6. first evening together.
The evening was already well advanced when the neighbors left. They had spent a good time telling jokes and anecdotes about the no more so dreaded Mrs. Nott. Hermione had been astonished to see the ease which her usually aloof professor behaved with.
She was smiling and her eyes were sparkling. With her hair down and her muggle clothes, she had a striking appearance. She knew that she was older than her mother, but really, no one could guess just by looking at her. She looked like a young woman full of life, a beautiful one...
Moreover she was a Gryffondor, which also meant a very brave woman. And she had seen her put herself in harm's way countless times to defend people like Hagrid or Harry, but somehow, seeing her defend her like that was totally different. She was really protective and it made Hermione feel safe.
She knew without a doubt that the professor that she admired like no other would be there to help her. If she was honest with herself, she had to admit that she had a little crush on her teacher. Her parents wouldn't stop teasing her with it. They said it was obvious that she really liked 'her super prof ever'.
Damn, she hoped they would behave and that they were alright. With all that was happening, she didn't have time to think about them. 'But really, Minerva... - she could call her Minerva now, and loud and clear..-.' she almost giggled 'Ack! What am I doing? Get a hold on yourself Hermione!' she sternly told herself '... Minerva was there for only one moment and all hell already broke loose...'
She hoped it wouldn't be how the rest of the week would turn, but she strongly doubted it ...
Unaware that she was the center of the young woman's inner turmoil, Minerva made her best to give Hermione the time to sort out her thoughts. Hermione would have difficult times to face soon. So, the older woman wanted to help her anyway possible. She went in the kitchen and looked in the fridge. There was almost only frozen food.
She shook her head, but didn't make any comment otherwise. It had the advantage of being easy and fast to cook. She decided on a meal of carbonara pastas and set the table waiting for the food to be ready.
Then she called her student. "Hermione I took the freedom to look around for food. I hope you don't mind..."
"I don't. Thank you Minerva. It's really nice."
"It didn't take me any time at all. I'm afraid I only found frozen food. We need to buy some groceries for the week."
Hermione looked embarrassed and blushed a little. "I know the Hogwarts food is better, but it's not so bad. And I must admit that I don't know how to cook at all, other than boiled eggs and maybe some cookies..."
The older woman tried to reassure her precious student. "It's alright. I don't cook very well myself, but I'm sure I can manage some simple cooking. Don't worry yourself. I'll take care of that."
Surprising herself, she added : "Although I'm a little disappointed that a clever and overachieved student like you didn't take the time to learn cooking along the rest of your activities..." Hermione began to blush in shame but when she heard the rest of her professor's sentence, she was blushing for other reasons altogether.
"... Aiming for the best notes in every subject you chose, helping your friends and younger students with their homework, organizing all the details of the DA reunion, trying to save young Harry from himself and others, managing to be a step ahead of the ministry, alerting the wizard community of Voldemort 's return, freeing recalcitrant house elves..."
Seeing the adorable blush on her favorite student, she couldn't keep a straight face and smiled a warmly. "I'm really proud of you, Hermione, just like the faculty of Hogwarts and your parents. You are a very brilliant witch, and very courageous too. I attributed points to our house, but I don't think I thanked you enough for what you did."
She took a deep breath and looked the younger woman in the eyes. "So, from the bottom of my heart : thanks to the beautiful, clever and most promising young witch I ever the pleasure to meet ."
Hermione was having tears in her eyes and she seemed to shine from embarrassment and happiness. She wanted to hug her professor. It meant so much to be acknowledged and appreciated for what she did. Sometimes, she had the impression she was just the bushy bookworm that annoyed everybody.
Seeing the emotion displayed in these so expressive eyes, Minerva was glad she said it. She made a note to show more often her appreciation of her hard work. Maybe she could slip a word about it to the order...
It wouldn't do to let her star pupil cry her eyes out. So Minerva got up and hugged Hermione. The embrace was affectionate and gentle, but it made the emotive woman cry more. It was all too much.
"Ssh... It's all fine. Ssh. Don't cry please, it was not my intention. There. All's fine." She kept trying to calm her down with comforting non-senses and petting her bushy but soft hair.
After a moment, the older woman took Hermione in her arms and carried her to her bed where she continued her gentle treatment. The tears tarried and soft snores took their place. Minerva stayed a moment longer to make sure that everything was indeed fine and fell sound asleep too.
A.N. no, perverts, it's nothing sexual.
And special thanks to fade9wayz who took time long in the night (or morning) to beta read it.