Chapter 9

Filius waited for Minerva to finish reading the note, "Helena said you'd be out for at least another week."

Minerva drew a sheaf of parchment from the side of her desk, "Katherine is at the Manor and it'll be another week until I can guarantee her safe passage home."

Filius was still gapping at Minerva, as were the gallery of portraits, long after she finished her statement. "Did you say, Katherine?" Filius finally ventured.

Minerva absently elaborated, "As in Banning."

"Then…you haven't told the Ministry that she is well and alive."

"Alive yes," Minerva continued scratching an official response to the Ministry's query. "She had a minor head wound causing temporary amnesia."

"How much doesn't she remember?" Filius inquired almost afraid to ask.

At this, Minerva's hand drew to a stop, eyes finally coming up to look at her Deputy. "Not much."

"And you," Filius pushed past the tension, "are well with her being at the Manor?"

Minerva felt the quill fall forward as she tried to give an honest answer to his question, "I'm learning to be." While he was accustomed to discerning her cryptic responses, his brow imperceptibly rose and she elaborated, slightly. "She is not the same person she was."

Xoxo

It had been two days since Helena had left, and still she hadn't seen – Minerva. Earlier, the house elf, Tumble had said she had flooed to Hogwarts, and so she had opted to wait for Minerva's return.

At first, she had thought Minerva would return shortly; but one hour gave way to two and before long she lost track of time as she became engrossed in the book by Fredrick Vaugn called Phoenix Tears.

It wasn't until she felt the soft hand and heard a familiar burr that she opened her eyes to see that day had become night, and the very woman she had hoped to see arrive had obviously returned prior as Minerva had already changed from the long heavy robes she innately knew that Minerva would wear to Hogwarts.

"You'll want to wash up, dinner is ready."

"Minerva…" Hermione reached out, "I…don't know why you let me remain here after all that I have done to you; but know that…" she scanned green eyes, "I'm not that person anymore." Her voice broke, "Or, Merlin forgive me, I never become that person again."

"I know." Minerva answered and was about to step away, but paused and after a long moment reached out and helped Katherine stand.

Xoxo

She rolled over, sweaty gasping and body tingling for release as her body pulsed with need - it had been a dream. Moaning, she tried to still her still rapidly beating heart as images swam just out of reach – red hair, full lips crashing and crushing her as a warm body covered her own…and just the thought caused her hips to push up as a throaty gasp left her lips.

For a stray moment, she rationalized taking a cold shower, but the thought vanished as her own fingers sunk into her creamy, center and she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of welcome relief.

Her mind interposing black and red hair as the need escalated causing first one whimper and then a second as she spread her legs wider; as she permitted the dreams and memories to blend together…until nothing was left but emerald eyes and a gravely Scottish lilt as the world rushed by in a haze.

Xoxo

a/n: A little short but hopefully still enjoyable ;)