Summary: Minerva always saw a little of herself in the Gryffindor who found the greatest pleasures in learning, a woman who like herself took no nonsense, was fiercely loyal and never backed down. So as Hermione reaches woman-hood and returns to Hogwarts after the war to complete her education, how will their relationship change? Rated M for later scenes, possibly of a sexual nature.
Disclaimer: I'm not J.K Rowling. I wish I was, but alas I am not.
A/N I know I said I would post this chapter yesterday but I had a family commitment. I'm really sorry guys, but here it is.
Thanks again for all the great reviews, I keep trying to reply to them all but let me know if I've missed you!
Chapter 4
Minerva was suddenly fully alert, a horrible scream filling her ears, making the breath catch in her chest. She had fallen asleep in the chair, and as she leapt out of it now the book she had been reading fell to the floor with a thud of finality. She looked towards the bed where the sound spewed from and saw Hermione, writhing as if under the cruciatus curse.
Minerva rushed over to her "Hermione…. Hermione wake up… it's just a dream" she pleaded, but Hermione's body continued to thrash, her face crinkled in an expression of relentless pain. Minerva knew she had to do something to stop the nightmare but she couldn't think coherently and for once in her life she didn't know what to do. Her eyes flickered around the room in desperation, as if expecting to see something which would solve the situation. But the only thing that Minerva's senses noticed were the screams which sounded from the young witch and the sight of her body twisting in agony. Not knowing what else to do Minerva instinctively sat on the bed and leant over Hermione's chest, putting her hands on either side of her face. As soon as their skin touched Hermione's body froze, her eyes snapping open. Their dark brown depths were swimming in anguish and the look of piercing fear tortured Minerva. She was glad that Hermione had woken from her nightmare, but she felt horrible as she looked into those eyes. This was why Hermione had been so angry about her staying whilst she slept, Minerva realised, and she had known this would happen. Minerva wished Hermione had confided in her earlier, but at least she knew now.
She gave Hermione a small smile, hoping it conveyed how glad she was that the episode had finished, that Hermione was all right again.
Then Hermione did something that shocked Minerva so much that she froze; her body and mind momentarily incapacitated.
Hermione lifted her head slightly and kissed her Professor.
Hermione didn't seem to notice how rigid Minerva had become, as she was so enthralled in the kiss. She didn't really know why she'd done it, but when she'd opened her eyes and seen those glistening emerald green ones boring into hers with such worry she felt an irrepressible urge to close the gap between them and press her own lips against the smooth ones of the older woman above her. Then the soft lips that pressed against hers were gone and Minerva was backing away quickly, her arms out in front of her to stop Hermione approaching. Hermione realised now what she'd done, and comprehension fell on her like an anvil. She had kissed her teacher, a much, much older woman whom would never want her. How had she been so stupid? Tears started to fill her eyes as she realised how she had ruined everything, how Professor McGonagall would never want to speak to her again.
Minerva didn't know what to do. There sat her brightest pupil, her heart heaved into her mouth as she quietly sobbed on the bed. She wanted to hold her, to tell her everything was going to be alright, but what she had done simply wasn't alright. Not at all. And if she pretended for even a second that it was then she wouldn't be doing the girl any favours. She had to know that what she'd done, the kiss, just wasn't acceptable, that it could not happen. But most of all she wanted to tell Hermione that she didn't blame her, because she knew how upset and confused she was, and she realised that when Hermione woke from her nightmare to her teacher sat on the edge of her bed caressing her cheeks she probably thought she was still asleep. No, it wasn't Hermione's fault, but she still had to know it was wrong. So Minerva left the room without giving Hermione another look, even though it broke her heart to walk away from the girl she had reduced to this broken, sobbing state, trying to block out the sound of Hermione's broken heart.
A/N This is short chapter, but I'll try to update again extra quick to remedy that. Maybe even tomorrow.
I kept saying this would be a bumpy ride for the pair of them, no pun intended, and this is the first hurdle. In this chapter I wanted to convey the confliction in Minerva, and how she feels trapped between her position and her feelings. It also reiterates this lack of clarity in Hermione, and her need to be close to someone, to be loved.
Hope you guys liked it, please let me know what you thought.
Love from Jess x
MioneRavenclaw on Twitter.
