"I hear that you're the brightest witch of your age. But don't ever let Rowena rule you on matters that you should be conspiring with me."
Hermione could only nod as his words washed over her. Then after a moment, Godric Gryffindor disappeared and she turned and headed towards Hogwarts great hall— uncapping her Gryffindor courage.
Year 1999 | 2nd Seventh of May
Chapter 3
Same Evening | Praises and Platitudes
Hermione caught Kingsley's words as she slipped inside the great hall of Hogwarts as silently as she could through one of its side door. She thanked Merlin that everyone's rapt attention is on the Minister as she leaned back on one semi-obscured column and escaped being noticed.
Then her eyes directly went to one person that was standing few feet away from the Minister. Hermione felt the tug of her heart at seeing the woman she is undeniably in love with, more so if that was possible.
Mere seconds later, emerald eyes shifted, met her chocolate ones— and locked with them.
Hermione is much too aware that the last time that she had held these emerald eyes was after she demanded them to accompany the vitriol words of rejection that were being spat at her…
'Look into my eyes this time and tell me that it was a mistake...'
When the woman in response brought her entire walls and even some more, she took that one last hoarding gaze at the beautiful face of Minerva and fled from the Manor. And for the next twelve months, Hermione did everything she could to be as far away as possible from the woman who would not love her back.
The avoidance game that she played had resulted to only two inescapable occasions that she had to be in the same room with Minerva. Even then, she averted her eyes completely away from the woman. Frightened to the core to see the woman's damn walls rejecting her entry, or worse withdrawn ones but in placed is disgust of what they've shared.
But right now, she bravely detained such green commanding eyes, where she can clearly see the owner fortifying the raised impregnable walls. Hermione did not waver and pulled more of her Gryffindor courage not to baulk… And battled the ones that are obviously calculating her opened ones…
And it was proving to be a torture as images from her memory, the one of glassy emerald eyes that enveloped her in passion were colliding with the ones right now of barricaded detachment… She knew she could trade all her achievements just to have them stare back at her in that state of passion… state of tenderness...
But Hermione endured the conflicting reactions… Comprehended the complications… And then she decided to attack with a wild card…
She mouthed a soundless 'Hi' to Minerva and complemented it with a small wave of her left hand.
In answer, Minerva seemed to have pulled a more blanketed countenance. Hermione feared that she only compounded the complexities between them. Still not breaking her gaze, she had bitten her lower lip to prevent the tremble and inwardly got hold of her still tattered heart not to disintegrate further. Then she tapped more from her Gryffindor reserve, and sent Minerva an assured smile and figuratively opened more her brown eyes with message of reconciliation… Then she held her breath.
A muscled in Minerva's jaw twitched in the most imperceptible manner but Hermione caught it and her smile rolled into a beaming one, and adorned her face of her signature Cheshire grin.
Her wild card was not a miss. So far… Perhaps she can get through tonight intact...
She watched Minerva turned and walked the few steps to the Minister. Apparently Kingsley had finished his speech. One she had zoned out as soon as her eyes landed on Minerva. She could read the older woman thanked the wizard then watched her wandlessly casted a sonorous charm. And the rich voice settled on the great hall.
"Good evening everyone. Our Minister delivered a poignant message about light, liberty, life and love. What could be more fitting to remind all of us, on a gathering such as this? I suppose, there's nothing for me to say more to make them 'truer' than ever…
The Headmistress of the castle paused to let her simple words make their way inside everyone's minds and hearts. Hermione watched the venerated woman seriously ran her eyes around the great hall and captured more of the audience. Then saw thin lips slightly quirked and she could guess what was coming before she heard it.
"Oh yes I heard, someone just said, nothing to be added Headmistress except to open the sumptuous feast."
Hermione chuckled along with a handful of others, but the majority of people in attendance were unsure if indeed the Headmistress Minerva McGonagall was serious or not.
"If you didn't catch the jest, it was only that. My animagus hearing didn't really pick up such thing. It only heard quite a rumble of someone's tummy. Although legilimency helped me to read someone's mind of how I should just get on and serve our dinner."
Minerva's dry tone made Hermione chuckled even more, together with the considerably increased laughter from the older audience. But the youngsters were obviously still torn between laughing or not, probably because their tummies did rumble…
"Perhaps I need to banish you to your dormitories without dinner and deduct house points if you still didn't realize that old people like your headmistress are allowed to make a jest."
This time, everyone laughed.
Hermione's heart constricted a little and she found herself thoroughly reminded of one of the first reasons why she got attracted to the woman. Minerva's mind, which is undoubtedly full of knowledge and wits, has always been a forcible magnet that draws her in. Hermione further dug her shoulder against the column in an effort to not go to the woman and snog her senseless. And contented herself watching the woman commands the great hall with such grace.
"Now that we have settled that, may I raise a toast to family and friends…"
Harry and a bunch of red haired sitting near him immediately got up and the rest followed suit.
"Albus Dumbledore once said in this great hall— 'That while we may come from different places and speak in different tongues, our hearts beat as one.' I know that my predecessor, our great leader, my friend- would agree that as we raise our wands tonight, our hearts beat as one for our family and friends who are no longer with us, but are not really lost to us as they reside deep in our hearts."
Hermione raised her wand with the rest of the crowd, intently watching the face of Minerva as the woman extinguished all lights, leaving the room lighted only by their wands. She watched her made a complicated wand movement that released a massive phoenix in the air that exploded into seemingly hundreds of stars that settled at the ceiling of the great hall. She watched her lighted back the room and finally summoned the sumptuous feast on everyone's table.
The joyous sound that erupted from the great hall penetrated Hermione's mind but she could not drag her eyes away from a pair of emeralds that had settled back on her. Eyes that are still guarded but with some walls observably withdrawn...
Hermione moved quite unconsciously to go to the direction of the older woman, but about three steps done, a hand on her shoulder halted her. She regretfully shifted her eyes away from emerald ones and turned to the person who had reached out to her.
"Hermione, hello." Elated dark brown eyes of fellow Gryffindor Katie Bell met hers in greeting.
"Hello Katie." She greeted too, but she could not help but swiftly looked back at Minerva who was sought by Kingsley.
"I didn't mean to delay you to your friends", Katie gestured towards Harry's table. "I just wanted to say congratulations on your Transfiguration and Charms."
"Thank you Katie."
"Angie said that George said that Harry said that you're quite pissed at the Daily Prophet for publishing the story of your two field mastery and all the records accomplishment. I somehow get it, and I think you're going to be bombarded tonight with the congratulatory message. Am I starting it?"
"Neville did." Hermione quipped, half seriously.
Katie chuckled, "I know you'd rather that people stop making it a big deal, so I just thought that I should tell you that despite its making you obviously uncomfortable, that you should know that it's also quite an inspiration for some... like me."
Hermione heard Katie chuckled more and could guess that it was from the look of surprise and confusion on her face with the straight praise just attributed to her... by a fellow Gryffindor that she went to school at the same time... Because she knew that back then, her fellow students were kinda exasperated with her studiousness.
"I was getting too pressured and frustrated still being at the reserve roster of Lanchashire Quidditch team because they rather field male chasers. I mean, I don't know until when I can be patient with them, or just wait to be traded. Then I read about you in the news and I started considering the idea of mastery in Transfiguration if Quidditch won't work out for me. Of course I'm not aiming to finish in the same speed as you have! And definitely I will not be topping any scores, but I've always like Transfiguration and I have an O mark in my final exam. What do you think?"
"The Lanchashire coaching staffs are idiots for not putting you in the starting line-up. Harry told me how mad your flying skills have advanced." She made another look at Minerva who by now was joined by another wizard. She turned back to Katie and assured her, "But yes, there is no reason for you not to take Transfiguration mastery if you like to."
Hermione genuinely smiled at the bright smile that adorned Katie's face after her response. And they were not platitudes and lies. She knew back in school that Katie did well in Transfiguration because she once heard her say that she was happy to get Outstanding from McGonagall. And Hermione by that time had already developed the habit of picking up things related to one emerald witch.
And on Katie's professional Quidditch state, it was one of those things that Harry related to her gushingly about their friends, even if she was just half listening. He had told her about Katie's superb flying skills that liberally developed, that got her signed with Lanchashire but disappointedly not fielding her. And hoping that Holyhead Harpies would start taking players with non-G names so her and Ginny would be teammates.
"Thanks Hermione. I won't hog you now. And it's really great to see you tonight."
Still wearing that bright smile, Katie briefly touched her right forearm in friendly gesture before she walked away. Hermione quickly turned to the direction of Minerva to catch the woman in mid-withdrawal of her gaze at her. For a moment she debated if she will continue to go to her as the woman was sitting down with the Minister and some members of the board. She thought of making a formal greeting to Kingsley her boss as an excuse and she started moving to them, but then she heard her name being called— quite loudly.
"Hermione! Hermione! Or must I say, Transfiguration Master Hermione Granger! AND Charms Master Hermione Granger!"
She groaned inwardly. Leave it to Hagrid to put the spotlight on her.
"Hi Hagrid." She replied as she spun on her left to face her half-giant friend slash former professor in Magical Creatures. Regretfully, she abandoned her intent to go to Minerva and instead walked closer to Hagrid to desperately keep him from gaining more attention. "It's still Hermione. Just Hermione."
"Non-sense! Brightest witch is never just Hermione!"
Hermione almost wince at increased volume of Hagrid's exclaimed praise. Sometimes she would like to charm their kind-hearted friend into a foot tall version of himself.
"But really Hagrid, titles are not important and no bearing with friends."
She attempted to downplay with her quiet dismissal of his praises without offending him. But bollocks, Hagrid eyes watered and the emotional rambling began.
"Oh-Her-mio-ne-such-a-bright-and-hum-ble-witch! I-knew-back-then-you-are-one-of-the-kind-and-most-won-der-ful-young-lady! I-am-just-so-so-so-proud!"
Really bollocks, people have begun turning to them.
"Hi Hermione, congratulations!"
"Congratulations Hermione!"
The congratulatory greetings, platitudes, and redundant praises began. And she pasted a smile on her face and nodded here and there as form of acknowledgement and muttered her thanks. And the greetings had increased as Hagrid continues his rambling.
"Yes, Hermione my friend here is now the only one to have Transfiguration and Charms Masteries in less than a year! And even top the exams!"
"Wow Hermione!"
"Kudos to you Hermione Granger!"
"Are you going for another field or straight to next levels?"
They have definitely caught several attentions and continue to gather more much, in each passing second, much to her dismay. But she caught Katie's grinning face just not too far away from her. She tried to quench the uneasy feeling of being the center of such adulation as she remembered that some really just wanted to send their cheers, just as Katie had. When two bodies settled on her sides who made excuses for her, and ushered her to their table, she thanked Merlin for having such great best friends!
"Sorry I didn't see you arrive." Harry whispered to her as she settled into a vacant seat apparently saved between her two best friends.
"Do you want me to hex Hagrid?" Ron asked her in a light tone.
"Thanks guys. I'm okay. It's okay. Lets eat, I'm hungry."
"Good, lets dig." Ron happily responded.
Harry casually handed her an orange juice but his piercing olive eyes asked the unvoiced question- 'how are you really doing'? She gave a serious nod in an answer and he accepted it after she reached for a piece of bread and scoped a hearty serving of one of the dishes.
When she raised her head afterwards, she realized that while their table is across the one from Minerva's, she could not see the woman's face but only her back so she contented herself with her own table. She also realized that her own tablemates have not bombarded her, most likely due to advanced interference from Harry and Ron, and probably waiting for her to be the one to open communication.
Hermione leaned forward and reached across Harry to his red-haired wife. "Gin, excited to be a mom? Are we hoping the kid would inherit whose mischief, your brothers' or Harry's?"
"Oy!" Several objections were voiced, then everyone at their table let out a laugh. It broke the seemingly thin-ice atmosphere she had created when she arrived. And people started chatting to her as they continue to eat.
She cursed silently at herself for causing the awkwardness and silently vowed to make tonight an opportunity to reach out to friends she had discarded for a year. Even to mere acquaintances, she would make the effort to interact with them. She owed Harry to make him not worry about her tonight.
After several replenishments of dishes and desserts, people have started getting up from their seats as part of the middle great hall were magically being set for the band stage and dance floor. Everyone took the chance to roam around and seek people out. She knew Harry had primarily stuck to her side until he saw her initiated talking with other people. Although from time to time, he or Ron or both would come back to her side.
As she promised, she sincerely had taken to talking to whoever expressed their platitudes and praises without uneasiness. Regardless that she was repeating herself in conveying that it was never her intention to finish two fields as such and such. And how she just did not want to pass the opportunity that landed on her to apprentice under two great masters.
"People are congratulating me as if I am the one who topped the new Charms Mastery Level 1 record." Professor Flitwick remarked to her when she went to him to say hello.
"Sir, I would not have done it without your guidance." Hermione genuinely responded.
"Rubbish my dear. You are far more skilled and intelligent not to achieve them, even without me. And really, call me Filius as I recall that you have no problem calling Klyde by his first name."
"Alright Filius. And I know I thanked you before for taking me as your apprentice and ever grateful that the Headmistress allowed you to do so despite being the Deputy and the Charms Professor of Hogwarts."
"Allowed me? Did I never mention that the Headmistress raised the brilliant idea for me to mentor the brilliant Hermione Granger! Even wanted to relieve me off my summer duties to make sure we could begin right away. I think she found out from Harry that you were looking for a Charms mentor. I'm glad though she thought of telling me as it was a something I would have offered myself had I not thought that you'd take Transfiguration mastery... I don't know if you've heard that even when you were just a first year student, I would complain to her why you were in her house and not in mine?"
She mechanically shook her head in response. Because for the nth time that night, actually the entire day, Hermione ever-sensitive emotions in relation to the woman were thrown into haywire...
So even Filius mentoring of her had Minerva's hand on it... Her bright brain can comprehend how the matter was not different with the circumstances of her Transfiguration Master. She should have made the supposition actually after her conversation with Neville. It is the why that had been making her heart pound.
"She would always say that the Troll incident should be enough to explain why you're a Gryffindor when you took the reproach despite losing precious house points you've worked hard to gain."
"You all knew the truth?" Hermione almost spluttered the drink she just taken.
"Well, not that instant. But after you three rescued the stone and the senior professors sat down to talked about the events. I lamented my case again about your intelligence when Sir Dumbledore reported that Harry told him that you knew what to do with most of the set protection particularly the the devil's snare and the potions. Even Severus lightly said that maybe you should have been in Slytherin for casting Petrificus Totalus on Mr. Longbottom."
"The sorting hat did ask me if I would rather use my head or my heart. I told him that the fact that he was asking me the question than just send me to Ravenclaw, he knew that in time of greatest test, it's not my head that I would be using."
"Ha! Had she known that before," Hermione knew that Filius was referring to Minerva without following his gesture to the woman. "She'd have had better arguments than saying that only someone brave would accompany her two best friends to make sure they don't die. Sir Dumbledore would end our discussion by telling us that some things are meant to be."
She looked at the woman across the great hall where she had mentally marked her whereabouts the entire night, similar how she kept track of her that time after the Hogwarts battle. Hermione can see very similarly how the woman was being sought by witches and wizards non-stop. The number of people, who went to her to congratulate her masteries had been quite plenty, but still behind the number of those who solicited Minerva McGonagall— The Headmistress… The Heroine…
Since she left the McGonagall Manor one year ago, this is the first time Hermione had remained in the same room with Minerva far longer than obligatory. On the two inescapable occasions where her attendance was a necessity, she would not even look at the woman and she had bolted the moment she could.
The first event was two weeks after she splinched herself. There was a hearing at the Ministry where she, Harry and Ron had to stand for their testimonies. When one wizard asked her to elaborate on how she was tortured at the Malfroy Manor, her distress rose to a dangerous level. She was about to lash out when the clipped commanding voice of Minerva McGonagall interfered—
'We have no right to put the people who primarily helped end darkness through detailed recollection of their experienced torture just because we are incompetent to understand what the ghastly word entails. If you agree, I suggest we move on.'
Everyone in the room understood that the word 'suggest' was clearly an order. Even then, she kept her eyes on the Minister alone, and then almost ran when the judges allowed them to leave.
At the moment, Hermione observed the esteemed woman finely dismissed two wizards after talking to them. Then she watched the esteemed woman openly received Ginny and Molly Weasley who just approached. She watched the emerald-eyed woman smile at what Ginny had said after her best friend's wife made a gesture towards her 6-month belly.
Harry and Ginny got married last November and it was the second inescapable occasion she had to be under the same roof as Minerva. It was surely a test of sanity for Hermione; Minerva was not only a guest but Harry actually asked the woman to stand for him as family.
It was hell and heaven for Hermione to have stood beside the woman the entire ceremony, fortunately she had Ron on her other side. While she did everything she could to not look at the woman, olive scent assaulted her the entire time that probably drove her to invade some personal space of Ron in an effort to free herself from Minerva.
The exchange words of love between Harry and Ginny during their vows almost strangled her as she fought images in her head of her marrying Minerva... That when her duties as best friend were done, she slipped through the doors and left as subtly as she could.
"Are you really just sticking to orange juice tonight?" She turned to face Harry who popped beside her with a champagne glass, seemingly offering to her. "Or do you want whisky, they are really good. Minerva told only handful of us where to get them, she said it was from her personal collection."
"You don't drink whisky." She pointedly replied and ignored the reference to Minerva.
"I know, but I had one earlier and as guaranteed by Minerva, it went down my throat as smoothly. I could take up drinking whisky."
"I'm not sure its good for you Harry." Hermione chuckled at Harry's display of mischievousness and ignored again the reference to Minerva.
"If I become a whisky drinker, you can blame Minerva and her impeccable taste." Harry laughingly responded.
Everything leads to Minerva. She sighed and purposely misled her exasperation at Harry when it was truly at the thought that there is no escaping Minerva. At least not tonight…
"You don't really want a stronger drink? Or even just this?" Harry offered her the champagne again.
"Thanks Harry, but no."
"Okay, will give this to Molly instead." Harry moved, but turned back to her just after two steps and she heard him say, "Are you not coming? Ginny and Molly are with Minerva, you haven't said your hello, right?"
Bloody Harry!
She followed him for she has no reason not to. During the several steps across the hall to get to Minerva, Ginny and Molly, she fortified several of her resolutions she made earlier. Mentally, she went through them…
Don't make Harry worry about you...
Don't make Harry have another piece of clue about you and Minerva, which you would be doing so if you make a big deal of saying hello to the woman…
And you can get through intact tonight by saying hello, after all when you entered the hall didn't you resolved doing so…?
When Harry first reached the women, she heard him teased his wife as he handed the glass to Molly, "Not for you Gin, sorry you're not allowed honey. Minerva, Molly, look who finally left her studying..."
Bloody Harry! She stepped beside him to say hello, but Molly went first.
"Hermione dear, thank goodness to see you here tonight. And congratulations on your achievements, we are all proud. Since you apparently told Harry and Ronald to be quiet about your scores, we heard them from Percy as he was rattling all about them. It was the day before the Daily Prophet published them as Audrey told him that she saw the draft. She tried to tell her boss to ask your permission first but as you know, these days you're always news dear. Probably after the Minister and the Headmistress. Started or rather continued after you've had your NEWTs with all 'outstanding' marks, and ahead of everyone, and without revision per Ronald! Anyway, I told Harry to tell you that we want to throw you a dinner party, did he?"
"Thank you Mrs. Weasley, but…" Hermione started to response but Molly interrupted her.
"Come on dear, just Molly."
"Okay, Molly. But…"
"You can invite anyone you like and I would be happy to cook everything you like. And I think you need some proper dinner, as you awfully look too thin from the last time we saw you. It was last December, right? And I already told you that time how you already looked too slight. But maybe now you're done with your first level masteries you'd take a break."
"Mom, can we let Hermione actually say something?" Ginny mercifully had cut Molly's unceasing prattle, though she understood how they were out of affection, she was becoming uncomfortable particularly that Minerva just heard how she seemed to have neglected her own welfare.
"Gracious me, I'm sorry. Go ahead dear."
"Harry did tell me, thank you. But how about I visit Burrow so we can talk about it?" Hermione began and compromised, as she knew that it's not wise to immediately shut down Molly about dinner party she had put her mind to.
"Good Hermione. Actually, I was just also inviting the Headmistress to visit the Burrow." Molly responded.
Hermione then fully turned to Minerva, she already expected the woman to have some walls in placed; yet she can't help but feel disappointed. Even if her ever-logical brain had quite comprehended the necessity... They are in the great hall with hundreds of wizards and witches. They have roles to play, even if only Harry, Ginny and Molly are standing with them who can hear their conversation...
Right now, the woman is the Headmistress Minerva McGonagall and herself is the Golden Brain Hermione Granger...
"Good evening Headmistress. Hogwarts is as amazing, no doubt due to your excellent headship."
"Ms. Granger, your achievements are really extra ordinary. Hogwarts cannot be more proud of you."
Hermione almost let out a humorless laugh at the stiff formality of platitudes and praises between them. When they have shared far more personal interaction that no one in the entire great hall could ever imagine. And it was not just because they made love. They essentially spent an entire night letting each other know who they are behind their complete names and designated roles.
That night, they ate, laughed, and cried— as Minerva and Hermione. Even when Minerva rejected her the following night, despite the initial emotionless tone the woman had injected, thick tension laced between Minerva and Hermione. But now as they stand only few feet apart, their real selves cannot be farther away as if one is in London.
"Mione, check your Gaelic translation with Minerva."
Bloody Harry!
Very imperceptibly, she saw Minerva's corner mouth twitched as if she had deduced what Harry just said. No! She cannot possibly guess! She wanted to hex Harry. More so she wanted to hex herself for this morning's lapses. She was afraid that Harry would say more before she could come up with an excuse, but Merlin took pity on her and the voice of Hogwarts Deputy garnered their attention as he introduced the band.
In an instant, Minerva had graciously excused herself for some sort of official matters. Harry, Ginny and Molly absentmindedly nodded in acknowledgment as they have directed their interest to the band being introduced, just as the rest of the great hall. For a moment emerald eyes locked with hers as the woman walked away from them. Then they were withdrawn completely.
As the first song sounded, she watched Minerva made a trip to Kingsley and stopped for a word or two. Then she watched Minerva expertly skirted two or three wizards who obviously wanted her attention but soon forgot when their sight lost the woman. And finally she watched Minerva nodded to Filius then turned towards a secluded corner and even without actually seeing it, Hermione knew that Minerva either disapparated or turned into her animagus form, but either way, the woman was definitely done for the night.
During the next two or three songs, she internally debated what she wanted to do. What she can do…
She leaned close to Harry and softly told him, "Harry, I might take off not very long. Please tell Ron I'll see you both tomorrow for dinner as planned if you still want to."
"Are you really okay?"
"Yes Harry. And thank you again, not just for tonight." She honestly responded and kissed his cheek.
"Thank you for tonight Mione. Careful apparating okay?" She heard him teased a little and she chuckled.
"I will, I promise you won't need to heal me." She teased back as Harry also kissed her cheek.
"Yeah, I almost freed Kreacher when he followed me with Dittany... Owl me tomorrow okay, just you know... And don't bother preparing dinner, again lets just go to Muggle London to eat and confuse the hell out of Ron."
After few more minutes, Hermione started her way as subtle as she could towards the same side door she earlier used when she entered. The one slightly obscured by a column to not draw any attention to her leaving.
Just outside the Great hall with no one else around, as everyone's attention was drawn inside by the band, she encountered Peeves who defensively stated, "The Headmistress allowed me!"
"What?" Hermione asked in confusion.
"I asked permission from Headmistress McGonagall to enter the Great Hall and join the fun, she said yes provided I don't cause ruckus. So I'm allowed! I'm allowed!
"Really?" Hermione raised one brow in jest.
"Yes really, I talked to her as she rounded the exit towards the lake. I swear, she allowed me!"
"Okay Peeves, have fun! Just behave."
"Yes! And Oh Granger danger, congratulations! Professor Creighton and Professor Flitwick talked the Headmistress' ear off about you some fortnight ago. But don't tell them I told you, I was not supposed to be eavesdropping!"
Hermione continued her steps towards the main oak door of Hogwarts. And when she reached it, she halted her steps and circumnavigated to another direction… one towards the lake…
End of Chapter 3 | Year 1999 | Praises and Platitudes
A/N:
1. Thank you so much for your reviews and private messages. They helped me get on with the writing. Especially when you slightly demand for me to post the next chapter :)
2. I hope the long details are not boring you. I do not really want to compromise them, as they are essentials when I start tying them.
3. I'm not sure if Ginny's first pregnancy is far off from the one in HP but I would need the timeline I wrote for future consistency.
4. Again, these are all JK Rowling's and I'm just borrowing and spinning them to my liking.