HG/MM fic.

Go away if you're not cool with that.

Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter, this story would be in the books. Alas, it is not. Proving that I am, once again, NOT J.K. Rowling.

Chapter 6

Hermione was again sitting in the transfiguration classroom, staring at the only thing that was able to keep her attention these days.

Her. It had become all about her.

Of course, Hermione still managed to keep up in all her classes, still making exceptional grades, but her work wasn't nearly as good as it usually was.

Had she given thought to it, she would have been disappointed in herself, alas, she had not. All of her attentions were currently fixed on her beautiful transfiguration Professor.

Hermione spotted, once again, that coy strand of hair peeking out from inside Minerva's bun. She wondered what her Professor would do if Hermione was to tell her how that particular hair never quite stays in place.

She would probably charm it to stay up, she thought.

She didn't want that. But she did wonder if she would ever see Minerva with her hair down. Oh, how she'd love to run her fingers through it. She wondered if it was as thick and wavy as she imagined it.

"Hermione, you alright?"

Harry was looking at her, concerned, but as he saw where her gaze led he smirked.

"When are you gonna tell her?"

Hermione hadn't thought of that. No, the idea was simply ludicrous. Professor McGonagall would probably laugh in her face if she didn't immediately ask her to quit her classes.

"Don't be stupid, Harry."

Harry rolled his eyes. Hermione turned back to Professor McGonagall, who gave her a short smile.

"Alright, class is dismissed for today."

There was a rush towards the door, but Professor McGonagall caught her arm before she could leave.

"Might I have a word, Miss Granger?"

Hermione smiled. She could have a lot more than that.

"Of course, Professor."

She followed Minerva over to her desk as her teacher sat down.

"Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter wouldn't know anything about Professor Snape waking up covered in owl droppings this morning, would they?"

She couldn't hide the humor in her voice. Hermione smiled, "They haven't said anything to me, Professor."

Minerva smiled, "Hermione. I know that we've talked several times over the past two weeks about your sexuality, but that can't be all that's bothering you. You're obviously upset over something. I wish you could tell me what it is."

Hermione looked sheepishly at the ground, "I really can't."

Minerva stood to observe her features more carefully, "I understand that it might be something… embarrassing… but please, I just want you to feel better."

Hermoine's eyes shot up. Did she know?

"I…I- uh…"

Minerva gently put an arm around her shoulders to comfort her. Hermione shivered at the contact.

"Hermione, I hope you can trust me enough to tell me whatever is going on. Now, I think I might have an idea as to what it is…but I don't know for sure."

Hermione bowed her head, "Wh-what do you think is g-going on?"

Minerva turned to face her, "I think you're in love."

The younger woman turned beet red. She knew. She had to.

"Um…I..."

She was at a loss for words. Minerva patted her gently on the shoulder, her touch lingering for just a second too long.

"It's alright. Just come to me when you're ready to discuss it."

With that she ushered Hermione out the door.

Hermione couldn't think. She just walked blindly to Gryffindor tower, giving the password to the Fat Lady half-heartedly. When she entered the common room she took a seat next to Ron and Harry.

"She knows."

Ron coughed on his chocolate frog and Harry leaned in to listen.

"She asked me to stay after…told me she thought something was wrong, that she thought she knew what it was. She said she thought I was in love."

Ron swallowed the rest of his chocolate frog, "Yeah, but…maybe she was thinking of someone else…"

"Who else would it be, Ronald?" She snapped.

He looked down, "Geez…I dunno…maybe she thinks you have a thing for Parvati or Luna or someone."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Ron, she would know better than that."

Harry nodded, in full agreement, "Professor McGonagall is really perceptive. She would know you didn't like one of them because you don't ever pay any attention to them. Not like you do to her."

Hermione nodded, "Yes, I am aware of that. I really need to start keeping my emotions in check. She probably already has noticed me…well, staring at her, and she thinks that I'm in love with her."

"But you are," Ron interjected.

"That's not the point, is it Ron? Hermione doesn't want her to know."

Ron finished chewing up his chocolate frog, pondering things over, "I don't get why you just don't tell her. I mean, what's there to lose?"

"There's a lot to lose! I could lose my reputation, my mentor…I could lose her. And I can't do that."

Harry patted her arm nervously.

"Just try focusing on something else for a while. Don't forget about her…just don't make her your priority. When you've had a while you'll be able to make a better decision."

Hermione nodded resolutely.

"That's what I'm going to do."

A/N: Thanks to hermin22, cherline, xio11, Marish89, emeraldpriestess and owl of athena for reviewing since I last updated.

A special thanks to Katherine, Kelsey and U2Pumpkin for their marvelous ideas ahead of time. And thanks to Jordan for reading this, I know it's not your thing, even if you are a geek, lol.

As always, a girl loves a good review…so keep 'em coming! I love you all and let me know what you think of this installment!