned arms as well a good portion of her generous cleavage. Seeing where the men's eyes were focused, Minerva cleared in throat loudly. Harry jumped and blushed, "Sorry professor." He knew who that cleavage belonged to. Make no mistake. Ron, however still stood there dumbfounded. Minerva walked over and leaned in to whisper, "That's my woman you're leering at!" in his ear. Ron jumped guiltily. "So..soo..sorry." He stuttered. Neither man had ever heard Minerva lay claim the way she just did. It. Spoke. Volumes.
Dawn chose that moment to make her entrance. The taller but younger Granger was clad in black & white striped capri pants that only made her long legs seem longer. Her top was soft pink off the shoulder cashmere. Ron immediately transferred his attention from the older Granger to the younger one. "Hello." Dawn greeted the men a bit shyly. Hermione grinned... Ohhh her little sister was on the prowl! Her inner imp laughed delightedly. Minerva gestured for the young men to sit. Just as they seated themselves, another knock at the door sounded. "I'll get it." Hermione bounced to the door. There was no mistaking her excitment. She opened the door to reveal Ginny Weasley and... "Grandpa George?" Came from Ron. Albus Dumbledore laughed heartily as he stepped into the flat. "Albus?" Minerva couldn't believe her eyes. He looked almost muggle. Of course the beard and the hair were a bit much... unless you were.. "Santa Claus..." Dawn Granger gasped.
Dawn turned to her sister with wonder on her face, "Wow. I really like the magical world. You've got little green men to make dinner and clean, wild horse people to take care of bothersome pests..." Minerva snorted at that one. Dawn grinned and continued, "Santa Claus comes to dinner and you're in love with the coolest witch I ever met!" Hermione nodded in agreement, "It's great!" Dawn motioned to Harry, Ron and Ginny, "Not to mention some awesome friends." Ginny laughed and sat with Harry on the sofa. Albus transfigured a straight back wooden chair into a recliner and well... reclined. "Ahhhhh!" He sighed settling his old bones comfortably. Ron sat at the other end of the sofa while Minerva and Hermione took the matching love seat. Dawn settled on the floor nearest to "Santa Claus". She kept looking up at him enraptured. He grinned, his blue eyes twinkling and whispered to Dawn, "Ho Ho Ho." Minerva smirked, "Albus... behave!" Dumbledore looked over at his best friend and said, "Oh right... This from a woman dressed for... yowza!" He winked suggestively. Minerva frowned and looked down at herself, "Am I hanging out somewhere?" She glanced all around herself. Dawn laughed and snarked, "You're not, Hermione is!" Everyone chuckled, including Hermione. Everyone except Minerva, who frowned. "Relax my love, you must admit, I'm a little hard to miss." Hermione glanced down at her own cleavage. The room was silent. No one had ever heard Hermione address Minerva with an endearment. Minerva and Hermione looked around the room. "What?" Hermione asked. Harry and Ron looked at her and then Minerva. Coloring slightly, then young witch gazed up at her lover. "You don't mind do you?" Minerva raised an eyebrow quizzically, "Mind what?" Hermione smiled shyly and indicated the gathered group, "That I called you "my love" in front of them?" The group was silent, waiting for the normally stoic witch to reply. Minerva smiled and patted the space right beside her, "Come here to me." Dawn let out a sigh of relief. She could tell that Minerva was not used to public displays of affection. This was a big step for her. Especially in front of her former students.
Izer chose that moment to serve a tray of finger foods and drinks. Minerva and Albus took firewhiskey, while Harry and Ron were served guiness. Hermione sipped her Riesling, while Ginny and Dawn had pumpkin juice. Dawn took an experimental sip, her face brightening at the taste. "This is made out of pumpkins?" Izer nodded, "Is good for the young Miss." He squeaked heading back into the kitchen. Harry's eyes followed the elf as he asked, "'Mione when did you get an elf?" Hermione shook her head, "I didn't." At Harry's confused expression, Minerva spoke up, "He is a member of my household." Hermione looked up at her lover and smiled contently. Minerva placed her arm around Hermione's body and snuggled her a bit closer. The younger witch obligingly scooted up against her love. Albus watched this interaction with great interest. He could see the swirl of Hermione and Minerva's magic as it danced and swooped around them. Their aura's were glowing in all the colors of the rainbow. It was spectacular. Too bad none of the younger folk in the room were advanced enough to see it... he gazed at Ginny Weasley, who was staring at the two witches currently occupying the love seat. "What do you see Ms. Weasley?" He gently prodded. Ginny looked up startled. Embarrassed at being caught staring. After all that was quite rude... according to her mother. Albus smiled, "It's alright. Tell us what you see when you look at Hermione and Minerva?" He deliberately used his best friend's first name. Not as a form of disrespect, but simply to put the younger people in the room at ease. Minerva seemed to understand because she didn't protest or give him one of her legendary "looks".
Ginny looked around the room a bit self consciously. "I see a swirling effect and a bit of color around them." She indicated Minerva and Hermione." Albus nodded. "I bet if you concentrate hard, you can see more too?" Ginny nodded unhappily, "It gives me a headache though." The elderly wizard chuckled, "That's the Prewitt in you my dear. You should talk to your mother. She can help you focus that." Ginny brightened a bit, "Mum has this?" Dumbledore nodded, "All the Prewitt women do. It's their gift." Ginny looked very relieved. Her brother frowned, "What do you see?" He felt a little left out. Ginny described the magic she saw swirling around Minerva and Hermione. Dawn scratched her nose thoughtfully, "Do you mean the glow they have?" Albus sat bolt upright in his chair, "You can see that?" He queried incredulously. The younger Granger nodded, "Sure. It's especially bright after they've made love." Hermione sat up and screeched, "DAWN GRANGER!!" Minerva blushed and looked to her best friend for help. He smiled gently, "It's true my friend." He tugged on his beard thoughtfully and continued, "It's why I believe you two have a bonding." Harry and Ron sat straight. They had only ever heard of the term, they'd never actually witnessed it. Ginny frowned and asked, "I thought bondings were old magic designed to find the best partners for having children?" Albus glanced at Minerva and smiled mysteriously, "They are." Minerva blushed deeply and lowered her head. Hermione turned to her love and quietly asked, "What is it?" Minerva shook her head, "We'll talk about this in private." The look in her eyes begged Hermione to acquiese. The latter read the meaning in the older witch's eyes and agreed silently.
"Wait a minute..." Dawn began... she frowned, "Last time I checked, you need a male and female to create a child right?" She scratched her nose again and added, "Or is it different in the magical world?" Albus laughed as Minerva blushed again. Hermione wasn't sure what was going on with her lover..." She had a niggling thought in the back of her mind. A picture of the morning's bedroom activites came to the surface... the engorgio charm and what happened to Minerva's anatomy... She looked over at Dumbledore who was blushing furiously. "That's what you get for peeking where you shouldn't!" She scolded. Albus had the good grace to blush. Hermione frowned thinking, "There's probably a potion out there that would make Minerva virile enough to produce the necessary material to mingle with mine." She looked up at Dumbledore, who nodded silently. Hermione leaned back against her lover sighing, "Oh my... Merlin." Ginny tugged on her ear thoughtfully. Turning to Dumbledore, she asked the million galleon question, "How is it that a same sex couple could experience a bonding?" She gazed at the couple in question, "Has that ever happened before?" The older wizard smiled and looked to Minerva. The older witch took a deep breath and answered, "Fiona and Edeen McGonagall. They produced my cousin, Angus."
Izer entered the room breaking the tension by announcing, "Dinner is served."
-to be continued
AN: Where is that crazy Tiger going with this?? You'll just have to keep reading to find out...