8 years later
February 13th, 2007
Minerva is bound and determined to win. She knows she is a highly competitive person. That this playful game she had started with Hermione has slightly gotten out of hand, the brunette likes to tease her endlessly about it every year. Minerva thinks the only reason Hermione isn't as worked up about the day as she is, is the fact that one Hermione Granger is always the winner. Know she would feel entirely different if she wasn't the undisputed victor in their competition. That's why the green-eyed witch is getting ready a day early. She is determined that she will be the first to give her Valentine letter off this year. That she will finally be the winner in their silly game.
There had been unspoken rules that had developed over the past decade they had been together. First, the letter must be given in private. Second, it had to be hand delivered by themselves. With the one-time exception of using Dobby, this rule had always been followed. Third, if the card was handed over, it had to be received. No switching the cards.
Minerva had always thought herself a clever witch, but Hermione was trouncing her in their made-up game.
Hermione somehow always managed to get her card off first. Not only that, but it was always a beautiful letter, with such a heartfelt message, or a way for their relationship to progress. Minerva loved reading over her letters. Which now filled her little wood box, that she still has tucked away under the floorboards in her room. It was like reading the stepping stones in their beautiful love story. The first letter, a request for a friendship. The second, a confession of love. The third letter a bid for a kiss.
The fourth, an admission of wanting to spend the night in Minerva's bed. The Headmistress still blushes at the memory of their first time together. How she had taken Hermione shyly by the hand, and led the younger woman to her bed. How they spend all night learning each other's bodies. She was amazed how perfect the two of them fit together.
The fifth letter, a want to tell their close friends about their relationship. That the two women were officially together. That Hermione was proud to be with her and wanted others to see it too.
Her sixth letter a request to move in together. Now that Hermione had gained her Mastery in Transfiguration, and was no longer her apprentice. That night the castle had worked its magic and expanded the Headmistress's private quarters to accommodate the two of them.
Hermione's seventh Valentine letter was a proposal of marriage. Minerva had readily agreed. Then handed over her own letter, that also had a request in it to make Hermione her wife. Both witches had laughed at the simultaneous proposal. The curly haired witch still likes to tell everyone that she proposed first though.
Their eighth letter had been their wedding vows. Minerva had requested their wedding to be held on Valentine's Day. The day her love story with Hermione had started. Minerva thought she was finally going to win their competition on this day. Only for Hermione to start reading her vows first, giving Minerva a cheeky wink in the process. So, in front of all their friends, colleagues and the students of Hogwarts Hermione became her wife. As they made their devotion for each other known in the Great Hall.
Hermione's letter last year had been won, due to the fact she had been terribly distracted by her wife's lips kissing down her neck and her well-practiced fingers undoing the buttons on her emerald robes. The devious witch had so thoroughly made her lose track of her surroundings she was taken by surprise when Hermione had whispered in a husky voice, she wanted to give Minerva something. She had been a highly aroused mess at this point, and not at all pleased when Hermione pulled away to slip a red envelope into her trembling fingers. She had made her wife pay dearly for that one. Had kept her up all night in their bed getting her revenge. Not that Hermione would say it was much of a punishment, even though she did admit she was a bit sore the next morning.
So, with tomorrow marking their tenth Valentines together, and also their two-year anniversary. Minerva was going to make this year her winning year. Her plan was a simple one, that at midnight she was going to give Hermione her Valentine letter, not giving her partner a second to outdo her. Was planning to surprise her with a little cottage in Hogsmeade they could spend together on the weekends.
Minerva was forever grateful how understanding her wife was to the hours she had to give to being the Headmistress of Hogwarts. That quite often the school had to come first. Not that the women didn't spend a great amount of time together. Hermione having taken over the Transfigurations position full time, once she received her Mastery. They spent nearly every meal together even if it was surrounded by hundreds of students. Hermione shared the Heads quarters with her. So, they did have some privacy, but Minerva held a great many meetings in the Headmistress's office. Somedays it felt as if there was a revolving door of people streaming through the place, they tried to make their own. Sure, they had made Minerva's Manor their home, but they spent less than two months out of the year there. The two witches desperately needed a place close and private that could be their sanctuary. A cottage within walking distance of their beloved school was the perfect option.
With her letter hidden under her pillow, Minerva slipped into the shower and readied herself for bed. She was slightly surprised to see Hermione already in bed sleeping, when she exited the master bathroom. Her dear witch had been over working herself once more. She had caught her wife yawning throughout the day. Minerva made a note to herself about making Hermione rest more in the evenings.
Minerva pulled out a book she had been reading, and passed the time until the clock struck midnight. With just two minutes to spare. She sets her book down on the night stand. Pulls her letter out and patiently waits for it the officially be Valentine's Day. Once the clock struck midnight Minerva gently scoots closer to her sleeping wife, brushing the hair off her face, and places a loving kiss upon her cheek. "Hermione darling, Happy Valentine's Day." She slips the letter into her hand. A victorious grin spreads across her face.
Hermione slowly blinks the sleep from her eyes. "Minerva, What time is it?"
" It's officially Valentine's Day, and that's all that matters. I win. Read your letter Hermione."
Her wife gives an amused laugh, sits up leaning into Minerva's chest making herself quite at home within her embrace. "I'm starting to think this competition has gotten out of hand."
Minerva rolls her eyes, places her arms around her wife's waist. "You are only saying that now that you lost. Stop stalling and read your letter."
"So bossy, and I'm not stalling. I'm trying to wake up. Someone thought it a good idea to do this in the middle of the night." Even though her witch complains Minerva can tell she is excited to read Minerva's words of love. Hermione always liked when she voiced her love for her. She watches as Hermione reads her letter taking in her gift. Feeling the curly haired witch's excitement, she is almost prepared for the sudden peppering of kisses her cheeks, nose, eye lids and finally her lips get in thanks. Minerva can't stop the grin and joyous thrill she gets at making the most important person in her life so very happy.
"Oh, Minerva a cottage in Hogsmeade. You are so brilliant; I love the idea. I can't believe I didn't think of that myself. I'm also quite pleased that our gifts will go very well together." Hermione gives her a rather mysterious look. "Do you want your letter now or after dinner tonight?"
Minerva pretends to think about the question. Trying to put on a serious face, but fails when Hermione announce she can't wait any longer. The brunette slips out of her arms. She watches as a naked Hermione dashes across their cold bedroom floor, opens the top drawer of her dresser, pulls out a red envelope and hurries back to the warmth of their bed. The Scottish witch laughs at her enduring wife's excitement.
Hermione playfully smacks her in the arm. "Oh, stop laughing at me, don't think I didn't see you enjoying the view."
"Indeed, I did, you have a very nice bum."
The brunette witch looks up at her with such love and adoration on her face, but then it slips to a bit of a nervous one. "I hope you like my Valentine this year Min."
Taking the letter, Minerva breaks the wax seal. Pleased to see her family crest adorns it. She will never grow tired of having Hermione be a McGonagall.
Minerva can honestly say she is very confused. Instead of finding a lightly dusted pink parchment like all the years prior. She pulls out a short plastic stick. She turns it over in her hand, trying to muddle through what her wife has given her. It's not helping that Hermione is practically vibrating next to her in silence anticipation.
"So, what do you think?" Her beaming witch asks in rather an impatient manner.
"Hermione dear, I haven't the first clue about what I am looking at. Is this some sort of muggle device?"
Hermione covers her mouth and lets out an embarrassed giggle. "I'm sorry Minerva, I was so excited to tell you these last two weeks I didn't stop to think you wouldn't know what that is."
She reaches out and points to two little blue lines on the flat part. "This is a muggle pregnancy test and those two blue lines mean it's positive."
Minerva blinks, her eyes track the spot Hermione explained to her. 'Two lines mean a positive pregnancy test.' Her mind repeats.
Looking up into big brown eyes it slowly dawns on her. "Your pregnant! We are going to have a wee little one?!" Tears start to fall down her high cheeks.
"Yes." Hermione squeezes her hand. "Are you happy?" She notes a light nervous waver in her voice.
"I don't think my life could get any better, but you have proven me wrong Hermione. I am beyond happy." She places a reverent hand over her witch's lower stomach. " I love you Hermione. I love you both."
Kissing her Valentine once more. Minerva knows without a doubt in her mind. That this is her favorite day.