AN: Thanks for the support y'all. Thanks Miranda... As always, thanks Butterfly. This is for my volleyball hottie...
OH KITTEN...
Minerva ran, her heart pounding, her mind racing. Images of Hermione flashing through her head. Like snap shots in a photo album...
Placing the sorting hat on a head full of bushy, riotious curls...
Seeing the "Cheshire Cat Grin" for the first time...
Gazing into soft chocolate eyes and seeing more than just a student, seeing a woman...
Velvet soft kisses in front of the fire...
Those same chocolate eyes gazing up at her as skin met skin for the first time...
A beautiful med student jumping into her arms...
Kneeling before her surrounded by unicorns...
Minerva ran for her life.
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Harry, Ron, Dawn and Ginny heard the thump of running footsteps. They sped around the side of the boat house to see Minerva McGonagall running like a gazelle towards the end of the dock. Towards the place where Hermione was...
Where Hermione wasn't.
"Mione?" Dawn asked in a tiny voice. The group watched as Minerva seemed to grow wings as she leapt into a dive. Up and over the rail on the dock. They turned as they heard the stomping of many feet. Jean and Hooch seemed to be in a foot race as they dashed after Minerva. Arthur and Molly rushed after, followed by Dumbledore. "What happened?" Ginny asked, blue eyes wide with fright. "Hermione fell in." Molly gasped as the younger people rushed to the dock rail.
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Minerva dove down into the chilled, murky depths of Loch Shivon. Desperately, she searched for her love. She felt the water ripple as another body joined her in the water. Swimming beside her was Harry Potter. Together, they reached out, feeling for Hermione. It was Harry, who found her. He grabbed her arm, not waiting for Minerva and pulled his friend to the surface. Once in the air, he wrapped his arm around Hermione's shoulders and swam towards the swim platform opposite the boat house. Arthur and Rolanda were waiting and when he got close enough, they pulled the young witch out of the water and lay her flat on the platform.
Minerva searched in vain under the water. Only rising to the surface when the burning lack of oxygen in her lungs forced her. As she broke the surface of the water, she heard a commotion by the swim platform. "She's on the platform Tabby." The voice of Albus Dumbledore came from above. Peering up, she saw her best friend standing at the dock rail. "Hurry." He encouraged. Minerva forced powerful stokes through the water and made her way to the platform.
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It was Rolanda Hooch who took charge. She knelt beside Hermione's still form. Pulling the young witch's body over on it's side, towards her own, allowed most of the water to drain from her lungs. Loch water spilled out of Hermione's mouth.
"Oh no... Kitten..." They heard Minerva McGonagall's desperate voice. She knelt beside Hooch as the latter lay Hermione back prone and proceeded to check the young witch's breathing and her pulse.
"She's not breathing..."
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Dawn Granger stood on the dock next to Albus. There were tears streaming from her dark eyes down her soft cheeks. She felt an arm around her shoulders, as Dumbledore pulled her into a comforting embrace, his own twinkly eyes, downcast. "I can't loose her..." She whimpered softly. The elderly wizard placed a small kiss on the top of her head.
Arthur Weasley joined his wife who stood a few paces down from Albus and Dawn. Shock clearly showing on both of their faces. To have something like this happen to someone they loved like their own was heartbreaking. It reminded them of loosing Fred and it tore at their hearts. Molly sobbed into Arthur's shoulder as he held her close. "This can't be happening." He whispered tightening his arms around his wife.
Ron felt helpless. He stood between his parents and his girlfriend, gazing down as one of his best friends lay near death. Fists clenched in frustration and uncertainty. He didn't know what to do...
Harry Potter stood over his friend silently praying to any spirit who might hear, to grant Hermione a blessing. Grant her life... He was dripping wet and shivering as adrenaline pumped through his system. He watched as Rolanda Hooch breathed air in Hermione's lungs.
Jean Granger watched as two witches worked to save her daughter's life. One held her daughter's heart, her daughter's future. The other, possibly her own... Tears that only a mother could understand rolled unchecked down her face...
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"One thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three..." Hooch counted to fifteen as Minerva performed CPR on her fiance. On the fifteenth count, she breathed two deep breaths into Hermione. On the second round, the young witch began to cough violently. Gasping, Hermione retched hard, spilling vile tasting loch water all over the dock and Hooch. The older witch watched as Hermione rolled to her side, coughing and gagging but breathing... and very much alive.
Minerva McGonagall trembled violently. Not from the cold, but from fear. Fear of loosing the absolute love of her life. Her savior. The woman who had taught her the true meaning of love. The one who had ripped open the prison her soul had been bound to and led her into the light. Gazing fearfully as the young witch drew deep hacking breaths, she reached out a shaking hand and touched Hermione's bedraggled hair... "Oh Kitten..." The younger woman reached out blindly for her partner. The latter grasping the small hand desperately. Minerva looked inward, searching for that thread that tied them together. The bond that continued to swirl around them. When she finally found it, she gasped. Never before had she consciously sought it out. Hermione, it seems had been doing it for a while; but not her. It was always there, she just assumed it was the love she was feeling. Now she knew it was more than that. It was power, it was tangible. She pulled it inward, focused it and then pushed it outward. Into her young love.
Hermione felt the bond suddenly focus. It was like a beacon, guiding her to the safe shores of Minerva's love. It was warm and comforting. It was powerful and seductive. It pulled Hermione like a moth towards the flame.
Those surrounding the lovers felt it as well. There was a force swirling around the two witches. It was powerful and gave them a warm, loving feeling. Albus Dumbledore's sky blue eyes brightened with unshed tears as he felt the bond. As he felt Minerva using it as Hermione had learned to do. "That's it Tabby, call her to you." He encouraged.
The coughing began to subside to a few occasional hacks that brought up the remaining water from her abused lungs. Hermione felt like she'd been run over by the Knight Bus. "Ohhh God." She whispered, still clasping Minerva's trembling hand. Trembling? Then it registered. She opened her eyes to see a gaggle of anxious faces peering down at her. One in particular stood out from all the rest.
Minerva.
"Oh Tabby..." She breathed, sitting up and throwing her arms around her frightened partner. Minerva clung to Hermione like she was a life preserver. In many ways she was. Hermione had saved Minerva from a life of lonely desperation and despair. And now, Minerva had just helped save Hermione. "Mo ghaol ort Hermione, mo ghaol ort." The older witch said in Gaelic, not caring who heard or saw. Tears trickled from glistening emerald orbs filled with a joyful ache. Hermione's voice was raspy from her hacking, but there was no mistaking what she was saying, "I love you too, I love you too."
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Minerva took Hermione back to the house to lie down while the others remained to finish painting. There wasn't much left to do, so Arthur had volunteered to finish up. There was deep gratitude in Minerva's eyes when she thanked him. It was the least he could do. Minerva McGonagall had done so much for his family in the past.
Arthur had sent Ron and Dawn to one side of the building and Harry and Ginny to the other side. He and Molly were finishing the doors. Jean and Hooch had disappeared somewhere...
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Dawn Granger's heart just wasn't in painting. She almost lost her sister today. Ron had taken her brush and had her sit on the dock. A small sob escaped her pert lips. The red haired man looked at his girlfriend. She'd been really shaken up. "Hey?" He asked. The younger Granger looked up, sadness in her mocha eyes. "She's gonna be alright, ya hear?" Dawn sighed, "I know. I just never realized what it would feel like if I lost her." A small tear slid out of the corner of her eye. "You never realize how much someone means to you, until you nearly loose them." Ron finished one last spot on their side and turned to Dawn. "There, all done. How about we go and see how Hermione is doing?" Dawn perked up, her shining eyes bright with hope, "Can we? You don't think Minerva will be mad?" Ron shook his red head, "No. You're family. That's something she hasn't had in a long, long time." He reached down and helped her up, then he poked his head around the corner to where his parents were and said, "Finished on this side. I'm gonna take Dawn up to the house." Arthur nodded and said, "Let me check on Harry and Ginny." he walked to their side. Turning the corner, he stopped dead. There was Harry and Ginny all right. Only they weren't painting. They were snogging. Arthur shook his head and walked over to the lip locked couple. He tapped his daughter on the shoulder, "Break it up."
Harry sprung away from Ginny Weasley like she was on fire. In a way she was. He felt an uncomfortable bobbing in his groin. Looking down, he realized he was erect. And Arthur saw! He spun around in embarrassment. Arthur ordered his daughter to go help her mother. Then he said to Harry, who's back was till turned, "That used to happen to me and Molly when we were your age." He smiled as he remembered yesterday in the shower with his wife and added, "Still happens every once in a while." Harry nodded, but did not turn. Arthur took a deep breath. He and Molly had talked last night about a good many things. Including the relationship between Harry and Ginny. "I'd like to talk with you. Man to man." Arthur requested beckoning Harry to follow him to the furniture on the patio at the beginning of the dock, on shore. Harry followed the older man like a convict being led to his execution.
Ginny watched as his father escorted her boyfriend to the patio. She had a feeling this conversation was coming. Especially after they danced "The Lover's Dance". She looked up at her mother, "Mum?" Molly had been watching like only a mother would. She gazed at her youngest child with soft eyes, saying, "Daddy just wants to make sure of a few things." Ginny blushed realizing that Harry was getting THE TALK. "Oh Merlin." Molly pulled her daughter to where the young couple were supposed to be painting and said, "Let's help Professor McGonagall out a bit alright?" She picked up the discarded brushes and handed one to her daughter. Together, mother and daughter proceeded to paint the last unpainted side of the boat house.
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Rolanda Hooch leaned against the patio chair in the gazebo behind the kitchen gardens. She was sitting next to Jean Granger. After Minerva had swept Hermione up in her arms and carried her back to the house, Jean had followed almost timidly. She was desperately worried about her oldest child, but at the same time was realizing that maybe she wasn't the number one influence in Hermione's life anymore. It made her happy and sad at the same time. Happy that Hermione had someone as wonderfully devoted as Minerva and sad that she wasn't "mummy" anymore. She was just "mum". There was a world of difference between those two words.
Sitting next to her was another puzzlement. Rolanda Hooch. Someone she had just met yesterday. Someone who could possibly be part of her future? A future that was, right now, uncertain and perhaps a bit frightening. "I feel so jumbled right now." She whispered. The tone of her voice was so forelorn, it broke Rolanda's heart. There was something so compelling about this beautiful squib. A woman who had produced two amazing daughters. Rolanda almost envied Jean's accomplishment. Yet, there was so much more under the surface. There was a steely resolve mixed with a vulnerability that made Rolanda just want to wrap her arms around this lovely creature and protect her from harm.
Rolanda reached over and gently lay her hand on Jean's knee. "It'll be alright, you'll see." Jean let out a rueful laugh. "There is so much going on in my life right now. It feels like I've got dragon dung on my head." Rolanda chuckled at Jean's reference to what Minerva did to Molly Weasley. "I know that any comforting words I say to you will sound like so much shite, I just want you to know if you need someone to lean on... I'm here." Rolanda's yellow eyes were bright in her sincerity. Jean shot her an appreciative nod. Rolanda was attracted to this amazing woman, overwhelmingly so. Hermione's mother was just so... everything. It confused her because it had been a very long time since she'd felt this strongly about someone. A very long time. Clearing her throat nervously, Rolanda added, "If you just need comfort..." She paused, her cheeks flaming, "You know, uh... the physical kind... I can do that too." There it was. She'd laid her cards on the table.
Jean listened to the quiet, yet sincere words that Rolanda Hooch said to her. She felt an unfamiliar tugging in her mid-section and her stomach was doing flip-flops. "Though we're seperated, John and I are still married." She stated flatly. Hooch nodded, "I know."
Jean scrubbed her face wearily, "I almost lost my daughter today."
Hooch nodded, "I know."
Jean ran a trembling hand through her shoulder length sandy brown hair and said, "My life is really screwed up right now."
Hooch nodded again, "I know."
Jean drew a shuddering breath, "I've never been with a woman."
Rolanda smiled gently, "I know."
The older Granger stared into those mezmerizing yellow eyes, "I AM attracted to you."
Hooch grinned mischieviously, "I know."
Smiling Jean Granger leaned closer, "I'm going to kiss you."
Unabashed joy was reflected in those hawk-like eyes that gazed happily in soft chocolate ones. A small tear escaped from the corner of one of those compelling eyes as Rolanda Hooch whispered, "I'm glad."
Two women leaned closer and gently touched soft lips together.
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Minerva gently lay Hermione on the sofa in the living room. Kneeling on the floor next to her love, she gently caressed her fiance's cheek. Tears slowly trickled down the older woman's finely chisled cheek. "You worried me." She whispered, stroking an elegant hand through her love's wet, yet still riotous hair. The young witch reached up and grasped the hand in her hair. She brought the strong hand to her mouth and gently kissed each knuckle. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you." Minerva frowned and shook her head, her equally wet hair had come out of it's bun and now straggled down her back and over her shoulders. "I'm sorry. I was the one at fault." Her lower lip trembled as supressed sobs began to surface. "I'll never quarrel with you again!" She exclaimed bursting into great heaving sobs. Hermione sat up and pulled the kneeling woman into the cradle of her thighs. Resting the strong, shaking shoulders in her lap. Minerva threw her arms around Hermione. Clinging to her in a fierce embrace. Burying her face in the younger witch's belly, she sobbed and sobbed and sobbed.
Ron and Dawn stood in the doorway of the living room. Behind them, Rolanda and Jean also stood. They had just witnessed the heart wrenching moment between the two witches and Dawn was silently crying. Rolanda had her arm around Jean and squeezed gently as she felt the latter begin to shake with her own sobs.
Hermione looked up and saw the small group in the doorway.
Her family.
With one arm still wrapped around Minerva, she used her other to beckon them over. Like a rocket, Dawn was instantly draped around her big sisters. Jean approached from the other side and lay a gentle hand on Minerva's still heaving shoulders.
Ron and Hooch stood a respectful distance away watching the scene, awe in their eyes. Neither had they ever witnessed Minerva McGonagall display emotion of this magnitude before. It had a deep and profound effect on them as Ron's blue eyes clouded a bit. He discreetly wiped a sniffle away. Rolanda simply stood there, silent tears rolling down her face. She cried. For Minerva, for Hermione, for Dawn and especially for Jean.
Minerva was oblivious to everything except Hermione. She didn't raise her head. She felt a light touch on her shoulder and a small body leaning against her other side. She focused only on the comforting softness her face was buried in. Overwhelming heartache coursing through her body as she realized how close she came to loosing the lovely young witch currently holding her tightly. "Oh Kitten... oh my Kitten." She whispered over and over.
Hermione's chocolate eyes filled with tears as she heard her lover's anguish. She leaned down and placed a tender kiss on her fiance's head and replied, "My Tabby."
-To Be Continued
AN: See? I'm not that evil. Remember y'all, be nice.