Disclaimer: I have no claim to the world or characters of the Harry Potter universe, I just love to toy with their emotions.
After that afternoon, things changed between the two women. Minerva taught Hermione, she taught beside Hermione, and she debated passionately with Hermione. With each article read Hermione would show up, scheduled meeting or no, looking forward to discussing it with Minerva. They would spend hours debating the ramifications of various types of magic, the theories which were just being discovered, and the laws which were quickly being nullified. As the season passed, the two women were found in each other's company more often than not.
It was the middle of December, as Minerva packed up her supplies after a staff meeting, when Remus Lupin stayed a moment later. "Minerva?" he asked carefully, "I was hoping we could discuss something, privately."
"Of course, Remus. Do you mind accompanying me to my office? I have a meeting there in an hour, and I would like to be there, just in case we run over time." Remus nodded and made his way with Minerva, the two catching up as they traveled.
Once settled in her office, Minerva smiled at Remus, "So how can I help you?" she asked.
Remus looked down at his feet momentarily, and Minerva frowned. She had known this man for nearly twenty years, surely he couldn't still be nervous around her. "Minerva," he began. "I consider us friends—good friends, in fact." Minerva nodded. "And, well, if staff members were discussing something like this, I would want you to tell me."
Minerva quirked an eyebrow at him, "What exactly are they saying, Remus?"
"Minerva—there is talk, regarding the nature of your friendship with Miss. Granger." Minerva slipped, knocking her water goblet to the floor.
"What?" she exclaimed.
"Please, don't be angry with me. I just, I wanted you to know—you may want to consider distancing yourself from her. Remember your professional boundaries…"
"Remus, what exactly am I doing which would cause people to believe that?" He cringed slightly at her tone, and she softened, "Please Remus, I'm not upset with you. Honestly, I'm just surprised."
"Min, you've been spending nearly all of your time with her," he explained. "You miss meals several times a week, and the house elves don't deny the fact that you two often eat late in the kitchens. Everyone has heard her call you by your given name—"
"Remus, I think after all she has done for us she deserves to call me by my given name when we aren't in class!" Remus held up his hands in defense.
"I don't disagree Minerva, I—I actually had the same problem when I first started back here. Hermione and I had spent several years simply being friends, and working together for the order—then suddenly I was supposed to be her superior again. Minerva, you know as well as I do that no one is superior to that woman." Minerva heaved a sigh of annoyance, "We ate lunch in my office a couple of times, she helped me grade a couple of papers and suddenly I was the dirty old werewolf screwing the student," he said bitterly.
"Remus!"
"I didn't Min, I never would have. Even if I hadn't been her professor—I'm too old for her, and far too dangerous. I'm simply her friend, and was nothing less than a gentleman, but that didn't stop the rumors."
"Remus, I understand what you're saying, but it's absolutely ridiculous! Hermione is my student, but she is also apprenticing with me. We talk more about academics than anything else. And yes, I consider her a friend, but we have never acted inappropriately," she defended, blushing brightly. "Remus I can't let some silly rumors dictate my life—I won't. Right now, I'm just about the only friend she's got—and she's just about the only friend I've got. I won't hurt her that way."
"Alright," Remus said, nodding as he stood to leave. "I just wanted you to know what was being said. And keep in mind Minerva; it isn't just you who could be damaged by such rumors. Good luck."
Minerva nodded, staring unhappily at her hands as her old student left. She couldn't help but chuckle at that—Remus Lupin, 34 years old, and she still viewed him as her "old student". Yet after only a couple months of drinking tea, Hermione was her friend. Her best friend.
She sighed heavily as a knock sounded on her door; she looked up and couldn't stop the smile from filling her face when she saw the familiar curls pouring out as Hermione removed her hat. "Good Evening, Minerva!" she beamed, shaking snow off of her hair. "I had to pick up a book from Hogsmeade, and it began to snow—it's simply beautiful!"
Minerva laughed, "You know you probably shouldn't tell me when you sneak off the grounds, Hermione."
Hermione just shrugged, raising an eyebrow in challenge, "Would you like me to serve detention with you, Professor? Stay late after class, every day this week?"
Again, Minerva found herself laughing. "You're going to be the death of me."
Hermione smiled, and tilted her head to the side slightly, thinking, "You laugh more now, Minerva."
She nodded, "I suppose I do."
"It suits you—but don't worry, I'll keep it to myself."
"Always appreciated," Minerva smiled. "Now as you know, winter holidays are coming up. I think that after we return from break, we should begin working on the practical end of your Animagus experiment."
"You really think I'm ready, Minerva?" She asked, unsure, "I mean, I've only really been researching in the last several months, I don't want to mess up."
"Hermione, honestly, I would be shocked if you didn't succeed on your first try—which is nearly unheard of, for the record. You have a more advanced knowledge of the art than most masters do; I have the utmost confidence in you."
Hermione beamed, "If you really think so, I'm excited."
"Fantastic," Minerva proclaimed, clapping her hands together. "Now, you picked up those books I suggested for your theoretical research correct?"
Hermione nodded, "After I left last night."
"Good, I imagine you will be able to get quite far in your research over break then. I really am excited to see what you find, no one has ever really considered the scientific effect which transfiguration has on mirrors and other reflective surfaces—I could see that going interesting places."
"I hope so," Hermione confessed, "If it doesn't, my essay will be one of the most boring pieces you've ever read."
Minerva couldn't deny the truth, so she just laughed, "I'm hopeful that your research will have positive results in some manner."
Hermione began to put her books away, realizing that until after break, they had very little to discuss regarding her projects, but some part of Minerva just wasn't willing to let her leave yet, "So Hermione—what are you doing for your holiday this year?"
Hermione shrugged noncommittally, looking towards the floor. "I'm going to stay here, so I will probably just do a lot of studying. Get ahead, you know?"
Minerva nodded, slightly surprised, "I guess I thought you would go to the Weasely's with Harry, isn't that where you usually go for the holidays?"
Hermione sighed deeply, pulling her legs up into her chair, "I do," she answered, "But—well, I haven't spoken to Ron since October, and Harry and I have only exchanged a few letters. I wasn't actually invited this year—though I don't think I would have gone anyways. A bit difficult and all."
Minerva and Hermione hadn't discussed that day since their exchanged letters, but Minerva had only assumed that Hermione had somehow made peace with the two boys. "Hermione, I'm sorry," she said empathetically. "I just assumed that you and Harry were in contact again, at the very least."
Hermione shook her head, "Nope. He—well he's decided to be upset with me instead," she said teary eyed. "They think I lead Ron on, and don't understand why I won't go near him now. Harry feels like I'm trying to make him choose between the two of us."
Minerva was furious, "That isn't right at all! Even without all of the information, how could they ever think of you in such a way? You would never!" Hermione just shrugged.
"It's alright Minerva, they don't know, how could they understand? And as I said, I wouldn't have enjoyed Christmas there anyways. Would've been all twitchy. So I'm staying here. I'll sleep late, enjoy a novel and a perhaps a glass of wine. It'll be a good day on my own. And maybe I'll even check out the Christmas ball—it's usually a good enough time."
Minerva nodded, "Well at the very least, I am happy that I will be seeing you for Christmas, Miss. Granger."
Hermione smiled slightly, nodding. "Well I should really get going for the night. I need to return a couple of books to the library before dinner," she said, standing. She looked back over her shoulder, "Minerva, I hope you have a very good holiday."
"You too, Hermione."
As the brunette walked out of her office, Minerva felt herself trembling with unrestrained rage. She heard the shattering of several vials around the room, and she tried to control her emotions. She wasn't some silly student anymore who couldn't control her magic—breathing deeply Minerva forced her emotions to calm.
It didn't take a brilliant person to realize that Hermione was heartbroken. Minerva had suspected that she was considering talking to Harry and Ronald over Christmas—trying to really patch things up. She hadn't said as much, but she had referred to being nervous on several occasions, and lots to discuss. Now the girl had been shunned, shunned when she needed those boys' the most. It wasn't right, and it wasn't Gryffindor.
Minerva's mind began spinning, considering ways in which she could cheer the younger woman up, and just as she pictured Hermione, beautifully smiling up at her, with a Hot Cocoa mug in her hands and her ever twinkling eyes, Minerva's mind stopped spinning, and locked into place.
Remus Lupin was right.
"Bloody Hell," Minerva swore. "I fancy Hermione Granger."
Remus Lupin jumped slightly, when he heard a persistent knocking at his office door. Officially, as of this afternoon, it was Winter Break. He certainly wasn't expecting anyone to call on him. "Come in," he called out.
He was shocked when he saw a shivering, Hermione Granger in his doorway. "Miss. Granger, what a pleasant surprise," he greeted. "How can I help you?"
Hermione rolled her eyes in a very un-Hermione like way. "Cut it out, Remus. We're friends, deal with it."
"What?" He stuttered, shocked by her blunt outburst.
"Look Remus, we've known each other since I was 13, and we've been very good friends for the past several years. I completely understand why you backed off after those rumors started, I'm not angry. Honestly, it was probably the best for you," she said quickly, "But most of the students' have left, and if you could cut the act for just a few minutes, I could really use a friend right now, and frankly, I don't have very many."
Remus gaped at her for a moment as she flopped unceremoniously into the chair across from his desk, "I'm sorry, Mione. I shouldn't have done that."
She shook her head quickly, "Really, it's alright. I meant what I said, I just—I really needed someone to talk to, you know? Someone I could trust? And you seemed like the best choice."
Remus smiled broadly, this was what he loved about Hermione. She was always honest, and rarely held grudges. That combined with a ridiculously high intellect and a wicked sense of humor, made her one of his favorite people. No one would believe that this was the same girl who was always so polite and eloquent in her classes. They just had a different kind of relationship. He would swear that had Hermione been born in a different time, she would have been the first female Marauder "Alright Shorty, what's going on, and why are you talking to me suddenly, instead of Minerva?"
She groaned audibly, closing her eyes. "Remus—have you heard the rumors?"
Remus cringed; he couldn't believe he was having this conversation twice in one day, "Yea, Mione. I've heard them."
"Has she?" she asked, quietly this time. Remus' eyebrows rose slightly, surprised by her vulnerable tone.
"As of today… yes," he said carefully. "I—I told her, Hermione. She's been my friend for a very long time, and I didn't want her to be blindsided." Hermione just nodded carefully.
"Remus, you know those rumors about you and I were bullshit, don't you?" she asked bluntly, staring directly at him.
"Yes, Hermione, I know. We're friends, very good friends. And you are attractive, very attractive." He laughed, "But we were never like that. And I know you never saw me that way either." She nodded again.
"People were so sure that I was going to fall in love with you," she laughed, winking at him. "Dirty old werewolf."
He chuckled quietly, "Hermione, what's this about, really?" he asked seriously, causing her to look up.
It was only then that he realized how incredibly sad she looked, "Remus," she started, pausing almost immediately. She took a deep breath, "I'm in love with her."
He studied her closely for a moment, trying to read her emotions. "Fuck," he swore.
"You're telling me," she grumbled.
"You really are, aren't you?"
"Irrevocably," she replied simply. Remus shook his head disbelievingly.
Hermione was one of his best friends, despite everything that had happened earlier in the Fall, and he had been worried. Remus was known for his keen werewolf senses, but it was more than that. Years of persecution had taught him to be observant, to read people quickly.
He knew that she was bisexual, and had been able to tell that simply from the way she eyed Tonks upon first meeting the fiery woman. He had seen the light hickey which she had unsuccessfully attempted to hide after Ginny had gotten exceptionally drunk at their New Year's party. But through it all, he could tell that her feelings for Ron were deeper than that, if he had to guess, he though she had once planned on marrying him.
When something switched and she stopped being interested in men, he noticed that as well. He suspected something had happened in the war, something she wouldn't talk about.
But he saw how she flinched whenever a man touched her, Harry was the only exception. He saw how she cringed whenever someone flirted with her. She had blossomed while on the run, and had been named one of Witch Weekly's Sexiest Witches Alive in their most recent issue. Those looks had brought many men to their knees—but she was completely petrified whenever they approached her. Watching her at the various, in his opinion, sick celebratory balls, he had understood immediately, and had never once touched her. If he were to speculate, he would guess that was why she had quickly become friends with him at the beginning of the year. She was used to hanging out with boys—men, and he was a completely safe man to spend time with.
He always chuckled at that, of all the men to consider safe.
When he had distanced himself, he had seen how it hurt her, but he knew she was strong. He knew she would make it—that was before Minerva had entered the picture. Remus had seen the result almost immediately.
Hermione has reawakened under the attention of the woman who, for so many years, Hermione had hero worshipped. But Remus also saw how quickly she dropped the idolization, and honestly befriended the woman. Hermione wasn't besotted with the woman, she was best friends with her, and Remus recognized the look which bloomed in Hermione's eyes in November, after the Fiendfyre incident.
Hermione wasn't being dramatic, and she wasn't harboring a school girl crush. Hermione Granger had fallen in love with her Professor.
"Hermione," He groaned, "You cannot be in love with Minerva McGonagall!"
She cringed, "Don't you think I know, Remus? I've been nauseatingly attracted to her for over a month now, and I can't do anything about it. That's why I came to you, I needed to talk to someone, and I needed someone in my corner."
Remus ran a hand through his hair, "Hermione, I understand, I really really do, but she is more than three times your age—and your professor!"
Hermione threw a paperclip at him, "Don't be dramatic. She's 46, that is only 27 years older than me… she would only be twice my age if she was 57," she told him dryly.
"Well, well, alert the presses. Everything is A-Okay now," he responded with a smirk.
"Look, Remus. I'm not pursuing her, okay. I know that isn't possible, I'm smart, I get it. I just—I just want to continue being friends with her, and I'm worried that with these rumors spiking, she's going to cut and run," Hermione explained. "Rem, I have one and a half friends right now. Her, and sometimes you. I can't survive losing that."
"She knows doesn't she?" He asked quietly.
"What?"
"She knows what happened, whatever happened that you won't talk about," he suggested.
Hermione twitched slightly, "Yes," she said.
"Well," he said, understanding her discomfort and returning back to the subject at hand. "She isn't going anywhere. When I talked to her—well, I tried to get her to take a bit of distance," he cringed as she glared at him. "I didn't know it was quite this serious, and I didn't want either of your reputations damaged. Unfortunately, she wouldn't have any of it. She told me that the rumors were preposterous and that she didn't give a damn what any of the gossipy staff members of this castle had to say. You were friends, and she thought that you deserved a few decent friends after the way you had been treated."
"Really?" Hermione asked, "She really said that?"
"Yes, and Mione, if she didn't listen to me, she isn't going to listen to anyone. We're decent friends—the only person she's closer with is you, and Albus. And obviously he isn't about to complain."
Hermione nodded, "I can deal with that then, and thanks Remus. I just—I really needed to let it out."
He smiled at her, "I can definitely understand, better than most, how tiring a secret can be. Come by any time to talk."
"Oh?" she asked, "You're not afraid that I'm going to tarnish your reputation anymore?"
He laughed, "No, everyone knows that Minerva is the dirty old woman who's shagging the students now. I'm off the hook."
Hermione laughed, picking up her bag. "Goodnight, Remus."
"Night, Hermione." He echoed as she closed the door.
A/N: No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to make it more than a few days without updating. Sorry to disappoint all of you! ;-)
I have a question to pose, which I would greatly appreciate responded to via review or private message. I am currently working on chapter 20 and I'm realizing that some adult content seems to be looming in the future. When I started the story I had no intention of any such thing, and made that clear. What are your opinions on changing that? Would you be upset if there was something mildly lemon-shaped in our future? Would you be upset if there wasn't? As always, I write for me above all, so if I feel it's necessary, I will. But I would love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks for reading, and please review!
