I DO NOT own any of the following characters or settings it all belongs to the fabulous JK Rowling.
A/N: I am sorry for all the mistakes that I have been unable to catch. I don't currently have a beta reader and have tried to fix as many as I can.
Chapter 4
Minerva felt self conscious and ridiculous. She had planned on wearing her normal teaching robes but had been stopped by Poppy and Rolanda on her way out the door. "You are going to frighten the poor girl if you show up looking like her transfiguration teacher. You must change" After much argument, Minerva found herself in dress that seemed to mix a muggle dress with traditional dress robes. It was a gorgeous blue color and hit half way down her calf. The buttons ran from the hem to the top of her collar. She wore her favorite traveling boots and some simple black tights. She brushed her hair behind her shoulder. She had been instructed to wear it down and Poppy had used a blue and silver hair pin to complement the lace sleeves of the dress. She didn't understand why she couldn't wear her normal robes they fit her well and they were her favorite shade of green. She hadn't intended to arrive early but after casting a quick tempus charm she realized she was almost half an hour early. She ordered a pot of tea and pulled out her book, after rereading the same page at least twenty times she realized she was too nervous to read. Just as she put her book back into her bag she heard the familiar sound of the door. She looked up to see hermione enter the small pub. When they finally made eye contact, her breath caught in her chest at the strange look on Hermione's face. She couldn't quite place the expression, it look surprised obviously but it also held a hint of approval and something else. As hermione approached the table she looked her over. Hermione must not have been eating very well recently, she looked tiny in her muggle jeans and simple grey sweater. "I ordered us some tea while I waited but wasn't sure what you would like to eat…"
"Oh I am okay. I am not really hungry." Minerva gave Hermione a knowing look. Hermione looked sheepish quickly continued. "However I wouldn't say no to some soup with toast." Minerva flagged down the waitress and ordered the soup for hermione and a slice of steak and kidney pie for herself and two slices of strawberry rhubarb pie. "Did you write to Ginny about the wedding?" Minerve turned bright red, realizing she had forgotten to tell Hermione.
"Yes I did. I had assumed that you had already told her. She wrote back saying you hadn't and I figured you should have your best friend at the wedding." They sat in silence for a moment. The tea arrived and Hermione jumped into action. Minerva watched as Hermione made her cup exactly the way she liked it. She gave a small smile as she accepted the cup. "We need to discuss some things" She reached into her bag looking for her list of questions but when she turned back to the young woman she realized Hermione had a list too. She gave a small chuckle, what a pair they were. "What type of ceremony would you prefer?" She final choked out.
"I actually like the idea of a handfasting ceremony but I don't really know how they work in the wizarding world." Minerva launched into describing wizarding handfasting ceremonies.
"We will need at least five witnesses if not more and we will use white ribbons. As the ceremony progresses the ribbons will change colors based on different aspects of the ceremony. We will have to hold it outside so is there anywhere you would like to have it? And who would you like in attendance?"
"I don't really have a preference for the location or attendance. Ginny obviously… I wouldn't mind having professors Flitwick and Snape, and maybe Hagrid…" Hermione grew quiet as she realized that she was currently planning her wedding. She never would have believed that this would be happening. Minerva inched her long slender fingertips across the table to rest gently against Hermione's delicate fingers.
"I am sorry this is happening Hermione. After everything you did in the war, you deserve some peace. I promise I will do everything in my power to give that to you. Even if it is just by being there and offering my support." Hermione nodded and gave a small sniff. Hermione was determined to pull herself together. Giving a final sniff she plowed a head determined to finish the conversation without crying. This was a difficult situation for both of them and she felt selfish having Minerva constantly comforting her. She turned her hand and took Minerva's hand in her own.
"What else will I require for the ceremony? I had attempted to find a dress today but was unable to find anything that really suited me."
"A dress would be perfect. You won't need shoes and a veil is an option if you would like but handfastings are supposed to be very natural and simplistic. I will handle the invitations... would you be opposed to getting married on the grounds of my family's home? It isn't too ostentatious but my family has been getting married on it's ground for centuries." Minerva was suddenly very aware of her heritage and blood status. Hermione wouldn't understand the traditions of her family. Would her children be able to partake in the same traditions that she grew up with? She scolded herself, now was not the time to think of children they weren't even married yet.
"Of course. It's your families home I wouldn't want to prevent you from following in your family's footsteps. Would we live there over the summer when we are not at Hogwarts?" Minerve let out a breath, she had forgotten to ask Hermione's opinion about their living situation and was glad she had mentioned it.
"Would you be okay with living at Hogwarts? Headmasters have always lived there but none of them have been married. If it is an issue we could try and a suitable living situation."
"Of course we will live at Hogwarts. I couldn't live with myself if something happened and you weren't there to deal with it." She was touched that Minerva would be willing live away from the school for her but amazed that Minerva thought her so petty. "Did you really think I would fight you on this issues? I would never want to keep these things from you… It's your wedding too." The rest of the conversation went rather quickly once Minerva realized that this was supposed to be a partnership and that she didn't have to let Hermione make all the decisions. They ordered dinner and ate in comfortable silence. When they were finally ready to leave it was dark and Minerva insisted on seeing Hermione home. They decided to marry the day after next and they would stay that night at Hogwarts. The sorting ceremony took place the following day and there was still much to do. It had been a productive day and they both felt much more prepared for whatever future faced them. They reached Hermione's door and with a small smile Minerva wished Hermione a good night and turned to leave. Hermione grabbed her wrist and pulled her back towards her. "I thought we talked about you leaving like that?" Hermione gave a small smirk and began leaning towards her. Minerva panicked, she felt like a small animal running from a predator and completely froze. She gave a small gasp as she felt Hermione's lips on her own and felt Hermione smile against her. Hermione pulled back and pushed Minerva's hair back behind her ear. "Goodnight," she whispered as she turned back towards the house and closed the door.