Minerva sighed, frustrated. The clock on the nightstand showed 2AM, and she hadn't had a single moment of sleep yet. She had known that Hermione wouldn't be happy with her decision to invite Molly for breakfast, but the young woman's reaction had been more drastic than she had predicted. It had taken Minerva the better part of the evening to calm her and even now, Minerva didn't feel comfortable to leave Hermione alone.

Another half an hour later, Minerva huffed and got up. She would check on Lilly and peek into Hermione's room. Yes, Minerva was sure she'd be able to sleep when she was reassured that Hermione was fine.

The floor was cold beneath her feet, but Minerva couldn't be bothered putting on socks or casting a heating spell. She was tired and would surely head back to bed in a few seconds, when she was certain that Hermione and Lilly were fine.

Carefully, she pushed the door to Lilly's room open. Minerva was glad she always left the door ajar, always afraid of not hearing when the baby needed her, because it didn't make a single sound when it gave way. Although it wasn't full moon, there was enough light to illuminate the room. For a moment Minerva stood in awe, watching Lilly's pale face glow in the silver moonlight. Pulled in by a magic far older than spells and wizards, Minerva stepped closer to the sleeping baby and let the back of her finger ghost over the girl's incredibly soft cheek. She was such a beautiful child.

Satisfied that her precious Lillian was safe and sound, the old woman moved on to the door on the other side of the room leading to Hermione's bedroom. Standing right in front of the door, Minerva's sensitive hearing picked up a sound. It was barely audible, but it was there. Silently, Minerva opened the door and stepped into the room. Her eyes, already adjusted to the darkness, soon found the curled up form of her young friend. The faint sound of crying reached Minerva's ears, causing her to sigh. She felt sorry for Hermione.

If Hermione had noticed her presence, she didn't show it . Minerva did the one thing she hadn't done since Hermione had been Petrified She walked over to the crying woman, sat on the bed and started stoking her hair. There was nothing left to say. They had discussed everything during the evening, but the fear of rejection from Molly and the realization of what she had done, was not to be healed in a reasonable discussion.

Hermione didn't seem to calm down under Minerva's administrations this time, and as the cold started creep up into the elder woman's joints, she pushed herself up, absentmindedly rubbing her hip, and rounded the bed. Hermione didn't turn around when Minerva slipped under the blanket and laid down.

"Come here, little one," Minerva invited. For a moment it seemed as if Hermione wouldn't react at all, but just as Minerva wanted to repeat her offer, Hermione turned around and buried her head into her mentor's shoulder.

"Minerva, I…"

"Hush, darling. Just sleep now." Gently, she pressed a kiss on Hermione's hair. "I've got you, Hermione."

Xxx

"Hermione," an unfamiliar voice called. "Hermione, it's time to wake up now."

Slowly, the young woman blinked her eyes open and was slightly startled when she looked into Dilly's large eyes. "Dilly?" Hermione quickly sat up, alarm written on her face. "Is something wrong? What is it? Lilly? Minerva?"

"They are both fine." The elderly Elf soothingly patted the distraught woman's leg. "Minerva just asked me to wake you up, because Molly is already here."

"Oh, yes, of course." A glance at the clock on the wall caused Hermione to gasp. "Why didn't she wake me sooner?"

"Minerva said you've had a bit of a rough night. She wanted to let you rest as long as possible. I've taken care of Lilly, and she is in the kitchen with me. Minerva and Molly are sitting on the terrace. They are waiting with breakfast until you are ready."

Hermione slowly nodded her understanding. "Thank you, Dilly."

Her voice sounded less than enthusiastic, and Dilly couldn't help but feel sorry for the girl. "Don't fret too much, Hermione. You've got Minerva on your side, and she can be very protective of the people she loves. She'll make sure everything will be alright." Long, boney fingers gently patted Hermione's leg. "Hurry now, child."

Hermione watched the Elf disappear and despite wishing from the bottom of her heart that she wouldn't have to face Molly, she smiled at the thought that Dilly had just called her 'child'. It had been a very long time someone called her that. She must remember to ask Minerva later how old Dilly actually was. Minerva. The thought of the elder woman brought back the words she'd just heard. She can be very protective of the people she loves. A few weeks, even a few days ago Hermione would have denied that her stern former professor felt anything other than respect for her, but last night left no room for any doubt that Minerva McGonagall deeply cared for her.

Xxx

Minerva took her cup of steaming tea and closed her eyes for a moment while drinking. She needed to calm herself. Half an hour of trying to talk some sense into Molly had left her with little patience. She had explained everything she knew, and although Molly hadn't shown any understanding for her son, she still had argued, wanting Hermione to give Ronald another chance. "Molly, you have to understand that your reaction will determine your further relationship with Hermione."

"Why did she come to you instead of her family?" Molly voiced the question that had been nagging at her. She knew that Hermione had always looked up to her former professor, but this was a family matter, and her daughter in law should have come to her.

Minerva sighed, knowing exactly what Molly was on about. "She didn't come to me. We accidentally met. Of course you are family, but first and foremost, you are Ronald's mother."

Molly sighed, not willing to give up quite yet. "Minerva, Lillian needs her father."

The old woman put the cup down with much more force than she had intended, spilling some of the tea on the table. "And Hermione needs a partner!"

" There has to be a way to…."

Taking a deep, calming breath, Minerva tried to modify her tone. It wouldn't do to shout at the Weasley matriarch. "Molly, Hermione has made her decision, and there is no way. That is exactly why Hermione didn't come to you. She knew you would try to fix what is beyond fixing."

"But Ron…"

"… has left his struggling wife without a word. Molly, for the very first time Hermione would have needed Ronald's support, and he abused her trust. You are Ronald's mother, and I am not asking you to stop loving your child. The question is: do you love Lillian and Hermione?"

Molly nodded without a moment of hesitation. There was no overseeing her son's stupidities – not anymore. She just… She would have liked to keep them together, but in the end Molly deep down knew the choice wasn't hers. "Of course, I do. Minerva, I don't understand what's gotten into Ron to do something so stupid. Did he really think a woman like Hermione would still be there when he came home?"

Minerva sighed and smiled sadly at the poor woman sitting across. "Knowing Ronald, he probably didn't think at all."

I am really sorry you had to wait so long for an update, but you all know how life can be. Easter holidays will start on Friday and I hope to have a little more time to write.

Enjoy!