Chapter 49b ~ December 3rd 2010 (Thursday)
Hermione uttered the password, feeling both anxious and nervous as to what Minerva had planned for the evening as the gargoyle continued its ascent. She had sent her a note at dinner, asking her to come to the Head of Hogwarts room of requirement versus the main one for her practice. She just hoped it had little to do with dueling and more on theory; but…she doubted that was the case as Minerva always mixed the two.
Taking a steadying breath, she opened the door…to see a large brilliantly lit room that was a good rendition of the ballroom at the Manor.
Minerva turned, "Ahh, right on time, I see." She found herself pausing as the soft light cascaded across her lush features, and while the lesson was a sound one…and would require little magic, there was the added wrinkle of her growing feelings and suddenly acute awareness regarding the younger woman's beauty and features. "How are your cubs doing?" She forced the thoughts and feelings aside, deftly trying to remain focused.
"Well, and enjoying the fresh snow with perhaps a little too much enthusiasm."
"Ahh, the essays are beginning to show up a half inch too short."
"Dare I ask how far some of the students will try and go?"
"As far as they believe they can." Minerva chuckled remembering one instance many years prior, "I recall a young man who wrote his name out in large letters across the width of a scroll."
"Please tell me he put more than his name down?"
"The title."
"You're serious."
"Ask Arthur at some point."
"As in Weasley?"
Minerva genuinely smiled, "The twins inherited their mischief naturally."
"Wait until I tell Harry and Ginny." Her eyes lit up at the prospect, "They'll never believe me."
"Nor would you believe that I gave him an E for his ingenuity."
"Really?" Hermione began shaking her head, "You're right, I don't believe you."
"I did, with the small note that if he ever tried something as foolish as that again he'd have a year's detention as it did not do well for him to spend more time pursuing Miss Prewitt versus his studies." Minerva shook her head at the distant memory, "Although, it seems as though it worked out."
"Yes, it did." Hermione drew to a stop just over a meter away, "You look like you got a bit of rest since the other morning; and I am hoping that you and Rory have sorted your differences out."
"I have got a bit of rest, thank you. As for Rory and I; our relationship remains a bit tenuous; and Filius told me that you and he practiced a bit of form and the initial mastery level of several charms spells."
Oxox
George stared at the rolled parchment, the small bronze oriental trinket that mocked him to touch it. "Do you mind closing up?" He called out to his brother, the shop having just closed.
"You gonna go see your mystery woman?" Percy yelled back.
"Actually, no." He picked up the banded letter; "I have an errand that McG needs taken care of."
"Where?" Percy asked, "And do you need help?"
"No," George answered as he strode from the office, "But thanks for the offer."
"You never said what she came here for."
"No," George slapped his brother on the shoulder as he walked past him, "I didn't."
"George…"
"Night, Percy." He opened the shop door, and as it swung close…his hand grasped the portkey… "Wallace." He uttered, feeling a wave of apprehension swell in his breast before the light and sound of Diagon Alley vanished and was replaced by a starlit blackness and hooting owls.
Taking a moment to quell his nerves, he shoved the letter into his cloak and pulled his wand out as his eyes scanned the blackness…to find a faint light ahead about 100 meters away. He took two steps forward and was thankful his foot came into contact with a mid-shin wall; squinting he could see it was made of rounded stones. "Lochlee." He whispered, and felt a rush of powerful magic suddenly sweep past his ears; leaving him to wonder what that would have done to an uninvited guest.
With no other obstacles in his path, George made short work of the walk and found the pathway to the house dimly lit; and lined with large flagstone. Gently, he knocked the snow from his legs and boots before ascending the final handful of steps and without thought, raised his hand and knocked.
However, the response from the interior shocked him.
"I swear, Minerva…I me'nt what I sa'd…" The door split apart, a fierce looking man; striding through, kilt swinging against his thighs…the soft glow of the outside lights glowing along his bare chest, wand out. "Don't rightly care if ya're dy….George." He stopped mid-rant, scowl immediately turning into shock, "What 're ya doing up here?"
Xoxo
"He did, but we primarily worked on form." Hermione stated, already dreading how 'bad' her legs were going to hurt later.
"Which we will be doing, though, in a slightly different construct." Minerva pushed away the last of her stray thoughts, needing to keep a clear mind. "As we are going to work on another form of dance or rather; the Foxtrot."
At the word dance, Hermione's mind stopped. She had been expecting…something arduous, at best…a tedious evening. Not…dancing; especially with Minerva. "Foxtrot?" Hermione managed to ask, sounding normal and not…overjoyed that her legs while, sore would not be unbearable. Or…at the notion of being able to be taught by her. She was…after all, a marvelous dancer.
"I'm sure you have heard of it, dear."
Hermione's mouth suddenly had a problem forming around the words, but she found herself inadvertently clearing her throat to shed the problem, "I have, however, I don't…see how it'll help me to learn body movement. It can't be that dissimilar to that of a Waltz."
"Ahh, I see." Minerva inwardly chuckled, a long time ago, she too had believed the same thing; how wrong she had been. "The Foxtrot has a construct, as does the Waltz." She noticed the flash of pride cross brown eyes, "However, while the turning movements are similar to the Waltz, but there is a more moderate rise and fall, and length-wise action across the floor."
"Fluidity." Hermione instantly realized.
Green eyes twinkled, "Yes." She answered, pleased with how fast Hermione deduced the rationale for their lesson.
"Is this a four count system too?"
"It is." Minerva countered, "Unlike the steady rhythm of the Waltz; this one is slow, slow, quick, quick…"
Xoxo
George blinked back his surprise at the open hostility that had lined his roguish features, "McG asked that I deliver…" He held out a bound parchment.
"God damn that woman." He snapped slapping the letter from George's hand. "I have nah use for her."
George felt like he was in a dream as his eyes followed the parchment as it slid down the length of Rory's balcony; his own anger flourishing as he recalled McG's heartened look as she asked him to take Rory the letter. "Are you telling me that you aren't even going to look at her letter?"
He scowled, "No. I'm not."
"Dammit, Rory. I don't care to know what happened between you and McG; but she asked that I deliver that. Because she said some news was shared and it had been taken horribly wrong…"
"Wrong…!" Rory interjected, "Wrong…" His voice rising an octave, "Ya have nah idea, and she is usin' ya…George…"
"Yes, to deliver a message because you…"
"Dunno know 'hat ya're getting' in ta."
"Getting in to? The same could be said about you, Rory. Because I don't remember this address being relayed when talking about your home; or even that you had a second one." George rebuked, causing Rory's rebuttal to remain upon his lips as gray met blue.
Xoxo
"What are the steps?" Hermione's intrigue evident.
"We are going to focus on the basics. We'll have you start with the woman's part…"
Hermione raised her brow, "Versus the man's?"
Minerva nodded, "Yes. Part of learning is being versatile Hermione and the issue with learning only one set of body motion; is that you don't have the opportunity to feel what happens when leading."
"Then why not simply start with the man's part?"
"Because," Minerva's eyes didn't hold a full smile and Hermione could still see the fatigue. "You need to be comfortable with the construct, movement and footwork; so we can build upon it. And…while you are a quick study, you are not quite ready to lead; nor would I be able to hold a dip this evening. I'm afraid my hip is still rather tender."
"And what are the steps?"
"The movement is back, back, side, together. The footwork is right, left, right, left."
"To the count, slow, slow, quick, quick."
"And…" Minerva lifted her arms, "Your arms are as such." She extended her right arm out, curving her left arm as though embraced.
Hermione copied her, and Minerva nodded…before stepping closer, enabling her fingers to gently graze Hermione's arm and shift the angle. "Now…" She swept behind the younger woman, "Hold your body upright…" She placed her hands along her shoulders to pull them back a hint before dropping her hands as she stepped to the side; Minerva's voice becoming soft and she forced the tenderness from lacing her next words. "Or your back will be incredibly sore in the morning."
Oxox
A muscle rippled along his jaw, emotions plainly and openly displayed across his face. "And did she tell ya that it is nah in my ability to let ya upon the property, but hers?"
His words ignited a spark in blue depths, "Are you telling me that you couldn't have brought me here?" George continued striding forward, "That you couldn't have told me that the home I thought you invited me in to; was not where you lived?"
"I do…live there." Rory snapped.
"And what of this place?"
"It's…become my home." Rory quietly admitted. "But, as for the first part, I never wulda braught ya her' if she hadna told ya."
"What is with the two of you?" George asked, words echoing outwards; lost in the blackness. "It's obvious that you both care for the other a great deal; and I don't believe that whatever she said or shared this past week was done maliciously."
"She wants me to reconcile with Aegis Black."
"The escapee from Azkaban? The one who almost killed you?"
"Aye." Rory said, fingers and chest beginning to feel the chill of the air as his adrenaline waned.
"Isn't that the man who killed her brother?"
Rory broke George's gaze, grey eyes making his way to the letter resting ten meters from him. "She no longer thinks so."
George instantly realized what had driven a wedge between the two. With hardly a wave, the letter jumped forward and into his fingers as grey eyes snapped to his face. "Here." He handed it to Rory, "She wouldn't have sent it if it wasn't important."
Rory's eyes flicked to the letter and then back, his shoulders sank and he turned. "I cannot." He said and strode back into his home.
xoxo
Hermione whispered as she moved her right foot back, "Slow…" Then her left one joining… "Slow…" And began to move as Minerva had stated earlier, bringing her other right foot to the side. "Quick…quick."
Minerva nodded, "Good. Again, please."
Hermione duplicated the steps, focusing on her footwork.
"Once more."
And as she repeated the process, the first strands of music washed through the room; it sounded like jazz…or even, "Is this Frank Sinatra?"
"It is." Minerva stated, "Without the lyrics." She stilled her heart and stepped forward, arms out. "Ready?"
Brown swept over green. "Of course." She stated simply, meeting Minerva halfway; noticing that her heart skipped a beat as the elder woman took her hand and long fingers gently touched her back...
"And…" Minerva listened to the music, the timing…and tried not to dwell on how warm she felt in her arms. "Two…One…"
Minerva slid forward...
Xoxo
George didn't wait, didn't think…and followed, fingers already untying the leather seal and unrolling the parchment. "Oi, hold up and read the bloody letter Rory."
Rory spun around, wand still out…and with a mouth twisted in frustration; the wood groaned as his frustration took form and the wood snapped back together, reforming the door. "I willna forgive the man who took Derrick from this world."
"Do you think she would ask you to forgive him if she could not?"
"Ya do nah understand, they were lovers."
George stared at Rory, dumbfounded. "What?"
"The summer after Hogwarts and for an intermittent time after, as her father wasna ta keen and neither was his."
"You are a daft fool, Rory." George finally quipped, "How hard would it have been to believe and accept that your former lover had killed your brother; and then you learn there might be a shred of proof. How much proof do you think McG would have to have before she'd accept what he had to say? She doesn't let her emotions rule her thoughts, no matter what the Minister believes. And you, of all people, should know that."
"I dunno know what it would take." Rory admitted, "And ya're right. It would've taken a wee bit."
"The letter." George tried again.
Rory's eyes noticed the neat script, and despite knowing that he should…he couldn't. Because, what he couldn't tell George was that he believed Minerva may have swallowed her pride and her brother's too; in an effort to stop Harkiss as she was desperately running out of time. And while he knew on some level that she was right, Aegis could help them; he just…couldn't forgive him. "I canna, George."
xoxo
Hermione followed Minerva's lead; right leg back…then the left…and she felt sure arms guide her to the left as they slid to the side; and then together…before they began again.
Minerva's voice quietly reiterating the steps, "One…two…three…together. Good."
"Not…too hard." Hermione countered, desperately trying maintain the count.
"And three, together." Minerva continued, "One…two…"
"Sorry." Hermione uttered, feeling awful as she felt Minerva's foot beneath her own and it was confirmed by the slight wince that flashed across her features.
"Stay focused." Minerva merely countered, "And…one, two…" She paused again as Hermione's foot stepped upon her own, again.
"Sorry." Hermione's face suddenly feeling flushed.
"Just focus, dear." Minerva shifted her hold, creating a hairs breath more space between their waists. "And on three, remember we are sliding to the left."
"To the left." Hermione repeated.
Minerva gave a brief nod, "Just trust me, and follow my lead."
"I do trust you." Hermione replied, never having believed those words any more than at that moment.
xoxo
George stared at the proud lines of Rory's back and finished unrolling the parchment, having made a decision.
He tilted the paper towards the light, enabling him to see the crisp and far too familiar writing. And he began to speak aloud…the salutation shocking both he and Rory…
George,
I wish to thank you for your resolve this evening.
Rory, I cannot answer every question, nor assuage every fear. I can, however, tell you that I believe Aegis. He did not kill Derrick, but had tried to save him during the dreaded nights. Voldemort did kill him; using his wand. During the torture, he gave your sister's whereabouts as my own. Aegis never thought there was a concern as I did not live there; he didn't know that your sister did; and apologizes.
As for the particulars, I'm afraid that will only be divulged face to face. Please do not take offense, George.
And speaking of George, Rory…I would like you to take a look at the man before you. Yes, my dearest brother, turn around…and look.
George paused, a smile pulling at the corner of his lips at how well Minerva knew Rory. And to his amazement, Rory's head turned…grey eyes sweeping across his form; and he felt a sudden lump form in his throat and a tingling ignite in his soul as their eyes locked.
Xoxo
"…two, three, good. One, two, three, four." Minerva's voice beginning to wane, "One, ….three…"
"I may…" Hermione paused as she concentrated, eyes still upon their feet; "Manage this yet."
"And two." Minerva prompted, "Chin up."
"But…"
"Your eyes."
Brown eyes hesitantly rose up to meet green ones…and then she felt a foot beneath hers. "Shit."
Minerva paused, "Stop worrying about it, Hermione. Just focus."
"You won't have…"
"Focus, and stop worrying about being embarrassed. We've all had to start somewhere, no one knew had to dance when they were born."
"Save for you."
A rich chuckle slipped from Minerva's lips, "Quite the contrary, my father and mother both had their feet stepped on a fair number of times between my brothers and I as we learned."
"Somehow, I doubt that." Hermione stated, "You have far too much grace."
An ebony brow arched, "Grace is something that every person has, it merely has to be fostered. And it is…something that you posses in spades," She moved her body forward, Hermione innately moving backwards. "We just need to bring it out."
"I am nowhere near…"
"Three months ago, it would have taken you weeks to move like you are now." Minerva had brought them back to the beginning, "You merely need to believe in yourself Hermione." warm smile touched her eyes, "Now again."
Xoxo
George tore his gaze from Rory's, and swallowed the burst of desire that had momentarily pulsed in his veins.
If you don't want to believe me because of my past relationship and current shall we say…complications; then look into his blue eyes and remember what it was like to feel love.
Yes, I loved Aegis. And from our love…we have found an accord and understanding; it was not based on anything else.
Aegis will help to stop the destruction of Hogwarts; and in doing so save all that both you and I hold dear.
Including the man whom you love; and who loves you back.
George, please hand this letter to Rory. The rest is for him, alone.
George was too shocked to read any more; unable to fathom how McG knew that he liked…Rory. Let alone, the notion that he loved him. He felt a pull upon the parchment and numbly released it as he stared into nothingness.
I know you never planned on finding that which you had lost; but you have. And I am happy for you. Truly. For you have mourned my brother for far too many years. Let your heart heal; and let him go.
Embrace life.
Embrace passion.
Embrace love.
And live for both of us.
You will always be my brother Rory; in this life and into the next.
Love,
Minerva
xoxo
Hermione saw Minerva's face wince as they finished the sequence; "Do you need a break?"
Minerva stepped forward, "My leg will be fine." She stated, reassuringly. "Good, and two…that's it, but you need to keep your eyes up."
"I'll step on your feet." Hermione's gaze remaining fixed downwards.
"It'll be fine." Minerva continued moving about the room, "Your eyes, Hermione." The cadence in her voice shifted, "Let me see them."
"Minerva…"
"Your eyes." She countered in little more than a whisper. "Lift them up."
It had been so soft; barely reaching her ears…that she felt compelled to ignore her own desires, and she lifted her eyes to sea of green. They were so warm, inviting…veritable windows that while shrouded to her; she couldn't help but want to imagine how beautiful they would look as they reflected her soul.
"Okay, next slide we are going to shift direction and go to the right." Minerva's voice immediately pulled Hermione's wandering thought back to the here and now; only to feel her foot beneath hers again. "Damn." She went to drop her eyes and pull away, but, Minerva didn't let her.
"You will get better. Just keep your eyes up."
"You're going to have to soak your feet for a week."
Minerva's mouth curled into a minute smile, "At least the evening."
"Minerva…I…"
"Will be fine; now focus."
"I don't want to hurt…"
"Close your eyes," Minerva continued to glide them around the room, "And trust me."
Xoxo
The crackling fire was louder than their breathing; the lack of sound paramount as both men dealt with the contents of Minerva's letter. George standing rooted to the floor; unable to breathe or move. How could he? If McG knew, then… He swallowed the bile lurching in his throat, His family…would know… "Oh, my…." George began stumbling backwards, and only when his arm jerked…did he raise his eyes to see a face swimming in his peripheral vision. A face…he knew. One that he had dreamed of…but tears were blinding his vision.
"I…need to go." He sputtered as he tried to turn, but the grip on his arm tightened.
"George…"
"My family, they'll…" Panic had overtaken rationale thought, "I can't Rory. I can't afford to lose them, even…for you."
"Ya willna lose them, George." Rory stepped closer, "Minerva didna write those things to scare ya; she's my sista. She needed ta remind me what was important…"
Dozens of emotions poured through blue eyes, "If McG knows…"
"There isna much she doesna know, love."
"I don't buy that." George rebuked. "But, if she can figure out that I am attracted to you; then Percy or…mum…"
"Is clueless." Rory finished, "And even if they did know," He lifted his right hand up, running it George's shoulder, neck... "They will love ya just the same."
George blinked, feeling a weight deepen within his chest, "No…Rory." He breathed as fingers sunk into his hair, "Not Percy, he won't understand."
"Then he doesna understand luv." Rory murmured as he brought his body next to George, feeling the heat radiating from the younger man against his chest; and he could see the divide brewing in blue eyes. "And we'll make him." He whispered against his lips.
"Rory, I can't lose my family." George murmured as his body hummed and pulsed at the highlander's close warmth; and stirring grey eyes.
Rory's fingers unfastened George's cloak, "Ya willna lose your family." And it fell to the floor with a muted thud, "I promise."
Grey and blue held for a long minute before George stepped back, "I need to take this slow, and…see if this is truly what I want." His voice sounding strained, "Because the outcome will have serious repercussions to my family and…"
The last of his statement was muted as lips crashed against his, and thought momentarily ceased as he responded to his desire; and willingly opened to Rory's advances.
oxox
They swept around the room, Hermione inwardly cringing as she stepped on Minerva's foot for the umpteenth time. "I'm so sorry…" She whispered as Minerva visibly winced, causing her to immediately stop. "Are you alright?"
"Fine," Minerva stated, "However, I believe the top of my foot has become slightly sensitive."
"Ohhh, I'm so…"
"Please stop apologizing, my dear. You are getting much better, and by the first of next week; you'll be doing marvelously."
"That still doesn't negate the fact that I have stepped on your feet at least a half dozen times."
Minerva merely smiled, "You did fine. Now, I believe that will be all for the evening, and we'll pick back up tomorrow evening."
"Are you sure?" Hermione asked, troubled with how early they were ending their session.
"Only if you are willing to give up your Friday evening." Minerva retorted.
"Will your feet…"
"Then that is a yes?"
Hermione nodded affirmative, "At least let me procure you a lotion from Poppy's stores for the bruising."
"No need." Minerva turned, heading towards the faint door; "I have some in my rooms;" She paused, "And something for you as well, if you have a few more minutes."
"Of course," Hermione quickly followed, stepping through the small study in her rooms and into her living room.
"Elgin," Minerva stated as she gingerly sat upon the sofa.
"Mistress." He appeared next to her, as Hermione sat opposite of Minerva. "Is you'se be needing something?"
"Perhaps a bottle of whiskey, two glasses, and the small frame upon my office desk downstairs."
"Of course." He went to snap his fingers but Hermione interjected.
"And an ointment that helps bruising. Perhaps Olive ointment?"
Elgin raised a questioning brow to his Mistress, who held his gaze for a solitary moment before nodding and he was gone.
And the ointment and wooden frame instantly appeared beside Minerva. She reached for the frame, a shadowy smile crossing her face at the scene depicted within. Young Rose and Hugo warmed her heart to no end; and her eyes landed upon the rendition of their mother and she quelled the burbling emotion of love that seemed to want to evolve…and it could not.
"I had the opportunity to stop by the Burrow this morning in my travels; and Rose asked if I could give this to you." She handed the picture across the expanse to Hermione.
Brown eyes traveled across the familiar lines of the picture from last weekend, "She did, did she?" Hermione quietly asked as Hugo clamored up into her arms and Rose wrapped her arms around Minerva in what could only be compared to a bone shattering hug. Her heart melting at the scene.
"It seems that you returned the pictures to the children after I animated them; and they were quite taken with them, hence why she still had it. And she very much wanted you to have it." Minerva paused, "And thank you, by the way for animating their pictures for me last weekend."
Hermione pulled her gaze upwards, feigning innocent. "I have no idea what you are referring to."
"I am sure you don't." Two tumblers filled with ice and a rich bronze liquid appeared beside a decanter. "But I thank you, none the less."
"To friends." Hermione stated as she picked up one of the glasses, Minerva the other…both taking a hearty swallow. "How are they?"
"Well," Minerva could feel the warm effects of the alcohol already traveling through her weary system as the corners of her lips involuntarily curled upwards as she thought back to this morning and Hugo's belief that if he willed it, his stuffed animal would magically transfigure into a puppy….or bird. "Though I believe they miss you."
"At this point," Hermione swallowed another sip, "I doubt it is me they wish to see when arriving at Hogwarts. This last weekend, from the moment I saw them until they left; they both wished nothing but to say hello to you." The crackling fire almost louder than her words, "It seems they are rather taken with you."
And I with them, Minerva inwardly mused as she swirled the remnants along the bottom swell of her glass. "You have wonderful children, Hermione." She let her gaze hold a fraction of the feelings she felt for them, and the woman opposite before easily breaking their gaze and finishing the last of her glass.
"Thank you." Hermione stated, seeing the momentarily warmth flash across the green; causing a flutter to beat against her chest, wishing that she could see that brilliancy more often…or even be the cause…
Minerva gingerly reached for the decanter, "Would you like topped off?"
"How about…" Hermione deftly took the glassware, "I take care of this, and you put that ointment on your foot?" At Minerva's dubious expression, she continued on, "Or did you consent to Elgin bringing it to appease me?"
"It can wait until I retire for the evening." Minerva graciously accepted her tumbler.
"The bruising will be much less if you apply it now and again prior to bed." Hermione rebuked as she finished pouring her own glass.
Minerva inwardly sighed, knowing that she'd have to still both her hands and use a hint of magic to remove her boots; which would further tire her. Hence, the true reason it could wait. Because, she still had some things that needed to be sorted this evening; despite her fatigue and the growing ache across the top of her left foot. With seeming ease, she slipped first her left and then right foot from the back of her boots; the seams splitting apart.
"Then the front is for decoration?" Hermione asked as Minerva placed the second boot beside the first.
"It is." Minerva stated as she peeled her left stocking off and easily detected where her foot had been stepped upon as there was a large dark red area that was swollen…
"Minerva," Hermione set her glass down as she swept forward, "I thought you said it wasn't bad."
"It's hardly bruised." Minerva countered as Hermione sat on the edge of the sofa.
"That's because it just happened." She gently reached forward, touching the skin and…a wince of pain flashing across her face. "Here." She picked up the ointment, "Let me…"
"I'll manage." Minerva went to reach for the bottle, but Hermione moved it well beyond her reach.
"It's the least I can do." She shifted her seat, "Now, relax for a moment."
Minerva opened her mouth, but at seeing the firm lines of her lips clamped her mouth shut and leaned back; head resting against the high arm of the chair, right leg tucked up beneath her left knee while her left foot now lay in Hermione's lap. She watched as Hermione methodically unscrewed the cap off the bottle and then gingerly poured a bit of ointment into the palm of her hand; and she found herself staring at the way her brows knit in concentration or how the firelight danced across her features bathing them in a mix of shadow and light or the tenderness in which she cradled her injured appendage, eyes carefully examining the flesh. And Minerva closed her eyes; she didn't need to add any additional temptation. Hermione did that without effort solely upon her own, she thought as fingers gently began stroking her sensitive flesh.
Oxxo
George mirrored Rory's actions as both men sunk their fingers into the other's hair, deepening their kiss as their other hand pulled their hips closer. And George moaned into Rory's mouth at feeling Rory's growing arousal pressing against his own.
And their kiss, deepened.
Tongues plunging…suckling….
"Ohh…" George broke the kiss, as Rory's hand cupped him, hips involuntarily jerking forward as lips descended down his neck. "I can't…"
"Does this feel wrong?" Rory rebuked as George's shirt fell open to Rory's wordless spell as lips and tongue trailed downward.
The singular word was ripped from George's throat, "No."
"Or this?" Rory asked as his lips suckled his navel while thumbs began massaging the area around his cock that was straining uncomfortably against his pants.
George couldn't help the way his hands fell to Rory's shoulders as he whispered, "…No…"
"Or…" Rory kissed the hardening mound between his thumbs; loving how George's body was responding to him. "This?"
"…Ahh…"
Rory didn't wait for the rest of his response as the seam split and his mouth encased the warm flesh before it was fully freed; feeling George's hips jerk as fingers slipped from his shoulders to his head.
"…Ro..ry…"
Xoxo
Minerva bit back a cry as Hermione's fingers moved over the crown of her foot; the area exceedingly sore.
"Perhaps I'll ask Neville tomorrow to save your feet."
"Nonsense," Minerva stated without thought. "But…" She took in a harrowing breath, "I may let you look down a bit more tomorrow."
A rich laugh bubbled up from the depths of her lungs, as her hand slipped to the underside of Minerva's arch, gently kneading the ligaments, muscles and tendons. "I thought that wouldn't help."
"I believe it may help your self confidence…ahhh…" Minerva went to sit up, as her eyes flew open. "I don't believe…"
"Your muscles are beyond tight," Hermione interjected as she lessened the pressure upon her arch, "I'll be easy, but…you need…" She gently rolled her thumb across the bottom of Minerva's foot, "To relax."
"I consented to…" Minerva felt Hermione's grip across her foot tighten as she tried to pull it back, "You to rub in the ointment."
"Call it repayment." Hermione remarked.
"More like punishment." Minerva rebuked as leaned back into the cushions.
"Try and relax." Hermione admonished, a lightness in her voice. "I'll only punish you for a few minutes; just long enough to release the pressure…" She gently pushed on the main tendon along the outer part of her arch. "Here."
"That's a bit tender." Minerva stated in a whisper as she willed her body to relax as fingers deftly began massaging her foot.
Oxox
He had wanted to take it slow, to prove to George that he could; but…the way George moaned as he began sliding along his shaft.
In…
"Yes…"
Out…
"Ohh…Rory…"
The way his hips bucked with undulated need…as he took more of him, in…
"I…"
Out…
And Rory swallowed, his own shaft pulsing; "Do you want this?"
George blurrily blinked, his body pulsing…needing…wanting to sink back into his warmth; and as much as it scared him, he couldn't leave if his life depended upon it. He needed him…too bad. "Please…Rory." George gasped aloud.
Rory stood, "Then…" He took George's lips hungrily with his own, "I want to feel you…"
George felt Rory's hand guide his own towards his abdomen, southward until…he felt Rory's erection through his kilt.
"That is what you do to me." Rory whispered as George began stroking the soft flesh, eliciting a moan as he nipped at his neck.
"You're beautiful." George murmured.
"As are you," Rory breathed as he circled behind the younger wizard, kissing the back of his neck while his hands slipped beneath his long flowing white shirt; along his chest…and George leaned into warmth as hands teased against his hips. "Is this what you want?"
George fought the notion to turn around, to face Rory as hands dropped downward and raked across his erection; and he involuntarily pushed against warm hands as his own fingers clenched Rory's hips…and drew him into his backside. "…Yes…"
A rush of magic swept over them, "Are ya sure?" Rory breathed against his ear as he began massaging the heated flesh.
"That…feels so good…."
"Aye, luv…" Came his throaty response, "But I wanna be sure."
George's head fell back into Rory's shoulder, as he capitulated to his body's desires, "I want you."
oxox
Minerva could feel her pulse rate increasing as the seconds drug on, but it was competing against her fatigue…which…suddenly seemed to have seeped into every pour. And only minutes later, Hermione noticed that Minerva had fallen asleep. She didn't stop massaging her foot, wanting to make sure that Minerva was indeed asleep and not still drifting off. And…she watched as the muscles in her face continued to relax, lips gently parting…and then a soft moan leave her throat as she pressed the tight tendon in her arch; her response no longer hidden behind the woman's normally stalwart mask. She continued to knead the area with great tenderness, watching the woman's involuntarily response to know if she was easing the pain; and slowly…it began to give…and relax, Minerva's body shifting…and Hermione found her movements stopping as her eyes became riveted upon the elegant lines of Minerva's face.
She found herself truly memorized by the cut of her jaw, the rose hue of her lips, the long lines of her neck…the way her black hair framed her milky skin; and she felt a weight settle upon her chest as a fire suddenly ignited in the pit of her stomach as she realized a startling truth.
She found Minerva McGonagall…attractive, exceedingly so.
Xoox
A/N: I do hope no one has lost interest; and that you are still enjoying the tale! No promises, but I am going to try and post something next weekend as I'll be on vacation for the following 2 weeks without a computer. So…if not…then I'll see ya all in a month.
