A/N: Many moons ago, I had this review from someone, someone that told me that they didn't really like the MM/HP stories, but mine seemed fairly interesting. I can't remember the exact wording, but that was close. The beauty of it is, that person reviewed a little more, probably offered some advice here and there, and then suddenly we were friends and I can't even really remember when it sort of happened. It was like one day I woke up and I had one of the greatest friends I've ever had…and that would be Spin!
It's her birthday today dears, I won't tell you how old she is, she might stop Beta-ing for me! But really. Happy Birthday lovely. My life is better with you in it, and it feels like you've always been my friend! Hope you have a wonderful day, and I hope you get some really groovy presents.
Word of warning to everyone else. Spin's a die-hard MMADness fan, so this chapter might be a bit on the MMAD side k?
Oh and by the way….ARE YOU ALL TRYING TO KILL ME! WHY ARE YOU ALL BORN IN APRIL lol
5th, 14th, 18th, 19th, 22nd, 23rd and the 27th. Have fun Em *urgh* hahahaha just kidding, I love you all…but seriously! I shall do my best, but there's not a lot of room to work in, so we'll see how I go.
Love to you all, but mostly to Spin. Love ya hun xox
LinK's note:
If there is anything to do with Spin, especially on her birthday, it has to have MMADness; there's no 'ifs-ands-or buts' about it! She's a very awesome and amazing woman whom I've also had the privilege of working with, and I must say that every time she pokes about, it is always a pleasure.
I stole Spin's beta post for this chapter. It's not right for her to beta her Birthday's dedication :P Love you dear, and yes, you can have it back ;)
Speaking of birthday dedications, I made Spin a picture for her story, "What the House Elves Saw". You can find it at [ darthvandola (dot) deviantart (dot) com]. Happy birthday Spin!
-0-
Albus was soaking nicely when Minerva walked into the bathroom. He watched with baited breath as she slowly got undressed and slid into the tub. He could tell she was shivering, and he had a fair idea it was nothing to do with the cold.
"Min?" he whispered, opening his arms for her. She flashed him a watery smile, before manoeuvring herself into his arms. "Are you all right?" he asked, stroking his hands up the slightly marred skin on her back.
"I," she stumbled over her words as he ran his finger over a particularly large set of scars, "I don't know." she admitted, placing her cheek on his chest, just over his heart.
"When we," she blushed and Albus smiled at the colouration that, in his opinion, made her all the more beautiful. "when we make love, you aren't concentrating on my body, no, I mean, you aren't really looking, I-" she sighed and rubbed her forehead as if trying to force the right words to the forefront of her mind. Albus took her hand and kissed her fingers gently.
"I understand love. But my body is not without scars." he said, taking his hand and running it down his ribs, twitching a little when it tickled as she found a scar she didn't know he had.
"But you're Albus Dumbledore, and I love you anyway." she insisted, making Albus smile.
"And so why shouldn't I love you the same?" he asked carefully, letting her mull over his words until he felt her relax.
"I'm sorry Albus, I'm being a foolish old woman." he smiled and shifted further under the waters, so she was perched entirely on his body.
"Nonsense." he whispered lovingly while brushing her now damp and curling hair from her face. "We are embarking on a relationship that spans all aspects of our being." he said. "We have been close friends for years, but only as much as we would allow ourselves without delving into that hidden part of our hearts that secretly yearned for each other every day."
"I still," she swallowed nervously, burying her face in her hand letting her forehead rest lightly on his chest. "I still have trouble believing that you love me." she whispered, without lifting her head.
Albus smoothed her hair with her hands, running them from her forehead over the crown of her head and down to her neck, tickling the skin there for a moment, before tipping her chin up so she would look at him.
"I love you, Minerva McGonagall." he said simply, his eyes shining brightly, locked onto hers. She finally smiled, feeling the love he had for her shining through his brilliantly blue eyes.
"I love you, Albus Dumbledore."
They didn't stay in the bath too long after that.
-0-
Hermione's nose twitched as something tickled it, scratching it as best she could when she was half asleep she rolled over and buried her head in the pillow.
"Hermione?" her Mum used that sing-song voice she used to when she was a baby and she huffed indignantly.
"Mum, I don't want to get up."
The bed dipped suddenly as Hermione felt her mother move away and she frowned, even in her lethargic state until she realised that it wouldn't have been her mother, considering she was now at Minerva's.
"Min!" she cried, sitting up with a bright smile on her face. Minerva however was standing watching her with a strange look on her face. Hermione stilled and watched her teacher until she could contain her curiosity no more. "Um, what's wrong?" she asked, checking that there was nothing sinister behind her.
"You, um, you called me Mum." Minerva whispered, uncharacteristically stuttering. Hermione's eyes widened as she realised the ramifications of the slip and she rushed out of bed and into the woman's arms.
"Honestly? I'd forgotten I was staying with you. You used the same voice Mum used to when I was small, so I kind of just assumed it was her." she said with a shrug. "But I don't have a problem with me accidentally calling you Mum." she looked up at Minerva, "do you?"
She could see Minerva thinking, she was wearing that frown she got when she was thinking about something difficult. Reaching up, she smoothed the worry lines with her hands and got a small smile for her troubles.
"No I do not my dear." Minerva whispered, pressing a kiss to Hermione's hair. "It was just something I'd never been called before, and it set my mind off on a tangent." she said rocking them slightly from side to side.
"Did you want kids?" Hermione asked, knowing that she wouldn't necessarily get an answer from the woman. Minerva, to Hermione's surprise, sighed and nodded.
"I did always want them, but then I became a Professor, and surrounded by more than one or two ratbags, and the dream faded over time, until I became too old." she said with a shrug. Hermione cuddled her again, leaning up to whisper in her ear.
"Well, now you have me." she said, leaving a kiss on Minerva' cheek.
"I suppose I do, my darling girl." she finished, tucking Hermione's hair back. "Now, I came up here to tell you that breakfast is very nearly ready and then we will decide what we are going to do today. How does that sound?" Hermione nodded and raced around trying to get dressed. Minerva shook her head and left her alone.
When the girl finally arrived at the breakfast table, Minerva was serving the bacon and eggs and looked up as Hermione's tummy grumbled loudly.
"Oops," she said with a giggle, sitting down next to Professor Dumbledore. "Good morning Professor." she said with a shy little wave. The Professor smiled and reached out, patting her hand.
"How about, while you remain at the manor, Miss Granger, you call me Albus, hmm?" Hermione blushed and dropped her head, letting her bushy hair cover her face as she thought about it. It would only be like it was with Minerva, so she nodded, looking back up at the man, who smiled almost as widely as she did.
"You should call me Hermione then." the girl said, thanking Minerva for her breakfast.
"And I'm Minerva." Min said cheekily as she sipped her tea.
The three of them chuckled as they ate, each marvelling at the family they seemed to be gaining more of every day. They talked about everything and nothing as they ate their meal. It was glaringly apparent that Minerva's Sunday roast wasn't a fluke, her breakfast was just as amazing. And Hermione and Albus spent most of the meal groaning in appreciation, in between stuffing their faces, of course.
"Minerva, my love, that was delicious." Albus said finally sitting back in his chair and patting his slightly rounded belly. "I'm afraid I may not be able to eat for weeks." he said with a wink at Hermione.
"That's a terrible shame, Albus." Minerva said, also flashing a wink at Hermione, who had to bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. "Remind me to cancel the order for the Lemon cheesecake later then." she said, refusing to meet his eye, lest she give the game away and laugh at his distraught face.
"Lemon, lemon chees-" Minerva nodded.
"Lemon Cheesecake." she repeated finally giving into herself and smiling as he realised she was teasing.
"Why you," Hermione laughed as he lifted the table with a wave of his hand and leapt forward, his moves surprisingly limber for a seemingly old man. Hermione was fairly sure that he wasn't quite as old as he looked, and even if he was, he certainly didn't act it, so it didn't seem too much of a surprise.
Hermione smiled as she watched Minerva scream with laughter as Albus tickled her. Hermione had never seen Minerva so carefree and even though right now she wasn't really interested in boys, she knew that one day she would be, and she hoped that she found someone that could make her that happy. She giggled as Albus kissed Minerva, quickly turning it into something more heated, until they realised they were not alone.
"Ahem, well yes." Albus said straightening his beard self-consciously and waving the table to its former position. "Miss- I apologise, Hermione, what shall we do today?" he asked, capturing Hermione's attention so Minerva could try and rearrange her robes a little. She tried to put on a straight face, but failed spectacularly when she couldn't wipe the rather contented smile from her face.
"I don't know Professor," she smiled shyly as he stopped her, "sorry, um, Albus. What do you like doing?" Albus' eyes twinkled brightly as he leaned over and whispered something into her ear.
Hermione beamed and nodded enthusiastically. She hadn't been there for such a long time and she was quite sure that Minerva would like it. "Excellent," he said out loud, "let us change then." he said, waving a hand over his robes and changing them into a rather up-to-date ensemble consisting of jeans and a button-down shirt.
"Wow, Sir, that's really impressive." Hermione said with a smile as he bowed airily. Minerva rolled her eyes and steered Hermione from the room.
"Honestly, Albus, show off." she muttered, making Hermione giggle again as she was steered up the stairs into Minerva's bedroom with the woman's hands on her shoulders gently guiding her to sit down on the bed. "Can you help me little one?" she asked, waving her hand towards the quite expansive wardrobe. Hermione nodded enthusiastically as she got up and perused Minerva's choices.
-0-
In truth Minerva knew how to dress as a Muggle, being half Muggle herself, she was well acquainted with the attire, but the memory of Hermione helping her get ready for her date with Albus was always in the back of her mind. The whole situation had been magical, but her time with Hermione, letting the girl pick out her clothes and help her with her hair had stirred something deep inside her, something she'd missed out on in her life. That bond that a mother shared with her daughter, and she found herself wanting to recreate it as often as she could.
"Min?" Snapping out of her thoughts she found herself almost nose to nose with Hermione, startling her a little, but making her smile. She could see a collection of clothes in Hermione's hand and she stood, wrapping and arm around Hermione's shoulders and letting the girl guide her through the choices.
"Okay, I didn't know what you'd feel comfortable wearing at first, but then I remembered that your father was a Muggle, so I just got three for you to choose from." Hermione said pointing in the direction of the three outfits on the bed. "I think you'd look amazing in black jeans, especially in the style everyone wears them in now." Hermione said matter-of-factly. "You'd just need to shrink them a little." she said with a cheeky grin, making Minerva roll her eyes. "And then you of course need to wear something that will make Professor Dumbledore trip over."
"What? Hermione!" she giggled, shaking her head. "Where are we going anyway?" Hermione shook her head defiantly and pretended to zip her mouth closed. Minerva simply laughed once more and pointed to the bed. "Alright you, fine, don't tell me, but at least help me choose something I look good in." she said sitting down on the bed and trying to decide why she was thinking about dressing up.
"You could wear a paper bag and you'd still look gorgeous Min." Hermione said without ceremony. Minerva looked startled at the teenager as she glanced at the bed and then down at the practical collection of boots and shoes.
"Wow!" Hermione said, pulling out a pair of boots Minerva had owned since she was probably about Hermione's age. She'd worn them once before her mother had told her in no uncertain terms that she was never to wear them again, but she'd kept them just to spite her mother at the time.
"Wow indeed." Minerva said, getting up to look at the boots They were beautiful shoes, tall lace up black leather with a heel on them. "My mother banned me from wearing them when I was just a little older than you." she said with a smirk. "She said that they were not appropriate for someone my age. Thinking about it now, they weren't." she said with a chuckle. Hermione nodded and grabbed out the top she had ummed and ahhed over before going with the safer options on the bed.
"Do they still fit?" Hermione asked, watching as Minerva shrugged and slipped a foot into them, genuinely surprised that they did.
"Apparently so." she said, taking the boot off again.
"It settles it then." Hermione concluded. "Wear this, and this, and then these." she said holding up the boots. "We're going to need all the help we get if I remember what I read about Professor Dumbledore correctly and you're going to have to be the one to do this for us." Hermione said cryptically.
"Hermione, what are you talking about?" Minerva asked, receiving a wave as Hermione went over to Minerva's dresser to look through her jewellery.
Sighing Minerva went into her bathroom and changed, feeling more and more self-conscious as she did so. These were not clothes that she would have ever picked herself and owing to the apparently mandatory shrinking of her jeans she grimaced before she looked up at herself. Frowning, she peered at the image before her as if she had never seen it before. Her reflection looked equally shocked as she turned around and peered at her behind.
"Oh my word." she said to herself, as Hermione knocked on the door and entered slowly.
"Holy cow." Hermione said, making Minerva smirk. "Min, you look, wow."
Seeing the genuine look of amazement on Hermione's face stirred something in Minerva as she glanced back at her reflection again. The black jeans, a shade tighter than she would usually wear them did wonders for her amazingly long legs, and the deep green V-neck jumper, which Minerva had been tricked into wearing without a shirt underneath made her eyes sparkle and if she were honest with herself, make her look rather womanly. For the first time, in a long time, Minerva McGonagall felt quite beautiful.
"I, thank you Hermione." she whispered, unable to fully comprehend all of the emotions swirling through her.
"You're welcome, Min." Hermione said happily as she pointed at the stool Minerva kept in the bathroom. "Sit down."
"Yes ma'am." Minerva replied cheekily, rolling her eyes as Hermione undid her hair and let it fall down her back.
"Um, I don't think you should wear it out, but I'm no good at plaiting." Hermione said, amusing herself by running her fingers through Minerva's long hair.
"Well," Minerva said, turning to face Hermione, "that is something we shall have to fix." she said, reaching behind her and in a well-practiced move, had her hair braided in no time at all. "Your turn my darling." she said with a smile, getting up from the stool and sitting Hermione down.
She was enjoying herself so much that she didn't even think about Albus for a moment, she simply breathed deeply at the feel of Hermione's hair running through her fingers and the giggles that Hermione gave her when she tickled her a little every now and then.
"Okay, keep still sweetheart." she whispered, expertly twisting Hermione's hair into a plait that resembled her own. "The trick is to keep it straight." she gently kissed Hermione's cheek and wrapped her arms around her. "Thank you my darling girl." she said, letting Hermione cling to her arms. "you, between you and Albus, I have never felt more loved, or more beautiful." she admitted, dropping another kiss on Hermione head and letting her stand. "Now, let's go before Albus discovers that I already have the cheesecake!"
She walked downstairs, happy to hold Hermione's hand as she tried to control her nerves. It was as if she and Albus were about to go on their first date again, even though it hadn't been that long ago that they'd had their first date. When she reached the bottom step, she paused, her nerves getting the better of her, then looked to Hermione for some reassurance. Hermione merely rolled her eyes and pretended to faint, making Minerva chuckle under her breath.
"Go on with you." she said smacking Hermione's bottom lightly, "go and get your coat on."
"Yes ma'am." Hermione echoed Min's reply from earlier, leaving the woman to make the short trip into the living room on her own.
"Are you ready?" she asked, frowning at the wobble in her voice as Albus turned around and simply stared at her, sweeping his gaze from her hear all the way down to her feet.
"Ar, I-" Albus Dumbledore was very rarely lost for words but what he saw before him simply took his breath away. Clearing his throat and trying to snap himself out of the visions he was having in his head, he stepped forward and kissed Minerva's hand gallantly, trembling just as much as she was it seemed.
"Never in all my life have I seen you look more beautiful than in this moment." he whispered, tracing her face before he paused and tilted his head a little, letting the twinkle in his eye shine for a moment. He leaned in and kissed her cheek, letting his lips linger there as she placed his hands on her hips and drew her closer.
"Actually my dear," he whispered, kissing her next softly, "that's not true. You are most beautiful when you are wearing nothing, but I am afraid this will have to suffice for now."
They stared at each other for a moment, before they burst into laughter, holding each other close,
"I think perhaps I am too old for this particular ensemble." she said looking down at herself and feeling the doubt creep back into her mind.
"Ridiculous." Hermione said handing Minerva her jacket, a leather number that she had found right at the back of the cloak room.
"Where on earth did you find that?" Minerva asked, holding up the jacket. "This used to belong to my brother many, many years ago."
"Right at the back." Hermione said, "put it on?"
Albus helped Minerva with her coat and stood back with Hermione, casting a critical eye over the jacket. Minerva bit her lip trying not to laugh at their antics, right up until they both nodded and gave her two thumbs up, completely in-sync.
"You two are absolutely ridiculous." she said, walking to Albus and kissing his lips, before kissing Hermione's head. "But I love you both, so much."
"We love you too, Min." Hermione said, taking her hand. "Can we go now though?"
"You forget my darling, I have no idea where we are going?"
"Well then." Albus said with a wink, "I believe you shall have to trust me." He held out his arm, smiling as she looped her over his and let him lead them through the door and down the road.
