A/N: Lots of exposition and LOTS more Romantic Minerva ahead. I promise the rest will be much less Nicholas Sparks-y. But, hey, it IS a Romance, and this part, like the last, definitely lives up to its genre. It also, once again, earns its rating.

It must be said, I open some doors in these chapters that may not necessarily be closed in the course of this particular story, however, I have basic plans for companion stories that will take us through those doors to explore this "world" a little further.

Your feedback on the last update completely overwhelmed me. Thank you all so much. I'm very glad you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. This update is much the same. I am honored and humbled. If you have a reaction to my writing, good or bad, please share it with me. It is truly inspirational.

Chapter 21

Minerva watched Leah graze as she stroked chestnut curls. Hermione's head lay in her lap, nose buried in The Mysteries of Highland Dragons which she had procured from the castle's extensive library.

It had been a marvelous day. Rennie was caring for Jasper and despite Hermione's protests, Minerva had managed to coax her back onto Leah, and they went for an exhilarating run over the moors to the other side of the loch, coming to rest under Minerva's favorite rowan tree.

"Why isn't this stuff part of our curriculum?" Hermione asked without looking up. "It's completely fascinating. Listen to this. 'The Celtic Sgian Droll has been known to skewer its prey with its knife-like tail and draw it directly to its mouth,' sort of like an elephant does with its trunk, I expect."

"Aye, we've lost more sheep that way."

Hermione giggled and Minerva sighed and leaned further back against the tree. Hermione noticed her lover's melancholy and closed her book, sitting up so she could look in Minerva's eyes. "You're troubled, darling." She ran a hand through the loose ebony hair at the older woman's temple. "What is it? What's swirling around in that brilliant mind?"

"I'm worried, Leannan." She caught Hermione's hand and planted a kiss on her palm, drawing it down so she could draw nonsensical patterns across the back, not meeting her eyes. "McLaggen hasn't revealed himself yet. He should have by now. He's incredibly impatient, and he hates me with more than your typical Scottish ire. I feel like the longer he waits to strike back, the worse it will be for me… and you. I cannae let my guard down, even in this place which I love most of anywhere on earth. It is… unsettling."

Hermione nodded. "Constant vigilance and all that."

"Aye"

"Tell me about him. Why is he so dangerous?"

Minerva steeled herself and drew Hermione against her, chestnut head resting against her shoulder. "You really don't know?"

Hermione shook her head. "I've never read about him anywhere. Is he someone important?"

Minerva laughed mirthlessly. "Aye, lass. Hamish McLaggen is the newest warden at Azkaban prison. He worked there as an administrator for many years, five years ago, he was promoted to Deputy Warden and just last year, when Warden Hopkirk died, he took over."

Hermione shook her head. "Poor Mafalda." She sighed heavily. "I met her you know. I introduced myself after the dust had settled and apologized for, well, knocking her out and impersonating her. She was very understanding and sweet. She hated what the Death Eaters made her do during the war. They had threatened her family. Her twins are very bright students."

Minerva kissed Hermione's forehead. "It should be said that Hubert Hopkirk died under very mysterious circumstances, but so far, nothing has been able to be tied directly to Hamish."

Hermione sat up. "You think he - " Minerva nodded and Hermione shuddered visibly. "Why does he hate you so?"

Minerva smirked and Hermione thought she detected a bit of glad satisfaction in that tiny smile. "I may have… stolen his girlfriend a few years after we had graduated from Hogwarts."

Hermione laughed. "Ladykiller." She gave Minerva a stout kiss and sat back, waiting.

"Nothing like that, leannan. I… rescued her. Hamish was… pushy. I believed she had been victimized by him and when I asked her she was… vague… so I pushed her for the truth and eventually she told me that he… forced her and was violent, so I helped her escape, brought her here, cared for her."

Hermione was riveted on Minerva's face, watching the play of emotions and shadows of memories cloud and then brighten her countenance. "How much did you care for her, Minerva?"

"I loved her." Hermione nodded and entwined their fingers, noting the past tense use of the word. "Hamish found out it was me, and swore to make me pay. I thought he'd forgotten. Clearly not."

"And this mystery woman? Someone I should be concerned about?"

Minerva shook her head. "She never truly healed from Hamish. She descended further into her mind and I couldna bring her back. She started drinking and no matter how I tried, I couldna make her better. We fell out, but I never stopped caring. All I could do was keep her close to keep an eye on her and hope that one day I could save her again."

Hermione gasped with realization. "Sybil."

Minerva smiled. "Always so perceptive."

"That rat bastard. I'll kill him myself."

"No, you won't. We'll give evidence to the Ministry that he attempted an 'Obliviate' curse on you and, despite your trespassing; it should be enough to at least launch an investigation. Then, we quietly stop getting involved and let them handle it."

Hermione sighed, nodded and put her head back on Minerva's shoulder, snuggling a bit closer. "I'm not used to being passive in situations like this. I'm used to making a plan and actively doing something."

"I know, dear, but this isn't wartime, aye? We cannae just burst into people's homes willy-nilly wielding the wand of justice. I'm proud of you for attempting to take back your power, Hermione, but it's time to live within the law."

Hermione smiled wickedly. "And what would 'the law' say about my evil plan to ravish you in the heather this afternoon?"

"Well, seeing as how we are still on my property, it would likely say 'Carry on, Lady Tarbert'" then she leaned down and kissed Hermione gently, slowly deepening the kiss until Hermione was compelled to throw one coltish leg over Minerva's hips, straddling her lap soundly.

"Mmm. Mistress of all She Surveys."

Hermione continued the kiss as she brought hands to Minerva's riding vest, only breaking the kiss when she realized she needed her eyes to see what she was doing. Once she had opened vest and blouse, spreading both to expose Minerva's perfect, lace-clad breasts, she began to work on the riding breeches, tucked into high leather boots. "Bloody Hell woman, all these clothes for one lousy ride?"

"One must always have the proper equipment, Miss Granger."

"Sod it," Hermione said and with a wave of her hand, Minerva's clothes were in a messy pile behind her.

Minerva peeked around Hermione, whose hands had begun to wander. "An impressive display of wandless, non-verbal magic Miss Granger, but what happened to 'some things are better without'?"

Hermione, now thoroughly worked up, stopped her oral exploration of Minerva's long neck to make eye contact. "Are you a witch or aren't you?"

Without breaking eye contact, Minerva simply responded, "Aye," and Hermione's clothes joined her own.

A strong hand behind Hermione's neck drew her back into a kiss as Minerva's free hand trailed over Hermione's shoulder, caressed a full, ready breast, circled a bare navel and gently teased the dark curls and Hermione's apex. Hermione arched into the wandering fingers, attempting to gain more purchase as her hands linked behind her lover's neck. "A bit anxious, are we?" Minerva purred, taking a nipple in her mouth.

"Minerva, we can go slow next time, I swear. You needn't wait. Now. Please," her hips were rocking and a tiny furrow had appeared between her eyes.

It was all the encouragement she needed. With great care, but purpose, Minerva slid two fingers into Hermione. The copious wetness she found there was a bit of a surprise and her arousal skyrocketed. She groaned and buried her teeth in Hermione's shoulder. No more words were needed. Hermione rocked and brought one hand down to dip between Minerva's own, spread thighs. The position was awkward, the rowan bark was digging uncomfortably into Minerva's back and Hermione's knees were becoming stained with green grass and purple flowers, but neither cared as they climaxed together, sunk boneless into each other, kissed softly and giggled like schoolgirls.

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The ride back to the castle was slow and leisurely, both women enjoying the closeness and Leah's easy gait, but Hermione was fidgeting, trying to quiet her mind.

"Hermione, either sit still or out with it. You're driving me mad."

Hermione sighed, unsure where to begin. "Forgive me, darling. I know I have no reason to be insecure, but I saw in your eyes how much you loved Sybil, and I can't help but wonder, if we were able to somehow rescue her from herself…" she trailed off, but steeled herself and continued. "She's much closer in age to you, and you've shared so much, I just – "

Minerva reigned up and stopped the horse. "Hermione Granger, after what we just shared, in broad daylight, I might add, you dare doubt my love for you?"

Hermione did her best to turn in the saddle and look at her lover. "No, never, but I don't doubt your love for her either."

"Ancient history, Leannan. I promise you. But surely you understand my need to protect her."

"Of course. If you didn't, you would not be the woman I fell in love with. I am sorry, truly. Just a really old inferiority complex getting the best of me."

"Well, enough of that, aye? I'll not have you comparing yourself to Sybil Trelawney." Minerva drew a confident finger down a blushing cheek. "Apples and oranges, love."

Hermione smiled and nodded and Minerva gave Leah a gentle kick to her flank, moving them quietly on.

Chapter 22

The next month brought still no closure to the 'Hamish Problem' as Minerva termed it, but she fought valiantly to suppress her unease and the little trio fell into an easy, relaxed routine.

Jasper's first birthday was celebrated in grand style with a party at Tarbert Castle which included Harry and an uncomfortably pregnant Ginny, Hermione's parents, who were warm and kind to Minerva, if a little uncomfortable with the unconventional relationship and, to Minerva's great chagrin, Ronald Weasley.

"I couldn't not invite him, Minerva, he's a part of my life, whether you like it or not. We're trying to be friends and he wants to know Jasper; and frankly, given the poor kid's parentage, the more positive males he has in his life, the better."

"Aye, weel. You may have forgiven him, but I have not, nor do I have any intention to anytime soon."

"Then pout like a child, but it's like you said to me recently, darling. Ancient. History." She punctuated each word with a stout kiss on pursed lips. "Besides, what happened between me and Ronald wasn't entirely his fault, truth be told."

Minerva only raised a curious eyebrow and let the matter drop.

Ron took one look at Minerva upon entering Tarbert Castle and was on his very best behavior.

That night, after the guests had gone, the elves had cleaned up dinner and cake and the remains of wrappings from several dozen gifts had been banished to rubbish bins, Jasper sat on the bed between Hermione and Minerva, gallantly fighting sleep. He was drowsily making his new toy wand shoot tiny yellow flower blossoms across the bedsheets as Minerva used her own to make them dance in patterns above his head.

Hermione watched, fighting tears and listening to her own heart pound at the thought of what she was about to do. She leaned over and pulled a large, bound scroll from the drawer in the nightstand, closed her eyes and bit her lip, summoning her courage. In a quiet, almost broken voice, she spoke. "Minerva, I have a gift for you."

"For me?" her wand paused and so did the flowers, allowing Jasper to catch them in tiny fists. "Why for me? It isna my birthday."

Hermione smiled. "No, but it is sort of a gift for Jasper too, and for me. If you agree, that is." Her nerves were getting the better of her and she began second guessing if Minerva would even want this. "When we were at the Ministry last week, I took the liberty of having this drawn up. All it needs is your signature. Again, only if you agree." Hermione pressed the scroll into Minerva's hands and fought tears as she looked down at her own shaking fingers. "Please read it."

Minerva, confused and not a little worried, seeing Hermione's reaction, pulled the red ribbon from the scroll and unrolled it, putting on her reading glasses from her own nightstand. Hermione was riveted on her features, trying to read her reaction to the content on the parchment, but Minerva gave nothing away. When she was finished reading, she removed her glasses and placed an open palm on the back of Jasper's head, which was now laying in her lap, emitting soft snores.

"Minerva, please say something."

Minerva turned tearful green eyes on Hermione, finally allowing her to see the emotion racing through her. "These are adoption papers, Hermione."

Hermione nodded, looking away, only able to get out a whispered, "Yeah."

"I… don't know what to say. Look at me." She picked up one of Hermione's fidgeting hands and entwined it with her own. Hermione turned her face to Minerva and the tears came in earnest. "Are you sure? We've only been together a few months, Hermione. You must be absolutely sure."

"Minerva, you have been a part of Jasper's life from the moment he was born, longer than I have, in fact. You are as much his mother as I am, whether we are together or not. You gave him his name, for Merlin's sake. This just makes it official, and prevents anyone, myself included, from being able to ever take him from you. I have never been more sure of anything in my life, but if you're not ready, or you would rather just – "

She was cut off by a soft thumb caressing her mouth as Minerva's palm cupped her cheek. "Shhh." A tear rolled down Minerva's pale cheek. "If I do this, it's for always. You, me, him. Understand?"

Hermione nodded, silent.

Without saying more, Minerva lifted the sleeping child into her arms and carried him out of the room. Upon laying him gently in his crib, her heart swelled until she thought it might burst. "You are my child, now, Mac; and I am your màthair," and she left the room still clutching the scroll in one hand.

Hermione watched from the bed, afraid to move as she watched Minerva cross wordlessly to the roll top desk in the corner, draw out a quill and ink and with little flourish and no hesitation, place her iconic signature at the bottom of the scroll in emerald green ink. She then crossed the room, removed her dressing gown on her way, leaving only her light summer shift, and climbed under the cool sheets of her bed, facing Hermione. She handed her the signed scroll and Hermione couldn't tell if she was angry or in shock, but she seemed anything but happy. Then Minerva spoke.

"What you have given me this night, luaidh mo chèile, cannae be expressed in word or deed, but I want you to look into my eyes and see the depth of what it means to me. He is mine now, as you are mine and as he is yours. I dinnae take it lightly, and I have never been so very happy," and Minerva McGonagall finally allowed herself to smile through her tears.

Hermione's face crumpled and she released a choked sob before throwing herself into Minerva's arms. "You are a fantastic mum," Hermione whispered into the shell of Minerva's ear. The elder buried one hand into riotous brown curls and the other held a vicegrip on her young love's waist as she cried tears of joy into the curve of Hermione's neck.