Note: Hey guys here's the next installment. Thanks for the reviews.

Hermione sat on the bed in Minerva's spare room, from where she sat you could see the ocean. She was reading a book delighting in the near silence, revelling in the relaxing sound of the waves. A knock interrupted her but she smiled expecting to see the older witch when she opened the door.

"Dobby!" She was genuinely pleased to see the house-elf. "What are you doing here? I am happy to see you."

"Miss Hermione, Dobby is happy to see you too. Professor McGonagall invited some of the house-elves to stay here after Hogwarts closed."

"That's good, I wondered where you had gone."

"Professor says dinner will be ready in five minutes." With a pop Dobby vanished, leaving Hermione to quickly freshen up before dinner.

*

"Right on time Hermione." Minerva said the words without turning to the door, which gave Hermione time to collect herself before trying to speak. The older woman had literally taken her breath away.

"I'm never late."

"Now Miss Granger," there was an emphasis on the title, "You and I both know that isn't true."

Hermione smirked, "I concede the point, there was that one occasion."

Minerva laughed, "Sit down." Waving her wand she made a variety of tinfoil dishes appear on the table.

Hermione shook her head incredulously, "You sent out for Chinese food?" Minerva grinned and tossed the younger woman some chopsticks.

Again the conversation flowed freely, no trace of any awkwardness to it, they seemed to have moved past that stage of their relationship. The more time that passed the more flirtatious the conversation became but it was full of faints and retreats, whenever they seemed to be making progress one would back off and talk about something neutral.

After dinner they retreated to the sitting room.

"Thank you for buying me Chinese."

Minerva smirked, "Well I did promise you dinner."

Hermione looked at her shocked that she had dared to bring it up, she then flushed remembering Minerva had kissed her before making that promise. "So where's your broomstick?"

Suddenly Minerva's voice lowered slightly and her manner sobered, "Don't you think this is dangerous enough already Hermione?"

Dobby rushed in with a tea tray at that moment, the two women thanked him but didn't break the sudden intense eye-contact they were engaged in.

Minerva reached out touching Hermione's face, caressing gently. Hermione turned her face to the side, dropping a kiss into the older womans palm – never stopping the eye contact. Minerva licked her lips, almost daring her to make a move. With a smirk Hermione leaned close and brought their lips together.

Unlike their previous kisses this one was a leisurely exploration of lips, mouth and tongue. Taking their time both were discovering the shape of each others mouths, learning to love the feel of their tongues touching, retreating and touching again. Hermione slid a hand behind Minerva's head deepening the kiss momentarily before drawing back, grazing her teeth across the older womans bottom lip as she did so.

Minerva stared at her, looked into the dark chocolate eyes as she brought her fingers to her lips, feeling the heat of Hermione on them.

"I certainly think that qualifies as dangerous." The young witches voice was a little rough.

Taking a deep breath and reaching for her teacup, needing the familiar prop, Minerva managed to calm herself. "Hermione..."

"Yeah?"

"Are you gay?"

Hermione laughed. "I'm sorry to laugh but that was full of finesse."

Minerva smiled, "I think subtlety would be wasted on this conversation Hermione. Besides, you never answered the question."

"Am I gay?" A chuckle, "I wish I knew the answer to that myself."

"So you aren't?" There was a hint of disappointment in Minerva's voice.

"Minerva I honestly don't know. You're the only..." Biting her lip Hermione cut off the rest of her sentence. "Are you?"