Minerva walked into the bedroom, unfastening her teaching robes and found Hermione on her knees, one arm up to her shoulder inside her trunk and the other holding a small silver rectangular device. "What on Earth is that?" She asked, waving her hand towards the thing in her hand.

Hermione grinned cheekily up at her. "It's a camcorder, love. It captures moments that you can watch at a later date." She pressed a button and the side flipped open. "You can see the moments as you record them here on this screen, and it saves them to one of these memory cards." She pulled her arm out of her trunk and grabbed her wand from its holster. "Accio memory cards." With a whoop of happiness, she held up a clear bag holding multiple flat card-like bits of plastic.

"So it's a Muggle Pensieve?" Minerva frowned. "Why would you need that? I have a perfectly good Pensieve in my office."

Hermione sighed and looked slightly disappointed. "I wanted to show you some of the moments I've captured. Plus, I miss Izzy." She averted her gaze. "You get to see her every day, love, but unless she decides to spend time up here, I don't."

"I know you miss her, lass, but she'll be with us for Christmas at the Manse. It'll be here before you know it." Minerva advised softly. "You knew she wouldn't want to be with us every night. She's settling in and making friends and doing extraordinarily well in her classes."

Hermione sat back on her heels and looked up at her. "I didn't realise it would be this hard, Min. She's so close but at the same time, so far away, and it's my—" Hermione's explanation came to a halt and she shrugged. "—it doesn't matter."

Minerva understood what the issue was but continued to remove her robes, playing ignorant. "Perhaps send her an owl asking if she is available this weekend." She suggested.

"Maybe." Hermione looked down. "Anyway, I'm going to have a bath and—"

"Take a walk with me first." Minerva urged gently. "After that, I'll run you a bath and if you like we can watch the memories on that camrecorder thing."

Hermione smiled softly but Minerva spotted the sadness in her eyes. "Okay." Standing up, she put the items in her hand down on her bedside table.

~x~

They walked hand-in-hand in comfortable silence towards the lake and then followed the path at the edge until they reached a small pier. Stepping onto the wooden boards, it creaked under their weight as they ambled to the end. Letting go of Hermione's hand Minerva leaned against the railing with her elbows, watching the ripples of water under the falling sun and simply breathing in the dusk. The silence was both intimate and soothing and after a day spent pandering to the Board of Governors and the Ministry, it was a welcome relief.

Hermione settled beside her but leaned with her back against the railing and gazed up at the castle. "It's beautiful here, especially on evenings like these." She pulled Minerva's hand in hers.

Warmth flooded Minerva. The simple contact Hermione offered had such a strong effect on her. Turning her head, she glanced at the witch at her side and met her gaze. Her dark eyes revealed a spark of vitality. They held warmth and she felt she could bask in the fervour of her gaze forever. "Are you alright, lass?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Hermione murmured.

"Do you ever wish you'd stayed in Manchester?" Minerva asked. "Are you lonely, even now?"

"No." Hermione breathed. "Why do you ask?"

"It's just, you seem rather—" Minerva searched for the right word. "—sometimes I can't tell if you're truly happy." She explained. Acting on instinct, she moved closer to Hermione, her arms encircling her waist. "And all I want is for you to be happy, lass."

Hermione shifted so she was pressed between Minerva and the rail and she closed her eyes with a small sigh and laid her head against her chest. "You know, being in your arms feels like a dream, one that I don't ever want to wake up from." She said. "It's like coming home after a long absence. I'm content, love. I can easily say that I'm happier than I've been for a long time"

Minerva agreed. Having Hermione close was peaceful and calming, yet at the same time, extraordinarily heady. "I'm glad." She muttered. "I do have something for you."

Hermione spun around and raised an eyebrow at her. "What?" She grinned.

Minerva put her hand in her trouser pocket and pulled out a brightly wrapped rectangular gift. "Happy birthday, mo chridhe."

Hermione's eyes widened and a bright smile lit up her face. "I thought you'd forgotten."

"No, lass," Minerva declared lightly. She handed her the present. "I'd never forget the day marking the momentous occasion of your birth." She chuckled. "Open it."

Hermione tore at the wrapping paper and gaped down at the velvet box. Opening it, she gasped in surprise at the sight of the Goblin-made silver Celtic tree of life pendant, each leaf decorated with a small ruby.

Minerva stood waiting nervously for her mate's reaction and what she didn't account for was the younger witch throwing herself into her arms. Reacting quickly, she caught the brunette and pulled her close.

"Thank you, love. It's beautiful." Hermione whispered, pressing a chaste kiss to her lips.

Minerva pulled back and took the necklace from its box. "Turn around and hold your hair up." Hermione turned and bunching her curls in a fist, let her place the necklace around her neck. She clasped the necklace and leaned close, placing a light kiss behind her ear, delighting in the small shiver that went through the other witch. Guiding Hermione's hand away from her hair, she watched the curls flutter in the early evening breeze. "The necklace is part of the set that was made to match your betrothal ring, lass, so it's only fitting you wear it now."

"I'll never take it off," Hermione stated, leaning into her. "I love you so much."

"As I love you, mo chridhe." Minerva whispered, her breath tickling the outer shell of her mate's ear, causing her to shiver again. "Come on, we should head back and have dinner."

~x~

Walking through the castle, Minerva thought of the evening to come, and only hoped what she'd helped to organise would be welcome to the witch next to her. Whispering the password to their personal chambers, Minerva took Hermione's hand and drew her through the tapestry-covered door.

A loud shout of "SURPRISE!" greeted their arrival and she pulled Hermione forward. At the front of the waiting crowd of friends and family, Isobel stood, still dressed in her Gryffindor robes and with a large box in her hands.

Hermione's hand was on her chest, pressed there in her surprise. "Oh, Merlin!" She spun around on her heel and glanced at Minerva. "Did you—"

Minerva shook her head quickly. "Not just me. I had help." She muttered with a smirk, waving her hand towards their daughter. "Isobel insisted we mark the occasion and she's quite the party planner." Letting go of Hermione's hand, she watched her move quickly to Isobel and drop to her knees to kneel in front of her before pulling her into a bone-crushing hug.

"Mam, you're crushing your present." Isobel squealed, trying and failing to pull out of the hug.

Hermione pulled back, running her hand through their daughter's auburn curls. "I'm so happy to see you."

Isobel grinned. "Did you actually think I would stay away, today of all days?" She cocked an eyebrow.

Looking at the small girl, the look she was giving to her was an uncanny likeness to those Minerva often displayed and Hermione laughed.

Isobel thrust the large box at her and she took it and stood up. Just as she was about to give it a shake, Isobel stopped her. "Don't do that!"

With a small frown, Hermione eased the box open and was greeted with bright emerald eyes. The small Bengal kitten meowed, the golden shimmer of spotted fur around its face showing its origins. And yet, she could see the kitten was not just Bengal, its ears were large and pointed and it had a plumed tail, like a lion's. She didn't know what to say. Her mouth opened and closed as words failed her.

Isobel shuffled from foot to foot nervously. "I hope you like her." She whispered. "Màthair told me about your new Patronus, and she's a bit like Crookshanks, so I thought—"

She remembered waking up the week before to find Crookshanks at the end of the bed, having gone to sleep beside her feet. Getting up, she'd prepared for the day and settled in with a cup of tea, her mind on the things she was learning from Ollivander and not considering about how unusual it was for the half-kneezle to not follow and demand food.

It was Minerva's small cry that alerted her to something being wrong and rushing back into the bedroom, her wand drawn, she'd been stunned to see Minerva, still only half dressed, cradling the beast on her lap with tears streaming down her face.

Neither she nor Minerva had realised that would be the morning her familiar wouldn't wake up.

Hermione lifted the small half-kneezle kitten from the box, tears sparkling in her eyes. "She's beautiful, Izzy." Holding the cat against her chest, she used her free hand to pull Isobel closer and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Thank you, my little love."

Standing up, she glanced around at the people waiting to greet her. The whole Hogwarts faculty was there as was Harry, the Weasleys she still had contact with, Hannah Abbot and the remainder of the old Order of the Phoenix.

"What are you going to call her?" Isobel questioned.

Hermione thought about it before smiling. "I think I'll call her Artemis, after the Greek goddess of the hunt and wild animals."

Minerva wrapped an arm around Hermione's waist and pressed a kiss against her temple while her fingers scratched behind the kitten's ears. "That's a perfect name, lass."

Hermione grinned, rubbing her face in the crook of Minerva's neck.

Minerva sighed and released her hold on her mate before taking the kitten from her. "There are others waiting to greet you, lass." She nudged the other witch playfully. "Go on, I'll settle this little beast in the bedroom. Hopefully, she won't destroy the room."

~x~

The evening had ended on a high note, with laughter shared over presents, cake, tea and various other drinks before everyone took their leave.

Stood by the window looking over the Black Lake, rippling slightly under the Waning Gibbous moon, Minerva was happy, more so when Hermione wrapped her arms around her and pressed close. "Do you still want to watch those memories?" She asked.

"I would like you to see them, yes." Hermione shrugged. "I captured so many of Izzy's firsts, and I think you'll love them."

Minerva smiled, leaning back into Hermione's warmth. "Okay, then." Entwining their fingers, she let herself be led to their bed and they settled side by side.

Hermione took the silver camcorder in her hands and popped open a small compartment to slide the small plastic card in place. Flipping the screen open, she leaned in close and pressed the green triangle. The screen lit up momentarily, but with a fizzle, smoke erupted from its depths and it turned dark once more. "Damn it!" She growled.

Closing her eyes, Minerva sighed. She hadn't contemplated the fact that that Muggle device of Hermione's wouldn't work since it didn't run off electricity as such. In fact, she'd assumed it would work in the same way as a wizarding camera, despite the magical atmosphere. She was realising that there was a possibility that Hogwarts needed to adapt and allow the use of certain gadgets. Muggle technology had evolved, and it would be especially useful for the Muggle-born students where there was no connecting Floo and the use of owls was not at all normal. Then again, Hogwarts especially had so much magic in the air, it would always interfere with the use of such things.

"I have an idea," Hermione muttered, putting the camcorder down on the bedside table and moving to kneel in front of her. Catching her eyes, she explained. "Legilimency."

"No! It's too intrusive, lass." Minerva insisted.

"I kind of mastered Occlumency while I was on the run with Harry, so I can protect my mind if I need to." Hermione shrugged. "But even if I couldn't, I trust you."

Considering the words, Minerva nodded. "Okay then." Keeping eye contact and taking Hermione's hands in her own, she gave them a reassuring squeeze. "Legilimens." She whispered. The spell was met with momentary darkness until light erupted around her and she was inside a memory.

She felt the air shift and looked down at Isobel, lying in her arms next to her bare breast. No, not her breast, but Hermione's. She spotted the small hint of a smile and the little drops of milk at the corners of Isobel's perfect mouth and understood the little one had drifted into a blissed-out, relaxed state. Her little one was clearly milk-drunk and it was adorable.

The memory waned and a new one materialised. She looked down into a bassinet at Isobel and heard Hermione's soft voice cooing at the baby as if it was coming from her. "Hi, my little love. You're awake." Isobel gurgled, giving a happy wiggle and kicking her feet slightly. "You're beautiful, my strong little cub. Your mama loves you so much." Isobel smiled up at her and Minerva felt her heart soar.

"She was two and a half months old, we'd not been home from the hospital long. She was just getting over the crying-for-no-real-reason period and getting into a routine," Hermione explained. "She'd smiled before, when she was content in my arms after being fed, or when she was farting or pooping, but this felt like her first real smile. It made everything seem worthwhile."

The memory faded and another rushed in on its heels. Isobel sat in a strange-looking contraption and once again, she heard Hermione's voice coming from her. "Hi, baby. Hey, my little cub." Her hand reached out and began lightly tickling her belly, getting no reaction other than a small squeal. Falling to her knees, she crawled forward to kneel in front of the baby before taking her hands and kissing them. "You're such a perfect little babe, yes, you are." When that was met with a gummy smile, she bent low and blew a raspberry on her belly. The force of Isobel's giggle had her settling back on her heels and the seat Isobel was in bounced and rocked with the intensity of her giggling and squealing. Minerva knew had never heard a sweeter sound.

The memory melted away to be replaced by one with Isobel in a highchair, her fiery wisps of hair highlighted in the summer sunshine filtering through the large window. She was grinning with two small teeth peeking from the gums. Her hand, holding a spoon, reached forward and Isobel tried to grab it "Oh, just look at that beautiful face." Hermione cooed. "As long as I have you, I have all I'll ever need." Minerva, in Hermione's place, marvelled over her daughter's features as the spoon was pushed into Isobel's mouth. Unable to stop herself, she laughed at the sight of her face scrunching up before the porridge spat from between her lips.

Another memory appeared and she looked down to see a part-eaten chicken breast, with various vegetables and gravy on the plate in front of her. Looking up, she noticed Isobel, once again sitting in her high chair, waving a piece of broccoli in her chubby fist. She continued to watch when Isobel raised the vegetable to her lips and sucked on it. She watched as her daughter's nose wrinkled before she threw the broccoli on the floor, making an "ack" noise. With her laughter matching Hermione's, the memory faded.

The next memory had Minerva fighting laughter again. She'd have never guessed that the sight of her daughter's bare bum would be so cute, and yet the little dimples on her tiny cheeks when she rocked back and forth on her hands and knees before crawling backwards towards her was something she wouldn't forget in a hurry.

The memory faded and suddenly she had Isobel sat between her legs. Looking up, she stared at Hermione and Isobel reflected in a large mirror. She spotted the surprise and awe in Isobel's eyes. "Look, it's mama and Izzy. My little cub, can you say mama? Say, mama." Hermione encouraged. "Mammammam." The tiny babbling child laughed at the sound of her own voice and then realising her reflection was copying her, laughed even harder and clapped. She stood and lifted Isobel. "Wave bye-bye to Izzy." She pressed a kiss onto the top of the baby's head as her chubby hand waved at its twin in the mirror. "Baba-bi"

A new memory broke through and Isobel was in her arms, waving her little fists at the ice cream cone she held. Once she managed to grab it and pull it close to her mouth, she gasped, pulled back slightly and smacked her lips together before quickly making another grab for it and crushing the wafer as she buried her face into it.

"I have a lot of memories of Izzy trying to eat things for the first time." Hermione chuckled. "Or being scared or surprised by silly things. Another memory replaced the one she was viewing and again she was looking down at Isobel, her hair longer now, standing in a pair of shorts, a t-shirt and bright yellow wellington boots, screaming as she glared down at her own shadow as it followed her movements. "She was terrified of her own shadow," Hermione explained softly. The memory continued, with her picking Isobel up, and calming her down.

Minerva retreated from Hermione's mind and sat back on her haunches, staring wondrously at her mate. Unable to resist, she leaned forward to capture Hermione's lips with her own. She whispered her gratitude fervently. "Thank you, mo chridhe."

Pulling back and offering up a cheeky smile, Hermione responded. "You're more than welcome." Her smile widened. "You know, the best thing about memories, is making the one's that last forever. So, thank you for another memorable night, love. I'll never forget it."

Minerva returned the smile with a small grin of her own before leaning close again. "Oh, if you think the night is over—" She whispered teasingly in her ear before moving quickly and straddling the younger witch. "—then you're vastly mistaken." She smirked down at her.