Severus looked over at boy wonder and took a sip out of his glass. He was definitely going to need another drink tonight. He reflected on what had just transpired between him and Minerva. He had walked in there prepared, yet again, to admonish her but he had broken down again.
'I am getting too soft-hearted,' he chuckled to himself.
Minerva looked at him with a smile and tried to sit up, only to fall again.
"Minerva, now you need to rest, sitting up will not help you but just make you more tired," Madame Pomfrey said in a quiet but stern voice. "Severus I have to get back to the infirmary could you stay with her and floo if you need me."
"Of course," Severus had said.
The matron left and Severus went to sit in the chair situated by the bed. He took her hand in his. "Oh, Mom, I know this is what is to happen, but it doesn't make it any easier."
"Severus, I love you. Thank you for getting back before… well you know. I am glad you are here with me, is Hermione here?"
"Yes, she is out there explaining it to 'the boy who lives to annoy'," Severus replied.
"Severus!" Minerva croaked out.
He gave her the most serious face he could muster, "Seriously woman, you are going to give yourself a heart attack one of these days for yelling at me and then where will we be."
She looked at him and burst into laughter. More like a whisper of laughter. She finally stopped and looked at him, a huge grin on his face.
"Wow, Severus, it only took you 20 years to develop a sense of humor," she snarked.
He stopped smiling and raised his eyebrow, "Touché."
Minerva sighed, "Severus, I have told you before what I think of you, so I am not going to repeat it, because I know you are not comfortable with all that, but I am going to tell you that you better take care of our girl. She is the best match that I could have ever hoped for, for you. Do not stay here in this castle forever; travel, see the world. The reason I put you into the Headmaster's position is because I know you will spend the rest of your time here looking for the best replacement that Hogwarts has ever seen, I trust you and only you with that decision. I mean it, my boy, do not stay cooped up in this castle forever."
Severus was a bit shocked; one because she had told him the real reason for him taking the Headmaster's position and because Hermione had just brought that up to him. He leaned over towards the witch, "I have already promised Hermione."
"Good boy," Minerva replied and placed her hand on top of his. "Severus, I do not know how much longer I can hold on, please send our girl in so I can speak with her."
"Yes, of course, Minerva," then he kissed her on the cheek and looked the old woman in the eye, "I love you, Mother."
"I love you too, my son."
Severus left and Minerva closed her eyes to rest some. She heard the door open a few minutes later and knew it was Hermione.
"Oh, no I am too late! Poor, Minerva, I wanted to say goodbye!"
Then Minerva opened her eyes and chuckled, "I was resting my girl, so that we could speak and I would appreciate if you don't "poor Minerva" me, I want this, I wanted to be reunited with my love."
Hermione dropped to her knees beside the old woman's bed and the tears began to flow.
"Stop it this instant, Hermione. We knew what was going to happen and I need to talk to you and I do not have the strength to talk any louder than this!"
Hermione stopped crying and grabbed a tissue from Minerva's night stand.
"There, now, that's better. Please come lay with me on the bed."
Hermione crawled into her bed and under the covers as if she were a young girl climbing into her mother's bed. She lay beside Minerva and the two women faced each other.
"Now, my dear, let's talk about you. Hermione, what do you want to do with your life? I know you came here as a favor to me, but what do you really want to do with your life?
Hermione's face flushed, "Although, I thought I wanted to teach, I figured out when Severus and I got together I know longer wanted to do that. So, I thought about it and I really want to travel and eventually settle down in a small little village or town and open up an apothecary."
Minerva smiled, "do not be embarrassed, dreams change, people change, and by the look on Severus' face I figured you both had already come to that conclusion."
"He does not know the extent of this dream yet, we had just promised each other not to stay here forever."
"And I hope you both do not. I want you to travel the world and then have babies. Though, I love both Severus and you as my children, Albus and I felt it would not be right to bring them into the wars. I am sure, like you both; they would have been just as stubborn." Minerva laughed at this and Hermione smiled.
"Hermione, my girl, I love you. I am so happy that you and Severus have found each other. I do hope that all of your dreams come true for you both. Get to know each other, have fun, and if Severus turns into a snarky, old bastard I will come and haunt him. Tell him that for me! Never let him shut you out, I don't think he will be that way but just in case, keep trying you will eventually get through, and always be there for each other."
Hermione's tears had released again and Minerva caught them with her hand, she leaned over and kissed the young witch on the forehead.
"I love you, Mom; I hope you and Albus are happy."
"I love you, too, my dear girl. I am going to rest my eyes now."
Severus walked in a moment later to see both Minerva and Hermione lying with one another in her bed. He walked over and noticed Hermione quietly crying holding the old woman's hand. Hermione must have sensed her husband's presence because with her other hand she held it out for him. He came and lay behind his wife.
'Thank Merlin this bed is big enough,' he thought to himself.
He put his arm around Hermione and touched their hands with his. It may seem awkward to the outside eye but he didn't care right now. He wanted to be there for his wife and their mother. The room was so quiet. The only thing you could really hear was Minerva's ragged breathing even as it slowed.
They waited with her for what seemed like hours until she took her final breath. Hermione began to cry again and Severus eyes welled up and a couple tears escaped. Their mum for all intents and purposes was gone. They sighed and held each other for a while until they heard a knock on the door.
Severus was the one to speak first, "Come in."
Harry and Madam Pomfrey walked in and seen their tear soaked faces. Tears began to slide down the matron's face and Harry grabbed her hand and sniffled. Minerva was an ever present figure in their lives for many years.
Severus rolled himself gently on the bed and began to walk out of the room and as he stood beside Harry he put his hand on his shoulder and nodded at him. A slightly smile crossed Harry's face. Then Severus said to the others, "Let's get pour ourselves a drink and honor our dear friend."
The other two followed along and Hermione reached over and kissed Minerva's cheek before getting up to join the others. Once back in the sitting room, everyone had a glass and Severus handed one to Hermione and they stood in a circle.
"To Minerva, the toughest broad I knew," said Severus.
"To the Lioness who was always here for us," spoke up Harry.
"To my friend," said Madam Pomfrey quietly.
"To love," cried Hermione, in .
They all raised there glasses and said as one "To Minerva" and then took a drink out of their glasses. Harry and Severus gulped theirs back and the ladies took sips and coughed slightly.
"Nothing like a good whiskey," commented Severus and Harry chuckled.
