Two chapters in one day! I'll admit that I've really been looking forward to writing this chapter, thus the rapid update. This is the point which the story really starts to pick up. I hope you guys enjoy it!
Minerva had never returned to their room Monday night. Tuesday was here now, and Hermione was just finding herself a good seat to watch the match between Harry and her godson, Tanner Hagrid. "Aunt Hermione!" Tanner called, walking toward her. "Any last minute words of wisdom before Uncle Harry beats me to a pulp?"
Hermione considered is query for a moment before answering the seven foot tall man before her. "Harry's stunners are pretty strong, so don't be shocked if they push you around more than normal. His weakness is Transfiguration, so try to use that to your advantage."
Tanner's dark eyes twinkled. "Thanks."
Hermione was fairly certain that Harry was going to beat Tanner in the end regardless, but she preferred that he actually have to work for it. Harry had the advantage of being older, more experienced, and already aware of the weaknesses of having Giant blood. Hermione thought about Hagrid, who had really wanted to be here for his son today, but all agreed that despite the muggle comic convention going on, Hagrid would still be a security problem, so he'd wished his son luck and stayed home.
Hermione looked around and finally spotted Minerva, sitting on the other side of the room between her two brothers. She caught the elder, Robert's gaze and was surprised when he glared at her. She turned and caught Malcolm's gaze and he shrugged at her, a look of sympathy in his eyes. Minerva seemed oblivious to the exchange, though Hermione was fairly certain that she was simply pretending not to notice the younger witch.
"Standing for England, Harry Potter!" the announcer shouted. The crowd roared with applause. Even all these years later, the boy-who-lived-twice was still the subject of great fandom. "And standing for half-breeds, Tanner Hagrid! Let the match begin!"
Harry and Tanner each bowed and took ten steps away from each other, before turning with wands at the ready. "Duel!" the announcer shouted, and sparks began to fly.
Tanner got the first shot off, sending a stunner flying toward Harry, who easily blocked it with a lazy flick of his wrist. Harry returned the favor and sent his own stunner towards Tanner, who as usual did not block it, which resulted in him being shoved backwards. He did not lose his footing, but Hermione knew that he would have if she had not warned him about the strength of Harry's stunners. The young quarter-Giant stared at Harry with determination, and Hermione let out a giggle when Harry yelped in surprise as thousands of spiders began crawling out of the mat below his feet. Tanner must have transfigured the stuffing like Minerva had.
Oh, Minerva, Hermione thought with a groan. Why did it always come back to her? Hermione thought about the looks Robert and Malcolm McGonagall had given her a few minutes before, and concluded that Minerva must have told them what was going on. Or at least, they must have guessed. A loud bang resounded in the room, causing Hermione to turn her attention back to the match, and she saw Harry flat on his arse. Tanner must have shot off something really powerful for it to make that loud of a sound against Harry's shield. Obviously the impact had send Harry flying. Another bang as Tanner shot off 'Reducto Magno' told Hermione that, pleased with the result of the first time, Tanner had chosen to repeat the spell.
Harry was prepared this time, however, and rebounded on Tanner with obvious vigor. Hermione could tell that Harry's pride was wounded by the fall, and that from here on one, he would not cut his friend's son any slack. Tanner seemed to know this as well, as his stance immediately became more defensive, even before Harry's voice started booming through the hall. Her long-time friend had never been particularly good at silent spells.
"CORPUS PARVUS!"
Tanner's stature began to shrink until it was the size of about the standard fourth year. Despite being miniaturized, Tanner managed to block the next few spells Harry sent his way, and even managed a few more transfiguration spells that attempted to slow Harry down. Hermione found Tanner's use of Portus Gladius of particular interest, as Tanner animated some Devil's Snare and caused it to entrap Harry. Harry, however, was only momentarily stalled by this.
"LUMINOS MAXIMO!"Harry shouted to get the Devil's Snare to back off. "REDUCTO!"
Tanner had by now managed to put himself back to his proper size, but the effort in doing so took longer than it took Harry to untangle himself, and with a few final spells, Tanner was disarmed, leaving Harry the victor.
Hermione stood and clapped with the rest of the crowd. The match had taken nearly forty minutes. Hermione was proud of Tanner for his effort, and as soon as Harry's adoring masses began to dissipate, she went and told him so.
"Thanks Aunt Hermione," Tanner replied sincerely. "We both knew Harry was going to get me, but I am pretty happy with how long I lasted. I wish dad could have seen it."
"You should go send him an Owl and let him know how it went," Hermione suggested. "If I know your father, he's waiting anxiously by the window already. He knew you had a match this morning, right?"
"Yea," Tanner confirmed. "I'll go Owl him after I get a shower. Nothing like a good Duel to get a guy all sweaty and gross."
Hermione laughed. "Off with you then."
Minerva managed to avoid Hermione throughout the day. She'd ended up passing out in her brothers' room the night before, though first thing in the morning Malcolm had informed her that she could not do so again. Robert was well known as a bed hog, and while Malcolm had started out on the bed with Robert, he'd ended up camping on the floor after Robert nearly kicked him in the nuts mid way through the night.
"Hey, Minerva!" Harry Potter's voice said from behind her. "Do you have plans for dinner?"
Minerva turned and faced her Defense Professor. "Not that I am aware of," she replied.
"Good. You can join us then," Harry replied with a grin.
"Who is us?" Minerva wanted to know, already dreading the answer.
"Um, myself and Tanner, Teddy and his uncle, and Hermione," Harry replied.
Minerva pursed her lips, racking her brain to figure out some way to get out of dining with the group without giving Harry any clue to what was going on. She came up with nothing. "Very well," she replied at last. "What time and where?"
"Hermione mentioned some Italian place in the city that you two found on Saturday. She couldn't remember the name of the place, but seemed pretty certain she could find it again regardless," Harry stated. "I think we were planning on leaving in about half hour, giving time to find the place before we're all starving to death."
"So meet you in the lobby in half hour?" Minerva clarified.
"Yup," Harry said cheerfully. "Dress to impress!"
Minerva stared at her co-worker. "Why would I do that?"
Harry sighed. "All due respect Headmistress, but I've been hoping for a chance to get you on an outing like this for years. You've been alone for far too long. I know you haven't been with anyone in about ten years…"
"Harry, I was not aware you knew anything about my personal life," Minerva said crisply. She could not for the life of her recall ever telling him about any of her relationships. There had been a few over the years, the last somewhat serious one being…yes, Harry was right, ten years ago now.
"I know more about you than you'd think," Harry said with a twinkle in his eyes. "Her name was Lucy, correct? Your last girlfriend?"
"Harry Potter, I have no idea how you found out about Lucy, but I assure you, now is not the time for me to go hunting for a new relationship," Minerva snapped.
"It's been ten years, Minerva," Harry complained. "Find someone special. Retire. Live a life that consists of more than just duty. What was the last time you did that?"
"Not since long before you were born," Minerva admitted. "And retire? Are you after my job, Mr. Potter?"
Harry's eyes twinkled again. "Someday. For now, Filius' would do."
"Cheeky man," Minerva laughed. "I'll see you in half hour, Harry. I'll put something decent on, but I'm not dolling up just to satisfy your odd need for me to find a new relationship."
Hermione smirked in satisfaction. "There it is!" she said to the group, pointing to the Italian restaurant she and Minerva had gone to days before.
"So it is," she heard Minerva whisper.
Hermione sighed, and forced herself not to look at the older witch. If she hadn't known better, she'd think that Minerva was trying to drive her insane with the way she'd dressed this evening. The older witch was wearing a pair of loose black slacks and a long sleeved, green, scoop neck shirt which rested just low enough to make Hermione's imagination ignite.
The group went inside and were seated after a few minutes. The meal was delicious, and was followed by several glasses of wine per person. Minerva had tried to decline, but for some reason, Harry had insisted the older woman have some. Hermione had not declined, certain that Harry would do the same to her. If she just nursed the glass, she might make it through the evening mostly sober.
By eight, Teddy and his uncle had excused themselves and headed back to the hotel. They were planning to go to France, back to Pierre's house, and spend some time catching up on each other's lives. Half hour later, Tanner took his leave, claiming to have an early morning Portkey back to England. Hermione, Harry, and Minerva chatted quietly till nine when the restaurant closed, and then walked back to the hotel together. Harry took his leave once they reached the lobby, and finally, Hermione and Minerva were alone.
"We should go get to bed," Minerva said after an awkward silence. "You have a match in the morning."
"Of course," Hermione replied. "Are you come up too, or are you sleeping elsewhere again?"
"I was in my brothers' room last night, passed out drunk," Minerva explained. "Malcolm made it clear this morning, however, that I was not allowed to stay there again, so yes, I'll be in our room tonight."
"With any luck, I'll lose tomorrow and go home," Hermione replied tiredly. "This should be the last night we have to…" her voice trailed off, obvious sadness in her tone. "Minerva, am I ever going to see you again, once we part ways this time?"
"In passing, maybe," Minerva replied quietly as the pair started walking toward their room. "Other than that…I don't know."
Neither said another word until they reached the room. Hermione couldn't even look at Minerva, and it was all she could do to hold back the tears. The idea of never seeing this woman again was killing her. As soon as the door to their room closed behind them, Hermione lost it.
She leaned against the nearest wall and slid to the floor. "I hate this," she croaked, trying desperately not to cry.
"Get up, Hermione," Minerva whispered. "If you can't pull yourself together, I'll find another hotel to go to."
Hermione stood quickly, anger flashing in her eyes. "I don't want you to go!" she shouted, shoving Minerva backward a step. "That's the bloody point!"
"Hermione!" Minerva shouted back. "I don't like this any more than you do. If you have an idea on what we can do to just magic this pain away, I'm all ears!"
Hermione would later wonder if what happened next was a result of the wine, or if it was just bound to happen after all that had transpired in the last week, but happen it did. Without any further thought, she rushed forward, grabbed Minerva's face, and pulled her into a kiss.
Minerva kissed her back without any hesitation. There was no stopping this, not now. Hermione felt her back being pressed into the wall she'd previously leaned on, but this time Minerva was pressed against her, hands roaming over Hermione's curves and tongue battling for dominance.
"Hermione," Minerva panted. "We shouldn't…"
"I don't care," Hermione muttered, blood pumping faster and faster as, despite vocalized objections, Minerva was still biting down on a sweet spot on her neck. "Oh gods," she moaned.
Before long, the pair had migrated to one of the beds, and after an hour or so of kissing, the two fell asleep fully clothed, but tangled around each other, as if they were holding on for dear life. Neither considered what consequences the morning would bring.
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