AN: Sorry this is a bit short and took forever to post. Enjoy!
A few days later in the Library
"So who are these two women?" Hermione asked.
"That is Aileen and Edana McGonagall, my grandmothers."
"Wait, they were married?"
Eyebrow quirked Minerva replied, "Yes. Even though it is frowned upon in some circles, gay marriage is common in the wizarding world. Edana McGonagall was the black sheep - as the Muggle phrase goes - of the family. She met Aileen, who was a Transfiguration mistress, fell in love, married, and then nine months later my father Fagan was born."
Hermione turned to look at Minerva, both eyebrows raised before turning back to the photo, "So it is possible?"
Minerva chuckled. "Almost anything is possible when magic is involved."
Hermione nodded her head before looking at the next photo. "And this I take it is your family."
A smile appeared on her lips. "Yes. My father Fagan, mother Rhoswen and my older brother Mackay."
"I noticed that all the names are Scottish or Gaelic. Why isn't yours the same?"
"My father was always interested in mythology and when my mother was giving birth to me, my father had a splitting headache that no potion helped. He said he took it as a sign that I should be named after the deity Athena who gave Zeus a headache when she was born. But Athena McGonagall didn't sound right so they changed it to Minerva."
"Wow." She turned to the older woman. "So what are we going to do today?"
"Relax. It is a beautiful day out. We should go out in our animal forms and enjoy the weather."
A smirk appeared on Hermione's face. "Race you to the stream."
Minerva's eyes narrowed. "On the count of three. One, two…" Before she reached three Hermione was off, transforming midway through the open door. Minerva exclaimed "cheater!" before transforming into her tabby form, climbing the nearest tree, and jumping from branch to branch. Unknown to Hermione, not only was this the fastest way but this wasn't the first time she had raced to the stream. She chuckled to herself when she reached the clearing. In the back of her mind she felt a nagging sensation to change into her lion form and let it get a stretch for a change. Normally she wouldn't give into an impulse like this, but curiosity overrode norm.
Immediately she felt everything enlarge and the branch she was currently on buckled a bit, yet held her weight. A thrill rushed through her body as she flexed her new powerful muscles. Although she loved being a tabby cat, she found she could easily love this new, bigger, more powerful form effortlessly. Her attention was pulled when she heard movement below and watched as Hermione ran through, looking over her shoulder, possibly looking for the older woman.
Hermione stopped and lifted her head slightly, closely listening for Minerva. The wind shifted, causing Hermione to pause as a new scent hit her nose, a scent that was foreign, but familiar at the very same time. She looked up just as there was movement above her and the creature landed in front of her. Hermione had never heard of lions being in the Highlands, but here was one now and she immediately went on defense, the panther in her ready to take control if the lion attacked. It jumped towards her and immediately the panther took over, roaring out a challenge.
Minerva, who had leapt at Hermione in fun, realized her mistake as she recognized the roar as a challenge and not of fun. She forgot that to Hermione along with her animal form, she was just a lion, a threat, and not Minerva. When she realized this, the lion took over. Both big cats lunged and tore at the other until eventually, the lion pinned the panther.
Minerva was able to regain control of speech and called out, "Stop, it's me, Hermione." The lion, who remained in control of motor function, applied more pressure as the panther tried to sit up. When she spoke, realization dawned in the other animal's eyes among other emotions along with a new scent coming forth as it did before it all disappeared as Hermione transformed back. The lion part of Minerva's brain yowled at the brief scent as its desires rose. To tone it out, Minerva regained total control and shifted back, immediately getting up and off of Hermione.
"Sorry about that. I guess I should have mentioned a few days ago I discovered I have a secondary form."
"I didn't even know something like that was possible," Hermione said, getting up and dusting off, trying to push into the back of her mind the desire she felt while a panther.
"Neither did I until recently. It definitely was a shock to learn, but on the bright side we now know if you lose control we have another means to calm you down to help you regain control."
"Yeah," Hermione replied distractedly. She had a feeling though if Minerva pinned her down again like she had the panther wouldn't give her a choice anymore on who was to be her mate. Although she wouldn't mind having Minerva as a mate, she doubted the other woman felt the same. Besides, she loved Ron… or at least he thought she did. She sighed as she realized how complicated things had just become.
"Are you alright?" Minerva asked, breaking Hermione out of her thoughts.
"I'm fine. Just thinking."
"About?"
"Harry and Ron," she lied - well not fully as she was thinking about Ron, just not in that way.
"I'm sure they are fine. Tom looked furious when he returned. If they had succeeded in finding Harry and killing him I'm sure he would have been in a better mood."
Hermione gave her a weak smile. "You're right." She shook her head before a small smile appeared. "Now we came out here to relax. I don't know about you, but the water sounds like a good idea." She waved her wand, transfiguring her clothes into a one piece and ran towards the water.
Minerva let her own small smile appear as she shook her head at the younger woman. She started to transfigure her own outfit before she changed her mind and transformed back into her lion form and bounded in after the young woman. Since Hermione's back was to her, she easily snuck up behind her, leaping on the unsuspecting woman's back. Hermione shrieked as she was dunked in the water and came back up sputtering. Minerva made a noise that sounded like a laugh as she watched the other woman attempt to get her wet hair out of her face.
Hermione moved the last strand of hair out of her face and glared at mirth filled eyes. "Think that's funny, do you?" At Minerva's nod, Hermione leaped at her, pushing Minerva's head down and under. They kept at this for awhile, trying to put the other under before it became a splashing game. After some time things settled down and Hermione was so tired she ended up floating on her back, Minerva close by. "I don't know about you but I'm exhausted. I don't even think I could swim back to shore." Minerva nudged her hand. "What?" Minerva dipped her head under Hermione's arm till it was resting on her neck. "You want me to hold on while you pull me inland?" Minerva nodded and Hermione wrapped her arms around the lion's neck.
When they reached the shore, Hermione let go and moved to a few flat rocks close by. Waving her hand she muttered a charm under her breath before lying flat on the rock, a sigh escaping her lips. "Nap time." Minerva walked closer and transformed, standing over Hermione, her outline overshadowing Hermione.
"Do you think it's wise to take a nap out here?"
"I don't see why not. I haven't seen any big predators out here. Besides I have a lion that'd protect me from any threats, right?"
"Aye, that you do." Minerva chuckled before transforming and curling up on the stone by Hermione. A purr escaped the large cat when she felt a hand bury itself in her fur, clinging to it lightly as she heard the even breaths escape the body the hand was connected to. She would protect this woman next to her while she slept.
AN: Again, sorry it took so long to post. Real life outside of no more school took over and took control. I'll try to post soon but no promises. :( But if I get some reviews I may stay up a bit later to type more and get things posted sooner. :) Review and tell me what you think! And to give your mind something to crunch on for now... things seem a bit calm eh? The question is... will it remain or is it the calm before the storm? hehehe Thanks for reading.
