Okay. So here it is, this is the last chapter- as of now- of Consider it a Family- I may occasionally through time update this by individual chapters that may just have a short bit about special occasions in their lives- birthdays, a holiday, special things. Anyway, I know it has been a while since I last updated, but I knew that this story was coming to a close and I knew that this would be the last chapter for the foreseeable future and I wanted to make sure it was really good for you all! So, here it is! Read and Review! Hope you enjoy it and I do thank you all for your support and reviews throughout this story and for sticking with me with each chapter!
-Musicmaker43
It had been two weeks since Minerva and Jean had gone out on their first official date—This second go 'round, and already, they had been out four times since!
Currently, they were at a café shop in Scotland, just around the corner from where Minerva's personal home is located. Minerva had decided to bring Jean here as the previous outings were decided upon by Jean. They had just spent the afternoon shopping in the downtown village. This was Minerva's favorite café in the area. When she wasn't at Hogwarts and at home for some time, she spent a lot of time here.
"You know, I brought Hermione here, well, to that book shop around the corner." Minerva told Jean, reminiscing.
Jean just smiled. "She absolutely loved that day!" Jean responded. "You know she loved the time we all spent together," she added.
Minerva nodded, "Yes I know."
Jean leaned in a little closer and looked Minerva in the eyes, "I did too." She whispered.
"As did I. " Minerva said sincerely.
"Do you think it's time to tell Hermione?" Jean asked. "About us, I mean." She clarified.
Minerva dropped her eyes down to look at their joint hands, lying atop of the table. "I'm not sure." She whispered.
"Minerva?" Jean questioned, "What is it that you have your reservations about? " -she hesitated a moment. "If it is me, and if I may-" Jean didn't finish her thought before beginning to vocalize her next one, "I am in this for good now." Jean reassured. "I am not going anywhere."
Minerva smiled. It warmed her to here Jean say this, even though she knew this already. She had been worried at first, not wanting this to be another one of Jean's fleeting flings, but somehow, this time felt different. Things felt secure and more solid. Stable. Minerva thought. Squeezing Jean's hand lovingly, Minerva shook her head in protest.
"No, that is not it." Minerva said. "That isn't it at all. I know what your intentions are when it comes to me."
"Well then, what is it?" Jean asked.
Minerva chuckled to herself, finding Jean irresistibly cute at the moment. "It has only been two weeks." Minerva said. "I feel guilty saying this because I love Hermione- I love her like she was my own." Minerva said.
"But?" Jean pressed.
Sighing a bit, and blushing slightly, "I've so enjoyed this time getting toknow each other again, just the two of us." Minerva confessed. She looked up and smiled weakly at Jean, not sure as to how she would take her confession. However, Minerva's worry was met bya soft chuckle from Jean. Quirking an eyebrow, Minerva looked at Jean in question.
"I have enjoyed it also." Jean said. "And I love that you feel so much for Hermione." Jean added.
"I know I tend to want to move quickly but we will wait." Jean said. Bringing their joint hands up to kiss Minerva's hand.
"Besides." Jean began again, "We have all of the time in the world."
The two stayed in the cafe talking for over an hour longer before deciding to head back to their respective homes. They hadn't yet spent a night together since their reconnecting. They both knew that they were not ready for that step just yet. Minerva, of course, apparated Jean back to her home before apparating back to Scotland to return to Hogwarts.
Hermione was busy packing. She had just purchased her own apartment. It, of course, was located right in London, as she would be close to her work at the Ministry of Magic. She was very excited with the new place, as her Mum was talking of selling the house and down-sizing- as it was just her living there in such a large family home.
"Mum!" Hermione called from the kitchen.
"Yes dear?" Jean responded as her voice carried through the house. She moved from the upstairs to the downstairs as she moved down the staircase.
"Never mind." Hermione said as she spotted the set of tea cups she was looking for.
"Alright then, I suppose I am climbing up and down the stairs every time you call me, for no reason." Jean joked. "At least I am getting my work out." She added.
"Oh, here." Jean said. She moved into the hall closet gathering all of Hermione's winter coats. "You must not forget to pack these."
"Oh, thanks!" Hermione said, knowing her Mum was teasing her, as Hermione had an odd obsession with coats. Coats of any kind, she loved all of the different styles. It was getting to be close to December and the weather was growing colder. Hermione loved it.
Jean set the coats down and hesitated a moment before she spoke.
"Hermione," she began. "I want to tell you something." She said nervously.
Hermione could tell something was up so she stopped what she was doing to look at her Mum.
"I am seeing someone." Jean confessed.
"Oh?" Hermione stated.
"Yes." Jean said and continued to move into the kitchen and landed at the peninsula.
"Well, is that all I am going to get out of you?" Hermione asked moving to join her Mum at the counter.
"For now, yes." Jean responded flatly. However, thinking to herself, Jean smiled a bit, knowing when the time came, Hermione would be delighted.
Hermione looked at Mum a bit suspiciously. "Well alright…" she said, and she moved to return to her packing.
"Well, I think some dinner should be in order soon, what do you think?" Jean asked.
"Yes please, I am starving." Hermione groaned.
Jean picked up the phone to dial out for a Pizza. However, before she could finish dialing, Hermione had conjured up a steaming pepperoni and vegetable pizza- her and her Mum's favorite kind- with a simple swish and flick of her wand.
"I should know better." Jean teased.
"Let's eat!" Hermione said happily.
It had been roughly two months since Minerva and Jean had started seeing each other again and in that time they had gone out on at least 7 dates and when they hadn't planned a special evening together they somehow ended up spending their time in each other's company anyway. Minerva was truly happy and she spent a lot of the time, when she wasn't with Jean, thinking about Jean. She thought about their relationship and how different it felt this go 'round. Everything seemed so relaxed and permanent. Minerva loved that security. She knew that from then on, whenever she may need her, Jean would be right there, and the other way around. If ever Jean needed her, there were times such as that, and Minerva would be there. There was an equal footing that both of them realized that hadn't quite been there before. And both knew that it was important.
At the moment, they were sitting on the sofa in Minerva's living quarters at Hogwarts. Minerva had her arm around Jean who was whispering to Minerva. Jean was telling Minerva of her own Mum. This conversation started when she was telling stories of Hermione's growing up years and Jean realizing that she was in fact becoming more and more like her Mum. As she was telling Minerva her stories, she was slowly getting sleepier and sleepier. They had been out earlier that day since Jean had gotten off of work. First they went to the farmers market that was just outside of the village school yard near Jean's house. This had become a habit in the past few weeks, every Friday the pair of them would meet there after Jean got off of work. Once they were done and had their fill of picking fresh fruits and veggies, they would pick a place to eat out together. Usually they would alternate turns, picking the place each week. Occasionally, Jean had been able to talk Minerva into going to the theatres to see the latest flick that was playing in the downtown theatres. As on this evening, they did go see a movie after dinner. And after that, they drove up to the over-look again, as it was a very pleasant, crisp and clear November evening and the stars that could be seen were truly breath taking- even for Minerva who had seen wonders in the magic world. It was because they had been out so late that Jean was slowly falling asleep against Minerva on the sofa.
Minerva just relaxed as she felt Jean's body against her and listened to the sound of her breathing evening out. Minerva leaned down and placed her lips against the top of Jean's head. Then she leaned her own head against Jean's and settled in as she closed her eyes also. They both drifted off into a safe and secure sleep.
Hours later however, Minerva groggily opened her eyes to find herself right where she had fallen asleep and Jean had not moved either. Carefully moving a bit, Minerva reached into her pocket and grabbed her wand. With a swish, she conjured a clock. She read it to read 2:45 AM. Well this is silly. Minerva thought to herself. She glanced at Jean who was clearly in a deep sleep. Making an executive decision, Minerva swished her wand again and with a flick they both were not only in a change of pajamas, but they were also relocated in the warmth of a bed with silk maroon and gold sheets. Cuddling into the comforts of the bed Minerva drifted off to sleep again-Jean never waking at the change that had just occurred.
The next morning Jean slowly opened her eyes. Stretching, she felt her skin touching silk sheets. She looked down at the gold and maroon bedding. Her eyes then wandered around the room. She recognized the room but not perfectly and certainly not as her own room- not even Minerva's rooms at Hogwarts. She settled back down into the sheets closing her eyes trying to remember the bits of the previous night. The last thing that she could remember was sitting with Minerva on her sofa at Hogwarts. At that moment, as if on cue, Minerva walked into the room- bringing with her the smell of hot coffee- that was steaming from the two mugs that were in her hands.
"Well good morning dear!" Minerva greeted Jean's tired- but rested, eyes.
"Good morning." Jean said sleepily. "Where are we exactly?" Jean asked bluntly.
"Ha," Minerva chuckled a bit. "My dear, we are in Scotland at my private home." Minerva said.
"I didn't think you would remember the details of your surroundings from years past." Minerva added.
"mm. nope." Jean responded.
"How did we?" Jean began to ask but Minerva interrupted her with the answer to her unfinished question.
"Last night we fell asleep on the sofa in Hogwarts and I woke rather early this morning and thought we might as well relocate as neither of us have a place to be for the next few days." Minerva explained her actions.
"Alright." Jean said.
Minerva walked over and set the cups down on the bedside table. She then moved to sit on the bed next to Jean.
"I like the color scheme- true gryffindor!" Jean teased.
"Always." Minerva stated simply.
At that moment, Jean and Minerva's eyes linked and all of a sudden seemed to simultaneously come over the pair of them. Jean reached out and covered Minerva's hand with her own. Allowing her eyes to follow her hand as it moved over Minerva's skin, she spoke cautiously. "I was worried that something happened and my memory had failed me." Jean confessed. "And that is something I would not want to forget." She added. Knowing what Jean was referring to, Minerva just shook her head. By this time, Jean's hand had made its way to rest on Minerva's shoulder. Jean leaned in and kissed Minerva. After a moment, they broke apart and Minerva looked at Jean, seeing a familiar fire in her eyes. Jean leaned in farther to place a kiss along Minerva's neck. Trailing kisses until her lips reached closer to where her hand still rested on Minerva's shoulder.
"Jean…" Minerva interrupted. "Are we ready for this step?" She asked quietly as her eye unwillingly closed at the feeling of Jean's lips against her skin. Jean pulled away to look Minerva in the eyes.
"I want to be ready for this." Jean said softly.
Minerva's lips curled into a smile. "We have to be ready, my dear." She said. However she knew that they were not going to be able to fight this for very much longer. There had been closer incidences such as this one in the last few weeks. And they had spent the night together.
"I am ready for you, Minerva." Jean stated. "I am ready for all of you, every day from here on out."
Lately Jean had been insistent on vocalizing just how fully committed to Minerva she was, Minerva didn't mind this at all. It had become comforting and rather amusing to Minerva. So, that morning, Minerva and Jean gave in.
Minerva, instead of responding to Jean's proclamation, leaned towards Jean and was the one to kiss her this time. The kiss turned quite passionate rather quickly. They explored each other's mouths as their hands pulled the other closer. They moved underneath the silk sheets but not before Minerva stopped just long enough to grab her wand. And with another effortless swish, the two were left with nothing in their way of exploring the other's being. The hot steaming coffee was left forgotten as they spent the remainder of the morning in each other's arms. It was Minerva's turn to trail kisses along Jean's skin, setting fire to Jean's being with every touch. And for the next few hours that morning, the pair of them gave in to gentle pleasures.
The following days that passed quietly, found Minerva and Jean attached, hand in hand, everywhere they went. As neither one of them had a place to be for the next 24 hours, they spent their time rediscovering one another, learning new things about each other and seeing how their new life together was going to work.
They were walking around a small lake that was just around the corner from the park near Minerva's home when Minerva finally decided it was time.
Turning to face Jean, she spoke confidently.
"I want you to move in with me." She stated.
They stopped walking and Jean turned to look at Minerva with a bit of surprise spread across her face.
"Don't look so shocked, I mean, that is, if you want to dear." Minerva added nervously. Yes of course Jean had moved in before, years ago, but as she was discovering, this time things were different, better, but must be treated differently as well.
"It isn't that I wouldn't want to Minerva, I just was a bit taken by surprise. I would love nothing more." Jean said.
"As it is, I know you are trying to down size from that family home and I just thought, now with Hermione having a place of her own, you might be up for it." Minerva defended her thinking.
Jean just smiled at Minerva as she found her irresistibly cute at the moment.
"I would love to move in with you Minerva McGonagall." Jean stated clearly. "However," Jean said as they began to walk again. "You do know that this means we should probably tell Hermione about-" But Minerva cut across her.
"I know dear, I am aware and I do believe that the time is right, don't you?" Minerva said grinning.
Jean leaned into kiss Minerva. "I love you Minerva McGonagall." Jean stated.
" And I you." Minerva responded.
"So how about tomorrow night then?" Jean insisted. "I am to meet her for dinner, at her new place." Jean said. "I think you should join me- what do you say?"
Minerva nodded and continued walking, dragging a smiling Jean along with her, by the hand.
The next day, Hermione Granger was in her new apartment. She had been there just a few weeks, if that, but she was almost already completely settled. She was currently setting her small kitchenette table. 3 places were laid out. Earlier that day her Mum had phoned saying that she was hoping it would be alright to bring this mysterious person to dinner with her this evening- this mysterious person that she had been seeing and would not tell Hermione any details about what so ever.
It was quarter till 6 pm and they were to arrive just after 6. However, Hermione knew that her Mum was actually trying her best to be early for occasions these days- unlike throughout the whole of Hermione's growing up years when her Mum was always running behind.
After setting the table, Hermione turned her attention to the oven and what she was cooking. She enjoyed the muggle methods of cooking and did most cooking as such. However, she did leave the dinner rolls along with the appetizers and drinks for the evening up to the swish and flick of her wand.
Sure enough, not five minutes later, Hermione heard a knock on her door. Smiling, she ran to open the door. She was greeted by her Mum, and only her Mum. A little puzzled, Hermione simply frowned at her Mum.
"Well, it's nice to see you too darling daughter." Jean said in response to Hermione's pouting face.
"Oh, it is lovely to see you too Mum, I'm just a bit uh, where is your dat-?" Hermione asked, but was interrupted.
"Yes, well, they are out by the car. I thought we'd-" Jean said, however, Hermione was the one to interrupt this time.
"I thought I made it clear that I was cooking tonight!" Hermione started.
"Yes, dear!" Jean said assuredly, "I just thought we would take a walk, as this person… just wanted to surprise you.." Jean said carefully, not wanting to give anything away just yet.
"oh- why?" Hermione questioned abruptly.
"Come on, you'll see!" Jean said as she instinctively grabbed Hermione's arm and dragged her out of her apartment.
"Alright, alright!" Hermione said as they were half way down the second flight of stairs, "You don't need to pull my arm off."
"Sorry, I am just excited." Jean said as they reached the entrance of the building.
At a moderate pace, they began to turn the corner up the pathway that lead to visitor's parking.
"Honestly, I don't see what the big deal is why they couldn't just come up?" Hermione was mumbling as they were walking.
"Look up ahead." Jean whispered into Hermione's ear.
Hermione did so and was delightfully surprised by the sight. There, standing by her Mum's automobile was none other than Minerva McGonagall herself!
An instant smile spread across both Hermione's and Minerva's face as they saw each other.
Hermione momentarily looked back towards her Mum in question.
"Go on, say hello." Jean insisted.
"You mean, you two?" Hermione began to ask her question, that she already knew the answer to, it seemed.
She heard a proud "Yes, we are dear." Coming from the Minerva who was now moving towards where Hermione had slowed her walking in surprise.
Immediately, Hermione picked up the pace and ran, quickly closing the space between herself and Minerva. She threw herself into Minerva's open arms. Minerva returned Hermione's embrace happily. Hugging the girl she looked up towards Jean who was also smiling.
After a moment, they pulled apart. Jean came over and put a hand on Hermione's shoulder. "Shall we all go inside and eat then?" Jean suggested.
"I am quite hungry, I'm looking forward to seeing your place as well, Hermione." Minerva said smiling down at Hermione, who was still attached to Minerva at the hip.
"Alright, this way!" Hermione stated excitedly as she moved towards the apartment building. She looked back behind her where Minerva and her Mum were slowly following her. She saw Jean tenderly reach for Minerva's hand and Hermione watched as Minerva entangled her fingers with Jean's. Hermione turned back around and smiled to herself as they made their way up to her apartment.
"Oh this is lovely!" Minerva exclaimed when they entered into Hermione's apartment.
"Thank you!" Hermione said.
Hermione moved to tend to the meal in the kitchen.
"Now, can I get anybody anything to drink?" She asked, rejoining the women in the sitting area.
"I'd like some water please." Jean asked politely.
"Alright!" Hermione said. "I think I can handle that." She said as she pulled out her wand. With a small swish and flick a glass of water appeared.
"Thank you dear." Jean said as she took the glass that was floating in front of her.
"I think this causes for celebration!" Minerva said. "So, if it isn't too much trouble, I believe I would be inclined to indulge myself in a glass of wine."
"Alright then." Hermione said with a small quirk of an eyebrow. She had never seen her former professor drink before.
"I agree that this does cause for celebration." Hermione added. "I think I shall have a glass also!" She said.
With another swish and flick of her wand, Hermione conjured two glasses of wine floating in front of Minerva and herself.
"A toast!" Minerva began, raising her glass high- at this, Hermione and Jean did also.
"To us, as we seem to be a family." Minerva said cheerfully, yet quite shyly.
"A family." Jean repeated after Minerva.
Hermione smiled, "A family." She whispered.
Their glasses touched and they all took a sip.
" Now, that smells wonderful, whatever is coming from the kitchen!" Minerva said.
"Oh, yes, well it should be ready, why don't we make our way to the table." Hermione said.
They all moved to the table as Hermione conjured up their appetizers and the three shared in a hearty, home-cooked meal.
After they had finished eating, Jean moved to look through some old photographs that Hermione had come across in her packing. Hermione decided to go out on her small balcony to water her plants that were out there. As she watered each plant, she heard the sliding door open. Turning to look, Hermione was greeted by Minerva.
Smiling, Hermione turned back around to watch what she was doing.
"That was a lovely dinner that you prepared for us tonight, Hermione." Minerva complimented Hermione.
"Thank you, Minerva." Hermione said, turning to face Minerva again, having finished watering all the plants.
"This is a nice place you have too. A nice balcony is a good touch." Minerva added.
Hermione just nodded, following Minerva's gaze out across the property that could be seen from the balcony.
"I am very proud of you, Hermione." Minerva said quietly, but very strongly.
Hermione's eyes looked towards her former professor.
"Thank you." Hermione whispered. "You don't know how much that means to me."
Minerva just chuckled a small bit.
"I have looked up to you for so long." Hermione added.
Minerva walked over to stand closer to Hermione. She put her arm around the girl before softly whispering, "I love you my dear."
Hermione just smiled to herself, leaning into Minerva's embrace.
"It makes me very happy to see you and my Mum back together." She said.
"Yes well, she makes me happy." Minerva said. Laughing a bit more to herself, Minerva rolled her eyes a bit at her own thoughts.
"What?" Hermione asked.
"You're Mum, she thinks that I am funny." Minerva said.
"Oh?" Hermione questioned.
"It is funny, she never did." Minerva said softly- almost to herself really. Hermione didn't ask because she knew Minerva must have been referring to Rolanda.
At that moment, the sliding glass door opened up behind them. Turning their heads slightly to see Jean walking to join them on the balcony, Minerva smiled at Jean's expression. It was an expression that Minerva had come to find to occupy Jean's face quite regularly the past few weeks. Contentment is what it was. Minerva patted Hermione on the shoulder, as her arm was still around the girl. At that moment, Jean came to stand next to Minerva and wrap her arm around the professor.
"Consider this a family." Jean whispered in Minerva's ear.
"I like the sound of that." Hermione said.
And so it was the three of them from then on- Celebrating many occasions such as this one. Christmas, birthdays and so on, as a family.