Minerva woke up about an hour later, finding that everyone was already awake.

"Good morning Aunty," Lillian greeted her. "You had a long sleep."

"Good morning, Princess. Why didn't you wake me up?"

"Because you are sick and need to rest." The young girl sounded just as stern as her mother when she wants to make a point.

Hermione couldn't help but chuckle. She was so proud of her little girl.

"There is no doubt she is your daughter!" Minerva gave her former pupil a look that told her that she was not at all unhappy about that fact.

Henry, bored due to the lack of attention, flung himself over his mother. "Mummy, can I go and play?"

"Of course, sweety."

"Lilly, come and play with me?" He was already out of bed and by the door.

The little girl looked like she wanted to play with her brother, but hesitated, not wanting to leave her new friend alone.

Minerva, who had years and years of honing her observational skills, was touched by the visible reluctance. "Go on, little one. I'll be fine and you can always come and check up on me if you want."

A reassured Lillian quickly sat up and gave the older woman a kiss before running off. A real kiss on the mouth like she always gives her mother. She shouted, "I love you, Aunty!" and was out of the door.

Minerva felt her eyes water. "I love you, too, Princess," she whispered to the girl who wasn't in the room anymore.

Seeing Minerva's reaction, Hermione took her hand. "I love you too. I always have and I always will. You know that, right?" For a moment, Minerva was overwhelmed by the strong feelings that welled up within her. She nodded and turned around, sinking into Hermione's waiting arms, allowing herself to let go and be held. She hadn't felt like this in a very long time and she had been sure that she'd never feel safe and loved again. It was like the floodgates finally opened and years of suppressed pain and sorrow washed over her.

Hermione was shocked to watch her friend break down like this. Minerva McGonagall wasn't exactly known for carrying her emotions on her sleeve. In fact, many thought the former headmistress wasn't capable of emotions at all. Hermione knew of course that the stern mask was the older woman's shield to protect a scarred soul that had witnessed more pain and had seen more death than anyone else would be able to cope with. Minerva didn't make friends easily. It took years to build the relationship between them and most people were not that patient. Only very few had made the effort, all of them dead now. Hermione was the only one left and she had turned her back on her, going to Australia into a future far away. A future without being stared at all the time, a future where people didn't give her everything she wanted just because she was part of the golden trio. The young woman felt tears streaming down her cheeks and pulled her friend closer. She had let her down in an effort to forget her own struggles. Now she realized how high the price really was.

"I am so very sorry," Hermione sobbed. "I don't know what got into me. You're my family. I love you so much! I went out to find one part of my family and left the other part behind. I needed to get away from all the madness here, but I swear it was never my intention to hurt you or leave you alone for such a long time. I am so so sorry."

The older woman extracted herself from Hermione's arms and tenderly wiped her tears. "Don't apologize, darling. It was right for you to leave and although I can't deny that I missed you terribly, I know that it had to be this way."

"No. I stayed away for far too long. What would have happened if I had stayed away just a few weeks longer? Do you realize how serious your condition was? I almost lost you forever, just because I was too much of a coward to come back and face my life here!"

Minerva drew her young friend closer. "It is not your fault, Hermione. You are not responsible in any way. I am old enough to look after myself and I know I should have called you, but I just couldn't bear the thought of being a burden. I was a fool."

"I am your friend, Minerva. And if I had behaved like one, I would have been here to make sure that you were well. I should…"

"You are here now. We both are. You found your way back and brought your wonderful family with you. "

"And I promise, I won't leave again."

They stayed in each other's arms for while, taking comfort form the presence of the other and trying to calm down.

"Are you all right?"

Minerva smiled reassuringly at her friend. "I am now. You?"

Hermione took a deep breath. "I'm fine now. And I think we should get you breakfast."

The older woman didn't look too happy. "I ..well.. I'd like.. I think I need a shower first. And I am not spending another day in bed."

"Oh Minerva, I don't think that would be wise. You are still too sick to be up and about." Concerned brown eyes bored into green ones.

"Please Hermione. I feel disgusting and I am not planning to run around. Please let me have a shower and then I'll sit on the sofa and promise not to move again. "

Being tied to bed was never something Minerva tolerated long and although she knew that she was still very ill, there was absolutely no reason to stay in bed when the sofa was just as good. She would be able to observe what was going on and rest at the same time. In the years since her retirement, she had spent too much time alone.

Hermione understood her friend's wishes, but it was a delicate balance between allowing her friend what would benefit her soul and the health of her body. Looking into Minerva's eyes, she knew she had already lost. "Sean will have my head."

The old witch felt a bit guilty for asking something of Hermione that wouldn't go down well with her husband, but she would be careful. Now that she felt her life taking a new turn she felt some of her old energy coming back and with that the need to look at least acceptable. "I promise to be careful and rest. Please, darling."

The endearment made the young witch smile. "You are just as bad as the children. Give me a moment to prepare the bathroom. I'll put a stool in the shower and you will use it. If you feel the slightest bit sick or otherwise uncomfortable, you'll call me immediately. After the shower, you'll spend the rest of the day on the sofa and you will eat. Do I make myself clear?"

After a few moments of considering her options, she indicated her agreement with a nod. "Fine."

Hermione was surprised. That was easier than she thought it would be. "All right. Hang on for a moment." She quickly went into the bathroom to make sure everything was prepared.

"Everything is ready now. If you are sure, I will help you to the bathroom now."

"I am sure." She took Hermione's offered hands and stood on shaky legs. Not trusting her body, she allowed her former star pupil to guide her. She smiled when she entered the room. It was so typical Hermione to think of everything. The room was warm, there was a stool in front of the sink, a stool in the shower, a towel and a new nighty and a beautiful dark green dressing gown.

Having helped her friend to the chair in front of the sink, Hermione wasn't sure how to proceed. "What would you like me to do now? Shall I stay here or wait outside? Would you like a hand from here to the shower or with washing your back and your hair? You know you can ask anything of me, don't you?"

Minerva reached up and stroked the younger woman's cheek. "I know that, darling. Would you mind waiting outside, but staying within calling distance?"

"Of course I don't mind. I'll wait in your room. Please don't do anything foolish and call me immediately if you begin to feel unwell."

"I will."

XXX

"Hermione?" Minerva called from the bathroom.

The young witch entered the room a few seconds later. "Are you all right?" She sounded concerned.

Minerva smiled reassuringly. "I'm fine." She was fine too, albeit a little shaky and exhausted. The shower had taken more out of her than she had expected. "I'm not sure that I have enough energy to put up with my hair though. Would you mind drying it?"

Hermione was relieved to see her older friend sitting in front of the sink, clad in the dressing gown she had provided. She looked paler than usual and it was high time to make her rest, but otherwise she did indeed seem fine. "Of course I don't mind."

Stepping behind Minerva, Hermione started the blow dryer and let her fingers glide through the long hair until it felt soft and smooth. Satisfied with her work she looked up into the stunned face of her friend. "What?"

"When I asked you to dry my hair I actually thought of using magic."

Hermione blushed. She was so used to living without magic that it didn't even cross her mind. "I'm sorry, I…"

"Don't apologize. It was unexpected, but a very nice experience. I found it very calming and if you're unlucky, I'll ask you to do it again, "she soothed the young woman. It was true. It felt very nice and warm and altogether very pleasant.

Hermione smiled at the reflection of green eyes in the mirror. "I'd love to. You have beautiful hair. Shall I brush it as well or shall we ask Lillian to do that?"

"Do you think she'd want to do that," Minerva asked unbelieving.

A laugh erupted from Hermione's throat. "You obviously never had a girl!" Seeing Minerva's face drop in sadness she could have beat herself for such an unfeeling remark! "I'm so sorry, Minerva. I didn't mean to be unfeeling."

The old witch smiled sadly. "You are wrong. I had you."

Hermione felt her eyes tear up at the words and bent down to bring her arms around her friend, the woman who cared for her and whom she cared for like a mother. She turned her head to place a soft kiss on Minerva's cheek, rested her chin on the bony shoulder and looked at their reflection in the mirror. "You have me. And I have you. Always."

Minerva brought her hand up to cup her 'daughters' cheek and closed her eyes, relishing the moment. She knew it was wrong to think of Hermione as her daughter, but being as old as she was, she couldn't bring herself to care about the rights and wrongs. In the end, it was all about love. There was no doubt that she loved the beautiful intelligent woman like her own child.

Thank you to my wonderful beta!