I honestly don't know what to say, other than in the past 4 years I have gone to university and completely lost track of all my stories. I don't know if anyone even still wants this continued, but if you do please let me know and I will continue writing. Thanks! :)

"I have told you how important these lessons are Minerva, Poppy already told me what she overheard you telling Hermione last year in the hospital wing-"

"Overheard?! She was eves dropping Albus, on a private conversation!"

Colour gathered on Dumbledore's face, his irritation evident, he almost screamed his reply "and let us be glad she did! You clearly cannot be trusted to act appropriately! Telling her that the dreams mean something! Have you gone mad?! You think that will not make her fixate?!"

"Yes I do! I told her not to pry and I know that she trusts me, she feels the connection but she knows not to look for information yet" Minerva spat back. Anger burned within her, could he not understand how difficult this was for her, to be so close yet barred? It was agony.

Dumbledore took two steadying breaths and seemed to calm himself, he walked slowly over to where the elegant bird stood on its perch, watching the scene unfold. The bespectacled man raised a hand to gently stroke the proud birds feather lovingly. He did not look at Minerva as he issued his warning.

"I have told you that I understand the difficulty you are in, and yet you gave me your word you could control yourself. I have also told you what I believe her appearance means for the quest that I believe lies ahead for Harry Potter. I will ask you one final time. Can you do what needs to be done?"

It was only then that he looked at her, more piercingly than ever before.

The reply was barely more than a whisper, yet it seemed to echo around the circular room.

"Yes."

XxXXXxX

"And no one else has one?" Hermione asked, still staring at the glistening circular time turner she had just been presented with.

"Well, it is exceedingly difficult to convince the ministry that a turner is necessary, I had to share the entirety of your past records. However, after seeing just how far above average your results were for each and every subject, the ministry agreed that it made no sense to force you to give up some subjects simply because there aren't enough hours in the day."

Hermione ran the long golden chain between her fingers, seemingly in amazement, Minerva couldn't help the warmth that swelled inside her at seeing the entranced look on Hermione's face. Of course she had seen it countless times before, in other lifetimes, in other rooms, yet still her heart stirred.

"This is incredible, I don't know what to say" Hermione looked slowly up at Minerva until there eyes met, "thank you" she added quietly.

Breaking the intense contact was the last thing Minerva wanted to do, but she thought back to her recent conversation with Dumbledore and forced herself to turn her back to the young girl and walk around the back of her desk and sit down. She lifted a pile of parchments and started to look through them, seemingly returning to work.

"It was nothing to do with me Hermione, you have been entrusted with this object because of your own magical skill and aptitude" she said, forcing herself not to look into the hazel eyes she knew so well.

Hermione flinched at the coldness in the way Minerva had spoken, there was nothing cruel in what she had said yet, the tone was nothing less than stand-offish.

She stood, with her new study aid in her hand and gathered her belongings. She continued to gaze up at Minerva who had began adding scribbles and corrections to the work in front of her.

"Are we continuing with our lessons this year professor?"

Minerva felt herself stiffen at the word 'professor' but forced herself to remain seemingly indifferent as she answered, "certainly Miss Granger, I think it best if you have a few days to settle in to your classes and to become accustomed to using the turner."

Minerva lifted her eyes from the papers she had so carefully been sure to focus on and met Hermione's piercing gaze, as soon as their eyes met she softened, she could not help the love that radiated from her as she stared at the young woman before her.

"How does Thursday sound? 6pm should give you ample time for homework and I can escort you back to the dormitory afterwards."

Hermione beamed and Minerva inwardly berated herself for letting her mask slip.

"Perfect" replied Hermione and with a last smile that lingered far too long, she turned and left the office.

Minerva groaned and let her head rest in her hands, what was she doing? Merely hours after Dumbledore's warning and she had already reignited the familiarity between her and Hermione that began the year before.

XxXXXxX

It felt as though knives were piercing every inch of Hermione's skin, she crumpled to the floor in agony and could not contain the shriek that left her mouth. It was however mere seconds before Minerva flicked her wand and quelled the pain.

Hermione looked up at her professor with disbelief in her eyes, the elder witch was shaken at hearing the scream, a scream she had heard before in a scene she tried never to think about.

"Are you alright Hermione?" She asked as she approached the young Gryffindor.

Hermione seemed to be squeezing her arm as though to check it was still there.

"Yes", she muttered, barely trying to hide her irritation. Minerva could not help the amusing smirk that appeared on her face, Hermione never could stand any spell that took her more than one try to master.

"It is a difficult incantation Hermione, you must not berate yourself. It took me quite a few tries, we will try again in a few-"

"No" Hermione interrupted. "I can do it" she looked imploringly at Minerva, "let me try once more?" Minerva hesitated, but Hermione stood and took a step closer to the elder witch, they were only a meter apart when Hermione whispered "please".

Never had Minerva been able to deny her anything, but Dumbledore's words rang in her head, she knew if she let Hermione try again when her magic had already been vigorously tested already, the risk of awakening the Phoenix magic was greater.

"Hermione", she said as she closed the distance between them, "there is no need to pressure yourself so, it is late, and we are both tired." Hermione sighed and bit her lower lip in frustration. Minerva loved seeing traits she was so familiar with show themselves in the young witch, it calmed her to see that her soulmate was still in there.

Hermione nodded reluctantly and put her wand back into the inner pocket of her robe. Minerva did the same and gestured to the door. The two witches exited and began the walk back to the Gryffindor dormitory.

The castle was silent, Minerva secretly loved it this way, not that she didn't treasure the pupils who attended the school and filled it's classrooms but she enjoyed the time when it was just her and Hogwarts, she sometimes thought she could almost feel the presence of the very school.

There was a comfortable air as the two witches walked together.

"It's so quiet" said Hermione as they walked along a deserted corridor, "it's nice. I'm almost jealous that you get to walk around the school at night whenever you want" she added with a smirk that Minerva returned.

They turned the corner and Hermione could not hide her disappointment as the Fat Lady yawned and muttered "password?"

"Fortuna Major" Minerva said calmly. The portrait door swung open and Hermione turned to enter.

"I think we both know that you, Potter and Weasley have your own ways of taking a midnight stroll through the castle" Minerva said with a smile, she had winked at Hermione before she could stop herself and spun away almost instantly. Another thing she could beat herself up over tonight.

She stormed away, leaving a very confused Gryffindor behind, a young girl who at that moment in time was wondering why she could see a very clear image of the very same witch giving the very same wink, but in a room full of people and in a very white dress...

xXxXXXxXx

remember, review if anyone's still reading!

Thankd MM