A/N: And we are back! It did take long, but it is here now and I really hope you guys enjoy it. I love reading your reviews and they have motivated me a lot to continue this story.
This chapter is very special because of Lib McGranger. She volunteered to be my beta and has been incredible with it. Thank you so much for everything, Lib. You are amazing!
Lastly, as you already know, I adore J.K. Rowling's amazing world and she is the owner of it all, the only thing I claim here is my eternal love for her books.
Chapter Two: Understanding
"What do you mean bound? What does that mean?" Asked Harry, still not really understanding the implications of the situation.
Kingsley instantly looked at his wife and motioned for her to answer, saying, in his low voice, "Giulia, this is your field; I actually didn't even know it was possible among humans until now".
"It has been a while since I studied magical creatures, darling", the woman said tenderly looking at her husband who watched her with pride, even though he was still shocked by the recent information gathered.
As she took a deep breath, her eyes briefly searched the stars before directing themselves straight back at Harry and Ginny. "I did an apprenticeship in Care of Magical Creatures for a year in Italy after I graduated Hogwarts. I have always had an appreciation for water creatures and their habits, which led me to that path. After that, I came back to England and started working at the The Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, which is actually where I met a young Auror who was having trouble with a case involving mermaids", she winked to her husband.
As she started speaking with a mesmerizing voice and confidence, Ginny realised they had never talked to her properly. She had always been guarded and polite, but at the first excuse, she would leave those long, formal events. Now, really looking at her, she could see that the woman was mysterious, yet social, a thing she didn't quite notice before.
She wore long sleeved robes and her hair in a tight bun on the nape of her neck. The meridian colours of her hair, eyes and skin making her seem monochromatic and warm, as if she could emanate intense heat even in the snow.
"But while I worked with Magical Creatures, there was a very interesting case involving hippocampus, which are very rare animals that are usually found in the Mediterranean. In that instance, there was a situation in which an animal collector wanted to buy a female hippocampus, but its mate refused to leave its side and was very aggressive. The zoologist who owned them explained, then, that they were bound and, therefore, could only be sold together. The collector was raging because he accused the creator of trying to do a tie-in sale, which is illegal in British Wizarding Law, and went to The Department of Law Enforcement, who then consulted us", she said obviously enjoying herself and holding everyone's attention with naturality.
"Well, he was determined. I'll give him that", said Ginny amused with the man's will power to force the creator to sell him the female hippocampus he wanted.
"Indeed", agreed Giulia, who then proceeded with the story. "And that was the first and only time I've heard of bonding. We had to research what that was and if those creatures, in specific, were able to do it. As it turns out, they did and those two were, in fact, bound. The bonding concept, though, is not as simple as what we think of mating. It is closer to the idea of soulmate or best match possible. From the scarce documents we had, and bear in mind that we were in the Care of Magical Creatures Department, which means we basically had copies of all information available in Britain regarding that matter, the bond between two magical creatures was formed when they met their perfect complimentary being, so they would, or at least could, produce a stronger and more adaptable lineage of their species".
"Wait", interjected Harry. "But, Minerva and Hermione are both female and they are straight. That doesn't make any sense!"
Kingsley cleared his throat and was about to say something, when his wife raised a hand and pointedly looked at him, making the tall man effectively close his mouth.
Looking gently at the man with messy dark hair with a motherly gaze, she said "Harry, I only told you about the experience I had with magical creatures' bonding. You have to remember this is a very singular occurrence and, as far as I know, has happened only a few dozen times throughout history. Moreover, the cases documented involved, mostly, species that were in extinction or had a gift that was rare, so it would be passed on to their heirs. Now, about the fact that both Minerva and Hermione are cisgender females, I also don't really understand it. But I must point out that I didn't think it was possible to happen among humans. And", at this point she looked at Kingsley, "regarding their sexualities, I don't think it is our business and one should not ask a person about it. I think it's important that we respect people enough to let them tell us if they feel safe and willing to do so. And, before you think I am trying to change the topic on their sexual orientations, I assure you I have no suspicion of anything, I just do believe it's a private matter", she finished taking a deep breath.
"The point here, for me, though, is that they can't make heirs. Even if there was to be a human body transfiguration…", Kingsley said blushing slightly clearly picturing it.
"Why not? Thinking about it now, I would guess it would be possible", inquired Harry.
"Because you are only mimicking an image when you transfigure your body, dear. Did you really not pay any attention to McGonagall in class?", she said incredulous and with some humour. "The human body transfiguration is like becoming a mirror. So, let's say I want to look like you. I will change the colour of my hair, my height, my skin tone and so on. However, if I am pregnant when I do that, it won't affect the fact that I am pregnant. If I have lactose allergy, I will not be able to drink milk. If I have a disease, it will not be cured. Think that, if that was the case, you would only need to transfigure a new heart and boom, you would be free of heart problems without medication. So, even if a transfiguration of the sort you are thinking were possible, that would not make that person fertile as the biological owner of said part would be.
"Oh, I see…", he said, scratching his hair who looked messy as ever while processing the information.
"But if they can't procreate and have said "enhanced" offspring, what is the use of it? Why are they bound?", interjected an impatient Ginny Potter.
"Well, there lies the million-galleon question, Ginny. Let's hope Hermione wakes up feeling calmer tomorrow. Maybe she'll feel like explaining…", Kingsley wondered looking curious to the young couple.
"No, that is very unlikely", said Harry with a certainty that contrasted with his wife who was beginning to nod in confirmation. "Hermione is not a very secretive person, you know? She usually has her brain overworked, but she is, most of the time, willing to explain what's going on inside that head of hers. If she has kept this a secret for two years is either because she hasn't come to terms with it or because she has yet to figure things out and is scared of the effect it might have on her life if people get to know it", he finished.
"You know, honey, sometimes I forget that you are a very perceptive and deep person. Especially when you make questions such as that one about human body transfiguration…", she said complimenting and mocking the man she loved the most in her life, who smiled and blushed a little with the compliment.
"Maybe McGonagall, then?", hoped Harry out loud.
Kingsley snorted and Giulia looked at them with mirth in her eyes, after saying "perceptive, you said?", shooting a look to Ginny who laughed loudly.
"Ah, one can always dream…", the now red cheeked man said.
"Well, since we are going nowhere with our hopes, my husband is delirious thinking Minerva will chit chat with us about her personal life and the kids will definitely tax us tomorrow with all those damn activities McGonagall provided them, I think I will call this a night. Thank you for your explanation, Giulia. Good night for the both of you and let's hope we understand this mystery soon", Ginny said, already turning to leave.
The group said their goodbyes and left to their respective bedrooms thinking about the intriguing news and its consequences.
The next morning, Kingsley, who always thought of himself as an early riser, was surprised when, arriving in the dining room to grab a much needed morning coffee, found Hermione and Minerva dressed neatly and ready for their respective days heatedly discussing about something that was clearly annoying them both enough for them not to notice his arrival.
"… and I don't understand why you are insisting on this. It is obvious that you can't leave now and we both know it has nothing to do with Albus, don't you dare mention that boy again, Miss Granger", was raging a furious Minerva McGonagall while trying blindly to reach for a ginger newt meanwhile staring without blinking at the chestnut haired woman.
"Minerva, I swear on Merlin's beard that if you call me Miss Granger with that tone again I will hex you. That is why I didn't want to tell you anything. I knew you would become a shell. I knew you would take back everything…", the younger woman was almost shouting by now.
"And what would you have me do, Hermione? How would you act if you were in my place?", was the defeated reply.
"Minerva, you invited me to use your name before school was over. You did! Yes, you were my mentor originally, but we both know we would be good friends by now if it weren't for this damned incident. We exchanged letters twice a week, we saw each other on official and unofficial events, we read Transfiguration Weekly together. We were friends, for Morgana's sake. It doesn't have to change because of the bonding!". Hermione was calm again after having said all of that. She looked relieved to have said she wanted and missed their friendship.
"Well, the interesting part of this conversation is the fact that you want to remain friends, but you've shut me off for two years and now that I am struggling with information that involves my personal life that you've hidden all the while keeping me out of your life, you are annoyed. That doesn't seem fair, now, does it?", the words from the Headmistress were so acidic and hurtful, that Kingsley immediately regretted not saying something when he got into the room, because he felt he was intruding something way more personal than he anticipated.
"And that is why I will talk to Kingsley this morning for him to relocate me. We don't have to endure this… Since you clearly want me nowhere near you, I will make sure to make myself scarce", was the honest, but cold statement Hermione intended as her last words on the matter.
"I can't believe we are back at this again, Hermione! You can't leave and you know that. It is not possible by the Ministry Law and the natural magic law. When you insist on that you are insulting not only your own brains, but also mine and, if that was not enough, you are also exposing even more people to the particularities of this situation…", she was in the middle of the phrase when she heard a throat being cleared and a sleepy Kingsley looking embarrassed and sleepy. "Oh, good morning, Kingsley. How did you find your accommodations? Looking for your early dose of caffeine, I see…", she smiled putting back the collected façade and looking pointedly at Hermione to indicate that the matter was over.
The younger woman, however, was not done with it and had already taken a deep breath to speak her request when Kingsley raised a hand and said simply, "Hermione, I know nothing about bonding, but I know you requested to be with Albus and that can't be altered unless you want to undergo the whole procedure again. To do that, you will have to stay here quarantined for at least 20 days to make sure you're virus safe and won't be moved until a new match has been made", he said looking pointedly at her.
"Hermione, leave the matter be". Minerva McGonagall wasn't asking anymore, she was pleading. "Please, don't make the officials ask more questions than they should".
The green-eyed woman suddenly looked exhausted. She was giving up a life of privacy that she built with care her whole life, unwillingly, because the young woman before her was determined to leave. Determined to not accept a law as old as time. She was already accepting all the questions she would have to answer, the accusations and the media bombarding her door when she saw the comprehension in the brunette's eyes. Suddenly, she felt warm. But not how she had been feeling before, hot with anger. But warm in a calm away, in a comforting way. Those eyes radiated understanding like she was feeling the weight of it all herself.
Suddenly, as she felt everything would be ok, she heard the words coming out of the young woman's mouth.
"Okay, I will stay. But, we'll have tea later to discuss some thoughts and conditions", said Hermione.
"That's acceptable", Minerva nodded and turned to Kingsley, "I strongly recommend the scrambled eggs with the coffee. Also, the wards inform me Charlie has woken up and is coming downstairs as smoothly as…"
BAM! The sound of broken china reverberated on the corridor.
"…a feather".
The girl appeared excitedly with a broken vase in hand already expecting Minerva to fix it with a wave of her hand, which she did, surprising Hermione who expected annoyance from Minerva, but only found caring and mirth.
Feeling the brunette's eyes on her, she whispered trying to clear the air between them, "She's only five and I know it mortifies Kingsley enough for me to not care at all. Besides, I enchanted everything valuable before the kids arrived to keep the house and the children safe".
The day passed smoothly. Among everyone's jobs, there was little time for conversation.
Minerva, Giulia, Kingsley and Harry spent most of the morning and a few hours after lunch working on a security plan to enable the isolation process to run smoothly, making sure people adapted to it, that intelligence both in the Government and in the Auror Department worked together to quickly update their database and that Saint Mungus could handle the cases that needed further assistance.
Ginny offered to watch the children, since her work with the Chudley Cannons was indefinitely suspended. Furthermore, she took some time to acquaint herself with the property and write the modifications she thought suited the soon to be playroom for the children.
Hermione, on the other hand, always the researcher, stayed working in her bedroom to finish the last two reports she had to hand in by the end of the week to her contractor. After that, she had scheduled a few weeks of vacation, but that was, obviously, something she would need to address when the time arrived.
They only time the adults had stopped was to have lunch together for the sake of the kids and to schedule at the end of the week, on Minerva's suggestion, a "House meeting", as she named it, to make sure they were all settled in and could have a nice, cosy dinner together.
Hermione was so lost in thought considering how to best phrase the results of her research about time sand that she almost missed the light knock on the bedroom door.
"Come in", she said standing up to greet whomever wanted to speak to her and feeling a bit dizzy.
She was surprised to see Minerva McGonagall standing in her doorway wearing black slacks, dragonhide boots and an emerald silk blouse looking carefully at her.
"Good afternoon, Hermione. It's almost five and, since you mentioned earlier that you would like to have some tea and discuss our situation today, I thought it would be more agreeable for the both of us if we took a walk and had tea in a more private area of the property. It's a ten-minute walk and the sun set is beautiful there", she added to lighten the conversation.
"Oh, I've totally lost track of time", Hermione realised she had not stood up since lunch, almost four hours ago. That explains my legs being so wobbly. She also didn't miss the friendly, albeit cautious, tone Minerva was using to make her feel more at ease and returned it in appreciation. "Tea outside would be lovely, Minerva. It's the end of summer, after all, and I have not had that much time outside lately. Could I have a few minutes just to freshen up and I'll meet you in front of the main door let's say in… ten minutes?"
"Of course, Hermione. I'll just talk to Pinky about dinner and will meet you soon".
"Perfect."
Hermione just waited until she heard the click of the door closing and quickly her brain started working to make the best of the minutes she had left before one of the most important conversations of her life.
Her back was aching from sitting straight for many hours, so she stretched quickly before running to her bathroom and taking a quick shower. Since it was a relatively warm day and she was sure Minerva would need to see as well as hear proof of what she believed, she decided to wear a long dress with stripes and a light cardigan on top of it. She kept her hair in a high bun with a few loose curls to soften her image. Since she didn't know where exactly they would go, she also put on dragonhide boots and left to find the regal woman waiting for her and looking tense.
They departed together and Hermione could already hear the engine in both her brain and Minerva's. She was sure she was feeling more anxious than her usual. There was also an unspoken rule of leaving the serious matters after tea was served, so they walked in silence for a few minutes before Minerva asked her if she liked living in Nepal and Madagascar, to which she replied politely saying that yes, although she missed the United Kingdom, especially London, very much.
Finally, they arrived in a clearing at the top of a hill. Hermione could see that not very far there was a lake reflecting the sunlight. Yes, the sun set must definitely be nice there and, considering that the sun would only set around 9 P.M., Minerva, as well as she, expected their conversation to last for a while.
Looking around, the younger woman also saw a small circular white marble table with a tray set with tea apparel between two cushioned burgundy armchairs. She instantly looked at Minerva with a raised brow. The Headmistress was famous for choosing uncomfortable high-backed chairs for meetings and an armchair was an interesting development.
The former Transfiguration Professor understood immediately the unspoken question and said, still very politely, "You've had two years to process this and find answers to all of your questions. I am not sure if I have even reached the end of my questioning. So, I figured that, since this might take a while and will be already unpleasant as it is, we should, at least, be comfortable enough and able to appreciate the view. Don't you think?"
"Fair enough", was Hermione's curt response while sitting and observing as Minerva quietly called Pinky who appeared with a steaming teapot and a generous array of fruits, pastry and cold cuts.
"Thank you, Pinky, this looks delicious", Hermione complimented. After the house elf left, Hermione added, "Minerva, this really is a lot. But it does look amazing".
"Aye, comfortable seating and a full stomach will always do one good. Do you still take your tea without milk and sugar?"
Hermione was a little taken aback that the older woman remembered it, but nodded while seeing her pouring the beverage for the both of them.
They drank and ate in silence for a while, but soon started talking about Hogwarts' reconstruction and how the school was full of everyday mischief sending students everywhere but their classroom.
Hermione almost felt like this conversation was happening more than two years ago when Minerva asked if she wanted more tea and she knew, in her gut, that the next cup would be a business conversation cup of tea. The pleasantry was still there, but the Headmistress' back was straighter, she had a fierce look that was commanding and her eyes bore into Hermione's like she was determined to understand something.
"Yes, Minerva. I would like more tea, please".
As soon as both of them had their cups filled, the tray disappeared and Minerva fully turned to Hermione.
"Before we start talking about the consequences of our situation, I have to say that I am quite intrigued with two things. The first, is how you've figured it out, since we obviously don't fill the criteria and second is why didn't you tell me before?"
Hermione was surprised. Her face showed it and Minerva could sense there was something she was reluctant to say. She slowly drank a bit more of her steaming tea and crossed her legs. Finally, she spoke.
"You know, I have imagined this conversation many times in my head. In all of them you questioned the criteria", she said dryly, "but I hadn't expected you to ask me why I didn't tell you before". Her words were of a hurt person and Minerva was hardly trying to process it.
"Hermione, you've said it yourself before: we were friends. I don't understand why you would keep it to yourself for so long. Imagine how it would be if I had to sell a property or anything involving the McGonagall assets and was unable to because I would need your signature. Afterwards, I would send someone to investigate, then disregard the results as a misunderstanding and have to contact you to know what happened. Imagine the consequences. The media would undoubtedly find out, both your job and mine would be compromised, all the questions..." The older woman looked distressed just by imagining everything she would have had to handle.
"Minerva, you are missing the point", Hermione said gently, "I have taken care of that. The moment I was sure of our predicament, I sent a letter to both Gringotts and the legal and accountant services that deal with the McGonagall assets requiring secrecy and, knowing they would always need me to authorize things, I managed to make an agreement with them. They included a clause in their draft documents for future use that said that all contracts made regarding the McGonagall assets would need to be revalidated one year after signing. That would give me enough time to, every year, make sure to sign everything that was needed without putting you on the light spot and interfering in your business. They understood that it would not break any rules since I would never add anything and just agree with your terms. Also, it was not as if I was agreeing beforehand with anything, which meant, again, that legally, it was acceptable."
Minerva was pale as a sheet of paper.
"I signed for that alteration. The lawyers said it would benefit the business…" She was looking beyond furious.
"And it will, actually", Hermione said seriously, but with a little mischief thinking about her accomplishment. "You will always have one year to decide if you want or not a contract to stand on. That is actually very good for your business. You only didn't know that you would not be the only one who would sign the last validating terms, since that could remain private. I never intended to keep anything at all, I just wanted you to live your life in peace".
The Headmistress could sense the truth in the words and mentally agreed that it was a good strategy to avoid attention to their situation. Something that they could, even now, keep on. However, it still didn't make sense. Regaining some colour in her cheeks, she added, "But, now you've got me even further in thought…Why, Hermione? Why not tell me?"
Hermione looked at her hands and took a deep breath. She was shaking.
"Honestly? Because I wanted to protect you, I wanted to give you a choice and I felt humiliated", she said in a small, broken voice.
Minerva looked at her former pupil who had, until now, looked very much the mature woman she herself always presented. Collected, sure of herself, secure, intelligent… Someone not to mess with. Right now, though, she saw a woman who was at her limit. More than that, she could feel it. However, she couldn't understand her reasoning. The protection part she thought she understood considering all the work Hermione must have put upon organizing the asset's protection, the choice she also had a slight idea, but the humiliation was something she could not grasp. Her confusion was evident, so she tried a strategy she had learned from her grandmother in her childhood and worked every time.
"I will pour us another cup of tea, Hermione. But, after we drink it, I would very much like for you to explain what you said, ok? I would rather we stopped our conversation and returned another time, because I can feel you are distressed. However, we both know we have to leave here with a few practical decisions and it will take a while. Is that manageable to you?" The raven-haired woman's thoughtful and truthful words seemed to take Hermione out of her state and the McGonagall heir suddenly felt a sensation of resolution emanating from the younger woman.
"Actually, Minerva, I'd rather continue speaking so we can move on. I would love some tea, though", Hermione said, her words already stronger.
The Headmistress raised an eyebrow, but nodded nonetheless while pouring the tea.
"I wanted to protect you because the last two years of my life were very unpleasant. After I found out about it, I tried to get rid of it, naturally. So, I did, or at least tried to do, everything that the books said people in our situation couldn't do. I even tried getting married, Minerva…". To that, she saw the older woman pause an instant while holding the tea pot, but quickly recover to her activities. "I wanted to protect you from suffering trying to find a way out of it, like I did. I spent weeks, months doing that. I was so tired, in the end, that I spent Christmas sleeping. I took a sleepless dream draught and slept. Harry and the Weasleys thought something happened to me and I spent days lying to them saying I took the wrong potion for cramps. I couldn't do that to you too".
Minerva motioned to speak, but, before she could see it, she felt the hand Hermione raised to ask her to wait before she was done.
"I wanted to protect you from suffering because you and I both know that you've suffered enough for more than a lifetime", those words carried a lot of meaning for Minerva. She made a pause to let them sink in and continued, "Moving on, I wanted to give you the choice of living your life according to what you believed, decided and wanted and not moved by an animal instinct that told you to be near me or you would do something silly, like die. That is irrational and absurd. I was adamant that we could keep our distance and you would have a full life without any pull to reach me if we didn't give this thing a chance to begin with. I didn't want you to be near me because you needed to, I would prefer if you did It because you wanted to. And, honestly, we can't say that we will ever know if we were ever meant to be friends or if it was this ancient bloody magic all along…"
The older woman was feeling something boil inside of her and, deep down, she was beginning to understand it was not in her. Hermione was losing control over her emotions and magic, but she seemed unfazed by it and remained speaking at a fast pace.
"And, lastly, I felt deeply humiliated, Minerva. Did you know that I am the last Granger in my family? I am. My parents are dead. I have no other relatives from my father's side. Yet, I've got your last name. If the avoidance of extinction the books mention is true, they only want the McGonagall clan to live on. The Granger family will die with me. I have studied, fought, I was a good daughter, I am a good friend and I've done everything in my life to be accepted as simply the person I am. But, in the end, it didn't matter. Some ancient natural magical law thing sees me only as somebody's wife. I am no longer Hermione Granger and I could not even decide upon it. My lineage is gone to keep another alive. I am sure you understand how humiliating and frustrating that must be".
Before neither of them could understand what was happening, both were feeling rage and sparks were flying from their hands. And then it was gone. Minerva felt calm and so did Hermione.
"Hermione, I hope you understand that I will need time to process everything that you've told me. I would like to point out, though, that I appreciate everything that you've done. You took matters in your hands, as always, and ensured that I was safe and unaffected by something that clearly took months of your life and peace". Minerva, then, decided it was time to start the decision's part she mentioned before. "However, you are to understand that we are facing something very old and powerful". The younger woman could feel power emanating from the words and filling the space between them, which disturbed and also, weirdly, gave her some peace. "Moreover, I do not need you to handle things for me the way you've always dealt with Harry and Mr. Weasley. I can take my own share of problems and manage them. I know you've taken upon yourself, for most of your life, the responsibilities that other people have thrown your way, but this is not and will not be one of those situations. You are clearly exhausted from it. I respect you and know that, while you kept me in the dark, you didn't avoid it. This will change. I will no longer accept having my life, especially important aspects of it, being handled without my knowledge and permission. Is that understood?"
The brunette was a little taken aback with the sudden change in tone, because it was clear that the green-eyed woman perforating her soul with her gaze wasn't disappointed, but had felt extremely uncomfortable with her dealing things for her. There were lots of things to be said in response, But for now, she chose to only nod in affirmation. Since the numbness she felt after the sparks, she was trying to regain control over her emotions afraid of what that might entail.
"Secondly, I hope you understand that by taking the matters on your hands, you left me no choice, when it was actually what you wanted to do. I was worried something happened without my knowledge that made you grow apart from the friendship we were building. That was not my choice. By trying to give me a choice, you took it from me. That, also, can no longer happen, Hermione. I understand it was not your intent and I won't impose on you. Again, I am grateful that you were so thoughtful. I see you as an equal and I have for a while. I hope you do too, because we can't deal with… this", she said gesturing between them, "without equality".
"That is not what I meant, Minerva. I…", Hermione started.
"I know. But this needs to be clear. I don't know if you need to hear this, but I felt the need to say. And I hope you respect that", she said in a tone that left no doubt was a decisive one.
"Of course".
"Lastly, I definitely need to read more about our predicament to talk to you about it. What I recall from the three cases noted is that the parts involved had no heirs and their families were descendants from the first magical families and lately were proven to bear important magical folk, like Merlin, Morgana le Fay and Godric Gryffindor himself. You are Muggleborn and I am Half-Blood. Maybe, we can have this conversation later, but I think there is something… odd about this match, if I can put it this way".
Hermione agreed with that point. They were not from particularly meaningful wizarding families and she still could not understand exactly what this natural magic wanted to preserve. However, she didn't feel any less humiliated by realising that she was there to keep the McGonagall clan alive. She kept her words to herself, thinking she had said enough already, but Minerva knew something was not quite right, both from the younger woman's words and her demeanour.
"Now. I am really interested in knowing how you figured it out. The criteria really don't apply to us, as far as I recall", Minerva started.
Hermione shifted in her armchair and looked at the other woman with caution.
"Minerva, I understand we are an unusual match for it. Also, I think we need to start using the name to make it less awkward. I know bonding is extremely rare, especially in the human world. We are the fourth pair to be affected by it, as far as I know. However, I am inclined to believe that we, somehow, do fill the criteria", she said with strong, yet gentle words.
The raven-haired woman was paralysed. She honestly could not process what had been said. Hermione probably is forgetting a part of what is known of bonding, that's the only explanation.
The younger girl, on the other hand, was fully aware of the physical and psychological aspects of bonding, which were considered criteria for making sure two people were bonded. Seeing that the green-eyed woman was stuck in disbelief, she decided to continue.
"There are three psychological aspects in bonding and two physical ones, as you know. The ones that affect the mind are transferring and communication of thoughts, feelings and magic. As I am sure you have felt it since I arrived, we have shared that. Right now, I can feel you are only certain about it because you couldn't hurt me, a consequence of sharing magic, and because of my name on the wards. But, a few minutes ago you calmed me, after you sensed my magic was running out of my body. Firstly, I transferred it to you, unwillingly. Secondly, you completely absorbed it and shut it, sending me such a calm sensation that you felt it yourself. We've been in the same house for only two days and I can already sense that you do not disagree with me, but are expecting more from this conversation than my plain explanation on this, which is fine, actually", she said to comfort the already exposed older woman.
Minerva was still. Very still. The brunette could see that she was fighting a question, an important one.
"And before you ask me again", she anticipated, "I do believe the physical criteria also apply. The extinction known to be the trigger to bonding is evident in both our families and, if not, just think about the situation we are living in now. Also, we were marked that day and, well, that was actually the first thing that alerted me".
For the first time in her life, Hermione saw Minerva McGonagall look completely lost. The regal Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry looked at her like she had grown a pair of horns in her forehead. The situation was, to Hermione, becoming more hilarious by the moment because she could feel that Minerva knew her words to be true, but couldn't understand why. Remembering that she thought she would need to show her the mark in order to clarify her point, she took hold of her cardigan sleeve and whispered "Finite incantatem".
The famous Transfiguration Professor could only stare as the creamy colour of her former pupil's arms changed and on top of it became visible a series of scars from battle as well as some runic engravings on her skin. She saw a violent mark in a reddish colour in her left arm and quietly absorbed the image before her. She looked almost ethereal. A mirage.
Hermione's body burned under that stare and she knew the ancient magic was probably floating between them now, because she was feeling different things at the same time and it was confusing. Trying her best to ignore the meaning of things like confusion, curiosity, appreciation and anger coexisting between them, she turned her back to the Headmistress and showed her a spot in the middle of her back. There laid a clean, lightning scar of an ancient rune. It was almost translucent and so subtil one might not even notice it.
When first confronted by it, Hermione thought it was a consequence of the ceremony. She later inquired of her Master only to find out it wasn't. The rune was an ancient symbol of energy that was a combination that appeared to be a letter "H" with some circular patterns around it and the number three inverted on the top left and regular on the bottom right.
Minerva also saw it now. She recognized the rune. It was the symbol of bonding. The first thing people looked for in animals that were said to be bonded were matching energy rune marks. And there it was, clear as day, embedded in the younger woman's body. For a moment, the raven-haired woman was at a loss. She didn't know if she had been marked. Vanity was not in her list of endeavours and, honestly, she hadn't seen her back in the mirror for a long while. If her mark was in the same spot, which was the rule, as far as she knew, she would have to check it later. Suddenly, she felt ashamed and embarrassed. The worst part was that Hermione could feel it too and she sensed it. Not only she didn't realise she had been marked two years ago, but also, no one else saw it. It was a testament to her lonely days, a thing she didn't care a lot, to be honest, but that just showed how long it had been since the last time she had the company of another being intimately.
Hermione didn't question anything and would never ask to see the twin mark she was sure laid on the middle back of the woman in front of her. She looked into green eyes and saw confusion, realisation, anger and one last pungent question; the one that she, herself, was hoping could be avoided, but nonetheless was the key point that needed to be said that day.
The brunette felt the light cool breeze hugging her arms and back, suddenly a bit cold. Calmly, she put back her cardigan and looked around, appreciating the view. By now, the sun was setting and, as promised, the view was breath-taking. She glanced back at Minerva, who was still looking at her, though she knew she was not really seeing her, and again looked forward, watching the sun leave with its warmth. She waited for a few more minutes to see if the raven-haired woman would want to say something before the last topic was approached.
The sun was almost gone and Minerva had yet to speak what was causing a turmoil inside her. The curly haired brunette was feeling the curiosity grow by the minute, but there were limits that the serious Headmistress was known to avoid crossing. Speaking of very private matters was one of them. Deciding it was time, Hermione, without turning, took yet another deep breath.
"I read a lot about this and I know it is said to exist to prevent a line from dying or extinction. I also am very aware that all the cases involve a biological female and male part, so far. The main goal seemingly to be the creation of a stronger breed or surviving, which is known not to be possible considering our biological sexes…" The younger woman intentionally gave a different intonation to the word "known" already seeing that McGonagall knew she was about to step into a subject that she wasn't pleased with.
"Hermione, it has never been proved…"
"Yet, you have studied it, Minerva! When I had to write an essay about transformation and transfiguration to relate them to energy and matter exchange in my Mastery, you were the reference. You said, and I clearly remember that, because afterwards I thought how ironic that you would say it like that just to end up in this situation 'if both cores are strong enough, a temporary transformation can even change genetics itself if energy and matter are correctly bent. It would not last permanently, at first, but it would enable, for instance, for a blind person to see, a genetic disease to be better assessed and even reproduction could be reprogramed. Medicine and healing could take a turn if core magic was to be enhanced and further studied'. Even reproduction could be reprogramed. You said it. You".
Minerva's brain was speeding trying to understand all the implications of what Hermione said. She believed what the younger woman was implying was true and it was her study, after all, that led her to said conclusions. However, there were several aspects to bonding that she had yet to comprehend and deal with before even considering that.
"I don't really think reproduction is what we should be discussing right now, even though you do have a point", the Headmistress started.
The younger woman knew this was it, the Transfiguration Mistress in front of her would try to attach herself to the last point of security she had and she would fail.
"Actually, Minerva, it had to be addressed because you needed to understand that, as far as I can tell, we fit the criteria perfectly", she said turning away slightly from the woman to let her words sink in.
"It is not possible, dear". The words that reached Hermione were soft and caring, she almost felt like she was in class again, but had to be gently corrected on a single mistake. "It is known, for people who have a bonding", the green-eyed woman said, tasting the word out loud for the first time and finding a pleasant tingly sensation to it, "that they have urges and might find themselves sick if sent apart for a long time. Their communication is enhanced with each other and, also, there is the mating aspect that seems inconvenient in our case, considering sexuality and gender aspects", the professorial voice was still going on when she was interrupted by the tired voice of the former student.
"You still don't understand, do you?" Hermione turned to her looking every bit the confident young woman she was and tired of their careful tones. "We do fit. Not only in all criteria, but also all the urges. You said a strong core could control genetics. Guess what? I tried controlling magic and instincts with it and it almost bloody worked. The only thing keeping you from knowing it to this point is the fact that I've been occluding my mind so strongly for the last two years that you have not been able to sense some things as you should, but I have. There are urges, weaknesses and weird things happening to me all the time, I just have somehow channelled them to only me. But, I can't anymore. Being physically close to you is draining my energy even more. I guess that is why once a pair bonds it is basically impossible for them to be apart. And, no, there aren't any barriers concerning gender and sexuality either, Minerva. I know about you and Amelia Bones. I, myself, am bisexual. This is what it is".
Finally, the brunette regained her breath and looked at the Headmistress who was glued to the spot with her eyes fixed on her. While speaking, she had intentionally removed her occlumency shield to prove her point, which meant the older woman was probably being invaded by all the things she had had months to get acquainted to and would now have to process them. Well, this will take a while.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Next chapter we'll get to see more about the house dynamics as well as some Hermione and Minerva apprehension with all the sharing of emotions, thoughts and magic.
Reviews are always welcome – and encouraged-!