Authors Note: Um I have no idea what prompted this chapter - I started it about 3 am, had 90% finished by the time I had to go to work - that's pretty quick even for me. Guess I was inspired!
Hermione took her timetable from Minerva's hand, suddenly glad to be missing the chaos of the common room on the first morning of term. Having gone to sleep so early the night before -they had woken before dawn, spending some time cuddling, caressing, kissing and talking about the events of the previous day and the future. They had then got out of bed, showered and dressed they were both ready to face the day.
Minerva tenderly kissed her young wife goodbye, hating the fact that she had a meeting before breakfast, hating the fact that she couldn't better protect Hermione from a situation that was causing her pain – a situation that was at least in part her fault. She had insisted that Hermione return to Hogwarts and the cure had necessitated that they be close together in any case. Minerva resolved to make it up to Hermione, feeling incredibly guilty for the pain that she had caused.
Their goodbye kiss was sweet, very tender, Hermione knew the words that Minerva didn't say and she loved the older woman even more in that moment.
First lesson was double potions with the Slytherins, Draco Malfoy might have been absent but his friends were not. Crabbe, Goyle and Pansy had become even more vindictive in his absence, as though filling in the void that he had left was their priority. Whispers from the rest of the Slytherins combined with their snide comments to make the atmosphere even more hostile than normal.
In true Gryffindor fashion her classmates stood up for her, despite the fact that the obviously didn't know what to think about the situation. Hermione gritted her teeth closing her eyes, that was something she was going to have to rectify this evening, for the sake of the future and her sanity.
"Going somewhere with that Pansy?" Ron's voice was low, almost dangerous. He had noticed what Hermione had not; the sly girl easing her way across the dungeon floor, obviously making her way towards Hermione with a bottle of the still very volatile potion that they were brewing, in hand. Surmising that she was about to have an 'accident' that would leave Hermione in the hospital wing, he had intervened.
Pansy simpered for a moment, trying to feign girlish ignorance before returning to her cauldron. Hermione shot Ron a grateful glance, she had been too lost in her own thoughts and concerns to pay much heed to what others around her had been doing. She glanced around noting that instead of working side by side as was their norm, her two friends were working one on either side of her. Their protective side making her smile, quite soon she thought it might begin to irritate her but for the moment their support was very welcome and judging from recent events – needed.
"Miss Granger." Hermione glanced up with a smile at Professor Slughorn, ignoring the questioning looks shot at her from every direction. This was the first time that any of the other students had heard a professor address her since she had been married, many of them were surprised to hear her being referred to by her maiden name, expecting McGonagall perhaps.
"That looks wonderful, may I sample some?"
"By all means Professor." He dipped a small spoon into the potion, beaming as the 'invigoration potion' buoyed up his spirits – the first early morning of term took its toll on some students and professors alike.
"Fabulous Miss Granger, ten points to Gryffindor." This of course made her housemates smile, their sudden tension forgotten as they remembered just why they liked Hermione. Harry made sure that they were first to leave the lesson, not wanting to be waylaid in the corridor between lessons. Hermione was quite happy with that, glad that this first lesson had ended on a positive note.
After lunch Minerva had a free period, she decided to spend it in her office. Until Minerva had started spending time with Hermione she hadn't realised quite how much work she did, that could have been given to someone else. Unfortunately this year not only was she involved with The Order; she was trying to adapt to being married, running the school, bringing Fillius up to speed with his new duties all while still maintaining a full teaching schedule.
She rounded her desk, looking at the huge pile of papers that had accumulated during the morning. Topmost was a sheet of paper, whiter than anything normally produced in the wizarding world, it was obviously muggle. Minerva's suspicion was proven correct when she recognised Hermione's handwriting.
Minerva darling
This morning has been trying but not as bad as I thought it would be. The boys have been great, the Slytherins are another story as always.
That brings up another issue, my fellow Gryffindors are defending me but they have no idea why. After dinner I plan to go up to the Common Room and explain to them – obviously not the whole truth but as much as I can. I don't know how long I will be but I just wanted to let you know that I will be late.
I wanted to apologise for breaking down on you last night, I think I'm starting to get overly emotional already. I love you so much.
That managed to put a smile on Minerva's face, a smile that continued long after she began the mammoth task of her paperwork.
An hour later she wasn't smiling. She had barely made a dent in the pile and she was due back in lessons shortly, how she was going to last the week was a mystery and the prospect of the term stretching out in front of her made her groan. Minerva sat back rubbing her eyes, trying to think of a solution when one presented itself.
knock ... knock
"Come in."
"Wotcher Professor." Bright orange hair peeped round the door, Minerva raised her hand to shield her eyes from the glare, only half-joking. Tonks grinned and her hair changed to a more restful blue.
"Tonks... what brings you here?"
"I am soooooooo bored, this blows."
Minerva raised an eyebrow, "And what exactly would not... 'blow'?"
"At this point anything, you brought me here to help Remus and watch out for the kids. He doesn't need my help today. I've walked the perimeter twice already, checked the wards and I am bored."
"Well I am currently in a somewhat of a predicament myself, perhaps we can solve each others problem."
"That doesn't sound like you."
"Actually taking on too much is exactly like me." Tonks laughed at Minerva's wry comment, seeing the truth in the older womans eyes. "How would you feel about helping me with some paperwork? I've already told the students that you are helping me..."
"Paperwork." Tonks moaned but she didn't actually look that disappointed, she was extremely bored.
"Yes, paperwork. You can pick your own working hours and do as much or little as you want."
Mock pouting Tonks agreed, so Minerva explained to her exactly what she required. Mentally she was congratulating herself on her foresight in bringing Tonks to Hogwarts.
"Before you go upstairs Jack..." Hermione let her voice trail off as the third year turned to face her. Practically every Gryffindor student was present in the Common Room, many sitting on the floor or in the case of the older students, hastily conjured chairs.
"Ok..." Hermione exhaled deeply, "First I want to thank you all for your support at the end of last term and today. I know you must all have some questions about..." She paused savouring the words, "Professor McGonagall and I."
There was silence from the assembled witches and wizards, they were a little shocked, never expecting Hermione to actually come right out and mention what they were all thinking about. "Again thank you for not making a scene and asking in front of the other houses. Over the coming year I am going to continue to need your support. As such I think that it's only fair you should know why you are doing that."
Expectant faces looked up at her but no one asked questions, Hermione fidgeted a little not knowing where to start. "Last term Professor McGonagall asked me to marry her, I agreed and with permission of both the Ministry and my parents we got married shortly after the start of the holidays, some of you were there of course... erm any questions?"
"Why did you marry a professor?"
"Why now?"
Hermione recognised the voices but didn't look directly at the people that had asked them, not wanting to embarrass them (or herself for that matter). "Why? Because I love her and I wanted to marry her. Why now? We're in the middle of a war, none of us may be alive this time next year – it made sense." A few of the smarter members of her audience raised an eyebrow, knowing that she wasn't telling the complete truth but they said nothing.
A small first year piped up, "A Slytherin told me that you wanted her name because she's a pure-blood and you're..." The small boy trailed off as a number of hostile glances were sent his way.
"...a Muggle-born? Contrary to what they believe I am PROUD of my heritage, I may not have a proven 'stellar' bloodline but my exam results speak for themselves. I am just as good a witch as any of them and better than them if that's the way they feel about blood-status."
She raised herself up to her full height, brown eyes flashing with anger, "Shall I clarify? I did not marry Professor McGonagall for her name, blood-status, money, mansion, for better grades - nor am I now or have ever been under a love spell, charm, potion, curse or bewitchment."
When her housemates began to drift away bored with the topic a few minutes later, she grinned at her friends and left the tower.
Hermione got off of the Gargoyle staircase and walked into Minerva's office. Papers were strewn everywhere, stacked on every conceivable surface, dumped on the floor. She felt her jaw drop as she stepped further into the room, "Minerva?"
"This is not what it looks like." Minerva spoke from the other side of the room where she was picking up piles of parchment.
"I'm not entirely sure what it looks like, perhaps as though a hurricane hit.....?"
"Nymphadora."
"Oh... well she is a little clumsy."
Minerva stood up, walking across the room towards Hermione, "I asked her to help with some...paperwork." Both women looked around the room, taking in the enormity of the chaos.
Hermione grinned a little, took the papers from Minerva's hands and placed them on a shelf behind her. "Leave them."
Minerva looked into suddenly darkened brown eyes, "Mione? I can't, I need to..."
Hermione placed a finger across Minerva's lips, cutting her off mid-sentence, "Later... Right now I'm taking you to bed!"