Owning up to owning nothin'!
Chapter Ten
Minerva stood straight with her arms down by her side, surveying herself in the full length mirror through the corner of her eye. She was inspecting every angle of herself, from the tip of her velvet witch's hat to the points of her black lace up boots. It had been so many years since Minerva had been out to dinner with a woman who interested her, and all of a sudden things had crept up on her: the lines creasing her eyes hadn't been there before, her protruding knuckles were new, her greying hair, her loosening neck, all things that had somehow wormed their way onto her once beautiful and youthful body. She didn't look bad, standing in her padded satin fitted dress robe of dark green with silk petticoat underlay, but she still wasn't as young as Hermione...
Pulling her hair out one final time, Hermione decided to wear it down. She had been getting ready for three hours, convincing the other girls she shared her dorm with that she was just 'playing dress-up'.
After deciding to wear a dress rather than shirt and jeans, after deciding to wear subtle make-up rather than coloured, after deciding to wear heels instead of flats, after deciding a necklace rather than nothing, after deciding to wear perfume and not cologne, and finally after deciding to wear her hair down rather than pinned back, Hermione looked herself up and down in her reflection. She still felt plain, turning around slowly and whipping her head quickly so as to see anything particularly amazing. This night would mark the first of her exploring the side of herself that always was attracted to other women. She didn't look bad, standing in her mid-length lace dress of white with black tights and heels, but she still wasn't as old as Minerva...
Fashionably late, or early? Fashionably late, or early? No matter how many times Minerva repeated the words in her head as she straightened out things in her chamber to occupy her mind, the elder witch couldn't come to a decision. Shall I be early and make her think I'm eager; I don't want to scare her away... Or shall I be late, make her wait for me and have her possibly turn and leave?
Minerva rubbed her face hard in her hands, the tips of her fingers pressing gently on her eye sockets. She marked the time at 7.25pm on Saturday 18th October as she left her quarters in destination of the front gates.
She strode purposefully through the corridors of the castle, students still milling around as they made their way back to their Common Rooms. They all looked at her as she flew by without eye contact, never seeing McGonagall looking so dressy. Even the boys took a second glance, and Minerva was sure she distinctly heard a wolf whistle from behind her as she rounded the corner near The Great Hall. All eyes fell about her as she stopped abruptly in her stride, standing next to the open doors and front gate to the castle. She tapped her foot impatiently, hoping this would be decoy enough to make any student or even teacher think twice about approaching her. Minerva turned slowly to glare at the last few lingering bodies, her arms folded tightly across her heaving chest. As the last teenager was out of site, Minerva released her arms slumping heavily against the large wooden doors.
Hermione peeped around the corner of the steps leading down to the front gates. It was unusually empty for this time of evening; however that didn't bother her in the slightest. In fact, it gave her a much wider panoramic view of her teacher who stood leaning heavily against the entrance doors. Her hands rested gently on her thighs as she looked out into the grounds of Hogwarts, a bright sun through dark rain clouds setting across the castle. Her fitted robes hugged her slender figure which was usually hidden by draping and over-hung teaching robes. Her witches' hat added to her slim-line features as the elderly witch turned her head and looked at her feet, breathing in deeply as her chest visibly expanded.
Hermione wished she could freeze time, just this one moment, to have more than those few seconds to look in awe at the witch standing a few metres away from her. It was a side to her Professor she hadn't seen before, one that nearly represented human; someone who was approachable, who knew what weakness and fear was from time to time. Her teacher had once again turned up early, proving to Hermione that this was of her own will and not something she felt pressured by the young witch to do. She couldn't help but smile at the fluttering feeling that engulfed her whole body as Minerva turned her head quickly toward her, catching her staring at the elder witch. Her teacher immediately straightened up brushing off her robes, her eyebrows rising and her fists clenching as Hermione stepped out to reveal herself.
Hermione was sure she saw faint 'wow' play on Minerva's lips.
"May I enquire on how Mr Weasley's attitude has fared today?"
Minerva took a glass of wine to her lips, sipping gently on the red liquid that swirled within it. She placed it down and returned to her meal with a smirk as Hermione answered.
"Actually, he's been rather quiet today... come to think about it, he's hardly said a word at all."
Hermione momentarily sat back in her chair, sinking into a darkness away from the candlelit table in the quiet yet quant pub. She twisted her fork in her hand a few times over, then sitting back she shrugged her shoulders.
"If I'm perfectly honest I haven't paid much attention to him since Thursday evening." Hermione muttered, frowning her brows as she took another forkful of dinner into her mouth.
Minerva too had been waylaid from her meal as she stared at Hermione sat opposite her. Her heart had been beating so hard and persistently that she was sure the young witch would hear it sooner or later. She had taken time to enjoy looking at Hermione this evening, allowing herself those few extra glances at the beautiful woman. She even stole a brush of hands as they walked humbly into Hogsmeade.
The evening so far had gone exactly how Minerva had wanted it; light hearted, fun and romantically. Hermione had been right on form with her, and instead of shying away from her older Professor, had actually embraced the idea of a dinner date. She had allowed Minerva to take her cloak, pull her chair out and even when Minerva insisted on paying, much before they had chosen their meals, Hermione had just thanked her rather than protested. Minerva had caught the young woman looking at her, both at the entrance hall and throughout the evening. It gave her confidence she had never felt before; that even at the age of seventy she was still in some way attractive, presentable, and perhaps an object of want. She would turn away bashfully, pretending she hadn't noticed.
"As long as he isn't giving you trouble." Minerva said lowly, returning back to her meal.
Hermione nodded gratefully as she chewed, thinking her Professor had been too kind to be thinking about such idiocies as Ronald Weasley and his moody-git act. Patting her mouth gently with a red napkin, Hermione looked around the small pub Minerva had brought her to. The low ceilings had oak beams across the width of the room, some of the taller men having to duck their way to the bar. The tender and waitresses had been friendly, their meal arriving on time and absolutely delicious. The windows were small, the bottom of them blocked by beautiful wreaths of fresh flowers. The chairs and tables were of a deep blood-wood, varnished and polished to perfection. Minerva had ordered them both a bottle of expensive red wine and Hermione could feel the slight effects of the alcohol running through her veins.
"This really is lovely, Professor. Thank you." Hermione said smiling at the elder witch.
She swung her leg slowly in hope of finding Minerva's foot.
"Do you like it?" Minerva asked tentatively, looking down at her plate.
Hermione swung her legs further forward, still somehow missing her Professors foot.
"Like it? I think it's adorable!" Hermione said, her eyes widening trying to seek out where her Professors legs had disappeared to.
"You really think so?" Minerva asked again, patting her mouth with the napkin she had just pulled out from her lap.
As Hermione felt fervently with her shoes for any sign of another pair of feet, she pondered how on earth Minerva had a lap to place a napkin upon when her legs were playing hide-and-seek so well.
"Yes, I really do." Hermione answered shortly, concentrating too hard on trying to find Minerva's seemingly altogether non-existent legs..
Minerva looked up with wide eyes at Hermione's answer that had come quicker and shorter than expected, but the younger woman sat opposite her smiled and nodded, her eyes gleaming in the candle light.
"Good." Minerva answered, unfolding and swinging her legs from underneath her seat.
In any other situation, legs would have bashed hideously into one another, causing both participants a lot of pain and embarrassment. However, as Minerva's legs shifted, so did Hermione's, tucking neatly underneath her chair. She felt a knee touch her own, and with haste she quickly pulled her legs out from underneath her, bumping her teachers slightly.
Minerva's eyes widened, thinking Hermione had mistakenly placed her foot onto her teachers calve. She made to move her leg when Hermione's other foot trapped her, wrapping her heel around Minerva's ankle and locking it into position. Hermione leant innocently on her palm, her elbow placed gently onto the table; her eyes were wide and her smile seductive.
"I really, really like it..." Hermione whispered, edging her foot slowly up Minerva's leg.
The weather outside was bitterly cold as they walked back to the dim lights of the castle at 12am after their meal. Hermione struggled to walk gracefully in her heels for two reasons: one was that the ground was covered in a slippery film due to the rain that had passed whilst they were eating, the second was that she had drunk that evening for the first time in months, and be it only two glasses of wine, Hermione found herself swaying slightly.
"And they say young people can hold their liquor..." Minerva mumbled smiling at Hermione as she lifted her steadily from another stumble, linking her arm with the younger girl for support.
Hermione swooned as her Professor held her tightly, wanting nothing more than for Minerva to place her rosy lips once again on her own. She had fantasized the whole evening about how Minerva may have leant over and kissed her gently across the table, or perhaps followed her to the girls' bathroom for a quick smooch.
Hermione leant on Minerva heavily, pretending to be tipsier than she was just to be closer to the aging witch. They laughed merrily all the journey back and not once did the conversation turn awkward as Minerva feared it may.
"Honestly Professor, I'll be fine!" Hermione laughed as they entered into Hogwarts, waving her hand in front of her in dismissal.
Tripping over her feet as she made her way to the steps, the young woman laughed even harder, sliding down the wall and settling on a step. Minerva too was wiping tears from her eyes; the mere idea of Hermione being under the influence of alcohol made her chuckle, the sight however made her burst with laughter.
"No, honestly Hermione." Minerva said in her best responsible tone. "I will walk you back to The Common Room, I'd feel better if you'd let me."
Minerva reached her hand out to help Hermione stand up once again; as the younger woman took it, the elder pulled hard. Bringing the young witch to her body, Minerva gave Hermione a once round dance, twirling her until she was in fits of giggles again.
"Come on, for Merlin's sake." Minerva laughed, taking Hermione by the waist and leading her up the steps slowly.
As they began to reach The Common room, both witches ceased their laughing and Minerva came to stand still.
"I think I had better leave you here, you'll get no end of questions as to where you have been with me." Minerva said, nodding at the door leading to The Common Room.
Hermione lifted herself from Minerva and slowly walked toward a sunken alcove that shadowed in the light. She leant her back against the rough stone wall and beckoned for Minerva to come to her. Minerva's heart raced as the enticing witch curled her finger three times, and walking numbly she found herself by Hermione's side far quicker than she had anticipated. She pressed herself against the other woman's body, stroking Hermione's cheek with her knuckles.
"How do you think I look tonight?" Hermione asked thickly as Minerva saw her pupils widen.
Minerva could feel Hermione's breath on her face; it began to quicken.
"You look beyond beautiful. I'm in absolute awe of you." Minerva said seductively low.
Hermione made a small whimpering noise as she fluttered her eyes.
"Kiss me." She whispered.
Minerva cupped Hermione's face slowly as she brought their lips together, Hermione's brows frowning at the bittersweet pain it was to finally have those lips to hers once again. Minerva's kiss was beyond any she had experienced; full of passion and of truth. Hermione placed her hands upon Minerva's small slim hips, squeezing them slightly as Minerva drew away to look into Hermione's eyes for a fraction of a second before she delved once again to kiss her from a different angle. Hermione instinctively let her tongue venture into Minerva's mouth, wanting so desperately for the woman who was so close against her to retaliate.
Minerva moaned silently to herself as she felt Hermione willingly use her tongue and without thought, she too responded. It had been a long time since Minerva had kissed another woman, but the familiarity returned as her left hand fell away from Hermione's face to slip down to her perfectly curved bottom.
As if by magic once again, everything stopped as their kiss took place. It was as if no one else was in the world but they, and it wouldn't matter if another war had broken out right in front of them. Neither would have noticed, or even cared, because what they were sharing with each other right this moment was all that was real and of any importance in life.
They both stopped, their chests heaving as Minerva leant her forehead against Hermione's. They gasped for air, Minerva damning the need to breathe.
Hermione raised her eyes to her Professor, smiling coyly with a glint in her eye. She pushed herself from the wall and left her teacher standing as she looked over her shoulder. Minerva watched as Hermione began walking toward The Fat Lady, and was nearly there until she suddenly turned on her heel. She marched straight up to Minerva with her arms outstretched, cupping her face on arrival. And kissing her slowly, seductively and altogether too shortly, she bid her goodnight and walked away smiling.
Minerva placed her hand over her mouth, laughing once as she smiled in shock. Her hand was placed on her hip, a feeling of elation and pure completeness coursing through her. She was buzzing all over, but she felt numb, which was an awfully strange feeling altogether. Looking toward The Common Room door one last time, Minerva sighed smiling, turning around and making her way to her chamber.
And from the shadows, without the two women seeing, another body watched, waited, and made its way back into The Common Room.
A/N: Dun duh-DUH!