A/N That actually really hurt, writing that last chapter. On we go!
Just as sleep was about to take her, a knock on the door startled Hermione awake.
"What?" she asked, her voice toneless. She realised this was the first time she had spoken in at least a week.
The door opened slowly and there she was. Minerva. She stepped slowly into Hermione's bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at the heartbroken girl. They stared at one another for minutes, silence seeming to be the best form of communication.
And then Hermione was in Minerva's arms and it was Minerva who was crying, rocking Hermione back and forth and kissing the top of her head as she whispered apologies and explanations over and over. Then Hermione was accepting the apologies and saying sorry herself while she held a crying Minerva. They don't know how their positions swapped, or when their tears finally stopped but when it was done, it was done. There was nothing more to say on the matter.
In a few mere moments, Minerva had cured Hermione of what had been ailing her for weeks, she had fixed her broken heart. Being friends again meant more to Hermione than she could express. She couldn't have Minerva's heart but she could at least have her friendship.
She fell asleep with her head resting on Minerva's lap, her fingers running through her bushy brown hair, soothing her better than anything else could. When she woke up, Minerva was still there but she had shifted so that they were lying side by side. Hermione smiled and touched Minerva's lips with the tips of her fingers, ever so lightly. Minerva smiled in her sleep.
A few days later, Hermione got an invitation to Ginny and Harry's wedding. The wedding would take place in January - a new start in a new year. She accepted the invite immediately and was soon out shopping with Ginny looking for the perfect gown and bridesmaids outfits.
In the end, Ginny settled for a lovely dress which clung to her figure until it reached her waist before cascading down to the floor. The dress was white but there were some sort of glowing orbs in the material and when she spun around, her skirt appeared to be a glistening web, or a waterfall.
The bridesmaids dresses were red with a gold sash around the waist which tied at the side and fell to be almost the same length as the dress. The shoes matched the sash and were a lot higher than Hermione would have liked.
Arriving at the wedding, Hermione followed Ginny into a side room whilst they waited for the guests to arrive. Ginny was hardly even nervous, she trusted Harry with her life. Hermione knew that if she were the one about to be married she would be terrified. It was only one day but it completely changed the course of one's life forever.
They heard everyone arrive, find their seats and gradually begin to fall silent. This was it. Ginny grinned at Hermione but she could see her friends chest rising and falling rapidly. She squeezed her hand and Ginny let out a nervous laugh.
"Well, here we go," she whispered excitedly. Hermione hugged her.
"Here we go," she agreed.
They left the room and walked down the aisle, Luna joining them as the other bridesmaid, radish earrings defiantly garish. They reached the end and Ginny took Harry's hand. Hermione and Luna stood to one side. Glancing down at her bouquet of flowers, she couldn't help but imagine what her wedding might have been like. Her friends did not know what had transpired between Hermione and Minerva, if anything, it had made them a lot closer than they had been.
After the ceremony came the celebration, though they had held the wedding in an appropriate venue, the party would take place at the Burrow. Witches and wizards Apparated on all sides, taking children with them. Hermione was about to do the same when she saw a witch in emerald green out of the corner of her eye. Turning, she grinned at Minerva who offered her arm to the girl.
"The Burrow, Madam?" she asked, Hermione giggled and took a hold of her elbow. With a pop, they were gone and with another, they arrived at the Weasleys home. Molly greeted them both enthusiastically, hinting heavily that Hermione might find her future husband there and then she could have her party here, too. Hermione smiled politely before following Minerva towards the alcohol. Thankfully, the punch was digestible this time and Hermione quickly went through three glasses.
"Slow down, Hermione," Minerva said, her eyebrows arched in surprise and amusement, "I don't want to have to drag you back to your parents when you can hardly stand up. They'll banish me from the house forever."
Hermione laughed and obediently put the ladle back into the punch bowl.
"Actually, I'm moving out next Saturday. I have a flat in London," Hermione informed her.
"Can I come and visit?"
"Of course," Hermione answered, seemingly taken aback that Minerva had to even ask. She found a napkin and wrote down the address, handing it to Minerva who pocketed it. "You can give me a hand moving if you like," she joked.
"Alright then," Minerva replied, Hermione blinked at her, she hadn't been serious. Still, it would be nice to have some assistance.
"Thanks," she smiled and was about to say something more when Molly carted her off to meet Cousin Louis, a successful entrepreneur who had invented Honeydukes' sugar quills. With one look at him Hermione could tell that he had eaten at least half the stock himself. He was fat and his teeth were so rotten very few had managed to remain in his gums. Still, he made good conversation and Hermione enjoyed talking to him, as long as she didn't actually look at him.
After Louis, Hermione was introduced to Quigley, Norman, Francis and Gerald. They were even less successful at ensnaring Hermione than Louis was. Finally, she managed to escape and made her way to a table out of sight. It was in the corner and so not much light fell on the table. It made for a rather pleasant refuge.
Looking out at the crowd, Hermione saw that Molly had given up on her and was now escorting Minerva around the older generation of bachelors. Hermione snorted, the chances of Molly successfully marrying Minerva off into the family were rather slim. After twenty minutes, Hermione felt it was time to intervene. She got up and pulled Minerva away from a leering man who must have been at least twice her age (a rather impressive feat). She insisted that Minerva had to come and help with something or other until they were safely out of earshot.
"Thank you," Minerva said, looking incredibly relieved.
"Anytime," Hermione smiled.
Soon after this, both women made their excuses and left the party. Hermione found it harder to say goodbye to Minerva than to everyone else put together. Arriving at home, Hermione got changed and said goodnight to her parents before going straight to bed. She couldn't wait to move into her own place and really get going with her life.
The following Saturday, Minerva arrived at Hermione's parents' house to help their daughter move out. They made light work of the actual moving since they could spell her items to be very small and as such were finished before lunchtime. Minerva offered to help Hermione unpack a little before she went. Hermione accepted.
They ate a light lunch before starting to unpack Hermione's things, Minerva was intrigued by the microwave and the laptop Hermione had brought with her and insisted she be shown how they work sometime. During the unpacking of Hermione's books, Minerva's hand closed around a little, obviously well used, notebook.
"What's this?" She asked curiously, about to open it.
"Nothing!" Hermione yelped, diving across the room to take it out of Minerva's hands. She stuck the little book in her back pocket, she would hide it once Minerva had left. After the wedding, Hermione had filled in the last page, drawing the look of relief she had seen on Minerva's face when Hermione had rescued her. She liked to think part of the look was because it had been Hermione herself who had saved her.
They finished everything at about six o'clock in the evening and Hermione offered to open a bottle of wine to celebrate, Minerva politely declined saying that she had to get back to Hogwarts. Hermione saw her out before doing a few celebratory jumps behind the safety of a closed door. She had moved out!
She opened the bottle of wine anyway, drinking most of it herself before she found the notebook McGonagall had given her for Christmas.
Thanks for helping me today.
H x
She shut the book and finished the rest of the bottle before going to bed in her nice, new flat.
She woke early the next day, filled with excitement for going to work and coming home to her own place. She could even invite some colleagues over sometimes. She practically skipped to work and glided through the day, seeming to be completely immune to the storm clouds which some idiot had managed to produce in the office.
Valentine's Day was approaching. Hermione had been asked to a club by a few people from work, she was very suspicious of their intentions. Still, she had agreed to go and if it turned out to be a blind date or something she could just leave.
She dressed in tight black jeans which hugged her figure and a blue top which fit in all the right places. Setting off, she locked and warded the flat before Apparating to the club. She met her friends, Layla and Georgia outside. They ordered drinks and were having a good time until Layla's friend Cameron just 'happened' to be there. He joined them and seemed more interested in what he might find down Hermione's top than anything else. Until she told him she kept her pet rat in there, that is. Deciding the night was now effectively ruined, Hermione left the club and was about to make her way home when she stumbled upon Ron.
"Ron!" she exclaimed in surprise, though she was pleased to see him. He was pacing back and forth on the street and had been so distracted he hadn't even noticed Hermione was there. When he saw her he simply hugged her before breathing a sigh of relief.
"I've got to do it, Hermione. Me and Eloise; we can't go on like this," he said, Hermione stared at him. The last time she had seen Ron he had been carrying Eloise's handbag and now he wanted to break up with her!
"Well, it had to happen sometime, Ron," she said bracingly.
"Do you think so? I never thought that we'd…" he trailed off, once again captivated by his own thoughts. "I just don't know how to say it."
"Just tell her that you don't feel the same anymore."
"Yeah, yeah I could do that," Ron agreed, nodding manically. "And then, I tell her that I love her more than I ever thought possible. Should I get down on one knee? Muggles do that, right? She's Muggleborn, it'd be romantic."
Wait, what? He was going to propose! Hermione nodded, that is what Muggles did. Her surprise had rendered her speechless. They were going to get married. Ron. And Eloise. Eloise the fat, pimply, wonky-nosed girl and Ron the self-centred, shallow boy. She took a deep breath.
"Yeah, yeah that's what Muggles do. You go get her, Ron," she said, on autopilot. This was just too strange. She watched as he scampered over to a small bar and went inside. She supposed she would find out what happened soon, one way or another.
Eloise said yes. They were going to be married. Hermione accepted the invitation in a dreamlike state. It just didn't work in her head. She wouldn't be a bridesmaid this time, Eloise only wanted her friends to be and Ron, of course, had Harry be his best man.
It was only a few short months from proposal to wedding. In late August, the night arrived. Hermione arrived at the Burrow (she only ever seemed to be there for weddings now) just in time for the ceremony. She sat next to Minerva who seemed equally incredulous as to how on earth this had happened. Hermione saw Lavender sat on the back row looking distinctly miffed that she was not the one wearing white. Shaking her head, Hermione turned back to the front and watched Ron kiss what she assumed must be the love of his life.
Together, they seemed to have invited the entirety of Hogwarts. Even Harry's wedding hadn't had this many guests. Hermione noted with interest that nearly all of the teachers had sat themselves around the same table. Some things never change. Minerva went to the bathroom and Hermione was left alone.
"Hello, Hermione," said a warm, female voice. She turned around, it was Katherine Chambers, her old Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher who had managed to survive more than one year at Hogwarts much to the disappointment of the students who had bet Galleons against her.
"Hello, Professor," Hermione greeted her.
"Katherine, please," she replied straight away, making a movement with her hand that looked as though she was brushing away her title.
"Katherine," Hermione confirmed, sipping at her glass of wine, she didn't really know what to say.
"I hear you're working for the Ministry now," Katherine offered.
"Yes, Department of Magical Creatures. Still at Hogwarts, I see," Hermione replied, thankful for the conversation opener. She had hardly spoken to Katherine while she was at school and not at all since she had left. What could they possibly have to say to one another?
"Such a shame," Katherine said, "You were always so talented. You should be doing more with yourself."
Her voice had dropped, it was now almost a whisper, the tone so low it made Hermione shiver. When had they moved so close together?
"You look very beautiful tonight, Hermione," Katherine continued and Hermione saw that her eyes were slightly darker than usual, the light blue now a dirty grey.
"T-thank you," she stammered, "You look nice, too."
The woman smirked and leant closer, Hermione did not move.
"Katherine," said a cold, steely voice. Turning around, Hermione saw Minerva glaring daggers at the woman, "So nice of you to come to Ron and Eloise's wedding."
Taking the hint, Katherine turned away and left them alone. Minerva grabbed Hermione's arm and dragged her out of the marquee and into a quiet space behind the house.
"What on earth were you doing? She was about to kiss you!" Minerva hissed, her eyes flashing dangerously.
"Was she?" Hermione asked, genuinely surprised, "Minerva, I didn't know! Merlin, what's got your wand in a knot?"
"I just worry about you," Minerva replied quietly, her eyes dropping to the floor. Hermione took a deep breath, calming herself.
"Sorry, Minerva, I know you do," she smiled at her, Minerva accepted the apology and they returned to the party, "Maybe if you don't want anyone else to kiss me you should just do it yourself," she added in a whisper so quiet Minerva probably didn't hear her.
Katherine still seemed keen on getting closer to Hermione and as such, Minerva decided to take Hermione for a spin on the dance floor. The music was hardly appropriate for ballroom dancing which both Minerva and Hermione were more comfortable with and so they drank a few shots of Firewhiskey before finally making their way onto the floor to make fools of themselves.
As it was, neither witch was a particularly bad dancer and so they got away with it. Just. After about half an hour of energetic dancing, Hermione and Minerva sat down for a rest. Slipping her feet out of her heels, Hermione rubbed them with a satisfying groan. Minerva soon followed suit.
It was getting late and guests were starting to leave, Hermione offered to stay behind and clear up. Minerva, once again, had to get back to Hogwarts. While she was picking up glasses, Hermione noticed that Minerva's glass had a lipstick stain on it. She remembered the time she had drank from the same place on the glass and shook her head. She did some crazy things sometimes.
September had arrived and with it, Hermione's second year at the Ministry and her 21st birthday. She had invited a few friends from work and school to a bar she had found quite near to her house.
She was just about to call it a night when she glanced at her desk and saw the enchanted notebook. She opened it and wrote a quick note to Minerva. She had absolutely no idea if she would even be awake let alone looking at the notebook.
Hello, it's my birthday on Friday night and I've invited a few friends to come to Eastwicke - a bar near my flat. Would you be interested?
H x
Much to her surprise, she had barely finished writing when a reply appeared on the page.
I'd love to.
M x
Great! We're all planning to be there at about ten o'clock. Wear something nice.
H x
Don't I always?
M x
Hermione grinned, shaking her head in amusement she penned her response.
Of course, of course (flattery gets you everywhere, right?)
H x
Flattery? Are you suggesting you don't really think my outfits are very attractive?
M x
Laughing, Hermione managed to spill her pot of ink. Rolling her eyes at herself, she scourgified the desk and began to write a reply. Some things never change and it was clear that Minerva's humour was one of those things.
Of course they are. You just made me spill ink everywhere!
Anyway, I have to go - some of us actually work for a living.
H x
Goodnight. I'm glad you're still a cheeky witch.
M x
Hermione shut the book affectionately before climbing into bed. It had been a long time since she had fallen asleep grinning like a maniac.
It was September 19th, Hermione's birthday. She was woken by what appeared to be an entire forest's worth of owls at the window. Her parents had even managed to send their present by owl though they had obstinately sent her card by Muggle post. One of the packages she received was from Minerva. It was a beautiful set of red and gold earrings which Hermione planned on wearing that night. Coincidentally, they would go very well with the outfit she had picked out.
Work could not finish soon enough for Hermione and her friends, they all went home to get changed. Hermione could not remember ever being so excited for a birthday. She supposed it was because she was 21, a big birthday in the Muggle world. Whatever the case, she couldn't wait to see all of her friends.
They arrived at the bar in a pack, the bouncer seemed taken aback by so many people at once. Hermione ordered everyone a round of Muggle drinks, a novel experience for both Minerva and Ron (Ginny had experimented when she turned seventeen).
After about an hour at one bar, they made their way laughing and screaming around several more before finally all crashing at Hermione's moderately sized flat. The next day, Hermione went into her living room to find eight people curled around each other on the floor. Minerva had managed to snaffle the couch though Hermione would have happily given her the bed if she had asked for it.
She went out to buy some fresh bread so everyone could have some toast before they left but when she returned, there was one less mouth to feed. Minerva had gone but had left a note on the counter. Hermione read it quickly before starting to grill, toast and magically cook as much bread as she could at once. Several hung-over noses quivered at the smell.
Hermione,
I had a lovely time last night (though it may take me a while to recover!) and would like to return the favour. My birthday is October 5th and I would love for you to come and visit me at Hogwarts for a much quieter celebration.
Minerva x