Chapter 2: After the Battle
It was very late or early depending on how you looked at it, Hermione thought as she picked at the grass while sitting under her favorite tree by the lake while watching the Giant Squid. Even though the battle had been over for hours she still felt on edge and more alone now than ever. Harry was with the Weasley's comforting Ginny; as soon as they had entered the school through the secret passage before the battle and Harry had first spotted Ginny, it was obvious where his thoughts were once the redhead was within his sight. Despite their purely physical relationship, Hermione couldn't help but feel slighted that he had immediately clung to the youngest Weasley, she hadn't even been able to hug him after the battle. Although she had wanted to more than anything, she couldn't bear to look for Minerva, knowing the witch would be tending to everyone first before tending to her own wounds. With her emotions out of control she'd probably make a fool of herself and proclaim her undying love to the beautiful yet unobtainable Transfigurations Professor.
Her thoughts continued in this vain until she heard a snap behind her. Hermione whipped around wand at the ready, a hex on the tip of her tongue as the one she'd been longing to embrace since they first made eye contact during the battle and then again after when she had returned from the boathouse with an unconscious Potions Professor.
"I apologize for startling you Miss Granger" Minerva stated, her usual calm and stoic mask in place with her wand gripped firmly. "You shouldn't be out here by yourself, anyone could have happened upon you."
Hermione lowered her wand, "Professor, I am glad to see you well" replied Hermione, noting the recently healed gash on the beautiful woman's high cheekbone, the only real indication that the Professor had seen battle; everything else about the woman was prim as usual. Hermione sat back down brushing off Minerva's concerns of remaining alone and returned to gazing out across the lake.
The interim Headmistress stood quietly regarding her protégé taking in her almost skeletal and now hardened appearance. She missed the glow that the young woman had possessed the last time she had seen her. It was expected though, they had just triumphed over Voldemort and who knows what her cubs had been up to the year they were on the run. She had missed her favorite student much more than she expected the last year.
"I'm glad I've caught you alone for a moment Hermione, I wanted to thank you" she replied gratefully.
"Thank me?" questioned Hermione as she stood and steeled herself to not let the love she had for the woman before her show as she met the grateful green gaze.
"Harry mentioned that you administered blood replenisher and several other potions to Professor Snape after Nagini attacked him, you saved his life", the green eyed witch proudly stated.
"I did what anyone else would have done ma'am", Hermione replied looking down at her feet. She felt a touch on her chin and as she looked up into those impossible emeralds, "We both know that isn't true" was the slightly raspy response from her mentor as she released Hermione's chin and turned to walk back towards the school before saying, "I hope you won't remain out here long, I know that you can handle yourself but I would feel better if you would join us at the castle." Chocolate eyes widened before nodding. "I'll just be a bit longer", Hermione promised.
Worried didn't begin to describe what Minerva was feeling for the young woman as she began making her way back to the castle. She hadn't seen her protégé apart from her troublemaking best friends since her first year! She would be making sure to check in with her favorite student often and to help the beautiful young woman in any way she could. "Beautiful", where did that come from, Minerva thought to herself. This puzzling thought drifted off as Minerva saw someone approaching.
"Hello Mr. Potter" Professor McGonagall replied tiredly, "If you're looking for Miss Granger, she is just by the tree there", she stated as she pointed to where she had just left her not five minutes before.
"Thank you, Professor", Harry stated and readied himself clenching his jaw as he continued in the direction Minerva had pointed towards.
"Odd", thought Minerva as she turned back to resume on her way back to the castle. She stopped in the shadows thinking about all of the things she would need to check on before finally going to her bed.
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Harry saw Hermione sitting under her tree gazing at the lake. She really is beautiful he thought as he approached his best friend. He knew that Hermione was missing someone at the castle while they were away, he had his suspicions on who but wanted his best friend to confide in him. Honestly, he couldn't think of a better match between the brains of the golden trio and their former Professor, that is if his assumption was correct on who she had been pining for.
"Hermione, I've been looking all over for you" he stated as sat next to her and pulled her to close to him.
Hermione didn't react right away, her thoughts still on Minerva. Once she realized who was holding her, she couldn't stop clinging to him as if her life depended on it. She was so relieved he hadn't forgotten about her she didn't think about that fact that she was basically straddling him. Just as she started to pull away, Harry's grip tightened on her, making it so she couldn't move off his lap. "Harry, I", she started but didn't get another word in as Harry's lips crashed into hers. She couldn't help but return his passion and soon their tattered clothes were discarded upon the banks of the lake. As soon as their heated naked skin touched, their frenzied passion sizzled and Harry made love to her so tenderly and gentle she couldn't help the tears that flowed as she climaxed as Harry's body collapsed onto hers. They lay there on the grass panting for a while looking at each other knowing that this was the last time they would be doing this.
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Just as Minerva finished thinking of all the things she needed to accomplish before sleep, she heard what sounded like a moan from where she had left Hermione. Thinking the worst, she transformed and the tabby cat raced to check on the young witch, forgetting in her haste that she had seen Harry on his way to her not ten minutes before.
Minerva could not believe what she was seeing. In fact, it took her more than a few minutes to snap out of the haze that seemed to settle in her mind as she viewed the moonlight dancing upon her naked protege's skin. She truly is beautiful, she thought as the moment was all but ruined as Hermione was flipped and her back now against the ground as Harry slowly thrusted in and out of the young woman. Finally realizing what she was watching, Minerva hastily turned around and made her way back to the shadows near the castle. She needed to calm her erratic heartbeat and wait for the blush to dissipate before entering the castle. Hadn't she just seen Miss Weasley hanging all over Harry after the battle? They had seemed to have been rekindling something as they ran off to an alcove when they thought no one was looking. Silently fuming and thinking of ways she could hex the stupid boy she almost didn't hear the footsteps behind her; with just enough time Minerva moved further into the shadows as her two former students approached, now fully clothed at least.