Chapter 10

Hermione internally grimaced as she heard the handle to the door jingle, berating herself for having stayed up too late.

"Hey." Ginny said, shocked that Hermione wasn't already asleep or at least pretending to be. She had returned to the Burrow four days ago, and while everything seemed unchanged; Ginny could tell that something…had. The first day, Hermione had spent the whole of it recounting what happened to her and McGonagall. How they had fought outside the gates and each time she told the story, her voice would break when she stated that McGonagall had been injured.

Ron and Harry couldn't understand why she stayed with old McGonagall for two days afterwards; because McGonagall was…well…McGonagall. And despite being injured it was widely known that she would never accept help; especially from a healer let alone a student; even if that student was one of her favorites, Hermione Granger. Hermione, however, merely recited the same story; about how McGonagall had taken them back to her Manor, she had assisted McGonagall when the healer arrived; several of her ribs broken. Hermione had promised Healer Harrison that she would remain for another twenty-four hours and then there was the issue of informing the Ministry. And that was all Hermione shared. Few other details had passed across her lips to the other occupants of the Burrow. Save for…to her mum.

Mum had asked to speak with her aside from everyone else, and when Ginny had asked her mum about it; she merely smiled and said, "Minerva's always been a private person; and while many of you believe it unusual that Hermione would remain at the Manor for a few days, it is very understandable."

Ginny felt her eyes narrow in confusion. "Understandable, how? I mean, why not come back to the Burrow?"

A tender gaze passed over her mom's face, "She had just been saved from Death Eaters and the person who saved her became injured protecting her. It's only natural for her to want to make sure that Minerva was alright before leaving, especially given her propensity in avoiding healers of any kind."

"Hey." Hermione grabbed her pillow rolling away from Ginny.

Ginny brushed several strands of hair away from her face, as she knelt down. "You okay?"

"Just tired." Hermione lied, nestling farther into her covers.

"And that's why you were staring wide-eyed at the ceiling." Ginny's remark causing her friend to hold onto the pillow, tighter. "Come on, Hermione." She gently placed her hand upon her upper arm. "What's eating at you?"

Hermione's jaw tightened, as she closed her eyes tighter to keep the tears from falling. "Nothing."

"The other night outside of Hogwarts?" She prompted again.

Hermione wanted to talk about what happened, but…she just couldn't. Not even with Ginny. "Yes." She turned over, "It was…really intense, Ginny." She whispered, still not turning towards her friend.

"Bet McGonagall was awesome to see in a duel." A wistful tone lacing her words, "Probably a lot like Dumbledore."

The thought of how Minerva had handled herself, fearlessly outside of Hogwarts flashed and then she was striding across the room, determined…wand in hand, another wand and her gold framed glasses in the other…naked. "Yes." She gulped trying to force the image away...but was failing miserably as it jumped again…to dark emerald eyes peering up at her as her own body slid along the silken skin. "Her dueling skills rival his."

Ginny reclined back and onto her bed. "Always figured as much. She just seems…so…understated, as if trying not to stand out."

"She stood out the other night." Hermione's body tingling at the mere thought of how much Minerva did operate outside of what constituted her usual behavior. "And…it was…" Her voice becoming soft, "Fabulous."

Ginny frowned, "Hermione…?"

Hermione turned over, finally looking at her friend. "I've never…" She shook her head, as a wry smile crept across the corner of her lips. "She saved my life, Ginny. And it almost cost her, her own."

Blue eyes measured brown ones, "Something else happened that night."

With aching slowness, Hermione nodded.

"And you aren't going to tell me…" Ginny pieced together the scant bits of information, "Or for that matter, anyone are you?"

"No, I'm not." Hermione murmured, "Only…that I got to see a part of our Professor, that I never would have believed existed."

Ginny shifted in her bed, knowing that if Hermione had made up her mind, she would never change it; unless there was good reason. And…it would take a bit more time for her to come up with that. "And McGonagall's home, was it like the Burrow or more like an aged estate?"

"I…didn't see the whole of her home, but…more like…an aged estate. Wood walls, tapestries…"

"Cool." Ginny whispered.

"It's probably been in her family for quite some time."

"She's a pureblood, but…" Ginny shook her head, "I don't know if her home is one of the original pureblood homes or of her recent ancestors."

"I don't know," Hermione feigned a smile, "It didn't come up in conversation."

"She was hurt fairly bad?" She asked, somewhat rhetorically.

Hermione closed her eyes, still seeing the large smattering of bruised skin that marred Minerva's back. "Yes, Ginny…she was."

Ginny took a leap, believing she knew what was bothering Hermione. "I'm sure McGonagall will be fine and would willingly repeat whatever happened as long as it meant that you were alright."

Tears flowed down her cheeks, unbidden as thoughts of exactly what Ginny's comment meant; what Minerva had already given up…for her. The way Minerva's legs had tightened around her…pulling her closer…into a heat like she had never known, but had left her…wanting to experience again. "I just…don't know." She felt arms wrap around her, "It was so intense…Ginny." Her fingers tightened around Ginny's shirt as her face sunk into the fabric. "That in some ways…it doesn't seem like it happened."

Ginny ran her hand through the Hermione's unruly hair, "Then you blink."

"And I realize…it did."

Molly immediately noticed Hermione's puffy eyes, but also her far more relaxed manner as she sat at the table this morning. "Sleep well, dear?"

Hermione smiled up at the Weasley matriarch. "Yes. Thank you." She noticed that Molly was still preparing breakfast. "Do you need help?"

"No," Molly magically flipped the bacon. "Yours is just about done and everyone else will be done when they manage to wrestle themselves awake."

A hint of a smile crossed her face, "That could be a while. I think Harry and Ron were up playing chess last night."

Molly scooped out some eggs, placing two biscuits and a few pieces of bacon onto the plate. "Here you are."

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley."

"Molly, dear."

"Molly." Hermione murmured.

"Will you be remaining here today?"

Hermione's fingers imperceptibly faltered as she replied, "I was going to return to my research at Hogwarts."

Molly felt her heart lift, Hermione was beginning to face what had happened the other evening. "Just try not to be so late when leaving."

Hermione chewed her bite, "I won't be."

Xoxo

Hermione should have known that nothing would have been moved. Should have known that despite what had transpired between she and Minerva, that there would be nothing to mark the significance in these hallowed walls. She should have known that Madame Pince would still look at her with reservation, especially as she was coming in over their summer holiday and disrupting it. She should have known that Professor Flitwick would stop by and see her, ensure that she had what she needed, and mention in passing that he was relieved to hear that she was safe. She should have known that Minerva had yet to return to Hogwarts...

The day slipped quietly by with no other interruptions until dusk when Filius came by.

"I'm afraid, Miss Granger that…"

"I need to finish what I am working on."

"That would be prudent as I will be returning with in the half hour as an escort."

Hermione began to shake her head, but Filius merely gave a nod and extended a letter. "The Deputy Headmistress required it." And departed.

It took every ounce of willpower she owned to wait until Filius had turned the corner, before she dropped her quill and uncoiled the letter. Immediately recognizing Minerva's distinct writing.

Filius,

I thank you for the update, however I will not be returning till tomorrow and will make adjustments in my schedule to repair the Astronomy Tower's Foundation. Until then ask Aurora not to utilize it until further notice.

Regarding Miss Granger.

Hermione could tell by the small amount of ink blotted after her name, that something had caused Minerva to pause.

She is not to leave from the grounds unattended. If you cannot escort her, ask Horace or Pomona. She may need to be reminded of the time, she like you has difficulty pulling herself away from research.

Minerva

For the first time in four days, she felt…something other than as if a drifting soul, without direction. Coiling the letter back up, she quickly closed the books and arranged the sheaves of parchment to wait until her return to tomorrow.

Standing, she quickly made her way through the library and drew herself upright as she met Filius returning to the library.

"Are you ready, Miss Granger?"

"Here." She handed the parchment back to Filius, "I sense that I will continue on with an escort for the remainder of the summer."

Filius nodded, "I believe you have grasped the situation."

"And when will the new Headmaster return to Hogwarts?" She questioned as they rounded the corner.

"Headmaster?" He chuckled, "Do you not believe as the whole of the wizarding world that Minerva will become the new Headmistress?"

"I have already asked her, and she stated that she is not to become the Head of Hogwarts."

"A sad day, but one that I believe will be rectified."

"And until then?"

"A new Head of Hogwarts whom you know and was once a professor."

The twilight glow basked the immaculate grounds of Hogwarts, bathing it in oranges, yellows, maroons and purples as they walked down the aged flagstone stairs. "And when shall he be taking up residency?"

"I believe just before Bill and Fluer's wedding."

Hermione felt a measure of relief that she would not have to encounter Snape prior to her departure this summer. She didn't know how she would react to seeing him, especially knowing what she did regarding Dumbledore's death. Idly she wondered how Minerva would face this coming year, knowing that man responsible for her best friend's death had been appointed the new Head of Hogwarts. "I believe I shall be finished with my research prior to then."

"And what research have you been so diligently working on these past weeks?"

"I'm sure you will hear of it when I'm finished."

An earthly chuckle slipped from his lips as they closed in upon the gates, "I have no doubt."

Hermione's hand involuntarily clutched at her wand as Filius magically unlocked the gates, the iron latticework opening; and Hermione blinked as Filius' wand was already within his hand.

"Thank you for the escort, Professor."

With an incremental wave, a spell shot forward and into the clearing before bursting into a bluish hue and spidering outward. "You are quite welcome, Miss Granger." He waited a heartbeat, "There is no one out there, you are safe."

Hermione let out an involuntary breath and gave a nod. She reached the apparition point in another three steps, and as she pictured the Burrow…another more inviting location sprung to mind…one that she had been coveting since her departure. And without thought, she apparated to the rolling landscape, manicured lawns, flowering shrubs and the picturesque view of Minerva's home.

Oxox

Minerva's hand tightened upon the banister as she descended the stairs, her side still uncomfortable but far more tolerable. She fingered her wand, twirling it within her fingers as she approached the doors silently wondering who had appeared upon her property.

And the more important question; how many?

Steeling her nerves, Minerva opened the door and felt a warmth burst in her chest as her eyes landed upon Hermione's silhouette highlighted by the golden hue of the sunset; her breath catching in her throat as she drew to a stop before her only five feet away. Minerva could smell the younger woman's oatmeal shampoo and she found her eyes wanting to scan across her body, to see if she was well…but she stopped herself, keeping her eyes fixed upon brown. Her cadence and tone remaining in her typical Professor voice, "Are you alright?"

"Fine." Hermione said, not really sure why she was here; just knowing that she needed to be there. "I just…" Her eyes flickered away from Minerva's scanning along her side, but knowing that she would not see anything amiss unless the damnable woman let her know. "Are you…alright?"

Minerva found herself unable to lie to the woman opposite. They had shared too much. She…had shared too much with her. "My side still aches, but it is healing."

"And have you been applying the salve?"

"From time to time." Minerva remarked, but her eyes could see the pain buried within brown orbs. "However, that is not why you came."

Hermione involuntarily bit her lower lip, "I…" She took a hesitant step forward, "Partially." Came the soft whisper, "Do you…mind if I stay here for a few days?"

Minerva immediately felt torn, both wanting Hermione to stay and not permitting it. Granted, they both had a lot of feelings to sort out; but…she didn't know if after everything that happened between them if she was the best person for Hermione to be around. She had already irrevocably influenced the younger woman in ways that neither of them could begin to ascertain. And while she would never act upon the stray mental thought regarding Hermione; her beauty and the way she was maturing into a remarkable woman did not mean that she was not attracted to her. Her body…wanted what it had forbiddingly tasted. But, if Hermione needed some time away from questions and friends, Minerva would provide it. Even if it made her slightly uncomfortable; as she had yet to sort out her own thoughts and feelings regarding what had transpired. She only knew…what she felt. And what she felt…was an innate need to protect Hermione…as deeply as she once felt, for Amelia. With a sigh she gave a nod, "Very well." She opened the door fully to permit her entry. "Have you spoken with Molly?"

"Not yet." She swallowed, "I wanted to ask first." She took a hesitant step backwards, "If it'll be alright, I'll go to the Burrow and speak with her and come back."

"The warding will permit you upon the property after nightfall." Minerva stated, "And I shall have Tilx prepare a second plate."

Hermione gave a nod, "I'll be back before nightfall."

Minerva's brow quirked, "As you stated, you are an adult, Hermione. And while staying here, I shall treat you as such."

"I didn't mean for…it's just Filius…"

"Professor Flitwick." Minerva interjected, "As you are still a student."

"Professor Flitwick showed me the letter you wrote, and I wanted to address your concern regarding apparating after…"

"For…what happened to have transpired, I have to separate out Hogwarts and you as a student from you as an adult; which you steadfastly argued recently."

Hermione immediately understood. She had begged Minerva not to turn herself in, pleading the notion that she was an adult…and while Minerva had to protect her student at Hogwarts, what she did on her own; Minerva was going to respect and treat her accordingly.

"So, while at my residence I will treat you as you are, of age. Any questions?"

Hermione felt a smile curl across her lips, feeling at ease for the first time since she had left. "That's…" She met hesitant emerald eyes, "Thank you." She couldn't stop herself and didn't want to from leaning in and wrapping her arms around the elder witch. She felt how Minerva momentarily went rigid before relaxing and returning a semblance of a hug. "Thank you." She whispered again, relishing the vanilla and lavender that washed over her senses before stepping back.

"You are welcome, Hermione." Came the reserved reply and Hermione couldn't help but wonder as she turned around to head to the Burrow to collect her things; if she would ever see the uninhibited woman again. She strode through the gates, so similar to Hogwarts, and felt a tingling down her spine to indicate she had cleared the anti-apparition wards and with a last look to the Manor; and Hermione couldn't help herself, for better or worse, from wanting to see that woman again.

Oxox

A/N: I should have another chapter up within a week. Hope you enjoyed!