Part 4

Minerva felt warm and fuzzy inside as something took her from her sleep, her mind still half in the land of nod as she felt a warm body pressed against her back and one leg wrapped over hers as a hand drifted down her side softly, if felt divine.

She breathed in, the smell of fresh soap, parchment and roses filling her senses as she cracked open an eye, the room still dark and warm as Minerva closed her eyes for a moment more. She let her memories drift through her head and the pain of guilt at what had happened between them flowing through her as she let her senses wake slowly despite the blatant fact that it was still night or least very early in the morning.

Panic filled her as she tried to swallow, albeit unsuccessfully, her throat dry and in desperate need of water as she tried to keep her breathing shallow as not to disturb the sleeping soundly woman behind her, Hermione.

She sighed sadly as she let her eyes close again for a moment, her mind drifting. Dear dear Hermione, oh what had she done? She couldn't understand it, couldn't fathom why on earth they had started the ritual, if it even was that, could it be? But if so, how? One had to speak the spell or at the least consent to it and she and Hermione had done neither. She had seen the ritual only a handful of times for the reason that one hardly ever found their true love, soul mate, and secondly for the fact that it was quite unknown. Yet somehow, someone out there had set this catastrophic wheel in motion... and there was no way to stop it.

Feeling Hermione's steady breathing she gently untangled herself from the woman's precious hold and sat up, the feeling of guilt and shame that she had been unwillingly pushed into this washing over her for the millionth time as with a flick of her wrist she summoned a night dress from her wardrobe and letting it slip over her head. Gently setting a pillow in her place she looked down at the beauty before her and smiled, her smooth naked leg coming out of the sheets and the soft glow of the lights caressing her naturally tanned skin across her back. Minerva breathed in as she followed the path down her back, her perfectly smooth skin beckoning to her to be touched yet still she resisted and bit her lip, instead holding her itching fingers back and in its place letting her gaze linger for a moment.

Minerva couldnt put it any other way, pure and simply she was beautiful. Her skin glowed and the flames from the fire near by, which silky must have lit during the night, flicking shadows and caressing her face and back. She sucked in a breath when the woman shifted, the sheet ironically rising even further up her leg and Minerva couldnt stop the jolt of pure pleasure that shot straight to her core because merlin help her this was toture!

Still sat on the bed Minerva gently reach out despite herself and though there was no romantically falling lock of hair she still reached out and caressed her cheek just desperate for that one touch before drawing her hand away "You are so, so beautiful" she whispered knowing that it was safe to do so, that the younger woman so close would never know as she soundly slept "And I'm so sorry, for all of this" she said agonisingly before she closed her eyes, tears stinging the back of them "Silky" she whispered and with an almost silent pop her beloved elf came with a small smile.

"Forgive me for calling so late dear but would you be so kind as to return Miss Granger to her rooms" she said quietly still trying to not let her tears fall. She did not want the younger woman to go but she felt she had no choice; Hermione would never want this…

Silky eyed her warily if only for a brief second before nodding curtly "Of courses mistress, is there anythings else's you's be requiring?" she asked as she walked over to the sleep feining professor.

"No thank you Silky"

Knowing that tonight was not the night to question her kind employer she smiled "Then i's will bids you's goodnights" and with that the small elf was gone and so was her beautiful transfiguration professor .

And it was only then that Minerva let her hand come to her mouth trying to still her trembling mouth as the tears quickly came because by the gods it was possible that Hermione meant so much more than she had ever let herself realise… and she didn't want to lose that feeling however much it hurt.

-MM&HG-

Hermione had felt Minerva shift out of her warm embrace and her heart plummeted knowing that she would not come back, she would not return to her loving arms, arms that would gladly hold her and warm her through the night. No, because Hermione knew Minerva and though people thought her stern and cold they did not see behind the exterior that was their esteemed head mistress. And though Hermione saw her and loved her, she also knew someone as magnificent as Minerva could never love her back but would also never allow herself to.

For whatever reason Minerva would not let her pass, would not let her cross that barrier and see into heart. She felt the bed shift again and swore that she could feel the woman's emerald eyes burning into her naked skin, barely covered by the sheets of the bed. With her eyes still closed, too frightened to open them and reveal herself she let herself drown in the moment. Silence washed over them for minutes and Hermione couldn't help but let her mind drift. Oh how wonderful it had felt to feel Minerva's equally soft skin caressing against hers. It wasn't like anything she had ever experienced. Rons love making had been pleasent but this... merlin she could not describe it, her body had been on fire and no one but Minerva could satisfy that need. They hadn't had sex but the mere touch of Minervas skin had been more powerful and pleasurable than any sex she had ever had. Untill tonight she had never really thought of the possibility that Minerva could be more than a freind to her, yes she had found her beautiful, attractive even but to act on it... she breathed in remembering her sensual lips against her chest before the silence was broken as she felt a light caress to her cheek.

Trying not to lean into the soft finger tips that gently burned her skin she kept her breathing steady and prayed for a moment that she would return to her, return to bed and let herself be held if only for a few more hours because whether she admitted or not she knew within her heart if given the chance she could love this outstanding headmistress. Of course she already had a profound fondness for her but to be allowed more, to be let in, to be allowed to love her and be loved in return… her touch was quickly drawn away like a slap to her cheek and soul and Ron's image swam passed her closed eyes… What would he say?

"You are so, so beautiful" she whispered and Hermione supressed the urge to cry and yet smile as she heard the pain lacing her words "And I'm so sorry, for all of this" she said agonisingly and just like that her world tumbled falling slowly and she knew that soon it would shatter. Because with a murmured breath she heard a soft pop, Silky had arrived.

"Forgive me for calling so late dear but would you be so kind as to return Miss Granger to her rooms" she said and there was momentary pause as Hermione desperately resisted the urge to sit up and beg her not to. She didn't want to leave, not like this…"Of courses mistress, is there anythings else's you's be requiring?" she asked as she walked over to the sleeping professor and in those few seconds Hermione begged whatever god there was to stop Minerva to make her rethink this.

"...No thank you Silky"

Hermione's lips quivered until she bit it, her teeth sinking into the silky flesh, pain swimming through her and subsiding the sobs that wanted to emerge from her sweet lips because she would not make a fool of herself, not again. She and Minerva had shared something tonight that was stronger than sex, purer than making love, they had barely touched and their lips had not even collided yet still her heart was breaking but if Minerva wanted to forget this then so would she, she would not submit herself to the cruelty of letting her heart get broken. Not again.

"Then i's will bids you's goodnights" and with that the small elf was gone, the cold sheet of her own bed confirming she was back within her own room in her own bed no longer with her almost lover. She held her breath for a moment and when she heard another pop confirming Silky was gone again she let a sob release itself from her throat, it tearing through the night air as grave scalding tears trailed down her cheek before dropping onto her pillow, the moon light caressing the liquid that rushed from the woman's red tinged mocha eyes in earnest.

-MM&HG-

Rose's eyes fluttered open, resisting the pull of sleep as she watched her brother try to do the same, the midnight walk having worn them out truly, their grandparents giving into their desperate pleas for a midnight walk along the sea shore just beyond their cottage. But that's not what stopped sleep from truly consuming them, no, their day had been so exciting Rose swore she was on cloud nine and nothing could bring her down "Do youthinkit'll work?" she murmured sleepily to a yawning Hugo who too seemed to be in a happy daze.

Looking at his older sister he smiled his cheeky grin, delight filling his young veins "I think mom and dad will be back together by the time we get back" her said closing his eyes and Rose's smile faltered.

"Hugo…" the boy opened his eyes gently hearing the worry in her voice "This isn't about mom and dad" she tried explain knowing that though their dad loved them and their mother he might not be the one, she'd read enough love story's to know that you didn't always meet your prince first time.

Sitting up Hugo frowned "What do you mean? Its gonna work dad loves mom they just…" he paused biting his small lips "I.. don't understand.. I thought this would bring them back together"

Rose sighed and climbed out of her bed as she sat on his both smelling of soap and shampoo and fresh cotton the combination of smells only lulling them further towards sleep "And maybe they will get back together but the spell was so mom could find her true true love. She loves dad and he loves her I know they do but…" she paused trying to find a way to explain it, even she didn't fully understand she just kind of knew by instinct "Aunt Minerva once told me that, people can love each in many different ways, like I love you and mom and dad that's called family love and then there's friendly love like how I love Kayley and Ben and Tyra and stuff" she said naming her friends "But then there's like true love, the love that you can only share with one person, and Aunt Minerva said at one point dad was that person to mom… but not anymore. She loves him but more like a really close friend" she tried to explain in words her 10 years old mind could understand and words his 7 year old head could comprehend "And now she needs to find some she can be in love with, she needs to find that one person"

Hugo twisted his face "So mom loves dad but she doesn't?"

Rose sighed knowing she hadn't explained it well "No. Ummm think of it like this" she said taking his hand an taking him to their bathroom and picking up a glass "Imagine moms heart is a glass?" looking at him as he nodded before she turned on the tap "Now the water is the love" she continued, filling the glass only half way before taking it out from under the running water "See dads love only filled her heart half way. And now mom…" she stuck the glass under the water again until it was full before taking it out and turning off the tap "Needs to find some who will fill her heart completely full of love" she said holding the full cup in front of him.

There was pause before Hugo smiled "Ohhhh! I get it" he said before taking the water and drinking it making Rose roll her eyes.

"Good now come on, into bed if Grams catches us awake still she'll sure enough Jinx us into the next generation or make us clean the barn when we get back" both of them shivering at the thought knowing the hundreds of spiders that resided there. Both children had inherited traits if their parents from Hermione's smartness and cunning to Ron's hate of spiders and ability to eat to kingdom come, true changes were on their way but some things never change.

Authors Note: I know its short but i Promise the next one will be longer, so please review and tell us what you think thankyouuuu :D X