This is the final chapter and its set over several months. There will be a short epilogue after this chapter but its drawing to its end.
On that note, i am planning to finish Dueller's Legacy and possibly (i make no promises) but possibly From the Depths before i start any new projects.
Reviews encouraged.
Luna was pacing a small room two months after their return from collecting the ingredients for their project. Now she was waiting on her Maid of Honor, who was late and her bridesmaid. It was too many minutes before Hermione stumbled into the room quickly followed by Ginny. They did look quite lovely in their flowing pastel rainbow coloured summer dresses with white shoes and daisy chain crowns in their hair.
"God LuLu. I'm so sorry, Minerva was late getting to the manor and then when we got to the Burrow Ginny wasn't even out of bed. Ugh, at any rate you can thank Fleur that we didn't miss it entirely." Hermione rushed to explain but Luna just smiled happy to see her two closest female friends there.
"That's ok. I was just getting a little anxious. Did the Headmistress not stay at the manor last night? Did you have a fight?" Luna asked and took the offered seat as Hermione set about doing her hair.
"Nothing like that. She had to patrol last night though so by the time she was done she decided to just sleep at the castle." Hermione explained gently running the brush through soft silky blonde hair.
"Have you two ever even had a fight?" Ginny asks frowning getting the numerous flowers for Luna's hair in order.
"Define fight. We had disagreed on conversation topics but mostly we get along very well." Hermione shrugged her tone far from bragging.
"Seriously? Every couple fights. Surely she does something that annoys you or vice versa." Ginny raises her eyebrows incredulously.
"No seriously. I love everything about her. She's mine, i'm hers. We get along perfectly." Hermione was beginning the braids and twists and pinning them in place in Luna's hair adding the flowers as she goes.
"Why aren't you both getting married then?" Luna speaks up looking at Hermione in the mirror.
"We've never talked about it I guess." Shrugging Hermione continued doing the witches hair.
HGMMHGMMHGMM
"Can you believe Hannah is catering her own wedding?" Molly spoke to Hermione and Minerva as they were sitting patiently waiting for the start of Neville and Hannah's wedding ceremony.
"She catered Lu and Rolf's wedding so I think its great." Katie spoke up from just behind the three women, Narcissa was sitting beside her.
"Right? Her food is great. She cant be disappointed if she does it herself." Hermione grins back at Katie and rubs to belly.
"Bottomless pit." Narcissa coos playfully and Minerva and Molly both snicker.
It was three weeks until the start of the new school year and Hannah and Neville wanted to get married during the summer so they would have time to go on their honey moon. Neville had been great for Hermione since that day in the forest, he understood better than the others how Hermione had felt and when she began feeling a little remorseful, not that she had killed him but that she had drawn it out, she went and spoke with Neville.
"She is insatiable." Minerva smirked and Hermione leaned into her.
HGMMHGMMHGMM
"How was the first day back Headmistress?" Hermione asked smiling as her lover stomped into their bedroom.
"Hectic. Ro and Septima announced they were planning to marry after dinner. Rolanda and Septima. Who would have thought." Minerva spoke as she undressed.
"Awe that's so great." Hermione said putting her book down and getting up as Minerva went to find something to wear to bed.
"I suppose it is. Ro seems happy and the students seem far more inclined to take Arithmancy now." Minerva explained as a slight confused looked crossed her features as Hermione stepped up behind her and with hands on her hips turned her towards the bed and guided her to it, gently pushing her onto it.
"Well that is definitely good. I did find Professor Vector a little unapproachable back when I was taking classes." Hermione says conversationally as she gets some oil out of the draw beside the bed.
"Well I am glad you were at least reasonable enough to still take Arithmancy. Of course you took everything but divination in your 3rd year." Minerva spoke over her shoulder as she watched what her witch was doing.
"I was a bit keen." Hermione chuckled remembering her third year. Aside from all the Sirius stuff it was easily her quietest year.
"A bit. I'm not sure I have ever seen you as excited as you were when I gave you that time turner." Minerva smirked her eyes darkening slightly when the witch straddled her backside.
"Never?" Hermione purred the words as her hands smoothed up the older woman's back spreading out the oil as she went.
"Well, school related." Minerva practically hummed the words and lay down resting her head on her arms folded in front of her.
"That's what I thought." Hermione chuckled as she firmly massaged the knots from Minerva's back. By the time she was done the Headmistress was snoring softly.
HGMMHGMMHGMM
Harry and Ginny were sitting in the kitchen of Grimmauld place with Draco and Ron. The boys had informed the young woman of what Hermione had done months ago. They had withdrawn slightly but Ginny stepped up, she knew Hermione would need more friendship in her life. No one had known what exactly had happened to Hermione's family, the bit about Bellatrix Lestrange hunting them down in Australia had startled them.
Of course a lot of people had suffered loss because of the war. Andy lost her daughter and son in law, Teddy lost both his parents. The Weasley's lost Fred. Neville lost his parents the first time Voldemort fell. Harry lost Sirius, the closest thing to a father he had. Draco lost his own free will and sense of safety that should have been offered by his home. There had been plenty of loss but it had hurt most when learning of everything taken from Hermione.
"Should we tell them?" Harry asked after a while.
"I don't know. Wouldn't it kind of be like rubbing her nose in it?" Ron frowned while he thought about it.
"You guys are seriously underestimating her. She's going to be fine with this." Ginny huffed thinking the whole thing was stupid.
"You didn't see her Gin. He took her chance and she was... Salazar's snake she was terrifying." Draco mumbled a little shamed to be speaking of his friend, his mother's best friend, so lowly.
"You are all being ridiculous! This is something we are supposed to be excited about and you don't even want to tell your best friend? Cowards." Ginny bit out completely frustrated at this point and picking up her wand from the table she stomped to the fireplace and flooed to the Manor.
When Ginny stepped through she was greeted by the sight of Narcissa sitting sideways on Katie's lap with an arm around the younger witches shoulders. Katie had her hand on Narcissa's outside thigh and was nibbling the older witches jaw. Ginny smirked and cleared her throat, she knew full well that they were aware of the fact she was there. Finally the couple looked up grinning at the younger red-head.
"Are they here?" Ginny asks moving over and sitting down on the couch beside Katie.
"They will no doubt be making the loop again any minute. How are you Gin?" Narcissa ask smiling at the younger woman.
"I'm ok. You both?" Ginny stretched out a little and looked at her old Gryffindor house mate and the Slytherin in the room.
"Actually we are great. It took a lot of effort wearing her down, but Cissa has finally agreed to marry me." Katie beamed at this admission and Narcissa smiled and kissed Katie gently on the lips.
"Oh my gosh! That's bloody fantastic." Ginny gushed happy for the couple. The two had been dating for a year come next Saturday.
"Thanks. What about you and Harry?" Narcissa inquired as she played with Katie's long dark hair.
"We should be getting married quite soon actually." Ginny spoked distractedly as a cat dashed in with a little otter chasing after it.
The cat stopped and turned arching her back and hissing menacingly at the otter, the otter didn't care even a little bit and ploughed straight into the cat tackling in to the floor. The two little animals wrestled and nattered and growled and hissed at one another for several long minutes before realising they had an audience. Minerva and Hermione both looked up meowing and chirping in greeting before they transformed back to their human selves.
"Did we have plans I forgot about?" Hermione inquired from where she was sitting with her legs folded beneath her between Minerva's open legs. They were both wearing slack and where Minerva was wearing a V-neck top Hermione was wearing a tank top.
"Nope. I actually have news if you want to hear it." Ginny smiles at the pair that remain on the floor.
"Well don't keep us in suspense." Minerva says playfully and Hermione leans into her making the older woman wrap her arms around the little brunette.
"Well... Harry and I kind of found out yesterday that we... um..." Ginny trailed off suddenly anxious when Hermione narrowed her eyes.
"You bitch! You're pregnant and you are only now telling me? Where are the boys?" Hermione's accusation fell short due to the obvious excitement in her voice.
"Merlin's Balls. They are cowards. I hate to say it but they didn't want to tell you. They are afraid of you." Ginny huffed folding her arms and pouting.
"Ah they have always been scared of me. It hurts that they think I would be unhappy to know my best friends are having a baby. I hope you pass that on." Hermione just shrugs it off and grins at Ginny.
HGMMHGMMHGMM
It was almost 18 months after Hermione has exacted her revenged when she got an early morning owl from Luna. She was laying on her bed alone and missing her mate when the tapping on the window started. With a slight huff the brunette got off the bed and opened the window letting the owl in. When she took the letter she rubbed the familiar barn owls feathered breast before instructing it to go down to the kitchen window where Merop would have some water and bacon for him.
The owl hooted its thanks and turned and fluttered out the window while Hermione walked over to the bed and sat back down. Rolling her shoulders and stretching her back she settled and opened the envelope pulling out the little missive.
Mi,
Hoping you and Minerva can come to the cottage after lunch. Say 1 o'clock. Send the otter with your answer. It's important.
Lu and Rolf.
Hermione made interested face before getting up and going into the bathroom where she undressed and took a quick bath before getting out and drying off. Just as she was walking back into the bedroom the door opened and Minerva stepped inside. Hermione smiled brightly as she towel dried her hair. Minerva returned the smile even as her eye's darkened.
"Grief I wish I had time to ravage you." Minerva confessed huskily.
"Don't talk about it if you cant follow through." Hermione pouted playfully pulling on some panties and then jeans, Minerva stepped up to her and pulled her into her arms before she could get any further.
"I'm sorry, I need to get back to school I was just wondering if you wanted to come and have breakfast at the Castle." Minerva purred the words as she kissed her loves neck and her hands slid from hips up to cup gloriously naked breasts.
"I'd rather have you for breakfast." Hermione husks pressing herself in the warm hands teasing her nipples.
"Like wise but... it's the first day back for term, i'm obligated." Hermione groaned as Minerva's mouth replaced her fingers on the brunette's left breast.
"Babe if you want me to join you for breakfast you have to stop... save it for tonight." Hermione placed her hands on strong shoulders and gently pushed the woman away.
"You're right. I just cant get enough of you even after almost two years." Minerva pulled her love into a hug and kissed the top of her head as arms thread around her neck.
"I am so glad of that and can only hope it stays that way for the rest of our life." Hermione smiled and pulled Minerva into a deep love filled kiss.
HGMMHGMMHGMM
Hermione and Minerva appeared in the field at the edge of the woods a short distance from a quaint little cottage. It was shortly after lunch and so far the day had been dragging out for both women who had been at the castle all day but longing to be in bed together. Hermione had opted to stay at the castle in the library with Madame Pince after they got talk about new stock during breakfast. Reluctantly they decided to heed Luna's summons after lunch so they casually walked up to the cottage. The door opened before they could knock.
"Come on in ladies." Rolf ushered the two smiling brightly when he saw them.
"Hello Rolf, you are looked chipper." Minerva points out as she and Hermione walk into the house.
"Absolutely. Come on into the sitting room. Got time for some tea?" He asks guiding them into the small cozy dining room.
"Sure. Filius said he would man the stations for me." Minerva looked to her witch who nodded her agreement.
Rolf guided them into the room where Luna was sitting with a small black pouch on the coffee table beside a tray already laden with cups, tea pot, sugar and milk and a nice selection of tea's. Hermione and Minerva sat on the small lover seat with Luna in an armchair to their right and Rolf settling in the armchair to their left. With soft hello's and how are you's the group set about making tea. Minerva had forgotten all about the conversation she had had with Luna almost two years prior so when things remained silent too long she urged their hosts to explain.
"So the letter we got said it was important we be here?" Minerva hedged before sipping her tea.
"Go on then love." Luna urged the man across the coffee table from her.
"Right well. A couple of years ago Luna and I decided we wanted to create a special potion. We planned it all out, listed many different things with properties we needed and mathed out the time and technique our potion would require. We were a few months off on the final mark but eventually we got there." Rolf explained and Hermione smiled.
"So you need a couple of test dummies?" Hermione's question was only half teasing but she was surprised when Rolf shook his head and smiled.
"It's been tested on a few domestic creatures using a size and weight ratio." Luna supplied. At this point Minerva had remembered that lunch date and afternoon and her eyes widened though she remained silent.
"Then, what do you need us for?" Hermione frowned confused at this point.
"Well as it happens. A could of years back we learned of a friend suffering a horrible tragedy. We owed a lot to this person so we decided to try and give our friend something they absolutely deserve. Something we have been thinking has been tormenting our friend and holding her back." Rolf spoke cryptically and Hermione was still confused but before she could ask Luna spoke up.
"If you could have babies, how soon do you think you would have them?" The little blonde asked bluntly and Hermione's eyes hardened slightly.
"I'd have them tomorrow if I could." Hermione's tone was flat and she looked down at her cup, Minerva nodded in agreement to Hermione's words.
"I still don't understand." Hermione adds when she looks up.
Luna slowly untied the pouch and gently reached in, Minerva and Hermione both gaped when the blonde pulled out a small glowing yellow vial and gently sat it on the coffee table in front of Hermione. Both visiting witches stared for a long moment, Minerva fought tears with her realisation of the vials contents. The swirling soft blue and pink glow meaning far more to her than it did to Hermione who looked both astonished and confused.
"What is this?" Hermione inquired almost too afraid to touch the vial.
"This Hermione, is a potion you are going to take within the next three days. The three days following are going to be excruciating and for that we have to apologise but there was no way around it. For the three days after the pain stops you are going to be extremely..." Rolf flushed faintly and trailed off but his wife gladly finished for him.
"Very horny." Luna supplied but the explanation only made Hermione frown deeper.
"I'm not sure I understand." Hermione says softly trying not to hope that what her friends were saying meant what she thought it did.
"This potion is highly unique and was designed with a very specific purpose. We had to get the ingredients under very specific circumstances and use herbs with very specific qualities. Starting the potion was the easy part but we could only add one ingredient at a time once a month. It took us 8 months of brewing and then another 5 months after that of constant stirring. Thankfully the self stirring cauldron was a reliable one." Rolf explained and Hermione and Minerva listened with rapt attention looking to Luna when she began speaking.
"The biggest issue we had was sustaining the potion. It has an extremely short shelf life unless bottled correctly. We had to bottle it in a way that had never in the history of magic been done before. Which meant I needed to create a spell. Over those months I tried a few different things but they didn't seem to work. Finally I managed to create the spell, a complex spell to summon a ray of light and solidify it. Then I had to transfigure it into a compact vial. The potion needs constant unwavering light to survive. The problem is once the light vial is exposed to light that it isn't the source off it begins to weaken and break down. Just the ray would last about four and a half days but the vial only lasts just short of three." Luna explains smiling dreamily, Minerva was floored by the talent these two had displayed in such a short word.
"That is so incredible Luna. But what does the potion do?" Hermione's whole demeanour was a mix of nervous excitement and hope.
"This potion was created specifically with you in mind, Mi. Take it, it will start working almost immediately. While you are hurting your body, with the help of this potion will be growing you a reproductive system. You will hurt, then you will want your woman and you will begin to ovulate the same day you stop hurting." Luna smiled right at her best friend and Hermione looked at the vial before slowly looking at Luna, then Rolf and finally Minerva. Before anyone else could speak the little brunette burst into tears and flung herself at her mate.
Rolf immediately moved from his seat and knelt on the floor beside Hermione gently reaching out to comfort her by rubbing her back and Minerva held her. Hermione sobbed for several long minutes before turning and hugging the startled man. She mumbled and sobbed a thousand thank you's before turning to Luna with wet eyes.
"I love you so much Luna, you are the best friend a girl could ask for and your heart and soul are huge. Don't ever let anyone call you crazy, you are the most brilliantly brilliant person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Please don't ever change." Hermione spoke seriously and Luna herself teared up the proclamation.
"I love you too Hermione, Rolf and I both do. That is why we did this for you. You deserve the future you wanted." Luna moved over and happily hugged her best friend.
"Thank you both so much." Hermione sniffled holding her friend tight.
HGMMHGMMHGMM
"Will you take it today?" Minerva asked a few hours later when the two returned to the Manor, they were in their room sitting on the bed looking at the vial.
"Should I? We kind of... had plans." Hermione spoke looking from the vial to Minerva.
"Merlin's tits, baby. This is everything you wanted but thought you could never have. I can wait a few days to have sex with you." Minerva laughed at the ridiculousness of her loves reservations.
"You're sure?" Hermione asked just to be certain.
"Yes. And when the pain is gone and you need me i'm going to be right here waiting to put some cubs in you." Minerva practically growled the promise and it made Hermione shiver.
"Alright. If you're positive" Hermione grinned and Minerva proved her point by picking up the vial and handing it to her lover.
Hermione's hesitation melted away at that point and she took the stopper from the vial and lifted it to her lips. She swallowed down the contents of the light vial and had just handed the vial to her woman when the pain started. It was instant and sharp as it lanced through her lower abdomen causing Hermione to cry out. Minerva set the vial aside, quickly removed Hermione's clothes with a flick of her wand and settled the naked woman into the bed under the covers.
The pain came in waves and Minerva hurriedly scratched a letter to Filius and Narcissa before closing the door to their room and placing a silencing charm over the room. Once that was done she divested her own clothes and climbed into bed with her groaning sobbing love and held her gently. They stayed like this for the next three days, only ever getting up to use the bathroom. Hermione hurt too much to eat and Minerva was for too worried about her witch to bother.
HGMMHGMMHGMM
When the three days was up and the pain finally dulled before leaving Hermione completely she rolled onto her side to face her dozing lover and looked at the serene features adoringly. Hermione gently reached out and stroked her fingers down the smooth cheek as she could feel her need building slowly. The caress was just enough to rouse Minerva and the green eyes blinked open as the witch focussed and then she smiled.
"All good?" Minerva inquired in a soft sleepy whisper and Hermione nodded.
"I want you but before I do, I want to ask you something very serious." Hermione spoke steadily the desirous husk not yet effecting her voice.
Before she continued and before Minerva could ask Hermione reached over her witch and plucked her wand from the bedside stand. With a gentle flick of her wand a small item rattled in the back of the dresser draw before the draw opened itself and a small suede box flew into Hermione's hand. Minerva looked at the box for a long moment before looking at the witch who slowly opened the box to reveal a gold engagement band with a small green cat's eye set in it.
"Merlin, you really are my soul mate I swear." Minerva says before Hermione can say anything else.
Minerva plucked the aspen wand from slim fingers and cast her own silent summoning spell. A moment later she was holding her own little black suede box which she slowly opened. Secured in the box was a small silver engagement ring with a yellow/orange cats eye in it. Neither the green nor the yellow perfectly matched the intended wearer's eyes but they were close. Hermione looked at the ring Minerva held and then at the woman who was trying to stifle a smirk. It didn't last long as they both started laughing hysterically before Hermione pulled Minerva into a tender kiss. When they pulled back the younger witch was the first to speak.
"So, you will marry me then?" Hermione asked grinning and Minerva chuckled.
"Only if you marry me too." The Headmistress retorted and they both giggled before Minerva took the ring from the box she held and lifted Hermione's hand sliding the ring onto a willing finger.
When she was done Hermione followed suit and placed the gold ring on her lovers finger before kissing her knuckles happily and then kissing Minerva again. They shared a long tender kiss that spoke of love and promises of the future. Minerva was the first one to pull back and they gazed at each other lovingly.
"So... why don't we get started on those cubs?" Hermione smiled her eyes now considerably darker as her desire grew to heights she could no longer ignore. Minerva grinned and transfigured herself before pouncing her fiancee.