A/N: If you want to take a peek behind any of the moments in the original fic, feel free to PM me or let me know in the comments. The usual disclaimers apply - no ownership, no money.

~x~

They'd been at Hogwarts for almost two weeks when Hermione, feeling overwhelmed, admitted she was struggling with her magic. There were things she no longer felt able to do. It wasn't that Hermione couldn't perform magic at all, but she lacked confidence so, with this knowledge, Minerva offered to mentor the brunette in the evening after dinner, hoping it would help her.

She and Hermione had been in the Room of Requirements for over three hours so far that evening while she coached the younger witch through various charms but it was attempting to produce the Patronus that had her stuck. Her attempts had been futile and all she had managed to conjure so far was a silvery mist. "You can do this." Minerva urged gently once more. "You're a witch, Hermione. A bloody good one too."

Dropping onto her backside, Hermione dragged her fingers through her unruly curls in a gesture of frustration. "I can't do this, Min." She looked up at her with tears glistening in her eyes. "Why is this so impossible?"

"I don't know, lass." Minerva frowned at the sight of her witch, a faint sheen of sweat covering her face and neck from the effort of conjuring the Patronus. "But you know, even managing to cast an incorporeal Patronus is an impressive feat."

"It shouldn't be this hard, it's not like I haven't done it before," Hermione growled.

Minerva eased herself down beside the brunette and wrapping an arm around her, pulled her close. "It will only work if you are concentrating, with all your might, on a single, very happy memory or thought. It's a projection of all your most positive feelings, lass." She thought about Hermione's struggle and decided to ask the question she'd been putting off. "When you first produced a corporeal Patronus, what memory did you use?"

"You coming to my home and telling me that I'm a witch," Hermione admitted. "But that memory just isn't working anymore."

Lying back slightly, resting on her elbow, she thought about it. "Perhaps, after so long away from this world, it isn't as positive a memory as it once was," Minerva suggested. "Why don't you try something different?"

"Do you mind if I ask what you think about?" Hermione queried hesitantly.

"I think of you and Isobel, either the moment you agreed to be my wife or the memory you shared of the moment you found out you were pregnant and first heard Isobel's heartbeat," Minerva admitted. "Love is the most powerful force, mo chridhe."

Hermione pulled away from her embrace and pushed herself back onto her feet. Closing her eyes, she took a few deep breaths to calm herself before raising her wand arm high and pointing it outwards away from her. Eventually opening her eyes, determination shone in their depths. She flicked her wrist and attempted to cast the charm again. "Expecto Patronum."

Hermione's wand tip burst to life and a silvery mist exploded from it, growing thicker by the second. A form emerged from the mist to land at her feet.

Minerva smiled at the sight before her, instead of the frolicking otter she expected to see, there was a large speckled Kneazle, its plumed tail flicking behind it.

The change in form was not overly surprising to Minerva, but the fact that Hermione had a magical creature as her new Patronus was. "That's wonderful. Well done, lass," she grinned up at the brunette as the Patronus melted away.

Hermione looked astonished. "It's changed." She whispered.

"Aye, it has." Minerva agreed. "The Patronus is a reflection of the witch or wizard in many ways. The otter is very loving and encouraging unless under pressure when they tend to use their verbal skills to attack." She laughed. "Which was certainly the old you."

"It's a Maine Coon." Hermione shook her head in disbelief.

Minerva shook her head and chuckled. "It's a Kneazle, lass."

"It's a Maine Coon." Hermione argued. "No one has a magical creature as a Patronus, love." She insisted.

"You're quite misinformed about that," Minerva advised lightly. "It's true, it's rather rare for a Patronus to be a magical creature, but it's not impossible. Albus had a Phoenix as his Patronus." She stood up and stepped towards her mate. "Now, I'm curious. What memory did you use to produce that magnificent beast?"

Hermione smiled softly. "I thought of the day Isobel cast the tickling charm on you at the Manse."

Minerva couldn't stop her smile as she recollected that afternoon. "That was a good day. Before that day, I can't remember when I laughed so freely." She agreed. "So, what's next on your list of things to refresh your knowledge?"

"I was thinking, maybe Apparition, or becoming an Animagus," Hermione suggested.

Minerva nodded. "Apparition is easy." She smirked and pulled Hermione into her arms. "You just need the three Ds. Destination, determination and deliberation."

Hermione chuckled. "You can't Apparate inside Hogwarts."

"Trust me." Minerva urged. "Just try it. Think of the place you want to be right now."

Hermione held Minerva closer and turned them on the spot. With a faint pop and the familiar sensation, of being squeezed through a tube, they were back in their chambers. She let Minerva go and grinned. "Hogwarts, a History lied."

"No, lass, it didn't. You could do it because I'm with you and since I'm the Headmistress of this fine establishment, it is permitted." Minerva explained lightly. Sitting on the end of the bed, she watched Hermione start to undress. "Now you've mastered the Patronus and can Apparate as needed, perhaps you can now start the process of becoming an Animagus."

"Maybe with the next full moon. I think it's next week." Hermione sighed.

"Aye, it's a harvest moon" Minerva smirked. "I must admit, I can't wait to see it, I'm sure it will be just as spectacular as your Patronus. I can't quite believe your Patronus is a Kneazle."

"It's a Maine Coon." Hermione muttered, bending to pull flannel pyjama pants up her legs quickly. "Why are you so insistent it's a magical creature?" She asked, stepping closer and settling beside her, her head resting on her shoulder.

Wrapping her arm around Hermione, Minerva pressed a kiss against her temple. "Because it's you, Hermione, and you've always been extraordinary. Why wouldn't your Patronus reflect that?" She sighed. "They say the Patronus represents what is hidden, unknown but necessary within the personality of the witch or wizard. It's linked to your soul, a part of your very essence."

Minerva thought about Hermione's Patronus. It was truly perfect for her. It showed many of Hermione's inner attributes and she was confident that if Hermione was a magical creature, she'd be just like her familiar, Crookshanks. Like the Kneazle, she was highly intelligent and independent, she could read people, and was happy to observe the world from a distance, plus there was her loyalty to her family and her occasional fits of temper.

"I reckon the Kneazle is the perfect embodiment of who you are now, lass," Minerva told her.

"If you say so." Hermione yawned behind her hand and shifted slightly. "I'm tired." She admitted, her eyes closing.

"You should sleep, lass," Minerva suggested. "You've had a busy few weeks. However, I would prefer if you had some chocolate before bed. You know it will help you feel less drained."

"Hot chocolate?" Hermione cracked one eye open and gazed up at her.

Minerva could see the mischief behind the sleepiness. "Aye, let's have some hot chocolate."

With a smile, Hermione called out to their faithful house elf. "Effie?"

With a loud crack, Effie appeared. "What can I do for you, missus?" She squeaked. "Oh, you look knackered."

"Effie!" Minerva groaned in embarrassment.

Hermione chuckled. "Would you prepare some hot chocolate for us, please, Effie?" She requested softly. "I'm shattered."

"Aye, It'll be with you in a jiffy." Effie grinned before disappearing with another loud crack.

"I swear, she's incorrigible," Minerva stated, shaking her head. "And you and Isobel enable it."

"She's the happiest house elf I've ever met." Hermione pushed herself back against the pillows at the head of the bed. "And that, my dearest witch, is down to you." She teased. "I suppose her calling me missus is better than young mistress since she refuses to call me by my given name."

"Give it time, lass. I'm sure you'll be able to convince her." Minerva smirked when two mugs of hot chocolate appeared on the bedside table beside her. Settling back against the pillows, she leaned to grab one of the mugs and handed it to the witch sitting outstretched beside her. "Here, drink this, lass. It'll help."

Hermione's lips twitched and she broke into a wide smile as she took the mug between her hands. "Thank you." She sipped from the mug and hummed. "It's like a hug from the inside."

Minerva found herself smiling. "Well, once you're done, how about we share a hug on the outside?"

Throwing her head back, Hermione cackled. "You're so cheesy. I love it!"

Minerva marvelled over the unconscious joy in the unbridled laughter and found herself chuckling along with the brunette.

Holding the mug in one hand, Hermione swiped her eyes with the other and settled down. "Merlin, I love you."

Minerva glanced at the witch and smiled. "I love you too, mo chridhe."

~x~