Valentine's Day, 1999
The roar of hundreds of youthful voices fills the Great Hall. Thousands of red and pink hearts float down like snow from the ceiling vanishing just out of reach. Each of the four tables have a multitude of bouquets of red roses, a combined effort from Pomona Sprout and Mr. Longbottom. The house elves had quite readily agreed to help, going a bit overboard on the themed food. All five tables are sporting chocolate covered strawberries, heart shaped pancakes, whip creams, chocolate fondue fountains and a plethora of other tasty treats. Poppy is sure to have her hands full today with students complaining of stomach aches. A far better improvement from last year, indeed.
Hogwarts newest Headmistress is a very pleased woman this Valentines morning. She thinks she might have gone a wee bit overboard with the holiday decorations, but seeing the smiling faces of her students she thinks it was definitely worth the effort. The holiday certainly had started to grow on her. A wry smile lifts the corner of her lips, Minerva tries to hide it behind her cup of tea. It certainly helps that one Hermione Granger is seated next to her at the head table. Looking quite well in her apprentice robes. A Transfiguration pin displayed proudly on her collar.
It had taken an insurmountable amount of work. But the teachers and a good number of volunteers had lent their wands in helping to restore the castle. She had been truly honored to have been appointed Headmistress fairly quickly after the Final Battle, and the restoration of the school had fallen on her shoulders. By some miracle they had managed to have Hogwarts ready by September 1st.
A sudden breeze fills the hall as hundreds of owls descend upon the happy occupants. Delivering letters and packages of love. None fall before her, but Minerva isn't put off by that fact in the slightest. No, for today happens to be Sunday which means her and Hermione have a standing arrangement for tea at 3pm this afternoon.
Upon Hermione's return to the castle for the Final Battle, and Mr. Potters miraculous defeat of Tom Riddle (she outright refused to call him you-know-who or any other such nonsense). They had simply picked up their friendship right where it had left off. Neither one of them spoke of Hermione's confession of love in her last letter. Both women being a bit too fragile for that next step. Not only did the castle have to be repaired and allowed time to heal. Minerva wasn't ashamed to admit she did too.
So that first Sunday arrived, and Hermione simply showed up at her quarters. Gave a sharp knock on her door and patiently waited to be let in. Not that she had to wait long in the slightest. Minerva had a tray of tea and biscuits waiting, and the chess board set up ready to play. Hermione gave a slightly irritated look at the chess board, as if it had already offended her. That evening not a single thing was spoken about what had transpired in the months of separation. At least not until it was time to say goodnight. Hermione hesitated before giving her a hug. With that one tight embrace, it was as if the flood gates opened. She felt a quite sod leave the young woman in her arms.
They sit together on the couch that had become their spot so many months ago, and let all the grief and pain out in heart retching tears. Both woman feeling comfortable enough in their friendship to let their guard down around each other. Once both women composed themselves, tears finally dried. Each woman slowly started to tell their story of that retched year. It took many Sunday teas to get both stories to their end, but a since of relief fills Minerva knowing she has such a confidant in Hermione.
A growing thing had been building inside Minerva for far longer than she is comfortable admitting. But it is time she pulls on her own Gryffindor courage, and tells Hermione she returns her feelings. That she is ready for their treasured friendship to hopefully turn into more. What better time than Valentines, the day their story started.
Filius Flitwick's voice pulls her from her thoughts. "Any plans for tonight Hermione dear? You have become a very popular young woman this Valentines." He states with a gentle smile and a light chuckle.
Hermione turns to the charm's professor giving him her full attention. " It's Sunday Professor Flitwick, so I'm spending it with the Headmistress like I do every Sunday afternoon. "
Minerva beams at Hermione's reply. Neither had confirmed their plans for Valentines, but it was nice to hear Hermione confirm it none the less. That is until Slughorn had to add his thoughts to the conversation. "Really Minerva can't you give the poor girl a night off from your company, surely she would rather be somewhere else for the Holiday." Minerva finds his boisterous laughter to be extra grating in this particular moment.
Doubt slowly starts to creep into the Scottish woman's heart. It's been more than a year since Hermione confessed, she loved her in her letter. A great many things have happened over that time, maybe Minerva was being selfish in assuming Hermione's feelings hadn't changed. Minerva still couldn't understand why the young woman would want to be saddled with an older woman like herself.
Filius was correct in saying Hermione was very popular. Being a war heroine and Mr. Potters remarks to the public on how he couldn't have defeated Tom Riddle without Hermione by his side, had made it nearly impossible for her to go anywhere without being recognized. Minerva finds her usually perfect posture slump in, she drops her head avoiding eye contact with her colleagues. She wants to flee the Great Hall.
That is until she feels Hermione's hand slip into hers under the table. Giving it a tight squeeze. Making eye contact with big brown eyes. Hermione replies to Slughorns insensitive remark. " Professor Slughorn, I would have to disagree with you. There is no place I would rather be than with Minerva."
Joy fills Minerva, she finds she has a difficult time keeping the smile off her face. A deep blush crosses her face. She turns her head making an attempt to hide it, but only ends up being spotted by Poppy giving her a knowing look.
Hermione gives one last squeeze of her hand before letting go. "If everyone will excuse me, I am off to the library." Turning to the Headmistress. "I'll see you at 3pm Minerva."
The taller woman finds she's only able to give a curt nod of her head, not quite trusting her voice just yet.
Not long after Hermione leaves. Minerva dismisses herself as well. She has things to setup in her quarters for this afternoon. She wants everything to be perfect for when she tells Hermione.
3 o'clock finally arrives, and Minerva is a bundle of nerves. She decided to forgo tea and opted for sharing a glass of scotch instead. Needing something a wee bit stronger to help her take this next step. A bouquet of tulips is set out on the coffee table for Hermione. She knows there the brunettes favorite, recalls her mentioning liking that they are such a happy flower.
Hermione's signature sharp knock fills the room. Taking one final deep breath, Minerva squares her shoulders and readies herself to hopefully starting a future with Hermione Granger by her side.
Opening the door, Hermione steps past taking off her outer robes to hang them on the hook by the door. She turns and gives Minerva one of her bone crushing hugs. A light laugh fills the room. "One would think you missed me since you last saw me a breakfast." The usually stoic woman teases. But returns the hug with just as much enthusiasm. If the hug lingers longer than usual neither witch comments on the fact.
Taking up their usual spot on the couch. Long legs brushing up against shorter. Minerva pours two glasses of scotch, passing the second to Hermione. The young Gryffindor playfully bumps her shoulder against emerald robes. "Trying to get me tipsy Professor? Being shorter than you and decidedly not Scottish. I can't hold my liquor nearly as well as you can Minerva."
This playful banter is one of the things Minerva had come to cherish in her friendship, this unreserved openness Hermione displays when they are alone together. She had grown so used to people only thinking she was uptight, and lacked a sense of humor. When in fact Minerva has always liked to laugh. Her role at Hogwarts has simply made it so she wasn't able to let her guard down throughout the years.
"Not tipsy, just relaxed I hope... I had hoped...that is to say..." merlin Minerva didn't think it would be this difficult to get the words out. A slight intake of breath distracts her rambling. "You got me flowers. Oh Minerva, tulips are my favorite."
"Aye lass, I did. I'm glad you like them." She gives Hermione a shy smile. Interlacing their fingers. Minerva knows this is the moment. She opens her lips to let the declaration pass. Only for Hermione to hold a finger up to her lips to stop her.
"I'm sure whatever you are about to say is important Minerva, but it wouldn't quite be Valentine's Day if I didn't give you a letter." She unshrinks a red envelope from her pocket and hands the similar red letter over. "Be warned it's only a short note this year."
Reluctantly she let's go of Hermione's hand, breaks the wax seal, and pulls out a lightly dusted pink parchment. It takes Minerva all of five seconds to read the note, but she reads it again just to be sure.
Dear Minerva
I would very much like to kiss you.
Love, Hermione
She leans forward, setting her Valentine letter down next to their forgotten drinks. Takes up both of Hermione's hands and can't for the life of her stop smiling. "Hermione Granger I would very much like to kiss you as well."
No more words are spoken as both women lean forward, and let soft lips touch for the first time. Minerva feels the gentle care Hermione puts into each caress of her lips, suck and nip. Finds herself pressing into the kiss more. Her hand coming up to thread her fingers through Hermione's hair at the back of her neck. When she feels Hermione swipe her tongue along the seam of her lips a moan leaves the back of her throat. She feels the woman smile, placing one final peck on her lips before pulling away.
Minerva thinks Valentines is defiantly her favorite Holiday.